Nurturing Knowledge

• Be prepared to redirect your child’s angry energy into a positive mood change.
• Hold a small child tightly – rock and sing to them. Express your love in terms of the child’s growth. For example, “when you were a baby…, now you are a big boy…”
• Whisper to the child, “I have a secret to tell you.” Screaming will usually stop and the child’s mood may change.
• Tell your child that he has a smile inside and if he doesn’t let it shine, you will have to tickle him! Or try, “no laughing!” Since it is important to not ignore the angry feelings, remember to talk about his feelings when the episode is over or the timing is appropriate.
• Offer a warm bath to relax him. Reflect on the situation when appropriate.
• Children often need a hug and kiss to calm them down. The child feels your warmth and you will be able to talk about the factor or event that initiated the anger.

Listening, talking, and playing – your child develops important language and pre-reading skills every day!

• Speak slowly and clearly.
• Use language correctly. For example, “Jessica, it’s time to go to bed” instead of,  ”Jessica, go night-night.”
• Listen attentively. Bend down and use eye contact. Allow your child plenty of time to respond.
• Help your child expand or develop their thoughts.
• Discuss rather than ask questions.  If asking a question, use “open ended” questions with no right or wrong answers – to think, imagine, an be creative.
• Encourage “pretend” play. Language development happens naturally.
• Accept speech irregularities. Try not to call attention to lisps, stammers or late developing sounds. If a particular speech pattern continues, contact a speech professional.

• While it depends on the child and the circumstances, ignore tantrums whenever possible.  When there is no audience, there is no need to perform.
• Let your child scream to their heart’s content.
• If your discipline precipitated the tantrum, tell your child that the “rule” still stands.
• Distract the child by doing or saying something silly.
• Disappear! If your are in another room, the tantrum will probably be very short.
• Stop “breath-holding dramatics” during a tantrum by gently blowing in the child’s face or dashing sprinkles of water in their face.
• Escort your child calmly to the rear or restroom if the tantrum erupts in public… when the tantrum subsides, return to the activity.

Holidays can bring a mixed bag of emotions, some pleasurable and some not so happy.  Parents want their children to enjoy and have the very best of the holiday events.  In doing so, many parents assume they have to do everything – which can cause feelings of pressure, anxiety and unhappiness.

Try these ideas to make your holiday season the best ever!

• Don’t talk about the holiday too early.  Limit shopping!
• Remember that holiday gifts are not rewards.  Look for ways to show your family that holidays are times to think about others and to appreciate the true meaning of your holiday.
• Monitor your holiday stress level.  Slow down. Reconnect and enjoy the holiday.
• Savour your family traditions. Take time to enjoy the meaningful rites your children look forward to.
• Help your child understand that other children may celebrate the holiday season in different ways.

2008, 2009 and now 2010!  U-GRO is voted Best Daycare of Lancaster County for the 3rd year in a row!  We are so excited to be honored by the readers of Lancaster County Magazine.  Thank you!

Lebanon U-GRO continues a tradition of perfect annual inspections by earning a complete and flawless State inspection on October 19, 2010.  Congrats to Director Janet Mengle and the entire U-GRO staff for this accomplishment!

Congratulations to U-GRO for earning the #22 spot in Central PA’s list of fastest growing companies.  This is U-GRO’s second year in a row to receive this honor.  Every U-GRO teacher can take pride in the organization’s success as the wonder of childhood is celebrated though hard work and dedication.

Young children are naturally happy, active, talkative, and energetic. As teachers of young children, one of our most important and challenging roles is to guide them through the many changes of the day.

When we prepare children for transitions and focus their attention in positive ways, we eliminate many disruptions. We can make transitions smooth, meaningful and fun for children. Transition activities are merely an indirect way to get children to do what we want them to do calmly.

Positive communications is a key. State simply and positively what you want children to do. Instead of saying “sit down and be quiet,” instead say a finger play that ends with hands in your laps. Tell children ahead of time where you are going, what they are going to do and what behavior is expected of them.

It is also important to remember that children can’t, don’t, and won’t wait. If you capture their interest with a song, story, or a prop, then they won’t hit, poke or be disrespectful. Learning skills will be reinforced as you engage them in interesting activities.

Modeling what we want children to do is a powerful technique for teaching appropriate behavior. Be sure to give them clear examples of what you expect by your own actions. Children need to be encouraged during transitions. Teachers can be their best coaches, helping them develop self control as they learn to cooperate and make good choices.

Take a look at your daily routine and consider the many transitions, from their arrival to the ending of the day (which could be eight or ten changes children are expected to make).  Analyze the day and eliminate as many interruptions as possible. Think about what happens before the transition and what the following activity will be.  How can you bridge this with a song, game or learning activity? With planning you can capitalize on these “bits of time” with meaningful transitional activities.

The routine of the daily schedule gives children security and helps them know what to expect, as well as what behavior is expected of them. Give children a warning before changing activities to help them bring closure to their work and prepare for new situations.

Of utmost importance in planning transitions is choosing activities that are developmentally appropriate for the age, abilities and interest of the children. The younger children will be captivated by your thumb when it becomes a little mouse, while older children might respond to a letter quiz.

Knowing about different transitions and how to plan for them with a variety of activities will make your job easier, your day smoother, your classroom more peaceful and your children happier. Through these positive experiences they will develop self-control. You’ll discover how clever you are and its fun!