I understand the benefits of homeschooling through the summer: the kids stay in the routine, math doesn't leak out of their brains, and they get to keep progressing in the required subjects.
I just can't do it.
In our home, June and July are weeks of 4-H projects, sleep away camp, daycamps, swimming, fishing, and outside chores. The learning process doesn't stop, it just jumps to a different track. Instead of math and writing, they are doing 4-H projects: woodworking, muskrat trapping, small engines, quilting and cake decorating. Last summer it was raising a calf, woodworking and vegetable gardening. Useful, important stuff that we would not have time for during the regular school year.
There is also the benefit of how these practical "classes" make my life a little simpler. By next year I will have two young carpenters that can build those shelves I've been wanting. My daughter beautifully decorates all the cakes I make and is teaching me how to use a sewing machine. Plus, my son will be able to trap annoying groundhogs and fix the lawn mower. Yes, I really like 4-H.
For the most part, the kids enjoy our summer schedule. On a typical day, they sleep in, work on 4-H projects for a few hours, do a few chores, read for 30 minutes, then have the rest of the day to themselves. To avoid all those requests for computer, TV and Wii time, I have a peg system. Each child starts the day with two pegs that they can use for 30 minutes of TV, Wii or computer games. However, certain educational websites like Timez Attack or Google Earth are peg-free. They can earn extra pegs by doing chores, or, if they don't use their pegs, they can turn them in at the end of the day for a little money. I am not very strict with this, and often make exceptions, but at least it sends the message that there is a limit to these activities.
For me, it's important that Kingdom Way Academy (the name of our school) take this time in the summer to do different things. It's rejuvinating and gives me the needed mental break before preparation begins for the next school year.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Self-Control - Building Character in your Children
10 Activities about SELF CONTROL:
1) DEFINING SELF CONTROL Not doing what you feel like doing because you know it’s what God wants. Explain that having self control does NOT mean you won’t feel like hitting your brother or throwing the toy or slamming the door. It just means you don’t act on those feelings.
2) BUILDING WORDS Read Jeremiah 24:5-7. God says of his people, that He will build them up, not tear them down. Our words can do those two things as well; they can build up and they can tear down. In fact, nearly all our words fall into those two categories. Teach your children to control their tongue by reminding them to only speak building words.
3) DELAYED GRATIFICATION It’s never too early to start teaching children delayed gratification. Not all rewards are instant! If children help Mom clean the house today, make it a reward to go to the park the next day. The younger children are, the less time they can wait and still be able to associate the two events.
4) ANGER MANAGEMENT Anger in preschoolers is usually rooted in frustration. Typically, it’s because they are not getting their way or they are not being understood. Some tips to help children control this emotion are; 1) Help them use words. If they can’t express themselves, sometimes you can do it for them. “You are frustrated that we can’t go outside to play right now, I understand.” Just being understood can help calm the storm. 2) If they are young, distract them. They’d rather be happy! 3) If they are older, separate them from the situation.
5) NEVER BORED The ability to occupy your mind constructively definitely promotes self control. Billy Graham is quoted as saying, “Only those who want everything done for them are bored.” Teach your children to make their own fun. There’s never an excuse to be bored! “Only small minds are bored” ~ unknown
6) MARSHMALLOW EXPERIMENT Leave your child alone with a marshmallow and a bell. Tell them that if they ring the bell, you will return and they can eat the marshmallow, OR, if they wait for you to come back into the room on your own, they can have 2 marshmallows. See what happens and use the example to talk about and explain self control.
7) FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT Make a fruit tree poster, or some other way to display the fruits of the Spirit that are listed in Galatians 5:22-23. How does self control help us with the other fruits?
8) YES MOMMY. “Self-control is learned in small children by having to say “no” to themselves and “yes” to their parents. We therefore, must offer our children especially strong leadership for the first few years of their life, giving them little say in the decisions we make for them. They must not be included as a part of the “parental leadership team,” not only because they must learn the self-denial which comes from following parental leadership, but because psychologically, their small shoulders can’t handle the stress of running the home. Children, once relieved of such duties, ultimately become secure and happy.” (Reb Bradley) Teach your children to respond to you immediately with a clear “Yes, Mommy.”
