Last year an education consultant showed me a Far side comic of a man sitting on the edge of his bed staring at a note taped to the wall that read in large letters:
First pants, THEN your shoes!
It reminded me of how helpful notes can be to children who struggle with memory problems or organization or neurological disorders. [Well, for that matter, most teenagers and many women over 40, too!] My teenagers could tell you of the various notes I’ve taped around the house for years (some reminding me to have joy or to trust or to be patient or to not judge–and some to them to remind them to do a particular chore, take a shower, or put on deodorant).
I came across this childhood family photo (child will remain nameless) that reminded me of Gary Larson’s comic.
It should be titled: First underwear, THEN your pants. Or for my British viewers: First pants, THEN your trousers.
Click here to view a photo of someone’s tribute to Gary Larson’s comic.
Click here to view the actual comic image.
Notes and pictures can also aid children who have visual-perception issues. Here is an article with some tips on this.
Notes can also aid children with ADD/ADHD with executive function disorder.
If you have a visual-spatial student (or if you know you are a visual-spatial learner), you may be interested in reading about the use of pictures in note-taking.
Click Here for another great, joy-filled picture: Joy and Cowboy Boots
For a great illustration of how note pictures can say it all…but how important that the note speaks to the right age-group…
http://inkjot.wordpress.com/2011/02/25/he-decided-to-upgrade-his-memory/
Pictures often do speak louder than words. Read this blog and view this picture that speaks the word Forgiveness.
http://actiondanjackson.wordpress.com/2011/02/26/a-picture-is-worth-one-word/
gmomj
February 27, 2011
Aww! That is so adorable!
madmothermusings
February 21, 2011
I’m a Preschool teacher in a local daycare, and we have a few children who are visual learners, some of whom are Autistic children. Those picture notes have been a godsend in our classroom. It changes EVERYTHING for those children. The power of notes is amazing!
Administrator
February 21, 2011
My first job was as a preschool teacher at a daycare center. Blessings on you! I have learned that where preschoolers are concerned, even those who are predominately kinesthetic or auditory learners, they start out highly visual. I had often used pictures in helping my own young children keep things organized; however, I recently learned that some kids have an especially difficult time visualizing what a clean room should look like. I read somewhere that to help kids with this, to post pictures of what each of these looks like clean and neat: their bed, desk, closet, play area, bookshelves, etc. Then, we can point them to the picture and to the area that needs more work and say: “Make it look like this.”
hindi
February 16, 2011
Great Read! Interesting post, it has made me remember my childhood. The photograph of the child above is really funny
halfwayto50
February 16, 2011
As a kindergarten teacher I have uttered those words while the kids learn how to put on snowpants, boots, coat, hat, and gloves every year. Put on your snowpants first, THEN your boots. It doesn’t seem to click until they make the mistake themselves. Once they put their boots on and then look at me dumbfoundedly about how to put on their snow pants… they quickly learn which order they go in
Administrator
February 16, 2011
Perhaps you should print a copy of Larson’s Comic and post it in the area where they put on their snowpants. Or, even better, show them the comic on the computer and then get them to help you make a classroom poster that reads “First Snowpants, Then your boots!” You could have cutouts of a little boy and little girl with cutout clothes (like paper dolls) and they can help you glue them onto the poster. Or, you could cut out some magazine pictures of kids playing in the snow and have them glue those onto the poster board. Thanks for your comments. Blessings!
Liz
February 15, 2011
Congrats for being published on Freshly Pressed!
moomi151
February 15, 2011
great!yes see and learn thats how it work..
Fire Crystals
February 15, 2011
Great post and picture. Especially loved your comment on the difference between American and British English.
Administrator
February 15, 2011
Glad you liked the picture. For another fun picture of this same child of mine, click on the link that says “Joy and Cowboy Boots.”
rp71
February 15, 2011
“First pants, THEN your shoes!” lol….brilliant
Addison
February 15, 2011
Too cute, love the picture. I am twenty years old, and at times I will still try to pull my pants on over my shoes. It takes twice as much effort, but for some reason you think it would be quicker. Instead of saying ‘oh the heck with it’ and take your shoes off, you are too determined to get your pants over the shoes to take the easy way out.
Administrator
February 15, 2011
Glad you liked the picture. For another fun picture of this same child of mine, click on the link that says “Joy and Cowboy Boots.” Way to go with putting forth twice the effort. Beats exercising.
countoncross
February 14, 2011
Great post! Love your site.
kloppenmum
February 14, 2011
Congratulatins on FP!
And thanks for linking to my posts about removing electronics – I’ve had lots of interesting people and comments.
Administrator
February 14, 2011
Thanks for the congrats! Glad you are getting some good feedback.
ghostin
February 14, 2011
Stumbled Upon your blog, and wow this post is informative. Granted some may say “its just a note”, but for someone else its that way to maintain their independence. Very nice and please continue the good work.
Kathryn McCullough
February 14, 2011
As I approach 50, the notes, for me, are becoming almost essential! Congrats on being Freshly Pressed——-
blogging from Haiti,
Kathy
Administrator
February 14, 2011
Thanks!
I Made You A Mixtape
February 14, 2011
Love the original comic image and the recreation of it. And the family photo of the nameless child is too cute! Interesting post!
Administrator
February 15, 2011
For another picture of this nameless child of mine, check out the link I added after the original picture.
Ascentive
February 14, 2011
This is a great idea, I forever have notes that I’m finding in random places around the house.
J Roycroft
February 14, 2011
Congrats on FP
The Compulsive Writer
February 14, 2011
I love Gary Larson. I have the book “There’s a hair in my dirt” by him. But then again, I am a nut, my blog tells me so.
Nice post.
Mikalee Byerman
February 14, 2011
Wow. If I could feel the depth of joy exhibited by this child while putting on my pants first, then my underwear…I’d try it!
Great post — touching topic. Thank you!
Administrator
February 15, 2011
This child has an infectious laugh/giggle…as also depicted in another picture I added a link to. Thanks for your kind words.
The Simple Life of a Country Man's Wife
February 14, 2011
Notes are helpful, as well as lists. What a nice, informative blog!
kloppenmum
February 8, 2011
We had a five year old walking around the house with underpants on his head, arms and legs last week – seems to be a fairly regular occurence at our house with one or other of them!
Getting simple things in the correct sequence can be a challenge for some children. One of my up coming posts (hopefully this week) will have some useful exercises, which were great for our eldest son – who is highly articulate but wasn’t performing academically.
Administrator
February 9, 2011
Thanks for commenting. I look forward to checking out your post. Blessings!