How to Encourage ADHD Children? Find & List Down Their Strengths

Hand out a form for each member of the team to fill

How?

Here are 7 steps:

1. Make a form to list the 3 strengths of the ADHD child (i.e. the things the child is good at) and 3 things one like about the child as follows:

Think of three strengths (i.e. things he is good at):
1.
2.
3.

Think of three things you like about Jeffrey:
1.
2.
3.

2. Give a sheet to everyone in the immediate family of the child and his teacher, if she is willing to participate.

3. Ask them to think, reflect and write down their answers

4. Then pray hard that hearts would be moved to see the good in each special ADHD child and leave it to God. If they have mental blocks, the following list of strengths may help them to reflect.

Some Possible Strengths of Children with ADHD:

If you could not think of any strengths, consider the following and see if any of them describe your child. Though not all will describe your child, as each ADHD child is special, you would definitely find one that describes your child:

- Athletic
- Artistic
- Articulate - can say things well
- Big picture thinker
- Caring
- Cheerful
- Creative
- Compassionate
- Courageous
- Curious
- Eager to make new friends
- Enthusiastic
- Empathy - Understand what it's like to be teased or to be in trouble, so are understanding of other kids
- Entrepreneurship
- Energetic
- Forgiving
- Friendly
- Happy-go-lucky
- Helpful - Volunteer to help others
- Honest
- Humorous - Good sense of humour
- Hyperfocus
- Imaginative
- Innovative
- Intelligence
- Inquisitive
- Interested in new things
- Genuine
- Get along well with adults
- Great memory
- Kind
- Perceptive ways to do things
- Playful
- Multi-tasking - Can do several things at one time
- Optimistic
- Ready to talk, can talk a lot
- Scouting
- Spontaneous
- See details that other people miss
- Thinking outside the box - Can think of different and new ways of doing things
- Very good at taking care of younger kids
- Willing to try things - take risks
- Warm and loving

5. Sit down with the child and share with him all the strengths that others see in him to encourage him.

6. Tell the child that when he feels down, he should take the list out and remind himself of how useful he is to the society with his strengths (no matter how small the strengths are. Actually, there are no small strengths.)

7. Work with the child to take advantage of their strengths.

ADHD children CAN DO WELL in life, if they take advantage of their strengths. Now that you have taken stock of your child's strengths, work together as a team to help your child take advantage of his strengths to their benefit and to the benefit of the society. It is not something that is achieved overnight, but a long-term project and through it all, your child and you will mature and learn a lot during the process. It may be hard going, and at times, you feel as if you don't see the end of the tunnel. Remember that when things seem bleak, God is in control and has a good purpose. Trust Him. The following Bible verses encourages me:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28

God's plan for His children is always good. Often it is the adversity that humbles us, makes us stronger and helps us to become a person more than the ordinary. Remember Richard Brandson? If not for his life experiences, he would not be who he is today. If he does not have ADHD, he may not have achieved what he did today. We have to trust Him and trust in His Word. His plan for us is always good:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

References:
http://addkids.tripod.com/positives.html

http://www.thebettermom.com/2015/9/22/discovering-your-childs-unique-gifts

Contributions from Nai Nai

How to Boost the Self-Esteem of an ADHD Child?

• The most important factor that will determine your child’s future success is his view of himself. That view is molded by you. If you support your child, build his self-esteem, and teach him to value his talents and uniqueness, then his ADHD can be to his advantage. However, if you allow school difficulties to define him as a failure, then your child will find it very hard to rise above that. Ultimately, it is how you teach your child to value his uniqueness that will make the difference for your child.

They are always battling the feelings of inferiority and incompetence. Kids with ADHD may feel like they aren't good at anything and can't seem to please anyone. Help your child find ways to excel.

1. Spend Time with Your Child

• A quality time together can help your ADHD child a lot. They will feel that they are not alone and that you love them. So have fun with your ADHD child.

• Tell your child that he is so important and valuable that it is worth me flying over from Denmark to spend time with him. So he should not feel low about himself.

2. Show your child examples of successful people with ADHD who have done well in life.

• Having ADHD is challenging, but there are those who are successful despite it (or even perhaps because of it?)

