Positive Thinking for Kids

Positive Thinking for Kids
By Elizabeth Pantley, Author of Kid Cooperation and Perfect Parenting

During their growth and development, children go through many stages of self-doubt. They are always comparing themselves to others, and they often see themselves as coming up short. As parents, we can offset this natural tendency in our children by giving them the skills to think more positively. It is important that you really listen to your children, and help them overcome their negative thoughts and beliefs. This is, of course, easier to do if you practice positive thinking yourself.

Our world is so full of negative feedback. We need to arm our children with a positive attitude, so that they can stay focused in the right direction. Let’s look at some typical negative statements from children, along with some positive responses from their wise parents:

I can’t do it.
Take your time and try again. I have confidence in you.

Heather hates me.
Sounds like you’re feeling rejected by Heather, and that must hurt. I know you want Heather to like you. Remember that you’re a very lovable kid and a terrific person, no matter what Heather, or anyone else, says or does. And, you know, she may have a problem that has nothing to do with you.

I’m just no good in history.
You’ve brought up Cs before—I know you can do it again. Besides that, honey, nobody is good at everything. And look at this A in math, you’ve always done well with numbers!

I’m so clumsy. I’ll never learn to rollerblade!
It’s tough learning something new. Remember when you first tried to ski, how hard it was? But you stuck with it, and now you’re really good at skiing.

There is real value in discussing positive thinking and self-esteem with your children on a regular basis. Sadly, these subjects are not yet included in the school curriculum. There are good books written for children, as well as adults, which demonstrate the use of positive thinking. Reading a book together is a good launching pad for starting a conversation. Pointing out positive versus negative attitudes from news stories or life stories is an excellent way of showing your children just how this all works in real life, too.
A great web site for finding lots of wonderful positive messages is: http://greatday.com

Modeling a positive attitude is one of the most effective ways of teaching your children. Children learn what they live. So start presenting your thoughts in a positive way, Oh well, I burned the dinner—guess that means we get to eat cereal for dinner!

Parents always hope that their children will have a positive outlook on life, but most often how this happens is left to chance. When you take this matter into your hands, and look for ways to guide your children’s thoughts in a positive direction, you will see very exciting results.

Excerpted with permission by New Harbinger Publications, Inc. (http://www.newharbinger.com/) from Kid Cooperation, How to Stop Yelling, Nagging and Pleading and Get Kids to Cooperate by Elizabeth Pantley (http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth, copyright 1996)

A blog of the United Montessori Association- Montessori Distance Learning - Montessori Teacher Certification

History: Making a Timeline

Paula Whitaker of Redmond, Washington shares her original project of “Timeline for Light.”

Materials needed:
-1 Tray
-1 Worksheet with 4 pictures of lighting, with dotted lines to cut out
-1 Blank sheet with divided lines to paste on the pictures to make a timeline
-1 Glue stick
-1 Control chart with correct sequence

A blog of the United Montessori Association- Montessori Distance Learning - Montessori Teacher Certification

Features you would like to see offered on a new website?

Here at UMA we are working to create another website that would be linked but separate from our present site. We hope to have many expanded features on it but we want you input. Please click on the link below and fill out the form. We really appreciate you taking the time to do this. It will help in our research.

We appreciate your input! Fill out this form!

A blog of the United Montessori Association- Montessori Distance Learning - Montessori Teacher Certification

Providing Clean Water to some of World's Poorest- H2Oh No!

I just watched a video from charity: water, in which Jennifer Connelly shows us the terrible plight of the hundreds of millions of people who live without access to clean water and sanitation. You can introduce this through a science/cultural activity.

Be Creative! And if you are, share it with the rest of us.

Then I took action with ONE and asked my senators to cosponsor the Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2009 (S.624), which will help bring first-time, sustainable access to clean water and sanitation to a hundred million of the world's poorest people. Check out the video and then make that commitment, too, by adding your voice.

Go here to make the commitment: http://www.one.org/us/waterfortheworld/index.html?rc=wftwtaf

Get parents involved with this as well and make sure your children are aware of the need.

Thanks! John

A blog of the United Montessori Association- Montessori Distance Learning - Montessori Teacher Certification

We love getting pictures! Clarksburg Children's House

UMA graduates, Kyra Schlosser and Jennifer Brazier started a Montessori School in Clarksburg, W. VA, over a year ago and recently sent a photo of this year's class. They have a total of 11 children but only 9 were there for the photo op.

Thanks for sharing Kyra and Jennifer!

P.S.- If you send a photo to share on the web, be sure to have parental approval and permssion before sending to post.

