Introduction
Four Proven Tips
Real Results
Results Beyond the Obvious

Introduction

There is no hierarchy among CrabbieMasters -

Being a CrabbieMaster is for everyone, not just for kids.

Adults and kids are equals against The Crabbies

The Crabbies can get anyone.

It takes teamwork to BEAT The Crabbies!
It's You and Them against The Crabbies.
You are not just helping them beat THEIR Crabbies.

You CANNOT have an attitude that comes across as 'bossy',
like parents and teachers often have.

Four Proven Tips (for Adult CrabbieMasters)

1. Power Struggles

DO NOT get into power struggles. We cannot stress this enough.

Let the fun and games surrounding The Crabbies do the work because they really do work! Power struggles don't work!

Remember that you are working together with the child at all times!

2. Timeouts

Sometimes a brief quiet time is helpful…but be absolutely sure to do everything you can to keep it from feeling like a punishment… Instead of a ‘timeout’, refer to it as quiet time to ‘regroup’.

3. Consequences? ...sure

If a child does not do what you both know needs to be done to BEAT The Crabbies, he or she simply doesn’t get a Crabbie Sticker (or incentive of your choice) that day.

Consequences -sure.
Angry ("bossy") lectures - NO WAY!

F.Y.I. - this is still going to happen; we're human! But, I frequently use The Crabbies and/or the ULTIMATE Skills to reset with a calm discussion to undo hurt feelings.

4. Being Understanding

You can certainly be sorry that he or she (we!) didn’t BEAT The Crabbies this time, and understand that we can figure out a better way tomorrow. Over time, being 'Understanding' works wonders. (See the ULTIMATE Skills.) At first you might have to really work on keeping this attitude – it can be difficult, especially when you’re frustrated. CrabbieMasters aren’t perfect! They just know that they need to work on stuff like this every day!

After awhile you will come to see that:

It really isn’t the child.
It really is The Crabbies!

This is just like the parenting books that remind us to focus on the behavior that is the problem, and to avoid characterizing the child as being bad. But now, it’s The Crabbies that are the problem!

Adults have the advantage of being ‘older and wiser’ from their experiences. As a role-model, mentor, parent or teacher you can be kind and gentle, and respectful with the younger, less experienced CrabbieMasters. You will be rewarded for your patience and understanding! In the long run it is far more effective than power struggles.

Avoid sending children the message that they are bad. By maintaining a positive attitude, children will be focused on their challenges, and keep from feeling guilty. With a positive attitude about themselves, they will be much more likely to have success when you try again to BEAT The Crabbies!

Also, if you think about it, this is an extremely valuable lesson for YOU!

As a teacher, you are building the kind of relationship that will make the rest of your teaching experience worthwhile for you and the children. As a parent, you are building the kind of relationship you want with your child for a lifetime. How long do you think you will be able to overpower your children and give them ‘timeouts’? Certainly not when they become teenagers and adults. This will serve you well in years to come…Trust us on this one!

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The CrabbieMasters 'Spirit'

Basically, you're ready to have some FUN! And to make it FUN!

• Read all about Too-Tired and how to BEAT The Too-Tired Crabbies. (Remember, Too-Tired is the Crabbiest Crabbie in the Whole Universe, so we're just giving him a little bit of special attention here!)
• Read Meet The Crabbies and Beat The Crabbies.
• See Do's and Don'ts section.
• Get into the 'Spirit'. It is definately contagious.
• Notice what happens some morning when you wake up and you are just not in the mood for much of anything. Don't be surprised if the child becomes the teacher who is Understanding of your mood! She or he may tell you, "Thats okay. All we have to do is BEAT The Too-Tired Crabbies and "Turn Your Day Around".
• The momentum just keeps going and growing! Pretty soon everyone is on board.
• Being a CrabbieMaster is really a state of mind - the goal is to be in a peaceful state, without the agitation caused by being you know what!

Tired
Hungry
Sick
Hurried
etc.

Teaming up with others to get into a CrabbieMaster 'state of mind' even under duress is what being CrabbieMasters is all about.

Remember - it's simple!

"BEEING NICE IS #1, followed up by HAVING FUN (without being WILD!)"

Real Results

Not to make CrabbieControl and the CrabbieMasters into anything too serious, but for those who do want to know, there really are real results.

Children enjoy imaginary fun. They quickly relate to imaginary play and to imaginary characters.

What we have seen with The Crabbies is that after ‘playing’ with the idea of
imaginary Crabbies being around and trying to ‘get’ us, children even as little as
three years old quickly begin to see that getting to bed, or eating healthy food, or trying new things, really works!

They feel better.
They get along with their friends better.
They get over their ups and downs much quicker.
When it’s time to go, “They get right to it!”

Whether they are playing by themselves or with others, they simply have more fun!

They literally take more responsibility for their behavior. They recognize when The Crabbies have ‘gotten’ them, and they like to help others get rid of their Crabbies too.

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Results Beyond The Obvious

• Improved Self-Esteem
• Camaraderie between Children and Adults
• Avoiding Power Struggles
• Elimination of “Denying Feelings” and Related Feelings of Guilt
• Learning to Identify Problems
• Acceptance of Problems and Learning to “Own Your Problems”
• Learning to Take Control of a Problem
• Learning Solutions for Common, Ordinary, Day-to-Day Problems
• Learning to Set Realistic Goals and How to Achieve Them
• Mature and Happy Children (and Adults!)
• Developing Effective Habits
• Going to Bed
• Napping
• Eating Well
• Laughter
• More Success in Learning

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Final Tip for Day-to-Day CrabbieControl

The CrabbieMasters 'magic strategy' for beating The Crabbies can really be summed up in just two very simple rules:

BEEING NICE is #1, followed up by HAVING FUN (without being WILD!)

All the rest of the stuff is really just helpful guidelines, details, ideas and tricks that the CrabbieMasters have discovered and proven to work for over a decade at 'Becky's Preschool'.

(Plus at the homes of the children who learned about The Crabbies and about Becoming a CrabbieMaster at Becky's, many taught their parents about The Crabbies, even 3 years old! We are still amazed!)

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