1) DEFINING SELF CONTROL Not doing what you feel like doing because you know it’s what God wants. Explain that having self control does NOT mean you won’t feel like hitting your brother or throwing the toy or slamming the door. It just means you don’t act on those feelings.
2) BUILDING WORDS Read Jeremiah 24:5-7. God says of his people, that He will build them up, not tear them down. Our words can do those two things as well; they can build up and they can tear down. In fact, nearly all our words fall into those two categories. Teach your children to control their tongue by reminding them to only speak building words.
3) DELAYED GRATIFICATION It’s never too early to start teaching children delayed gratification. Not all rewards are instant! If children help Mom clean the house today, make it a reward to go to the park the next day. The younger children are, the less time they can wait and still be able to associate the two events.
4) ANGER MANAGEMENT Anger in preschoolers is usually rooted in frustration. Typically, it’s because they are not getting their way or they are not being understood. Some tips to help children control this emotion are; 1) Help them use words. If they can’t express themselves, sometimes you can do it for them. “You are frustrated that we can’t go outside to play right now, I understand.” Just being understood can help calm the storm. 2) If they are young, distract them. They’d rather be happy! 3) If they are older, separate them from the situation.
5) NEVER BORED The ability to occupy your mind constructively definitely promotes self control. Billy Graham is quoted as saying, “Only those who want everything done for them are bored.” Teach your children to make their own fun. There’s never an excuse to be bored! “Only small minds are bored” ~ unknown
6) MARSHMALLOW EXPERIMENT Leave your child alone with a marshmallow and a bell. Tell them that if they ring the bell, you will return and they can eat the marshmallow, OR, if they wait for you to come back into the room on your own, they can have 2 marshmallows. See what happens and use the example to talk about and explain self control.
7) FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT Make a fruit tree poster, or some other way to display the fruits of the Spirit that are listed in Galatians 5:22-23. How does self control help us with the other fruits?
8) YES MOMMY. “Self-control is learned in small children by having to say “no” to themselves and “yes” to their parents. We therefore, must offer our children especially strong leadership for the first few years of their life, giving them little say in the decisions we make for them. They must not be included as a part of the “parental leadership team,” not only because they must learn the self-denial which comes from following parental leadership, but because psychologically, their small shoulders can’t handle the stress of running the home. Children, once relieved of such duties, ultimately become secure and happy.” (Reb Bradley) Teach your children to respond to you immediately with a clear “Yes, Mommy.”
Joy Activities - Building Character in your Children
10 Activities about JOY:
1. “THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH”- Teach your children this wonderful chorus. Teach them that we choose our moods, then, when grumpy attitudes start to appear, just start singing it.
2. BE A BLESSING – Remind your children daily that we are to be a blessing wherever we go. Give them ideas on how to “bless” others (holding doors, smiling, using manners, cleaning up a mess you didn’t make).
3. PREPARE FOR SUCCESS – Nothing will zap a kids joy like undue failure. Make sure your kids are prepared for whatever task or game you embark them on. Not knowing the rules or not having the necessary skills is a definite joy-snatcher.
4. “J.O.Y. DAYS” - Ask your children what they think God wants us to pay attention to. God wants us to put him first (Deut 6:5) then others (Mark 12:31). JOY stands for Jesus first, Yourself last and Others in between. A JOY day is when you do something for everyone else in your house that puts them before you. For example, playing your brothers favorite game with him, even if it’s not your favorite. Parents too.
5. SMILE CONTEST – Just like a staring contest, only see who can smile the longest. It’s contagious!
6. DANCE – Go ahead, pull out those old CD’s (tapes, 8-tracks) and have some fun dancing around the living room with your children. 2 Samuel 6:14 says, “And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment.”
7. FINISH THE FAIRYTALE – Start telling your children a story where everything goes wrong. Then, help them make up a fairytale ending, where everything turns out happily ever after. This helps them to think positively, that things can work out. Life may not always be a fairy tale, but we know that in the great scheme of things God is victorious and we will have our happily ever after in heaven with Him.
