Love for Misbehaving Children

Some misbehaving children need more love than discipline.  I have seen children act out and even throw themselves on the floor in front of me as well as other teachers just so somebody will pay attention to them.  It is important to show these students that this behavior will not be recognized.  As a change, you should consciously focus on paying special attention to your child when they are doing a good behavior (not acting up).  The child will ultimately learn that if they want your attention, they need to listen and make good choices.

-Miss Sarah

My Book Log

Sarah's Book Log

The link about is a link to my book log (also located on the right of this page).  I have found a collection of children's books I enjoy.  With each posting there are ideas that can be done with your child.  I also indicate an approximate age/grade level (be sure to remember that some younger students will be able to listen to and understand many of these book even if they cannot read them on their own).  Within that blog, I also have categories that indicate the theme/content of the books.

I hope you enjoy those books and please feel free to give me suggestions on books you enjoyed reading with your child.  Also, feel free to share your thoughts on each of the books along with ideas you have!

-Miss Sarah

Books on Tape

Reading to children has tons of benefits, and some children could not hear enough of them!  Because of this, sometime parents need a break (and they won't mind hearing a different voice for awhile).  Children are not used to the person's voice who is reading the story on the CD/Tape/Ipod ect.  This makes the books seem like movies to them, it is relaxing and a change of scenery. 

In my experiences, I have seen children sit down and play books on tape over and over again.  They sometime will sit there for over an hour just listening to a variety of stories.  I have also had students ask for books on tape over having me read them a book.  While students love these books, they are also beneficial to parents when they need to get something done.  Children can learn how to play the story themselves and sit quietly while you get what you need to done (instead of thinking about it while you read a book).

Do not get me wrong in all of this! I believe it is extremely important to spend time with your children and read to your children, you just may not be able to do it all day everyday.  Have fun and enjoy the time you spend reading with your child!

-Miss Sarah

Name Writing

This is an fantastic place to start writing instruction and to work on letter formation and recognition.  The main reason for this is that students have ownership over their name.  A name is something to be proud of, and children are. 

-It is best to start with helping your child to get to recognize his/her name. 
-Children can practice tracing there names.
-Children can also use objects such as letter magnets to compose their name.

When students know how to write/spell their name, they can start to become confident in their abilities to write, read, and know letters.

-Miss Sarah

Writing at a Young Age

Young children who are still working on the alphabet are not capable of physically writing a story down on paper.  However, they are more than capable of being creative and coming up with stories in their heads.  As a parent, you can help your child get their ideas down on paper.  You can even use a composition notebook so that you have a collection of your child's work.  These writing activities can be done in two simple steps:

1.  Have your child draw a picture (this can be completely open ended or you can provide a prompt such as: draw your favorite.... or there once was an elephant).

2.  Have your child tell you about their picture and the story that goes with it (be sure to write word for word of what your child says). 

When you have these dated, you can look back and see how your child has grown.  Eventually they will be able to write their own stories in the journal!  Enjoy!

-Miss Sarah

Beginning Sounds

Preschool children spend a lot of their day learning letters.  One way you can help your child learn their letters is by associating the letter with the beginning sound of a word.  For example, have a picture of a bear along with the letter b.  To start, you would talk to your child about the first sound they hear when saying bear (you should say the word bear and emphasize the b sound).  The first couple times you may have to help your child identify the letter but then you should slowly let your child label the letter after hearing the sound by his or herself.  Your child will now have a connection to the letter sound as well as the letter.  Remember, this is a process that should be done slowly and over a span of time (letters will need to be repeated and only a couple of letters should be done each day-start with A and B  then the next day review A and B while adding C).

When your child seems to have this down, you can have a collection of 3 or 4 pictures.  You can then say a letter sound while asking the child to find the picture that has the matching beginning sound.

-Miss Sarah

Positive Reinforcement

I cannot stress enough the importance of positive reinforcement.  Positive reinforcement is all about pointing out the good things that children do.  Children hear "no" enough times throughout the day and if that is all a child hears, they are bound to start to tune it out.  Think about it, as adults, we enjoy receiving compliments so why wouldn't children?

There are many ways that you can make this work.

1. Potty training-find something that works for your child.  This can be something such as stickers or M&M's.  Children should understand the terms that surround the reward.  For example, children should know that they receive a sticker every time they use the toilet.

2. Behavior chart- This can be done a specific points of the day or simply to have to put up a sticker whenever the time is right.  The chart should have a certain amount of boxes to fill and once all the boxes are filled (with stickers or stamps), the child should receive a big reward.  The reward should be determined before the start of the chart (this can be something as simply as doing a one on one activity with the child).

Just remember....everyone is happier when they hear positive things opposed to negative.

-Miss Sarah