Music Magic: Using Music and Movement to Create Optimal LearningEnvironments

Meet Jennifer Newingham!  She's an early childhood administrator and she's pretty awesome!  She allowed me the opportunity to co-present with her at our state IAEYC (Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children) Conference.

We had as backed house as we blended developmentally appropriate music and movement strategies and Conscious Discipline to create a rocking professional development opportunity for all these ECE professionals!

As promised, I've uploaded the handouts here so you can get a glimpse of what we shared!  We also uploaded the song lyrics and images you could use to create your own song box or binder.  You can find the song lyrics here and the images here.  Feel free to contact me if your like more information or if you would like to bring this training to your staff!

Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?

You have to admit, Frozen was quite a hit in 2014!!!!  It is now one of my all time favorite Disney movies!

I absolutely love the theme of the movie and how it demonstrates the impact that fear has on our lives!  The more we separate ourselves and rely on fear to govern our lives the more "frozen" we become...feeling like control is the only way to win!  In the end we find out that control leaves us feeling broken and alone...frozen! 

Just when things seem like they couldn't get worse along comes the adorable fun loving snowman--OLAF!!!  Never fear Olaf is here!!!!  Olaf has to be my favorite character in the whole movie!!!  He is such a fun character and I totally relate to his determination and dreamy outlook on life!  What is Olaf's favorite thing???  Well, of course, WARM HUGS!!!! 

So, even though the bottom just fell out of the temperatures here in Indiana and it is FREEZING outside, it can certainly be warm inside if we do like Olaf and greet each other with LOTS of warmth!!! 

I shared four new greetings over on PreK and K Sharing today that will be sure to spread lots of warmth throughout your classroom when you return from winter break this week.  In fact, they are fun enough that they can last all month long if you rotate them periodically!!! 

The post includes a FREE PRINTABLE from my Teachers Pay Teachers Store that you can use to make a quick greeting apron before school tomorrow!!!

 

I thought it might also warm your heart if I shared some adorable videos that help teach you how to do the greetings so you are ready to make lots of connections with those kiddos tomorrow!!!  My daughter and her friend helped me make a video to demonstrate each of the greetings and they can be found on my Youtube channel!  Here is a sample of "Snowman Greeting!" 

 



So, go ahead...build a snowman!!!  Take the time to slow down and share the warmth of a hug or a smile with your children!  By doing so, you do more than just build a snowman...YOU'RE BUILDING BRAINS!!!!

Until next time...I wish you well!!!
 

Helping Children Reach Their Goals

I am such a geek when it comes to professional development!!!  I absolutely LOVE TO LEARN!!!  Something really BIG happened for me last week!!!

I reached a BIG goal!!!  It has been a life dream of mine to be able to share my passion for teaching and learning on the national platform.  Last week that dream came true when I presented at the  NAEYC Conference in Dallas, Texas.  Lindy McDaniel from Considerate Classroom was my co-presenter and I was thrilled to have such a talented friend along side me all the way through this experience!  I could not have done it by myself! 

Lindy's blog is like the MECA of Early Childhood Special Education!!!  If you haven't checked it out already GO THERE NOW!!!!  She is AMAZING!!!  When others think there is NO way to help a child with special needs she says, "YES THERE IS"!!!  She will help you find a way with all her free videos and printable downloads.  She has such a giving heart!

Our presentation at NAEYC focused on helping children reach their goals and creating an optimal learning environment.  We shared many ideas for focusing on WHAT YOU WANT and then figuring out the steps for getting there.  You cannot change behavior by focusing on what you DON'T want!

 

 

 

Using a School Family Agreement is a great way to create a safe learning environment and teach children how to set and reach goals at school.  These are the guidelines we use as a School Family to help us know how to interact safely with one another on a daily basis.  Here is an excellent example of a School Family Agreement from a preschool classroom I visited recently.  

 

 

Notice how clear and specific the each statement is.  There are also appropriate pictures to show children what you WANT them TO DO.  This teacher set her class up for success by making this into a ritual that they did together every day as they continued to practice how to reach each of these goals!

 

 

 

She has this special basket that contains the names of all her "treasures" (her students).  She calls each child up to commit to keeping the School Family safe by placing their name on the Safekeeper Board near the commitments.  She is brilliantly aiming her attention as well as the attention of her students on what she WANTS them TO DO!  (I may or may not have gotten a little choked up when I witnessed the beauty of this ritual).  :)

 

Finally, here is one of my dear friends who is implementing Conscious Discipline in her Head Start Classroom.  She is absolutely brilliant and her passion for helping young children be their best just shines through!!!  She is sharing her class agreement which she has taught with rhythm and motions to help her children pick up the pattern, unite, and focus on moving in a positive direction!

