Do You Hear Me?

Do you ever wonder if anyone is really there? In the rush of life sometimes it seems as though we go from place to place, activity to activity. Think of what it is like for a young child. They need to stand on a chair to look in our eyes. They need a stool to get a glass out of a cupboard. They live in a world and in space designed by adults for adults ... with an occasional playroom.

Do you hear me? They tug on our sleeves and want us to look at them.
Do you see me? They talk louder to see if we are looking.

Stop.
Take a breath.

When you see sound ... you have heard me.

Dear Principal ...

I am very glad that you had me attend the Primary Project workshop. After many years of working with children with school adjustment problems, I was surprised at how much I had forgotten. For example, 1) I am there for the children and not the teachers, 2) I have stopped using some very basic techniques for helping the children, and 3) I am missing many opportunities to work with children whom I could really help have a better school experience.


Signed,
Child Associate

Changing Colors and The Environment

This is a beautiful time of year in upstate New York. The leaves are changing, the moon seems so big, there is a crispness in the air. Last week we got the "tease" of snow ... it "smelled" a bit of snow and then rain .... well it felt light and fluffy as it gently hit my face. It is one of the things I have learned to love since moving from California 17 years ago. I even made a "leaf print". Remember how to do that? Turn the leaf upside down, put a paper on top and take they crayon to see the patterns emerge.

The Environment. I had the opportunity to conduct a training in another state recently. While I was anticipating 40 there ended up being 75 in the group. It was perhaps the last warm day of the fall and the temperature in the room was rising. While I thought it was at least 85 in the room, it probably was only 75 - 80! Participants were stuffed into a room that was not conducive for training or learning. Boxes piled high in one corner. The overhead projection was only visible for 25% of the group, there weren't enough tables, etc. By the end of the day we were cooked. The environment was not conducive to learning.

Think about your playroom. It is conducive to play? Is it simple and welcoming or it is overwhelming? Can you take half of the things out of the space ... you know kids will find plenty to do ... because they only have two hands ... it is YOU that is with them.

The space says so much.

What two things are you going to "cycle out" today?
Let us know!

Congratulations California

Scott Lindstrom says: "Still nurturing the hearts and minds of many thousands of children, teachers, and familes!"

Congratuations California! The budget is finally passed and children are still a priority through the Early Mental Health Initiative ... the budget item that supports the implementation of the Primary Intervention Program (the CA name for Primary Project!).

The amount: $15million

Way to go!

Today's Practice of the ACT model

Can I write on your knees?

A(Acknowledge) You want to write on my knees
C(Communication limit) We don’t write on each other here
T (Target alternative) There is some paper you can write one

Setting Limits

Every once in a while it is necessary to set a limit for a child in the playroom. That is why when we introduce a child to the playroom saying "you can do most anything you want in the playroom." A great strategy is the ACT model outlined by Garry Landreth.

Acknowledge the child's wishes, feelings, and wants
Communicate the limit
Target an acceptable alternative

It doesn't happen very often but you know when it is necessary! In fact last weekend I used it when I was leading a group of kids in an activity. Instead of the traditional, "no you can't do it" I utilized the ACT model. It worked! And it was so much more positive than "no".

I don’t have one of these can I take it?
A I see that you really like that
C In here all the toys stay here
T It will be here tomorrow

Check back soon for some real life scenerios of limit setting!!!

http://www.childrensinstitute.net/
djohnson@childrensinstitute.net
mpeabody@childrensinstitute.net

New Project Training

Ahhh the busyness of fall! New project trainings all over the country. A couple of weeks ago we were in Florida, last week in Plattsburg, this week Arkansas, Washington DC and New York! While it is always a busy time for us, it is also a very exciting time! There is nothing quite like spending a few hours learning about child centered play! The work will continue with trainings still to come in Hawaii, Boston, Connecticut and Canada!

What are you doing to kick off the year with Primary Project?

Thank You Emory

Today, fifty people reminisced about the history of Children Institute and in particular about Emory Cowen, the prolific researcher in the field of preventive mental health programs, and father of "Primary Project". It reminded me of a family event, when the elders share their knowledge and wisdom with the younger ones in the family. It was a room filled of stories, as the historians who knew him personally shared memories and dreams of what he hoped for children.

Children's Institute continues to grow and changes with each passing decade and yet at the heart remains children and primary prevention. Storytelling...passing memories and legacies on. Primary Project is deeply rich in history. Still today focuses on promoting competencies early in the lives of children so that children will succeed in school and ultimately in life. We are part of the story. Thank you Emory.

Mary Anne

www.childrensinstitute.net

Fall Newsletter

http://www.childrensinstitute.net/sites/default/files/documents/from-the-playroom-fall-10.pdf

Check out our fall newsletter!

Feelings

There are so many feeling words that one can use with children and others in your daily journey. Today I had the JOY of training an experienced group of folks in Florida! We talked about our selves as emotional beings! This means using words to express what we are feeling in given situations. There are so many options!

What feeling words do you use most in the playroom?

Debbie

djohnson@childrensinstitute.net
www.childrensinstitute.net

Whirly Gig Creativity

I just returned this evening from the local bookstore. I wandered and wandered, losing myself for a couple of hours in all the choices. I didn't really have a set idea of what I wanted, I just explored and enjoyed all the possibilities. Eventually, I ended up in the kids section, which is always a favorite spot ... especially if I am not in a hurry. You see, I really like the "pop up books." If you are lucky, there are one or two that no longer have the plastic wrap around them ... a wonderful invitational surprise awaiting with each turn of the page. Unexpected whirly gig paper creations emerge. Intricate, delicate, and marvelous designs that wait patiently for someone to discover them.

That's similar to what we give the children in Primary Project. Each child has intricate gifts, surprises, and whirly gig creatively hiding inside them. For some children, showing this side is difficult, especially in a new classroom with a new teacher and new peers. By taking time to build a relationship, based on the expressive nature of play, we help children to feel comfortable opening up, allowing their unique, special, and creative sides to unfold. How wonderful!

Mary Anne

http://www.primaryproject.blogspot.com/
http://www.childrensinstitute.net

A New School Year

Welcome to the 21st century and the opportunity to share with one another about Primary Project! While we tried to establish a blog last year, things didn't work out as well as we had hoped. So we will try it again.

First, let me introduce you to the two primary bloggers:
Debbie Johnson (aka Deb Johnson as known in New York and Deborah Johnson as known in California). Those that knew me between birth and 25 years all called me Debbie ... so I often revert back to that which stuck in the deep recesses of my mind.

my partner in blogging is

Mary Anne Peabody. (aka Mary Anne in most areas of the world and MAP as known at Children's Institute). Mary Anne sees play as vital to understanding the world of young children and thinks it is serendipitous that she found Primary Project, or was it Primary Project found her? Hmmm....

We will be the ones who will muse with you regarding Primary Project and the wonderful things happening for children around the world. We hope that you too will touch base with us, ask questions, and respond to what we write.

If you want to write us directly ...
djohnson@childrensinstitute.net or
mpeabody@childrensinstitute.net

More to come!