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Greetings!
Welcome Spring!
Somaly is going to take a little time off this month, so BluePlate will be bringing in our meals for a few days. Wednesday April 22 - we will have chicken strips, breadsticks, mixed veggies, and watermelon. Thursday, April 23 - we will have Beef Stroganoff noodles, green beans, and pears. Friday, April 24 - Cheese pizza, green salad and sliced apples.
With Spring here and Summer on the way - it is time to evaluate your child's spare clothing wardrobe. Please make sure that your child has enough seasonally appropriate clothing in their cubbie. With all of the wet weather, an extra pair of socks and shoes might be a good idea.
The Circus (this year's carnival and auction) is gearing up! You will soon be seeing information on how YOU can help make this year's event a great success. Here is a heads up on a few things we are looking for...
* Basket Coordinators (remember last year's classroom baskets)
* Volunteers to work the various games
* and much more...
If you are interested, please contact Royale or Shari.
Sincerely,
Royale |
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Communicating With Young Children by
Mary Ann Abbott, Parent Consultant
North Seattle Community College
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Jake stomped across the playground and pointed, "He hit me again! I hate my little brother!"
Sara collapsed and began to sob, "My daddy didn't wave to me."
Myra bounced out the door with her mom, "It's daddy's birthday! We're having 'exican' food tonight."
Kyle lay in the hall. Mother stood nearby, holding his coat. "I don't want to go!"
"She's not my friend any more. I will never, never, never play with her again," yelled Emma as she ran out of the room.
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Children have intense emotions. Children have a lot to say. Yet, sometimes, young children don't want to do anything, just "veg." Parents have to mine-step through children's actions and words to get through the demands of an ordinary day. It takes a lot of energy and special skills!
Every adult (both teacher and parent) brings a natural style for interacting with children. This style usually reflects one's background, the style of the family of origin, and what has seemed to work in the past. Often, however, there are some places where communication seems to break down. This article suggests some positive parent behaviors to address some of these mine field traps.
LISTENING
The most important part of communicating with young children is listening. Listening includes being attentive to both nonverbal and verbal cues, showing understanding of a situation with a response, and finally putting the message the adult receives into words. For the child who is still working on language skills, the adult supplies the words the child cannot yet articulate. - i.e. "You're upset. It scared you when Kyle shoved you down." Such a response lets the child know you are listening and trying to understand. Communication has occurred!
LOOKING FOR THE GOOD
A popular phrase, "Catch them being good" can be an excellent guide for interacting with young children. This means acknowledging desirable behavior in an intentional way by addressing a behavior you like with one's eyes, one's total body language, a gesture, a secret code, words, or the like. "You were kind to your sister when you shared your cookie." " Thank you for remembering the rule about not asking for a toy in the store." The important part of this technique is to be specific about the BEHAVIOR; avoid "good job" which is not specific and phrases such as "good boy" which are attached to personhood.
REINFORCEMENT
How behaviors and scenes are reinforced is an important aspect of communication.
The behavior that the adult acknowledges, positively or negatively, will be repeated. If a child is scolded in a dramatic way about something, it really tempts the child to only feel acknowledged when getting attention in a negative way. It tempts the child to repeat the negative behavior just to get the attention. However, if a parent reacts firmly, but with a routinely matter-of-fact demeanor, regarding the negative behavior, the child will feel less acknowledged. Then, the parent must make a pleasant, positive response when a positive, desired behavior occurs. This sharp contrast promotes desired behavior from the child. The mistake well-meaning adults make is taking "for granted" the cooperation and desired behaviors, and then really "losing it" when a misbehavior occurs.
CONFUSING QUESTIONS
In a redirection or disciplining situation, an adult may ask of a young child: "Why did you do that?" Some may go on to say: "Don't you know better?" or "What am I going to do with you?" or "I thought we talked about this." None of these questions promote communication. Usually the young child cannot articulate "why" - it just happened, most likely, because young children are explorers and interact with the environment. The adult can state the obvious and apply some problem-solving techniques. i.e. A mother has her knitting yarn balls in a basket in the family room. When the mother was not around, her children, ages 3 and 4, began playing "ball" with the yarn balls. Mother came upon the scene with disgust and sorrow. None of the above responses will help. Mother states the obvious, "Oh, no, the yarn balls are all tangled up! This yarn is not for playing. They are not toys. They're for my knitting. I'm going to need help fixing them." Mother then tries to connect the child's desire to throw with an acceptable activity and does not leave her yarn out again.