 

 

By making commitments we are helping our children see that they are a part of something bigger than themselves.  We are also helping them discover that their teacher (the Safekeeper) is a safe conscious adult who owns their own upset, handles it appropriately, and can be trusted as a guide to come along side them whenever they need help. 

My week in Dallas wouldn't have been complete without the many treasured memories I created with my Conscious Discipline Family.  Dr. Becky Bailey and my dear friends have been that School Family for me and they have helped guide me as I move one step closer (with imperfect progress) toward becoming my best self!  I hope you'll join me!  Until next time, I wish you well!  

 







Independence Day: Helping Children with Developmental Opposition

Happy Fourth of July!!!  I hope you are enjoying this time with family and friends!  What a great reminder every year to celebrate our freedom! 

One thing I think of when I consider Independence Day is the Conscious Discipline Power of Free Will.  This is one of the most difficult Powers for me to really practice.  I have a deep rooted belief that if I go about it right I can still make others do what I want.

Don't we all wish sometimes that children would just cooperate?  We want them to do as we say without complaint.  I shared a post on Prek and K Sharing today about how to help children by offering Two Positive Choices.  BUT I bet we all know that child.  You know, the one that for some reason challenges you beyond your skill level.

This is the child that when given choice A or B chooses C.  Dr. Becky Bailey describes several reasons why this child may be so resistant and gives us some strategies to help us address their needs.  Over the next week I will describe the characteristics of several different types of opposition.  Today we are going to discuss Developmental Opposition and the Parroting Technique. 

Developmental Opposition

• Individuation separation is a child's journey toward self-hood.  It transforms a helpless, dependent infant into a person with a unique identity.  Any assertive stance from an adult prompts the child to react with the opposite behavior. 

Help a child that is resistant for developmental reason by using the following strategies:

• Avoid a power struggle by taking a deep breath, become conscious of your thoughts, and  focus on what you want the child to do.
• Now that you are composed, choose to rely on the Power of Free Will rather than coercion to solve the problem.  Coercion is the problem, not the solution.
• Use the parroting technique as demonstrated in the picture below.

When you use the parroting technique there are a few things to remember:

1. You must stay calm.  As you continue to repeat the choices remember to breathe.  The child may continue pushing you and attempt to engage in a power struggle.  Keep breathing.

2. If the child downshifts and becomes physically aggressive it is time to offer assertive commands and active calming strategies.  You cannot offer choices to a child in a Survival State.

3. Although you may need to leave the blocks on the floor for a few more minutes while the child calms down be sure to follow through with having her clean up when she returns.  Once the blocks are cleaned up celebrate her accomplishments with her.

You can learn more about opposition by tuning back in next week.  We will explore other types of resistance and share strategies about what you can do to help! 







photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hadock/3831715388/">_Hadock_</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a>

Are You Willing?

Last week I had the opportunity to join Loving Guidance Associate, Karen Hickman, for a two day Conscious Discipline training here in Indiana.  Over 100 people from around the state were empowered by her messages and the opportunity to learn how to help children learn from the consequences of their behavior.

Each day she challenged us to make a group commitment as well as a personal commitment.  Making commitments help us set ourselves as well as our children up for success! 

On day two of our workshop Karen asked the question "are you willing?"    She pointed out how often we say yes or no to things without really thinking through the consequences of that choice. 

Immediately, I thought about all the times I've said no to my own children before even thinking through what I was saying.

For example, I might say no to having a snack without thinking about the fact that they may really be hungry or have another need that is unmet.  You know how that goes.  As soon as you say no the whining ensues.  "But I'm huuuuuunnnnnngggggrrrrry!"  They cry.

Before you know it, I give in and let them have a snack and don't stick to the limit I initially set.   This can create a very unhealthy pattern for them AND me!

Perhaps if I'd slow down and pause when they ask for the snack and think about whether or not they really could need something to eat, I would consciously make a decision about it instead of answering while on autopilot.   

As I plan for the coming week, I am going to slow down and pause before making decisions.  I am going to intentionally ask myself, "Am I willing?" instead of getting myself into something and then later beating myself up about it and feeling disappointed or angry because of unmet expectations. 

