If You Say It, You Better Mean It

Many times parents will threaten children hoping that the child will do as the parent requested.  Sometimes we say things that are kind of crazy and don’t make much sense or we may promise our children something or say we will do something and then not do it.  You want your children to know that you are reliable and you mean what you say.  When you say something and then you don’t do it your child learns that your words do not mean anything and that you don’t do what you say.  You are unpredictable and you are not to be trusted.  Is that the message you want your child to hear? 

 

So make sure if you say it, you mean it!

Mary Bartusek, Parent Educator

Slippery Fish!!

This is one of our favorite songs at ECFE. Here is a video with the words, pictures, and actions!

Have a great day!
Britt

Happy Thanksgiving!

From all of us at ECFE, we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families. Think about what you are thankful for and talk with your children about what it means to be thankful.

Instead of "No!"

When we are caught off guard our “gut” response many times is “No!”  We then may give in after really thinking about it and realize we could have said “Yes.”  The child learns that a “No” may not really mean “No.”  Listen first and save the “No” for when you really mean it.

Say:

“Tell me more”

“Yes later”

“Give me a minute”

“Tomorrow”

“Maybe”

“We can talk about it later.”

“I need to think about that.”

Have a great day!

-Mary

5 Senses

At ECFE we are talking about our 5 Senses. There is a song we will be singing at circle time and here are the words. It is sung to the tune of Frere Jacques.

5 Senses, 5 Senses (Hold up hand showing 5 fingers)
We have them, we have them (Point to self)
Seeing, hearing, touching (Point to corresponding body parts)
Tasting and smelling (Point to corresponding body parts)
There are 5, there are 5! (Hold up hand showing 5 fingers)

November Parenting Tip

Developing Listening Skills

Facts about communication skills:

à 45% of our day we listen

à 30% of our day we speak

à 16% of our day we read

à 9% of our day we write

à We spend the least amount of time teaching a skill that we use the most of!

à Listening is a learned skill.

à Through focused and directed efforts, parents can teach their children better listening habits.

Reasons Kids Don’t Listen

 

à Kids have poor attention spans.

à Kids are focused on something else.

à Kids are not warned ahead of time.

à Kids are tired, hungry, not feeling well.

à Child could have a hearing, attention, or processing issue.

à Parents talk too much.

à Parents can be critical, judgmental, and nagging.

à Parents tell kids what to do all the time.

à Parents words do not mean anything.

à Parents do not follow through.

à Parents do not listen well so child does not listen well.

à Parents are distracted with their own issues, needs, and wants.

Ways to help your child listen better:

à Listen to your child the way you want them to listen to you

à Make eye contact

à Bend down and get to their eye level

à Do not interrupt

à Watch your tone of voice

à Be aware of your facial reactions

à See things from your child’s perspective

à Know when to talk and when not to talk

à Compliment your child when they display good listening habits

à Talk less, use fewer words

à Ask child to summarize what you said

à Use gentle touch to gain their attention

à Stop what you are doing and focus on them

à Be firm, clear, simple

à Say it only once and then take action

Listening is a skill that is essential for school success. It is a key to good communication. It is a tool needed to build and maintain relationships with people.

Mary Bartusek, Parent Educator
(952)-758-1673

What You Say I Am...That is What I Am

AVOID NEGATIVE LABELS

“You little devil.”

“You are so naughty.”

“She is shy.”

“You are so whiny.”

Children will become the label that we use for them.  When we expect the worst, the worst will happen.  When we expect the best, the best will happen.  Be careful how you describe your child.  They are listening!

-Mary

One Potato, Two Potato

This is a quick little song we do to learn different body parts and it also teaches rhythm. You put your hands into fists and the first time you pound them on top of each other while singing:

One pototo, two potato,
Three potato, four,
Five potato, six potato,
Seven potato, more!

Then, you can have your child come up with different body parts where you can "pound the potatoes" while you sing the song. You can use shoulders, cheeks, feet, back, or any other body parts they come up with!

Happy singing!
Britt

Ask Yourself....

“DOES IT REALLY MATTER?” OR “DOES IT JUST ANNOY YOU?”

While your child is in bed they sing and talk- does it matter or just annoy you?

Your child puts on mismatched clothes- does it matter or just annoy you?

Your child spills some water as they are filling their own glass- does it matter or just annoy you?

Your baby has a blow out dirty diaper- does it matter or just annoy you?

Many times parents can get very upset about things that really are more annoying to us than what really matters in life.  Keep in mind what really matters!

-Mary

Wiggles Out!

This is a song we sing with our older ECFE classes. We sing it every week before we sit down to read a book. Here are the words, followed by a video.

Wiggles Out

Clap your hands,
Stomp your feet,
Wiggle all around.

Reach your hands up in the air
and now let's touch the ground.

Hold your hips,
Hold your head,
Give yourself a hug.

Sit right down,
Eyes to look,
It's time to read a book!

Have a good week!
Miss Britt