Social Stories
Social Stories are an excellent tool to help kids prepare, understand and practice new situations or events that they may be concerned about. Social Stories were first introduced by Carol Gray in 1991 and are often used with children who have autism. That being said, Social Stories are widely used with all children to prepare them for upcoming new, unknown or challenging events or activities, e.g. beginning school or starting at a new school, going to the dentist, going for a covid injection, going on camp, etc. Social Stories give children time to go over what they might expect to...
Social Stories
Social Stories are an excellent tool to help kids prepare, understand and practice new situations or events that they may be concerned about. Social Stories were first introduced by Carol Gray in 1991 and are often used with children who have autism. That being said, Social Stories are widely used with all children to prepare them for upcoming new, unknown or challenging events or activities, e.g. beginning school or starting at a new school, going to the dentist, going for a covid injection, going on camp, etc. Social Stories give children time to go over what they might expect to...
How and Why to Avoid Asking 'Why?' in the Classroom
When questioning children on their thoughts, feelings and actions, try to avoid the use of the word ‘why’. There are two main reasons for this. Firstly, ‘why’ holds negative connotations for many children. For example, when they’ve done something wrong, the first question that many people ask is, ‘Why did you do that?’ Secondly, ‘why’ is a very difficult question to answer — it requires us to look at the motivations behind our actions and feelings, which a lot of children won’t know — and will simply respond with ‘I don’t know’. Instead, re-phrase questions using ‘how’ or ‘what’ —...
How and Why to Avoid Asking 'Why?' in the Classroom
When questioning children on their thoughts, feelings and actions, try to avoid the use of the word ‘why’. There are two main reasons for this. Firstly, ‘why’ holds negative connotations for many children. For example, when they’ve done something wrong, the first question that many people ask is, ‘Why did you do that?’ Secondly, ‘why’ is a very difficult question to answer — it requires us to look at the motivations behind our actions and feelings, which a lot of children won’t know — and will simply respond with ‘I don’t know’. Instead, re-phrase questions using ‘how’ or ‘what’ —...
How to Conduct ‘Circle Time’ in the Classroom
‘Circle Time’ is a valuable classroom practice to settle the class and touch base with how students are travelling each day. Given that we are still in the midst of a global pandemic, this is a great exercise for creating and maintaining open communication within the classroom - both peer-to-peer as well as between teacher and students. During Circle Time, students each take turns to share their ideas and thoughts on a given discussion topic. Only one person speaks at a time — you may use a ‘talking stick’ like a soft toy to monitor who is the active...
How to Conduct ‘Circle Time’ in the Classroom
‘Circle Time’ is a valuable classroom practice to settle the class and touch base with how students are travelling each day. Given that we are still in the midst of a global pandemic, this is a great exercise for creating and maintaining open communication within the classroom - both peer-to-peer as well as between teacher and students. During Circle Time, students each take turns to share their ideas and thoughts on a given discussion topic. Only one person speaks at a time — you may use a ‘talking stick’ like a soft toy to monitor who is the active...
Raising 'Good' Boys
As parents we are well versed in the age old art of worrying. From the moment we realise we are going to become a mother or father our excitement is also mixed with apprehension. Will I be a good parent? What if I get it wrong? What if I mess them up? As a mother of both a son and daughter, I feel the burden of responsibility weighing more heavily in regard to raising my son. We often hear parents expressing their concern for their daughters – their safety, and how they will be treated by boys and men. And...
Raising 'Good' Boys
As parents we are well versed in the age old art of worrying. From the moment we realise we are going to become a mother or father our excitement is also mixed with apprehension. Will I be a good parent? What if I get it wrong? What if I mess them up? As a mother of both a son and daughter, I feel the burden of responsibility weighing more heavily in regard to raising my son. We often hear parents expressing their concern for their daughters – their safety, and how they will be treated by boys and men. And...
What can we do to combat Racism?
In the world right now, and particularly in the U.S.A. there is a lot of unrest, unhappiness, fear, anger, frustration, hopelessness due to the still ever present acts of racism and particularly injustices against people of coloured skin. For those of us who are lucky to live and work in places where people are accepting and appreciative of our differences, we can see what is happening, see the pain and suffering — but wonder, how can we really help? How can WE make a difference? In localities where racism is rife, peaceful protesting (raising awareness), joining politics (being a leader...
What can we do to combat Racism?
In the world right now, and particularly in the U.S.A. there is a lot of unrest, unhappiness, fear, anger, frustration, hopelessness due to the still ever present acts of racism and particularly injustices against people of coloured skin. For those of us who are lucky to live and work in places where people are accepting and appreciative of our differences, we can see what is happening, see the pain and suffering — but wonder, how can we really help? How can WE make a difference? In localities where racism is rife, peaceful protesting (raising awareness), joining politics (being a leader...
