This month we will look at the last few compiled goals which we hope to instill in the children.  We do this through adult modeling and encouragement, as well as, preparing an environment for children to learn through their interactions with others and work in an environment which supports these tenants.

6 An ability to communicate effectively: refining our skills in recognizing and communicating needs and feelings to others: an ability to formulate successful responses in a social setting. This begins with recognizing emotions and feelings, understanding and labeling them, then effectively communicating these feelings.  “I” messages are a useful tool for children to communicate both their feelings and what they need.  Grace and Courtesy lessons, beginning as young as two years, help children learn how to interact with others-how we greet others, polite responses of please and thank you to learning about building relationships.

7 An ability to make our own choices in the face of temptation: developing willingness as an individual to be responsible for the personal choices we make.  Helping children to learn personal responsibility for their actions begins with the choices they make in the environment and being held accountable for those actions.  The development of self-control plays an important part in this process.

8 A transcending of the attitude that “might makes right” – beginnings of amoral order.  We know children, especially between the ages of 6 and 12 years, are developing their moral order of what is right, wrong, fair, and unfair and the myriad of other elements of personal and social dynamics.  As they learn about these elements of our society they are also making choices and learning how their choices affect others.  Our hope is that these decisions lead to a deeper understanding of how we treat others in a variety of situations based on respect not based on a sense of power.

9 An ability to distinguish between what is real and what is fantasy; an ability to enjoy each in its own separate realm. For children under the age of six, children believe everything they see or hear is real.  As they develop beyond age six they begin sorting through fact and fiction and are developing their imagination.  Although imagination holds no boundaries, distinguishing between the two leads to a healthier balance in life.  

10 A sense of community and of one’s responsibilities as a member of a group: developing personal habits of grace and courtesy.  Although lessons of grace and courtesy begin in the toddler community, we continue to role play, demonstrate and discuss with all ages, how we can turn kindness into courtesy, understanding into acceptance, and caring into encouragement of others.

 All of these skills take time to develop as the child learns from their experiences in the environment.  Not only do they learn about others, they learn about themselves individually and within a community.

Sincerely,

Susie