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the special plate: celebrate success as a family

home / family life / parenting / behavior management / the special plate: celebrate success as a family
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the special plate | celebrate success as a family | teachmama.com

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.

Just another little something that works for us–on most days.
Thanks for subscribing to teachmama! Have a good one!
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About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro · http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amy from Occupation: Mommy

    August 10, 2009 at 6:47 pm

    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.

    Reply
  2. Christy

    August 10, 2009 at 7:33 pm

    Another great tip! Thanks. I'm going to have to find a special plate.

    Reply
  3. TheMadHouse

    August 10, 2009 at 8:04 pm

    What a cool idea, great way of reinforcing positive behaviours. I will keep a lookout for a speical plate over here in the UK

    Reply
  4. Smiling Mama

    August 10, 2009 at 8:04 pm

    LOVE this!! Am now officially keeping an eye our for a similar plate.

    Reply
  5. Jenny

    August 11, 2009 at 5:34 am

    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

    Reply
  6. Denise

    August 11, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    I love this! I'll need to find a special plate.

    Reply
  7. Tara Rison

    August 11, 2009 at 6:47 pm

    I have an award for you on my blog. Be sure to go by and pick it up!

    Reply
  8. Monica

    August 13, 2009 at 3:10 am

    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…

    Reply
  9. teachmama

    August 14, 2009 at 10:18 pm

    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

    Reply
  10. Tales From the Land of Motherhood

    August 15, 2009 at 12:11 am

    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.

    Reply
  11. ResourcefulMommy

    August 16, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    I LOVE this!!! I'll be right over to steal your plate…

    Reply

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