About two years ago, I ran across this huge, crazy, red, gaudy Special Plate at our local home design store.
It was a no-brainer for me to pick it up, since I vaguely remembered reading about the wonders of the “Special Plate” somewhere during the foggy time when I had three kids, three years old and under.
So here is my Quick Trick for today–The Special Plate.
- The Special Plate: We use the Special Plate for just about any reason we can find. For one day, whoever earns the Special Plate will use it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Cereal bowls sit on top of it, and it’s a great resting spot for just about any meal–from peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to spaghetti or steak.
Here are just some ways a person can earn the Special Plate. . .-Waking up in dry Overnights . . . being kind to a family member or friend. . . sharing toys. . . cleaning up without having to be asked. . .
-Using super-polite manners. . . having a great report from teachers. . . helping Mom or Dad with a project. . . working hard at something. . .
-Having a great swim meet/ soccer practice/ or gymnastics class. . . showing us that they’re really trying hard to be patient, kind, helpful . . .
-Finally jumping off of the diving board. . . being brave at the doctor or dentist or after a big fall. . . helping out a neighbor. . . having a birthday. . .treating Golden and Guinea in a gentle, loving way. . .
-Getting through that first week of being potty-trained. . . a first day of school. . . being caught doing something sweet, when they thought no one was looking. . .
One of Maddy’s awesome preschool teachers shared with me that her family uses their Special Plate almost daily and then at dinnertime everyone goes around the table saying one kind thing about each person.
I love, love, love the Special Plate idea and wish I remembered to use it more, since focusing on positive behavior is oftentimes overlooked. We all seem to be more programmed to deal negative behavior after it occurs–especially with young children.
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We have that plate, too, but we hardly ever use it. Mainly just for birthdays…My husband doesn't like it because he says that the girls are special every day. He wishes it would say something like "Today is your special day." But I like your idea of using it a lot more frequently, for smaller milestones that are still important to the little ones.
Another great tip! Thanks. I'm going to have to find a special plate.
What a cool idea, great way of reinforcing positive behaviours. I will keep a lookout for a speical plate over here in the UK
LOVE this!! Am now officially keeping an eye our for a similar plate.
What a cute idea! I've never heard of the special plate before.
I have an award for you here:
http://ourniftynotebook.blogspot.com/2009/08/when-it-rains-it-pours.html
I love this! I'll need to find a special plate.
I have an award for you on my blog. Be sure to go by and pick it up!
We use to have this very same plate, but it broke, so now no one gets to be special ever.
Just kidding…I do remember it was really fun to use and your post has me wanting to go out and get another one! thanks for the reminder…
wow! What a fun bunch of responses to this one!! Two awards?! Thanks so much, Jenny and Tara! And what a riot that Monica and Amy have the same one–
Thanks so much for reading, friends!1
Great idea! Our family loves our plate. The plate that we have I hand painted at a local pottery place called "Painted Earth". However, ours is called "On Your Special Day" and has a saying that I painted around the top that says ~ "May Gods Love and Blessing be with us all through the year". And on big "moments" we sign the back of plate with the event and date. Just another idea.
I LOVE this!!! I'll be right over to steal your plate…