8. PLAY TIME – Take time every day to play with your kids, doing something that they request. Make a point to smile, be goofy and play at their level.
9. “___________” DAY – Once a month have a day for each of your children. Let them pick the meals for the day and a family activity for after dinner. They will look forward to their special day all month and this will create many wonderful family memories.
10. BE A BRANCH – Take a walk and look at a variety of plants, noticing the branches and the vines (trunks). Look at some pictures of grapevines. Read John 15:1-11 with your children and ask them what the branches are supposed to do. Ask them if they are a branch. Ask them what kind of fruit they would grow. Then ask what kind of things (fruit) does God (the gardener) want us to grow in our lives. Finish by having them draw a picture of the Gardener, the Vine and the branches.
1. “THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH”- Teach your children this wonderful chorus. Teach them that we choose our moods, then, when grumpy attitudes start to appear, just start singing it.
2. BE A BLESSING – Remind your children daily that we are to be a blessing wherever we go. Give them ideas on how to “bless” others (holding doors, smiling, using manners, cleaning up a mess you didn’t make).
3. PREPARE FOR SUCCESS – Nothing will zap a kids joy like undue failure. Make sure your kids are prepared for whatever task or game you embark them on. Not knowing the rules or not having the necessary skills is a definite joy-snatcher.
4. “J.O.Y. DAYS” - Ask your children what they think God wants us to pay attention to. God wants us to put him first (Deut 6:5) then others (Mark 12:31). JOY stands for Jesus first, Yourself last and Others in between. A JOY day is when you do something for everyone else in your house that puts them before you. For example, playing your brothers favorite game with him, even if it’s not your favorite. Parents too.
5. SMILE CONTEST – Just like a staring contest, only see who can smile the longest. It’s contagious!
6. DANCE – Go ahead, pull out those old CD’s (tapes, 8-tracks) and have some fun dancing around the living room with your children. 2 Samuel 6:14 says, “And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment.”
7. FINISH THE FAIRYTALE – Start telling your children a story where everything goes wrong. Then, help them make up a fairytale ending, where everything turns out happily ever after. This helps them to think positively, that things can work out. Life may not always be a fairy tale, but we know that in the great scheme of things God is victorious and we will have our happily ever after in heaven with Him.
8. PLAY TIME – Take time every day to play with your kids, doing something that they request. Make a point to smile, be goofy and play at their level.
9. “___________” DAY – Once a month have a day for each of your children. Let them pick the meals for the day and a family activity for after dinner. They will look forward to their special day all month and this will create many wonderful family memories.
10. BE A BRANCH – Take a walk and look at a variety of plants, noticing the branches and the vines (trunks). Look at some pictures of grapevines. Read John 15:1-11 with your children and ask them what the branches are supposed to do. Ask them if they are a branch. Ask them what kind of fruit they would grow. Then ask what kind of things (fruit) does God (the gardener) want us to grow in our lives. Finish by having them draw a picture of the Gardener, the Vine and the branches.
Patience Activities - Building Character in your Children
10 Activities about PATIENCE:
1) PLANT A GARDEN Gardening takes patience because we must wait on God’s timing. Plan a garden for the spring….there’s so much they can learn from it! http://www.ehow.com/how_110539_start-vegetable-garden.html
2) MAKE BREAD FROM SCRATCH Start by explaining that most of the work has already been done. We don’t have to plant the grain, tend to it, harvest it, thrash it, winnow it or grind it up. All we have to do is open the bag of flour, mix, knead, rise and bake it. It’s a process that can’t be rushed and requires patience.
3) PACK A PATIENCE BAG Help your child pack a small bag that they can have in the car or take with them to places where they may have to be patient. It can include a notebook, pencil, card game, toy…whatever they choose.
4) ANYTIME/ANYWHERE Teach your child games and activities that they can do anytime anywhere (nothing needed). Some examples are “I SPY”, “20 Questions”, “Rock, Paper, Scissors” or the “And Then” game. (That’s where kids take turns telling a story; when they are ready for the next person to start telling the story they say “And Then”) Include activities they can do alone, like, counting the squares on the floor, count the cars that go by, find every letter in the alphabet, people watching, etc..
