Talk often about the difference between lying and telling a story. Preschool age children in particular don’t always realize the difference between fact and fiction. Point out the differences. Read stories and talk about how it’s okay to make up stories for fun but not okay to try and trick someone on purpose. Acknowledge the child’s feelings. In the example of the preschooler who tried to convince me that she had to leave at noon, I could say, “You wish your mother would come for you at noon, don’t you?” Discussing these types of situations helps children begin to understand that saying something aloud does not make it true, as much as they might wish otherwise.
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Model honesty. If your child hears you tell someone “I’m on my way” when you haven’t left the house, he or she is learning that small lies are acceptable. Children will learn from you, whether you want them to
Talk about how it’s okay to make up stories for fun but not okay to try and trick someone. or not, so if you choose to tell these small types of lies in front of them, be aware that they will imitate you. On that note… If speaking the truth is unkind, then talk about what to say or do instead. If someone asks, “Do
you like my dress?” you may not want your child to reply, “No, it’s hideous!” So what do you do? One option is to practice finding one nice thing to say about a situation rather than lie about it. Discuss these kinds of scenarios and how to react before they happen or as they occur. These types of conversations can be confusing for children so it is helpful to be persistent in pointing them out. Make it easier to be honest. Of course, if our children are afraid that we will blow up or harshly punish them for their mistakes, they will be more prone to trying to cover their transgressions with lies. The more forgiving we can be, the less they will try and hide from us. ¶ Find Jill Morgenstern’s writing at dotrythisathome.net/p/featured-on.html.
Bennett Valley Union School District Registration for Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten (Kinder Bridge) for 2021-22 School Year Begins February 9 & 10
Call 542-6272 to sign up
A limited number of interdistrict transfer requests for 2020-21 will be accepted
California Distinguished Schools
LOCAL for 30 years
#1 local resource for local families magazine • web • email www.sonomafamilylife.com
Yulupa Primary School Preschool–Third Grade 2250 Mesquite Drive, Santa Rosa 707 542-6272
Strawberry Intermediate School Fourth–Sixth Grade 2311 Horseshoe Drive, Santa Rosa 707 526-4433
Consistently high student academic achievement at both schools
Your child’s joy of learning is nurtured with our: • Excellent Teachers • Reduced Class Size (K–3) • Kinder Bridge Transitional Kindergarten • Extended Day Kindergarten (8:30-1:25) • Fully Staffed Libraries and Technology Labs • Visual and Performing Arts Programs YMCA provides on-site child care
• Band, Percussion and Chorus (4th–6th) • Boys’ and Girls’ Interscholastic Basketball (4th–6th) • Emphasis on Environmental Stewardship • Gifted and Talented Education (4th–6th)
Call to reserve tours: Yulupa 2/17, 3/10, 4/14 Strawberry by reservation only 526-4433 Registration Packets available Jan. 4. Children must be five on or before Sept. 1, 2021 to be eligible for kindergarten. Two-year Kinder Bridge program offered for children turning five on or after Sept. 2, 2021.
707 542-2201 • Visit us at www.bvusd.org February 2021
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