Peer Mentors!

Young children are very egocentric. They see the whole world in relation to how it affects them. Most young children appreciate the value of adults. After all, adults are the ones who feed them, bath them, take them out for dinner and read them books. Dyad play requires that children begin to see their own peers as valuable resources as well. Throughout the school year we will encourage the children to share their talents and strengths with each other.

Today on the playground the children had the opportunity to play with the hula- hoops. Charlotte repeatedly picked up the hoop and moved her hips around and around very slowly and the hoop kept dropping to the ground and would not stay on her hips. I suggested that Charlotte move her hips a little faster and to keep practicing. After a few more tries Charlotte said in an overwhelming voice, "I can't do this! Hannah was watching near by and said in a friendly voice, "I can show you." Hannah picked up the hoop and showed Charlotte how to keep the hoop moving around her hips. I asked Hannah to give Charlotte some " hula tips". Hannah's response, "You do this, this and this!" After a quick lesson, Charlotte tried it again and had some success!

Charlotte was the mentor this time...Charlotte was sitting on the edge of the slide balancing with no hands which is great exercise and really challenges your core muscles. Noah was watching her and asked her, "How do you do that?" Charlotte was more than please to teach Noah how to balance with no hands on the side of the slide!

We should all continue to seek out child mentors both at home and at school. When a child is struggling at a particular time of the day, such as snack, buckling their own car seat, cleanup, catching a ball, pumping on a swing, help them find a child mentor to partner with.