SEPTEMBER 2010 NEWS
8/30: Happy Bday Ms. Pia!
9/2: PreFit 9:30am
9/5: Chesterbrook Academy Schools CLOSED for Labor Day
9/8: PreK classes to Chesterbrook Academy Elementary School (CAES) for Specials (Art, Music, PE)
9/9: PreFit
9/13: TumbleBus 10:30-11am
Dance 11-11:45am
9/15: PreK classes to CAES for Specials 9-11am
9/16: PreFit
5-hour attendance day for District 308 students (1:40 dismissal)--- AM KG 8:40-10:40; PM KG 11:40-1:40
9/20: TumbleBus 10:30-11am
Dance 11-11:45am
9/22: PreK classes to CAES for Specials 9-11am
9/23: 1st Day of Autumn
PreFit
9/30: PreK Curriculum Night 6:30-7:30pm
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Raising a Confident Preschooler
It is hard to resist the eager smile and willingness to learn that comes with normal preschool development. As parents, we are always eager to continue to foster and bolster our young children’s love for learning and enthusiasm to demonstrate their developing abilities. Often times, we ask ourselves what we can do to continue to encourage our children to engage, to try even in the risk of failure, and to believe in themselves; in other words, we constantly question what we can do to help raise a confident child. Confidence is a trait that is nurtured and taught, and there are certain techniques and approaches which are built into our Links to Learning curriculum, which can easily be adapted at home as well.
- Begin with a set, predictable routine. When children know what is happening in the world around them and when activities follow an expected order, children can focus on skill-building. Preschool children are easily distracted by disruptions, so a routine that is carefully adhered to allows for children to instead focus on attempting and practicing new skills.
- Praise small accomplishments, but praise with purpose. Children need to hear that they are doing things correctly and need acknowledgement for steps made towards accomplishing a goal. For example, a child may not be able to independently complete a 10 piece puzzle, but he does deserve a specific praise for his ability to put the edge pieces in, such as “You did a great job working on the edge of the puzzle. You can almost do the whole puzzle by yourself. Would you like me to help you with the middle pieces?” Along those same lines, it is imperative that praise is given with purpose. Being often told “Good job!” without a reference to what he did correctly will cause these words to lose efficacy. We need to be sure to praise specific behaviors and to note these in our acknowledgement of steps made towards a goal.
- Encourage and model persistence. It is normal for preschool children to become upset and frustrated when they cannot do something themselves or do it correctly. Rather than do it for them, model and encourage them to try again. For example, a preschooler who knocks over his block tower as she stacks the top block should be responded to with a “You almost did it! Let’s try it again together!” This teaches the preschooler that failure is ok and can be used as a step to try once more.
- Be a safe base. Often preschool children surprise us with their hesitancy to try something new, even activities they have previously engaged in. Despite the disappointment you may feel in your eagerness for your child to engage, allow your child to warm up to the activity when he or she is ready. By not pushing or forcing a choice, you allow your child to feel comfortable in his or her own skills and readiness when he or she is ready.
- Lastly, Model confidence in yourself. Children learn from what they see and hear. Be mindful of the comments you make about yourself and others and your own persistence in the face of failure. A child who hears his parent self-praising or who sees his parent make a mistake and try again will learn and model that same confidence.
Lauren Starnes, PhD- Manager of Curriculum and Instruction/ East