A blog of the United Montessori Association- Montessori Distance Learning - Montessori Teacher Certification

Environment and Children: Interview with Rebecca Mottano

This interview was with Rebecca Mottano, educator, environmentalists, and author. You can find her on the web at: http://thelittleenvironmentalists.com

A blog of the United Montessori Association- Montessori Distance Learning - Montessori Teacher Certification

Video: Salmon Berry Bush? How can you tell?

Here's another short video for a nature/culture event for the children:

Find this also on UMA YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fH_6mRJN9U

A blog of the United Montessori Association- Montessori Distance Learning - Montessori Teacher Certification

Video: Cultural Activity of the Legend of the Douglas Fir Cone!

Recently, we headed off on a Sunday hike to Twin Falls near North Bend, WA and shot some great video!

This activity is a cultural activity to share with your students.

UMA Video

A blog of the United Montessori Association- Montessori Distance Learning - Montessori Teacher Certification

Original Project: Geography and Art

Recently John and Trudy participated in the Pacific NW Montessori Association’s Sharing Fair, held at the Seattle Islamic Montessori School. We are featuring one of many wonderful projects for you to enjoy. This project was shared by Robyn Atkins, who says, “This is a great project for Geography studies, a solar system unit, Earth Day, or anytime you are talking about Planet Earth!”

Materials required are:

FIMO clay...brown (for land), blue (for water), and white (for air)
Toothpicks or large tack to make a hole in the clay
Hemp string
Mini-muffin tin for baking

Earth Beads
Making the Beads
Wearing the Beads

Let us know at UMA if you would like more information on the project and the steps in presentation.

Enjoy!

A blog of the United Montessori Association- Montessori Distance Learning - Montessori Teacher Certification

Camping with Children: Ten Commandments

Here in the states, school being out is just around the corner and for many, camping is either a family ritual or many would like to try it but want help on how to make it a rewarding experience for children. So here are some tips called the 10 Camping Commandments that I gather from Gorp.Away.com

1. Trips with children should be to places where there is a guarantee of action. A good example is camping in a park where large numbers of wildlife can be viewed, such as squirrels, chipmunks, deer and even bear. Other good choices are fishing at a small pond loaded with bluegill, or hunting in a spot where a kid can shoot a .22 at pine cones all day. Boys and girls want action, not solitude.
2. Enthusiasm is contagious. If you aren't excited about an adventure, you can't expect a child to be. Show a genuine zest for life in the outdoors, and point out everything as if it is the first time you have ever seen it.
3. Always, always, always be seated when talking to someone small. This allows the adult and child to be on the same level. That is why fishing in a small boat is perfect for adults and kids. Nothing is worse for youngsters than having a big person look down at them and give them orders. What fun is that?
4. Always show how to do something, whether it is gathering sticks for a campfire, cleaning a trout or tying a knot. Never tell— always show. A button usually clicks to"off" when a kid is lectured. But they can learn behavior patterns and outdoor skills by watching adults, even when the adults are not aware they are being watched.
5. Let kids be kids. Let the adventure happen, rather than trying to force it within some preconceived plan. If they get sidetracked watching pollywogs, chasing butterflies or sneaking up on chipmunks, let them be. A youngster can have more fun turning over rocks and looking at different kinds of bugs then sitting in one spot, waiting for a fish to bite.
6. Expect young peoples' attention spans to be short. Instead of getting frustrated about it, use it to your advantage. How? By bringing along a bag of candy and snacks. Where there is a lull in the camp activity, out comes the bag. Don't let them know what goodies await, so each one becomes a surprise.
7. Make absolutely certain the child's sleeping bag is clean, dry and warm. Nothing is worse than discomfort when trying to sleep, but a refreshing sleep makes for a positive attitude the next day. In addition, kids can become quite scared of animals at night. The parent should not wait for any signs of this, but always play the part of the outdoor guardian, the one who will "take care of everything."
8. Kids quickly relate to outdoor ethics. They will enjoy eating everything they kill, building a safe campfire and picking up all their litter, and they will develop a sense of pride that goes with it. A good idea is to bring extra plastic garbage bags to pick up any trash you come across. Kids long remember when they do something right that somebody else has done wrong.
9. If you want youngsters hooked on the outdoors for life, take a close-up photograph of them holding up fish they have caught, blowing on the campfire or completing other camp tasks. Young children can forget how much fun they had, but they never forget if they have a picture of it.
10. The least important word you can ever say to a kid is "I." Keep track of how often you are saying "Thank you" and "What do you think?" If you don't say them very often, you'll lose out. Finally, the most important words of all are: "I am proud of you."

A blog of the United Montessori Association- Montessori Distance Learning - Montessori Teacher Certification