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By Christobel Llewellyn
One easy way is to find quality kid’s music they can fall in love with. It works every time. Learning something naturally is really the best way.
The Body
Did you know that the “listening” part of our brain is the first to grow and is fully functional at 20 weeks in utero? However, a human being has to wait more than 7 months after this before their eyes work. Nature obviously thinks listening is more important that seeing. This is interesting especially now that we live in a totally visually obsessed world.
Learning
There are electronic screens everywhere. Children like adults have different styles of learning – visual, auditory or kinesthetic. Not all are visual therefore if we expose them to good quality kid’s music they will be able to absorb this with whatever style is their strength.
Our Very Own Memory Stick
With each new kids song they hear, their brain will grow a memory stick to store this information. All the while they are using their auditory facility and all the while it’s being strengthened. With each new memory stick, their brain is growing bigger and more capable. Whether they use this for learning music or not, this memory stick is there fully functional for the rest of their lives.
Brain as a Computer
It’s not just the memory stick that the brain grows……using their most natural way of learning, each child gets a faster processor to go with it. Every parent knows that a computer is only as good as it’s memory and speed. More memory and more speed is what we pay for. What’s so amazing about our very own computers ie. Our brains, is that our memory capacity is unlimited.
Physical Sound
Music is one of the few things in this world, in fact the only thing we have that uses both sides of our brain. It goes through our emotions bypassing the intellect so you don’t have to be bright to benefit. Because sound is physical…..it penetrates our brains in an instant. What we get our children to listen to is crucial as this is stored and used for life.
Parents want the best
All parents want the best for their children. All parents want their children to listen. Music is the easiest, most natural way.
Christobel Llewellyn is a mother of three and professional musician. She is the founder of KINDERJAZZ The Big Swing Band For Little Kids and is passionate about introducing children to quality kids music. Check out her web address at http://www.kinderjazz.com to get more information of how children learn and how powerful music is when used in this process. KINDERJAZZ has no less than 5 kids CDs teaching children about music and encouraging them to learn an instrument. It's all done via a Big Band and amounts to a lot of fun. There are
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christobel_Llewellynhttp://EzineArticles.com/?How-Do-You-Get-Your-Children-To-Listen&id=498107
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Practical Help For Kids With ADD
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My son, Sam is six and has ADHD and is on Ritalin. Everything is a battle with him. He fights. He swears. He kicks and screams and cries. Have you any tips on how I can handle him better? I always seem to be on his case. Any advice you can give would be appreciated. Thank-you. Karen.
Dear Karen,
This is a question many parents are asking these days. The struggles and frustrations you may be feeling at times are shared by a lot of parents I work with. That fact doesn’t necessarily make it easier, but it may help to remind you that your feelings and reactions are quite common and in essence…you are not alone!
Having said that, let’s focus on what you can do to make things better. Each tip that I offer is just that…a tip…it’s not the whole story. So please use this article as a foundation for these important strategies. It will get you and your kids started in a new and healthier direction.
The diagnosis of ADD brings with it a GIGANTIC story. The folklore of that story varies; depending upon which book you read and which expert you consult. For this brief discussion, let’s pay minimal attention to the “folklore.” Why? Because it pulls your energy and attention into a sphere of mental and emotional thoughts that are mostly out of your control. That can make you feel more and more out of control!
Instead, I will ask you to focus on your source of power…which is your own actions. This seemingly subtle shift brings you back to the only world you can really control…and that is your own.
So, rather than discussing your son…let’s talk about parenting your son. Here are five essential tips for reducing these frustrating moments with out of control behavior that you son exhibits at times.
TIPS FOR PARENTING THE CHALLENGING CHILD
1. Don’t take his actions personally. It’s not about you.
If you do his misbehavior personally, you will get caught up in “reactive parenting.” This will only make things worse. Likely you have seen the result of reacting with threats, yelling or even spanking. If you fall into this pattern with your son, he actually feeds on that energy. (Why he does that…well that’s another story. For now, just notice the truth in this conclusion.)
When you aren’t reactive, you can now be proactive. You can be mindful. You can be creative. You can be effective. You can even be a terrific parent who uses the tough moments to teach critical lessons. This of course…is only the beginning. Next, …
2. Make a list of “Weeds” and “Seeds”
What do I mean? Weeds are the actions, behaviors and emotions you would rather not have in your home. This is the negative stuff you want to get rid of. Write it down (in a private place).