So, my question for you is are you willing to slow down and put a pause in place before making a commitment?  Are you willing to take a deep breath and reflect instead of reacting out of the lower centers of your brain and saying or doing something you are later going to feel guilty about?

What are you willing to do this week to help set you and your children up for success?  Hope you'll join me in committing to putting in that pause and living life intentionally so you and your children can experience more joy and happiness in this journey!

Hot Chocolate Connecting Activities that will Warm Your Heart

Does hot chocolate take you back to memories of your childhood like it does me?  I remember my mom getting out that dented little pan to warm up some milk and make some steamy hot chocolate for us on those cold winter days.  She warmed the milk oh so carefully so it wouldn't burn.  Then she would squeeze in just enough chocolate to give it taste and if we had some on hand we always added marshmallows! 

One of the best things about hot chocolate is the way if feels in your hands!  Heck!  Half of the experience is just holding the mug and sniffing that rich chocolaty aroma!

I am sharing a sweet little connecting activity with you today that I hope will help you create some warm memories that you will look back on some day with your children and perhaps even carry on for the next generation.

You might like to do this activity with your little ones just before bed or when they get home from school to allow them some time to melt into the warmth of their relationship with you and experience a deep sense of connection and safety.  This activity could be easily adapted for use in the classroom with individual students or as a connecting activity for your class as a whole in your Brain Smart Start.

However you decide to do this activity, remember that it is important that it include eye contact, touch, presence, and playfulness.  Don't get too caught up in the words or motions, enjoy the time with your child, relax and be present. 

Here are the steps to doing the activity:

1. Hold your child in your lap.
2. Form the shape of a pot with your child's arms.
3. Pretend to pour milk into the "pot".
4. Holding your child's hands make a stirring motion with your arms as if you are stirring the milk with a big wooden spoon.
5. Squeeze your child's arms, hands, legs, or feet to pretend that it is the chocolate syrup squeezing it into the pot.
6. Gently poke your child's tummy or cheeks as you add the "marshmallows".
7. Wrap your arms snug around your child and give a hug.
8. Last, but not least, drink up that yummy hot chocolate as you enjoy smiles and giggles all around!

This poster for this song can be found here.  You can print it out for free!!!

If you are interested in more developmentally appropriate activities that include hot chocolate be sure to check out my post over on Pre-K and K Sharing.  There is another free printable over there that will help you teach your children to take that deep calming breath when they are feeling upset and need to relax.

Go ahead, grab a cup of hot cocoa, print out the poster and put it up on the fridge so you are ready to snuggle in close with your little ones.  This is one connecting activity that is sure to warm your hearts!

Becoming Your Best Self: I Dare You

If you are anything like me as 2014 inches closer and closer I get this urge to see how I can plan and organize for the New Year and make it the best one yet! 

My friends over at Conscious Discipline inspired me to write this post because of the video series they are promoting right now titled, "Being the Best You can Be."  (We'll talk more about that tomorrow, but you can check it out now by clicking over to their Facebook page by following the link above.)

When I was in high school I was awarded a scholarship to attend the National Leadership Conference which is sponsored by the American Youth Foundation.  The scholarship was named the "I Dare You Award" and I was given this book that is written by William H. Danforth.

Dare you to do what?  Up until this point, the only dares I knew of were the ones that came from my sister or friends when playing Truth or Dare and it usually wasn't very pretty. 

At Camp Miniwanca that summer I was dared to push myself beyond my limits, seek balance in my physical, mental, social, and religious life, and discover my personal best.  I met friends from around the world and broadened my perspective on life.  I found confidence and strength and learned what I am truly capable of achieving.

The years have past and so much has changed.  At times, my life is so off balance it's a wonder I don't just fall over!  You know how it is as a mommy and wife and what a challenge it can be to "do life" and maintain or find any balance at all.  It's not just about me anymore.  The dare hasn't changed, but the impact has.

As a mom, you are the balance.  It's like you're that tight rope walker with your hands outstretched.  Here you are, walking a fine line and trying to keep your balance.  On one hand you have meals to plan, diapers to change, boo-boos to kiss, clothes to fold, budgets to balance, homework to check, baths to give, and the many other jobs that just seem to fall into your life.  In the other hand you have your own self-care, exercise, friends, church, volunteering, reading and learning, and for many moms there is also a 40 hour work week outside the home.  I have to say, being a mom takes super power!

