u/siggywiggywald

Hey All,

I taught years ago - as 20 or so, and I am going back into the classroom starting this Fall. I used to have certain quick ways of saying things help redirect, curb behavior, explain things to the kids in my class, but I have forgotten so many of them. I am sure once I am in a classroom and on the spot, I will be fine, but I would love for you to share some of the things you say regularly to jog my memory or give me some new catch-phrases to help.

If you have no clue what I'm talking about (I get it, this is a strange question), I mean things like:

- Use gentle hands!
- Walking feet only, please.

I have a toddler of my own and one of my favorite new things I have been asking him is:
"How can you help yourself?" For instance, he may be crying while we are driving somewhere and I'll say, "How can you help yourself? Do you need your water? How about a truck to play with?" I'm hoping this starts to build his problem-solving muscles and makes him feel more capable and independent.

Any fun ones you like to use?

Hi All,

I have a 2 yo little guy who has been stuck to me like glue since he arrived. We spend all of our time together and rarely use babysitters. My husband works full-time, and it is the three of us on the weekends.

I have insane student loan debt and can no longer afford to take off, so I am going back to work. I have been looking for the right kind of job for me and recently found a job as an assistant teacher at an amazing preschool. This school had a massive waitlist and we were 80th on it. I was recently offered this job and it allows for him to move right into the 2s class, pays me (very little - but something), and gives us a $300 a week discount on his tuition. It's an amazing deal for all of us, except for one thing. He has to go to school for the entire day - 8:00 to 4:30.

I have gone back and forth with my husband about this and I feel like crap that he has to go to school for this long, but it seems like our only financial option, and while I won't be in his class, at least I will be at the school if needed.

I am trying my best to make this the best possible transition, and I would love tips on anything I could add to this list to make it easier on both of us.

What I am doing so far -

1. I am taking him to the school regularly to play on the playground and walk around the campus to get used to the space, and will continue this until he starts in early August.

2. I have taken pictures of him in all of the different spaces that he is going to be in, and am making a book to walk him through it.

3. I have also purchased several other books that talk about school (Preschool is Cool, The Kissing Hand, Llama Llama Misses Mama) and am reading them to him regularly.

4. I am starting my gym membership up July 1st and at my gym they have a childcare area that can be used 2.5 hours a day. I will take him their while I work out 5 days a week so that he can get used to having a variety of different adults taking care of him (we did this in the past and he hated it, but he was much younger then and I have since learned the more skilled staff members are there in the morning when we will go).

5. We are doing swimming lessons where I am not in the pool to also help him have other adults in his orbit.

6. He currently naps from 11-2 (3 hours) in a pitch black room with a sound machine. I am moving his nap to match the school nap (12:30 - 2:15) and letting more light into the space so he is used to a less dark room.

7. His favorite food is peanut butter and he eats it constantly, but it is a nut-free school, so I am slowly moving over to sunflower seed butter.

Anything I'm not considering that helped your family? Any teachers out there who have seen this go well vs. poorly - tips?

Thanks in advance!

Hi All,
I am developing a movement class for toddlers (walkers - 4yo) and their caregivers (moms, dads, grandparents) and I wanted you perspective on a few things. I’ll write a bit of the context and end with a few questions if you have a perspective on any or all, I’d love your input.

One thing to note- I’m in the phase of this process where I am building ideas, next I will start poking holes and testing it with a small group. If you think something is ridiculous, don’t tell me that. Please make a suggestion to improve it.

The concept-
A weekly movement class for kids and caregivers that meets your kid where they are. This isn’t a structured dance class. It’s a moment to let your little one explore space, to see you move to music (in whatever fun and ridiculous way you want) and for all to make friends and experience community in a new way.

The problem it’s solving-
Most kid classes expect toddlers to sit still. Or follow a plan, they often aren’t there yet developmentally. This makes space for them to explore.

What the class entails-
30 mins, 1x a week, 25$ per family (this can include siblings- older or younger), with an 8 week commitment

Each week introduces a theme, and 4 or 5 movements are introduced based on the theme, and then everyone is set free to move. You can do the movements, or run around, pick up a hoopla hoop, scarf, or egg shakers. This isn’t a dance class with your kid, it’s a dance party.

The music is a mix of kid’s music, and songs that parents actually want to move to.

Best case scenario-
After 8 weeks your kids are making friends their age, dancing with other adults, and seeing you do the Roger Rabbit with abandon.

What it’s based on-
There are parts of the world called Blue Zones where people have certain habits that allow them to live well and live long. One thing these groups do is move in ways that are natural, with multiple generations, regularly.

Now for the questions-
On the website, should I include the info on the Blue Zones? I love this info because it helps me to aspire to a lifestyle, and was the impetus for the idea, but maybe I like it because it’s mine. I am being conscious not to overwhelm people with info (I could always put it in an FAQ, unless you feel it is important to the idea and should go further up on the site)

I grew up dancing and can bust a move in front of anyone and don’t care. That said, i know a lot of people who are shy to move. If you are a bit shy to move, but feel free to move at home, do you think you could get into this? If so, how could I make you feel comfortable faster? I was thinking of turning the lights off and putting out twinkle lights. I know when I do spin classes having it dark makes me feel less self conscious. Any other ideas?

Hi All,
I have a product that I want to sell locally to get traction before pitching to stores. I live in Florida, where the Cottage Food Laws state that if I am making food in my home kitchen, I must sell directly to customers (in other words, I can't sell to other people/businesses to sell for me).

The ideal situation would be for me to sell at the Farmer's Market, but the market is closing for the season next week and won't reopen until January, and I want to get started in the next month.

Since that isn't an option, I was thinking about doing pop-ups in front of local businesses where my target customers go, giving samples, collecting emails, and then following up a week later to try to get them to subscribe to get the product weekly. However, that poses another issue. If I can get people to subscribe, then I have to either show up week after week somewhere to pick up the food. While I am fine with that, I imagine that while the establishments where I have my pop-ups may be okay with a one-time pop-up, they won't want me coming all the time. Alternatively, I could deliver, but I have a toddler, so driving around all day isn't realistic.

What are your ideas for me to get my product directly to customers? I would love your insights.

Thanks!