• Give your child positive examples of successful people with ADD (ADHD). There are now stories about famous athletes, Hollywood celebrities, politicians, comedians and business entrepreneurs with ADD (ADHD). For example, Quinn specializes in treating children and adults with ADHD. She has the disorder, as do three of her four children. She has consulted for pharmaceutical companies and has written numerous books about ADHD

• Success is not defined by what disorder one has but what a person can achieve with or without ADHD.

3. Help Your Child to Discover His Strengths and Find Ways to Excel

• The first step in trying to build self-esteem in a child with ADHD is playing to his or her strengths. "If a kid is struggling in school, try to find something outside of school that he or she can feel successful at," Dr. Kurtz says. Then, as the child gains more self-confidence, offer frequent reminders that he or she can be successful in school. Also, work with the child's teachers to continue to encourage him academically by playing to specific scholastic strengths.

• Your role is to encourage your child in areas where he demonstrates a special ability, whether it's in painting, a sport, or storytelling. Assuring a child he's good at something makes him feel valuable.

4. Focus on the Positive

• Get your child to write a list of everything they like about themselves, such as their good characteristics and things they can do.

• Get everyone in the family to write 3-5 things about what they like about Jeff.

• Stick it on the bedroom wall or in the kitchen, so it can be seen every day.

• Encourage your child to add to it regularly.

5. Make Your Child Feel Needed

• As you give them simple task at home, let them feel that they are needed and what they do is significant. With this, they will feel that they are important at home and what they do matter.

6. Set Realistic Goals and Find Things that Your Child Can Accomplish

• Ultimately self-confidence comes from having accomplished things worth being proud of.

• Set goals that are easily achieved and watch your child's confidence grow.

• Make tasks a joint effort: "I'll clean up with you," or "Let me be your clean-up assistant."

7. Give Encouragement & Constructive Criticism

• Encouragement is NOT giving compliments for work poorly done, but under those circumstances it IS inspiring your child to work harder and do better. Even failures can be outstanding learning experiences.

• Reserve Praise for things well done. Where Encouragement is given for effort, Praise is given for accomplishment. Just say, "That's a good start, keep at it," when the work is not yet worthy of praise.

• Say: "I believe in you. I see your effort. Keep going!" "You're trying very hard and you almost have it!" "You're right. Sophia is good at catching. And you're good at painting pictures."

• "I like the way that you did that," or "I know that you can do it," or, "It looks like you worked very hard at that."

• So, if your child is struggling with a piece of school work, don't say 'you're stupid', but 'I loved the way you read the first page. It's only a couple of words you're stumbling on. That word is…'

• Use positive statements to motivate your child and preserve his self-esteem. For instance, instead of saying, "Stop throwing a tantrum," say "Once you show me you have control over your body, we can talk about what you want."

• Try the 'sandwich approach,' also called the good/bad/good technique. For example, if you need to remind your child to follow directions, start out by offering him some good news: "You have a very special and wonderful way of seeing the world." Then bridge to what your child needs help with: "I noticed that you have trouble following directions and we're going to help you with that." Follow up with another positive: "I remember yesterday that you picked up your toys like I asked you to and I'm very proud of you."

8. Praise and Reward

• You need to make your child feel positive about themselves, so try and give praise wherever possible. This can be for large or small actions – for example if they have tried hard at school or helped clear up after a meal. As well as verbal praise, giving small rewards can highlight accomplishments. Praise can be a powerful motivator.

• Kids with ADHD also seem to benefit from seeing their successes accrue visually, so it helps to keep track of them on a chart. The gold stars they get serve as reminders that they can do well. You may even give your child a special treat after he earns a certain number of stars.

9. Teach Your Child Not To Be Afraid of Failures and Making Mistakes

• Fear of failure and low self-esteem keeps many children from putting effort into things, such as sports or homework, because they expect to fail.

10. Love and Trust

• Don't attach conditions to your love. Your child needs to know you love them no matter how they behave. Tell your child they are special and let them know you trust and respect them.

11. Sports and Hobbies

• Joining a club or having a hobby can build self-esteem. Depending on your child's interests, the activity could be swimming, dancing, martial arts, crafts or cooking. No matter what the hobby, your child will gain new skills to be proud of – and for you to praise. Sometimes children with ADHD will go off their activity, so be prepared to come up with new ideas.

