Category: Scout Meeting

Teach Your Children Good Manners

  • 1

    Set a good example. It’s unfair to expect politeness of a child if his parents are not polite themselves.

  • 2

    Teach your child manners in stages, as his comprehension and skills develop. It probably won’t do any good to ask a 2-year-old to stop chewing with his mouth open; he probably lacks the understanding and physical coordination to comply. But by 4 or 5 years of age, your child should have the ability to grasp the reasoning behind such a rule.

  • 3

    Start using words and phrases like ‘please,’ ‘thank you,’ ‘excuse me,’ ‘I’m sorry,’ and ‘may I?’ as early as possible around your child. Encourage your child to do the same.

  • 4

    Take care what language you use around children; they mimic the way adults speak.

  • 5

    Ask your child to address adults with a certain degree of formality – that is, Ms. Lee, Mrs. Doe, Mr. Smith – unless the adult tells them to do otherwise.

  • 6

    Review the other basics of etiquette with your child whenever necessary. He should learn how to shake hands, show respect for older people, behave quietly in public places, and avoid interrupting other people in conversation. He should also learn not to play with other people’s belongings unless given permission to do so.

  • 7

    Avoid ignoring bad behavior or waiting to talk about it. Address a rule as soon as your child breaks it.

  • 8

    Bring up the behavior again in private so you can discuss it more thoroughly and make sure your child understands how to behave in the future.

  • 9

    Praise your child for good behavior.

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Fingerprint Fun

Use an ink pad, your fingerprints and a marker to create animals, people, trees, houses… even a whole neighborhood on paper.

 

Clean up with an alcohol prep pad.

 

Creative and fun!

 

 

Ocean in a Bottle

Here’s a science project that doubles as a fun craft. Create your very own ocean waves in a plastic soda bottle. Display for all your friends to see!

What you’ll need:

  • Empty two liter plastic bottle with lid
  • Clear vegetable oil or mineral oil
  • Water
  • funnel
  • Blue food coloring
  • Small star fish, shells and other sea creatures
  • One tsp glitter
  • White craft glue
  • Hot glue

How to make it:

  1. Wash and dry two-liter bottle and remove all labels
  2. Fill bottle halfway with tap water
  3. Add a few drops of blue food coloring and swirl around to mix
  4. Add glitter
  5. Add sea creatures
  6. Fill bottle the rest of the way with vegetable oil using a funnel
  7. Be sure that rim and cap are dry, then apply white craft glue around the rim. Seal cap.
  8. Use a layer of hot glue around the outer edge of the cap for added protection from leakage
  9. Turn bottle on its side and gently rock the bottle to create a “wave” inside your ocean habitat!

Tips:

  • Use lightweight starfish, shells and other sea creature toys that can float. Test them first in a bowl or glass of water. Find these at your local craft supply store or discount department store.
  • Make the ocean any color you choose! Blue is standard of course, but if your child’s room is decorated with red and yellow, go with red food coloring. There’s no rule that says your ocean must be blue.
  • Small children will be mesmerized by this creation. They can help make this every step. Let them insert the sea creatures, hold the funnel and help add the tap water. In the steps that may be more difficult for little fingers, have them hold the bottle steady for you while you add the glitter.

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