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

Key Principles of Safe Sleep to Reduce the Risk of SIDS

We are posting these links with important information to ensure that we have spread the word! For Parents and Caregivers! Helping to protect the safety of the precious babies in our world :)

http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/safe_sleep_for_babies

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hp-ps/dca-dea/stages-etapes/childhood-enfance_0-2/sids/pdf/bsse-essb-eng.pdf

Spring!

It is a beautiful sunny day on the coast of Vancouver Island! It is only February but, wow, does it feel like Spring! Today will be a day spent outside soaking up all that sunshine we have been deprived of for several cloudy and grey months. And what better way to spend a beautiful early spring day than to sing a few songs and talk about this fabulous weather?!

Spring Songs and Poems

What the Robin Told

The wind told the grasses,
And the grasses told the trees.
The trees told the bushes,
And the bushes told the bees.
The bees told the robin,
And the robin sang out clear:
Wake up! Wake up!
Spring is here!

Springtime

(This would make an awesome felt board poem!)

A small green frog
On a big brown log;
A black and yellow bee
In a little green tree;
A red and yellow snake
By a blue-green lake,
All sat and listened
To red bird sing,
"Wake up, everybody,
It's spring! It's spring!"

First I was

(Tune Johnny Works With One Hammer)

First I was a raindrop, raindrop, raindrop
First I was a raindrop, pitter and patter
Then I was a puddle, puddle, puddle
Then I was a puddle, splash and splatter

Then I heard the children, children, children

Then I heard the children laugh and play
Then I saw the sunshine, sunshine, sunshine
Then I saw the sunshine and dried away

The Little Caterpillar
(Sung to "Itsy, Bitsy Spider")

The little caterpillar crawled up into a tree,
Spun his cocoon and slept so quietly,
All through the winter he didn't make a sound,
He dreamt of his new life when he'd be flying all around.
While he was sleeping the snow did gently fall,
Winter came and went, then he heard the robin's call,
Come on Mr. Butterfly, out of your cocoon
Spread your wings and fly for me, while I sing my tune.

Check back soon for Spring Craft Ideas!

References
Canteach.ca

Everythingpreschool.com

Getting to Know Your Child

Has your child had any significant life experiences, such as premature birth, major illness or medical occurrences? What are their likes/dislikes? How do they like to go down to sleep?
It is important when enrolling your child into childcare programs that this information is shared with the caregivers. The significance of knowing your child and what has happened to them prior to enrolling in our care is essential in providing the best possible individual care to your child.
The events of birth and early life experience can affect a child, even if it isn’t an obvious affect right away, such as detectable medical or developmental affects. Some affects can occur in behaviours or reactions, as the child grows and develops in early life.
For example, if a child is born prematurely, and as the child is developing within the childcare program, we notice observations that concern us, such as a slight delay in development, if we know the child was born prematurely we can take note of this. However, if we did not know of the premature birth, we may be more concerned and begin assessments and more observations and continue on with actions that are not necessary for this child. We always want to provide the best, most accurate care for each child based on there individual needs and development. With knowledge we will recognize that this is a completely accurate stage of development for this child and provide care as needed for these needs, knowing that with time and care they will catch up on their own rather than having to involve outside supports.This is true for medical trauma or illness as well, which can affect a child’s development or behaviours.
You are the most valuable primary source of information for your children, and often we don’t get a chance to ask these historical questions verbally throughout caring for your child unless concerns arise. (Which most often won’t be concerns when we find out the history.)
Therefore, we have a ‘Getting to Know Your Child’ form for families, should you want to share this information when enrolling. It’s nice to have these on hand in the child’s file to look back upon and say ‘ah ha!’ that’s why this or that may be happening and begin to respond to the situation with valuable knowledge on your children’s individual or family needs and background. It is often said that knowledge is the key and in the case of caring for children I believe this is truly so. The more knowledge we have about your child, and the history prior to coming into our care, the more we are going to be able to provide the upmost quality and effective care and learning for your child. In this checklist we also ask about likes/dislikes, and other information, to ensure that when your child is enrolled in our program, your child is receiving the best possible care for his/her individual needs. We will have a jumpstart on knowing your child (how do they like to go down for a nap, what food do they like, do they like to feed themselves or are they fed, etc.) and as they continue to grow and learn and explore in the program we will also grow and learn more about your child and be able to continue to provide the best possible care for their development and needs.

Stressed About Finding the Right Care for Your Baby?

If your baby is turning one soon, or has recently celebrated their first birthday, then chances are you having been stressing about finding the right childcare for your precious little one.

Are you returning to work?

We know that along with such a celebration, many parents face the anxiety of returning to work. Maternity leave is ending and it’s time to figure out where the next path will lead. It’s not easy, there will be big changes happening for your family. It’s a difficult transition from being with your baby all day everyday to leaving your baby in someone else’s care.

