We are bringing a wonderful book to life The Magical Garden of Claude Monet by Laurence Anholt.  We have read several books about Monet and his paintings and his garden and tried several of his painting techniques. With each new experience the children would comment about Monet and his painting and especially his garden. One precocious boy in our class asked “ Do you think he made the gardens because he did not have enough room inside for all the paintings of things that he like to paint that are found  outside?”

Today we had our first dress rehearsal with our costumes that the children designed and helped create.  My co-teacher and I watched as the children bumped into each other while attempting to dance and costumes collided. Initially it appeared to be a disaster! It was then I remembered the same child who was dancing and spinning would not join us at all for group time in September. A little girl who only wanted to play with one classmate volunteered to be our newest little girl’s partner in the dance. I thought about Claude Monet and his gardens that still bloom today long after his death. He knew that all those flowers just needed “Room to Grow” just like my students. Masterpieces that they are!

As we work with children on a day-to-day basis we must remember to help them develop into the wonderful people we know they can be. By giving a child a healthy environment and working to develop positive social and emotional skills children have an amazing capacity to learn and be successful. Remember to provide support and guidance and you will see that children can amaze you.

As soon as your child is born she begins to communicate with you and absorb your communication cues. Talking to infants and toddlers is one of the best ways to help develop language. As all parents know, infants are able to communicate their different feelings to you “I’m wet,” “I’m hungry,” “I’m overwhelmed,” etc.  By talking with preverbal children you are instructing them on how to correctly use language.

Throughout the day use opportunities to talk with your young child like “I’m putting on your socks,” or “when we get to the park I’m going to push you on the swing,” and you will be modeling good language for your developing child. You can also help your child by encouraging their language. When they struggle to put a thought together, look them in the eyes and wait for them to verbalize their thoughts. You should also correct and expand on their sentences to teach them how to correctly use language.

The American Medical Association advises parents to “talk to your baby whenever you have the chance. Even though he doesn’t understand what you’re saying, your calm, reassuring voice is what he needs to feel safe. Always respond to your newborn’s cries — he cannot be spoiled with too much attention.” Likewise for the toddler. Advice from the speech experts: “Talk while doing things and going places. When taking a walk in the stroller, for example, point to familiar objects and say their names. Use simple but grammatical speech. Expand on words. For example, if your child says ‘car,’ you respond by saying: ‘You’re right! That is a big red car.’ ” When your children try to talk to you, give them your full attention whenever possible. And before you speak to them, make sure you have their attention.

There is also a developmental technique called Dialogic Reading, which is basically a conversation about pictures between you and your child that you can use to help develop language skills. Dialogic Reading tells parents and teachers to comment on a picture in a book, ask a question to your child and respond and expand on their answer to your question. When reading a book together, which should be a daily activity, ask your child to name or describe the objects or talk about what the characters are doing. Check out our Shared Reading video on YouTube for a more in depth discussion of Dialogic Reading.

Contributed by Jordan Huizenga

Self-Talk is effective for teaching children self control (Kendall and Treadwell, 2007). Positive Self Talk uses phrases like “I can do it!” and sends the message that what I tell myself is a powerful thing, changes winter into spring! This positive Self-Talk is an important habit to develop in young children because research shows that children who have a positive outlook on life tend to achieve higher outcomes and are more likely to graduate high school.

As this school year begins we will be singing “I Can Do It” while fall slips into winter and we move from jackets to winter coats and mittens. If thoughts of winter have you feeling gloomy practive a little positive Self-Talk and let your child see how you handle your own challenges. Soon children will begin using their own Self Talk to handle frustrations and that is the first stop on the road to self control!

Contributed by Children, Inc. teacher Sharon Boh