ABC Home Preschool Blog » Feelings

“All About Me” Preschool Activities – Part I

TheNanny612 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:13:12 +0000

It might surprise you to know that many children think that what they
enjoy…. everyone enjoys. And, what makes them happy….
makes everyone happy. And, what they find fun…. everyone
would find fun. It’s true. So, today I am going to write about different
projects that will help you teach your children that everyone is different...
from their looks, to their feelings, to even their senses such as taste and
sound.

Today I’m just going to get into projects that have to do with physical attributes.
Tomorrow I will get into the feelings and senses attributes.

But, the concept of "everyone is different" can
be hard to teach to a child without some hands-on projects. So, without further
ado…..

"All About Me" Preschool Activities

Me Puppets

In this project you will be assisting the children in Making "Me Puppets".
Me puppets will help you reinforce to the children that everyone is different
in the physical sense. You will need 6 inch paper plates to use as faces, popsicle
sticks or tongue depressors as the holders. Also, get out some yarn, markers,
crayons, child safety scissors and glue to finish off the "Me Puppet".
Let them put on a puppet show.

Self-Portraits

Give the kid some art supplies and let them draw pictures of themselves. Give
them a list of easy descriptive words and let them chose the words that most
describe themselves. You can even have pictures next to the descriptive words
to help them chose the words that best describe them. For example, for the word
“funny” you can have a person laughing so that they know that word is "funny".
And, for the word “smart” you can have a picture of a person with a light bulb
above their head. Those are just examples, but you get the idea. You want to
help your child pick descriptive words describing themselves.

Eye Color Graph

Make a color graph to show the different colors of eyes such as…. blue, green,
brown and hazel eyes. Let the children look in the mirror and decide what eye
color they have on their own. Did they chose the right color. Talk about that with them.

Thumbprints

This is a really cool project… a little messy, but cool. Bring out an ink
pad and let the kids place their thumb on the ink pad and then onto their own
pieces of blank paper. Give each of the children a magnifying glass and let
them determine what makes each thumbprint different. Do they notice the differences?
Explain to the children that no two fingerprints are alike…. pretty amazing,
huh?!

Body Tracing

You might need to help the child
with this project if you don’t have more than one child. Give each child
a very large paper. Your best bet would be to use butcher paper or art paper
from those very large rolls. The paper has to be large enough that a child
can lay on top of it and be traced. Lay the paper on a hard floor and have a child
lay on top of the paper. Use a writing utensil (pencil, crayon or marker)
to trace around the child’s body. Ask the child you just traced to color
in the clothes on their body and to draw their features on it. Have them
make themselves using the traced body.

Me Stories

Let the children create short stories about themselves. They can draw pictures
and make it a picture book or you can help them write a story using word and with the pictures
as well.

Felt Faces

Cover a coffee can with felt. Also, cut out different sizes and shapes of
felt cutouts. Tell the kids to make their faces using the different shaped felt
and the coffee can. Felt sticks onto felt pretty easily, so no other supplies
such as glue or tape is needed.

Growth Charts

Provide a measurement chart and scales for the children to measure their height
and weight. Explain to the children what these numbers mean.

In Conclusion

These projects should help you teach your children all about them in
the physical sense. Tomorrow we will continue the "About
Me" topic, but go into projects that help you teach them about
themselves using their feelings and their senses.

Top image by squacco

When the Older Siblings go Back to School

TheNanny612 — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:50:36 +0000

It is back to school season. It can be a very exciting and nerve-racking
time for students heading back to school. But, what about the younger siblings
left at home? This is a trying time for them as well. There are quite a lot
of feelings that could be going through them at this time. It can range from
stress and anxiety to even excitement.

Keep in mind that any change in routine or structure can mess young toddlers
and preschoolers up. Children love structure. And structure gives your child
something they can count on.

This time doesn’t have to be full of anxiety. Here are some ways to make the
transition easier.

7 Ways to Make Transition Easier when Older Siblings Go Back to School

Have a Plan - Knowing that the first day of school
might be difficult on the younger child is half the battle. Planning
out what you are going to do to ease there discomfort is the other half.
Write down your concerns and what you think would ease your child’s
worries. You know your child better than anyone else. What do you think
will make this time easier? What are his or her hobbies? How will you
and your child spend the school days together until the older siblings
come home? Having a plan will make this time not only easier on the
child, but easier for you as well.

