Alternatives to Time outs. Ages 1-6

1.  Take a break together: The key is to do this together and before things get out of hand. So, if your child is having a difficult time or making unsafe choices like hitting a playmate, find a quiet space to take a break together. Just five minutes of connection, listening to what your child is feeling and talking about more appropriate choice really helps. This is similar to a time in.

2. Second chances: Ever made a mistake and felt so relieved to have a chance at a do-over? Often letting children try again let’s them address the problem or change their behavior. “I can’t let you put glue all over the table, do you want to try this again on paper?”

3.Problem solve together: If there is a problem and your child is acting out of frustration, giving them a chance to talk about their problem and listening to a solution they have can turn thing around for the better.

4. Ask question: Sometimes children do things but we don’t quite get it.  We might assume incorrectly they are doing something “bad” or “naughty” when in fact they are trying to understand how something works. Ask what they are up to with the intent to listen and understand first, then correct them by providing the appropriate outlet or information that is missing.  So “What are you trying to do?” instead of “why in the world…ugh!!! time out!”

5. Read a story: Another great way to help children understand how to make better choices is by reading stories with characters that are making mistakes, having big feelings or needing help to make better choices. Also, reading together can be really positive way to re-connect and direct our attention to our child.

 

 

6. Puppets & Play: Young children love to see puppets or dolls come to life to teach positive lessons. “I’m honey bear and oh it looks like you scribbled crayons on the ground, I’m flying to the kitchen to get a sponge for us to clean it up together. Come along!” after cleaning up together “Oh now let’s fetch some paper, will you color me a picnic on the paper? Paper is for coloring with crayons!”

7. Give two choices: Let’s say your child is doing something completely unacceptable  provide them with two alternatives that are safe,respectful and acceptable and let them choose what they will do from there. By giving two choices, the child can keep some control over his decisions while still learning about boundaries.

8. Listen to a Song: Sometimes taking a fun break to release some tension and connect is all that children need to return to making better choices and for us parents to loosen up a bit and let go of some stress. Listen to a song or take a dance break!

9.Go Outside: Changing locations often gives us parents a chance to re-direct behavior to something more appropriate  “I cannot let you scale the book shelf. You CAN climb on the monkey bars. Let’s go outside and practice that instead!”  or “cutting the carpet with the scissors is not acceptable. Let’s go outside and cut some grass.”

10. Breathe: A big deep breathe for both parents and children can really help us calm down and look at what is going on with a new perspective.  Take a big “lions” breath to get out frustrations or short and quick “bunny” breaths to feel calm and re-energized.

11. Draw a picture: A wonderful way for children to talk about mistakes is to make a picture of what they did or could have done differently. It’s a low key way to open a window for talking to each other about making better choices.

12. Chill-Out Space: For a time out to work it needs to be something that helps everyone calm down,  not something that makes children frightened or scared. A chill-out space is an area where children can go sit and think, tinker with some quiet toys, have some space alone until they feel ready to talk or return to being with others.  Using the chill out space should be offered as a choice and not a command. Read more about chill-out spaces and how to set one up.

Every child and every situation is unique so these tools are not one size fits all but rather a list of ideas to lean on to expand your parenting tool box. I find that striving to use pro-active tools like this to respond and to guide children towards better choices works far more positively than having to react when things have gotten out of hand.

Letter “Z”, we completed the Alphabet, YAY.

Today we worked on the letter “Z”.  The kids were all so happy because they knew it meant that they completed the Alphabet.  We went over “Zebras, Zipper, Zoo and Zig zags”.  The children practiced tracing the letter Z and writing it in the dry erase boards. Finally for our craft the kids each made a “Z”ebra mask. That was their favorite part.  Now we will go back and review the Alphabet..

Very soon we will have just a small celebration for “E” and “JP” for moving onto Kindergarten and “K” completing her first year of pre school.  I got little cardbaord caps and made certificates. The hats are royal blue so if anyone (Dads) have that color or similar shirt to be used as a gown that would be wonderful, please let me know as I want to do this soon.  I am so excited for my little ones and will miss the two moving on to the “Big” school, half days.

                                 

Importance of Self Esteem and Praise

Self-Esteem… Emotionally Healthy

Children who like themselves develop the confidence to try new things. The greater your child’s self-esteem, the more willing they will be to try something new and continue without giving up. It’s a skill that increases your child’s success in school and in life! When you celebrate the things that make your child special, you help increase their confidence.

