Santas Elves - Random Acts of Kindness

In this crazy and busy season it is so easy to get caught up in the dreaded TO DO list.
Everyone is rushing and worrying about gifts, if there is enough food and when to see everyone that needs to be remembered at this time of the year (Huge Sigh)

How do our children feel in all of this madness?  Yes, the crazy season affects all of us.

This year I wanted my children to think about something other than the gifts they were going to get and what Christmas can give them.  Luckily, they were exposed to this in a small way at their schools, when we had the opportunity of donating a present to a charity as well as completing 'Operation Christmas Child' (have a look at this if you have not seen it before - this was a very special activity to do: http://operationchristmaschild.org.au/)

It has been lovely for them to try their hand this year at Secret Santa.   This gave them a lovely opportunity to actually choose the gift they wanted to give to someone in the family.  They went in pairs and purchased the gifts themselves as well - which made it even more special.

I am always trying to think of ways to extend the sibling bond, and working within the family unit to really care about each other.  I loved watching everyone post 'elf on the shelf'' blogs and instagram pictures, and decided to create:

 Santa's Elves-Random acts of Kindness

This has been a fun activity.  Each day when they peeled back the layer on their advent calendars they also had to choose a Santa's elf lucky dip from their Santa hats.

Inside the Santa hats they found a square of paper with today's activity written on it.  They then had to achieve their 'Act of  Kindness' to receive the advent treat.  I was thrilled to see my children take this activity on with loads of enthusiasm.  They were so excited to see what Santa Elf activity they would be doing each day.

Unfortunately, 25 days of kindness was too much kindness for my busy children, but it was very successful for approx 15 days of kindness - which was better than if we had not done it at all.  Activities were centred mainly around the family, however there was the odd activity like - buy a friend something from the canteen at school, or offer to help your teacher that related to people outside the family.  I was even thrilled to see that the children would choose each other differently to perform the acts of kindness to, nobody missed out.  I loved receiving a note telling me 3 things they loved about me - but they also chose to do this for each other as well, which absolutely warmed my heart.

This is a busy and crazy time of the year, but it is the special traditions and the added 'Random Acts of Kindness' that you can fit into your day and the day of your children which help to make this holiday season so special.

For the Love of Learning

Donna

Feedback is FABULOUS

Like the parents at our learning programs, I too have the opportunity to sit at my own children's activities.  These activities offer a product, as does ED Specially4U.  As the parent, we are paying businesses to offer a great product and service. Most importantly we are entrusting them to do the best service we can for our children.

I often wait at classes and contemplate feedback that I would like to give the teacher/coach/facilltator, in the aim that it can be acknowledgement of their hard work and dedication and sometimes to offer some advice from a parent perspective.  Often consumers are hesitant to present feedback as we are unsure how it will be received.  I do try to regularly say positive thoughts about how I find the product or service that they are offering.
    
Of course I love hearing positive praise for our programs and our fantastic teachers.   However, I also appreciate when people take the time to offer constructive ideas and suggestions. I want to know that parents believe the programs that we offer are as FANTASTIC as we think they are.   I passionately believe in what we do.  I am so proud of the product and services that we offer, and am proud of the strength of our unique programs.  I also value the feedback of our parents and caregivers.  Our teaching team regularly discuss our program and any changes that we feel are necessary, this is all in the aim of producing the best learning experiences for our families.

In the last couple of weeks we have handed out feedback forms to our families - and we really would like to hear from you.  Any suggestions are taken as constructive, and I feel this assists us to develop the best learning programs.

I have included a copy of the feedback form here, if you missed out on a copy please feel free to download the form and return it to: edspecially4u@bigpond.com

We have already started to receive completed forms.  Thank you to those families who have taken the time to do this already.

To end on a super proud note, I would like to share some lovely comments that we have received so far:

'the teacher is friendly and willing to spend time with me to discuss about my son's development and give suggestions on helping him to get ready to school'

'I am very glad that I found this program for both my kids.  Both kids have been advanced compared to if we hadn't done the program'

'her ability to trace, listen and learn the different phonetic sounds associated with the alphabets'

'mix of singing, reading, learning and arts & crafts'

'I would highly recommend to friends and families'

Thank you for the appreciation and the prompt feedback

For the Love of Learning

Donna