Welcome back to school everyone! We are all looking forward to another fabulous year of growing, learning, discovering and exploring! Each year we watch the children build new friendships, strengthen new skills, experience new perspectives and challenge themselves to meet goals and reach for their dreams!
We see these little people become more independent, more self-confident and more ready for the 'big' world around them. They learn, through play, how to build social skills and develop peer connections, how things work and why they do what they do!
As early childhood educators, we are fascinated by observing the vast amount of knowledge each child acquires throughout the year!
We care for them, ensure their safety and help gently structure their environment, we provide activities, equipment and supplies for them to safely and effectively learn and grow all on their own! They lead the way for their own learning and discovery, they do the 'work', we provide the surroundings, support and supervision for children to become leaders and build their own dreams and goals.
If you sit back and let a child lead the way, you will be amazed at what you will discover! Amazed about what you can learn about our world through a child's eyes and heart.
If we are busy trying to form their vision of what we expect and what we know of the world, we miss out on such a magical and natural way of seeing what's around us. Simple discoveries and ideas that are so easily missed in our busy 'adult world.' Allowing the children to investigate their learning, gives the possibility of exploring and discovering what we thought was impossible!
We are always there for support, understanding, encouragement and guidance if needed. However, the wisdom that is shared throughout the year is the wisdom from the mind of a child, a child that sees our world without prejudice, without barriers, without limits, without fear of failure. They see our world full of hope, full of dreams and full of a knowledge we can only imagine. They are the ultimate teachers in our world... if we stop to watch and listen.
9/10/12
Helping Your Child Learn to Share!
Sharing -- Help Your Child Learn
~ Elizabeth Pantley, author of The No-Cry Discipline Solution
Does your child have a hard time sharing her toys with others? Children get very attached to their possessions, and they don't understand how sharing will affect them or their toy. In order to get a better understanding of these feelings, think for a minute about one of your most prized or important possessions - perhaps your computer, camera, cell phone, or car. Now think of having a friend take it away to use for a day... That feeling of apprehension and uncertainty, (plus a child's inexperience) is at the root of reluctance to share. Sharing is a complicated social skill that takes guidance and practice to develop.
What to do?
Demonstrate how to share.
Share things with your child and point out that you are sharing. For example, "Would you like a turn on my calculator? I am happy to share it with you."
Encourage your child to share with you.
It's easier for a child to share with a parent, since you'll be careful and you'll give the toy back when you're done. It makes for good sharing practice. When you hand her toy back, explain what happened, "You shared nicely, thank you!" That way she has a good feeling about what it means to share.
Give your child choices.
Instead of demanding that your child share a specific toy, give her some options. For example, "Sarah would like to play with a stuffed animal. Which one would you like to let her play with?"
Create situations that require sharing.
Your child can get good practice with sharing when given toys or games that require two or more people to play, such as board games, sports equipment or yard toys. Also look for activities that have plenty of parts for everyone, such as modeling clay or art projects, or building with blocks.
Let your child know what to expect prior to a sharing situation.
Before a friend's visit let her know how long the friend will be there, and reassure her that all her things will still be hers after the friend leaves. Allow your child to put away a few favorite things that don't have to be shared.
Praise good sharing moments.
Watch for good things that happen - no matter how briefly - and praise your child for sharing nicely.
What not to do
Don't shame your child for not sharing.
If your child isn't willing to share he needs to learn more about the process. Teach, rather than punish.
Don't embarrass your child with a public reprimand.
Even if you've given lessons, prepared your child, and set up a good situation for sharing, your child might still refuse to share. When this happens, take him to another room and discuss the issue privately, and then set a plan.
Don't force your child to share special toys, gifts or lovies.
Some things should be exempt from sharing rules, such as a favorite doll, a stuffed animal he sleeps with, a fragile toy, or a gift recently given to him.
~~~~
Excerpted fromThe No-Cry Discipline Solution (McGraw-Hill) by Elizabeth Pantley
~ Elizabeth Pantley, author of The No-Cry Discipline Solution
Does your child have a hard time sharing her toys with others? Children get very attached to their possessions, and they don't understand how sharing will affect them or their toy. In order to get a better understanding of these feelings, think for a minute about one of your most prized or important possessions - perhaps your computer, camera, cell phone, or car. Now think of having a friend take it away to use for a day... That feeling of apprehension and uncertainty, (plus a child's inexperience) is at the root of reluctance to share. Sharing is a complicated social skill that takes guidance and practice to develop.
What to do?
Demonstrate how to share.
Share things with your child and point out that you are sharing. For example, "Would you like a turn on my calculator? I am happy to share it with you."
Encourage your child to share with you.
It's easier for a child to share with a parent, since you'll be careful and you'll give the toy back when you're done. It makes for good sharing practice. When you hand her toy back, explain what happened, "You shared nicely, thank you!" That way she has a good feeling about what it means to share.
Give your child choices.
Instead of demanding that your child share a specific toy, give her some options. For example, "Sarah would like to play with a stuffed animal. Which one would you like to let her play with?"
Create situations that require sharing.
Your child can get good practice with sharing when given toys or games that require two or more people to play, such as board games, sports equipment or yard toys. Also look for activities that have plenty of parts for everyone, such as modeling clay or art projects, or building with blocks.
Let your child know what to expect prior to a sharing situation.
Before a friend's visit let her know how long the friend will be there, and reassure her that all her things will still be hers after the friend leaves. Allow your child to put away a few favorite things that don't have to be shared.
Praise good sharing moments.
Watch for good things that happen - no matter how briefly - and praise your child for sharing nicely.
What not to do
Don't shame your child for not sharing.
If your child isn't willing to share he needs to learn more about the process. Teach, rather than punish.
Don't embarrass your child with a public reprimand.
Even if you've given lessons, prepared your child, and set up a good situation for sharing, your child might still refuse to share. When this happens, take him to another room and discuss the issue privately, and then set a plan.
Don't force your child to share special toys, gifts or lovies.
Some things should be exempt from sharing rules, such as a favorite doll, a stuffed animal he sleeps with, a fragile toy, or a gift recently given to him.
~~~~
Excerpted fromThe No-Cry Discipline Solution (McGraw-Hill) by Elizabeth Pantley
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