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow we are going to talk about some of the super powers I rely on to help me find balance.  You know as well as I do when things get too off balance you WILL fall!  Whether it's illness, weight gain, lack of energy, or an all out meltdown, it will happen if you don't take care of yourself!

 

When you go to the circus you see that the tight rope walker usually has some sort of safety net hanging below.  What's your safety net?  It could be the difference between bouncing back when you fall and landing flat on your face like a pancake!  Who wants that to happen?

So, that is my dare this year.  Will you join me?  I am reflecting on the steps I can take to put more margin in my life.  Whether it is with my time, money, energy, or relationships, when there is no margin, I get stressed out and it just isn't pretty!  What steps are you willing to take to put some margin back in your life.

Over the next few days I will be sharing some of my reflections as I look back on 2013 and prepare for the New Year.  Will I ever get to my destination of "best self"?  I see life as a journey, not so much focused on exactly where I will land, but more on what I learn along the way.  My plan is to enjoy the journey!

To help you prepare for the New Year that lies ahead, here is an excerpt from I Dare You by William H. Danforth with his dare for you:

IT IS DIFFICULT to put a challenge on paper. I would rather look you straight in the eye and say, "I dare you!" In my mind that's exactly what I am doing. I am on one side of a table. You are on the other. I am looking across and saying "I dare you!"
I Dare You, young man, you who come from a home of poverty—I dare you to have the qualities of a Lincoln.
I Dare You, heir of wealth and proud ancestry, with your generations of worthy stock, your traditions of leadership—I dare you to achieve something that will make the future point to you with even more pride than the present is pointing to those who have gone before you.
I Dare You, young mother, to make your life a masterpiece upon which that little family of yours can build. Strong women bring forth strong men.
I Dare You. boys and girls, to make life obey you, not you it. It is only a shallow dare to do the foolish things. I dare you to do the uplifting, courageous things.
I Dare You, young executive, to shoulder more responsibility joyously, to launch out into the deep, to build magnificently.
I Dare You, young author, to win the Nobel prize.
I Dare You, young researcher, to become a Microbe Hunter.
I Dare You, boy on the farm, to become a Master Farmer—A Hunger Fighter.
I Dare You, man of affairs, to have a "Magnificent Obsession."
I Dare You, Grandfather, with your roots deep in the soil and your head above the crowd, catching the rays of the sun, to plan a daring program to crown the years of your life.
I Dare You, who think life is humdrum, to become involved. I dare you who are weak to be strong; you who are dull to be sparkling; you who are slaves to be kings.
I Dare You, whoever you are, to share with others the fruits of your daring. Catch a passion for helping others and a richer life will come back to you!


What is your dare for 2014?  How can you challenge yourself and find more balance as you become your best self?  In the words of Mr. Danforth, "...share with others the fruits of your daring.  Catch a passion for helping others and a richer life will come back to you!"  I DARE YOU!

Click the image above for a free printable that you can hang up in your home or office to inspire you throughout the coming year!  This is the motto of the American Youth Foundation and it has inspired me for over 23 years to be my best self and unlock my highest potential as I make positive impact on the world around me.

Conscious Discipline Resources for Children with Special Needs

Today I'm sharing one of my very favorite online resources for using Conscious Discipline with children who have special needs. This brilliant website is created by the amazingly talented staff in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools of Miami, Florida.  

You can go ahead and click the image above and go check out the website for yourself, but make sure you come back here to learn more about this amazing resource!

If you have worked with children who have special needs very long you've probably heard of the Mayer Johnson software called Boardmaker.  If not,  click the image to learn more!

On the Miami-Dade County website click on the "Resources" tab on the left hand side of the page then click on the Boardmaker label.   As you will see, Boardmaker is a software program that helps you support learning with images.  The Miami-Dade website provides many different Boardmaker files for you to download free of charge!  You do have to own the Boardmaker software in order to print many of these images, but it gives you a great place to start!  If you are a special needs teacher or therapist this could save you HOURS!  We want to use images to help young children govern their behavior...why reinvent the wheel!?!  :)

 

The board above is used during a Greeting Circle to focus on Phonological Awareness.  It includes elements of the Brain Smart Start from Conscious Discipline.  Help children connect and build relationships while they build reading skills!  :)

 

 

 

One of the Brain Smart Principles of Conscious Discipline is that the brain is pattern seeking.  Look how this board helps children use body movement to create a pattern.  What a great way to add some Brain Smart moves into your day!

