Someone recently asked me “What was your favorite childhood celebration memory? What made it memorable?” That’s easy, my 6th birthday. I don’t recall the gifts, but oh the experience. When I was small my Dad would paint watercolor cartoon caricature murals on the family VW Van for our birthdays. Imagine, your face, four feet by five feet, “Happy Birthday” in GIANT letters. It was better than being a Princess in the Rose Bowl Parade! We would beg to be driven all over town, and pray it wouldn’t rain. My Daddy (still called “Colonel Dibble”) worked hard, had six children and traveled quite a bit. He was a tough disciplinarian with many children and little time. However, he always made time to make us feel like we were the most important person in the world. 38 years later, my Daddy is still my hero. The Van has been retired, Barbie and Easy Bake Oven discarded, alas even the Brady Bunch have all grown up. The memories are here to stay. It didn’t cost much and it was priceless. Do YOU have a special celebration memory that wasn’t about money? I hope you do.
A Holiday Riddle: “What is the one gift you can give, all that you possess, and yet at the end of the day you’ll have more than when you began?”
Answer: Love
That’s what I want this Holiday Season. It won’t cost much and it’s easy to wrap. It’s a gift we can all share (please feel free to “re-gift”). The Holiday Season should be about opening our hearts not our wallets. Here are some memory -making ideas sure to be crowd pleasers:
ADVENT CALENDAR
Instead of candy, roll up coupons written on a small piece of paper, one for each child each day. Examples: 6 six kisses, Mommy reads a story of your choice, one whole week without cleaning your room, pancakes for dinner, a story from when Daddy was little, game night, 30 extra minutes at bedtime (These are also great gifts)
HOLIDAY CARDS
Handmade cards are best. If your children are grown, copy a piece of “Art” you saved from when they were small. Or go green; save time money and stamps, email those you can, 2-3 lines giving a family update and pictures of you, your children or pets. It’s easy, free, and immediate.
FAMILY TRADITIONS
It’s not too late to start some. Invite someone who would otherwise be alone, prepare old family recipes, make a new ornament each year. Go caroling! This is especially fun if you CAN’T carry a tune in a bucket! Take food, toys or blankets to someone who needs them.
ENTERTAINMENT
Play or create family games. Charades, Pictionary, Balderdash, or make it up! Two truths and a lie, try to guess who it is, and which is a lie. Have a Family Scavenger Hunt (Find a person who has been in the armed forces, find someone who hates to cook, find someone who used to eat paste in preschool).
GIFTS
Experience vs. Expense is the key. Once again this year our family is exchanging names, here’s the twist, the theme this year is: “Thinking of you makes me smile. One of my favorite memories about you is…” Each person will create something (card, scrapbook page, poem, limerick or song CD) that focuses on a happy memory shared by just the two of them.
For the folks who have everything, you might make a donation in their name to a charity that means something to them. One suggestion is the Covenant House. This group helps to provide homeless children food, shelter, clothing and a warm bed: www.covenanthouse.org
Great Coupon Website!
www.couponcabins.com. Handmade gifts are best, but sometimes we need to shop. Shop smart. Search by store, category, on line discounts or printable coupons. JUST TODAY I printed a Bath and Body Works coupon for $10 off any purchase of $30 or more!
Holiday Pampering! Homemade Anti Wrinkle Facial Masks
Winter weather, dry heat, poor eating habits, stress, the economy, one more year, balancing, well life. These are a few reasons our skin begins to lose the appearance of vigor and youth. Skin care is one way you can pamper yourself, and these are also great gifts – very economical and always appreciated. And guess what? Their ingredients are probably in your kitchen right now. Really.
Carrot Cream
100 grams of carrot
1 tsp. almond oil
Extract juice from the carrots. Add oil, mix well. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Apply on cheeks, around eyes and the chin. Relax for 30 minutes, rinse with warm water.
Honey Anti-Wrinkle Mask
1 ½ TBS Honey
½ tsp. carrot juice
Pinch of Baking Soda
Mix carrot juice and honey. Apply to face with a cotton ball dipped in baking soda and water, low and easy, 20 minutes. Then wash with warm water.
