The Skill of Positive IntentConscious Discipline teaches us “we must see children differently in order for them to behave differently.” If we see behavior as bad or threatening or find it irritating, we then want to punish or stop the behavior. By changing our perspective, we can see conflict or behavior as a call for help and a chance to teach children new skills. This is called POSITIVE INTENT.

When you ask your child to clean up his toys and he refuses and then calls you names or throws a tantrum, how often do you think, “He’s just doing that to get out of the work.” “He knows that screaming drives me crazy.” “He is being so disrespectful!.” The truth is, you don’t really know what your child’s intent is. So you make it up. If you are going to make up his intent yourself, you might as well make his intent positive.

“He doesn’t know how to clean up all his toys.” “He is overwhelmed by the task and doesn’t know where to start.” “He is tired and needs a connection with me before getting started on cleaning.”

Constructing positive intent like that above brings us to the higher centers of our brain. Only when we are in our executive brain, can our children reach theirs. Children cannot be in a higher brain state than adults. If the adults are calm, children can start to calm.

Once we give positive intent to our child’s behavior, we are ready to teach our children and they are ready to learn. We are also modeling respect, kindness and love.

The skill of Positive Intent brings with it the Power of Love. In Conscious Discipline, The

Power of Love “asks us to see the best in others, even when their behavior is hurtful or inappropriate. It is our choice to see the best or the worst in people and situations.”

If we see a child as disrespectful, hurtful or bad, we are more likely to raise a child who is disrespectful, hurtful and bad. By using the Power of Love and Skill of Positive Intent, we see a child who needs to learn ways to cope and be a friend. If we see a child who can’t do anything right, we are likely to raise a child who can’t do anything right. The Power of Love helps us see a child who needs extra reminders to get things done. Then we can find ways to create routines and other supports to help the child succeed.

“The way we see children (and others) colors their world and ours. The Power of Love asks us to always see the best.” (Conscious Discipline: Parent Ed Curriculum)

Spokane Child Development CenterPreschool Newsletter

April 2019

DATES TO REMEMBER:

April 1-22: Our Kids Our Business Diaper Drive for Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. Special need for Pull-ups of all sizes, and diapers sizes 2, 5 & 6. Collection box near check-in.

April 22-26: Silverwood Read-a-thon (classroom teachers will share details soon)

April 26: SCDC closed for All-Staff training

May 1: Health Services Advisory Committee, 6-7:30 pm, NECC. All parents are invited.

May 24: No school for Eagles preschool class.

May 27: Memorial Day, SCDC closed

May 29: Danielle’s birthday!

May 30: End of the School Year Picnic for SCDC families at Discovery Park, 6:30-7:30 pm.

EAGLE CLASSROOM NEWS

After Spring Break, the Eagle class will continue our music study. We are learning about music notes, beats and all kinds of musical instruments. We had a guest bring in an accordion, which the children loved. We are hoping that some of our parents play instruments themselves or can share friends or relatives with us that can help introduce our children to a variety of musical instruments.

With the snow finally gone and spring weather in force, remember to bring jackets and sweaters for outside time. We go outside at 10:30 every morning, when it’s still a bit chilly.