Seeds are the actions and behaviors you value. This is the stuff you want to nurture and grow. Write it down, and BE SPECIFIC.
Contemplate these two lists as you consider this: Regardless of how or why your son carries the ADD diagnosis, his behavior (good or bad) expands based upon the amount of attention it gets. Many of the classic ADD behaviors tend to PULL you into them. You then give those “Weeds” lots of your energy. Thus, the weeds just multiply.
This leaves little opportunity to give energy to the “Seeds” of success and happiness. If you want things to get better, you must turn this dynamic around first. The success of every other strategy and approach will depend upon how this fundamental is handled. So, the next step…
3. Make a commitment to starve the “weeds”
Make sure you walk away for all the weed-like behaviors in your home. If it’s not threatening health or safety, walk away. Starve that weed.
When you do, things will get worse for a while. That’s right. It will get worse BECAUSE the weed is used to getting fed, and it will be screaming to pull you in. DON’T DO IT! When your son tantrums, you need to walk away…and stay away. You must resist getting pulled in, and instead…
4. Patently wait…and obsess on catching every “seed” you can find.
When you son’s tantrum is over, then casually walk by and touch him on the shoulder. Or you could just smile, or give him a “thumbs up.” Contrary to many of the books you read, it really doesn’t matter how you water the “seeds of healthy behavior”…. it’s just important to make sure that these moments start getting MOST of your energy.
We can predict the quality of your relationship with your son, as well as his success in school, based upon how this pattern unfolds. You have control…not on whether he tantrums…but on whether you feed the tantrum with your energy. Your energy is like water to that weed…. you keep feeding it…it keeps growing.
I didn’t make up the rules. It just works that way. Finally…
5. When and where you set limits, do so with action, not with words.
Up to this point, you may think that I’m a softie when it comes to consequences. I am not.
Consequences are critical in the learning process. Use them to teach limits, and make sure you don’t use feeble threats. Make your action speak the dominant message. When your son’s actions do pose a threat, or he is out of control, teach him with a firm consequence. Not a lecture. Not a frustrated look. Not a threat. Use action to teach these limits…especially for your son with ADD. He will thrive on these learning opportunities.
However, he will not get these critical lessons if you skip step three and four. These earlier steps create the environment where you son can now learn from his choices. You can learn more about the use of effective consequences on my website, at www.TerrificParenting.com.
In closing, keep in mind that this will not be easy. But it helps to remember that this is a learning process that takes time for you and your son to master. Don’t expect magic in three days. But you can expect real results in a few weeks, if you remain true to these fundamental principles. Best of luck Karen.
Dr. Randy L. Cale is a licensed psychologist and offers parental coaching through his website http://www.TerrificParenting.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Randy_Cale
My son, Sam is six and has ADHD and is on Ritalin. Everything is a battle with him. He fights. He swears. He kicks and screams and cries. Have you any tips on how I can handle him better? I always seem to be on his case. Any advice you can give would be appreciated. Thank-you. Karen.
Dear Karen,
This is a question many parents are asking these days. The struggles and frustrations you may be feeling at times are shared by a lot of parents I work with. That fact doesn’t necessarily make it easier, but it may help to remind you that your feelings and reactions are quite common and in essence…you are not alone!
Having said that, let’s focus on what you can do to make things better. Each tip that I offer is just that…a tip…it’s not the whole story. So please use this article as a foundation for these important strategies. It will get you and your kids started in a new and healthier direction.
The diagnosis of ADD brings with it a GIGANTIC story. The folklore of that story varies; depending upon which book you read and which expert you consult. For this brief discussion, let’s pay minimal attention to the “folklore.” Why? Because it pulls your energy and attention into a sphere of mental and emotional thoughts that are mostly out of your control. That can make you feel more and more out of control!
Instead, I will ask you to focus on your source of power…which is your own actions. This seemingly subtle shift brings you back to the only world you can really control…and that is your own.
So, rather than discussing your son…let’s talk about parenting your son. Here are five essential tips for reducing these frustrating moments with out of control behavior that you son exhibits at times.
TIPS FOR PARENTING THE CHALLENGING CHILD
1. Don’t take his actions personally. It’s not about you.
If you do his misbehavior personally, you will get caught up in “reactive parenting.” This will only make things worse. Likely you have seen the result of reacting with threats, yelling or even spanking. If you fall into this pattern with your son, he actually feeds on that energy. (Why he does that…well that’s another story. For now, just notice the truth in this conclusion.)
