Today's Reflection - Trust

Today's reflection and little chat is about TRUST.

Ask your child:

-Do you know what trust means?

-How do you think you feel inside when you trust yourself?

-For example we feel safe and we know we will be able to do certain things - we trust ourselves! How does that feel?

-Can you remember a time when you trusted yourself?

-How do you think it feels when we don´t trust ourselves?

-Perhaps you tear up a drawing you just made, because you might think no one will like it. How do you feel then?

-Do you have a good friend that you trust? How do you feel when you are with him/her?

 

         The next exercise is fun and your child will love it!

         You need to download some music:

1. Fast beat - African conga drums
2. Soft music - Best of Chopin -Best classical music for relaxation - Best Piano songs by Chopin or Loving Touch by C:G Deuter.

This dancing game increases your child's ability to pay attention, in a fun way. 

To be able to pay attention is an important skill when starting school.

It is also something many children, in today's hectic world, need to practise !

Start by telling your child to listen carefully.

Play some drum music and ask "How will your body move when you hear this type of music?" Let your child show you. If your child is shy or not willing, you show him/her how YOUR body likes to move!

Now play some soft music and ask the same thing "How will your body move when you hear this type of music?" Let your child show you or YOU show your child! It must be fun!

When the two different types of music have been introduced, you remind your child to pay extra attention because NOW you are going to play this music again and you want him/her to move to the music in any way he/she wants to! 

BUT when the music stops, he/she must stop immediately and stand absolutely still, like a statue, until the music starts again. You can make the pause longer and longer as the game carries on.

Now play drum music - stop for a few seconds - play soft music - stop - and so on.... but sometimes you may play two or three slow or fast pieces of music after each other.  Observe how quick your child responds when the music stops and when the music change its rhythm. 

Keep doing this for a few minutes. Sometimes the children do not notice that the music stopped because they are so excited, should that be the case just gently remind him/her to listen carefully.

This dancing game is a success at any children's party (5-8 years old) they just love it!

"Music and movement together help children to develop gross motor skills, coordination and a good sense of balance and spatial awareness" - Earleen Coburn.

                                         Enjoy!