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 While laying in bed, about to fall asleep one night, I began to think of more loving things that we can do with our little ones to help guide them toward excellence. 1. Jack-O’-Lantern or Smiling Buddha Mood Shift Sometimes our little ones’ attitudes can shift into a negative direction. One way I’ve been learning that can help shift it back to the positive and at the same time incorporate learning about joy is placing an object either at the entrance (outside or inside) of your home that displays a smile. I bought a pumpkin and carved a pleasant smiling face in it with my daughter. We placed the carved pumpkin outside near the front door. Whenever my little one would begin to start shifting to a negative mood, I would ask her to picture the pumpkin outside. Then I would ask her, “What is the pumpkin reminding everyone who enters our home?”She would answer, “To come into our home with joy.” Then I would ask her, “And how is he showing that?” She would then say, “By being calm and smiling.”A smiling Buddha is also helpful in this way.2. The Shape of ThingsChoose a toy that is a two dimensional geometric shape such as a square or triangle. When you take your little one out for the next walk, begin to notice that specific shape in the world around you. Each time before you go out, show them a new shape at home. Then, taking the shape with you when you go outside, try and find that shape together. It’s not meant to be a quiz, but a fun, concrete way for them to learn about shapes.3. TransplantOne of the more useful activities for us to do with our children is to transplant some plants from one pot to another; from a pot to the ground or vice versa. There is so much to this activity and so many wonderful questions to explore. Recently my daughter and wife did a transplanting project and my little one loved helping a plant find a new home.4. The Quiet GameThis exercise has many variations, but its main attribute is helping little ones learn how to move in silence. You can start your child in any of a few positions---standing, sitting and lying down. Then ask them to move to another location in the room in a quiet manner---lifting their feet slowly and carefully, making as little noise as possible. You should illustrate the process for them first and then have them do it.Once they accomplish moving quietly from the initial position, make it a little more challenging by having them lie on their back or stomach or sitting in a chair. You can increase the challenge until they can lie on their backs, then stand up and walk, pick up an object and bring it to a new location in the room. As they become more accomplished, add a tap on the shoulder when they make noise--this will let them know to start again.My daughter now uses the Quiet Game when she gets up in the morning and goes to the bathroom and back to her room. She tries to move as quietly as she can. 5. Cooperation OrientationIn order to reinforce, introduce and/or help with certain ways you might wish your little ones to think about family life---choose a few books that focus on that topic and read them frequently to your children over a period of time. For instance, if you wish to help your child with an activity like cooperation, you might consider specific books by Lois Lenski (The Little Family, Mr. & Mrs. Noah, Papa Small). These three books do not add unwanted attitudes to the topic, such as fear, scariness or resistance. They illustrate a family that simply works together with each other.After you’ve read these books to your little ones for a brief period, then begin to interweave the stories as you and your children play with their dolls. Then when there are moments where cooperation isn’t forthcoming, refer to characters in the stories and what they do.all content The New Parent © 2007
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