References:
http://www.additudemag.com/search/keyword/Self%20Esteem.html
http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/features/6-parenting-tips-for-raising-kids-with-adhd?page=3
http://www.babycenter.com/0_behavior-therapy-and-parent-training-for-adhd_67406.bc?page=2
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/adhd/selfesteem.htm
http://www.everydayhealth.com/adhd/living-with/tips/adhd-children-building-self-confidence.aspx
http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-boost-your-adhd-childs-self-esteem_67384.bc
http://newideas.net/selfestm.htm
http://www.babycenter.com/0_ten-ways-to-build-your-childs-self-esteem_65569.bc

How to Break the News of ADHD to Your Child?

Here is a compilation of ideas from my research:

Be honest and upfront. The child really needs to understand that it’s just part of who he or she is and it’s really something they can control.” Here are some suggestions for how you can help your child understand her condition:

• "You have something called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. That is a lot of words, so people often just refer to it as ADHD or ADD. ADHD is only part of who you are. It does not define who you are as a person or who you will become as an adult.

1. Fast Brain

• ADD means you have a race-car brain. Do you know what a turbocharged engine is? Your brain works “very fast” and even faster than most people around them. You are not alone. Every person is different in many different ways and we should celebrate these differences.

• The only problem is that sometimes it goes too fast. And it needs special motor oil so it won't overheat. But with the right brakes and oil, it wins lots of races." Intrigued, Jed eyes me. He wants to hear more.

• Say: "You know how you sometimes have trouble paying attention in school? That's because your mind is zipping around all over the place, bursting with new ideas. And that's great! That's why you'll do amazing things and have fun all your life. But you need help taking care of your race-car brain, so I'm going to teach you how to put on the brakes."

2. Kids Are Different

• Kids differ in lots of ways. Some are short and some are tall. Some are really fast and others are not so fast. Some can read really well and some have a harder time learning to read. Kids also differ in how energetic they are and in how their mind works. Some children like to sit quietly for a long time. Children like you have so much energy that it's hard for them to sit quietly for very long.

• While it may be easy for some children to wait their turn or sit still and listen, ADHD children have to work twice as hard at it. You can use the example of trying to type on a computer with gloves or ride a bike while wearing heavy weights--you can do these things, but extra effort is required.

• Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid – A. Einstein

3. Positive Traits
• In fact, there are many positive traits associated with ADD (ADHD) - such as creativity, energy, enthusiasm, and ability to hyper-focus and these traits may be advantages to you later in life, but for now, often, the very same traits that make the classroom difficult. ADHD children constantly have new ideas and are full of energy. This can be used to your benefit.

• “Often, kids with ADHD are very bright," Quinn says. "They know what to do, but they simply don’t know how to get started, they don’t stick with it, and people may misinterpret that.”

• Having all this energy can be great for some things, but when you have to sit still and pay attention to something - like you have to do at school - it can make things difficult. Some kids are also able to really concentrate and think about one thing for a long time. For other kids, though, their mind sort-of jumps from one idea to the next. Having all these different ideas can be great, but when you have to focus on just one thing at a time, it can make things hard.
It can create challenges, but that you can have a very successful life with ADD (ADHD) if you take advantage of its strengths.

4. Solutions

• Now that we know that you have ADHD, we are going to work together to help make things better at home and school. Things are going to start feeling a lot better for you. It is something you can learn to control.

• Some children have trouble seeing well unless they sit close to the blackboard. Other children, like you, may have trouble listening to everything the teacher says unless they sit in the front of the class.

• Use the example of a person who wears eyeglasses to improve reading. This person’s nearsightedness or farsightedness does not make him “less than,” it just means that vision is impaired and eyeglasses can be worn to see better. Just like vision issues, ADHD does not define who that person is. In fact, it is just a small part of them and can be easily managed with the proper “glasses” (treatment).

• Explain to your child that having ADHD means that he has to work harder than most children to focus on one thing at a time. He may find it difficult to stay still during sitting or waiting times or to keep from acting quickly without thinking.

