Josh is majorly into role playing, mostly superheroes but he's not partial. Sometimes you'll see him as a pirate or a soldier. Each day he takes on a new persona and most days there are multiple. Today for example, he's already been Batman and Green Lantern, and it's only lunch time. He's watching Superman right now, so I'm sure that's to follow. I love his imagination.
One day while looking at the big A on his Captain America helmet a light bulb went off.
I had just read my friend's blog about environmental print and the wheels started turning when I saw the letter A. I knew that in order to keep Josh's interest I had to make learning fun and make it something he can relate too. Thus was born "Joshua's book of ABC's." I've been craving some crafty scrapbooking time but haven't been able to make the time, so this was a perfect compromise - a little crafty, and productive!
This picture is an example of how detailed or simple you can go, if you'd like to make your own. Many of the more detailed letters were made with layers of cardstock and scrapbook paper. However, when I knew what I wanted the R to look like, I didn't want to cut out a million pieces of Robin's costume. So I drew in the details and colored it with Stampin Write Markers (from Stampin' Up!). On the flip side, S was much easier. I just pasted an ACU pattern in a Word document (google) and then an S outline, printed & cut. So far, so good. He's been enjoying it, and of course learning his alphabet!
As with most 4-year-olds (or at least I'm hoping :)) chores are a battle, including the chores that should just be everyday maintenance like brushing your teeth. I've been eager to start a rewards system with Josh, waiting until I knew he'd respond. His very first chart was back when he was potty training. He loved putting stickers in the squares after using the potty and washing his hands, but he'd also sometimes get bored of it. Recently, I realized it was time again. I started off small with an app on my iPod touch. It was the free version, so it would only let me make a chart for 1 child (fine) and 4 chores (not fine). He enjoyed pushing the button and seeing the check mark by his chores. He was loving it, and I needed to keep track of more. I found a chore chart at Staples that I really like. It's dry-erase and has magnetic stars.
It's been working wonderfully! Josh has been encouraged to do what I need him to do, and if he doesn't I don't push it. I just make sure he understands that it's his choice and his choice to not do a chore means it's his choice to not get a star. And better than any other avenue of discipline, taking away a star is almost magic. Ha! I'm sure the threat of losing a star works so well because he so badly wants the reward. Which leads me to another point, making it all something he can relate to again, something he really wants. So I give him the choice. For example, after earning 10 stars he can choose to play a new game (like a board game with us, or the Wii which he is just learning to play), 20 stars is a new toy (I keep a budget in my head and guide him to a few choices), and 30 stars is a "big movie" aka a movie in the theatre. So far he has earned an Ironman mask, which was something he had his mind set on (another great factor, having him set goals and work for it) and a movie in the theatre.
I adjust the system as we go, as needed. In the future, I'll take "brushing teeth" off the chart because I believe he should learn to do that without being rewarded for it. A successful visit to the dentist (which usually includes a little toy) should be enough. Funny, but it reminds me of dog training. You start off with giving them a treat every time they sit along with the command, but eventually dwindle off so they sit by command only.
I'm so proud of Josh. Thanks for reading, and hopefully it'll provide ideas for some in the same stage. :)
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