• Home
    • Praise and Press
    • About
  • TLB Classes
    • Class Descriptions
    • Online Parent Education Classes
  • Blog
    • Homeschooling
    • Charlotte Mason
    • Booklist
    • Reading and Storytelling
    • Cultivating Love of Learning
    • Parenting Thoughts
      • Memory-Making
    • Five in a Row
      • Before Five in a Row
  • Shop
    • Request/Pre-Order Books Here
    • TLB Gift Card
    • My Account
    • View Cart
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Lost password
  • Book lists
    • Living Books Planning Tool
    • Filipino Living Books Book List
    • Philippine History: A Booklist
    • Catholic Homeschooling Booklist
  • Search the TLB Book Shop
    • Picture Books By Age
      • Board Books
      • Ages 0-2
      • Ages 2-4
      • Ages 4-6
      • Ages 6-8
    • Chapter Books
      • Ages 8-10
      • Ages 10 up
    • Homeschooling
      • CM Homeschooling/Living Books
      • Five in a Row
      • Before Five in a Row
      • Math Books
      • Catholic Books
    • Philippine Published Books
      • Free Downloads
      • Ages 0 to 2
      • Ages 2 to 4
      • Ages 4 to 6
      • Ages 6 to 8
      • Ages 8 to 10
      • Ages 10 and up
      • Chapter Books
      • Board Books
    • Classics
    • Award-Winning Books
    • Recommended Reads for Parents
    • Educational Toys and Materials

The Learning Basket

You Are Your Child's First and Best Teacher

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Inspiring Gentleness Through Songs

June 28, 2013 by The Learning Basket 1 Comment

  • Total54
  • 50
  • 0
  • 4

 

I am gentle

There’s no doubt that my two Littles love each other. They play together peacefully for long stretches of time, laugh hysterically for reasons only known to them, and comfort each other with hugs and pats on the head. They have their own little world together.

But sometimes, a playful push becomes a shove, a laugh becomes a shout, a hug becomes a too-tight squeeze. I try to avoid direct instruction (“Stop that!” or “Be gentle!”) and instead attempt to “sportscast” what is happening (“I heard Little Sir say No.” or “Your sister is crying, Little Sir.”) as advised by the wonderful parenting expert Janet Lansbury. I also use the concept of  the positive phrase “I am” as encouraged by We Choose Virtues.

Yesterday, brother and sister were getting a little bit too rough for their Mama’s heart. I wanted to just scream “Stop!” – and admittedly I was really about to. Instead, I made up a little song to the tune of “Frere Jacques,” more commonly known in English as “Are you sleeping?”

I am gentle, I am gentle
Yes, I am! Yes, I am!
I will hug my sister, I will hug my sister
Yes I will, Yes I will
 
I am gentle, I am gentle
Yes, I am! Yes, I am!
I lo-ove my brother, I lo-ve my brother
Yes I do, Yes I do
 

It worked like a charm! They settled down and we had a bit of quiet at last. I’m definitely adding it to our learning basket about gentleness. I imagine that we can also use this for other virtues:

I am patient, I am patient
Yes, I am! Yes, I am!
I will wait for my turn, I will wait for my turn
Yes I will, Yes I will
 
 
 

Do you use songs too to inspire a behavior? Do you think it will work for your kids?

Make magic!

Mariel Uyquiengco

Related Posts

  • Virtue in Focus: KindnessVirtue in Focus: Kindness
  • Virtue in Focus: AttentivenessVirtue in Focus: Attentiveness
  • Virtue in Focus: GentlenessVirtue in Focus: Gentleness
  • Virtue in Focus: ContentmentVirtue in Focus: Contentment
  • Virtue in Focus: PerseveranceVirtue in Focus: Perseverance
  • Virtue in Focus: HonestyVirtue in Focus: Honesty
  • Virtues in Focus
  • 10 Things I Love About Preschool Homeschool10 Things I Love About Preschool Homeschool
  • Total54
  • 50
  • 0
  • 4
«
»

About The Learning Basket

TLB is composed of two moms who love to read and are homeschoolers.

Welcome


Hi there!

Whether you are a busy working mom, a work-at-home mom, or a stay-at-home mom, you are sure to find parenting and learning inspiration on our pages and parent education workshops to empower you to be your child’s first and best teacher.

Make magic with your child!

Search for Blog Posts

Search Learning Ideas

  • Before Five in a Row
  • Booklist
  • Charlotte Mason
  • Cultivating Love of Learning
  • Educational Materials
  • Five in a Row
  • Fun Friday Ideas
  • Homeschooling
  • Memory-Making
  • Parent Education
  • Parenting Thoughts
  • Past Parent Education Classes
  • Reading and Storytelling
  • Uncategorized

Upcoming Events

preschool homeschool

NOW OPEN — Everything you need to start homeschooling your preschooler is right here (Feb 11 to March 4 2023)

In these uncertain times, we can still enjoy our children while helping them to love learning. Learn everything you need to know to start homeschooling your preschooler in this comprehensive online parent education program.

Subscribe

Get updates on learning ideas, parenting events & shop offers!

Copyright © 2023 · Web Design by Fancy Girl Design Studio · Shop Set Up by Marge Aberásturi

Copyright © 2023 · Learning Basket Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in