Table setting is a typical task that most children complete to help set up for a family meal together. This task can be broken down into several pieces to help teach our children how to set the table.
Things to keep in mind. We all learn at different paces. Do 1 step at a time and wait to add the next step until after they have mastered the first step.
This is picture of what a table setting should look like to show as an example for your child and the picture cue for supplies your child would need. Practice placing the plates first for a week, the next week add the glass and so on. Check out these awesome videos on you tube about setting the table and table manners.
As we are beginning a new year, many of us our also working on those New Year's resolutions we set only two weeks ago. Maybe your goal was to loose weight, read more, spend more time with the family, regardless as I reflect on this I ask myself why don't we all just do these things already? Why do I need to make a resolution to eat more fruits and veggies? Self control for me is why. I know eating healthy foods is a better choice for me than a cookie, and yet I choose the cookie!
At Sandburg, we are working on continuing to develop and practice the skill of self control. Self control has been defined as making the best choice, even when it feels hard to do. For our students taking turns, waiting for a preferred activity like a turn at the Promethean board, or being told to finish the last of the math problems is difficult to maintain self control. I think no matter what age you are being told "no" is a hard situation to maintain self control as well.
As we shared in previous posts it is important to help our students increase their self awareness (how they are feeling) and develop coping and calming strategies. These skills are crucial to teach, practice and reinforce to help for students success in school, with their peers, with their families, and for success into adulthood.
One way to support students in practicing self control and making that best choice is by using the chilling cheetah. This is a 3 step technique to help guide students to success.
The Chilling Cheetah Steps
1. Stop
2. Take 3 deep breaths
3. Make the best choice
Here is an example of how to use this strategy:
Chester Cheetah comes home from school and really wants to watch dinosaurs on the family computer. When he gets in the house, he sees his sister, Shelia, already on the computer. Chester is very upset and begins yelling he wants a turn on the computer and is loosing his self control.
Mom and dad remind Chester to use his chilling cheetah (The parents modeled and walked through the steps with him):
1. Stop
2. Take 3 deep breaths
3. Make the best choice
Wait his turn (set a timer for 10 minutes)
Watch some tv
Draw the dinosaurs
With support from his parents on what are some good choices, Chester chose to draw the dinosaurs he really wanted to see. As a result Chester was able to show self control. His parents were very proud of him and gave him a big hug and helped get the paper and markers he needed for his best choice!
We hope you find the chilling cheetah helpful to you as a tool to support in helping build self control in the home. Below is a video about self control shown in school that could also be a tool to support in the home.
Thanks for your continued support and until next time...
Calming strategies and exercises are an important and fun way of teaching children how to calm their bodies successfully when they are feeling sad, upset, anxious, etc... The students at Carl Sandburg were taught the following exercises to support calming. These exercises are also a lot of fun to do right before bedtime or a potential stressful situation like going to the dentist.
Practicing these exercises when a child is not upset multiple times will help them become more automatic and increase the likelihood they are used independently. We hope you enjoy the following video and encourage you to practice and enjoy these fun ways to calm our bodies!
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