 

 

If you have been to one of my trainings you know how successful Boo Boo Lotion has been in my work with children who have special needs.  This visual helps the child with minimal verbal ability to show you where their "boo boo" is so you can comfort them and show them  you care. 

 

 

There is a whole section of boards under the Behavioral and Social downloads.  The one above is a feelings board that gives children some a way to name their feeling and how they choose to handle their feelings.

 



 

Using a "First/Then" board really helps children stay focused on the task at hand until they reach their goal.  This comes in really handy with the Skill of Assertiveness!  It focuses everyone on what they want.

 

I love how this board gives you lots of ideas for commitments that your School Family can make throughout the year.  Adding a visual to the commitment really helps everyone better focus their intentions and brings us back to our focus when we get off track. 

 

Take some time to explore the website on your own.  There are many great resources available.  One of my other favorites is the page that has TONS of fun nursery rhyme ideas!  Take a look around and share what you find most helpful with others via Pinterest or Facebook!  They add new resources all the time!  Which board inspired you the most?

Looking for Kindness with Elf on the Shelf

Are you ready for Elf on the Shelf with a twist? Help your Elf on the Shelf find a new focus this holiday season! 

 

If you have never heard of Elf on the Shelf, click the photo above to find out more information.  Our family adopted an Elf, Speedy, several years ago from Target.  I love family traditions and thought this was just adorable!  This cute little guy visits your family every year and gives nightly reports to Santa about how everyone is behaving.  Who wouldn't LOVE a visit from one of Santa's little helpers throughout the Christmas season, right? 

 

Cute as he is, after a little elf reflection I realized I was missing a great opportunity!  I was using Speedy to try to control my children's behavior and making threats like, "Speedy's watching" or "What will Speedy tell Santa tonight?"  My focus was all wrong! 

 

At the suggestion of my friends from Conscious Discipline I am going to try something new this year!  We are going to help our elf harness his Power of Attention and learn to focus on kindness!  Now he can be a teaching tool!  He is going to help us retrain our eyes to see the helpfulness in others and focus on the positive behaviors we want to encourage.  Perhaps you'll join me? 

 

 

Here are a few ideas on how the Elf on the Shelf tradition be tweaked to focus on helpfulness:

1. Read the book Shubert Sees the Best with your class or family.

2. Present each child with his/her own pair of heart shaped glasses to decorate. (We have a FREE printable on the Conscious Discipline website.)

3. Everyone color and decorate their own pair of heart-shaped glasses just like Shubert's!

4. Once decorated, everyone put the glasses on and have a class or family meeting to talk about what acts of kindness they might see at home or school.

5. Tell the children that the Elf on the Shelf will be seeing the best in others too! Make sure your elf is wearing his very own pair of heart shaped glasses everyday that he visits!

6. Create a bulletin board (school) or poster board (home) titled, “(Elf’s Name) _____ Helps Us See the Best! Cut snowflake shapes out of construction paper and put them in a basket near the board. Explain that when somebody notices someone being helpful or kind, they can write that person’s name on a snowflake and tape it to the board.  Make sure the Elf on the Shelf is adding snowflakes to the bulletin board!

7. Have the Elf leave little notes that contain encouraging words and notices helpfulness: “You _____ (describe what the child did) so (describe how it contributed to others). That was helpful!

 

Examples:

You clean up the race cars so we wouldn't fall. That was helpful!

You reminded your Mom to put on her seatbelt so she would be safe. That was helpful!

You raised your hand quietly so others can learn. That was helpful!

 

8. Have your elf surprise people with Random Acts of Kindness around the classroom or home.  For example, he could make someone's bed or pick up trash.  Leave the elf on the bed or near the trash can when the job is done.  Explain to the children that when the elf has RAK'ed you, it is your turn to look for a way to RAK someone else.  The elf gets passed along as a symbol of  the kindness that has been done.  (The recipient could also complete the steps described in #6 above.) 

 

 

I hope you find these ideas helpful as you look for kindness this holiday season!  Seek and you will find--the TRUE meaning of Christmas--love!

 

For more ideas about how to focus on kindness this holiday season read my post over at  "PreK and K Sharing".  Trust me, it's a sweet idea!

 

#iheartcd  #elfontheshelf  #SEL