By: Ryan Duey
Photo Courtesy of Ryan Duey
Heidi Ring, owner of Little Haven, presented to Clay Center Lions Club members during their regular meeting on December 16th. Ring spoke about her new business, where she teaches and supports the social and emotional well-being of children aged 4 to 8.
Ring taught early education and has lived in Clay Center for 30 years. Her business utilizes the curriculum she developed while teaching Special Education. She spoke about the curriculum.
“Conscious Discipline is the program; Feeling Buddies is the curriculum. We used this curriculum for the 15 years that I taught in the Junction City School District.”
“I use these little Feeling Buddies, and there are 30 different lessons. We do a lesson on each Feeling Buddy, so the kids know who they are.”
“Each Feeling Buddy has a chant. Each lesson has a song. It’s very interactive with the kids.”
The lessons incorporate 5 steps on managing feelings, including feeling safe, techniques on how to be calm, and being able to describe personal feelings, along with parent coaching to continue the skills at home. Over the course of the curriculum, children learn how to better control their feelings.
“Once they’ve moved through all those lessons and they get to the end, they will hopefully have the skills to be able to follow directions.”
“Skills like standing in line in school, the skills to interact with their peers, have leadership, independence, more confidence, and so on.”
Ring also went over the 7 skills of discipline and how to work through and use the skills in a positive manner.
Little Haven does offer opportunities for community members or organizations to sponsor a child’s services to help support children and their families, regardless of barriers. To learn more about Little Haven, visit her Facebook page.
