Living Love and Logic Tip #59

Telling a Kid What to Do

We see it all the time. Parents lessen their effectiveness, to a large extent, when they tell children what to do. Why is that? Because parents cannot:

  a.  Ensure that the child does it.

  b.  Provide effective consequences for refusal to do it.

So, it's often better not to run around telling children what to do. That often invites rebellion. There are good Love and Logic alternatives:

Give an enforceable statement: "Right now I am expecting (hoping, thinking) that you'll choose to...."

Imply something: Take out a little notebook and start writing. Mutter softly to yourself, "This is something I really need to remember."

State your response as a fact, not a threat: "When we get home you will be able to put some energy back into my system because you are certainly draining it now." (Make sure you follow through with the chore and bask in the energy rays that rain down on you as your child mops the kitchen floor or whatever.)

This article is taken from the Love and Logic website. Please visit HERE for more information on how to implement Love and Logic techniques in your home or classroom!

Play is Deep Learning

The following article is from  *ExchangeEveryDay*    

*October 19, 2012*

*I Think I Can... I Think I Can... I Think I Can.

-The Little Engine that Could*

"Watch children at play and you might suddenly realize that they are not

just frivolously wasting time or mucking about," notes Paul Bailey in his

book, "Think of an Elephant" (London: Watkins Publishing, 2007).

"Child's play is deep learning: a self-directed state of deep "connectedness"

and personal engagement.  It is also an enthusiastic and absorbing state of

relaxed attention — healthy qualities often missing from adult life.  Play

is a creative learning exchange between mind, body, and circumstance into

one integrated and healthy whole.  Awash with symbols and mental imagery,

children at play are learning in a way that can be wildly creative,

insightful, and visionary....

"Research shows that the more animals play, the bigger their brains grow.

Moreover, brain imaging techniques show that social play seems to rewire

our brain, increasing the activity of connections between our brain cells.

Play also helps develop our logical reasoning, our ability to learn, and

our behavioral flexibility."

These children are building and playing with blocks. As you can see some are working together while our little ones watch and learn how to build.  The student below even created individual rooms, adding people and pretending what goes into each room (ex. a bathroom and bedroom, etc.) This is great modeling for the younger children with advance skills in building and pretending!

As stated above, "play" time is actually critical learning time. Look below to see just some of the Nevada Preschool Standards that are addressed while doing an activity like block building. 

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL

4.PK.1c Respect rights and belongings of others ****Take note above at the little one, who even though tempted to knock the blocks over, respected the work of the older student! Wow! This takes restraint :)

1.PK.1a Make independent choices from diverse interest centers or activities.

1.PK.1b Select materials to use for individual expression.

1.PK.2b Acknowledge actions and accomplishments verbally and non verbally.

1.PK.2a Express ideas for activities; initiate and participate in discussions with teachers or peers.

5.PK.1a Play independently.

5.PK.1b Play in pairs and small groups.

5.PK.1c Engage in dramatic play.

5.PK.1d Initiate play, or enter into play with a group of children already playing.

5.PK.2a Participate in cooperative groups to complete a task.

5.PK.2b Take turns with teacher support.

5.PK.2c Share some of the time.

CREATIVE EXPRESSION

2.PK.1 Select progressively more challenging tasks.

2.PK.2b Express satisfaction when accomplishing a task and achieving a goal.

2.PK.3 Demonstrate persistence by trying again when faced with challenges.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

6.PK.1 Demonstrate skills in eye-hand coordination

SO...next time your little one wants to "play", think of all the learning that is about to take place and just have fun!

ANNOUNCEMENT

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

We are closed Friday, Oct. 26, 2012.  

Yes, we will be open on Halloween Day, Wed., Oct. 31. Children may wear or bring their costumes. We will have our annual Halloween costume Parade that day at 10:00 am, after which we will have a ghoulish snack at 10:30.  All are welcome to join us! 

Please advise if you would like to donate any items for a healthy, low sugar ghoulish snack.....of which we are open for suggestions. :)

Living Love and Logic Tip #58

Are Kids Growing Up Too Fast … or Are Too Many Adults Failing to Grow Up

None of the girls in my second grade class wore makeup or short skirts. None of the boys had designer jeans or trendy haircuts. Few of the girls wanted much to do with the boys. I suppose they were smart. Our feelings weren't hurt. Worms, bugs, and other gross stuff were more fun to play with anyway.

Have you noticed the change? Is it just me, or does it seem a bit premature for kids to be "dating" in elementary school? Am I the only one, or do you also feel a bit uneasy seeing a young girl with all the cosmetic trappings of a hip twenty-year-old? Do little kids really need their own cell phones?

Do little kids really need their own cell phones?

Is this trend mostly the result of kids growing up too rapidly, or is it largely due to the fact that so many adults are reluctant to act like mature adult role models?

It's tough to learn maturity in a pervasively immature culture.

Ouch!

To be fair, the vast majority of people who take the time to read tips about parenting are making a valiant effort to provide a great example for their kids. I know I'm preaching to the choir! The tough part is that being in the choir doesn't keep our kids from living in a less than choir-like society.

Listed below are four encouragements for you:

• If you are modeling personally and socially respectful behavior and dress, pat yourself on the back.

• If you set limits such as, "I provide clothing that I feel good about," you're part of the solution!

• If you've decided that your family doesn't spend its time watching raunchy junk on TV, I want to thank you.

• If your kids are annoyed with you as a result, you are on the right track!

There is hope for this world! That is, as long as enough of us are brave enough to show kids what it looks like to be men and women of honor.

This article, parenting techniques and more information can be found HERE at the Love and Logic Website. 

