February 16, 2010

Social Graces...


Sassy has just entered her seventh week of formal preschool. She is doing fabulously, really.

She can write her first name upon request, without being shown how to do so. She even addressed signed all of her Valentine's this year- each and every single on of the ninety she had to make for various events. Clearly, we accomplished this in small spurts!

We had her first parent-teacher conference EVER. It went great. Sassy is a delight to have in class, and she is doing the things she should be doing. She plays nicely and models well for the other children. She is a good listener. Oh, and she has quite the wardrobe and fashion sense, according to her teacher...

One thing that I have really gotten a kick out of is when Sassy brings home a good behavior reward. At school, there is a program that we'll call M**** Manners. (M**** for the name of her school).

When the kids (Pre-K through 2nd grade) are caught doing something good, they receive a M**** Manner. This consists of a small slip of paper that is filled out by their teacher and subsequently hung on a giant bulletin board inside the entrance to the school. The kids get to go to the office each time they get a M**** Manner and choose a prize from the basket- various trinkets and lollipops and things.

Sassy thinks M**** Manners are the bees knees. She can't wait to burst out the front door and shriek that she has received a M**** Manner that day. So far, she has received M**** Manners for being a good listener, following directions, helping a friend feel better when he was sad, and singing louder (something she apparently needed some work on before her music program).

Oh, and just today, she told me she got a M**** Manner for sitting criss-cross applesauce with her spoons in her bowl (aka sitting cross-legged with her hands in her lap, for those of you who don't speak toddler). The look on her face when she tells us these things, so serious... well, it's priceless!

I love that her school uses positive reinforcement. I love how the kids are caught being good. I love that I can see her little self-esteem level rise every time she proudly shows us her prize. I ♥ it!

3 sweet tweets:

Sherry said...

She's adorable, I'm sure her teachers wished they could multiply her!! I had no idea until recently that saying "Indian Style" is no longer acceptable and that criss cross apple sauce has taken its place. Goodness!

Anonymous said...

I thought YOU made up criss cross applesauce. Anyway, I really love the positive reinforcement at preschool also. Brandon's teachers send home a "Praise Note" once a week for each child for something. We try to make a big deal out of it and get a special treat. Positive behavior supports are really the one parenting skill that I am good and consistent about, so I am glad the school does it also.

The Hoffman Family-Adam, Laura, Easton & Emerson said...

Yeah for Sassy! Sounds like she is loving school!