TIME TO ORDER 2010 KIDS KARE CALENDARS!
Stay organized with this easy to use record keeping calendar. Full of recipes, activities and craft ideas. Includes pages to record attendance, mileage, income and expenses. Calendar is 10" x 14" and spiral bound.
Calendars will ship in September 2009.
Purchase one calendar from the product section of our website or purchase calendars in quantity with the quantity order form at this link. http://www.acainc.org/CalendarQuantityFlyer09.pdf
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Mind your Manners
A couple of generations ago many children addressed adults outside their family by their last names. The words "please" and "thank you" were part of almost every child's vocabulary, and most children asked permission before leaving the table when they were finished eating.
Recently, manners seem to have gone out of fashion. Maybe lives have become too busy or parents feel the time they share with their children is too short to enforce good manners. Some people believe children would have better self-esteems if they were not so stifled. Yet, manners actually help children to be socially successful and they may be taught.
As a daycare provider you already teach the children many things, such as how to count, recognize colors, and how to tie their shoes. Teaching manners is another way to further children's development. It will also make it easier for you to take the children out on field trips, and their parents will be impressed knowing you are doing your part to make their children good citizens.
So where do you start? Setting a good example by being polite yourself is the best way. Children learn from their role models. When you want the children to do something, remember to use the words "please" and "thank you" yourself. When working with young children it is best not to ask them to do something, but to tell them, so they understand what you are wanting from them is not negotiable. For example, if you want the children to put their shoes on simply tell them; "Please put your shoes on." Once the children have their shoes on praise them by telling them, "Thank you for putting your shoes on." Be consistent with your own vocabulary and the children will catch on. These polite words are also known as the "magic words" because children will begin to see they work like magic, they may be praised if they use them, and may get what they are asking for.
Another way to reinforce using please and thank you is not to give into children's demands. If a child demands to have "more milk," request the child say "please" first. Younger toddlers who are just beginning to talk may not be able to do this on command, but still encourage them to practice, and if necessary say the words for them.
Meal times can be the core in teaching good manners. To teach manners at meal times it is best to have a calm setting and a routine. It is difficult to teach manners if you are interrupted by incoming parents dropping off children, TV noise, and toys in the kitchen.
Schedule your meals so they are before or after the influx of arriving or departing parents and children. Try to keep the noise level down, by turning off the TV or radio. If possible feed bottle-fed infants before or after the other children so that during meals your hands are free and your focus will be entirely with the children learning manners. However, most infants, even tiny ones, enjoy the stimulation of being part of the meal-time group, so place them in a safe location near the table where they are able to watch the action. This way, you can keep an eye on them too.
When it is meal time have children sit in the same seat each day, so there is no fighting over the "better" chair or who sits next to whom. One way to encourage this is to make paper name tags for the children and tape them onto the seat or back of their chairs. Show the children this is their special place to sit for each meal.
Once the children are seated, and sitting up properly, begin to serve the food. Set a place for yourself and eat with the children. Encourage proper table manners throughout the meal. This includes not talking with mouths full, using and holding utensils properly if age appropriate, saying "excuse me" after burping, and covering mouths while coughing or sneezing.
Another important thing is to request the children wait until everyone is finished eating before they leave the table. This will prepare them for the world of school and restaurant eating.
If you have older children in your daycare, practice serving the food family style and allow the children to pass bowls of food and serve themselves. Encourage them to use the "magic words" with each other.
Some days will work better than others. If you feel you are nagging too much and the children are too restless, let go a bit. Sometimes, the more you push the worse the children will behave. However, do not give up completely and try again at the next meal or day. Once you feel confident of the children's table manners, it is time to take them out on the town.
Let the children know all their good table manners have paid off and reward them by taking them out for lunch. Of course you will notify the children's parents of your intended lunch "field trip" in advance.
Depending on the number of children you care for, and your licensing requirements you may want to bring a helper to assist you. It is best to start out at a fast food restaurant. If you choose to go to one of the restaurants that have a play area, be prepared to allow the children to play first. Set a time limit for playing and when it is time to eat follow the same pattern you have established at home, which is sitting quietly together. Practice all the table manners you have been working on at home, and do not allow children to get up from the table. If they do, gently bring them back and remind them that they must stay seated until everyone is done. Encourage them to engage in conversation while they eat, and take the time to really listen to them. This will keep them focused on the meal and further teach social skills at meal times.
With time and practice children can learn good manners. The children may be easier for you and their parents to care for and their parents can bring them out to eat feeling confident they will behave like the polite citizens they are.
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