EB and I worked on this very simple project after lunch today. I wanted to give him something of his own to work on this Lent, and I thought a little chart might do. My hope is it will help him keep track of the days (because Lent is a long season!) and keep his focus on managing everyday behavior.
We used a large sheet of white foam (the base of our chart), a piece of sticky-backed gold foam, and peel-and-stick felt letters and foam shapes.
So I cut a cross out of the gold foam and put it in the upper right corner of the white sheet. Then I used the purple felt letters to 'title' the chart. I then spaced 43 foam shapes on the chart to be sure they'd fit ... popped them in a ziplock ... and then EB and I added the first five shapes to represent the days of Lent so far.
Each afternoon until Easter, EB will get to add another foam shape on his path. First we'll talk about what good things he did that day (helping others, showing love) as well as how he behaved himself (trying hard, listening). Once we've talked about all those nice things he did, we'll add another shape to the chart (which will eventually look like it does in the top photo).
And if it's been a tough day - and we certainly have those! - we'll talk about that too. What could he have done differently? Who needs to hear an "I'm sorry?" Praising him for good behavior is very important, but I think equally important is helping him understand what he might have done wrong, and then helping him to make amends ...
These days get a foam shape as well. :)
Once we had the chart ready, I hung it in his reading corner:
So today, for instance, EB worked very patiently on a puzzle and he very nicely asked Crackerjack to help him. They worked on the puzzle together for some time, and not only did they not squabble, lol - but they finished it! That was a nice effort on EB's part - very deserving of a foam shape!
(Oh, and please disregard CJ's torn pants ... the boy just will NOT give these up! His "lounge pants" he calls them, lol. He changed into them directly after Art class this morning.)
*†*
Well friends, I'd best be off now as I have much to do before evening descends. Tomorrow I'll show you the "stained glass" project I worked on this morning and of course, as it's Tuesday, there will be tea in the afternoon. I do hope you'll join me!
So have a good night, everyone ... see you here again very soon!
❤
Thank you very much, ladies! :)
Posted by: Dawn | March 02, 2012 at 03:08 PM
Great Chart...thinking I might need one for myself.:) Self reflection is something we all should practice more of these days.
Posted by: Arlene Grimm | February 28, 2012 at 08:18 AM
What a great Lenten chart! I love how you have connected it to behavior,attitudes etc. We are about to start ours today (a bit behind in the starting blocks)and am so glad that I read this post first. I think we might follow suit! Thanks for once again being such an inspiration!
Posted by: Shirley Ann In England | February 28, 2012 at 03:56 AM
What a great chart to help EB walk through this Lenten season! Andrew has a pair of jammie pants that have a huge hole in them too and he wont get rid of his either, lol.
Posted by: Theresa | February 27, 2012 at 10:18 PM
Ha! I have a 13 y.o. son who is an expert at poking holes through pants at the knee. It gets to the point where I don't even want to bother getting new ones because I know how they'll end up!! He seems to like it, but I could never send him out in public like that, either. Nice chart!
Posted by: Helene | February 27, 2012 at 07:04 PM
Loving your Lent/Spring crafts. I'm amassing a nice list for my Michael's run tomorrow! My children did this very same puzzle (or one very similar) on Friday evening. I can say there was no squabbling on the first assembly, but shall not report on the second! :)
Posted by: Crisanne | February 27, 2012 at 04:44 PM