• Sometimes when something goes wrong you stop and think about what to do next and sometimes you don't stop to think and you do something you wish you hadn't. So we'll work on ways to help you get better at stopping and thinking."

5. But Don’t Let ADHD Become a Convenient Excuse

• ADHD can be a strength, but it is not an excuse for bad behavior. Remember, you have a part in your success at home, school and life in general.

• Yes, ADHD makes many tasks harder, but children should learn to take responsibility, Meyer says.
“Don’t let them make ADHD an excuse for something.," Meyer says. "For example, many young children quickly learn to say things, such as, “I don’t need to do my homework because I have an attention deficit disorder,” Meyer says. “That’s not going to cut it." The reality? “It may be harder for me to do my homework because I have an attention deficit disorder.”

• Need to find pleasure in studies, and not boredom - Like you I was a disorganized person and other symptoms you have described, but even so I gave all my effort to change that. Don't blame your life on a condition. Yes, the condition can make things a little more challenging but, it cause make you change who you are for the better.

6. You Are Not Alone

• And guess what? Lots of people have ADHD. You are not alone. Some of the most talented, creative and successful people in this world have ADD/ADHD. Did you know that one of the most famous people with ADD was Albert Einstein?

• Find some books that talk about having ADHD and that feature kids around her age.

7. You Can Be Successful - Show Jeff examples of successful people with ADHD who have done well in life.

• Having ADHD is challenging, but there are those who are successful despite it (or even perhaps because of it?)

• Give your child positive examples of successful people with ADD (ADHD). There are now stories about famous athletes, Hollywood celebrities, politicians, comedians and business entrepreneurs with ADD (ADHD). For example, Quinn specializes in treating children and adults with ADHD. She has the disorder, as do three of her four children. She has consulted for pharmaceutical companies and has written numerous books about ADHD

• Success is not defined by what disorder one has but what a person can achieve with or without ADHD.

8. Why me?

• It could be that God wants you to help others in similar situation. Having personally experienced it, you are in the best position to help those in similar situation. God wants you to overcome it. He wants to help you to overcome it, so that you can give Him the glory.

• It can change who you are for the better.

9. ADHD Can be Out-grown

• Many kids grow out of ADHD as they get older. ADHD children are very often late developers. According to http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/complete-index.shtml, children with ADHD who carry a particular version of a certain gene have thinner brain tissue in the areas of the brain associated with attention. This NIMH research showed that the difference was not permanent, however, and as children with this gene grew up, the brain developed to a normal level of thickness. Their ADHD symptoms also improved.

10. We Love You No Matter What

• Tell your child you love him, no matter what. Tell him you like him just the way he is. It may seem like a given, but it is easy to forget that he needs your love and reassurance that he is okay, and that everything will turn out all right. Talk about your own strengths and weaknesses from when you were a child, and how you worked to overcome them with help from family.

References:http://addadhdadvances.com/childadvantage.html
http://www.babycenter.com/404_how-do-we-explain-to-our-child-that-he-has-adhd_71389.bc
http://www.add-adhd-treatments.com/Famous-People.html
http://www.naddc.org/famous-people-with-adhd.htm
http://add-adhd.lifetips.com/tip/81502/famous-people-with-adhd-add/famous-people-with-adhd/famous-adhd-scientists-inventors.html
http://www.famousadhd.com/people.html
http://www.healthyplace.com/adhd/articles/explaining-adhd-medication-to-child/
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/29/opinion/sunday/childrens-add-drugs-dont-work-long-term.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all

Encouraging Good Behaviour in Children with Marble For A Cause Jar

Idea adapted from the book On Becoming Pre-Schoolwise by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam

Age: From 5 years old

Objectives:
1. To encourage and celebrate good behaviour of children and promote harmony at home

2. To teach Fruit of the Spirt - Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, failthfulness, gentleness and self-control - in a fun way

Materials:

- 1 jar
- 1 bag of marbles enough to fill the jar

- some stickers and a ribbon to decorate the jar

- Label for the jar with words "Marble For A Good Cause"
- A Fruit of the Spirit chart to define what each of the Fruit of the Spirit is in action and to give an example of each of them (not done yet, to be done)

Directions:

1. Whenever anyone catches another family member doing something good, he gets to put a marble into the jar on behalf of the person. 