5) “FARMER BOY” Read this classic by Laura Ingalls Wilder aloud to your children. They will hear how things used to be. It is the story of what Almonzo’s life was like at 9 years old. Boys and girls will be amazed at how much work was involved in day to day life. They will hear about how Almonzo patiently waited to be able to train his dad’s horses.
6) DO A PUZZLE Constructing a puzzle or a model or anything that takes more than a day, helps a child learn patience. For younger children, playing simple games where the players take turns will encourage patience. You can help them understand the concept by saying, “I am having fun watching everyone else go as I patiently wait for my turn.”
7) A PENNY SAVED Is there something your child really wants? Don’t miss the opportunity to let them earn it themselves. Give them a list of extra chores that you would pay them to do. Let them figure out other ways to earn money (shoveling sidewalks, walking pets) and make it an event when they get to go make their purchase.
8) GO FISHING What a great way to learn patience! So many fun things to look at, to think about and to talk about while you are waiting for the fish to bite. There’s a fishing pond near the intersection of River Styx and Blake Road.
9) PATIENCE IN THE BIBLE Read the stories of Joseph and Jacob. What did Joseph do while he was waiting in jail? What did Jacob do while he was waiting to marry Rachel? (You could also do Job and David). Act out the stories. Do they have anything in common? Does the Lord ever use waiting time to draw us closer to him?
10) WATCH A SUNRISE OR SUNSET Weather permitting, lay outside with your child at dusk and watch the colors change as the sun slowly descends. Notice each little change that happens moment by moment. Then watch the stars pop into view. There’s so much more we see when we patiently watch.
1) PLANT A GARDEN Gardening takes patience because we must wait on God’s timing. Plan a garden for the spring….there’s so much they can learn from it! http://www.ehow.com/how_110539_start-vegetable-garden.html
2) MAKE BREAD FROM SCRATCH Start by explaining that most of the work has already been done. We don’t have to plant the grain, tend to it, harvest it, thrash it, winnow it or grind it up. All we have to do is open the bag of flour, mix, knead, rise and bake it. It’s a process that can’t be rushed and requires patience.
3) PACK A PATIENCE BAG Help your child pack a small bag that they can have in the car or take with them to places where they may have to be patient. It can include a notebook, pencil, card game, toy…whatever they choose.
4) ANYTIME/ANYWHERE Teach your child games and activities that they can do anytime anywhere (nothing needed). Some examples are “I SPY”, “20 Questions”, “Rock, Paper, Scissors” or the “And Then” game. (That’s where kids take turns telling a story; when they are ready for the next person to start telling the story they say “And Then”) Include activities they can do alone, like, counting the squares on the floor, count the cars that go by, find every letter in the alphabet, people watching, etc..
5) “FARMER BOY” Read this classic by Laura Ingalls Wilder aloud to your children. They will hear how things used to be. It is the story of what Almonzo’s life was like at 9 years old. Boys and girls will be amazed at how much work was involved in day to day life. They will hear about how Almonzo patiently waited to be able to train his dad’s horses.
6) DO A PUZZLE Constructing a puzzle or a model or anything that takes more than a day, helps a child learn patience. For younger children, playing simple games where the players take turns will encourage patience. You can help them understand the concept by saying, “I am having fun watching everyone else go as I patiently wait for my turn.”
7) A PENNY SAVED Is there something your child really wants? Don’t miss the opportunity to let them earn it themselves. Give them a list of extra chores that you would pay them to do. Let them figure out other ways to earn money (shoveling sidewalks, walking pets) and make it an event when they get to go make their purchase.
8) GO FISHING What a great way to learn patience! So many fun things to look at, to think about and to talk about while you are waiting for the fish to bite. There’s a fishing pond near the intersection of River Styx and Blake Road.
9) PATIENCE IN THE BIBLE Read the stories of Joseph and Jacob. What did Joseph do while he was waiting in jail? What did Jacob do while he was waiting to marry Rachel? (You could also do Job and David). Act out the stories. Do they have anything in common? Does the Lord ever use waiting time to draw us closer to him?