Glycerin and Honey Mask
1 TBS of glycerin
1 TBS of honey
Mix glycerin and honey. Recommended before bedtime. Massage on face in a gentle circular motion and neck in an upward motion. Wash your face with warm water in the morning (this is probably not a good idea for those who sleep with partners or pets!)
Peach and Lemon Face Pack
2 peaches
1 tsp. lemon juice
Mash peaches, add lemon juice. Apply on your face and neck for 15-20 min. Wash off and follow it up with a moisturizer.
Dry Skin Egg White and Olive Oil Anti-Wrinkle Mask
1 egg white
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 TBS. olive oil
Beat egg white until smooth; add lemon juice and olive oil. Apply to face and neck a few hours before bedtime; leave it on for 20 minutes. Wash off and follow with your moisturizer.
Body or Foot Scrubs
Coconut Oil (or Olive Oil)
Sea Salt (or sugar)
Mix equal parts of oil and salt or sugar in a mason or condiment jar. Add a dash of natural oils for aroma; rosemary and peppermint are my favorite combination.
Damaged Hair
1/8 cup Olive or Coconut Oil
1 wet hand towel
Warm oil in the microwave. Oil does NOT need to be hot, just liquefied. Massage oil into your dry unwashed hair, just the hair, not the roots or scalp (might be too oily). Wet a hand towel, fold it, microwave for one minute. Wrap your hair in the towel, grab a good book and lock the door! After 30 minutes you may wash, condition and style your hair as usual.
NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS
Have you ever noticed that most resolutions are themed “What I plan to give up.” This is an unhappy concept. What if instead we just “plan to give?” The Chanukah Season is one of Hope, Christmas Joy and gratitude for the sacrifice made to forgive man, Kwanzaa celebrates gratitude for our many blessings. (I apologize for having over simplified such profound philosophies, but in the interest of space and time) What if we make our New Year’s Resolutions reflect these values? This year let us plan to be hopeful, joyful, forgiving and grateful. This is my wish.
Regardless of your religious affiliation, I wish for you and yours hope, joy, love, family and friends. All the very best this holiday season and in the New Year.
Yours truly,
Stacy Leighton
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
November Newsletter: Be Kind, Be Gracious...
Featured Article: Be Gracious - Be Kind - Be United - Be Empowered
By Stacy Leighton
There are times in our Nation's history that will define us as a Nation. There are moments in our lives that define us as people. These are those moments. How will we be remembered? It is my hope that regardless of your party affiliation or preferred political outcome, that we as Early Childhood providers are mindful of our words and behaviors, and their powerful influence on our children, their families, and our future. Please take a minute to ponder the words of great thinkers who came before us, and to be moved to be kind, to be gracious, to be united and empowered, to be the change we want to see in the world. May you be blessed now and always.
For those of us who witnessed the mud slinging that seems to surround political races, do not be discouraged. . .
You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty. ~Mahatma Gandhi
Do not underestimate the positive impact our role modeling has on our children, and our future. . .
Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see. ~John W. Whitehead
United in the cause to improve life for our children, there is unlimited strength, let it begin with me. . .
The strength of a nation is derived from the integrity of its homes. ~Confucius quotes
As a Nation and as individuals we have already come through so much. And yet there is so much to yet be done. Have faith that everything will be alright.
Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; 'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. ~John Newton
Even when we agree to disagree, above all else we must remember to be kind.
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. ~13th Dalai Lama
Choose words wisely. Emotions can lead to "loose lips," and what is said cannot be "unsaid."
Children seldom misquote. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said. ~Author Unknown
Conflict? Let it go, anger and grudges are only a burden to he who holds on to them.
Maturity is the stage in life when we may not see eye-to-eye, but we can still walk arm-in-arm. ~Author Unknown
Be a friend, it's more powerful than you think.
Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together. ~Woodrow Wilson
Be hopeful - change is good - we are embarking on a future that holds great promise.
Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man. ~Rabindranath Tagore
Stand with your friends, neighbors and co-workers. Even if you disagree, just be there, quietly hold on, because. . .
In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
Reach out, take a hand if you need one, give a hand if you have one. We are all in this together.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone. ~Audrey Hepburn, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, humanitarian
Let's be a part of the solution - together we can do great things!
Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle. ~Abraham Lincoln
By Stacy Leighton
There are times in our Nation's history that will define us as a Nation. There are moments in our lives that define us as people. These are those moments. How will we be remembered? It is my hope that regardless of your party affiliation or preferred political outcome, that we as Early Childhood providers are mindful of our words and behaviors, and their powerful influence on our children, their families, and our future. Please take a minute to ponder the words of great thinkers who came before us, and to be moved to be kind, to be gracious, to be united and empowered, to be the change we want to see in the world. May you be blessed now and always.
For those of us who witnessed the mud slinging that seems to surround political races, do not be discouraged. . .
You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty. ~Mahatma Gandhi
Do not underestimate the positive impact our role modeling has on our children, and our future. . .
Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see. ~John W. Whitehead
United in the cause to improve life for our children, there is unlimited strength, let it begin with me. . .
The strength of a nation is derived from the integrity of its homes. ~Confucius quotes
As a Nation and as individuals we have already come through so much. And yet there is so much to yet be done. Have faith that everything will be alright.
Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; 'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. ~John Newton
Even when we agree to disagree, above all else we must remember to be kind.
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. ~13th Dalai Lama
Choose words wisely. Emotions can lead to "loose lips," and what is said cannot be "unsaid."
Children seldom misquote. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said. ~Author Unknown
Conflict? Let it go, anger and grudges are only a burden to he who holds on to them.
Maturity is the stage in life when we may not see eye-to-eye, but we can still walk arm-in-arm. ~Author Unknown
Be a friend, it's more powerful than you think.
Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together. ~Woodrow Wilson
Be hopeful - change is good - we are embarking on a future that holds great promise.
Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man. ~Rabindranath Tagore
Stand with your friends, neighbors and co-workers. Even if you disagree, just be there, quietly hold on, because. . .
In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
Reach out, take a hand if you need one, give a hand if you have one. We are all in this together.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone. ~Audrey Hepburn, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, humanitarian
Let's be a part of the solution - together we can do great things!
Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle. ~Abraham Lincoln
October Newsletter: Conference Diaries
Featured Article: Conference Diaries
By Stacy Leighton
September was an awesome month - I had such a great time with all of you in Greensboro, NC and in Springfield, IL. For the benefit of all who could not be there, here are a few highlights from the presentations. This are some of the most requested topics and I would love to bring them to you too.
Kinesthetic Learning Environments
Did you know that 85% of all children 6 and under are predominantly Bodily Kinesthetic? That means. . ."They like to move it - move it!" And you do know that we retain more and behave better when we are "Having Fun" this workshop provides the tools necessary to have fun AND structure at the same time.
For Bodily Kinesthetic people the most difficult thing they will EVER do is to "Sit still AND Listen" it's one OR the other. Most often "a behavior problem" is really just lack of stimulation. Ironically most well meaning educators think it is "too much stimulation" and will remove the child or the stimulation, this causes the behavior to escalate rather than diminish. Are you confused yet?!
Here is what we can do; practice good communication, rehearse "Signals (non verbal cues)," set up to avoid upsets (ex. for your Non-Napper - create an alternative that works for you both), build movement throughout the day (every 5 minutes or so), create safe places for our "little movers" to be. Give them the tools to make better "choices," to work on their spatial awareness, to avoid instigators or triggers, to want your positive attention. Create indoor spaces for large muscle activities. Finally research and implement "Attention Getting Strategies." Children will LOVE to do what you want tem to do if it is a game!
Alligator, Alligator - To get students' attention loudly say "alligator, alligator" the children reply "CHOMP CHOMP" as they slap their hands like an alligator mouth. Children love speaking in unison, those not responding hear their friends and are eager for you to do it again. For more ideas book this class - fun will be had by all!