5 Points to Consider: Helping Kids Return to School post COVID Isolation
As kids begin returning to school, many may be feeling anxious about leaving their carers, going outside where ‘germs’ may be lurking, reuniting with friends, and even wondering if friendship groups will still exist. Some kids may be super happy about going back to school and yet, in time, the return may not live up to their expectations. Once in the classroom, some kids will find it hard to concentrate on ‘academic’ studies and may find it hard to focus on day-to-day learning of maths and spelling, for example. Times are turbulent for us and they are turbulent for kids....
5 Points to Consider: Helping Kids Return to School post COVID Isolation
As kids begin returning to school, many may be feeling anxious about leaving their carers, going outside where ‘germs’ may be lurking, reuniting with friends, and even wondering if friendship groups will still exist. Some kids may be super happy about going back to school and yet, in time, the return may not live up to their expectations. Once in the classroom, some kids will find it hard to concentrate on ‘academic’ studies and may find it hard to focus on day-to-day learning of maths and spelling, for example. Times are turbulent for us and they are turbulent for kids....
12 Things I Want All Beginning Teachers to Know
1. You are incredibly powerful. You can make an enormous difference to a child’s self-esteem, confidence and well-being. Talking to and treating a child with respect is key to them developing self-belief. You have an opportunity every single day to enhance a child’s self-confidence. 2. It’s the little things that matter. Asking a child how they are, and really listening to their reply is super important. Making that child (and every child) feel like they matter is powerful. So kneel down, place yourself at their level and listen. Try to understand the world from their perspective and always choose compassion...
12 Things I Want All Beginning Teachers to Know
1. You are incredibly powerful. You can make an enormous difference to a child’s self-esteem, confidence and well-being. Talking to and treating a child with respect is key to them developing self-belief. You have an opportunity every single day to enhance a child’s self-confidence. 2. It’s the little things that matter. Asking a child how they are, and really listening to their reply is super important. Making that child (and every child) feel like they matter is powerful. So kneel down, place yourself at their level and listen. Try to understand the world from their perspective and always choose compassion...
Lesson Plans for Teachers: Body Safety; Gender Equality; Social and Emotional Intelligence
ATTENTION Teachers! We have just released some new resources: Lesson Plans for the topics of Body Safety, Gender Equality, and Social and Emotional Intelligence. Written by Jayneen Sanders and Yale Merceica, these fully developed lesson plans incorporate questions and activities based on the messages in our books, to help you convey important and empowering life skills to your students. The content is age-appropriate and suitable for Preschool and Primary/Elementary School classes. The Lesson Plans include: key outcomes, teaching notes, resource masters, whole class and individual activities integrated with the reading of our books to make the teaching process easier for you....
Lesson Plans for Teachers: Body Safety; Gender Equality; Social and Emotional Intelligence
ATTENTION Teachers! We have just released some new resources: Lesson Plans for the topics of Body Safety, Gender Equality, and Social and Emotional Intelligence. Written by Jayneen Sanders and Yale Merceica, these fully developed lesson plans incorporate questions and activities based on the messages in our books, to help you convey important and empowering life skills to your students. The content is age-appropriate and suitable for Preschool and Primary/Elementary School classes. The Lesson Plans include: key outcomes, teaching notes, resource masters, whole class and individual activities integrated with the reading of our books to make the teaching process easier for you....
#NoMore #MeToo for the Next Generation
I say #NoMore #MeToo for the next generation. We can stop this! As active and engaged parents, caregivers, educators and health professionals we can help stop sexual assault, so our kids will grow into adulthood free from sexploitation, misogyny, gender inequality and sexual assault. How do we do this? We EDUCATE our kids — the next generation — from the day they are born. Kids need to know: 1. that they have rights, a voice and body autonomy 2. that they have choices 3. what consent means in regards to giving it, asking for it and withdrawing consent at anytime...
#NoMore #MeToo for the Next Generation
I say #NoMore #MeToo for the next generation. We can stop this! As active and engaged parents, caregivers, educators and health professionals we can help stop sexual assault, so our kids will grow into adulthood free from sexploitation, misogyny, gender inequality and sexual assault. How do we do this? We EDUCATE our kids — the next generation — from the day they are born. Kids need to know: 1. that they have rights, a voice and body autonomy 2. that they have choices 3. what consent means in regards to giving it, asking for it and withdrawing consent at anytime...
Children's Books with a Difference
As a teacher, writer and mother I am devoted to the education of children. However, it is not their academic achievement that I am so focused upon. What is important to me, is that children: • develop emotional and social intelligence • are educated in age-appropriate Body Safety • understand the terms ‘respect’ and ‘consent’ • know gender equality is non-negotiable. These are the reasons why I write the children's books I do! Children are visual learners and what better way for them to talk about these important topics than through story. I write both fiction and non-fiction texts, and...
Children's Books with a Difference
As a teacher, writer and mother I am devoted to the education of children. However, it is not their academic achievement that I am so focused upon. What is important to me, is that children: • develop emotional and social intelligence • are educated in age-appropriate Body Safety • understand the terms ‘respect’ and ‘consent’ • know gender equality is non-negotiable. These are the reasons why I write the children's books I do! Children are visual learners and what better way for them to talk about these important topics than through story. I write both fiction and non-fiction texts, and...