The pirate, construction worker, fireman, train conductor, doctor, ghost and Dark Lord Vader have all made guest appearances in our house over the past weeks in hot anticipation of Halloween. Though fear may abound with kids worrying about spooky specters and parents worrying about nut allergies, cavities, and street safety, there is more to the Halloween …
Like this:
Like Loading...
Because of the numerous holidays celebrated through the fall and winter months, it is an ideal time to discuss how people celebrate around the world – both the uniqueness of traditions and also the many commonalities. I was struck by the number of similar themes and symbols when I did the research for the following …
Like this:
Like Loading...
What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead. — Nelson Mandela “How’s my little buddy doing?” says Butcher Keith as my son giggles and hides behind my legs. …
Like this:
Like Loading...
Category: Practicing Social and Emotional Skills Tags: Active citizenship, Christmas, Community Connectedness, Contribution, Cultural appreciation, December, Education, Giving, Martin Luther King, Multi-cultural understanding, Nelson Mandela, Parent Teacher Organization, Practicing social and emotional skills, Service, Service learning, Social awareness, Winter Solstice
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. – John Fitzgerald Kennedy When I started to think about Thanksgiving and gratefulness this year, a memory flashed through my mind that I couldn’t and didn’t want to shake. It was the early …
Like this:
Like Loading...
Category: Building a Positive Family Environment Tags: AmeriCorps*VISTA, Appreciation, Children Youth and Family, Empathy, Family, Giving, Grateful Daily Routines, Gratitude, Multi-cultural understanding, Native American Indian, Service, Thanksgiving
THE GHOST OF A FLOWER “You’re what?” asked the common or garden spook Of a stranger at midnight’s hour. And the shade replied with a graceful glide, “Why, I’m the ghost of a flower.” “The ghost of a flower?” said the old-time spook; “That’s a brand-new one on me; I never supposed a flower had …
Like this:
Like Loading...
Category: Practicing Social and Emotional Skills Tags: Cognitive flexibility, Communication, Executive function, Halloween, Motivation, Multi-cultural understanding, Perspective taking skills, Problem solving, Relational Frame Theory, Self-regulation, Social awareness, Theory of Mind, Trick-or-treating