Alternative content

Young Explorers Schools hosted Humphrey Students from China, Palestine,and South Korea. Humphrey Students come to Tucson before being assigned to other universities throughout the United States. Our visitors interacted with the children by playing games, and sharing songs and language.

A-Acceptance
B-Balance of activities – computers and TV
C- Creative experiences in art, music, drama
D -Desire to learn and positive attitude
E-Exercise and nutritional food to eat
F-Fun! Play!
G-Group experiences- play groups- church groups
H-Hands on learning opportunities- gooey mud
I-Independence- Do it myself.
J-Jobs (chores) and responsibility
K-Kindness to each other
L-Limits and rules and consequences
M-Making things and using tools
N-Nature exploration
O-Outside play
P-Praise and encouragement
Q-Questions and language experiences
R-Rest and relaxation-
S-Stories, stories, stories
T-Time to talk, explore, discover
U-Understanding adults
V-Variety of materials- crayons, paper, books.
W-Work that is meaningful.
X-Xylophones and other instruments
YES!  environment where they can be successful
Zat’s not all! What else can you add to this list?

TIME: Time to really laugh, time to play, time to bake cookies, time to go to library and get books for bedtime stories. time to walk around the park, go to the zoo, play with friends and family.

HUGS/ SMILES: Lots of hugs and smiles when everything else is going crazy. You give a smile and you get a smile back. Everyone needs at least 10 hugs a day to grow and thrive. Take time to have a “Family Hug” especially in the morning and definitely before bedtime. This will help send away all the negative feelings of the day. Better dreams will happen.

LISTENING EAR:  Turn off your cell phone, twitter, texting, and TV. Give me a chance to talk with you about “stuff”.  Sometimes I need to know you are there for me. This means I don’t have to resort to screaming, tantrums, and other most annoying behaviors.  Just listen before getting upset!  Just really listen.

APPRECIATION AND RESPECT: Just because I am little I still would like you to know how I feel.  I like to hear you talk with your friends and “boss” in such a pleasant way.  I appreciate your quiet pleasant tones especially when I am being really a pain in the neck. If you take time to show me respect and appreciation, you will probably get the same response from me.  I learn how to behave by observing and listening to the adults around me   If Grown ups  use “thank you” and ”your welcome” naturally I will think it is cool too and make it a practice myself.

FUN: This is when we are really enjoying each other. When I feel that I am very special to you.  I am so willing to help you with the chores. This gives me time to show you I can learn new things every day. I know I get in the way and sometimes make more messes but remember this is how I learn. I think of working with you as play now. If you don’t want to have me volunteer no ,remember when I am older I might not be so willing and then the “grumpies” and new challenges begin.

I Love You!

Your Child.

P. S. Just in case, please tell Santa I have been REALLLLLLY good and have a long list of the other stuff I would like to have too!

When your child hands you one of the many masterpieces created during the school day, you may not be aware of the potential of the piece of artwork.  Each child approaching the age of two can scribble.  This is of course if there are opportunities and materials available.  Do you know that Scribbles represent the earliest form of drawing.  Every form of graphic art, no matter how complex, contains the lines found in children’s artwork.

Kellogg, in her research of over 2000 children has identified over 20 basic scribbles.  As young children progress from scribbling to picture making, they go through four distinguishable stages: placement, shape, design and pictorial.  Each stage provides insight to parents and teachers of the child’s mental development.  These shapes and scribbles are the rudiments of letters and numbers as the child develops their fine motor skills.

Ten Parental Encouragement Essential Ingredients:

1. Enjoy the masterpiece and effort.
2. Find a place to display the work. 
3. Instead of saying “What a beautiful  _______”  Say, “Tell me about this exciting picture.”
4. Provide a place and materials that will encourage the creative and imaginative expression. Remember washable markers and non-toxic crayons are must.
5. Since children enjoy creating large pictures, have plenty of paper for them to scribble on.  Don’t forget the brown bags from the grocery store. They can be cut and turned over to provide great paper at an affordable price.
6. Children need to create their own images. Avoid coloring books. Stressing staying within the lines before the child has fully developed their fine motor skills can discourage the willingness to try.
7. Encourage language development by asking questions concerning the colors and what is happening.  Encourage the sharing. 
8. Be sure to say “You really had fun with this one! How did you do this? Stressing the process not the product.
9. Have a place to store and date the special pictures.  Have you thought of a scrapbook or photo album? Be sure to date them. You will be surprised how the child will enjoy seeing their pictures especially when they are older.
10. If you have to throw the work away, why not ask your child which ones are the “keepers.” Selecting some of the work to share with grandparents and others also validates your child’s efforts. Have the child throw the extra ones away.

What’s in a scribble” -The whole wonderful world, according to your child’s development and perception.  “Scribbles are the beginning of a great future.  Enjoy

Dr. Fil.
Educational Director
Young Explorers Schools

YES annual specialized teacher training day will be August 1. Our school locations will be closed to permit our schools staffs to participate. Teachers will explore classes in enhancing their professional skills. Subjects and presenters will provide skills in Dealing With Challenging Behaviors, Working with Parents as Partners, Deloving Literacy Skills for Preschool Children and Music/ Movement.