Stress Prevention

With Christmas fast approaching, here are 6 stress prevention tips from Early Childhood Exchange:

Six Stress Prevention Tips

Exchange Everyday, November, 2011

Scientific American Mind (September 2011) offered "six strategies for fighting stress before it starts".

1. Seek and kill. Take a few minutes every day to identify stressors in your life and find ways to reduce or eliminate them.

2. Commit to the positive. Don't rely on self-destructive ways of coping with stress — drinking, drugs, overeating.

3. Be your own personal secretary. People who keep lists of things to do really do more things.

4. Immunize yourself. Through exercise, thought management, and the daily practice of relaxation techniques, you will be in a better position to face stressors.

5. Make a little plan. Spend a few minutes every morning planning your day. You will waste less time, get more done, and feel less stressed.

6. And make a big plan. Planning your future is a great way of exercising more control over your life.

Our canvas masterpieces

Today I brought in some canvas for the children to do a special painting on. One that they can keep and hang on their bedroom wall. Each child concentrated hard on their paintings and were proud to show off their work. Next time you are in the main room have a look at their wonderful creations, they are just on the shelf outside the door to the office, and will be coming home with your child over the next few weeks.

Ann

New books to KIDSPACE

A big thank you to the Gallagher family for bringing in their old books from home for the children at KIDSPACE to read. The children have really enjoyed reading the books and will spend many more happy hours reading them.

Ann

Parent - Teacher Meetings

The notice will be going up next week for whanau to indicate your preferred time if you would like a meeting with two of our teachers.

Meetings will be held on Monday 12 September and Wednesday 14 September from 4.30 pm.

These meetings are always very positive and we really value this time to share information between KIDSPACE and home. It helps us to provide better learning experiences for your child through getting to know your family better. This is a wonderful opportunity to solely focus on your child for 15 minutes with teachers who a vitally interested in your child.

Duck Duck Goose

After school, Bridie arrives at KIDSPACE to help the teachers out by doing the odd job or two.

Lately, the children have been asking that she play games outside with them, the most recent being Duck Duck Goose, which is a firm favourite at present.

The children love the thrill of being chased around the circle and return to their spot without being tagged, and it is a great game for some physical activity.

The children are developing responsive and reciprocal skills, such as turn-taking and offering, as well as increasing control over their bodies, including development of locomotor skills, non-locomotor skills, manipulative skills and increasing agility, co-ordination, and balance.

In relation to the New Zealand School curriculum, the children's learning through this experience links to the learning areas of Health and Physical Education as well as English.

Monica.