And so, we can see that there are varying degrees of frustration, from feeling mildly dissatisfied to excessively thwarted. Like me, are you asking yourself, who feels what? Are babies and children capable of such strong reactions when needs are ignored? Or, are those extremes just typical for adults?

To answer that question, let’s . . . → Read More: Frustration]]> The Wikipedia Thesaurus defines FRUSTRATION as the feeling/ emotional reaction that accompanies an experience where attaining one’s goals seems impossible. It goes on to say that frustration may cause the individual to feel dissatisfied, aggressive, or even as if he/she is locked within a cage.

And so, we can see that there are varying degrees of frustration, from feeling mildly dissatisfied to excessively thwarted. Like me, are you asking yourself, who feels what? Are babies and children capable of such strong reactions when needs are ignored? Or, are those extremes just typical for adults?

To answer that question, let’s take a look at an infant who is not receiving the nourishment, attention, and love that a baby should. At first, the child may cry, scream, and move without purpose. But, after a while, if the goals of food and physical comfort are ignored, the baby will typically lay still and stop crying. His/her levels of frustration seem to create a pattern of behavior that sooths without searching for the attention that he/she needs to feel a sense of satisfaction.

For the older child, feelings of frustration can be observed within the classroom.  What happens to the child who continually receives red marks on his/her papers? To the child who is told to “stop moving” “stop talking”? Or worse yet, to the child who is simply ignored?  Their reactions to frustration vary depending upon how long and how intense the frustrating situation exists as well as the innate nature of the child. To some children, the act of attending to the negative behaviors may actually reinforce them. To others, their emotional response may motivate them to become bullies  and still to another group of kids, the lack of attaining success may actually decrease their desire to try and may foil their creativity and desire to learn.

Most adults have dealt with frustrating situations. Hopefully, they motivate us to work harder or more creatively to attain desired goals, but, there are also times where frustration   paralyzes the adult into a lack of action and a feeling of despondency.

I feel strongly that as educators, caretakers and teachers, we must maintain open communication with our kids so that they are able to discuss their feelings of dissatisfaction with us, we must find ways of dealing with undesirable behaviors in ways that change behaviors without creating an emotional frenzy for our children. It would be helpful to acknowledge feelings of frustration so that our children do not feel alone, frightened and/or resentful. As always, separating the child from the behavior is a useful tool. It reinforces that the child is worthwhile even when the behavior needs tweaking.

Frustration is a powerful response to a lack of satisfaction! Let’s see if we can work towards creating situations where our children feel motivated to succeed, even when challenges are difficult. The power of a smile, a pat, and or a word of encouragement speaks volumes when children need a helping hand.

To me, the month’s goals should include holiday traditions, non-religious, yet festive, songs of the season, and stories, both fictional and real that reflect joy, love, and the beauty of giving. It is a wonderful time of the year to invite families into the classroom . . . → Read More: Holidays]]> If you are teaching young children at this time of year, I feel that it is imperative to be aware and sensitive to the customs, rituals, and traditions that your students and their families adhere to. It is also very important to be knowledgeable about your individual school’s rules that govern holidays and celebrations.

To me, the month’s goals should include holiday traditions, non-religious, yet festive, songs of the season, and stories, both fictional and real that reflect joy, love, and the beauty of giving. It is a wonderful time of the year to invite families into the classroom to sing songs, teach dances, talk, and share ethnic foods with the children. As always, diversity must be applauded and differences respected.  Instead of concentrating on the differences between the holidays, I like to focus on their similarities. Gift giving, lights, and love are integral to each of December’s holidays, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa

You may want to begin the holiday unit be presenting props unique to each of the celebrations. It is important that your props be kid friendly so that the boys and girls are encouraged to touch, smell, and play with each.  You may have a menorah, dreidle, small pine tree, stocking, bell, candy cane, kinarra, woven mat, different colored and sizes of candles, and holiday lights.  After identifying the objects, you may play games and sing songs about them.  Depending on the children’s age and developmental levels, stories can be written or dictated, books listened to, paintings created, collages made ,patterns traced, words written, foods tasted, games played, beginning sounds emphasized, rhymes repeated, objects counted and sorted and group efforts rewarded. I think it is important for each child to create a special gift to give to his/her family as a token of the child’s love as well as a lesson in the joy of giving.

