The children have been working on an array of activities in which they must be more aware of others’ needs. This is especially true during the holiday season. We have been sharing a variety of books that let the children understand the concept of those in need throughout the world and how they can help.
Our giving baskets are a great start for this project and some of our students were able to deliver those baskets during the Thanksgiving holiday. We want to thank Mrs. Recigno, Mrs. Broderick, and Mrs. Waheed for delivering them with their children this year.
The Importance of Developing Grace and Courtesy Lessons
Grace and Courtesy lessons are the cornerstone in how everything flows within our classroom. This includes a large variety of lessons from greeting others in the morning to how to ask a question or solve a conflicting disagreement. These lessons allow the children to become participating members of our community and grow to become more aware of others’ needs while still expressing their own needs.
The best way to help guide the children in developing these kinds of skills is through discussions of reviewing proper verbal usage, role-playing, practicing, and learning Grace and Courtesy.
These skills build a strong foundation for what is expected within a community both within a classroom and outside in the larger community that your child experiences.
Here is a list of some of our Grace and Courtesy Lessons that you might try at home.
- Greet someone.
- Solve a disagreement.
- Watch someone’s work.
- Serve food.
- Offer or refuse help.
- Set up snack for others.
- How to ask questions.
- Excuse one’s self.
- Interrupt a lesson.
- Choose a good choice of work.
- Welcome a visitor.
- How to walk in the classroom.
- Use quiet voices.
- Use materials appropriately.
- Standing in a line.
- Hanging up coats and lunchboxes.
- Sit in a circle.
- Use the restroom.
- Open a door for others.
- Blowing one’s nose.
- Waiting your turn.
- Listening to one another.
- Sharing an idea.
- Sharing work.
- Taking care of oneself.
- Taking care of our classroom.
- Taking care of pets.
There are so many more lessons that we do with the children daily within our classroom routines and I’m sure you can apply these at home as well during your outings. Try to come up with your own list and let your children practice and grow.
