Patience takes practice.

When you learned how to drive a car, you had to practice, practice, and practice some more until you got to be really great at it. When working with children, it is important to have patience. You have to have the same patience it took to learn to drive a car. You may go too fast sometimes, and will need to slow down to match the pace of the children in your classroom. You have to learn how and when to make turns. Just like a car doesn’t respond well to fast moves, children too need to have advanced warning so they know the direction you are going, and when you are making a turn, a change. There are times that you have to put the brakes on but it needs to be done in a way that doesn’t create a jolt. Above all, you have to always remember to turn the “headlights on,” to get children excited so they light up and want to learn.

Have an awesome day and a wonderful week-end, and do something special for yourself this week-end. You deserve it. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Treasure Box

Have a fun "Treasure Box" in your classroom. Keep it locked and shut. On days when your classroom is noisier or more disruptive, instead of getting upset, take a few minutes to get out the Treasure Box, and have some fun with the children. Have fun CD's with songs or music children like, neat puzzler activities that are age-appropriate, or even some quick drama play for them to act out. You don’t have to take more than 5-7 minutes with this activity, but it can turn your whole class day around.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Find that magic.

You can do something magical. You can wave an imaginary wand and change your own mood by changing your thoughts. On a bad day, you can say to yourself, “I’m going to start my day over and find things to laugh about.” While you can’t always change circumstances, you can “wave your magical wand” in your mind, and change the way you think.

When my daughter passed away, I was so despondent. I felt like I had a deep thick dark fog hanging over me. I was fortunate to have a wonderful support system, and even better to have wonderful faith. There were times when I just got on my knees and prayed, “Help me. Lift me out of this darkness.” And little by little the darkness lifted as I started doing things for others, and taking better care of myself. A friend said to me, “Maryln, remember to smile each day more than you cry.”

I am telling you this because there is no person, no teacher, no politician, no one, who does not have problems at times. Life is filled with good and life is filled with tough situations too. It’s not the situation that will destroy you, but how you think about it and what you do. Your classroom will have students who are easy and students who are tougher. The important thing is to not give up, to find that magical wand that helps you stand up tall, and enjoy what you do.

You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Be specific

Children will often take you literally. Mrs. Johnson was upset that her daughter’s room was so messy. She told her daughter to pick all the stuff up off the floor. Her daughter picked it all up and plopped it on the dresser, bed, and a chair. Her room was still a mess. Her mom had not been specific in her directions. Children don’t always know what you want them to do. Be very specific in giving them directions. Demonstrate whenever possible what it is that you want.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

"Sounds like..." -- Success with temperamental children

If you see that a child is angry or upset, an easy and quick tool is to acknowledge the child’s feelings. Here are a couple of sample ways to use the “sounds like” technique.

“Sounds like that made you angry.”

“Sounds like that may have made you feel hurt.”

Have a great day and a wonderful week.

Maryln