Taking a Closer look at the Bible

You don't have to read for this one!

The FIRST FREE podcast for Scholar Daily readers.

Understand the process of analyzing characters from the Bible. A great podcast that has been recorded at Smirna Youth Group from Battle Ground, Washington.

This is a short 5 minute podcast that you can listen at home, work, school. It is also available on smart phones and will soon be available on iTUNES.  http://bit.ly/Hf0oP7

Review on "10 Bad Eating Habits Parents Often Teach their Kids"

Article URL: http://www.aupair.org/blog/10-bad-eating-habits-parents-often-teach-their-kids/

It is interesting enough that the title of this article states, "...parents 'teach' their kids." Though many parents don't take the time to sit and "teach" their children by stating how to consume food, instead they MODEL how to eat. Since children learn mostly from imitating and doing what their role models are doing - that is the exact process of teaching that affects children most.

However, many may not realize that children learn most from imitation and may say, "I'm eating really fast, but this is not how I wan't you do to!" Which does very little affect to the children's behavior, since they learn from doing what others do. Furthermore, parents' and teachers' eating habits may greatly influence the eating habits of children and them may not even realize it!

Reading the article made me realize the fact that our eating habits have certain consequences to them. And the consequences may not be good, especially on our children. They watch us eat and do the same exact thing.

The point I love most is showing the unhealthy eating habit of eating too fast. We, adults, seem to live life under a great pressure of time and sometimes fail to realize that. We sit our children down and expect them to eat their food, but cannot sit ourselves down because we have many other tasks to take care of. After some time, we wonder why our children aren't able to sit still at the table. Ha! It is even ironic in one perspective.

Check out other article in the left column: http://www.aupair.org/blog/10-bad-eating-habits-parents-often-teach-their-kids/

Six life skills

Book Review for:

Book Title: Beyond Behavior Management

Author: Jenna Bilmes

The Six Life Skills Children Need to Thrive in Today’s World

 - As teachers, parents, and loved ones; we want children to gain respect for others around them. We want them to accept difference and be able to thrive in the world today.

 - Children learn most from imitation. BE THE ROLE MODEL in everything you teach.

Children develop and learn respect through many life’s challenges and harnesses. Especially when it comes to sharing, speaking to their peers, and holding in anger when it hits. I believe that it is our role to help them grow in respect.

                                                                                                                                                In order for a child can develop adequate respect, it is essential for the child to develop six very important life skills:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

1.    Attachment

·      A feeling of security, having all physical needs met

·      To do: give the child a hug if he/she needs it, be ready to listen when he/she talks (possible during recess), make the child feel safe in every way you can, smile when the child walks in the door, so that the classroom will be a warm place for him.

·      “I have a grown-up who cherishes me and keeps me safe!”

2.    Affiliation

·      Feeling needed in the classroom, a part of the classroom, having friends to play with

·      To do: assign roles for every child, “turn on lights,” “put scissors in place.” If child doesn’t come to school one day, make sure everyone notices that the child isn’t in school and that his role will be left undone, or maybe someone will want to do it for him? Assign children into groups if they have a hard time making friends.

·      “I can have a friend and be a friend!”

3.    Self-regulation

·      Being able to control impulses (since the child feels wanted and affiliated, he/she feels bad for behaving unwantedly)

·      To do: Have activities and through out every day, make it clear that every action will face a consequence. Also, make it clear to the children that NOT feelings control their actions but that THEY themselves have the power to control their behavior.

·      “I can manage my strong emotions and am in control of my behavior!” 

4.    Initiative

·      Being able to try something new, ask questions,

·      To do: model initiative, choose a book to read, ask child what book he/she wants to read.

·      “I am constantly growing and changing and learning new things!”

5.    Problem Solving

·      Being able to solve a problem.

·      To do: in everyday situations, model by asking, “What can we do about it?” If the classroom pet is mellow ask “what can we do?” If children aren’t getting a long ask, “what can we do about it?” Add hints like, “some people choose to share, some choose to take turns.”

·      “I can solve problems and resolve conflicts!”

6.    Respect

·      Understanding that everyone has unique characteristics and cultures

·      To do: Activities that will open children’s eyes to the fact that they are all very different and very unique; they are made to do a certain goal in life, to be successful.

·      “I have unique gifts and challenges, and so do others!”