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Emma loves it when I make her charts to help her track goals and the passage of time. I originally made printable charts, but for some reason she prefers to have her charts drawn on the whiteboard I use to make shopping lists and other notes in the kitchen. She especially loves it when her charts are drawn in shapes. My artistically-challenged glass slippers on the top row represent the number of nights she had to sleep by herself through the night without fussing in order to get a small prize of her choosing. The bottom row of houses was a “Daddy coming home” chart to track the days until Mike got home from a business trip. Besides helping to motivate Emma to reach her goals, these charts help her practice simple addition and subtraction as well as helping her understand the passage of time. I talk with Emma about which goals she wants charts for, and I help her work out what types of prizes we can provide.
Since I am not artistically gifted, my efforts to draw the requested shapes sometimes fall short. The current “sleeping through the night” chart is four snowballs – Emma’s solution after my attempts at drawing her previously requested fairies and wicked witches failed to measure up. She said, “Mama, just draw circles.” And then, once I drew them, “Look, it’s snowballs!”
Emma has already informed me that she wants dinosaurs for her next chart, adding: “Can you draw dinosaurs? Them have big teeth!”
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Great idea! My Hubby is going on a mission trip at the end of February (10 days!), so Ive been thinking about creating a countdown chart to help my daughter see how much time is left until he comes home.
.-= SkylarKD´s last blog ..To all the crafty people out there… =-.
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We have some success with charts to track goals, too. I think it’s a great way for preschoolers to understand the consequences of your actions (or lack of action if you don’t earn a sticker on the chart!)
.-= Quadmama´s last blog ..I Need a Vacation =-.
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LOL on the artistic abilities – I am in the same boat. The poop chart worked really well for us when we were potty training. Since then we only used the countdown to Christmas, but I am contemplating “play by yourself” chart – something that my daughter is notoriously bad about when I am home :)
.-= Natalie´s last blog ..The First Time in the Theater =-.
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I’m the same kind of artist – how nice of her to say they are snowballs! good luck with the dinos. ;)
.-= Beth´s last blog ..wreath around the year =-.
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great idea. love the photo of the toes in the header photo
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Awww… I love her requests! What a great idea to make charts like that! Emily has her own calendar, and she loves it, but I know she would love a chart of her own too!
.-= Valerie @ Frugal Family Fun Blog´s last blog ..Indoor Snow Picnic =-.
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Emma sounds like such a sweetie. Snowballs for circles – yea!!
.-= Elisa | blissfulE´s last blog ..Sunday sunshine :: photo shoot =-.
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Haha! I think your houses and shoes came out very good. I think I need to try a few charts with my girls.
.-= Mama King´s last blog ..Valentines Day Craft: Painted Paper Doilies =-.
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Charts are great for so many reasons, I think it really helps little ones see the passage of time and understand the concept of waiting. Your shoes look pretty good, I noted right away they are heels and pretty high ones at that!
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Snowball Counting Activity =-.
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Looking forward to seeing your dinosaur charts! With big teeth, lol :)
.-= sunnymama´s last blog ..Batik Frog Wall Hanging GIVEAWAY =-.
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