| Tip of the Week | |
Are you looking for techniques to help children manage their own behavior? If so, here are a few ideas that will help you.
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Turtle Technique
- Solution Kit ideas
- Problem Solving Steps
- Social Stories
To view these problem solving strategies go to
OR
For more information or resources on problem solving or behavior techniques contact the Help Line at 301-733-0000 or 800-924-9188 and press 2 or email help@applesforchildren.org
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| Upcoming Events |
9th Annual Early Childhood Professional Day
A Day in
Mr. Roger's Neighborhood
Saturday, September 25th
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hagerstown
Know, Love & Teach
III: Infants & Toddlers
Garrett & Allegany
Saturday, July 31st &
Saturday, August 28th
8:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Grantsville Elementary School
Resource Library Open House
Saturday, August 21st
9:00 a.m. - 12 noon
6 W. Washington Street
Suite 210
Hagerstown
Coming this Fall!
MMSR Domain Trainings
and
Infant and Toddler Caregivers Learning Together
APPLES for Children welcomes
AMY WEAVER
to the APPLES staff!
Watch for more details in the coming weeks |
| Contact Us |
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6 West Washington Street, Suite 210
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740
301-733-0000 or 800-924-9188
FAX: 301-733-0886
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Greetings!
Happy Wednesday.
Just like baseball, caring for children in a program is not an individual effort. Daily routines run more smoothly with a team approach. The provider guides, motivates, encourages, and leads the team the same as a baseball coach.
A baseball example: Bases are loaded, there are two outs and the batter has two strikes. The pitch is thrown and the batter line-drives the ball right to the pitcher. It hits the pitcher and drops. The pitcher remembers what his coach taught him: make the easiest play. The pitcher picks up the ball, runs toward home plate, and tags the runner as he steps on the plate. Game over!
A program example: The provider teaches children strategies to use when problems arise with peers or how to best express their emotions. The provider sets up situations for children to practice the strategies with a goal to eventually have the children think of their own solutions.
Read on to hear a story of how a program became a team and practiced problem solving strategies. Tell us some of your stories by emailing help@applesforchildren.org (see coupon below)
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When you get to the end of your rope...tie a knot and hold on tighter. - Franklin D. Roosevelt
A discouraged parent called the APPLES helpline in February about her 3 year old son who attended a program in Allegany County. "My son has been hitting, pinching, not taking turns, not sharing, and not complying with rules at home or at the program. He aggresively fights with his sisters. I have tried time out and taking toys from him. It's not working and I don't know what else to do. Can you help?"
During APPLES' observations at the program, the 3 year old acted out many of the behaviors mom had described. Originally, the 3 year old received therapy regularly for speech and developmental delays upon entering the program. The staff implemented a visual schedule, planned better activities for transitions, and began reading social stories with all the children.
Still, the disruptive behaviors continued. APPLES' further suggestions were:
- get down on the floor to play with him each day (to provide individual attention and to teach social skills)
- teach him how to stop, take breaths, and think about a solution (using the turtle technique and solution cards)
- post turn-taking charts (make a visual list of who's next for popular toys or activities)
- teach him words to use when he is upset and help him to express his feelings, wants and needs
- play games that will help him get to know other children
- provide music and movement activities at circle time that are of special interest to him
In addition to the above strategies, the staff assigned a "problem solver" job to a child each day. When a "problem" came up, the "problem solver" would help the other children find a solution. It took some practice, but the strategies helped tremendously.
The staff, family members and other children really worked as a team to teach this child and all the other children social skills. His disruptive behavior occurred less frequently at the program. The 3 year old, as well as other children learned turn-taking, basic problem solving skills, how to manage their emotions, and other social skills. The staff worked with his mom on how to implement the same strategies at home. The staff learned the importance of working as a team and to be more confident.
See the coupon below and share your stories about building a program team or a child with challenging behaviors at help@applesforchildren.org.
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