life skills activities
TALKIN' BALL
"How to build good Conversation Life Skills"
"How to build good Conversation Life Skills"
Good conversation skills need to be taught and modeled; they don’t just happen. I picked up the basics of this idea years ago and had adapted it to my three children.
My son, now grown and in his late 20ties, called me one day, and said: “Mom, I have been meaning to tell you how much I appreciate you making us practice with the TALKIN’ BALL. I think of it all the time. It has helped me: talking with my professors in college, employers, interviewing, friends, dates, meeting parents of my dates, really everything. I just have to keep the BALL in play. Thank you so much!”
For instructions, download
LIFE SKILLS ACTIVITIES – TALKIN’ BALL |
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FAMILY OWNED RESTAURANT
“Cooking, serving, restaurant etiquette and future Job possibility - Life Skills”
Once a week in the summer, our three children would create a menu, set the table, plan, cook, serve, give us a bill and clean-up our dinner. Today all three of our adult children love cooking and feel “at home” in a kitchen. Not only that, we felt comfortable taking them to most any restaurant setting, knowing they would be well-behaved and understand restaurant etiquette. Together as a family, we also talked about and observed each person who had a job at that restaurant.
The photos below are from another family in MA who have also encouraged the Life Skill of Cooking and Restaurant etiquette. See Theresa's testimonial below.
The photos below are from another family in MA who have also encouraged the Life Skill of Cooking and Restaurant etiquette. See Theresa's testimonial below.
For instructions, download
LIFE SKILLS ACTIVITIES – FAMILY OWNED RESTAURANT |
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EXCUSE ME MOMMY
“How to get your child to not rudely interrupt & be respectful - Life Skills"
It seems inevitable. As soon as you get on the phone, or are talking with a friend, your child needs you immediately! That once sweet little voice whines louder and louder and sometimes a tantrum might erupt if you don’t respond to him/her immediately. Embarrassed and angry you don’t know what to do!
For instructions, download
LIFE SKILLS ACTIVITIES – EXCUSE ME MOMMY
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PRESENTS OF PRAISE / BLESSINGS BOX
“How to encourage and teach an attitude of gratitude - Life Skills”
“How to encourage and teach an attitude of gratitude - Life Skills”
Over the years, I have noticed some children just seem to almost naturally have a disposition of a thankful heart. But the majority of we humans, need that attitude of gratitude and a thankful heart taught, reinforced, prayed over and modeled for it to take root and grow.
Like the childhood game we often play in the car, “I spy with my little eye…”, pointing out God’s gifts around us, thanking someone, praising a family member, and counting our blessings takes practice and open eyes to “spy” these presents and gifts of love around us. Attached is a simple tool/activity we used from Thanksgiving to Christmas, but it can be put into action anytime all year long. Remember, it has been said new habits form after at least 21 days of repetition, so using the PRESENTS OF PRAISE BOX or a BLESSINGS BOX or JAR for a month or repeated often, can have life-long impact on your child and you. |
For instructions, download
PRESENTS OF PRAISE / BLESSINGS BOX
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Testimonials ~
“Sherri recommended that if a child is interrupting you, to put up your index finger which means ‘I heard you and care what you have to say. When I am finished talking I will focus on you.’ I tried it with Jenni and it worked! As Sherri suggested, I had to explain it to her and role play with her first before putting it into practice, and it is working!”
Leigh – mom of 3 year old – Bolton, MA
“Sherri recommended that if a child is interrupting you, to put up your index finger which means ‘I heard you and care what you have to say. When I am finished talking I will focus on you.’ I tried it with Jenni and it worked! As Sherri suggested, I had to explain it to her and role play with her first before putting it into practice, and it is working!”
Leigh – mom of 3 year old – Bolton, MA
"During the 'shelter in place' new normal with my five children all home, my oldest two children surprised my husband and me with a Saturday morning breakfast at their little NJ Cafe they created. It is so much like what Sherri has suggested on her website in Family Owned Restaurant. What I have liked most about it is the kids are so proud of what they can independently do and how they can help others. Relatives can't wait to visit and try their cafe after this quarantine is over!"
Theresa - mom of 5 - ages 11--newborn - Maynard, MA