Make-it Topic: Books

Imaginative:

• Set up a library for the children to be the librarians 
• Set up a book store 
• Choose a favourite fairy tale i.e. Three bears, set out the material to act out the book 
• Place a “bed” for bedtime stories

Language:

• Read “I love my little story book” by Anita Jeram 
• Set out a variety of different books for the children to read 
• Place a book worm on the wall for each circle write the name of the book you read 
• Have the children share their favourite story book

Art:

• Make book ends using milk cartons, stickers, and paints 
• Have the children make their own book mark 
• Place out magazines and construction paper allow the children to cut out pictures to make their own story (you can write the story they tell) 
• Get book report covers allow the children to color them cover a book 
• Make books using “environmental prints” (cereal boxes)

Water/Sand:

• Plastic books with characters in the water table 
• Place books about water beside the water table 
• Place out books about sand by the sand table add trucks to it

 Gross Motor:

• Read a Yoga for children book have the children do the poses 
• Make a city treasure hunt book for the children go for a walk following the book 
• Read “Run away bunny” have the children act out the running

Science/Curiosity:

• Make paper one day 
• Have color cards for mixing colors 
• Place out a type writer for the children to use

Conceptual/Tabletop/Fine Motor:

• Place out book lacers 
• Place out mini books for counting 
• Place out the cheerio books with some cheerio’s for the children to complete the pictures 
• Place out I Spy books

Music:

• Place out music books such as five little monkeys, five green and speckled frogs 
• Place out simple musical score books or sheets

Quiet:

• Place out flannel board stories 
• Add material books for reading

Cooking:

• Painted toast story 
• Food coloring, milk, bread 
• Allow the children to create a story on their bread toast it and watch the colors come alive 
• Make recipe cards using pictures to follow 
• Use the book “Stone Soup” for a cooking day

Field Trips:

• Visit the local library 
• Take a trip to the local Chapters book store

I can do it myself! - Tips to encourage your child's independence

Article by Robin Stevenson

Published in November 2010 issue of Canadian Family

Learning Curve

Mastering new skills takes effort, and unfortunately a preschooler's mental ambitions may not match his physical or linguistic abilities. "We need to observe our children constantly," says Cindy Brandon, an early childhood education professor at Centennial College in Toronto. "We need to know what they can do, what they can't do and what they are ready to do."

While practice does make perfect, sometimes the pressure to achieve a goal will result in a tantrum, tears or giving up completely. "My eldest, Ryan, now nine, would try and do a task himself until he got to the point where he was frustrated and would then cry and ask me to help him," remembers Smith. "My daughter Ella, now seven, never gave up trying. She rarely asked for help and was content to keep trying until she got it right. Amelia is more like Ryan except that when she gets to the point of utter frustration, she gives up and doesn't want anyone to help her afterwards."

To encourage learning a skill without stress, Brandon suggests breaking down the task your child is trying to master into small parts. You can start your preschooler's coat zipper while she finishes the job, or, if she demonstrates that she's almost ready to zip up her own coat, leave a couple around the house she can practice at her own pace. "That way your child can experience the thrill of success and move closer toward independence and healthy self-esteem," says Brandon.

Gushnowski reminds parents that if their child does get frustrated or has a tantrum while trying to master a task, she should not be punished - this is simply how some preschoolers communicate their feelings. She suggests verbally reminding the child to calm down and to use her words to describe  her feelings. "It's more important that parents and caregivers teach their children how to tolerate the stresses of life in a positive and pro-social manner."

Managing your own expectations

Although it is frustrating to wait (and wait) for your children to finish their activity, it is vital that they do it by themselves, says Smith, even if the outcome isn't perfect. "I remember that when Ryan was learning to make his bed, I had to resist the urge to go in and smooth out the wrinkles. He was so proud of himself, and I had to remind myself that if I went in to 'fix' it afterwards, it would undermine his efforts."

Parents also need to understand that when it comes to independence and mastery, children need to be motivated by their own accomplishment without the need for rewards like candy, money or excessive verbal affirmation. "Praise for an accomplishment is appropriate, but be sure that your children are doing a task because they are interested and not because they think they will be praised," says Gushnowski. "This is why it is important to let them try things independently - no matter how long it takes!" She also recommends that parents give children ample time to finish activities and resist the urge to help hurry them along. "Instead, if you are in a rush," she says, "remind them they only have a few minutes to finish what they are doing."

Part of parenting is waiting, agrees Brandon, even if it takes 10 minutes to get gloves, boots, and a coat on by himself. "I think there are times when we just need to be patient and wait. Children are so new to the world - enjoy watching them learn and grow."

Annual Swim Party Results!

The Hemel House Annual Swim Party was a huge success! We had amazing attendance from the Hemel House community.

110 people swam and ate!

We are looking forward to next year.

Early Eating Disorders

Feeding disorder of infancy: Birth to 12 months

What it is:

An infant refuses to eat or is unable to eat, leading to poor weight gain or significant weight loss over at least a one-month period. The cause is often an undeveloped sphincter muscle between the stomach and esophagus, or developmental delays, sensory processing disorders, or celiac disease (an autoimmune disorder that leads to an intolerance to the gluten in wheat and other grains).

Get help:

Schedule regular doctors' visits to track your child's growth. A pediatric gastroenterologist can diagnose acid reflux and prescribe medication until your baby outgrows it. Occupational and speech therapists can work with children for whom eating is unpleasant or difficult.

Pica: 2 to 3 years

What it is:

As many as 30 percent of children at some point have pica, a compulsive tendency to eat nonfood items (such as dirt, paint chips, or laundry detergent) for one month or longer, beyond the baby years. Pica usually passes with age but can persist in developmentally delayed kids, who are also at higher risk for it.

Get help:

Pica can cause lead poisoning, so keep nonfood items out of reach with high shelves and childproof locks. You may want to talk to your pediatrician or a child psychologist who specializes in eating disorders.

Selective eating disorder: 3-10 years

What it is:

A selective eater will progressively limit his diet to only a few foods. Most common in boys for reasons that remain unclear, selective eating doesn't lead to growth or health problems in most cases. There's no strong research showing that selective eaters are at risk for other eating disorders later.

Get help:

Some experts say that if your child is growing normally, it's best not to make an issue of it - but to find out whether your child should take a multivitamin and calcium supplement. A child psychologist can help teach him how to try new things.

Talk to your doctor if your young child is showing signs of these food issues.

From Parents January 2011 issue