March Blog Post

Part 1- Writing - "How Writing Can Help Children Grow Emotionally"

Welcome to March! I'm just catching up but Spring is upon us and it is always good to take stock of the new routines this season offers.

One of the things that helped me to be a writer was when I first began journaling, or in my younger days it was called a diary. After reading "The Diary of Anne Frank," a story about a young jewish girl and her family living in a secret annex in Amsterdam, Netherlands during a time of WW II and invasion by Nazi soldiers under the reign of Adolph Hitler. I was fascinated by this true story and the sweet and gentle words the author, Anne Frank, used to describe her then life. She creatively writes with much emotion during such a tumultuous time in history.

This book is a sad yet wonderful account of the day to day life during extremely challenging times. A piece of writing such as this is one which the reader sees the growth in the emotions of the writer. When we encourage children to write down their feelings, they learn to connect to their emotions and gain reflection on gratitude while being creative.

Some ideas for children to write daily might include:

*pet care at home

*Hobbies or interests outside school such as sports teams or clubs

*keeping a weather log

It really doesn't matter what is written as long as it is thoughtful and consistent. March 20 (sorry I missed this one) was World Story Telling Day! Perfect for sharing stories and writing new ones. In this section, you will find two printables to use for creating the most fun, creative and imaginative piece:

"My Story Starter" in words and pictures and "Write A Story" using the five words shown in the picture is a good way to begin the writing process!

Finding time to write everyday will not only develop a good habit, but will give you the opportunity to look back at your work in a journal or diary and cherish whatever memories are there. Hopefully you will stay with it and encourage others to do the same.

Part 2 - Education - "Planting Seeds of Knowledge Springtime Learning Activities"

When I was studying for my Master's in Education at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY, one of the courses I took in teaching Science to elementary kids included preparing a lesson on nature. It was the Spring semester so the right time to do a lesson on classification of leaves that were showing signs of Spring. Using several different shaped leaves, then different colored leaves, my focus was to classify them into groups: shape, size, veins, edges, etc and I would ask my students to find three different leaves on a nature walk. We would then go back to the classroom to observe them and compare and contrast their classes.

This lesson was prepared for a Kindergarten through Second grade level, keeping mindful that changes in ability and strengths of students would apply as needed. A few books that I always enjoyed reading to my children that would connect outdoor activities like this are: "Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf," by Lois Ehlert; "We're Going On a Leaf Hunt," by Steve Metzger; and "Leaves, Leaves, Leaves," by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace.

Did you know that "International Day of Happiness" was March 20th? I seem to lose track of these "special" days but shouldn't everyday be a day of happiness? Greet a stranger with a kind word, let someone ahead of you at the grocery store line, drop off a tasty treat to a neighbor "just because?." There are many ways to promote happiness and once it gets going, it may be hard to stop! It is an activity you do not need approval from anyone so start spreading your happiness this Spring and wait for the wonderful results!

Part 3 - Parenting- "Nurturing Growth: Encouraging Kids to Try New Things"

One of the hardest issues for parents has always been getting their kids to try new things, whether it's new food, or learning a sport or even making new friends. When children witness parents being open to embracing new things, they are more likely to follow suit. As we take note of March being National Optimism Month, it's the greatest time to delve into all those new beginnings and modeling how to help children try new experiences.

We all know how difficult it can be when we, as parents, hear, "I don't want to," or, "No," when it comes to introducing a new idea to a child. There's a lot to be paid for positive reinforcement when it comes to rewards, but most importantly, it's the praise that follows the efforts, not the results that counts.

A simple way is to start small, with just one engagement and get a feel for how they respond. Giving children choices in trying new things can help too. For example, if you are trying to present a new activity such as roller or ice skating, check out some of the protective gear either online or at a sporting goods store together with your child and let them choose a color and style so they feel like they "own" the activity.

If you have a shy child who is reluctant to reach out to other kids or make new friends, focus on the strengths to bring them out of their shell which can boost self-esteem. If your shy child enjoys solo activities like playing cards, building legos, video games, or drawing, painting, etc perhaps a visit to the library would bring out some socializing in small group clubs or workshops which many libraries offer. Trying to limit your child's time alone, especially when they play video games, can be difficult unless you use a timer so they have a start and end time for that activity.

Taking family trips on hikes, picnics and visiting museums can be a fun way to explore new things while learning at the same time. By praising a child's efforts in the process of trying new things, they learn how to be motivated by practicing what they don't know.

Children learn from caretakers who model behaviors and actions. Optimism for doing an activity helps to reinforce the practice. All children face challenges during their lifetime and encouragement to try new things lead to opportunities for growth.

Now that Spring is here, making time for family fun is another way to foster trying new things and focus on teamwork in the process. Yard cleaning, emptying closets, cleaning the garage or preparing donation bags with clothes no longer needed are all part of new experiences. Set time aside for one day a month to find a household job and then have a family game night to acknowledge the hardwork as a reward. Happy Spring, See you in April!