Comments for My Two Pennies

Comment on A story in two photos by Mom

Mom — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 17:41:02 +0000

Now you will have to come to the farm and help us eat 50 chickens!

Comment on I have a job!! by Aunt Sue

Aunt Sue — Mon, 31 May 2010 14:55:16 +0000

DETAILS! DETAILS! DETAILS!

I am sooooooooooo thrilled! Congratulations!

Comment on Tattling is just how we roll by The Casual Perfectionist

The Casual Perfectionist — Mon, 24 May 2010 20:19:54 +0000

I think at this age, it’s more “pure observation” than “true tattling.” She’s STILL talking about how much fun she had!!

Comment on A story in two photos by Kari

Kari — Mon, 24 May 2010 13:22:42 +0000

Spencer, I’m so glad to have you guys as neighbors. It’s taken us five years to finally feel like this area is our neighborhood. Now we finally have neighbors we know!!

Comment on A story in two photos by Spencer

Spencer — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:48:53 +0000

It’s cool being able to see these photos like this and knowing the exact location you are at. We’re loving being in the area and can’t wait till the house it totally done and we can enjoy the community. We need to get a night out w/o the kids, just you, Mark, Elise and I. talking to Mark about maybe Friday night (5/21)?

Comment on A story in two photos by THE SISTER

THE SISTER — Wed, 19 May 2010 13:45:40 +0000

HA! HA! HA! I LOVE it!! the cow, the fact that Zach wanted a picture, pure hilarity!

Comment on How much weight do you give? by Spencer

Spencer — Sat, 01 May 2010 14:56:33 +0000

Elise said you’re more than welcome to come work at Goddard and teach her Pre-K class if you haven’t found another teaching job. Call or email Elise for details, (Zach discount, pay (your degree affects this a lot), etc). If you don’t find something by the last week of July she could really use you till you do find something more permanent.

elise at winegarden dot org

Comment on Last day and the only validation I need by Mom

Mom — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:47:30 +0000

It took me thirty years to part with all my little notes from children (mine). Cherish it always.

Comment on Last day and the only validation I need by THE SISTER

THE SISTER — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:27:09 +0000

AWESOME!! So happy and proud of you!

Comment on Is this week over yet? by Aunt Sue

Aunt Sue — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:07:02 +0000

Three discipline hints:

1. value silence - just stand there. If you were speaking, stop in mid sentence. Pretty soon the kids realize you are just standing there and they will quiet down. Now, SCAN the room slowly, making eye contact with every kid. Say nothing about the noise and behavior. Then continue the lesson…..

2. As you teach, speak, demonstrate, whatever…MOVE. Actually stand next to the disruptive kids for a few seconds. DO NOT LOOK AT THEM OR COMMENT ON THEIR BEHAVIOR. Just teach in a normal way. They will immediately quiet down and behave. Trust me on this. I used to to teach this to newbie teachers, and I always called it “Virtual Beheading”. The kids knows they were being naughty, but you are being nice and not embarrassing them in front of the whole class. They know why you are standing next to them, but you are letting them ’save face’. How can they go home and pout to Mommy “Mrs. Stevens is always picking on me.” When Mommy asks how Mrs. Stevens picked on them they will have to respond - “She stood next to me when I being naughty but just kept on teaching” Mrs. Stevens WINS BIG TIME!!!

3. Rethink extrinsic rewards. As you’ve noticed, kids aren’t focused on their behavior, they are focused on getting a sticker. Instead - CATCH KIDS DOING SOMETHING RIGHT and then praise them for it. Our little Paris Hiltons of the Future have been raised being told that everything they do is WONDERFUL. It has ceased to hold meaning for them. It is done under ‘building self esteem’ but how does getting told one’s every basketball game or fart is A+ quality really help a child? Tell them when you can attach the praise to a CONCRETE action. This action they will then want to repeat, because they are happy and want to see you smile.
And because they know EXACTLY what they did right!
Example: Don’t say - “Your drawings are always beautiful”. (the kids knows you are not sincere. They recognize that some of their drawing are better than others) Instead Say, “Your bright colors on the trees are so pretty. It makes me want to go outside and play!” With kids, if you want a behavior repeated…..BE SPECIFIC!