Colorful Hands

 A mother of a 4-year-old asked me what could she do at home to help keep her child interested in learning.  At the time I told her purchasing affordable supplemental materials and using them with her child at home should help.  However, as I thought more about her question I began to think about the magic of creativity.

Creativity like other things has the ability to allow children to explore and learn without inhibitions. Just imagine allowing a child to create whatever he or she wants through drawing a picture, building a structure, writing a story, or creating a dance, etc. Then asking him or her what they would like to discuss about their creation. Through discussion and observation basic math, reading, science, or social studies concepts can emerge from what the child has created to help them learn new concepts and/or review old concepts. This approach not only assists the child in their learning, but also allows the child to create the tool used for their learning and play a significant part in their learning process. These methods of learning help to maintain a child’s interest because they are student centered.

The creative picture above can be used to present many great learning opportunities highlighting simple concepts for children such as counting, colors, interpretation, addition, imagination, story telling, parts of the body, and even trees. Feel free to add any other concepts that I may have missed.

Have Fun & Keep Learning,

T.S. Bradshaw

Mommy's Little Girl

1. Thou Shall Love Me Unconditionally…..

2. Thou Shall Provide Opportunities For Laughter & Play Every Day…..

3.  Thou Shall Respect  Me For Who I Am &  Support Me In Who I Want To Become……

4.  Thou Shall Spend Meaningful Time With Me & Encourage Me To Read  Every Day…..

5.  Thou Shall Encourage My Natural Sense Of Discovery & Appetite For Knowledge…..

6.  Thou Shall  NOT Abuse, Neglect, Mistreat, Or Harm  Me In  Any Way For Any Reason…..

7. Thou Shall Provide Me With A Trusting & Caring Learning Environment…..

8. Thou Shall Teach Me To Work & Play Collaboratively With Others…..

9. Thou Shall Encourage Me To Use My Voice & To Stay True To My Authentic Self…..

10. Thou Shall Teach Me To Love & Live Life Unconditionally…..

11. Thou Shall Teach Me To Love Myself  So That I May Love Others…..

12. Thou Shall Encourage Me To Dream Big & Always Believe In Myself…..

Sincerely,

A Child

Written  By: T. S. Bradshaw

Photo Courtesy of : Michael Sean & T.S. Bradshaw

Goodees Deux, Wollie, Goodee Frog Courtesy of T.S. Bradshaw & AuthorHouse

Wollie the Goodee Frog loves yummy pizza.  Hmmm, what do you need to make a pizza?  

Goodees Deux, Alex, Goodee Dog Courtesy of T.S. Bradshaw & AuthorHouse

Did someone say yummy strawberries? Alex the Goodee Dog loves strawberries! Hmmm, are strawberries fruits or vegetables?

Goodees Deux, Goodee Pig, Courtesy of T.S. Bradshaw & AuthorHouse

Yummy grapes anyone?  PePe the Goodee Pig shows his polite manners in French when asking for his grapes. Hmmm, what shape are grapes?

Goodees Deux, Stuie, Goodee Bear Courtesy of T.S. Bradshaw & AuthorHouse

Stuie the Goodee Bear loves yummy french fries. Hmmm, what are french fries and where do they come from?

For the answers to the above questions and more multilingual, educational, interactive fun join The Goodees on Facebook!

Have Fun And Keep Learning!

T.S. Bradshaw

The New Year of 2012 rings in a new Goodees book!  Goodees Deux: Shape, Sizes, and Foods will be released January 2012!

Teaching & Learning Tidbit: Communication Is Key

I’d like to think of teaching and learning as the very fabric of education. They are critical and essential components of any form of education. When it comes to young learners the communication between school and home is just as equally important. For homeschooling parents that would require a lot of talking to yourselves since you assume both roles. To start thinking about the importance of communication between school and home, I have listed below 10 questions that your child’s teacher may or may not ask.