Monster Soup

The students enjoyed the start to a magical Halloween season this week as they were introduced to Monster Soup! Ms JoAnn told the students how she found a recipe hidden by monsters under her bed! The monsters told her that whatever she does, NOT to feed it to children! It was full of wiggly stuff that kids will never eat. Of course, this exaggerated and imaginative story only made the children curious and excited to try such a mysterious meal!

Recipe

Ingredients

Rotten chicken broth

Moldy Bok Choy

Wilted Napa cabbage

Bug infested brown rice

Directions

1. First cook rice

2. Simmer vegetables in broth

3. Add rice

4. Eat and enjoy

Delicious!

Every kid that tried it liked it....and all but one tried it!

The delivery of the story was the best seller!

As students continue to study the #2, letter Uu, and Halloween they decided to create their own 2 ugly monsters to go along with the following chant:

There are 2 ugly monsters

Under my bed,

With floppy ears

sticking out of their heads.

With 1 (say body part ie; arm) up

And 1 (arm) down

They wiggle their (say body part, ie; hips)

Around and around,

Their faces get all scrunched up too...

Those ugly beasts look....just.....

Like....... YOU!

Such much more Halloween fun to come at HO4K!

London Bridges Falling Down

Our little ones learn best by watching others around them. Several weeks ago the older children played movement games like London Bridges Falling Down and Ring Around the Roses. We helped each other learn how to sing and play. How adorable that we captured on film the little ones initiating and playing on their own. Holding hands, they played together nicely, trying to recite the words and sing along! We have the cutest kiddos!

Living Love and Logic Tip #57

Need Attention

Johnny had a need. Not many things in life sent him messages that said, "You're important" or "There is something special about you."

At school, Johnny felt the need to test and see if anybody found him to be important or special. He craved being noticed. As a result, he acted out a lot. He sought attention from fellow students and teachers in negative ways and gave adults fits.

Many of Johhny's teachers showed frustration. But Mrs. DeJesus was different. She would wander up to Johnny when he wasn't asking for attention, smile and notice something about him - that he liked basketball or that he was getting taller. She didn't take a lot of time or embarrass him in front of the class. She just scooted by his desk, noticed something unique about him and quickly moved on.

In spite of himself, Johnny found that he was drawn to Mrs. D. He always wanted to share news with her or find ways to please her. A strange thing happened in Mrs. DeJesus's class: the more she noticed Johnny, the less he messed around trying to be noticed. She met his need, but she did it on her terms.

Effective adults see unmet needs that are barriers to kids' success. Then, they plan healthy ways to help those needs get met.

 

 

To learn more about proactive techniques that can be used with your little one visit the Love and Logic website HERE!

Learning to Tie Shoes!

 

New skills always take practice and patience. All children are ready at different times to learn how to tie their shoes. There are "tricks", songs, videos, etc. all available to help our little ones learn in their own way. The student below uses determination to figure it out! While they are learning such a complex small motor skill it is important for us to encourage, teach and have patience with them!

 For some it takes longer to grasp than others!

 

Nevada Preschool State Standards addressed:

Physical Development

6.PK.1
Demonstrate skills in eye-hand coordination (e.g., stacking, sorting, lacing toys, stringing beads,
reproducing basic patterns, complete six-piece puzzle, Legos and peg-boards).

6.PK.2
Demonstrate the muscle strength, dexterity, and control needed to manipulate items (e.g., scissors, writing utensil, paint brushes, play dough, buttons/snaps, etc.).

LIVING LOVE AND LOGIC Tip #56

The Logic Won't Happen Without the LoveWeekly Tip from the Love and Logic^® Experts

The Logic Won't Happen Without The Love!

How do we help our kids develop the type of cause-effect logic that leads to good decision-making? Is it by showing them how tough we are, or is it by showing them how much we love them as they experience the tough consequences of their poor decisions?

Our anger allows kids to blame us for the consequences

of their poor decisions.

Our loving empathy forces them to blame themselves

for these consequences.

If we're forgetting our sincere empathy, it will increase the odds that they'll lack the logical, commonsense reasoning required to stay safe in today's complex world.

Some reminders…

• Lock in the empathy first!
  
  Before describing consequences, do your best to establish a sincere love connection with your child. Whenever appropriate, pair your words (e.g. "This is so sad.") with caring eye contact and touch.
  
  This also applies to setting limits. Before saying, "You may have that toy when you can afford it," take a moment to show your love.

To see additional reminders and for more information click HERE!

Learning With Blue Jeans

Every child enjoys tearing and ripping things! So when learning about the letter J this week, students loved the hands on activity of pulling at and ripping old jeans. Some students had  to work together and some were able to do it alone! Students used their small motor skills, determination and strength to tear small pieces of jean material to later glue inside the letters Jj.

 

Anything that uses small motor skills such as pinching, is a great pre-writing skill. It helps with the pencil grasp and prepares students for writing skills. Of course it was a great time to also review the color blue. Wow, what fun we have!

Positive Feedback

Do you give positive feedback often to the amazing staff at HO4K? The kids at HO4K are the luckiest around and it is because of the hard work  of Ms JoAnn and Ms Mary! Below is just one parents comments!

 

 

"Love it…thank you for taking such wonderful care of our babies…and for your love and support over the years! We appreciate you so much. I have often been asked (especially returning to work so early) how I could ever leave my babies at a “daycare place” so young. I feel so happy and so confident when I explain to them what a wonderful place and what wonderful people they get to be with each and every day, and that it has never felt like a “daycare”…but more like family!

Thank you for all you do…"

 

We all echo the above... "THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO!"