2. Explain to your child what it means to be "doing something good." According to the authors, Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam, the following actions are eligible:

- following through on a task is faithfulness.
- Not crying when a treasured candy is dropped and crushed in a carnival stampede is self-control.
- Playing nicely together for a prolonged period of time brings much-treasured peace.
- Sharing a new birthday present with another onlooker demonstrates love.Explain to your child what it means by "doing something good," e.g.:

For me, here are more examples:

- helping someone cross the road
- if you see someone falls down, helping the person up
- showing honesty, i.e. returning the change to the cashier, who gives you more change
- being kind to someone who is new in the class, outing or group
- talking with someone new, making he/she feels at home
- saying thank you sincerely and warmly to someone who does something nice for you
- showing someone consideration, even though you know that it is actually your turn
- comforting a child who is crying without being prompted
- cheering someone's day up
- showing appreciation for someone without prompting
- your child washing dishes without prompting
- cleaning up mess without prompting

3. Explain to your child too what is considered as ordinary chores and not under the category of "doing something good," e.g.:

- mommy washing dishes without being asked (our Little FECS wanted to put a marble into the jar, because I wash the dishes. If this is considered, than the jar will be full in no time!)

- Our Little FECS washing the dishes only when asked

4. When the jar is full, the family chooses something fun or special to do together, e.g.:

- going to a theme park i.e. Tivoli, Legoland,
- going to a cafe for a tea time or a special treat,
- going out for a special meal together e.g. hotpot at fattycow.dk
- going to a movie together,
- sharing a big ice-cream together,
- boat ride,
- horse-riding, 
- going for a trip in a caravan, etc.

5. To avoid over dependency on rewards, some ground rules could be established as follows:

No one gets to put a marble into the jar, because he has done something good (I broke this rule). Someone else has to notice another's goodness. It allows opportunity during dinner for family members to share the good things other family members have done. When mom and dad agree that the thing mentioned is worthy of a marble, then the child gets to put it in the jar.

6. There must not be complaining if a child's good deed goes unnoticed to teach that sometimes life would be unfair. But we should be willing to do good things, not for the praise of another man, but simply because it is the right thing to do.

7. It is good to have a journal book to jot down the good thing each marble was dropped into the jar. Otherwise, it is easy to forget by dinner time.

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Additional Information:

I am now on a mission to encourage my ADHD nephew JN, to give him a hope and a future that truly ADHD could be controlled and to get him on a good start and on the right course. But we had challenges between the brothers, R and JN, as they were very rude to each other this morning. JN meant well, but talked to R very harshly, such as: "GO AWAY", when R kept coming to disturb us, when we were re-organizing the study room to make it more conducive for ADHD children. Then R got angry and they started to fight!!! Oh dear, that was tough for me! I taught JN that he should stood down to R's level, looked R's in the eye and say "R, we are very busy right now, and thus we cannot have you here. Would you mind going out of the room please? When we are done, we would love to have you back with us" He tried.

By this evening, positive things happened that was a great encouragement to me. JN accidentally broke the lego model truck that R built. JN said sorry immediately. And R said that it was ok. As it was during dinner, I asked R to serve the Danish salmon sandwich (which I had prepared) on a plate to JN and he did. And JN said thank you. They had managed to be kind to each other.

I had in mind to introduce the Marbles for a Cause Jar, whereby if one member in the family did something praise worthy or kind, and someone spotted it, that person could put a marble in the jar. When the jar is full, the kids all get to get a special treat. Amazingly, I managed to find a cute jar this morning while cleaning up. A short walk in the neighbourhood that JN led us to the marbles easily, and I purchased them. And I could use the above incident as an example to explain our game to them. I put 4 marbles into the jar for the good actions by R and JN. Thank God for His help and faithfulness with all the challenges here. I have succeeded today and had a productive day, which I know it could not have happened without God's faithfully watching over us.

13.2.2012 Update

Today, the children all get to put in a marble each, for completing their homework, for getting the spelling test all correct (Cherilyn) and for JN, my ADHD nephew, I thought he deserved to put in 2 marbles instead, as he did the past year English exam paper without too much nagging and actually had completed more questions than I had expected him to do so, although I did not tell him that. That, in itself, was a major achievement and a giant step progress. It gave me great encouragement for deciding to make this trip here. My heart is filled with praise and thanksgiving for yet another answered prayer on my third day here. It brought great encouragement to me. Indeed, my labour has not been in vain.