A MIXED MESSAGE
Another common question often sends a mixed message. A parent is leaving preschool with her child. The parent says, "Do you want to put your coat on?" This sounds like the child has a choice, when, in fact, the child does not have a choice. The child is going to wear the coat. Rather, the parent should say exactly what she wants: "It's time to get your coat on." or "If you'll get your coat on, we'll go to Bonnie's house." Avoid: "Do you want to get your pajamas on?" "Do you want to pick up those toys before we go?" Most of the time the child will say "no" to these requests and start a power struggle. A lot of energy is saved by saying a clear statement such as "It's time to get those pajamas on."
VALIDATING FEELINGS
The validation of feelings is another important aspect of communication. An adult is tempted to try to change a child's feelings: Child: "The soup's hot." Adult: "It's barely warm." The adult is attempting to control the child's impressions. Child: " I want my mommy." (sobbing) Adult: "Your mommy had to go to work. She'll be back later."
(This is factual, but validating feelings says more.) "You're really upset about your mommy leaving." What the child really needs is for the adult to listen to him/her and acknowledge his/her distress. An adult often tries to relieve the pain and distress quickly so the child will not "suffer" or pretend the pain doesn't exist. Validating a child's feelings helps the child have a sense of reality and gives the child the coping skills needed for the upset.
Entering the world of young children brings new challenges each day. Adults who interact with young children set goals, experience life as it is, and retrain themselves to more effectively guide and influence those children.
By using effective listening, cleaning up the common questions which can confuse, reinforcing desired behaviors, and validating feelings adults can make the desired, positive connection with young children. |
 We're Wild About Our Teachers
Each year in May we have the opportunity to express appreciation and gratitude to our teachers for all of the work they do throughout the year. Here are this year's daily themes and some ideas for how you and your child can show appreciation to the teachers.
Monday, May 4, 2009: BEARS BREAKFAST - The child care center will provide breakfast for the teachers in the breakroom. You and your child can give each teacher a BIG BEAR HUG!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009: PURR LIKE A TIGER - In center Spa Day. We have a special guest coming to the child care to provide a mini-spa and relaxation time for each teacher.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009: MONKEY'S FAVORITE - We will have banana splits available for the teachers at lunch time. If you would like to bring in some ingrediants for the banana splits, please contact Royale.
Thursday, May 7, 2009: LIONS LUNCH: We are going to have lunch from around the world. Freddie Scott is going to help us coordinate this years lunch. We will need parents to sign up for different foods to bring, possibly to help provide some decorations for our lunchroom (a room up on the 4th floor). Please watch later this month in your mail box for information on the LIONS LUNCH. By the way - this will be Freddie's last year to coordinate this staff appreciation meal. If you or a couple of your friends are interested in taking this on next year, please let Royale know.
Friday, May 8, 2009: PANDA PARTY: Everybody wear their PJ's to child care and bring their favorite teddy bear or stuffed animal. A day to give your childs teacher a special card created by your child. Other ideas??? |
 What Matters Most...The Soul of Parenting By Jan Pendergrass, Pastor for Children and Families at First Free Methodist
The Importance of Family Celebrations
When families take time to recognize holidays, cultural events and important family dates, wonderful memories are made as we celebrate who we are. At birthday celebrations we recognize the value of the person being celebrated. (I still think MOMS ought to get presents at their child's birthday!) At Thanksgiving we remember how important it is to be grateful for God's blessings. During Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter, we recognize the birth and resurrection of Jesus and celebrate the story of salvation. Whatever shape they take, careful planning for memorable celebrations of these events and traditions helps children better understand the context of their family identity and their own place in this world and God's story.
