The world our children live and play in is vastly different than the one where I grew up. I remember flying out the back door as fast as my feet would take me to play for hours and hours getting mud-stained and scratched up on the woods, only to return because my belly was rumbling from hunger. I ran with a pack of neighborhood kids who were fun, bold, challenging and at times unjust.
By climbing trees, building forts, jumping into leaf piles, playing soccer, and kill-the-man, I eventually determined what was safe for my body and what was not. My parents instilled morals and values at home, but it was out of their shadow, playing amongst my friends, where I determined what kind of person I would to be.
This week’s theme focuses on what kind of person our kids want to be on the inside.
Part of the reason many of us parent the way we do and/or homeschool is to minimize the negative influences on our children and foster a greater sense of confidence and connection to their world. I feel fortunate to be so intimate with such a diverse group of families. I am aware of just how rare our judgment-free community is which places so much attention on connection and conflict resolution. With out conflict in such a safe community with such wonderful people, our children would not get to test out their skills and become the people we want them to be… confident, empowered and compassionate.
2:00 pm – Emotions, Empathy & Empowerment Games
The activities and crafts this week have been chosen by Kristen (one of our M&B Moms) to encourage a greater Sense of Self. Working from the book 300 Self- Esteem games for kids, by Barbara Sher, a therapist and author with an extensive background in child development, Kristen wanted me to share this quote by Sher. “Self-esteem games show children that it is OK to be themselves, because the essence of self-esteem is to know and accept who we are just as we are now- not begrudging acceptance, as in ‘This is as good as we can get,’ but a satisfying appreciation, as in ‘This is who we are, this is the unique sound of our notes on the keyboard of humanity.’”
Please come join us for a heart-felt, fun-filled day this Thursday October 20th, as Kristen creates a safe environment for our children to tap into their wide-range of emotions as well as build upon their abilities to express empathy for their playmates.
Kristen will read books about being true to yourself, play self-esteem games, dance to the “feeling” of music and help the kids (and parents) make their own cornhusk friends & family dolls.
She will be exploring:
~ Everyday feelings and reactions
~ Enjoying being unique – like everyone else!
~ Building confidence by getting to know your feelings and senses
~ Knowing strengths and abilities
~ Finding ways to take care of yourself in unsettling situations
**Online Bonus for Parents from the Echo Center of Parenting & Education: Wheel of Awareness exercise by Daniel Siegel world famous author, neurobiologist and psychiatrist.
