EMerce*d in Learning

Thursday Thoughts This is where we will collaborate on classroom issues. "I know this is normally about classroom issues, but with the 4th of July coming up I have one about family time.  How can I keep my discipline consistent around family?  My family is more of a swat on the butt kinda family and I am trying to work on teaching social skills instead."  -Andrea P., Norfolk Wowza!  I think this is something everyone has faced in one way or another when it comes to family.  As we grow into our own nuclear families it can become difficult to stand on values that differ from the nuclear family in which you were raised.  Often times when your "elders" see you doing something differently then they did while helping raise you they see it as an attack on what they did.  Instead the emphasis should be placed on what works for your child. Try some of these: For little Johnny working on a solution helps the situation mor...

Thursday Thoughts This is where we will collaborate on classroom issues.   "I'm doing a presentation about the connection between classroom engagement and behavior management when dealing with my students here in China (age 1-6). What are some strategies or resources you would recommend?" -Tre T. (Shenzhen, China)   Obviously I will be attacking this from an American cultural perspective since I am an American living in the states. That being said there are many developmental factors that are relatively stable. The next tough thing to tackle in your question is the age range.  Whew!  Ages 1 to 6 really encompasses a huge developmental range so we will break it up as we look at engagement and behavior management.    Infants and Toddlers When it comes to this age group I always get a mental image of herding cats.  Ever tried to do that?  It is tough ! You want them to have the freedom to leave the activity when their attention w...

Thursday Thoughts This is where we will collaborate on classroom issues. A few weeks ago we talked a bit about apologies.  If you haven't read that post you can find it here.  We talked about how it is important to teach children to move toward giving apologies, but not forcing them to do so. Now that you've practiced that with your own kids (classroom or personal, or heck that kid at Walmart that needed a talking to), you have most likely hit the next stumbling block- how to get the "victim" to accept an apology. Just as forcing a child to apologize doesn't teach empathy, forcing a child to "feel better" now that they have received an apology doesn't teach forgiveness.  After having the "aggressor" attempt to make the child feel better I always ask the "victim" if they feel better.  If they don't I ask one of two questions: "What would make you feel better" or "Can I give you a hug?".  Sometimes a ...

Thursday Thoughts This is where we will collaborate on classroom issues. "I want my class to feel like a family.  Right now all the kids seem tired of one another.  I am at a year round school so we will still be together for a little while.  What can I do?"- Samantha, VA I love using class meetings!  They are such an amazing way to build a connection with your students and set expectations.  This year I taught Kindergarten and we have two daily class meeting sessions.  The first one happens first thing in the morning as all three classes gather in one room for a morning question, the pledge and to hear any announcements.  We use that time to alert the children of any changes that may be taking place that day. The second one is more important for me as a teacher.  Before we start our academic tasks I allot about 20 minutes for sharing stories.  The children get to take turns just communicating without an agenda....

Thursday Thoughts This is where we will collaborate on classroom issues. "There are many times throughout the day where my kids have to sit.  I end up getting so irritated that they won't sit still that I end up yelling. By the time we start the activity that we were waiting to start none of us are having a good time. What should I do?" -Samantha, Illinois Waiting is extremely hard for young children.  The part of their brain that would tell them to sit still is not yet developed.  That same area is what controls their ability to plan and think of alternatives.  Again, this area is not done growing.  Asking them to sit quietly is like asking me to get the last package of something off the top of the grocery store shelf (I'm 5 feet tall, not gonna happen!). As teachers it is our job to teach children the coping skills they need to survive.  One coping skill is learning to wait. I however cannot wait.  Take my morning routine.  Each and eve...

Thursday Thoughts This is where we will collaborate on classroom issues. "Nap time is the worst for me!  The kids never fall asleep quickly enough so they end up still being tired when it is time to wake up.  My littles need sleep and I need a break!  What can I do to make this more peaceful for all of us?" -Jasmine T. Plainsboro, NJ I think we can all relate to this!  How many times have you thought "Wow!  All my kids are asleep already!" only to turn around and see them playing peek-a-boo with one another or standing like a prairie dog on their cots (I can't be the only one who get the prairie dog look right?!?)?   (Source)   When it comes to nap time it is important to keep routines in place. It is beyond important to do the same thing each and everyday.  Setting up a routine that works for you can be difficult.  Like destroying a lego creation difficult. When creating a routine there are several things to think about...

Thursday Thoughts This is where we will collaborate on classroom issues. “My children come to me all day to tattle on their friends.   I’m going to pull my hair out if I have to hear one more time about a friend looking at them wrong!”   -Michelle G., Virginia Beach, VA We answered most of Michelle's concerns last week.   You can see more of that post here Thursday Thoughts- Tattling Now let's tackle that sticky area of apologies.   When a child has done something that makes an apology necessary I try to lead the child in that direction without telling them that they have to apologize.  Why?  Shouldn't we be teaching our children appropriate behavior? The reason I don't force apologies is because they become inauthentic.  You create people who then will apologize without meaning it, and in young children they will often times apologize as they are hitting or snatching toys away.  Is that what the purpose of an apology is? I wa...

Thursday Thoughts This is where we will collaborate on classroom issues. “My children come to me all day to tattle on their friends.   I’m going to pull my hair out if I have to hear one more time about a friend looking at them wrong!”   -Michelle G., Virginia Beach, VA This is something that I think all of us have dealt with at one time or another.   This can be particularly frustrating when you are trying to balance the desire to curtail aggressive behavior or bullying while maintaining your own sanity.   I always start this dialogue with my children at the beginning of the year.   I want my children to know there are big differences between tattling and informing.   We revisit these definitions many times throughout the year as needed. I define them this way: Tattling- Telling me what a friend has done just to get them in trouble. Reporting/ Informing- Telling me what a friend has done because they will not stop (you have attempted to stop ...

Thursday Thoughts This is where we will collaborate on classroom issues. “I have a child who does not stay in time out.   I get so tired of chasing him down.   What can I do” –Olivia C., Roanoke Let’s first look at how time-out is being used.   While there are many variations on time-out I prescribe to Positive Discipline techniques.   Through that lens time-out should be a positive, preventative tool.   The downfall in using time-out in a punitive manner is that we are not providing the child with an alternative behavior.   Children often misbehave because they do not have the inner tools required for a more appropriate alternative behavior.   It is our jobs to show them those alternatives.   Using time-out in a positive manner is unfamiliar for many of us.   What would that look like?   The physical appearance of a time out center should be pleasant.   You want to make it look inviting and relaxing.   I recommen...