Trace around a child’s hand. Let her choose 4 friends to say something nice about her. Write the friends’ compliments on four fingers. Then the teacher writes his compliment on the thumb. Pin to the child’s back to wear home. Hint! I think it would be a good idea to choose one child each day and make this a special treat for her.

A teacher was tired of the children choosing the same songs to sing each day, so she started ARF – “All Request Friday.” On Friday afternoon she gets out her little puppet and says, “This is WRBS (Rockbridge School) from Anderson, SC, and it’s “All Request Friday. Let’s see who’s on the line with their request.” (Puppet picks a child who suggests a song.)

One teacher’s occupational therapist suggested that when children are waiting in the hall you tell them to put their hands on the wall and try to “push it down.” This builds upper body strength, releases energy, and focuses children’s attention.

Here’s another easy suggestion to help children build upper body strength. Let them do “tummy reading.” Children lay on their tummies and prop themselves up with their elbows as they read. Try it and see how it strengthens those arm and shoulder muscles.