Friday, February 26, 2016

Games Week

Recently we had Games Week in Pre-K.  During this time, we learned how to play numerous board games and worked on rule following, turn taking, being good sports and congratulating others when they won.  On Wednesday and Thursday of Games Week, we had older students come and play board games with us in the Media Room.  This was sure a lot of fun!












Monday, February 15, 2016

A Visit from the Dentist

On Wednesday and Thursday of last week, we had two special visitors from the Gelhaus Dental Clinic in Medford.  Dr. Sally and Dr. Ben brought in some fun activities to teach us about our teeth!  The students learned about the importance of brushing and flossing their teeth, knowing which foods and treats are better for our teeth than others, and what to expect at a visit to the dental office.  The Gelhaus Dental Clinic generously donated goodie bags to each student too!  What a great Valentine's treat!


Monday, February 1, 2016

With the sad news our town has received in the past few days, I wanted to take some time to provide a resource to help us, as adults, better understand how children cope with death.  If you'd like more information, please visit Mr. Greget's blog:  http://jgreget.blogspot.com/

Developmental Stages of Understanding Death

http://www.wscaweb.org/WSCALink_September2014#.Vq2folUrLnB

Developmental Stages of Understanding Death
Age
Concept of Death
Grief Response
Signs of Distress
Possible Interventions
0-2
May not understand death
Will sense changes in the home
Irritability
Will respond/react to emotions of adults
Regression
Change in sleeping or eating patterns
Reestablishment of routine
Comforting, holding
2-4
May see death as abandonment or punishment
Death is reversible, not permanent
May connect unrelated events to death
Very present oriented
Aware of change
Regression
Change in sleeping or eating patterns
Bedwetting
Insecurity
Separation anxiety
Reestablishment of routine
Comforting, holding
Drawing
Playing
4-7
Death is reversible, not permanent
May feel responsible for the death
“Magical thinking”
May see death as contagious
Repetitive questioning
May reenact death or the
funeral during play
Asks about loved one’s return
Regression
Nightmares
Change in sleeping or eating patterns
Violent play
Tries to take on the role of the person who died
Symbolic play
Art and drawing
Allow/encourage expression
of feelings
7-11
Death as punishment
Fears of bodily harm for themselves or others
Starting to understand the finality of death
Questions about specific
details
Concerns about normalcy in the grieving process
Some understanding of mourning
Fears loss of other loved ones
Regression
Problems in school
Withdrawal from friends
Change in sleeping or eating patterns
Suicidal thoughts
Concern with bodily
harm
Answer questions honestly.
Encourage expression of feelings
Allow some alone time, but be available
Symbolic play
Talking
11-18
Death is universal, final and
irreversible
Understands possibility of own
death
May try to care for others
Depression
Denial
May want to talk to friends, rather than family.
Regression
Intense anger or guilt
Acting out
Poor school performance
Opposition/defiance
Encourage verbalization
Encourage self-motivation
Listen and be available
Do not attempt to “fix” child.