10) WATCH A SUNRISE OR SUNSET Weather permitting, lay outside with your child at dusk and watch the colors change as the sun slowly descends. Notice each little change that happens moment by moment. Then watch the stars pop into view. There’s so much more we see when we patiently watch.
Trust Activities - Building Character in your Children
10 Activities about TRUST:
1. TRUST AND OBEY- Teach your children the chorus to this hymn. When they are troubled or anxious you can hum it to them as a reminder of who they can trust.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other wayTo be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. MY SHEPHERD – Memorize the 23rd Psalm with your children. 1) Have them draw a picture for each phrase and hang them on the wall in order. They can use the pictures to remember and recite the psalm. 2) Cut out 12 outlines of your child’s foot. Write a phrase on each footstep and have your children memorize it “step by step”. Let them walk on them as they say them. See if they can correctly arrange them.
3. THE DECEIVER – Read and retell the story of Eve and the Serpent. How was Eve deceived? To deceive is to cause or allow someone to believe something that is untrue. Helping children grasp that deceit is the wrecking ball of trust is valuable. Build a “trust” wall of blocks then throw a ball of deceit at it. The wall has to be rebuilt, or it will never be the same.
4. ILLUSIONS – Simple magic tricks are ways to show your children that our senses can be deceived. It’s important to be clear that there is no mysticism or “magic power” or wizardry (see Deuteronomy 18:9-11). Teaching them a few simple tricks (after you amaze them) will show them that they can’t always trust their senses! There are DVD’s at the library that will teach your children some tricks.
5. TRUST FALL – Have your children stand with their back to you, their arms crossed over their chest and their eyes closed. Then tell them to fall back. Please be sure and catch them quickly. If they put their foot back, have them try again. Have them describe how it felt to trust you to catch them. Would they trust their friends to catch them? Why or why not? Explain that God is worthy of our trust, always.
6. FLOATING – Next time your kids are swimming, take some time to show them how to float. Floating is easier when you relax and trust the water to hold you up. How is that similar to our feeling when we trust God?
7. LITTLE JOE – “The Ballad of Little Joe” is a veggie tale show about the life of Joseph (the DVD is available at the library). It clearly shows Joseph trusting God, even in the hard times.
8. “THE VERY WORRIED SPARROW” by Meryl Doney. Read this fun book with your children and discuss how we can trust God to provide for all our needs.
9. I CAN TRUST…. Help your children create a list of the people and things they can trust. My kids came up with things I never thought of, like the sun, time and water.
10. TRUST WALK – Blindfold your kids and lead them through a long walk inside and out (try to confuse their sense of direction). Have them guess where they are at the end before you take off the blindfold. How did it feel being led by someone they trust? We can have that same confidence as God leads us.
1. TRUST AND OBEY- Teach your children the chorus to this hymn. When they are troubled or anxious you can hum it to them as a reminder of who they can trust.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other wayTo be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. MY SHEPHERD – Memorize the 23rd Psalm with your children. 1) Have them draw a picture for each phrase and hang them on the wall in order. They can use the pictures to remember and recite the psalm. 2) Cut out 12 outlines of your child’s foot. Write a phrase on each footstep and have your children memorize it “step by step”. Let them walk on them as they say them. See if they can correctly arrange them.
3. THE DECEIVER – Read and retell the story of Eve and the Serpent. How was Eve deceived? To deceive is to cause or allow someone to believe something that is untrue. Helping children grasp that deceit is the wrecking ball of trust is valuable. Build a “trust” wall of blocks then throw a ball of deceit at it. The wall has to be rebuilt, or it will never be the same.
4. ILLUSIONS – Simple magic tricks are ways to show your children that our senses can be deceived. It’s important to be clear that there is no mysticism or “magic power” or wizardry (see Deuteronomy 18:9-11). Teaching them a few simple tricks (after you amaze them) will show them that they can’t always trust their senses! There are DVD’s at the library that will teach your children some tricks.
