The sound of silence
Both children are asleep right now as I type this. I am taking the opportunity to clear my emails and do a few Playcentre-related jobs on the computer. Pity about the pile of dishes....
My day of recording limits imposed/expectations I had of my children was quite interesting. I realised just how many times a day the children have to obey rules and modify their behaviour. Don't get me wrong, this is not necessarily a bad thing - it's just that this knowledge gives me a bit more understanding and a bit more empathy for what it must be like to be a small child trying to learn how to get along in the world. Haven't written my analysis up yet, but I have plenty of material to work with.
I decided to do a rewards chart with Isabelle for her room. "Project clean room" is now on our wall, with squares for where each earned sticker goes, and rewards indicated by the numbers 1 to 6. I cunningly made the chart so that she gets her first reward very early on, but then the time between desired action and gratification gradually lengthens. Expectations are high - books, toys AND clothes have to be in place before she earns a sticker. Isabelle decided that chocolate would be her first incentive.
Great plan, only problem is that we are on day 3 and she hasn't earned a single sticker yet!
This afternoon is the last fairy ballet class for the year. Brendon is finishing work early so he can come and watch. Isabelle has borrowed a pink fairy outfit from Playcentre to wear as a special treat (it was new today, which would usually mean I would discourage her from taking it - but I thought it would be OK as it is for a special occasion and we are going to return it in time for tomorrow's session).
My day of recording limits imposed/expectations I had of my children was quite interesting. I realised just how many times a day the children have to obey rules and modify their behaviour. Don't get me wrong, this is not necessarily a bad thing - it's just that this knowledge gives me a bit more understanding and a bit more empathy for what it must be like to be a small child trying to learn how to get along in the world. Haven't written my analysis up yet, but I have plenty of material to work with.
I decided to do a rewards chart with Isabelle for her room. "Project clean room" is now on our wall, with squares for where each earned sticker goes, and rewards indicated by the numbers 1 to 6. I cunningly made the chart so that she gets her first reward very early on, but then the time between desired action and gratification gradually lengthens. Expectations are high - books, toys AND clothes have to be in place before she earns a sticker. Isabelle decided that chocolate would be her first incentive.
Great plan, only problem is that we are on day 3 and she hasn't earned a single sticker yet!
This afternoon is the last fairy ballet class for the year. Brendon is finishing work early so he can come and watch. Isabelle has borrowed a pink fairy outfit from Playcentre to wear as a special treat (it was new today, which would usually mean I would discourage her from taking it - but I thought it would be OK as it is for a special occasion and we are going to return it in time for tomorrow's session).
posted by Mary at 2:23 pm
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