All By Myself
CONCEPT: Self Esteem, Taking Responsibility
BRIEF SUMMARY
Read a book about a boy you can do many things all by himself. Talk about what the children can do by themselves and what they will learn to do by themselves to manage their PKU.
OBJECTIVES
After completing this activity, children will be able to:
- identify things they can do "all by themselves"
- name at least one thing they can do "all by themselves"
METHODS
- Read All By Myself by Mercer Mayer.
- At each page, ask "Who can.... all by themselves?"
- Discuss the fact that it is good to be able to do things by yourself. It makes you feel proud. People do more and more for themselves as they get older. It shows you are becoming a "big kid." (But it is also nice to do things with other people too!)
Ask each participant to name something they can do by themselves. Suggestions might include:
- brushing teeth
- brushing hair
- washing hands
- getting dressed
- putting on socks
- tying shoes
- looking at a book
- drawing a picture
- picking up toys
- Discuss some of the things the children will do "all by themselves" in the future to manage PKU--making formula, picking "yes" and "no" foods, cooking, etc.
MATERIALS
- Book: All by Myself by Mercer Mayer. Published by Western Publishing Company, Inc., 1993. ISBN:0-307-11938-6.
HOME ACTIVITIES
Continue this lesson at home by encouraging your child to do things independently. Praise your child when he or she does something without as much help as usual.