• Praise your child for trying new things even if they do not succeed at the start. Be positive and patient.
• When praising your child begin your statement with “I like…”. Keep the praise specific and truthful.

Borrow: Country Fun

“Play based Learning”

Borrowed from Country Fun

“We often don’t think about all the learning that is occurring in the everyday activities our children are involved in. Learning doesn’t only occur during structured lessons. To best serve our children we need to approach the opportunities that arise daily with intention and instill the concept that learning is occurring all the time and is fun, as early as possible.”

Last Librarian visit of the School year

I had a small group Wednesday but we still had our monthly Librarian visit. “JP” and “E” were very excited.  She read books about Baby Animals and their Mothers a Book by a local Author about the Six Turtles at her own home and she also read a couple short stories about Bear and his friends. Then we sang some songs including “Twinkle Twinkle, Ol McDonald and the Alphabet”.  The children even practiced walking like a duck, hiding in their shell like a Turtle and a couple other animals.  We won’t see our Librarian friend, Dani, for visits until October  unless we go visit her.  FYI: There is a Train exhibit there Friday until 4:00 and Saturday Morning.

       

MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS (Late)

Due to my having surgery last week we got behind on making our Mother’s day gift. SO, we made it today with my helper.  I printed the children’s name on the bottom of a piece of cardstock.  Then we painted the kids feet, one foot at a time, and placed them on the cardstock.  Once the paint dried we added bodies and heads.  They came out soooo cute, better than I even expected.  The kids did awesome sitting still.

Letters X and Y

Wednesday this week we worked on two letters, “X” & “Y”.  I was hoping to get the entire Alphabet in before Surgery, but it didn’t happen, so we will do “Z” next week, then review time. THEN, the two 5 year old’s Graduate Pre school and get ready to head off to Kindergarten. Wow, hard to believe.  For a craft we made a “Y man”. Each child colored the pieces themselves, then cut and pasted them. You can tell much better in person what they are.  The children are becoming so good at their cutting and other skills.

Letter “W”, Windmill, Outside fun, Tball

I just realized I forgot to post to he BLOG yesterday. We worked on the letter “W”. The kids did a really good job at practicing it too. Then we made a “W”indmill.  We were all excited to get outside and play. While we were outside we played T-ball, kickball, watered the flower Garden, picked dandelions (Flowers For Mom) and so much more. Great day all around. I am so pleased that we now have good weather so that we can spend a lot of the day outside.

When Your Child Comes Home Messy

WHEN YOUR CHILD COMES HOME MESSY  Red paint in the hair? Blue paint on the jeans? Sand in the shoes? Peanut butter on a favorite shirt? White socks that look brown? Sleeves a bit damp? YOUR CHILD PROBABLY…. Worked with a friend, solved a problem, created a masterpiece, negotiated a difference, learned a new skill, had a great time, developed new language skills YOUR CHILD PROBABLY DIDN’T…. Feel lonely, become bored do a repetitive task that is babyish, do worksheets that are too easy, do sit down work that is discouraging YOU PROBABLY…. Paid good money for those clothes, will have trouble getting the red paint out, are concerned the caregiver isn’t paying enough attention to your child. YOUR CAREGIVER PROBABLY…. Was aware of your child’s special needs and interests, spent time planning a challenging activity for the children encouraged the children to try new things, was worried you might be concerned. Young children really learn when they are actively involved in play…not when someone is talking to them. There is a difference between “messy” and “lack of care.” Your caregiver made sure your child was fed, warm, offered new skills and planned messy fun things to do because that’s how your children learn! Send your child in clothes that can get dirty! Keep extra clothes at the site for the times when the child gets really messy. But remember, your children need time to be kids. ~~~Author Unknown~~~

Letter “V”, Vase Craft and Outside play

The kids were really excited to go outside on this beautiful day, so our lesson this morning was kind of short. Both kids that I had here today practiced the letter “V” on the dry erase boards several time. Both did really well.  Then for our arts and crafts we made a “V” shaped “V”ase and for the flowers the kids used stickers spelling out their names. They came out really cute. Then it was outside until lunch , rest and then we will head back out.