When you aren’t reactive, you can now be proactive. You can be mindful. You can be creative. You can be effective. You can even be a terrific parent who uses the tough moments to teach critical lessons. This of course…is only the beginning. Next, …
2. Make a list of “Weeds” and “Seeds”
What do I mean? Weeds are the actions, behaviors and emotions you would rather not have in your home. This is the negative stuff you want to get rid of. Write it down (in a private place).
Seeds are the actions and behaviors you value. This is the stuff you want to nurture and grow. Write it down, and BE SPECIFIC.
Contemplate these two lists as you consider this: Regardless of how or why your son carries the ADD diagnosis, his behavior (good or bad) expands based upon the amount of attention it gets. Many of the classic ADD behaviors tend to PULL you into them. You then give those “Weeds” lots of your energy. Thus, the weeds just multiply.
This leaves little opportunity to give energy to the “Seeds” of success and happiness. If you want things to get better, you must turn this dynamic around first. The success of every other strategy and approach will depend upon how this fundamental is handled. So, the next step…
3. Make a commitment to starve the “weeds”
Make sure you walk away for all the weed-like behaviors in your home. If it’s not threatening health or safety, walk away. Starve that weed.
When you do, things will get worse for a while. That’s right. It will get worse BECAUSE the weed is used to getting fed, and it will be screaming to pull you in. DON’T DO IT! When your son tantrums, you need to walk away…and stay away. You must resist getting pulled in, and instead…
4. Patently wait…and obsess on catching every “seed” you can find.
When you son’s tantrum is over, then casually walk by and touch him on the shoulder. Or you could just smile, or give him a “thumbs up.” Contrary to many of the books you read, it really doesn’t matter how you water the “seeds of healthy behavior”…. it’s just important to make sure that these moments start getting MOST of your energy.
We can predict the quality of your relationship with your son, as well as his success in school, based upon how this pattern unfolds. You have control…not on whether he tantrums…but on whether you feed the tantrum with your energy. Your energy is like water to that weed…. you keep feeding it…it keeps growing.
I didn’t make up the rules. It just works that way. Finally…
5. When and where you set limits, do so with action, not with words.
Up to this point, you may think that I’m a softie when it comes to consequences. I am not.
Consequences are critical in the learning process. Use them to teach limits, and make sure you don’t use feeble threats. Make your action speak the dominant message. When your son’s actions do pose a threat, or he is out of control, teach him with a firm consequence. Not a lecture. Not a frustrated look. Not a threat. Use action to teach these limits…especially for your son with ADD. He will thrive on these learning opportunities.
However, he will not get these critical lessons if you skip step three and four. These earlier steps create the environment where you son can now learn from his choices. You can learn more about the use of effective consequences on my website, at www.TerrificParenting.com.
In closing, keep in mind that this will not be easy. But it helps to remember that this is a learning process that takes time for you and your son to master. Don’t expect magic in three days. But you can expect real results in a few weeks, if you remain true to these fundamental principles. Best of luck Karen.
Dr. Randy L. Cale is a licensed psychologist and offers parental coaching through his website http://www.TerrificParenting.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Randy_Cale
Monday, March 19, 2007
Naming Your Baby
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By Rob Ross
So you are planning or currently pregnant with your baby and have no idea what to name him or her. You have so many options and so many sources available to you. This article is meant to give you a few ideas on where to look and how to decide.
Method one: Your family history.
You have plenty of names available to you in your family tree. Some couples name their children after their own parents or grandparents. What a great way to honour your roots and where you came from. This is a great way to name your baby, so long as you like the names of your parents and grandparents. So what if you don't like your choices?
Method two: Buy a book.
There are hundreds of books available with lists of baby names sorted into various categories. The benefit of these books, is that you literally have tens of thousands of names at your fingertips. These books can be found in most libraries, bookstores and even online. If you like the idea of having a large selection of baby names to browse though, but don't want to buy a book, you're in luck. There's a third option.
Method three: Visit a baby names web site.
There are several web sites on the Internet that are dedicated solely to baby names. The benefit of these sites is that, unlike a book, you can search for baby names and select options to list more specific types of names. The most common choices are to search alphabetically, by nationality and by gender.
Either method you choose, naming your baby can be a wonderful experience. Your child deserves the best you can give. Following one of these three methods will enable you to select a name for your baby that you will be proud of.
