Saturday, November 24, 2007

NAEYC 2007 Session: Offering children comfort

Let the light that shines on me shine on the ones I love: Songs and stories to offer comfort to children who need it
Presenters: Bev Bos and Michael Leeman, Turn the Page Press, Tom Hunter, The Song Growing Company

Being Present: indwellingness (her word), hereness (her word), at this time, happening now, at hand

Songs for children should be real and true. They should keep company with kids

Make up songs throughout the day, which demonstrates presentness to the children.

Bad Questions We Ask Children Who are Hurting
1. Probing: don’t ask what’s wrong
2. Identifying: don’t tell them “you must be sad” because you might be inaccurate
3. Assuming: no, you really don’t know exactly how they feel

Instead of questioning children, simply be with them and keep them company. Sometimes a song will help, sometimes they need quiet.

Keep books about loss and death in the classroom all the time so that children are familiar with them before something happens.

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