The following questions focus on children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development.  These questions, as well as others, are beneficial for teachers to ask parents and homeschooling parents to ask themselves.  However, what’s most important are the answers. The more information you and your child’s teacher share with each other about your child a more effective teaching and learning experience your child will receive given the information gathered is clearly communicated and used properly. So I ask you, how well do you know your young learner?  How often do you communicate to yourself or your child’s teacher about your findings pertaining to your child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development in and outside of an educational environment? 

Remember, the more you share and know, the more your child can thrive and grow!  See if you can answer the following 10 questions*.

1.  How would you describe your child’s general attitude toward school? *

2.  How would you describe your child’s approach to learning?*

3. What activities or learning experiences interest your child most? Is he or she currently passionate about any one thing?*

4. What activities or learning experiences have been particularly rewarding for her or him?  Which ones have presented the greatest challenges?*
  
5. In which activities, if any, have you noticed that your child is reluctant or hesitant to get involved?* 

6. What do you consider to be your child’s strengths in and out of school?*
 
7. What have you noticed about your child’s relationship with his/her peers?*

8. Has your family experienced any recent family events or changes?  Do you anticipate any changes (e.g., moving, a new sibling, )?*
 
9. How do you feel I can best support your child and his/her learning this year?*

10. Is there anything your child would like me  to know about her/him?*

*The above 10 questions were constructed by Trish Foerg-Spittel.

The Positive Effects of Hugs

When we least expect it simple things can make a world of difference in our young learners lives. On a down day the sight of a butterfly could lift their spirits. On a not so lucky day the touch of a lady bug could make them feel lucky as ever. If butterflies and lady bugs can have such a positive effect on children’s behavior, what about a hug? What effect does a hug have on children’s behavior and development? Most people would say hugs simply make children happy.  Believe it or not research has shown that hugs have more positive effects on children and adults than just feelings of happiness.

Here are four of the many positive effects research suggests hugs have to offer.

1. Hugs Help to Overcome Fear….. It’s the first day of school and your little learner has some fear about meeting their new teacher, classmates, and classroom. Giving them a hug coupled with a few calming breathes just might help ease “The First Day Fears”. By the way, giving them hugs for the first full week wouldn’t hurt either, hugs are relatively inexpensive and apparently very healthy.

2. Hugs Help to Build Self Esteem…..It’s the day of the class play and your little learner is not so confident about saying a few words as a wild turkey in front of an audience. Giving them a hug coupled with a few encouraging words and a quick line rehearsal just might help build their confidence and self-esteem. 

3. Hugs Help to Ease Tension…..It’s bedtime, the most dreaded time of the day for most kids, and of course your little learner wants to stay up until the roosters call. You are not in favor of this idea at all. Your little one is aware of this and begins to go into tantrum mode. Giving them a tight hug coupled with a reading of their favorite story or singing of their favorite song may help ease a terrible tantrum before bed.

4. Hugs Positively Affects Children’s Language Skills and IQ….. According to Intelligence Quotient Development in Children on eHow.com, “A nurturing yet stimulating environment is always helpful in boosting a child’s intellectual capabilities. Affection is important, so make sure your child gets plenty of hugs and kisses and hears positive and encouraging words from you.”

So… There you have it! Remember to take the time to hug. Sometimes we get caught up teaching, parenting, providing, and protecting our children that we forget to hug them. If there’s one thing your child or student may need from you to help modify their behavior or boost their IQ it may just be something as simple as a hug. 

So remember to hug your children often and love them responsibly! 
The positive effects of a hug could change the course of the day for you both when you least expect it.

What has been your experience with hugs and their effect on children’s or students’ development and behavior?

Temper, Temper, Part I: Helpful Tips on How to Manage Meltdowns

Whether you are a parent, educator, care giver, childcare provider or all of the above there are some behavioral challenges you face when dealing with children.  The particular behavioral challenge that I am writing about is better known as “The Temper Tantrum”.  If you’re being faced with temper tantrums here are some strategies that may work for you.

1. Ignore the behavior (Look the other way)…. When temper tantrums arise ignoring the behavior can be an effective strategy.  Children are usually looking for a reaction from the adult, but once they notice you’re not giving any reaction or attention to the negative behavior most children usually calm down… Therefore, address the child and not the negative behavior.  Shortly after your child has calmed down, you should address the behavior and set guidelines…. So take note, and don’t feed the fire!   