How do you know which centre is right for your family?

How do you know you are making the right decision?
How do you know your child will receive the best care?

Many of the staff at Jolly Giant Childcare are not only Early Childhood Educators, but also parents too! We understand the stress of such important childcare decisions. We know that finding the right care and environment, while you are away from your baby, can weigh heavily and we want to help make your decision a little easier.

We want you to be able to return to work confident with the care your child will receive. We want you to be able to have a successful workday knowing your child is receiving care, education, and comfort in a fun and safe environment.

Our programs and facilities ensure the upmost quality supervision and care from loving and educated staff. Your child will grow and learn, build social skills and friendships. Our facilities provide developmentally age-appropriate programs, educated caregivers, and child-size equipment to ensure a safe and fun environment for your child to grow, learn and explore!

Go ahead, return to work at ease, knowing your child is receiving high quality care and comfort from loving and experienced staff, who truly value your child and your family!

Are you able to stay home?
What an amazing experience, to be able to stay home and care for your baby!
Have you thought about the important advantages of your child being in childcare?
Part-time care is a fantastic way to ensure your child gains important early learning and social skills. Your child will have experiences in building friendships and learning peer interaction skills, such as sharing and turn-taking. These opportunities are not always accessible in the home environment. Group care offers experiences in following gentle routines, learning through play and building self-help skills, all while having fun with friends and our experienced staff.

Our website offers an online application, a manager will contact you to arrange a no-obligation visit and tour of our facilities! We can answer any questions you have and hopefully help alleviate some of the stress you are feeling about childcare.

Toddlers, Preschoolers and Essential Social Skills!

Are you concerned about your toddler or preschoolers social skills?

Research suggests that a child’s social skills by age three could predict his or her future social and academic performance.*

Children with a head start on social skills and self-esteem are more likely to be able to focus on school work with out the distraction of peer conflicts and other social behavior problems.

Ask yourself these questions with regards to your child:

Do they have opportunities to build friendships, learn turn-taking and co-operation, effectively communicate with others, problem-solve, share, or recognize boundaries and social cues?

Do they have experiences in building self-esteem and independence, by successfully joining group play, learning self-control while gaining confidence in expressing their needs and wants to others?

The group childcare environment is the ideal learning space to build essential social skills that every child should be developing in their early years. Social skills are important in establishing the foundation of your child’s life experience!

Does your child know how to:

• Play effectively with others
• Build self-esteem in group situations
• Recognize peer boundaries, social cues and communication
• Successfully communicate their needs and wants to others in appropriate way
• Understand appropriate social behaviours – such as managing emotions and empathizing with others who are sad or angry, and learning how to react in these situations
• Discover leadership and following roles, determining group roles and co-operation
• Encounter sharing concepts – turn-taking and waiting, communicating and problem-solving
• Build peer friendships and determine which peers they will find connections with

Ensure that your child is receiving the upmost opportunities to build these important social skills and early learning! Ensure that your current childcare program is meeting these needs, ask:

• Do the programs and caregivers promote early social skills such as problem-solving, turn-taking and group play entry?
• How many children are in the group? Is this group large enough to create valuable group interactions such as building self-esteem in leadership roles, and discovering where they can contribute in group activities?
• Are the children the same peer age as my child? Does my child have daily interactions with children his/her own age to develop these social skills and important peer friendships and experience and manage peer conflict?
• Are there opportunities for my child to gain independence and discover self, as well as be involved in being a part of a group?
• Are they exposed to books and real situations everyday that teach them about peer social conflict situations and how to manage internal feelings, and problem-solve during these conflicts, resulting in a compromise or positive outcome?

• Our experienced educators provide these daily opportunities for your child to grow, learn and build upon all these essential social skills with their peers! We want your child to have these significant experiences! Our licensed childcare facilities provide developmentally age-appropriate programs, toys and equipment, educated caregivers, ensuring a safe and fun environment. Your child has the opportunity to play and create friendships with children their own age, be a part of co-operation activities and learn team-building skills, as well as learn self-esteem by leading groups or voicing their thoughts/ wants/ needs with in a group.

These are all fantastic skills to learn prior to the school years! Children will have team knowledge if their join sports. They will be more confident to stand in front of the class to present school projects because they have had experience voicing themselves in large groups and building the confidence to do so. They will be able to focus more on school work if they have good friendships and less peer conflicts. It’s really an endless list of positive outcomes when children learn early the social and emotional skills that will carry them throughout their lives!

Are you a stay at home parent?

Part-time care is a fantastic way to ensure your child gains important early learning and social skills. These opportunities are not ideally accessible in the home environment. Group care also offers experiences in following gentle routines, learning through play and building self-help skills, all while having fun with friends and our experienced staff!

*Michigan State University. "Childhood Social Skills Linked To Learning Abilities." ScienceDaily, 21 Jun. 2007. Web. 28 Sep. 2011.,