SHOW AND TELL
Bring a small thing that you use for decoration
Topic: How We Help
What can one person do?
The value is compassion, which means to feel sorrowful for the suffering or trouble of other people.
For ecology we’ll make a Christmas tree of food for the birds and put it outside our window.
Outside we’ll play “Rudolf in the Middle”
and do some large body movements to We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
The songs we’ll be singing are When You’re Happy and You Know It, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Jingle Bells, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Frosty the Snowman, and Oh, Christmas Tree.
For creative dramatics we’ll pantomime giving and sharing actions.
Our art activities are Christmas angels, sting ornaments, Christmas cut-outs, and shredded wheat ornaments.
For motor development, we’ll work on strength and relaxation. For motor planning we’ll run an obstacle course, blow cotton balls, play wormy, and roll with our eyes shut.
BEING PREPARED
Over the next several weeks, we are going to want or need our children to be able to sit relatively quietly for long periods of time. This can be difficult for most preschoolers. Try some of these techniques:
- Talk with your child about what to expect. Explain what’s going to happen, who all those people are, how much longer each part will last, and why it’s important for your child to participate in this agony.
- Prior to the event that will require the child to sit quietly, encourage as much movement as possible. This will help children who are in a high state of alertness to be calm and will help children in a low state of alertness to attend to what’s going on.
- If at all possible, allow children to take frequent wiggle breaks. On a long car trip, it is good for everyone to get out of the car and move around at least once an hour. During performances or religious services, take every opportunity to stand or to participate in the event.
- Although it may seem a good idea to sit in the back so that you can make an unobtrusive escape if necessary, children, sometimes do better if they sit up front. They are closer to the action, and sitting in front of all those people can be very intimidating. A friendly adult behind you can help reinforce your objectives.
- Oral stimulation may be appropriate in some situations. Crunchy and chewy snacks or a sports bottle with an attached straw can be indispensable. Hard candy can work in a pinch.
- Small, quiet hand toys to play with and that are new or unusual to the child can work well. Sensory balls, worry stones, a small lump of play putty, pencils with a spiral notebook can buy you some quiet time.
- Small cushions that can be filled with water or air are available at sporting goods stores. They provide a slightly unstable surface to sit on that allows children to get some needed movement.
- Allow your child to dress as comfortably as possible. Children will be better able to tolerate other kinds of sensory stimulation or lack of stimulation if they are not unduly irritated by clothing.
Being prepared can be the better part of parenting. Traditions and rituals are important and our children will be better able to handle them with your support.
Coming Up
Secret Pals – Over the next several weeks, the children will have a secret pal for whom they are to do nice things. It’s a secret, so no one will know who their secret pal is, only that nice things keep happening from one of their classmates. The other side of that will be that when these nice things happen, the “pal” will need to show appreciation. This is a lot of learning for preschoolers. Is there a way you can extend this learning at home? Keep us posted how it’s happening.
Giving Project – For this year’s giving project we are partnering with Child Advocates and sponsoring a toy drive. This is an opportunity for you, and your child to bring NEW unwrapped toys and clothing for the children. Child Advocates serves children from birth to 18 years old. Check the frequent wish list for additional suggestions at www.childadvocates.org We’ll need toys and clothes at the school by December 6, look for the box as you enter the school to drop off your donation.
About Gifts – A fantastic resource for truly authentic gifts for our children is Montessori Services’ catalog For Small Hands (forsmallhands.com). You might want to pass the tip along to grandparents who sometimes struggle with finding good ideas.
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