“Start, stop, turn around, turn this way, higher, lower, ok.”

I have been taking a weekly yoga class. It lasts an hour. It is different every week. The instructor gives directions, and we each have to follow them. It’s been a really neat experience. Recently, we had a substitute instructor. She gave directions and there were times, I really didn’t understand what she meant. I tried to see what she was doing and looked around to see what others were doing. Everyone was doing something different! It was frightening to stretch in ways that might not have been right for my body. It made me think about children. We ask them to stretch too. Are our directions clear? Do they know exactly what to do? If they stretch in the wrong direction because they did not understand what they were supposed to do, do they get in trouble for it?

Take time today to think about the directions you give to children. Explain their purpose and make them clear so they know what to do.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.
Maryln

“The decision is yours.”

I have heard it said that everything in life is a choice—everything. That is true. I remember thinking, “Everything? How can that be?” I thought of people who get ill. I thought of people who are living in war zones. And then I realized that there is something even in these circumstances about which there is a choice. It is the thoughts that people choose to think!!! Every day and in every moment, there is a choice. There is a choice to be positive, to have hope, to make decisions to accept circumstances and have peace with that choice, or to find a way to rise above the circumstances—to seek further, to want more, and to make the choice to go for it. There are choices. Children need to learn this. It will make all the difference in the world for them and how they look at the world.

Have a wonderful day. You are a difference maker.
Maryln

“Use appointment cards.”

Sometimes children who are argumentative or strong-willed want your attention and want it NOW! One way to handle this is to have appointment cards. Explain to the children ahead of time that there are times that you will need to make appointments with them. Show them the cards (index cards). Tell them there will be a specific time written on the cards telling them when you will have a one-to-one meeting with them. By the time of the appointment, children are usually calmer. During the appointment, teach children other ways to ask for what they want in a courteous manner.


Have a wonderful day.
Maryln

Leave Comments on ATi's 7-13-08 Poll -Rising fuel pump prices are affecting my life.

I am excited to read your comments. I do have some rules for this blog: Keep it clean and appropriate and whenever possible be kind. This is a blog for all of you who are the role models, the difference makers of the world! I hope you will understand if I sometimes give you a gentle reminder about this or if we remove anything inappropriate.

Now, let’s get started and have fun. It’s time for the difference makers of the world to communicate!

Maryln

“There’s an energy crisis but no energy shortage in our children.”

Everyone is talking about the crisis in energy and how it is affecting the price of gasoline. It made me think about all of you and your drive to work. It also made me think about field trips and the price of energy in general. I have posted a new survey in which you can post your views on how much this has affected your life and your work. Go to http://newsletter.atiseminars.org/sendstudio/users/link.php?UserID=4028201&Newsletter=349&List=56&LinkType=Send&LinkID=2377 to view and participate in the survey.

Children have unlimited energy! While it cannot be captured, it sure can be channeled. Find creative ways to channel their energy. Children need to move. If they sit for too long, they get bored and antsy. Bored children misbehave. Find outlets for all their energy.

Have a wonderful day and a wonderful week.
Maryln

If you enjoy this thought for the day, feel free to pass it on to others. The more people who read them, the better. Pass them to parents, other educators, friends. Together, we are more powerful and get to make a bigger and bigger difference for children--the future of the world.
Comments are encouraged and read, you can emailMaryln Appelbaum at the following appelbaumtraininginstitute@atiseminars.org