Here's an invitation to help your family celebrate special events this spring! The Children's Ministry Team at First Free Methodist Church invites you to join us in celebrating the New Life we have in Christ at our Easter Celebration on Saturday, April 11th from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Before that is a free pancake breakfast at 9am. Children (target ages are 3 to 8) are invited to hear a puppet show about the true meaning of Easter, make a craft, play games, enjoy an egg hunt, a snack and some time jumping in a bounce-house. It will be a fun and meaningful time for families (younger and older siblings welcomed, of course).
Another family event for preschoolers is our Pizza-Pirate Movie Party. On May 30th at 5:30pm for just $2/person or $8/family, come enjoy the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything Veggie Tales Movie on the big screen in our fellowship hall and enjoy some pizza and popcorn! At least one parent needs to accompany the family.
At FFMC our mission is to provide a nurturing, safe and fun environment where children and families can experience God's love, develop a solid Biblical foundation, and grow in their relationship with Christ and with others. We hope to accomplish this mission each Sunday at church, but we also believe it's important to celebrate being the family of God at these special events! We hope you'll join us! Feel free to call the church office for more information, or email jan@ffmc.org.
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 Have you ever visited a site that was seemed so large to you in childhood, only to find it's a tiny place? Well I figure that's the way it'll be when my grown-up daughter visits the NQACC parking lot, the site of the NQACC annual carnival -- a relatively small space filled with big memories.
Last year was my daughter's Leyla's second year attending the carnival. The first year, Leyla was in "T2s", and revelled in just sitting on the ground and sharing laughs and sweets (rarely found at our house!) with a friend.
Last year Leyla was in Room 5. She was more active and enjoyed getting hellos and hugs from her current and past teachers. We heard shreeks and giggles when she paired up with a classmate for a game.
Leyla loved all the games. (Some of the teachers staffed the games.I hope we'll have more parent volunteers this year. Can you help? Or, contact Royale or Karen to see how you can help before the big day.)
Her favorite event, however, was the pony ride. I know NQACC might not have it every year, but last year, it was a treat. She smiled so proudly as I supported her in the saddle.
And we can't wait for next year, with a cool theme of THE CIRCUS. I know Leyla will have fun. We might bring some neighbors. And we hope to see you there!
Kris and Leyla
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NQACC Babyboom! Our waitlist is filling from within our NQACC family! Seven families have welcomed future T1's since the middle of January! Welcome...
1/22 - Charlie M. (big sister Farah and big brother Maddox)
2/5 - Declan C. (big sister Nevida)
2/9 - Conner W. (big brother Owen)
3/13 - Gabriel E.(big sister Taelor)
3/18 - Kate A. (big brother Cole)
3/20 - Lila O. (big brothers Aidan and Liam)
3/25 - Fiona M. (big brothers Ian and Nate)
Congratulations to all the parents, big sisters and brothers. We couldnt be happier. To be continued...(Four more on the way makes a full class of T1's!) |
 Talented Teacher Gallery
Brenna graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art. Since graduating from college art making has continued to be very much a part of her life. She is often inspired by the materials she chooses to work with and fibers are one of her favorites. She really enjoys collaborating with her friends on art projects.
One of Brenna's future goals is to teach art. She enjoys opportunities here in the center to work with the children in Room 3 and her co-worker and fellow artist Jess Boatwright.
When Brenna isnt here, you might find her volunteering at Seattle Art Museum, teaching a cookin class, or playing the autoharp and signing folk songs with her sister.
Take some time this month and travel through our Talented Teacher Gallery to check out some of Brenna's creative art work. The Talented Teacher Gallery is located in the stairwell by Toddler 1 up to Room 6. | |
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It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain
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| Wishing
Well |
Here are some ways that you can get involved in your child's classroom. Some easy supplies you can bring in and some volunteer opportunities.
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Room 3: Silver and Black Sharipies, Letters and numbers for sponge painting, big plastic beads for beading, Fisher Price Doll House - families (especially asian family and grandparents)
Room 6: 2 or 3 flexible soft frisbies, a couple of "nerf" style balls for use on the playground and inside, 1 or 2 educational kindergarten level CD-roms for the classroom computer
Room 7 and School Age: Parents to come in and talk about their jobs, parents to go on field trips, pillows, markers, educational computer games, board games, chapter books, and Parents to come in and read to the children
Center Wide: Put together a storage shelf in the gym closet and organize the gym equipment |
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