5. TRUST FALL – Have your children stand with their back to you, their arms crossed over their chest and their eyes closed. Then tell them to fall back. Please be sure and catch them quickly. If they put their foot back, have them try again. Have them describe how it felt to trust you to catch them. Would they trust their friends to catch them? Why or why not? Explain that God is worthy of our trust, always.
6. FLOATING – Next time your kids are swimming, take some time to show them how to float. Floating is easier when you relax and trust the water to hold you up. How is that similar to our feeling when we trust God?
7. LITTLE JOE – “The Ballad of Little Joe” is a veggie tale show about the life of Joseph (the DVD is available at the library). It clearly shows Joseph trusting God, even in the hard times.
8. “THE VERY WORRIED SPARROW” by Meryl Doney. Read this fun book with your children and discuss how we can trust God to provide for all our needs.
9. I CAN TRUST…. Help your children create a list of the people and things they can trust. My kids came up with things I never thought of, like the sun, time and water.
10. TRUST WALK – Blindfold your kids and lead them through a long walk inside and out (try to confuse their sense of direction). Have them guess where they are at the end before you take off the blindfold. How did it feel being led by someone they trust? We can have that same confidence as God leads us.
Stewardship Activities - Building Character in your Children
10 Activities about STEWARDSHIP:
1. HEALTHY EATING – Help your children establish healthy eating at a young age. Explain that this body is our vehicle while on earth and we need to keep it in tiptop shape! Here are some tips that I have found helpful.
a) Serve dessert occasionally, maybe a couple times a week.
b) Don’t make your children clean their plate. Allow them to serve themselves to choose their portions. They should have a little of each of the healthy choices you provide.
c) No foods are “bad” and YOU LIKE EVERYTHING! Teach them about anytime foods (veggies and fruit) and once in awhile foods (chips, fried foods, processed meat, sweets)
d) If you are picky, if you snack all day, if you eat junk, if you overeat, your children will model your behavior. OUCH!
2. TRAINING THE BODY – Kids need to know that they can train their body to accomplish things. If they dribble a soccer ball every day, their body will learn to react quicker and be more efficient…and they will become proficient! Same with basketball or ballet or video games or playing an instrument. Our bodies need to be trained to become good at something. It takes persistent effort. To illustrate this, you could time your child holding their breath. Do it a few times a day for a week and show them how they “trained their body”. Explain that this works with other activities. Then help your child pick an activity to do every day for 15 minutes.
3. SLEEP NEEDS – Many kids are walking around with sleep debts. Make it a priority for your whole family to get enough sleep. You will be amazed at the results.
4. NERF (Nutrition, Exercise, Rest, Fun) – All of these are needed for optimal health. We’ve discussed the first three. Encourage your children to create their own fun. Get away from the need to be entertained and help them use their imagination. Put on plays or skits about a Bible story; put on a circus; play “And Then”.
5. 10 MINUTE TIDY – God calls us to be good stewards of all he has given us…and that includes our toys. Toys that are left out lose their pieces or get stepped on and broken. Make a game out of clean up. Set a timer and play some music.
6. INSPECTION – Work with you child to create an age appropriate check list for inspection. Items that might be on it are: finger nails, hands, closet floor, behind the ears, under the bed, bathroom sink area…etc. You can have scheduled inspections or surprise ones. Give them a score and reward them for having a good inspection.
7. MONEY IS A TOOL – Show your children some tools (hammer, screwdriver, level, saw). Ask them what each one does. How silly would it be for someone to cling to a saw when they don’t ever cut anything? Money is a tool. We don’t cling to tools, we use them. As believers, money is a tool that God gives us to do His work.
8. BE A BLESSING – Remind your children daily that we are to be a blessing wherever we go. Give them ideas on how to “bless” others (holding doors, smiling, using manners, cleaning up a mess you didn’t make).
9. WASTE NOT WANT NOT – Take your kids to tour the large transfer station in Seville. They will be amazed at the volume of garbage processed there! They will also give you tips on how to dispose of the garbage so that they can recycle. Discuss recycling with your kids and make a family plan.
10. NUMBER YOUR DAYS – Figure out how many days your child has been alive, figure out how many days you have been alive. Tell your children that each day is a special gift from God for them to use. What will they do with it? Give tomorrow a “number” and plan a special day.
