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?
8 comments
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Jenni Mullinix
September 6, 2012 at 11:14 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
simplyhelpinghim
September 7, 2012 at 7:20 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You’re very welcome! 🙂 Thanks for stoppin by! 🙂
Audra Michelle
September 6, 2012 at 6:45 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
What a great (and timely) post! We just started homeschooling preschool for 2 of my 3 little ones. We certainly can use a LOT of work in alertness! Thanks for linking up at Thrive @ Home!
simplyhelpinghim
September 7, 2012 at 7:19 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Alertness is something we can always be working on 😉 No matter our age! Thanks for stoppin by! Blessings!
Theresa
September 6, 2012 at 2:29 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This is a great idea. When I taught preschool, we had weekly themes and that was so helpful in planning.
Thank you for linking up!
simplyhelpinghim
September 7, 2012 at 7:15 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yes, planning makes things run much smoother! Kiddos seem to thrive on planning and schedules! Thanks for stoppin by! 🙂
Dolly@Soulstops
September 6, 2012 at 12:17 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks for the practical tips 🙂 I try to remind our girl to listen first before she speaks…I tell myself this also…Linked up behind you at Denise’s blog…blessings 🙂
simplyhelpinghim
September 7, 2012 at 7:12 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yes, just as much as the kiddos need to work on it, we need to as well! Thank you for stoppin by! Blessings!
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