Peacefulness Planning

We all make so many plans for the holiday season.  We sometimes stay so busy and rushed that the joy of the spending more time family and friends can be lost.  Maybe along with all the other holiday arrangements planning a little quiet and peaceful time with our kids is a really good idea.

Here is a short list of ideas.  I’m sure you can come up with some even better ones.  Let me know what they are so I can add them to the list.

Have a: Wonderful Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and a Happy Ney Year!

*Find time to be peaceful ~ for example turn off the TV, music and computers (power outages can help with this one).

*Find a quiet space.

*Say kind things to others ~ it will make you feel good.

*Work hard to solve your problems so you don’t have to worry about them and can relax.

*Tell stories to each other by candle light.

* Play a board game.

* Take turns telling a made up story.

Everyone, children and adults alike can use some quiet time.  Try and plan some “peacefulness” for both you and your children.

Cooperation and Friendship

Autumn is a special time of year for the Earhart kids and staff.  Lots of excitement ... the changing seasons, Grandparent’s Day, Red Ribbon Week, Food Drive, and some shortened school weeks.  It’s a good time to practice our listening skills and work in small group activities.

           During counselor time the emphasis has been placed  on  cooperative  and friendship building skills.  As students learn to listen,  share, and cooperate with one another they also learn to balance their personal needs with the needs of others.  This is a critical step in preparing them for a lifetime of cooperative experiences and relationships.  When children learn to cooperate, they are building bridges not walls.

          You can help your child make friends by providing opportunities. Arrange play dates with other kids her age or enroll her in activities where they will have to interact with other children. With help, even kindergartners can call friends to arrange a play time or leave messages on answering machines. 

          Knowing how to listen, care and share are life enriching skills that requier practice for children of all ages and yes, even adults.