Sharing and the Preschool Child
When it comes to sharing, preschool children often don’t understand the concept. They have a difficult time seeing any other point of view but their own. That does not mean they are spoiled or selfish. Sharing is difficult because preschoolers are not yet able to see the relationship between giving up something immediately and getting it back later. Parents know that being able to share is an important part of friendship and it makes struggles and tears less likely. So, what can parents do to help children learn to share?
The following are some helpful hints about sharing:
1. Let children have some things to own. Before children can let go of something to share, they have to know what it means to “own” it. Let children have certain possessions that are theirs alone and not for sharing, such as a special stuffed animal.
2. Help children feel good about sharing. Praise children for everyday moments that involve sharing. If they offer a piece of candy from their stash, take it and make a point of thanking them for sharing.
3. Children learn from parents’ example. Parents can talk about times they shared something and share their own items with children. For example, a parent may have a book from her childhood and be willing to “share” it with her child by reading it together. Also, sharing thoughts and feelings with children is important in building a lifelong relationship of understanding and closeness.
4. Plan playtimes to make sharing easier. Before a friend comes over, a child can decide which toys to put away that are not for sharing and which toys will be for sharing. Suggest play ideas to help children share and take turns, such as playing a board/card game, playing catch with a ball, and building something together with blocks. Sometimes a timer is helpful to decide how long children will have a toy.
Learning to share is a long journey for children. It will come in time if they have ample opportunities to practice the art of sharing in a group setting in school or with a friend/ sibling at home. A parent’s role is to make these teachable moments possible.
Jill Phillips
ECFE Parent Educator
Fire Prevention Week Open House
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
4:30 to 6:30 pm at the Virginia Fire Hall, 115 4th Ave. No., Virginia (Across the avenue from Wells Fargo Bank)
Fun Activities! Meet the fire fighters, see the inside of a real fire truck, tour the fires station, receive handouts. Hot dogs, apples, chips, goodies, coffee & juice will be served while supplies last. Hope to see you there!
Storytime at the Virginia Public Library
Come to the Virginia Public Library for a fun-filled program with stories, crafts and a small snack. Runs on Fridays, starting on October 1 through December 10, 2010. The literacy activity is held 11 am to 12 noon. For more information, please call 748-7525.
Minnesota’s Future Video Contest
Early childhood alliance wants to hear from you!
Deadline midnight October 4.
Create a short video to…
Tell the candidates why investing in quality early learning is so important to your family and Minnesota’s Future.
Share a story about the early learning program your child participates in, talk about the success you see in your child because of what they learned before kindergarten, or give an example of something you appreciate about your early learning provider. Be creative! Skits, songs and props are encouraged. Just keep it brief, videos should be no more than 2 minutes long.
Three winners will receive cash prizes: $250 first place, $100 second place, $50 third place.
Just upload your video to YouTube and be sure to tag it “MNFuture”.
Submissions will be accepted until midnight October 4.
More Information & Contest Rules
Gubernatorial Debate on P-12 Education (Web)
From Ready 4 K
The Minneapolis Foundation is hosting a special Minnesota Meeting live broadcast featuring a gubernatorial debate on P – 12 education, Thursday, September 23, 2010, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. This event is co-sponsored by the Itasca Project and the Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi Foundation for Children. The event will be broadcast live on the web from TPT (before a small studio audience) and will also air on a later date. To watch, click here to receive the link.
Gubernatorial Debate on P – 12 Education
Thursday, September 23, 2010
5:00 – 6:00 pm
Major candidates Tom Horner, Tom Emmer, and Mark Dayton have been invited to the debate. And well-known TPT and Minnesota Public Radio personality Cathy Wurzer, will moderate. Each candidate will have the opportunity for opening and closing comments in the context of a free flowing format without timed answers. An advisory committee comprised of the full array of educational interests will prepare questions to be posed to candidates, intermixed with questions from the audience.
The primary objective is to help inform Minnesota’s electorate about each candidate’s vision for Minnesota’s education system by exploring the range of complex issues that influence policies and decisions. We look forward to a dynamic conversation focused on what it will take to move Minnesota forward as a premier education state.
You are also invited to attend a“Candidate Conversation on Early Childhood,” to be held October 5 at 6:30pm in the Weyerhaeuser Chapel at Macalaster College, and hosted by a group of early childhood allies. The conversation will give candidates an opportunity to engage directly with voters. In contrast to a “debate,” each candidate will appear before the audience in turn and discuss strategies for improving the school readiness and healthy development of young children. The event will be recorded and rebroadcast in various media.
If you would like to RSVP, you can do so by clicking here. You are encouraged to share this flier with your networks to promote the event.
Pediatric Neurology Workshop on Autism
Title: Pediatric Neurology Workshop on Autism
Location: St. Mary\’s Medical Center Auditorium, 407 E. 3rd St., Duluth
Description: Fee $5. Call for information or to
register: 218-786-8433 or e-mail kwilliams@smdc.org
Start Time: 07:45
Date: 2010-09-25
End Time: 12:45
Ready4K on the Range: Wednesday, September 15
Iron Range Advocates Meeting, 1:30 - 2:30 pm, Messiah Lutheran Church, 8590 Enterprise Dr S, Mountain Iron MN 55768
Ready4K is coming to Northeast Minnesota!
First, we will have a conversation about the status of early care and education in Minnesota, the five point Minnesota’s Future agenda and strategies for moving the agenda forward. There will also be time for local community members to share what is happening in their region around promoting early care and education.
Duluth Advocates Meeting, 9 - 10 am
Northland Foundation, Conference Room, Suite 600 (202 West Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802)
RSVP to Shari at shari@northlandfdn.org
Then, join us for kids activities and a social gathering celebrating Minnesota’s Future at the Duluth Public Library. This celebration is an opportunity for the entire community to gather and hear about the Minnesota’s Future agenda and what’s happening in their community. There will be a short 20 minute program, the rest of the time will include kid friendly activities, refreshments and social time. We hope you will invite people from your networks to join us for this celebration. The Library will be having their regular story time at 10:15 am for babies and toddlers and 11:15 am for preschoolers.
Minnesota’s Future at the Duluth Public Library, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Duluth Public Library (520 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802)
Download a flyer for the celebration here. Post it in your community and share with your networks.
At 1:30 we will be meeting with advocates in Mountain Iron to again discuss the Minnesota’s Future agenda. If you are nearby, we hope you can join us.
Iron Range Advocates Meeting, 1:30 - 2:30 pm
Messiah Lutheran Church (8590 Enterprise Dr S, Mountain Iron MN 55768)
RSVP to Cheryl at northlandr4k@gmail.com
To finish the day, we’ll have another social gathering at the public library in Hibbing where we will again have kid friendly activities, refreshments, social time and a short presentation.
Minnesota’s Future at the Hibbing Public Library, 4 - 5PM
Hibbing Public Library (2020 5th Avenue East, Hibbing, MN)
The flyer for the celebration in Hibbing can be found here.
Look for more information coming soon. In the meantime, contact Kat Kempe if you have any questions by email or 651-644-8138 x108
Hope to see you September 15th!