Toddlers
1/16
The Raccoon Classroom
As you all probably noticed, we made some changes to the classroom. We brought new work, which will help our children enhance their fine-motor skills, concentration, and independence. We revamped our food-prep area. The children love to cut cheese and bananas, slice eggs, spread cream cheese, chop carrots, and opening green beans. We added some new materials for the older children in our room. They will be working in things like sorting, counting, scissor cutting, and bracelet making. Changing the arrangement of the furniture and adding new work helps keep the environment fresh and inviting. Toddlers love this!
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email us.
aidee@schoolinthehills.com or heather@schoolinthehills.com
The Monkeys Classroom
12/1
Toddler Tantrums
Trying to tame those toddler tantrums? Even the most easy-going parent can get flustered and flummoxed when it comes to figuring out how to handle their little one’s emotional outbursts. These tips just might help manage those inevitable meltdowns.
· First of all, give your child permission to be angry. Nobody likes to feel rejected, denied, or cut off—toddlers, included. When your toddler is having an angry outburst, say something to him like, "I know you're angry. It's OK to feel angry, but we don't hit." Validating his feelings will go a long way when trying to diffuse a tantrum.
· Putting your child's anger into words can help alleviate some of his heightened feelings.
· When your toddler feels frustrated, she may express it by hitting or throwing things. Calmly stop your toddler and say, firmly, "No. In our family, we don't hit people," or "It's not OK to break things." If you must, gently pick up your child (a difficult task when she's swinging those arms, we know!) and move her somewhere she can't break anything.
· Stay on top of hunger and fatigue.
· Be sensitive to transitions. For instance, when it's time to leave the playground, begin a bedtime routine, or sit down to dinner, give her a five-minute warning.
· Tantrums are often a child's first time she experiences the tumultuous fight or flight response: Her heart beats faster and the adrenalin in her body starts pumping; she's teeming with energy (and not the positive kind). As you well know, it takes time for a nervous system to calm down—imagine how tough that is for such a little person who doesn't fully understand why she feels the way she does. So don't expect your child to instantly put on a happy face. Toddler tantrums usually last only between 30 seconds and three minutes. Once she is calm, having returned to her emotional equilibrium, recap the situation using the logic and reason your child will come to internalize and understand over time.
Excerpts taken from http://www.babyzone.com/toddler/toddler_development/whining_tantrums/photos_toddler-tantrums/1
Please feel free to contact Ms. Ashley - ashley@schoolinthehills.com or Ms. Tiffany - tiffany@schoolinthehills.com