Thanks Gene for sending the Apache Rap. My son says that it can be

saved to a CD but he has yet to show me! In time!

Thanks again for the wonderful presentation you gave in Voorhes, NJ. I

have an afternoon preschool class that needs lots of HELP. I decided to

try out some kind of “Heavy Freddy” for them (I have at least three who

need MAJOR help to stay seated, besides focused).

Well, I didn’t have a large stuffed animal at the time and I thought a plain 15lb. bag of rice

would not hold much interest. So I place the rice in an old airline carry

on bag with a lock and key and told them about a friend from a different

school who had a problem with a student named Heavy Freddy. The letter

went on to ask if I thought my class could teach Heavy Freddy some good

manners and school rules. We also would need to keep an eye on Heavy

Freddy and check the zipper pocket each day to see if Freddy left the

key (which would mean he was ready to come out and try behaving). Each day a different child had the responsibility to sit with the bag and if

all went well during our Circle Time then they would be able to choose a

friend and take Freddy for a walk through the school. We even went down

to see the school nurse to have him weighed! Worked well for the most

part but I had to keep adding on, so Freddy would write the student who

took care of him that day a note which would be discovered in the pocket

to the bag and read the next day (of course using the child’s name – who

was then so proud!).

Well Freddy is out of the bag now – I think though that he should have

stayed in longer but I’ll see. Biggest problem is one of the students who

really could have used 20 lbs. of rice on his lap, etc. didn’t take to it

as much and didn’t want Freddy to sit with him today at all. Any

suggestions?

Thanks again!

A “Heavy Freddy” friend,

Diane Donovan

Diane,

If I read you correctly the kids were drawn in by the mystery and magic of the unknown and surprise as long as the notes kept coming (great idea) with directions and appreciation to the kids “who took care of him”.

Here’s a new idea… Once in a while Freddy could send a little treat along with the letter or a little gift to the “caretaker” and even an invitation to the child who needs Freddy the most.

Another idea…You could have a contest to give Freddy a Positive Nick Name and have the child who needs him win. Anything you can do to build a relationship with Freddy and the child who needs him as a reminder to sit or whatever your behavioral goal for the class is!

Another idea is to place a shoulder bean bag around Freddy’s neck. You can tell the kids this helps him remember to sit when he’s supposed to.

When you enter the class and see Freddy sitting up on a shelf somewhere, you can invite the class to have Freddy come down and invite the class to come up with ideas to help him remember to sit. (ie, yarn in his lap, Learning Vest, etc.)

Keep me posted!

Gene Bedley

Dear Gene

Well now that Heavy Freddy is out of the “bag” – each day when

the kids come in Freddy is in one of the students’ cubbies. This is the

child that Freddy has decided he wants to sit with that day. Around his neck will be a little drawstring or zipper bag of some kind (maybe in the shape of a banana!) and inside there will be a note with a little treat

or maybe the chance to take him for a walk around the school

(eventually I may let them take him home for the night). The note will

thank the “caretaker” from the previous day for taking such good care of

him and let him know that the treat is for him. I may have Freddy also

leave a message in the note for the present day caretaker in hopes that

they will do a great job helping him sit today so he can leave them

something too.

– Diane Donovan