3rd Grade Bullying Lessons

During the month of November and December I will be entering all third grade classrooms to conduct 3 lessons on bullying.
The first lesson defines what a bully is. (Someone that deliberately and repeatedly, teases, picks on, threatens, or hurts others). I also review with the students that bullying is seriouos and that it is a form of abuse. Students then brainstorm various methods on how bullies can hurt people physically (harm the outside of their bodies in some way). EX: hitting, kicking, pushing/shoving, tripping and spitting. This is followed by students brainstorming various means in which others can hurt them through verbal abuse (with words). EX: yelling/screaming, teasing, rumors/gossip, taunting/daring, threats). We also discuss how others can harm you through emotional abuse (when your feelings get hurt). EX: threats, dirty looks/stares, when someone takes a personal items that belongs to you, gossip, rumors, dares, threats).
The second lesson discusses what a victim and bystander are. A victim is the person that is getting bullied. A bystander knows that the bullying is occurring. However, there are two types of bystanders: The good bystander is aware of the bullying is tries to help the victim by using strategies. The bad bystander knows the bullying is occuring, but they do not help the victim in any way. They sometimes ignore the situation, or encourage the bully in some way. Various strategies are discussed with the students to try if they ever are bullyied. (Ignore, walk away, use humor, confront the bully, be confident, play in groups (friends), tell an adult).
The final lesson discusses the difference between a regular problem vs. a bullying situation. Students role play how to solve various situations.

Helping Others Feels Good

The holidays are soon approaching. This season is difficult for many. Teach your child how to care and be empathetic to others. Volunteer or donate items to the many charities in the area. This is a good holiday lesson which builds character, while making you feel good about yourself. (Please see the listings on the left hand side of the blog for local charities).

What to Do If your Child Comes Home From School Crying

You finish up a hard day at work, pick up your child from the after school program to him/her crying. You think to yourself, "WHAT ON EARTH SHOULD I DO"? Support your child. Listen to his/her problem. I mean really listen. Let them talk through tears while you console them. Don't interrupt their stories with questions yet. Just comment such as uh huh, tell me more or clarifying the story for understanding. This shows them they you not only love and support them, but that you are listening to their problems and that the problem is valid. Once your child is done talking about the problem, feel free at that time to ask questions. If you and your child cannot figure out how to solve the problem, contact your child's teacher for more guidance.

Nurturing Your Child's Mental Health

As a parent, you are responsible for your child's well being. THERE IS NO ONE RIGHT WAY TO RAISE A CHILD! Parenting styles may very, but caregivers should agree on expectations for your child.

Many good books are available in libraries or bookstores on the developmental stages, constructive problem solving, mental health, divorce, various displine styles/strategies and more. The following are some suggestions to help nurture your child's mental health.

• Do your best to provide a safe home, community, meals, exercise, regular check ups etc...
• Encourage your child to express their feelings and respect others.
• Promote mutual respect and trust. Keep your voice level down and watch your tone-expecially when you do not agree.
• Listen to your child. Encourage questions and be honest.
• Set a good example. Model for your child what you expect of them. Children look up to adults and typically mimick what er do. "Monkey see, monkey do".
• Celebrate accomplishments. Spend time regularly with your child and appreciate their uniqueness.
• Love unconditionally. Teach morals and values of apologizing, be patient, forgiveness, cooperation, etc...
• Discipline construtively. Be consistent and fair. Displine needs to be taught to children, and help them learn from their mistakes.

For more information call 1-800-789-2647 or www.mentalhealth.org. The above was taken from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Relieving Back to School Anxiety

I can't believe it's that time of year again. Soon we will be seeing school buses at every corner! It's an exciting time of year for most of us. For others, well it can be quite nerve racking. What can you do as a parent to help ease the back to school transition?

• Involve your child in as much school shopping as possible. (Have them choose what backpack, lunch box or other school supplies they like. This will help get them excited about the new items they have to show to his/her peers).
• Get a back to school routine started. ( Wake up early/go to bed early, established dinnertime routine etc...)
• Talk to your child about his/her feelings about school beginning. Validate those feelings.
• Establish a playdate with one of your child's friends on the school playground.
• Call your child's teacher to arrange a pre-school meeting. (The meeting can be as simple as hi I'm so and so's mom/dad. I just wanted the opportunity to meet you and for my child to see the classroom ahead of time. If desks/cubbies etc are already set up maybe the teacher can show them to the student. This way the student will already know where these important locations are again to help ease some stress.

Raising Responsible Kids

1. Set Boundries and enforce them
2. Praise only genuine acheivement
3. Let Kids make Mistakes
4. Talk and Listen
5. Give kids Chores and reward

To read more of this article go to Parade magazine page 14 Dec. 28th 2008. The information above was included in this article written by Bill Morris.

8 Tips to Relieve Stress for Children

1. Take deep breaths-breath in thru your nose and let it out thru your mouth. (Pretend you are blowinig out birthday candles).
2. Listening to relaxing music, or your favorite music
3. Exercising (stretching, walking, running, swimming, karate, riding a bike, playing Wii)
4. Playing with your pet
5. Laughing/Having Fun
6. Taking a warm bath
7. Closing your eyes and remembering a good memory
8. Drawing

Kohl's Kids Who Care Scholarship Program

Enter February 1st-March 15th

Help Kohl's reward kids whose volunteer efforts have made a positive impact on their communities.

Do you know a kid who has cleaned a park, initated a food drive or worked with the less fortunate? Children nationwide are making a difference in these ways and so many more. We beleive they deserve to stand out.

This year, Kohl's Kids Who Care Scholarship Program plans to recognize more than 2,000 kids and award over $350,000 in scholarships and prizes.

Nominate a stand up kid today or pass on to someone who's making the world a better place.... one volunteer effort at a time.

Visit www.kohlskids.com for more information.

The Kids on the Block New Hampshire-A child friendly educational program for elementary schools and other groups of children. A program of SNSC (special needs support center). The KOB pupper troupe gives free performances to groups of children **FREE**

Skits are about 15 minutes each. There is 2-3 skits in each performance. The puppets take questions following their show. packets of classroom activities pre and or post performance are available to teachers to further explore the issues pressented in the skits.

Skits available:
Visual impairment, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, down syndrome, asthma, childhood cancer, diabetes, autism, epilepsy, learning disabilit, ADHD, emotional disturbance, physical abuse, sexual abuse, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, obesity, healthy snacking, child of divorced parents, multiculturalism, bullying, and school safety.

Contact information:
Ann Justice -coordinator (603) 795-2105 ann.justice@valley.net
(603) 448-6311 P2PNH@valley.net

Goffstown Parks & Recreation Department

Don't forget about the Goffstown Parks & Recreation Department. They have winter programs such as yoga, basketball, gymnastics, ballet, dance, volleyball, early years playgroup, art classes and much, much more. Classes are for adults as well as kids of all ages. For more information call 497-3003 (Recreation Center).

Diversity

Welcome 2009!
Towards the middle of the month and continuing into February, I will be entering 2nd grade classrooms. I will be conducting classroom lessons on diversity and friendship. This assists our students in learning the curriculum standard: Students will aquire knowledge, attitudes, and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect self and others. We will be discussing the various differences among people that make us all special and unique.