1. HEALTHY EATING – Help your children establish healthy eating at a young age. Explain that this body is our vehicle while on earth and we need to keep it in tiptop shape! Here are some tips that I have found helpful.
a) Serve dessert occasionally, maybe a couple times a week.
b) Don’t make your children clean their plate. Allow them to serve themselves to choose their portions. They should have a little of each of the healthy choices you provide.
c) No foods are “bad” and YOU LIKE EVERYTHING! Teach them about anytime foods (veggies and fruit) and once in awhile foods (chips, fried foods, processed meat, sweets)
d) If you are picky, if you snack all day, if you eat junk, if you overeat, your children will model your behavior. OUCH!
2. TRAINING THE BODY – Kids need to know that they can train their body to accomplish things. If they dribble a soccer ball every day, their body will learn to react quicker and be more efficient…and they will become proficient! Same with basketball or ballet or video games or playing an instrument. Our bodies need to be trained to become good at something. It takes persistent effort. To illustrate this, you could time your child holding their breath. Do it a few times a day for a week and show them how they “trained their body”. Explain that this works with other activities. Then help your child pick an activity to do every day for 15 minutes.
3. SLEEP NEEDS – Many kids are walking around with sleep debts. Make it a priority for your whole family to get enough sleep. You will be amazed at the results.
4. NERF (Nutrition, Exercise, Rest, Fun) – All of these are needed for optimal health. We’ve discussed the first three. Encourage your children to create their own fun. Get away from the need to be entertained and help them use their imagination. Put on plays or skits about a Bible story; put on a circus; play “And Then”.
5. 10 MINUTE TIDY – God calls us to be good stewards of all he has given us…and that includes our toys. Toys that are left out lose their pieces or get stepped on and broken. Make a game out of clean up. Set a timer and play some music.
6. INSPECTION – Work with you child to create an age appropriate check list for inspection. Items that might be on it are: finger nails, hands, closet floor, behind the ears, under the bed, bathroom sink area…etc. You can have scheduled inspections or surprise ones. Give them a score and reward them for having a good inspection.
7. MONEY IS A TOOL – Show your children some tools (hammer, screwdriver, level, saw). Ask them what each one does. How silly would it be for someone to cling to a saw when they don’t ever cut anything? Money is a tool. We don’t cling to tools, we use them. As believers, money is a tool that God gives us to do His work.
8. BE A BLESSING – Remind your children daily that we are to be a blessing wherever we go. Give them ideas on how to “bless” others (holding doors, smiling, using manners, cleaning up a mess you didn’t make).
9. WASTE NOT WANT NOT – Take your kids to tour the large transfer station in Seville. They will be amazed at the volume of garbage processed there! They will also give you tips on how to dispose of the garbage so that they can recycle. Discuss recycling with your kids and make a family plan.
10. NUMBER YOUR DAYS – Figure out how many days your child has been alive, figure out how many days you have been alive. Tell your children that each day is a special gift from God for them to use. What will they do with it? Give tomorrow a “number” and plan a special day.
Orderliness Activities - Building Character in your Children
10 Activities about ORDERLINESS:
1. EVERYTHING HAS A PLACE Help your child go through their room and make sure everything has a place. If they know where everything belongs, it is much easier for them to keep their room tidy. Make it fun by pretending that the toys have an opinion about it (like in Toy Story).
2. CREATION Draw a picture about each day of Creation, and then try mixing up the order. If God had created the animals first, He wouldn’t have had anywhere to put them! God is a God of order, and He does everything in the best, most logical way. Ask your children to point out things that have to be done in order (like getting ready for bed).
3. “STEPS” POSTER Pick an area where your child needs more order (picking up room, getting ready for bed, doing chores, etc). Help them create a poster with the steps to getting it done. It should be between 3-4 steps. Make it colorful and fun. They will love following their poster’s direction!
4. BOOKCASE FUN Orderliness includes sequencing, classifying, categorizing and coordinating. Many of these can be learned using a bookcase. Have them count their books. Have them organize them by subject. Have them arrange them by size. Have them sort out the books that they don’t read anymore to be donated somewhere.
