October
We usually associate October with pumpkins and Halloween. Even during this time you can continually point your children to Christ and to making choices that please Him.
Fun Food
Pumpkin Seeds
Check back soon for how to cook pumpkin seeds.
Check back soon for how to cook pumpkin seeds.
Incentive Chart
Use this incentive chart to track progress towards a goal. You can use it for anything you like.
1. Decide on a goal. What do you want your child to work on? Reading books? Sharing with others? Potty training? Memorizing Scriptures? Pick one specific thing you want to see improved.
2. Decide how you want to fill in the squares on the chart. You can laminate the chart or put it in a protective sleeve if you want to be able to wipe it off and use it again. You can use stamps, stickers, check marks, or any other "marker" you want to use.
3. Determine a reward. What motivates your child? Candy? Time on an electronic device? Time for crafts? Whatever your child loves to do the most will be a great incentive. Pick a reward that is affordable and won't be unhealthy (like a couple candies instead of a whole pack).
4. Determine how frequently the reward will be given. Is the reward given when one row is finished? Or when the whole page is complete? Print out the chart. Use brightly colored paper if desired.
5. Explain the new plan to your child. For example, "Mark, look at this fun page. You know I have been talking with you about reading more books. This month, whenever you read a new book by yourself, you can put a sticker in the square. When each row is full, we can go to the library and get new books. When the entire page is full, we can go to Half Price Books (discount book store) and pick out a new book for your personal library." This is just an example and would only be motivating to a child who likes to read but isn't really into it during the summer, or some similar situation.
6. Let your child color and decorate the incentive chart.
7. Post it in a convenient location with the markers/stickers/stamps nearby.
8. Be consistent and have fun!
1. Decide on a goal. What do you want your child to work on? Reading books? Sharing with others? Potty training? Memorizing Scriptures? Pick one specific thing you want to see improved.
2. Decide how you want to fill in the squares on the chart. You can laminate the chart or put it in a protective sleeve if you want to be able to wipe it off and use it again. You can use stamps, stickers, check marks, or any other "marker" you want to use.
3. Determine a reward. What motivates your child? Candy? Time on an electronic device? Time for crafts? Whatever your child loves to do the most will be a great incentive. Pick a reward that is affordable and won't be unhealthy (like a couple candies instead of a whole pack).
4. Determine how frequently the reward will be given. Is the reward given when one row is finished? Or when the whole page is complete? Print out the chart. Use brightly colored paper if desired.
5. Explain the new plan to your child. For example, "Mark, look at this fun page. You know I have been talking with you about reading more books. This month, whenever you read a new book by yourself, you can put a sticker in the square. When each row is full, we can go to the library and get new books. When the entire page is full, we can go to Half Price Books (discount book store) and pick out a new book for your personal library." This is just an example and would only be motivating to a child who likes to read but isn't really into it during the summer, or some similar situation.
6. Let your child color and decorate the incentive chart.
7. Post it in a convenient location with the markers/stickers/stamps nearby.
8. Be consistent and have fun!
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Photo Fun
October is a great time to take some pictures of your family. I like to take one of my kids at a pumpkin patch and send it to our family in November with a note about how thankful we are for our family. Here are some quick tips for getting a great shot.
1. Be at the picture shot at sunrise or sunset. This is the best light. This can be difficult for kids, so just do the best you can. Kids are often most cooperative earlier in the day.
2. Look for a pumpkin patch that has some shade. Many pumpkin patches are out in a grassy area with no protection from the sun. This makes it more difficult to get a nice fact shot.
3. Zoom in. Zooming in focuses the picture on your kids and crops out other families playing in the pumpkin patch. Depending on the camera and lens you have, it might also help blur the background a little. If are using a cell phone camera, don't zoom in. Just get closer.
4. Take a few pictures of your children posing however you like.
5. Have an incentive. Take pictures first, then play with the pumpkins, or then have a picnic, or then have a piece of candy, or whatever the "fun" activity is.
6. After you snap a couple pictures of your children smiling at you or holding a pumpkin or whatever you prefer, continue to take pictures as they play. Continue to zoom in on their faces to eliminate distractions in the picture. Catching them having fun on a beautiful fall day might turn out even better than the posed pictures.
1. Be at the picture shot at sunrise or sunset. This is the best light. This can be difficult for kids, so just do the best you can. Kids are often most cooperative earlier in the day.
2. Look for a pumpkin patch that has some shade. Many pumpkin patches are out in a grassy area with no protection from the sun. This makes it more difficult to get a nice fact shot.
3. Zoom in. Zooming in focuses the picture on your kids and crops out other families playing in the pumpkin patch. Depending on the camera and lens you have, it might also help blur the background a little. If are using a cell phone camera, don't zoom in. Just get closer.
4. Take a few pictures of your children posing however you like.
5. Have an incentive. Take pictures first, then play with the pumpkins, or then have a picnic, or then have a piece of candy, or whatever the "fun" activity is.
6. After you snap a couple pictures of your children smiling at you or holding a pumpkin or whatever you prefer, continue to take pictures as they play. Continue to zoom in on their faces to eliminate distractions in the picture. Catching them having fun on a beautiful fall day might turn out even better than the posed pictures.
When You Walk By The Way...
Deuteronomy 6 tells us teach our children to fear the Lord, to keep His commands, and to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind. Every day we should look for opportunities to point our children to God. This month can be a great time to get a devotional time in your daily routine.
Check back soon for a way to teach your children about God in October.
Check back soon for a way to teach your children about God in October.