The end can be a beginning.

Did you ever watch a movie and see at the end, the words, “The End.” It is your signal that the movie is over. You got to enjoy watching the movie. It has ended, and now you get to do something else, and hopefully, enjoy that too.

When you are teaching, it is the same. The truth is that every day is a new beginning. You get to start out all over again. You get to build on the past, experience the present, and plan for the future. If you had something that didn’t go well yesterday, you get to start all over again and make it better today. It’s a new day.

Have a great day today and a wonderful week-end.

Maryln

Have a 'Calm Box' for anger.

Some children have a “short fuse” and get easily angry. They need a way to calm down. Have a small special box that you name, the “Calm Box.” When children are feeling like they may “lose it,” they get the box.

The child opens the box and breathes out all the angry feelings, and breathes in calm relaxation. The child does this until he or she feels calm.

It’s a great strategy because it also teaches deep breathing, something that children can do as well as adults any time with or without a box.

Have a great day.

Maryln

The Number One Thing that Parents Want

Today’s parents and families are extremely diverse. There are single-parent families, two-parent families, grandparents and other family members raising children, families who speak no English, foster families, and the list goes on and on.

Whatever the family looks like, they all want similar things for their children. There is a brand new survey on our web site, www.atiseminars.org in which you can check off your thoughts on the number one thing that parents want. It will be fun.

All parents and families need to feel a sense of connection with their children’s teachers and school. They need to feel like they are a part of their children’s education and care. You can do this with your welcoming smile when they see you. Your warm greeting and smile can make a difference.

Have a wonderful day.

Maryln

From the Mouths of Babes to the Hearts of Educators

My 12-year old granddaughter, Ciara (Marty’s daughter), loves to write. She sends out a daily weather forecast for the Sugar Land area every day under the name of “Ting Spring.” In the winter, she sent out weather reports under the pen name, “Wendy Winter.” Now she and a friend have launched a newsletter for adults. I am going to share with you one of the articles she wrote in the newsletter. I am sending it in the format she wrote it. Even though it is geared toward parents, there is a lot of relevance to teachers too! Feel free to pass it on to parents. I think they will learn a lot from it. Enjoy.

Three ways to get your children to do anything
you want them to do!!!
By: A Kid

The first way to get your child to do anything you want them to is to offer them choices.

EXAMPLE: Here are your choices, you can clean your bedroom, or you can wash the dishes. Which do you prefer?

This lets the child feel like they have some kind of power while you (the adult) are still in charge.

The second way to get your child to do anything you want them to do is to NEVER complain about how you have to do EVERYTHING and then follow it with a chore your child needs to complete. The child will want to argue and complain too guaranteed. First complement the child.

EXAMPLE: I loved how you made your bed last time. Could you show me how you did it?

The child will then be happy to make his or her bed to help out there parent.

The third way to get your child to do anything you want them to do is to always thank them after they do something you asked them to do and mention how responsible and helpful they were when they did that. The child then wants to keep helping because they know how much you appreciate their help.
(Ciara Appelbaum, Age 12)

Have a great day.

Maryln

President’s Day—a Day to honor and remember

I loved when we separated President Lincoln and President Washington’s birthdays. I think I loved it so much first, because we got to honor two very special men on different days, and also because my son was born on Washington’s birthday. Today is a great day to honor not only the two great presidents, Washington and Lincoln, but all those who have served our country. I think that being the President is often a thankless job. It almost seems that the media looks for what our leaders do that is wrong, rather than what they do that is right. The more they do this, the more it harms patriotism.

The same is true with children. It’s important to look for what they do that is right too. Sometimes, it can become easy to focus on their faults and forget the good.

As you go through the day today thinking about our Presidents, think also of those children in your care, and find at least one that needs to hear some positive words, and say those words. You may not be the President, but you sure are a difference maker…especially in the eyes of children.

Have a great day, and God bless America, this great land of ours!

Maryln

PS - Your comments are welcomed.