5. CLASSIFY ANIMALS Find some old animal magazines and have the kids cut out pictures of every kind of animal. The more the better. Or you can purchase animal cards. Then, find 3 boxes and some index cards to make labels for them. Your children will love sorting them! Some possible labels are (carnivore, omnivore, herbivore) (water dweller, land dweller, air dweller) (wild animals, domestic animals)
6. A TIME FOR EVERY PURPOSE Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 with your children and discuss verse one. Ask them what they need to do each day. Eat, sleep, play, learn, chores, help others, pray. Moms - make sure you take time each day to play with your kids. This time with them will go fast.
7. A YEAR IN 12 DAYS This takes a little preparation, but can be a fun thing to do in the winter. Have a January day (celebrate the New Year, play in the snow, have hot chocolate), then, the next day do a February day (make Valentines…), then March…all the way through December. It’s a fun way to show the kids the sequence of a year.
8. WHAT SEASON Make a sign for each season and space them out on the floor. Then ask your kids questions and they respond by getting to the right season. For example, when do we go sledding? When is Daddy’s birthday? When do we celebrate Thanksgiving? When do the flowers come up?
9. DAILY SCHEDULE Most kids like to know what will be happening each day. There is comfort in knowing what to expect. Make a simple schedule that works with yours that your children can follow.
10. CLEANING OUT Help your children learn to clean out a space using the 3 box method (“Put Away”, “Give Away” and “Throw Away”) . First, let them help you do one of your areas, so they get the idea, then do one of theirs.
1. EVERYTHING HAS A PLACE Help your child go through their room and make sure everything has a place. If they know where everything belongs, it is much easier for them to keep their room tidy. Make it fun by pretending that the toys have an opinion about it (like in Toy Story).
2. CREATION Draw a picture about each day of Creation, and then try mixing up the order. If God had created the animals first, He wouldn’t have had anywhere to put them! God is a God of order, and He does everything in the best, most logical way. Ask your children to point out things that have to be done in order (like getting ready for bed).
3. “STEPS” POSTER Pick an area where your child needs more order (picking up room, getting ready for bed, doing chores, etc). Help them create a poster with the steps to getting it done. It should be between 3-4 steps. Make it colorful and fun. They will love following their poster’s direction!
4. BOOKCASE FUN Orderliness includes sequencing, classifying, categorizing and coordinating. Many of these can be learned using a bookcase. Have them count their books. Have them organize them by subject. Have them arrange them by size. Have them sort out the books that they don’t read anymore to be donated somewhere.
5. CLASSIFY ANIMALS Find some old animal magazines and have the kids cut out pictures of every kind of animal. The more the better. Or you can purchase animal cards. Then, find 3 boxes and some index cards to make labels for them. Your children will love sorting them! Some possible labels are (carnivore, omnivore, herbivore) (water dweller, land dweller, air dweller) (wild animals, domestic animals)
6. A TIME FOR EVERY PURPOSE Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 with your children and discuss verse one. Ask them what they need to do each day. Eat, sleep, play, learn, chores, help others, pray. Moms - make sure you take time each day to play with your kids. This time with them will go fast.
7. A YEAR IN 12 DAYS This takes a little preparation, but can be a fun thing to do in the winter. Have a January day (celebrate the New Year, play in the snow, have hot chocolate), then, the next day do a February day (make Valentines…), then March…all the way through December. It’s a fun way to show the kids the sequence of a year.
8. WHAT SEASON Make a sign for each season and space them out on the floor. Then ask your kids questions and they respond by getting to the right season. For example, when do we go sledding? When is Daddy’s birthday? When do we celebrate Thanksgiving? When do the flowers come up?
9. DAILY SCHEDULE Most kids like to know what will be happening each day. There is comfort in knowing what to expect. Make a simple schedule that works with yours that your children can follow.
10. CLEANING OUT Help your children learn to clean out a space using the 3 box method (“Put Away”, “Give Away” and “Throw Away”) . First, let them help you do one of your areas, so they get the idea, then do one of theirs.
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