Mean to Serene

My son has crossed the 3.5 year old threshold.  For those of you with kids, you know what I mean.  Let me explain, it is a developmental phase where preschoolers test EVERYTHING.  They do not have the emotional and cognitive maturity to communicate what they need in a calm and rational way.  My preschooler, chooses to whine, yell, hit, and throw tantrums.  I have been at my wits end.  This seemingly happy,  easy child has turned into, for lack of a better word, a devil!
Yesterday, I asked his Montessori teacher if a behavior chart would work.  Coming from a public school, these worked for us, but I wasn't sure if it would work for my son.  Simon's teacher suggested something even better, A Calming Jar.  Simply fill a mason jar with water, food coloring, and glitter.  The theory is, when the child is frustrated, give them the jar.  Have them watch the glitter fall to the bottom.  The visual cue, will help the child calm down.
We just made our Calming Jar this morning, so I'm hoping (with all of my digits crossed) that this will work.

Has anyone made a Calming Jar?  What other calm discipline techniques have you tried?  Let me know!!!

The 30 Day TV Detox- Days 26-30

Chair Run

     Yesterday we spent an unexpected day with daddy.  When he his home, our day is usually colorful, and filled with little squeals of joy (at least from Vivi).  Daddy introduced the "office chair" to our repertoire of things to do without TV.  First, they chased the dog around the house.  I caught poor Bingo hiding on his couch, begging me to protect him. Next, they twirled around until they were dazed and confused.  Last, Dustin ran them up and down the kitchen as fast as he could.  

    I hope you enjoyed following us on this TV detox journey.  I believe this forced me to engage my children with creative thinking and we had a better flow and structure to our day.  Has this series inspired your family to limit TV?  I'd be interested in hearing about your adventures!  

The 30 Day TV Detox- Day 25

Splish Splash, The Little People Take a Bath

We don't have any sensory tables in the house.  The next best thing are big bowls, filled with anything the kids are into.  Today it was water.  We gave the toys an hour long bath with an aspirator and a medicine dropper.  

The 30 Day TV Detox- Day 24

Make A Construction Site

Simon seems bored with most of his toys, and I'm busy making a roast for my husband (sarcasm). 

A construction site seems like a great idea.  Simon found some craft tape, and went to town. 

The 30 Day TV Detox- Days 18-23

Happy Halloween

If your wondering about the TV Detox, well we are still doing it, as best as we can.. I've slacked a bit (shame on me).  But this is HARD!!!  It's time to get back on track.. I'll be posting some random things we've been doing around the house tomorrow.  But today, let's celebrate!!!  Have a Safe and Happy Halloween.  

What will your little ones dress as today?  I'm still not sure.. I think Mr. S. will be either a fireman or a construction worker.  Miss V., I probably won't be able to get her out of these jammies.  Maybe I'll throw on a cowgirl hat?  

The 30 Day TV Detox- Days 13-17

Indian Summer and Pumpkins

     This week has been crazy busy with activities, school, and catching up on housework.  In the midst of all this, we took some time out to enjoy this Indian Summer.  Yesterday I took the kids and the dog for a walk around the neighborhood.  Most of the leaves have fallen, and they look like thick carpet on most of my neighbors' lawns.  

     In the afternoon, Dustin and I took the kids to The Children's Farm ,in Palos Park, to pick our own pumpkins.  The kids had a blast with daddy getting thrown in the air, and of course picking two pumpkins.  

The 30 Day TV Detox- Day 12

Play and Enrichment

The other day, I rearranged the kid's play corner in our living room.  Since Simon attends Montessori, I wanted to create a space where he can play and where he can reinforce the skills he learns in school.  He loves puzzles, so I dug out a tangram book.  He spent a good 45 minutes trying to switch around the shapes until they fit.  I found another fun Montessori inspired activity on Pinterest (via the blog The Wonder Years,) where I gave Simon a piece of styrofoam, golf tees, and a hammer.  Before I found this activity, he had already discovered how to screw holes in styrofoam with real screws. The result was styrofoam all over the house.  This time, I controlled his environment!  Nonetheless, his favorite things to work with are toys and building, so this was the perfect activity for him.  

If any of you have any cool Montessori activities to share, please send them my way!