References:
On Becoming Pre-Schoolwise by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam

Nursery Lesson Plan: God Feeds Us - 5th February 2012

Lesson Plan

FIBC Nursery (0-4 years old)

Date: 5^th February 2012, Time: 1 – 2.30pm

Concept Area: God made food for people and animals

Bible Verse: Psalm 136:25 God gives food to us.

Teachers: Elaine and Sarma

1-1.30pm: Early Arrivers Activities

Activity Station 1: Pasting cuisines from different nationalities

 ·         Pictures of food from the different nationalities found in the nursery e.g. South African, Malaysian, etc.

Say: “God gives food to all people of the world. God gives us food from different cultures to enjoy”

Activity Station 2: Making food with kitchen play set

·         Cutting toy fruit and vegetables
·         Cooking food on toy kitchen stove

Say: “God is the source of all food. God loves us by providing us with food to nourish our body and make us grow healthy and strong.”

1.30 – 1.40pm: Bible Story Time

Bible Story: Jesus fed the people – 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish (Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-13)

·         Now I am going to tell you a story about how Jesus fed the people
·         Bring out the bread and the fish

Jesus withdrew by boat privately to a quiet place. The crowds followed him. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Evening came and the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

“Bring them here to me,” he said. Jesus directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were full. The disciples picked up 12 basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, women and children.

·         I know God loves us because he provides food for us.
·         Ask the children to recite it one-by-one Psalm 136:25 “God gives food to us.”

1.50 – 2pm:  Group Game Time

Mystery Bag
·         2 Drawstring bags containing fruit with different textures and shapes such as orange, apple, pear, banana
·         Call out a fruit and ask the children to take turn to pick the correct fruit using their hands to feel.
·         Pass the bag around and repeat.
·         Say: “God created orange, can you pick out the orange from the bag without looking?”
·         Read more on concept here: http://elainengfriis.blogspot.com/2011/05/montessori-activity-mystery-touch.html

Montessori Fruit Sensory Tub

·         Big tub filled with pasta as base and filled with plastic fruits and letter magnets for children to find, scoop and dig into containers, pots and bowls
·         Ask the children to sort the items by colour, by type of food, etc.
·         Older children can match letters with the fruit
·         Cutting toy fruit and vegetables
·         Read more on concept here: http://elainengfriis.blogspot.com/2011/09/montessori-activity-styrofoam-based.html

2 – 2.10pm: Snack Time

·         Sing the “Say Grace Song”
·         Get the older kids to distribute the snacks and cups.
·         Ask the children to recite it one-by-one Psalm 136:25 “God gives food to us.”
·         Evaluation: Have the children state ways of God loves us (last week’s lesson) and provides for us. For example by creating food and feeding us.

Food Tasting Game (Contingency)

·         Blind fold
·         Different types of food – sweet, sour, bitter, salty
·         Different kinds of texture – soft or hard

2.10 – 2.20pm: Singing

Remember to take out the musical instruments. Songs:

·        Feed Us Now
·         Jesus Loves Me
·         God Is So Good
·         He’s Able
·         Obedience
·         I Love You, Jesus
·         Deep and Wide

2.20 – 2.30pm: Clean up Time

·         Clean up together and sing the song “Time to Clean Up”

2.30pm: Parents pick up kids

2.30 – 2.45pm: Contingency Activities (In case of Communion Service)

Books on Food and Fruits

·         Have books containing fruit and vegetables and food from different cuisines around and read to the children
·         Have books with other bible stories and read to the children

Jigsaw Puzzles on Fruit

·         Bring out the jigsaw puzzle on food

Materials to remember to bring:

1.     Pictures of food of different cultures
2.     Plastic fruit and vegetable toys
3.     Books on fruit and food
4.     Bible story books
5.     Fruit jigsaw puzzles
6.     Musical instruments: drum, musical eggs
7.     Fruit sensory tub with pasta, measuring cups, ladle, scoop, etc.
8.     Toy bread and plastic fish for from kitchen set and fishing for the bible story

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Parent Newsletter

February 5, 2011

Dear Parent

Concept Area

This week we focus on Creation – God made food for people and animals.

