The rules at school...
Resolving conflict
The students will very quickly learn to communicate to each other using "I messages". The statement should be delivered while making eye contact and is framed in a similar way every time... "I didn't like it when you ______ because it made me feel _____." An appropriate response to an "I message" is something along the lines of "I'm sorry that I _____. I won't do that again." Sometimes in a more complicated conflict, a reciprocal "I message" will need to be delivered to help get to the root of the problem. Luckily, at this age, grudges are not kept long and everyone likes to be friends with everyone else! Please note that I encourage children to accept the apology rather than say "that's ok".
Interruptions
More than anything in the world, children want our attention. Inevitably, when you are on the phone or in a conversation with someone else, your child will want you to answer a question or give them permission for something. I have a strategy for dealing with interruptions in the classroom that I encourage you to try at home. If I am in a conversation with someone else and a child cannot solve their problem without talking to me I encourage them to put their hand on my arm. I will cover their hand with my own - to acknowledge that they are waiting for me. I will politely finish - or pause - my other conversation before turning to deal with the child. I start by thanking them for waiting patiently for me and then we proceed to have the interaction we are going to have. When we are finished I can resume my previous conversation.
You can see where I got the idea in this video.
Toys
There are to be no toys from home brought to school as I prefer not to deal with toy envy, loss or breakage. If your child is going directly from school to a play date or daycare and wants to take a particular toy with them they may keep it wrapped up in a bag at the bottom of their backpack. If a toy makes an appearance at school I will confiscate it and return it directly to the parent the first time. Subsequently, I will hold it until the next major break (Christmas, Spring Break, End of the Year). I apologise for the harshness of this policy but I have had problems in the past that have forced me to be tough on toys!
A Word About Birthdays…
Birthdays are special occasions for young children. I often hear students talk about their upcoming birthday parties and who they will or will not invite. Children of this age find it very upsetting to be “left out”. Slipping a party invitation to a parent rather than a child is the best way to avoid these birthday party “blues”. If you are unable to connect with other parents at pick up time please contact me for alternative suggestions but DO NOT have your child hand out the invitations at school. Thank you for your cooperation with this.
If you want to bring in a special treat to mark your child's birthday, please just let me know ahead of time. Please don't feel obliged to do so, and also remember that a treat doesn't have to be edible - stickers or pencils are great options too!
The students will very quickly learn to communicate to each other using "I messages". The statement should be delivered while making eye contact and is framed in a similar way every time... "I didn't like it when you ______ because it made me feel _____." An appropriate response to an "I message" is something along the lines of "I'm sorry that I _____. I won't do that again." Sometimes in a more complicated conflict, a reciprocal "I message" will need to be delivered to help get to the root of the problem. Luckily, at this age, grudges are not kept long and everyone likes to be friends with everyone else! Please note that I encourage children to accept the apology rather than say "that's ok".
Interruptions
More than anything in the world, children want our attention. Inevitably, when you are on the phone or in a conversation with someone else, your child will want you to answer a question or give them permission for something. I have a strategy for dealing with interruptions in the classroom that I encourage you to try at home. If I am in a conversation with someone else and a child cannot solve their problem without talking to me I encourage them to put their hand on my arm. I will cover their hand with my own - to acknowledge that they are waiting for me. I will politely finish - or pause - my other conversation before turning to deal with the child. I start by thanking them for waiting patiently for me and then we proceed to have the interaction we are going to have. When we are finished I can resume my previous conversation.
You can see where I got the idea in this video.
Toys
There are to be no toys from home brought to school as I prefer not to deal with toy envy, loss or breakage. If your child is going directly from school to a play date or daycare and wants to take a particular toy with them they may keep it wrapped up in a bag at the bottom of their backpack. If a toy makes an appearance at school I will confiscate it and return it directly to the parent the first time. Subsequently, I will hold it until the next major break (Christmas, Spring Break, End of the Year). I apologise for the harshness of this policy but I have had problems in the past that have forced me to be tough on toys!
A Word About Birthdays…
Birthdays are special occasions for young children. I often hear students talk about their upcoming birthday parties and who they will or will not invite. Children of this age find it very upsetting to be “left out”. Slipping a party invitation to a parent rather than a child is the best way to avoid these birthday party “blues”. If you are unable to connect with other parents at pick up time please contact me for alternative suggestions but DO NOT have your child hand out the invitations at school. Thank you for your cooperation with this.
If you want to bring in a special treat to mark your child's birthday, please just let me know ahead of time. Please don't feel obliged to do so, and also remember that a treat doesn't have to be edible - stickers or pencils are great options too!