Positive Guidance and Children with Challenging Behaviors
We know them, we love them, we have strategies, but how are they working for you? Thought about Positive Guidance? What IS "Positive Guidance?" This is a set of tools we use everyday, for everyday, developmentally appropriate (albeit undesirable) classroom behavior challenges. They are designed to be both user and child friendly, used only when all attempts to ignore a certain number of behaviors have been exhausted, or if the behavior is potentially harmful. Behavior Modification Strategies Include: Modeling good communication, choosing activities that are engaging and developmentally appropriate and understanding what happened to both parties (while keeping our emotions out of it). When intervention is necessary, try these: "I statements," "Active Listening," Teaching Empathy," "Shadowing," "Conflict Resolution," "Redirection" and "Distraction." Or (ONLY as a last resort) ACTIVE and PARTICIPATIVE Time Out. That is while you discuss this with them, including better choices next time.
For behaviors that are more serious or more habitual use a Running Record, a diagnostic tool used to pinpoint what, when or who might be the trigger for certain behaviors. Follow up with the Behavior Modification Chart, a prescriptive tool to help children with behavior self monitoring. This is a way to reinforce positive outcomes by building in shorter periods of time in which to be successful. Decide which ONE behavior to try to eradicate first, usually the most harmful. Remember to work on ONE behavior at a time or the child will be overwhelmed. These are to be kept private, between you and the individual and built to be positive encouragement.
Get rid of the Public Good Behavior Charts. When these are posted for all to see they have a negative impact on the INDIVIDUAL. These draw pubic attention to under achievement, reinforce negative behaviors and promote negative feelings toward these individuals. In fact they will ultimately perpetuate negative behaviors and low self esteem.
Develop a system that rewards Classroom Community Behaviors. Classroom Communities encourage draw attention only to the Good Behaviors (Catch them Doing Something Right ring a bell?). This will promote generativists, eliminate Telling on friends for bad things and reward telling on friends for GOOD THINGS. This system will motivate children to cheer for the cheerless and while promoting Team Spirit and cohesion.
The Good Deed Apple Tree is a GIANT Paper tree that we will fill with apples. Each time a child reports on another child doing something really nice, the teacher writes the deed and the child's name on the apple and places it on the tree. When the tree is full the entire class participates in a celebration.
See our Classrooms Page for a complete list of Celebration Ideas (cheap to free, not involving food).
Brain Development; Implications and Applications in ECE
Their little bodies are growing this we can see! But what is going on behind the curtain?! Brain Development, fact and fiction, Nature vs Nurture, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Development and Temperament, Gender Processing Differences and the effects of Sensory Input, it's all in here. This course also exposes factors that benefit healthy brain development and factors that are harmful See Our Health and Nutrition Feature for Brain Food! How about "stress?" Stress in the classroom increases the brains production of Cortisol, which causes a decreased ability to respond (most people need 20 minutes to recover from extreme stress). An increase in Cortisol also lowers your immune system, and can be addictive.
Brain Function directly impacts Classroom Function. Designing active, engaging and positive learning environments will promote "healthy brains." Here's how. . .
For more great Early Childhood Ideas please visit my website: www.creativechildcaresolutions.net.
By Stacy Leighton
September was an awesome month - I had such a great time with all of you in Greensboro, NC and in Springfield, IL. For the benefit of all who could not be there, here are a few highlights from the presentations. This are some of the most requested topics and I would love to bring them to you too.
Kinesthetic Learning Environments
Did you know that 85% of all children 6 and under are predominantly Bodily Kinesthetic? That means. . ."They like to move it - move it!" And you do know that we retain more and behave better when we are "Having Fun" this workshop provides the tools necessary to have fun AND structure at the same time.
For Bodily Kinesthetic people the most difficult thing they will EVER do is to "Sit still AND Listen" it's one OR the other. Most often "a behavior problem" is really just lack of stimulation. Ironically most well meaning educators think it is "too much stimulation" and will remove the child or the stimulation, this causes the behavior to escalate rather than diminish. Are you confused yet?!
