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teach kids patience on their own: arm circles

home / family life / parenting / behavior management / teach kids patience on their own: arm circles
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teach kids patience on their own | arm circles | teachmama.com

Arm circles.

What are they? They’re both a distractor and a way for two little ones to try to work out sharing issues.

And they make me laugh sometimes when Maddy and Owen initiate it on their own–I know, I’m horrible.

I watched Maddy’s preschool teachers do this, and ever since my kiddos could count to 10 on their own, I’ve used this Quick Trick occasionally with Maddy and Owen.

  • Arm Circles: If Maddy has a toy that she’s been playing with for a while and Owen wants a turn, here’s how the ideal arm circle conversation goes:

Owen: Maddy, can I please play with that (whatever it is)?
Maddy: Absolutely!
Owen: How many arm circles should I do?
Maddy: Do 15 arm circles, and it’s yours.
Owen: Okay. (He then makes a huge circle with his arm, counting from 1-15 in a normal pace).
Maddy: (Hands Owen the toy.)
Owen: Thanks!
Maddy: Sure–no problem!

Like I said, that’s ideal. Here’s how it usually goes:

Owen: Maddy, can I have that (whatever)?
Maddy: No, I have it.
Owen: Please, Maddy?
Maddy: No. I’m using it.
Owen: (Desperately, whiny) How many arm circles should I do?
Maddy: A hundred.
Owen: No! Choose 1 to 30 (FYI: 30 has become our limit, the highest Owen can count on his own)!
Maddy: A hundred and thirty.
Owen: Maaaaddddddyyyyy!
Maddy: Fine. 30.
Owen: (Swinging his arm wildly in fast circles and speed counting) Onetwothreefourfivesix. . . .

Just a little something to keep in your pocket. Some days it really does work and solves the never-ending toy-sharing issue in our house. Other days, it’s my little comic relief. I’m really looking forward to the day that Cora gets in on the fun.

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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. this week for dinner - jane maynard

    March 25, 2009 at 6:04 pm

    cute! we’ll have to give it a try…thanks! 🙂 (gotta love those tricks you learn from preschool!)

    Reply
  2. teachmama

    March 26, 2009 at 12:33 am

    Seriously–either love them or totally detest them, right?

    Reply

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