• Reading
  • Science
  • Math
  • Writing
  • Recipes
  • Travel

The Educators' Spin On It

Learning Games and Activities

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Deals
  • Shop
  • Contact

By Kim Vij 4 Comments

Using Toys to Model Appropriate Behavior with Kids {Virtual Book Club for Kids}

Each Month we spotlight a new author for the Virtual Book Club for Kids.  This month we’re featuring books by David Shannon.

We’re sharing tips on how to turn “No David” by David Shannon into “Yes David” with your Child

 

David Shannon has written several books with a children loved character David.  Perhaps it’s because David was inspired by his own writing as a child children are drawn into the character of David.  I think it’s great to take advantage of this natural interest and focus on social skills with these books.

 

We’ve been having a few issues at home with listening and making safe choices at our house with our year old daughter.  You know climbing on chairs, running through the kitchen, hitting her big sister, sitting down to eat at the table for the whole meal… the simply things we all work with our children as they grow and mature on a daily basis.  I decided to try a simple but game with her to see if she could easily identify the desired behaviors.

 

We sat down and read the books No, David! and  David Gets in Trouble by David Shannon.  Is this book David does various things around the home that he isn’t supposed to like knocking down furniture, breaking a window, refusing to eat, pulling the cat’s tail and several more.  While we were reading it we discussed how it wasn’t ok to do those things.  Plus it focuses on how David gets in trouble when he does those things and has to apologize for his actions at the end.

 

Make your Own Yes Story
Now it was time for our house and those behaviors I was hoping we could address through this story.  Do you have any undesired behaviors at home with your child?  So what we did was come up with our own Story that Includes a No and also a YES!
Did you know that children have a difficult time processing negative directions?  If you say Stop Running they will tend to hear “Running”.  If you say don’t hit your sister, they hear “hit your sister”.  Over time as they repeatedly hear rules yes they do comprehend what you’re saying but it’s a whole lot easier for them to process a positive statement.  Instead of saying “Stop running” say “Walk” or “Walk Slowly”.  If they are using their hands inappropriately instead of saying no hitting you could say “Use your hands gently” or “Hands off”.  Focusing on giving positive expectations will help your child process what you are expecting of them.

We changed some of those undesired behaviors into the things that my daughter should be doing and shouted YES when she role played them correctly.  She’s two so sharing our expectations again and again is developmentally appropriate and what she needs to lay that solid foundation of understood behaviors.  We even took pictures of her animals doing the right things and printed them out to make our very own YES Book.  You could easily create it with images of your child too.   In our images we addressed bedtime, mealtime, sitting on furniture and caring for toys.  I’m sure there are many other behaviors that we will add to our book.  What will you focus on?

Expressing Empathy 
The other game was to focus on Empathy and saying I’m sorry.  We practiced role playing with the dolls to demonstrate.  Our Bunny, Doggy and Kitty were up to no good and we role played the things that they should be doing and how to say I’m sorry.
If you want to use David for this role model activity here’s a Printable David Puppet from Kindergarten Kindergarten.  Check out below what some of our Virtual Book Club Hosts have created for you to go along with David Shannon’s Books.  Here’s a quick video of David Shannon himself!
Meet the Author David Shannon
   
David Themed Books by David Shannon
Now It’s your turn to share with us what you can create! Read an David Shannon Book and be inspired to create your own activities to go with your selected book! Join our Virtual Book Club for Kids. 

Like this idea? Pin for later or share now with a friend!

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Filed Under: Parenting, Reading Tagged With: David Shannon, Kim, Virtual Book Club

About Kim Vij

Early childhood teacher, author, speaker and mom of 3. Kim shares ways to make learning fun and parenting an adventure by sharing developmentally appropriate activities.

« The After School Team of Bloggers
Kids in the Garden »

Comments

  1. Lovingmama says

    May 17, 2013 at 11:41 am

    I want to make a "YES Bunny, Kitty, Doggy" book right now. What an awesome idea Kim – you are SO creative =)

    Reply
  2. Ticia says

    May 20, 2013 at 9:30 am

    I had to laugh because my kids have done every single one of your no pictures….

    Reply
  3. pricklymom says

    May 21, 2013 at 9:26 am

    OMG, this is hilarious (and that is a good thing)! I want to do this with my boys' loveys (a frog puppet blanket and an Angry Bird)!

    Reply
  4. Jennifer Fischer says

    May 22, 2013 at 6:10 pm

    Oh! I love the idea of using toys to model appropriate behavior. Perfect idea! How did I not think of this?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to our Newsletter!


For ages…

Grade School
Preschool
Toddler
Baby

Search for an Activity

POPULAR POSTS

Virtual Field Trips for Kids
Valentine's Day Activities for Baby or Toddler
Easter Eggs stacked using Playdough for STEM Challenge
10 things to put in a pinata that are not candy
spring virtual field trips for kids with flowers, trees, baby animals and more
February Activity Calendar

GRAB OUR BOOK!

100 fun and Easy Learning Games for Kids Book Cover Standing

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

You Might Also Like

Homemade Valentines Day card Ideas for Kids

20 Adorable Homemade Valentines for Classmates

Valentine Activities for Babies and Toddlers from The Educators' Spin On It

Valentine’s Day Activities for Babies and Toddlers

Valentine's Day Books for kids of all ages

Top 40 Valentine’s Day Books

february activities for school ages

February Themed After School Activities for Kids

Best Place to See Dolphins in the Florida Keys: Dolphin Research Center

Best Place to See Dolphins in the Keys: Dolphin Research Center

Let’s Connect!

Kim Vij

Early childhood teacher, author, speaker and mom of 3. Kim Vij shares ways to make learning fun and parenting an adventure by sharing all kinds of easy kid crafts, activities and even recipes for kids!
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023