Pasitos School, Spanish Immersion Preschool & Child Care in San Jose, CA
(408) 510-0727
Changing the world through children.
  • Home
  • Unique Benefits
  • Programs
    • Young Preschool
    • Preschool Program
    • Before/After School Program
  • Camps
    • School Age Spring Camp 2023
    • SA Summer Camp 2023
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • School Calendars

Talking About Death with Children Periodically

11/22/2022

0 Comments

 
I often tell parents about the importance of discussing death with children periodically before someone or a pet that we love dies.  This may seem morbid and dark, but we know that it helps children process death in their own time on their own terms.  Children are not like adults in the sense that they finish one thing and move on to another. Have you ever experienced your child saying something like, "remember when we went to see Aunt Jo yesterday?"  You did go see Aunt Jo, but two months ago.  Children's concept of time and death is not the same as an adult's.  They feel it differently and experience it deeply.  

Reading to a child periodically (I like to say once or twice a month) about a topic having to do with death, helps them process a death that has happened in the not so recent past, as well as for the future.  By reading books with them, it gives you and them the opportunity to ask questions about death and also answer questions about loved ones who have died.

Take advantage of the death of a goldfish to really talk about death.  Have a burial and sing a song to the fish.  One simple song I always like to sing with the preschoolers is "Goodbye, NAME OF ANIMAL, Goodbye" or "Adíos, NAME OF ANIMAL, Adíos". Then I ask if anyone would like to say something about the animal that died.  Then we sing the song again and continue this process until everyone who wants to say something about the pet does so.  We try to bury them in our garden where they can help our vegetables flourish and we thank the fish for that.

National Institutes of Health references the developmental stage of a preschooler "preschool children usually see death as reversible, temporary, and impersonal. Watching cartoon characters on television miraculously recover after being crushed or blown apart tends to reinforce this idea." We can help them cope with the finality of death by talking about it openly, honestly, and respectfully.

Of course, it's okay not to have answers and to share your personal beliefs about what happens when someone dies. There are many great books on this topic that are non-religious and some that answer questions in a more spiritual way.  Here are a list of some of my favorites.  I believe it's a good idea to have two to three of these on your bookshelf at all times so that your child has the opportunity to choose these books and you have the chance to read one every so often.

Saying Goodbye to Lulu by Corinne Demas
The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst
Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs by Tomie dePaola
 Badger's Parting Gifts by Susan Varley
Tough Boris by Mex Fox 
Picture
This post was originally published on the original Pasitos blog back in 2014, written by Maestra Stephanie. 
0 Comments

Things to say instead of "stop crying"/Qué decir en lugar de "deja de llorar"

2/25/2021

0 Comments

 
As parents, we get to deal with big emotions everyday. And sometimes, in the heat of the moment, we might find ourselves using some less than positive phrases to address those emotions. "Stop crying, " for example, doesn't tell an upset child that he will be ok, instead, it tells him that his feelings aren't important and that you are not ok with his pain. 

*Click HERE to learn some positive phrases to say instead of "stop crying!."
0 Comments

Negative Versus Positive Language/Lenguaje Negativo versus Lenguaje Positivo

2/1/2021

0 Comments

 
Limiting negative language like “no,” “don’t”, and “stop” is an important part of positive discipline. It’s all about lessening their use to rewire our children's brains for positivity and offering clear instructions and choices.

Below are some alternatives to common phrases that will help you through some of those difficult moments when you want to react with frustration instead of love.

*Click HERE to continue reading!  

Picture
0 Comments

Create your own calming wheel of choice/crea tu propia rueda de opciones de calma

1/27/2021

1 Comment

 
Focusing on solutions is one of the primary goals of Positive Discipline, and children are great at focusing on solutions when they are taught the skills and are allowed to practice them. The wheel of choice is a great tool to teach children problem solving skills. This tool looks like a pie chart, with 4-8 pieces (depending on your child’s age) that have ideas or solutions for what to do in a given situation. When faced with a challenge, a child can simply look at the chart and pick the solution that works for him.
​

There are many ways to use the wheel of choice. You can use it to teach children healthy coping strategies, conflict resolution, chores, etc. 


*Click HERE to continue reading! 

Picture
1 Comment

Positive Discipline Parenting Tool -  SCHEDULED SPECIAL TIME FOR CONNECTION/TIEMPO ESPECIAL PROGRAMADO

12/9/2020

0 Comments

 
One of the most important things we can do for our children is to spend regular, scheduled special time with them. We can spend long days together, yet our attention may be divided and our children’s frustration builds as they realize we are not fully present. Most children will let us know in their own “creative” ways if they feel that we are not giving them the attention that they need. Some will withdraw while others will act out.