Here is what we can do; practice good communication, rehearse "Signals (non verbal cues)," set up to avoid upsets (ex. for your Non-Napper - create an alternative that works for you both), build movement throughout the day (every 5 minutes or so), create safe places for our "little movers" to be. Give them the tools to make better "choices," to work on their spatial awareness, to avoid instigators or triggers, to want your positive attention. Create indoor spaces for large muscle activities. Finally research and implement "Attention Getting Strategies." Children will LOVE to do what you want tem to do if it is a game!
Alligator, Alligator - To get students' attention loudly say "alligator, alligator" the children reply "CHOMP CHOMP" as they slap their hands like an alligator mouth. Children love speaking in unison, those not responding hear their friends and are eager for you to do it again. For more ideas book this class - fun will be had by all!
Positive Guidance and Children with Challenging Behaviors
We know them, we love them, we have strategies, but how are they working for you? Thought about Positive Guidance? What IS "Positive Guidance?" This is a set of tools we use everyday, for everyday, developmentally appropriate (albeit undesirable) classroom behavior challenges. They are designed to be both user and child friendly, used only when all attempts to ignore a certain number of behaviors have been exhausted, or if the behavior is potentially harmful. Behavior Modification Strategies Include: Modeling good communication, choosing activities that are engaging and developmentally appropriate and understanding what happened to both parties (while keeping our emotions out of it). When intervention is necessary, try these: "I statements," "Active Listening," Teaching Empathy," "Shadowing," "Conflict Resolution," "Redirection" and "Distraction." Or (ONLY as a last resort) ACTIVE and PARTICIPATIVE Time Out. That is while you discuss this with them, including better choices next time.
For behaviors that are more serious or more habitual use a Running Record, a diagnostic tool used to pinpoint what, when or who might be the trigger for certain behaviors. Follow up with the Behavior Modification Chart, a prescriptive tool to help children with behavior self monitoring. This is a way to reinforce positive outcomes by building in shorter periods of time in which to be successful. Decide which ONE behavior to try to eradicate first, usually the most harmful. Remember to work on ONE behavior at a time or the child will be overwhelmed. These are to be kept private, between you and the individual and built to be positive encouragement.
Get rid of the Public Good Behavior Charts. When these are posted for all to see they have a negative impact on the INDIVIDUAL. These draw pubic attention to under achievement, reinforce negative behaviors and promote negative feelings toward these individuals. In fact they will ultimately perpetuate negative behaviors and low self esteem.
Develop a system that rewards Classroom Community Behaviors. Classroom Communities encourage draw attention only to the Good Behaviors (Catch them Doing Something Right ring a bell?). This will promote generativists, eliminate Telling on friends for bad things and reward telling on friends for GOOD THINGS. This system will motivate children to cheer for the cheerless and while promoting Team Spirit and cohesion.
The Good Deed Apple Tree is a GIANT Paper tree that we will fill with apples. Each time a child reports on another child doing something really nice, the teacher writes the deed and the child's name on the apple and places it on the tree. When the tree is full the entire class participates in a celebration.
See our Classrooms Page for a complete list of Celebration Ideas (cheap to free, not involving food).
Brain Development; Implications and Applications in ECE
Their little bodies are growing this we can see! But what is going on behind the curtain?! Brain Development, fact and fiction, Nature vs Nurture, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Development and Temperament, Gender Processing Differences and the effects of Sensory Input, it's all in here. This course also exposes factors that benefit healthy brain development and factors that are harmful See Our Health and Nutrition Feature for Brain Food! How about "stress?" Stress in the classroom increases the brains production of Cortisol, which causes a decreased ability to respond (most people need 20 minutes to recover from extreme stress). An increase in Cortisol also lowers your immune system, and can be addictive.
Brain Function directly impacts Classroom Function. Designing active, engaging and positive learning environments will promote "healthy brains." Here's how. . .
For more great Early Childhood Ideas please visit my website: www.creativechildcaresolutions.net.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
