Happy UN-birthday!

You're invited! If it's been awhile since you've had a party, plan an UN-birthday. If it's not your birthday, then by golly it's your UN-birthday. It's like an excuse to have cake! Take a page from Alice's book. Ask your preschooler to help you plan the celebration from cake to decoration and enjoy a party just because. Pull out some mismatched party decor from parties past, bake and frost cupcakes, put up the balloons your child got for being a good kid while you waited in line at the bank, invite neighbor Nelly. You get the idea. Pretty much anything goes and your little party planner will be sure to love the special and unexpected day.

101 Ways to Praise a Child

So many ways to say "good job." Try a new one today!

101 Ways to Praise a Child

Cheers!

I think it's important that we say "Good job" to children in many different ways. It can grow old to hear the same thing many times over! For example, when someone asks "How are you?" and you respond "I'm fine." You're probably so used to hearing that question it gets the generic response. Lame, right? Try responding with how you REALLY feel and you might get a whole different response. Next time you see positive behavior, reward it with a new cheer. Do it together. Invoke a whole new response and sense of pride for a job well done!

The following cards are printable and portable. You might find other ways to use them as well, for example, when you are waiting with your child for something unpleasant like a dentist appointment.

http://www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2004/06_june/06_2004_pdf.html

P.S. C loves "Firecracker" and "Hip - Hip - Hooray!"