Training Thursday……Alertness vs. Carelessness

In our home when we begin our school day, we recite the characteristic we are focused on, as well as it’s definition.

Each characteristic in this study has 5 focal points. We take one “I WILL” per week and focus on that.

I have found that 5 weeks studying one characteristic shows great improvement, in each person as well as the entire family.

I will list activities for each week, as well as times to “remind” your children and yourselves of the characteristic you’re studying.

Alertness

Definition ~ “Being aware of what is taking place around me, so I can have the right responses.”

I WILL…

* Keep my eyes and ears open

*Recognize and heed warning signals

*Choose to do right before I am tempted

*Tell others of danger

*Stay away from unsafe places

Week One Activities 

* Play “Telephone” and “Simon Says”

(Teaches you to use your eyes and ears to pay attention for your turn and the message to pass along)

Times to Remind

*Gently remind kiddos to use their eyes and ears when entering a room before they speak (this helps curb interruptions as well!)

* Ensure that you and your spouse use your eyes and ears to pay attention when the kiddos are talking to you. They can tell when you’re not 100% there.

Week Two Activities

* Play Red Light, Green Light

* Take time to discuss as a family warning signals in regards to; friends, strangers, etc.

Times to Remind

* When someone gets hurt

* As parents be sure to heed the warming signals before you “blow off steam” when a child is being difficult

Week Three Activities 

*At family discussion time, bring out a cookie jar. Use it to demonstrate choosing to do right; ie. asking mom or dad before taking a cookie from the jar

Times to Remind

* When a friend has a kiddo do or say something that they know better than to do

* As adults each of us have temptations, be sure to choose to do right. Our kids often notice, when we don’t

Week Four Activities 

*As a family take turns acting out different scenarios which are dangerous, while other family members are warning of the dangers involved

* Discuss forms of danger that can be found at home, at school, at sports, etc.

Times to Remind

*Take every opportunity to warn each other of the dangers in day to day life; hot stoves, crossing the street, choice of friends, etc.

* Ensure as parents that we beware of the dangers we can encounter; bad appearances, etc.

Week Five Activities

* Have a family discussion of where you could encounter unsafe places, and advise why they are considered unsafe. Be sure to explain the difference between unsafe and dangerous

Times to Remind

* When a child goes too close to the road, wanders away at the store, etc.

* Remember that our unsafe places can be outside and inside the home; ie. TV, Computer, Internet, etc.

What do you think about in regards to training YOUR family in Alertness?