Minutes

UNF – CDRC Parent Organization

April 10 , 2008

 

Parent Organization Meeting

Free Swimming Lessons & Nemour's Workshop

Pam began the meeting informing parents of two events they may want to participate in. The first is Free Swimming Lessons being offered by the UNF Aquatic Center. The center is only accepting 15 students from CDRC to participate in two training sessions for the swim instructors. The children will help the new instructors how to work with children. Pam asked Teresa to forward the information to parents via email. The classrooms have signs up informing parents. Secondly, the Nemour's is offering a parent workshop titled "Parent as Child's First Teacher Initiative - Managing Your Child's Behavior Parent Training". The date of the workshop is April 14, 2008. For more info, parents should call Nemours BrightStart at 904 - 858-3118.

 

 

Teacher Appreciation

Jessica informed parents that the Parent Organization will be giving each lead teacher a $75 gift card and each assistant a $20 gift card. Discussion was had regarding what kind of gift card to give - Visa Debit cards, Walmart cards, Target cards, Publix cards. It was agreed that we would be buy gift cards from Target.

 

Discussed where the Spring Play is being held and informed parents the location of Robinson Theater. Pam pointed out that we need to remind parents that they will need to purchase a PARKING Pass the night of the Spring Play in order to park in the garage or the parking lot next to the Fine Arts Center. Teresa said she would email parents and remind them that they need to purchase a pass. Also, we would contact parking services to remind them that we will be holding our Spring Play in Robinson Theater.

 

Video Update - Jason, Jessica's husband, gave parents a preview of the Teacher Appreciation video. Parents were very happy with the preview and expect that many parents will want a copy of the DVD. Members suggested that the Parent Organization offer to sell copies to parents and we would have another great fundraising opportunity. We discussed the logistics of copying a large number of DVD's and Erin Soles offered the use of her multiple DVD burners/copiers. Pam said they would have an assistant take orders at the end of the Spring Play. Parents can sign a sheet with their N-number and the number of copies they want and their CDRC account would be billed the cost of the DVD. We discussed the problem of selling the DVD and having to deal with the tax implications of a sale. Pam suggested we word it "Suggested Donations" for the sale of the DVD's in order to simplify the transactions.

 

Summer Fall Registration
Summer and Fall Registration has begun. Parents should have received a schedule in their child's (or children's) swing folder. Parents can see the schedule on the CDRC website. Pam indicated in the meeting that Ms. Nancy's class will not have all day students in her class next year. Only students enrolled in VPK for the 9-12 time slot and from 2-5. Ms. Roberta and Ms. Mahreen will have a mix of VPK and all day students.

 

Born Learning Training?

Parents were asked if they wanted to participate in a training seminar next year called Born Training. Parents did not make a decision. There were several different seminars that we could offer. We will discuss at the next meeting. The seminar is offered by Nemours. Need to find out if there is a deadline for workshops.

 

Next Parent Meeting

Our next parent meeting is scheduled for May 7th. Tentative agenda for the next meeting:

  • Discuss how much money was raised by the DVD sales
  • Continue discussion about which outdoor water sports equipment we should purchase for the center with the funds raised from the DVD sales (blow up water slide, water sprinklers/hoses, slip-n-slide, water pool to go at bottom of the existing slides...)
  • Continue with Conscious Discipline Workshop

 

Conscious Discipline: Principle #8

Demands that the adult be in the relationship with the child.

Reviewed the difference between negative discipline and positive discipline.

Negative Discipline

Positive Discipline

  • Power based
  • intimidation
  • Bribes/rewards
  • Child fails to respond to internal motivation
  • Get really expensive as child gets older
  • Leaves child feeling bad
  • Cooperation through pain
  •  
  • Relationship based
  • Motivated because of relationship

 

 

We often are too busy to give children the time or attention they want or need.

Example: Child talking about day; Parent is cooking dinner, watching TV,..and no response from the parents. What are the options for the child? Negative reactions by the child will get a response.

Think Sheet: Parents were asked to think about a time when they were frustrated, disappointed, ignored or angry and they were asked to do something at that time. What was their response? Did they want to do what was asked of them?

Now think of a time when things are going well and you are asked to do something? What was your response?

 

How do we get a positive relationship with our children?

Focused Play
Fives minutes of focused play per day reduces power struggles by 50%. Children need our presence, not our presents.

Watched a video w/ Becky Bailey working with children and playing with them. She shows some loving rituals to help children focus and to help reduce power struggles.

After the video, parents split into two groups in a role playing exercise. The two groups consisted of the "parents" and the "children". The children were sent out of the room. The parents were kept in the room and handed Sudoku puzzles and instructed to ignore the children when the come in. The children came into the room excited to show a flower they picked. After the exercise, parents were asked how they felt about the experience. The children were asked how they felt when the parents ignored them or continued with their tasks/puzzles without giving them acknowledgement.

"I don't have time."

Parents have a choice: Spend time in positive prevention or spend time in conflict resolution, drying tears, or repairing relationships. This applies to all ages. Even with older kids, you build relationships by doing things with them...play checkers, play basketball, go for a run...

Parents may be physically there with their child, but not attending to them. They will say things like "Uh huh, yep!" or "Tell me while I put dishes in the washer" Or parents will be on the cell phone...

 

Parents must give their children 100% of their attention even if it is just for two minutes.

What does a Genuine Encounter Moment ...

look like

sound like

feel like

  • smiles
  • calming
  • happy
  • excited
  • soothing
  • warm
  • peaceful
  • loving
  • safe

 

 

 

Parents should create a good night ritual you can do with your child.

Review:

Principle #7

  • View discipline not as punishment, but as opportunity to teach
  • remember victim first; aggressor second
  • Victim first aid = adding words to child's experience w/ empathy
  • Victim--- Tattlers - "ALSO" approach --- Ask (Did you like it?) Listen (No), Say (Go tell...), Observe (see the upcoming interaction)
  • Aggressor -- "PURE" approach -- Provide positive intent, State what is unacceptable, reason it is unacceptable, explore alternatives.