Keeping "busy" little ones in the church service, in their seat and occupied is a challenge to say the least. Here are a few ideas to try and then come up with more of your own!
*For an older child, make your own fun worksheets. You can create fill in the blank sheets, word searches or quick questions with short answers.
*Create an "I Spy" list with things your child can try to find during church. Be sure to include any special items on display in church that week as well as random items such as "baby," "man with a blue shirt," or "something red."
*Ask your child to draw something she sees at church. Whatever she draws, you'll know what has captured her attention.
*Play a quiet counting game. Before the service make a list of words such as "windows," "candles," or "church helpers," then ask your child to count each of these things and write down the number next to its name.
*For a younger child, bring a few books he hasn't read often to grab his attention. You may want to save a special quiet toy just for church so he is excited to play with it. (A felt book with pieces of animals, people, or object pieces is a great choice as the pieces can be moved around and won't make noise if dropped.)
*A few quiet snacks such as raisins are a great option to keep toddlers happy. Put the food in a snack cup at home so you're not opening loud plastic packages during the service.
(Source: "Busy Bodies" article by Michelle Liese, Spring 2003, Christian Parenting Today magazine.)
Now that you have a few ideas, try to come up with more of your own and feel free to post them as a comment on this blog!! I'm sure other parents would love to have as many tools as possible!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Ten Things Every Child Needs
Ten Things Every Child Needs...
1) Interaction - consistent long-term attention from caring adults actually increases a child's capacity to learn.
2) Touch - Holding and cuddling does more than just comfort a baby, it helps your child's brain grow.
3) Stable Relationships - Relationships with parents and other caregivers buffer stress that can harm a child.
4) Safe, Healthy Environment - A Child's environment should be free from loud noise, sharp objects and other hazards.
5) Self-esteem - Self-esteem grows with respect, encouragement and positive role models from the beginning.
6) Quality Care - Daycare from trained professionals can make the difference when a parent cannot be with a child.
7) Play - Time to play helps a child explore his senses and discover how the world works.
8) Communication - Talking with a baby builds verbal skills needed to succeed in school and later in life.
9) Music - Exposure to music expands a child's world, teaches new skills and offers a fun way to interact with a child.
10) Reading - Reading to a child from the earliest days of life shows the importance of reading and creates a lifelong love of books.
(from "Ten Things Every Child Needs" by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, video copyright 1999.)
1) Interaction - consistent long-term attention from caring adults actually increases a child's capacity to learn.
2) Touch - Holding and cuddling does more than just comfort a baby, it helps your child's brain grow.
3) Stable Relationships - Relationships with parents and other caregivers buffer stress that can harm a child.
4) Safe, Healthy Environment - A Child's environment should be free from loud noise, sharp objects and other hazards.
5) Self-esteem - Self-esteem grows with respect, encouragement and positive role models from the beginning.
6) Quality Care - Daycare from trained professionals can make the difference when a parent cannot be with a child.
7) Play - Time to play helps a child explore his senses and discover how the world works.
8) Communication - Talking with a baby builds verbal skills needed to succeed in school and later in life.
9) Music - Exposure to music expands a child's world, teaches new skills and offers a fun way to interact with a child.
10) Reading - Reading to a child from the earliest days of life shows the importance of reading and creates a lifelong love of books.
(from "Ten Things Every Child Needs" by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, video copyright 1999.)
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
The Adult Role In Children's Play
These general guidelines may be helpful:
1) Value children's play and talk to children about their play. Adults often say "I like the way you're working," but rarely, "I like the way you're playing."
2) Play with children when it is appropriate, especially during the early years. If adults pay attention to and engage in children's play, children get the message that play is valuable.
3) Create a playful atmosphere. It is important for adults to provide materials which children can explore and adapt in play.
4) When play appears to be stuck or unproductive, offer a new prop, suggest new roles, or provide new experiences, such as a field trip.
5) Intervene to ensure safe play. Even in older children's play, social conflicts often occur when children try to negotiate. Adults can help when children cannot solve these conflicts by themselves (Caldwell, 1977). Adults should identify play which has led to problems for particular children. They should check materials and equipment for safety. Finally, adults should make children aware of any hidden risks in physical challenges they set for themselves.
(from online article, ED307967 88 The Nature of Children's Play. ERIC Digest.Author: Fernie, David. ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education, Urbana, Ill.)
1) Value children's play and talk to children about their play. Adults often say "I like the way you're working," but rarely, "I like the way you're playing."
2) Play with children when it is appropriate, especially during the early years. If adults pay attention to and engage in children's play, children get the message that play is valuable.
3) Create a playful atmosphere. It is important for adults to provide materials which children can explore and adapt in play.
4) When play appears to be stuck or unproductive, offer a new prop, suggest new roles, or provide new experiences, such as a field trip.
5) Intervene to ensure safe play. Even in older children's play, social conflicts often occur when children try to negotiate. Adults can help when children cannot solve these conflicts by themselves (Caldwell, 1977). Adults should identify play which has led to problems for particular children. They should check materials and equipment for safety. Finally, adults should make children aware of any hidden risks in physical challenges they set for themselves.
(from online article, ED307967 88 The Nature of Children's Play. ERIC Digest.Author: Fernie, David. ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education, Urbana, Ill.)
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Children and Music
Children have an affinity for music from birth. They need to be involved in music, not just listen to it. Parents and children should make music together. For the adult, it is such a soul-moving experience to observe an infant as she is influenced by and becomes part of the music and rhythms she hears. Infancy is not too early for a child to experience music as a form of recreation, enjoyably integrating the sounds and vibrations into her bodily movements.
The benefits of music are:
*It brings many learning elements together.
*Physical coordination
*Timing
*Engages memory, imagination and language
*Builds self-confidence
*Stirs a response between parents and child that helps build the connection between them.
(from "Ten Things Every Child Needs" by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, video copyright 1999; and "EARLY BRAIN DEVELOPMENT: What parents and caregivers need to know!" by Phyllis Porter, M.A., online article, May 3, 2007. )
The benefits of music are:
*It brings many learning elements together.
*Physical coordination
*Timing
*Engages memory, imagination and language
*Builds self-confidence
*Stirs a response between parents and child that helps build the connection between them.
(from "Ten Things Every Child Needs" by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, video copyright 1999; and "EARLY BRAIN DEVELOPMENT: What parents and caregivers need to know!" by Phyllis Porter, M.A., online article, May 3, 2007. )
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)