Start Preparing your Child Early – Yes, we know this time
can be scary. But, what is even scarier for a child is not being prepared
for change when it happens. So, start preparing the younger child for the
fact that the older children will be starting school soon. Ask the child how
he or she feels about it. Let the child know that everything will be okay
and what your plans will be for the day when the older children are at school.
Your child will find comfort in knowing what’s ahead.
Start your child taking Lessons that coincide with their older siblings
going to school – One of the feelings that your youngest child might
be feeling is jealousy. Your child might be jealous in the fact that the older
children will be heading to school to learn. Why not have your youngest child
start a class of his or her own. There are tons of lessons your little one
can take. What does your little one want to learn? What are his or her interests?
Check out your local YMCA, JCC or Community Center for Lessons. Your child
will love the fact that they can learn something new too.
Do something daily just the two of you – One nice thing
about having the older children away at school is that there is much more
time for you and your little one. This is a great time to spend quality time
together. One
on one time with your child can really deepen your relationship with them.
Let your child know that you are looking forward to doing something special
together. Sit down with your youngest and come up with some ideas of how you
are going to spend this time together. Don’t be surprised if your little one
is no longer scared and sad about the older children going off to school…..
but instead these feelings are replaced with excitement. Your younger child
will probably be thrilled to have some alone time with you.
Realize the feelings that the child left behind might be feeling
– There are a ton of feelings your youngest might be feeling about the older
siblings going off to school. Be prepared for them and it will make this transition
for you and the younger child easier. Some of the feelings your youngest might
be feeling are…
- Fear
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Excitement
- Stress
- Worry
- Loneliness
And these are just some of the many, many feelings your child might be
feeling. Make the transition easier by talking with your youngest child
about their older siblings going off to school. Let them know whatever feelings
they are having about it are understandable and that they can always come
to you with whatever they are feeling and you will help get them through
it.
Plan the Days out for your Little one – Children love structure
and don’t like change. When older children go to school and leave the littlest
one at home that is a change of structure for your little one. It is very
scary. Adding structure back into their life will help your little one feel
more secure and less stressed during this transition. They love to know what
they could expect next. So, plan away….. and include your youngest one in
the planning process. It will get them more excited about the time to come.
Start a School for your Child at Home – Your child might
feel left out when the older children go back to school. Why not start them
in a school of their own as well. There are Preschool Curriculums out their
that are perfect for teaching your young Preschooler at home. Just make sure
to choose the right Preschool
Curriculum for your Child. And, don’t forget to name the School. Giving
your at home school a name will make it more official and special for your
little one.

Yes, this time can be very stressful and sad for your little one, but it doesn’t
have to be. With a little planning and preparing it can be a happy and
exciting transition for your little one.

Top image by Pink
Sherbet

Back To School – Ready or Not Here it Comes

TheNanny612 — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 20:09:00 +0000

Well, it’s
that time of year again. Summer is coming to a close and it’s time to
get back to school. There’s a lot to do before the summer
is over starting with school shopping. But there are also a few days of summer
left to be enjoyed before you get back into the busy school year routine. Here
are some tips for enjoying these last days of summer while still getting prepared
to start the school year.

Start
getting in to the school routine at home at least one week before school
actually starts. Bedtimes are probably earlier, dinner is probably
followed by a homework hour and the transition back to school goes a
lot more smoothly if you ease into it the week before school actually
begins. If bedtime is ten during the summer but nine during the school
year, make it 9:45 then 9:30 then 9:15 as the week winds down so the
kids can get used to the back to school hours.
Make
a scrapbook or diorama depicting the summer that you had. Pictures,
mementos and coloring sheets can be used to create a book that commemorates
your summer but brings it to a close.

Make
the weekend prior to this “get into routine week” a fun time.
It should be the “last hurrah” of summer. (Don’t wait until
the weekend before school starts for this because it creates chaos.) You can
have a summer party, plan a big weekend at the beach or just BBQ with the
family instead of eating indoors.
Use downtime
at home to get the kids re-adjusted to doing some quiet activities.
But make them fun! Decorating backpacks and notebooks for the new school year,
creating crafts that are related to the return to school and otherwise doing
projects that help the kids wind down but simultaneously get excited about
school will help with the back to school transition.
Get the
school shopping done early. You probably already have a back to school
shopping routine but decide if it’s really right for you. If you pick
out everything for your kids, there’s no need to take them along for
the trip so send them to the sitter and get it all done in one shot. Or, if
you do let them pick out their back to school stuff (or need them to try on
clothes), set aside a whole day for it and make it a special trip that you
enjoy together. Get ice cream or some other treat during the process to break
it up and make it more enjoyable.
Have
the kids tell you all of the things that are excited about for back to school.
Kids often think of going back to school as a sad time because it means summer
ending. Have them think of it in terms of a beginning instead.
Set aside
the first weekend after school starts as quiet time at the house.
The first week is going to be hectic for everyone and you should just wind
down together when it’s done. Don’t plan activities, don’t
do work at home and don’t let the kids have their friends over. There
will be plenty of time for all that as the school year continues!

Technorati Tags:back to school, preschool, kindergarten, kids, children, education, school

Teaching Your Child to Deal with a Bully

TheNanny612 — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 16:12:41 +0000

You feel like your
worst nightmare has come to pass. Another child in your preschooler’s
life has started to bully him or her and you’re not sure what to do about
it. On the one hand, you want to teach your child to stick up for himself and
to handle things alone. On the other, you want to intervene and stop the bullying
before it gets out of hand. You have no idea what to do. And the worst part
is that the situation brings out all of your feelings of helplessness as you
begin to realize that you are not going to be able to protect your child from
the world.