2. Provide your child some space (Time Out)…. We all become frustrated and stressed at times, for some of us this may be everyday.  When these emotions occur in adults we just simply need time to calm down. Children are no exception. They also experience these emotions and may very well need some time alone with their feelings.  Time outs should be used for children to think about their feelings and reflect on their behaviors.  This time  should also aid them in calming down…For smaller children time outs can be used to help remove them from the area in which the tantrum began, a change of scenery can do some real good (more on this later)…. So take note, and give them breathing room. You’re going to need it too.    

3. Investigate your child’s frustration (Find the source of the problem) Communication is key.  Talk to your child. If your child is not swinging off the curtains and walking on the ceiling you may stand a chance at finding the root of the problem sooner than later.  If your child is frustrated to no end, give him or her  space to calm down and then follow-up with your investigation.  

    Once you have discovered the source of their frustration you now have some idea of what can potentially trigger a tantrum and how to avoid or deal with a future episode. Investigating the problem also eases your child and let’s them know that you care about their feelings and emotions. Getting to the source of your child’s frustration is always a win win situation.  So take note, always get to the root of the problem when you can…. So take note, when all is at stake, investigate. 

4. Divert your child’s attention (Create a Diversion)…. Have you ever heard the phrase “out of sight, out of mind”? Diverting your child’s attention away from their current stressful situation with another activity, object or space helps.  This tip may work better with younger children because their attention spans are shorter than older children…. So take note, when the situation goes left divert it to the right! 

5. Speak Calmly (Keep calm, cool, and collected)….  Of all these strategies keeping a level head and calm attitude is the one that yields the most positive results.  Staying calm during a tantrum helps you as the adult to make clear and level-headed decisions,  communicate effectively, and display positive role modeling behavior….  So take note, cooler heads always prevail!

As Always, Have Fun & Keep Learning!

T.S. Bradshaw

Has your child’s school had “The Goodee Experience”? If not, what are you waiting on?  “The Goodees” are vastly becoming a phenomenon among preschoolers. They are a wonderful way for young learners to excercise beginner skills in the areas of language arts, math, science, social studies, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and gain practice in speaking FOUR WORLD LANGUAGES! It’s Magic and apparently alot of FUN!  Look for the next Goodees book this May.

Just Ask Judy about “The Goodees”… You can see Judy’s video testimonial at www.facebook.com/pages/The-Goodees/110277164736. 

Here are a list of a few educational centers that have enjoyed “The Goodee Experience”:

Kelley’s Kids  – Maplewood, NJ

 Early Childhood Learning Institute – Newark, NJ

Little Tykes – East Orange, NJ

Tri-City People Organization Inc. – Newark, NJ

Bobbies Babies – Newark, NJ

YCS Theraputic Nursery – East Orange, NJ

Newark Day Center – Newark, NJ

St. Anne’s Daycare – Newark, NJ

King Memorial Day Nursery – Newark, NJ

Clinton Hill Community Center – Newark, NJ

Essex County College Child Development Center – Newark, NJ

North Ward Child Development Center – Newark, NJ

Precious Little Daycare – Newark, NJ

East Orange Child Development Corporation – East Orange, NJ

Life’s Little Treasures Childcare Center - Bloomfield, NJ

Zion Kid’s Daycare Center – Newark, NJ

Precious Jewels Childcare Center – Montclair, NJ

Three Stages Daycare Center – East Orange, NJ

Smart Cookie Learning Center – East Orange, NJ

Harambee Family Academy – East Orange, NJ

Karate For Youth Child Care Center – Maplewood, NJ

Montclair Cooperative School – Montclair, NJ

Next, The Goodees will be at The 8th Annual Collingswood Book Festival on Saturday, October 2, 2010 in Collingswood, NJ. Be sure to mark your calendars for more fun and more Goodees!!

As always, Until Next Time Have fun & Keep Learning!!

T.S. Bradshaw