Spending scheduled quality time with our children is extremely important for their development and happiness but carving the time isn't always easy. Below are some tips and ideas: 

Plan: Brainstorm with your child a list of things that you would like to do together during your special time. Take turns choosing an activity (activities do not need to cost any money or be fancy). 

*Click HERE to continue reading!
Picture
0 Comments

Positive Discipline Parenting Tool -  WINNING COOPERATION/GANANDO COOPERACIÓN

11/19/2020

0 Comments

 
Mutual respect is the clue for cooperation. When we ask for cooperation from our children in a kind and respectful way rather than demand it, we find they are much more likely to comply with what we’ve asked. In other words, we get far more cooperation by inviting than demanding (see PD tool #4 - Curiosity Questions).

When we demand by ordering, correcting, and directing, we invite a natural fight or flight response and our chances of winning cooperation greatly decrease. Demands often lead to power struggles, tantrums, distance and hostility. On the other hand, asking respectfully leads to closeness, trust, and cooperation.
​

There are certain things we can do that greatly increase the chances that kids will cooperate with us. Below are the 3 steps to win cooperation: 


​
*Click HERE to continue reading!

Picture
0 Comments

Positive Discipline Parenting Tool -  FOLLOW THROUGH/CONTINUAR HASTA EL FINAL

11/11/2020

0 Comments

 
We all agree that healthy limits and boundaries are important, and we are usually pretty good at coming up with rules and consequences. The difficulty comes when we have to enforce what we say. Here is a common example: “If you don’t pick up the toys, they are going in the garbage,”. Toys remain scattered across the floor and parents just can't make themselves put the toys in the garbage.
​

Talking about limits but not actually keeping them is just not helpful to children. Not following through leads to uncertainty, disconnection and even anxiety for both parents and children. Children usually know when parents mean what they say and when they don’t. But, why is it so hard for parents to follow through with consequences? 

Some parents believe that giving children what they want will show them that they are loved. 

​*Click HERE to continue reading!
Picture
0 Comments

two-way bilingual immersion Elementary Schools

11/2/2020

1 Comment

 
​Schools in many parts of the United States are increasingly offering dual language programs. The most common type of dual language programs is the two-way approach, also known as “TWBI” (two-way bilingual immersion). In TWBI programs some of the children are native speakers (in the target language), some are bilingual, and some come from English-only homes. Some programs teach in English for half the day and the other half in the target language (this is called the 50/50 model). Other programs are almost entirely in the target language in kindergarten and first grade (this is called the 90/10 model). The goal is to have all children test at grade level in both languages by fourth grade.
 
Although there are many language combinations, the English/Spanish pair is currently the most popular in our area. You can click here to see a list of Spanish TWBI elementary schools in the South Bay.
Picture
1 Comment

Staying Healthy at Pasitos School ~ A Social Story

10/26/2020

0 Comments

 
​Social stories are short stories that depict a social situation that children may encounter. They are used to teach children through the use of specific and sequential information about everyday events that children may find difficult or confusing, thus preventing further anxiety on the part of your child.

​Social stories have a wide variety of applications from understanding others’ actions and emotions, developing self-care skills, and general safety techniques to specific events or changes in routine. Check out our social story about staying healthy at Pasitos during Covid-19.
Picture
0 Comments

Positive Discipline Parenting Tool -  aCTIVE LISTENING/ESCUCHA ACTIVA

10/24/2020

1 Comment

 
Active listening is an essential tool of communication and one of the single most important skills you can have in your parenting toolbox. Active listening means observing and listening to feelings and reflecting them back. It means to recognize your child’s words, and more importantly to seek to really understand his underlying message.

For example, when a child says “I hate you, Mommy!” he isn’t saying “I hate you,” he is more likely saying something like, “I am mad that you are spending more time with the new baby than with me.”/ "Me enoja que pases más tiempo con el nuevo bebé que conmigo".

Active listening does not require that you agree with your child’s feelings, but it allows your child to feel connected and understood while creating a caring relationship in which he sees you as being “in his corner.” 
​

​*Click HERE to continue reading!
Picture
1 Comment
<<Previous

    Pasitos School

    Pasitos is an eco-friendly, bilingual community based on learning and fun. Through a play based Reggio inspired curriculum, children gain the necessary literacy skills to make them successful in both Spanish and English. At the same time, they build social and emotional skills in working with peers and the maestras. Together these skills help open their minds and language capabilities. Teachers interact with the children to build strong academics and positive social skills.

    Archives

    November 2022
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2018
    October 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    February 2016
    August 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014

    Categories

    All
    Activities
    Distance Learning
    Family
    Health Care
    Positive Discipline
    Teachers

    RSS Feed

Pasitos School
Two locations in San Jose, CA

Copyright 2016
Being Green
Our Curriculum
Prospective Parents
Resources
Research
Philosophy
Positive Discipline
Community Partners
Careers
Staff Development