Relax. This
isn’t your worst nightmare. And although it’s a difficult
situation which must be dealt with carefully, it’s certainly one
that you’re capable of managing. It’s true that you can’t
protect your kids from the horrors of the world, but you can use every
opportunity as a learning example for giving your child the skills necessary
to deal with the difficult situations that the world will bring to you.
And teaching your child how to deal with bullies is one step in that learning
process.

The
Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School–How
Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence

The first
thing that you need to do is get your own feelings of helplessness under
control. Parents often feel an immediate protective urge towards children
who are bullying their kids and this can sometimes lead to negative situations
in which parents react poorly to the bullies. Since you are obviously
bigger and older than the child bully, you actually perpetuate the problem
if you handle it poorly because your child sees that the bigger, stronger,
older person wins. Instead, take a moment to relax and handle the situation
appropriately. Remember that the child bully probably has a reason that
he or she needs to assert such power over your child and remember that
you’re the adult and these are the children.

Be supportive
of your child and help to give your child a sense of empowerment so that
he or she can deal with the bully. This means talking with your child
about the situation, encouraging him or her to come up with some solutions
to the problem and discussing appropriate ways to handle the situation.
Simply having an open, loving and safe environment in which to solve the
problem can help your child immensely in dealing with the bully. Consider
reasonable solutions to the problem and teach your child how to enact
those solutions. For example, verbally confronting the bully is one option.
Teach your child to appropriately say, with confidence, “you may
not treat me this way”.

If your child
can not cope with the bullying on his or her own after strategizing and
working to solve the problem, you may need to intervene. This is particularly
true if your child is being physically harmed or is too frightened to
attend preschool or otherwise engage in normal social activities. It is
best if your child can deal with the bully alone, but if that’s
not possible, you must protect your child. Doing so means handling the
situation appropriately in a manner which doesn’t diminish your
child’s abilities to handle the situation. Having your child discuss
the situation with a teacher at the preschool or another authority figure
in a position to help can get the trouble under control while still allowing
your child to exercise some power in the situation.

Remember that
the best attack against bullying is to teach your child preventative measures
from an early age. Help your child to develop self-esteem so that he or
she does not allow him (or her) self to be bullied. Also teach your child
to handle problems (such as issues in sharing with other kids) on his
or her own with appropriate behavior. And always create an environment
in which your child feels safe to come discuss the problems that he or
she may be having with others and to problem solve about them with you.

Taking
the Bully by the Horns – Children’s Version of the Best Selling Book,
"Nasty People"

Technorati Tags: bully,
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Homeschool burnout

TheNanny612 — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 01:29:43 +0000

I found this absolutely wonderful post at HomeSchool Zoo Annex. It is in regards to Homeschool Burnout. Not only do parents get burned out, but so does Homeschooled children. Whether you are thinking about homeschooling your children or you are already homeschooling you should definitely check out this post!!

read more | digg story

Your Child Learns Anger Management From You

TheNanny612 — Sat, 26 May 2007 00:44:43 +0000

As soon as your
child is old enough to feel the emotion of anger, you are going to start wondering
how to help her learn anger management skills. There will be books to read,
counseling classes to take and plenty of friends and acquaintances to get advice
from about the best methods of making sure your child learns how to control
her anger. These tools are all important; but in the end, your child is going
to learn how to control her anger by watching how you control yours. Modeling
positive anger management is the best method of making sure your child learns
how to behave appropriately when she gets mad.

One of the
most important steps in anger management learning is being able to identify
the feeling of anger. When your child first starts dealing with issues
of anger, she’s not really going to be able to understand what those
feelings are. Giving a name to those feelings will help her to better
understand them. When you see your child getting angry, you should identify
that emotion out loud. And just as importantly, you should identify out
loud when you are feeling angry so your child can learn to understand
that all people get angry and there are appropriate ways to deal with
the emotion.

Identifying the emotion of
anger isn’t all that there is to modeling responsible anger management,
of course. You also need to be sure that your child sees your reacting to anger
in the way that you want her to react when she is angry. If you want your child
to be able to identify anger and put herself in a time-out to take a break from
whatever is causing her to be angry, then you need to model this in your own
behavior. Let’s say that you are angry because the dog has just torn up
your favorite blouse. Instead of yelling at the dog and then telling your child
that you yelled because you were angry, you should be able to think ahead, tell
your child that you are angry because the dog tore your blouse and then say
to her, “I’m going to sit in a time-out for a few minutes until
I am not angry about this anymore.”

You should also be able to
admit when you have acted out in anger and fix the problem. Sometimes, you’ll
get mad and yell at the dog. Identify out loud for your child that this is what
happened and then state what you would prefer to do next time to better handle
your anger. When an opportunity arises to behave differently in the face of
anger, take it and point it out to your child. By modeling his ability to make
improvements in your own anger management, you are teaching your child how to
improve her own behavior when she is mad.

Technorati Tags:children, kids, anger management, pareting, temper tantrums