There is No Mental Picture of Don't

I want you to close your eyes and picture the statement I say, or if you are reading this alone close your eyes after you read it.

“Don’t hit your sister.”

“Don’t climb on the chair.”

“Don’t color on the wall.”

“Don’t wiggle your toes.”

What did you picture in your head?  There is no mental picture of don’t.  You picture the action and doing.  Tell children what they should be doing.

-Mary Bartusek, Parent Educator

Kids Crave Connection. They Settle for Attention.

Everyone wants to be loved and cared about.  We want people to love us for who we are and understand us.  This is a need that all humans have.  We all want to belong and feel accepted and connected.  Research on gang membership tells us that kids will join gangs for the sense of belonging and connecting that their family life is not giving.  Younger children do not have the capability to seek out gang membership or join another family so younger children learn that if they are not connected they will seek attention.  It does not matter if the attention is positive or negative.  Any attention from a parent is better than no attention at all. 

So connect with your child, don’t just settle for giving them attention.

-Mary Bartusek, Parent Educator

Let's All Tap

This is a song done in the "little room" at ECFE to start our circle time each week. I have a lot of parents say they tend to forget the tune of it so here it is. If you want to sing along and participate with the video, grab a pair of "Bang, Bang Blocks"!

 

You can sing this song over and over again, tapping different parts of your body or whatever is around you (floor, table, toy shelf).

 

Have a great week!

-Miss Britt

It Can Take Kids 6-10 Seconds to Process the Information You Say

Here is a little activity for you to do.  State a request that you often say to your child. 

“Put on your shoes.”  Count to 10 in your head.

“Pick up your cars.”  Count to 10 in your head.

“Hand me that cup.”  Count to 10 in your head.

“Give the doll to your sister.”  Count to 10 in your head.

“Throw that into the garbage.”  Count to 10 in you head.

Wow!  Did it feel like you were waiting a long time?  Well, that is how long it can take a child to hear the words and then process the information.  Slow down and wait!  Give your child time to hear, think, process, and respond.

 

-Mary Bartusek, Parent Educator

 

 

Tiny Tim

Tiny Tim is a song we have been singing at ECFE the past week. It is a fun song about a turtle who takes a bath and eats all the soap causing a huge bubble in his throat! Here are the words:

I had a little turtle,
His name was Tiny Tim.
I put him in the bathtub to see if he could swim.
He drank up all the water...glug, glug, glug.
He ate up all the soap.....munch, munch, munch.
He woke up in the mornig with a bubble in his throat!
Bubble, bubble, bubble,
Bubble, bubble, bubble,
Bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble, POP!!

And a video starring Tiny Tim the Turtle. :)

If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes

Many of us set goals but in order for them to be obtained we must change behavior and do something.  In order for us to make more money we may have to work harder or get another job or learn new skills.  In order for us to lose weight we must eat smaller amounts or change the food we eat or exercise more.  In order for our children to learn to read we must read to them often or have books easily assessable or play word games.  In order for your home to be a happier place you may need to change your attitude or adjust the tone in your voice or focus on positives and praise.  The point is….if nothing changes, nothing changes.  Talking about it is completely different from taking action.  If you don’t like something that is happening in your life in order for it to change YOU must take action and change behavior.

 

Mary Bartusek, Parent Educator

Open, Shut Them

Open, Shut Them with help from a friend! :)

-Britt