Detailed lessons, songs, games, crafts, gift ideas, story titles, large motor activities, and more can be found in The Magical Moments Curriculum guide. Happy Holidays to all!!

To my family, friends, coworkers, and fellow zumba dancers, I thank you for the joy that you bring to my life, to the help that you have offered, for your laughter and friendship and of course for your continued empathy and understanding.

I thank the children who . . . → Read More: Giving Thanks]]> It seems unbelievable that Thanksgiving, 2011 will be here in a few weeks! As I prepare my “to do” list, I am also thinking about the people in my life, my happiness, fears, disappointments, and pleasures as well as those loved ones who have passed and are missed each and every day.

To my family, friends, coworkers, and fellow zumba dancers, I thank you for the joy that you bring to my life, to the help that you have offered, for your laughter and friendship and of course for your continued empathy and understanding.

I thank the children who listen to my stories for making me feel as if I am the richest, most fortunate woman alive. Your attention, hugs, and passion are treasures that are dear to my heart.

To my late husband and sister, who battled with vengeance and lost their struggles to the cancer that invaded their bodies, I miss you terribly, but, want you to know that I am well, am laughing, loving, and  building a life filled with your precious memories and eternal strength.

To my parents, ah, what a year it has been.  You have demonstrated how true love and determination can transform a horrific situation into one that is manageable and successful.   Dad, thank you for all that you do and for not allowing mom to give up. Mom, it seems unbelievable that you continue to smile, give, and care about others even when your days have been filled with physical challenges and emotional strains.

To my daughters, I am so proud of the young women who you are. Your friendship, love, and attention are the fuel that continues to motivate me each and every day.

I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving and do hope that you give yourself time to reflect on your blessings.  Please make certain to tell those that you love how special they are and important they are in your life.  Parents, it is an oppurtune time to help little ones talk, write, or draw about the things in their lives that make them feel thankful. Please note, listening to their blessings is more important than dictating what they should feel fortunate about. Enjoy, surround yourself with lovelies, stay healthy, and feel thankful.  Hugs, Donna

“Room for One More” is a wonderful book to share with young children for it focuses on the heart’s ability to expand as a new baby is welcomed into a family. The story discusses feelings and unconditional love.

“Margaret the Magnificent” is the first in the Margaret series of stories. It introduces the magical super-dog as she travels the globe in order to help a little girl find the courage and self confidence she needs to begin . . . → Read More: My Books]]> “Forever Love” is a sensitive, beautifully illustrated picture book that explores the everlasting love between a terminally ill parent with his child.

“Room for One More” is a wonderful book to share with young children for it focuses on the heart’s ability to expand as a new baby is welcomed into a family. The story discusses feelings and unconditional love.

“Margaret the Magnificent” is the first in the Margaret series of stories. It introduces the magical super-dog as she travels the globe in order to help a little girl find the courage and self confidence she needs to begin a new school.

“Margaret the Magnificent Visits the Everglades” is dedicated to children and adults who believe in the power of friendship, beauty, and in the belief that working together will create a greener and kinder tomorrow. The book combines factual information about the Everglades with the imaginary adventures of Margaret the Magnificent, Ali the Alligator and Crock the Crocodile.  It also blends photographs by   Rodney Cammauf with Ann Pilicer’s unbelievable illustrations.

“Margaret the Magnificent Visits the Rain Forest”invites readers to the wetlands of Africa in order to help Margaret assist Kyle the Crocodile and his friends preserve their ecosystem. Once again, Margaret, the magical, super-dog demonstrates how perseverance and team work  impacts change and give us hope for a greener and kinder future.  The graphic illustrations, created by Michael Gage  Costa, are so life-like that you feel as if you are actually in the African jungle along with Margaret and her friends. Again, the combination of facts and fiction make this story a “must read” for elementary aged children.

To order Donna’s books and/or to find out how to schedule a speaking engagement/author visit, please visit, www.magicalms.com or call 954 234-3932