I have heard the saying for many years, but it seems to have popped up on Pinterest a lot lately.
“You get what you get
and you
Appreciate it!”
Don’t we all try from day one of kindergarten to instill in our students the concept of appreciation? It is so difficult for little ones to learn to share. After all, they have been the center of THEIR world for the past five years! They have had a choice in what to eat for snack, have been in charge of ALL of the toys in their homes, determined what movie they will watch, speak their opinion anytime they wish to voice it, leave the restroom door open :), decide when to enter and leave an area, and any number of other things.
Coming to school is the biggest thing children will have experienced in their short lives. It is up to parents, teachers, and care providers to prepare them for this transition.
Here are some ideas for helping children to know why it is important to “appreciate” the differences between school and home.
1. Discuss the importance of accepting something with a thank-you (even when you really wanted something else).
2. Discuss the expectations you have at home for your child, such as when it is time to play, take a bath, brush your teeth, pick up your toys, share a snack with a sibling, eat dinner, etc.
3. Explain how school expectations will be different due to many people needing the teacher’s attention, and how important it is to wait or take turns with others. The teacher loves each child, and values what he/she has to say. Too many people talking keeps others from hearing and learning.
4. Talk about the importance of routines like raising your hand for permission to say something, standing quietly in line, eating lunch without talking so much you MISS getting to eat, playground safety, when it is important to listen such as during a lesson or a story, and reporting to the teacher only things that are understood to be harmful to self or others (tattling is a tough one!).
5. Tell your child/student that you will ask them every day to tell about something they have learned. A great trick for getting them to open up is to ask, “Will you please show me how you did that?”, or, “Can you teach me how to do that? It has been so long, I have forgotten!”
Engaging children in a brief daily discussion about what school expectations may be like will help to assure your child that he or she is fully prepared to walk through the doors ready to learn!
Contact me for more information, or visit my blog to look for printables you can practice with between now and the beginning of school.
Now, here’s your freebie! I recommend picking out a cute 8×10 picture frame at Michael’s or Hobby Lobby, trimming to fit, and placing in a prominent place in your classroom. There are two printables: one is a generic print with a bus and school children, and the other is a cute print with little owls on a bus with another waiting to be picked up. I am so in love with owls, I made this little sign for myself, then decided to share with all of my followers :). Have a great July!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and the new "Appreciate It" rhyme – I love it! Can't wait to use this instead of the traditional "Don't Throw a Fit" ending. đŸ™‚
I started doing this last year, because just speaking the words "Don't throw a fit!" seemed to bring on a few "fits" every once in a while! Thank you Beth for your comment!
Maggie
I always said "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit." I like "appreciate it" much better! Thank you for sharing! It is very appreciated! đŸ™‚
thanks… I have never cared for "don't throw a fit" I have always said "and say thank you for it" instead đŸ™‚
I love "and say thank-you for it" too!!! Thank you for visiting!
Thank you for these cute posters. They are, definitely, good reminders for my kinder-bears who have not yet learned that they can't always get what they want, but I will make sure they get what they need!
You're welcome!
thanks for the freebie! owls are ONE of my classroom themes – i have a hard time just sticking with one đŸ™‚
I have a similar saying I use with my kiddos… what do you think? http://random-craftiness.blogspot.com/2013/06/my-teacher-always-says-linky-party-and.html
Katie
Random Craftiness