Sensations are *kinda* a big deal around here, as are books. So it only makes sense for there to be a book list for discussing sensations! Books provide a safe place for children to explore and learn about more challenging concepts. Realizing that there are multiple books written on this topic helps children to realize they’re not alone - many children (and adults!) are learning about sensations.
Read MoreEmotional regulation is the ability to influence and change how we respond to a situation. In the preschool classroom, young children spend their time playing in groups. While building creations in blocks center, children are expected to regulate their emotions so that when upsetting or frustrating things happen, they can problem solve in a safe fashion.
Read MoreYou’ve read the research, you’ve learned the skills, maybe you’ve even been to the classes. You know ‘emotional regulation’ and all the things to do when children experience strong emotions. But when do you do when a child rejects or refuses to take deep breaths or move to the cozy corner? So many of these strategies require a child does something and when a child is emotionally overwhelmed that’s often not possible!
Read MoreFiguring out the unwritten rules for who is using an object and what items are available for play is a formidable task. Every day children are frustrated and confused when others take *their* items just because they weren’t using them. Luckily, we’ve broken this process down into one simple, visual, and concrete rule.
Read MoreResearch suggests that approximately 10% of preschoolers experience anxiety (Egger & Angold, 2006 as cited in Milan, Godoy, Briggs-Gowan, & Carter, 2012). Children with anxiety can experience increased difficulty making mistakes – especially if they fall more into the ‘perfectionist’ category. But let’s remember, these are preschoolers - it is expected for them to make many, many, many mistakes.
Read MoreFor some children, making mistakes is unbearable. Many children are unable to admit that they made a mistake at all (it was usually someone else’s fault). As a parent, teacher, therapist, caregiver, it is heartbreaking to witness young children being so hard on themselves. Everyone makes mistakes and yet at times those mistakes can feel so big and life-altering. Children can learn that mistakes are expected and a natural part of life and we have a list of book recommendations to start those conversations!
Read MoreFor some children, allowing others to add their thoughts and ideas to the play can be an intimidating and anxiety producing process. Allowing others to contribute thoughts increases the chances that the play will deviate from the initial plan and also makes things less predictable. Practicing adding thoughts and ideas together collaboratively gives children an opportunity to experience success.
Read MoreWaiting, as frustrating as it can be, is a fact of life. For a young child, waiting is just pure agony! Of course when a preschooler isn’t happy, most people around aren’t too thrilled.
Read MoreVisuals are a wonderful way to support independence, increase comprehension, and support task completion. Unfortunately, all too often, we spend the time putting in place carefully created visuals and yet we receive the feedback “we have the visual, but it doesn’t work”. We tend to believe that visuals have this magical power to transform our children overnight, forgetting that the power isn’t just in the visual, but in our ability to teach the meaning behind the visual.
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