Your child will bring back a collage on food from different cultures he/she made during the class.

Bible Verse

The Bible verse used is Psalm 136:25 “God gives food to us”. You can recite this verse to your child at home during the week.

Bible Story

We told the story of Jesus feeding five thousand people with 5 loves of bead and 2 fish using a basket with toy bread and fish to gather the children’s attention.

Songs

We prepared songs, but we did not have the time to carry out this activity.

Activities

We had two stations for the early birds, with cutting and pasting food from different cultures and nationalities, teaching the children that God gives us food from different cultures to enjoy.

The other station with the kitchen play set was used with plastic cooking utensils and food to teach the children that it is God who provides us with food to cook our meals. The children were encouraged to serve their friend (Anna) the food they cooked, reminding them of previous lesson of helping one another.

In continuation with the Bible Story theme, we served bread as snack. The children volunteered and took turn to serve the plate, cups, bread and milk to one another. Throughout, the activities, we asked the children question about Who gives food to us? And we encourage them to recite Psalm 136:25 one-by-one.

During Group game time/Circle Time, we played the game of Mystery Bags as part of sensory stimulation for children of this age group. The children picked the fruit from the bag by feeling them, without looking. We told them that God created orange, and asked them whether they can pick out the orange from the bag without looking?

We hope this helps you to keep up with the education your child received at the nursery this Sunday.

Thank you for entrusting your child with us.

You can see some of the pictures we uploaded from the class here:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150269234893348.336790.705043347&type=1&l=10b0e9c661

In His Service,

Sarma, Jannie and Elaine
 
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Songs

Feed Us Now

The people came to hear you,

The rich, the lame, the blind

They asked for food to save them

And you fed them body and mind

Feed us now, O Son of God as you fed them long ago

Video Demonstration:
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/mlehr/reflec/feedus/feedus.htm

Jesus Loves Me

Jesus loves me this I know

For the Bible tells me so

Little ones to him belong

They are weak, but he is strong

Yes, Jesus loves me (3x)

The Bible tells me so!

Jesus loves me! He who died

Heaven’s gate to open wide

He will wash away my sin

Let His little child come in

Yes, Jesus loves me (3x)

The Bible tells me so!

Jesus loves me! He will stay

Close beside me all the way

He’s prepared a home for me

And some day His face I’ll see

Yes, Jesus loves me (3x)

The Bible tells me so!

Video Demonstration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU3xatin1yY

God Is So Good

God is so good (3x)
He’s so good to me.

He answers prayers (3x)
He’s so good to me.

God loves me so (3x)
He’s so good to me.

He took my sin (3x)
He’s so good to me.

Now I am free (3x)
He’s so good to me.

God is so good.
He took my sin.
Now I am free.
He’s so good to me

Video Demonstration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4enC172CU4

He Is Able

He's able (2x)
I know He's able
I know my Lord is able to carry me through

He deals the broken hearted
And sets the captives free
He makes the lame to walk again
And makes the blind to see
Oh Yes!

He's able (2x)
I know He's able
I know my Lord is able to carry me through

Obedience

Obedience is the very best way

To show that you believe

Doing exactly what the Lord commands and doing it happily

Action is the key

Do it immediately

And joy you will receive

Obedience is the very best way

To show that you believe
O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E

Obedience is the very best way

To show that you believe

Video Demonstration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml_USwrmEX0&feature=related

I Love You, Jesus

I love you Jesus, deep down in my heart (2x)
Let's talk about deep, deep, down & down, Deep down in my heart (2x)

Deep and Wide

Deep and wide, deep and wide
There's fountain flowing
Deep and wide

Deep and wide, deep and wide
There's fountain flowing
Deep and wide

Say Grace Song

Thank you for the world so sweet, Ho Hum

Thank you for the the food we eat, Yum Yum

Thank you for the birds that sing a-ling-a-ling

Thank you God for everything, Amen!

Time to Clean Up

Time to Clean Up (2X)

Boys and Girls (2X)

When we are good helpers (2X)

God is glad (2X)