Posted on August 18th, 2010
Just in time for the new school year, PLAYGROUND’s fall issue takes a look at the importance of teaching your kiddos be Primped & Prompted. Since all lessons start at home and are taught by example, there are also some great tips for the ‘rents who struggle with timeliness. The article, on page 41 - 42, also highlights a PLAYGROUND pick, Hurry Up, Harry!, by Kathleen C. Szaj, to help your wee ones understand the reality of being late.
In Hurry Up, Harry!, Harry is an expert dawdler. The only problem is that everyone is always telling him to “Hurry up, Harry!”… until one day his parents stop telling him to hurry. Oh, joy! Harry is free at last to take all the time he wants to dawdle … until he discovers too many not-so wonderful results. Maybe there are times when he’d better hurry up, after all. And maybe there are other times when sl0-o-w motion dawdling is ju-u-st right.
To help you teach your little dawdler about the importance of being prompt, PLAYGROUND wants to give one reader an autographed copy of Hurry Up Harry!. For your chance to win, leave a comment below telling us about your dawdler or a “timeliness tip” that has worked for your family.
Congrats Zully for winning this giveaway.
August 18th, 2010 at 11:21 am
Spending a few moments setting out an outfit with your child the night before saves precious minutes in the morning when it’s harder to decide what to wear.
August 18th, 2010 at 11:51 am
I let my 4 year old start putting his shoes on 5 minutes before we have to leave the house because he is a dawdler. It works great because it takes him that long but we aren’t all waiting for him.
August 18th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
The night before, we set out clothes, socks, and shoes. When my little one wakes up, he dresses himself with what we laid out. Yes, there are times when the shorts are on backwards and his shoes are on the wrong feet…but he learning! :)
August 18th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
We set the timer for a half hour when it is time to eat. When the timer goes off it is time to stop eating. If she has finished all her food we talk about dessert, otherwise we do not.
August 18th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
When I know we need to leave in about 15 minutes I ask him, “do you want to go now or in 15 minutes?” Of course his response is always “15 minutes!” So I set the timer and tell him the car is leaving in 15 minutes and to get done whatever he needs to be able to come with us. It works!
August 18th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
I get out his clothes the night before, but I also prepare a snack cup and get out anything else I will need in the morning…lunch box sippy cup, toys to keep him entertained, etc. The more I can do the night before, the smoother the morning will go!
August 18th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
My little dawdler has a hard time staying focused and on track in the morning so I created a picture card for each task that needs to be completed (get dressed, brush teeth, put on shoes, etc). As he completes each one, he brings the card from his room to the kitchen counter. This way he has both a visual cue as well as being able to physically move them to a “finished” pile, giving him a sense of accomplishment. He likes the independance of being able to choose the order in which he does everything and it saves us from having to argue all morning which means we both have a better day.
August 19th, 2010 at 11:25 am
I prepare clothes and lunches the night before too!
August 20th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Having a checklist helps alot., it can be a visual one for the little ones who do not read yet. If they know what is expected of them in the mornings, they will enjoy it more!
August 21st, 2010 at 9:46 am
Getting three kids ready and in the car on time can be a challenge at times. I pack a cooler with drinks and snacks the night before. In the morning I pack the car with all I need to bring before the kids are up. I set up my three alarms for us. One to get up, take a shower and get dress. Other to be downstairs having breakfast and the last one announcing 10 minutes before it’s time to go.
August 22nd, 2010 at 10:33 pm
I sing a song and it generally get’s them moving toward the door…’The soldiers marching one, by one…’ I’ve done it enough that they know it’s the time to go! I also give 5 minute countdowns.