Praise is defined in the Webster's Dictionary (2000) as "the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation." Praise statements indicate that an adult's preferences have been followed and often begin with the phrase "I like..." Teachers use praise to foster…
Teach anything at any time. In order to think, you have to have language. The child verbalizes to us who the child knows. Teacher’s reflections are important. Speech improvement is done daily by the classroom teacher. Take the children where…
Improves their brainpower Develops their social skills Builds their confidence Inspires their creativity Teaches their patience It’s a great form of their expressions Teaches them discipline
Classroom environments are rich in language experiences and with the arts, fostering literacy development. Ways to support a rich expressive environment include reading and reenacting stories and poems, singing songs, listening to music, creating and looking at artworks displayed and…
To bring up a child in the way he should go, travel that way yourself once in a while. ~Josh Billings Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you. ~Robert Fulghum If you…
Preschool teachers and child care providers are in a very good position to recognize difficult behaviors. Play is one of the most important activities of childhood. Patterns of play and interaction with peers are areas in which difficulties in attention,…
A young child starting preschool brings a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world. Whether watching snails in an aquarium, blowing bubbles, using a flashlight to make shadows or experimenting with objects to see what sinks or floats, the…
The Importance of Listening Children began to listen long before they read, write, or speak. Some children enter school without ever having listened consciously or been held responsible for listening. For many children, listening is the most important medium. Growth…
I learned recently about the difference between a nightmare and a night terror, as I put together a workshop on "Anxieties and Fears in Children". One out of every four children between the ages of 3 and 8 experience either night terrors or night‑mares. Both of these situations can be unnerving, but are generally short‑lived.
Night terrors generally occur within an hour of falling asleep. The child awakens suddenly from a state of deep sleep in a state of panic. He or she may scream, sit up in bed, breathe quickly, and stare "glassy eyed." The child also may seem confused, disoriented, and incoherent. Each episode can last from 5 to 30 minutes. A child who experiences night terrors is not aware of any scary thoughts or dreams and is usually able to go back to sleep quickly. In the morning, he or she usually doesn't remember waking at all. Night terrors may occur for several years. Generally they go away with time and are not an indication of any underlying emotional problems.
Nightmares generally occur in the early morning hours. Children who experience nightmares can often recall the vivid details of their scary dream and may have difficulty going back to sleep. Nightmares will often center on a specific problem or life event that is troubling the child. Parents can help by remaining calm and hold the child close and talk in a soft soothing voice to comfort and reassure the child. If possible, the parent or teacher should stay close by until he or she falls asleep. Calm, consistent handling of nightmares or terrors will help the child feel safe and secure.
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