Rob Ross is the creator of a website listing over 8,000 baby names. Visit Baby Names for your baby name search.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rob_Ross
By Rob Ross
So you are planning or currently pregnant with your baby and have no idea what to name him or her. You have so many options and so many sources available to you. This article is meant to give you a few ideas on where to look and how to decide.
Method one: Your family history.
You have plenty of names available to you in your family tree. Some couples name their children after their own parents or grandparents. What a great way to honour your roots and where you came from. This is a great way to name your baby, so long as you like the names of your parents and grandparents. So what if you don't like your choices?
Method two: Buy a book.
There are hundreds of books available with lists of baby names sorted into various categories. The benefit of these books, is that you literally have tens of thousands of names at your fingertips. These books can be found in most libraries, bookstores and even online. If you like the idea of having a large selection of baby names to browse though, but don't want to buy a book, you're in luck. There's a third option.
Method three: Visit a baby names web site.
There are several web sites on the Internet that are dedicated solely to baby names. The benefit of these sites is that, unlike a book, you can search for baby names and select options to list more specific types of names. The most common choices are to search alphabetically, by nationality and by gender.
Either method you choose, naming your baby can be a wonderful experience. Your child deserves the best you can give. Following one of these three methods will enable you to select a name for your baby that you will be proud of.
Rob Ross is the creator of a website listing over 8,000 baby names. Visit Baby Names for your baby name search.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rob_Ross
I'm A Stay At Home Mom, How Can I Socialize My Preschooler?
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By Susanne Myers
Most children these days attend some kind of preschool program before entering mainstream education in kindergarten. Preschools have changed since I was in school. Now, they are geared towards preparing the children academically. When children stay home, they miss this and the process of getting to know other children.
If money is an issue, keeping a child at home instead of sending them to preschool seems like a good idea. You don’t have to pay for child care and you can make sure of your child’s surrounding environment. Unfortunately, your child will also miss out on playing with other kids their own age.
Most states offer federally funded preschool programs. If you enroll in one, there is no cost passed on to the parent. Your child receives preparation for kindergarten for free. Some even provide transportation within their own districts. The waiting lists for these programs can be long so you should get your child on one as early as a year before they are ready.
Federally or state funded programs are regulated. These preschools teach counting, color and shape recognition, drawing, physical skills like clapping and waving, and social skills like sharing. These are things that all children need to learn.
A stay at home parent can teach these skills, too. The problem is that the way a parent demonstrates the skill is not a realistic interpretation of how things will be with another child. At the age of two through four, children are self-centered. The universe revolves around them. If Suzy has a toy and Johnny puts out his hand to take it, Suzy may draw back and hold on tighter to her toy. What will Johnny do? He may cry or he may try to pull the toy from Suzy’s arms. An adult will not demonstrate this when teaching their child how to share.
Parents should consider sending their children to preschool at least two or three days a week. What do you have to lose? A free program costs you nothing, but your child has everything to gain. Learning how to interact with children their own age will prepare them for kindergarten. Preschool can give them the social etiquette necessary in relationships throughout their life. Children who interact with others are less selfish and more prone to situational problem solving. They learn the option of playing together as opposed to hogging a toy and not sharing it.
If you are a parent that is dead set against preschool or there are no preschool options in your area, you can introduce socialization into your child’s life if you are resourceful. Play groups offer children the chance to interact with other children. Local churches offer children’s groups. Neighborhoods that have stay-at-home mothers with small children can organize park days for playtime. While the mom’s get a much needed break, the children can learn to play together in the sandbox.
Get your child involved in sports. Tumbling or gymnastics groups not only teach physical skills but also camaraderie and team work. Kids can get involved with pee-wee soccer or T-ball. When situations arise between your child and another, you will have to be the one to explain to your child the right way to handle it.
All of these options are good alternatives. But, unless they are done on a regular basis, your child will not get the constant interaction that is needed with learning new behaviors. If you have younger children at home, it could become a burden for you to take on your preschool age child’s socialization all by yourself.
If you are concerned about the quality of your preschool, look into getting your child placed in another program. When it comes to giving your child a well-rounded education, check all your options. Socialization may seem like a small thing now, but not doing it could affect your child for the rest of their life.
For more information on raising your toddler or preschooler visit http://www.parentingzoo.com/articles/toddler.html and then take a moment to visit ParentingZoo.cm at http://www.parentingzoo.com and sign up for our online parenting magazine.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susanne_Myers
By Susanne Myers
Most children these days attend some kind of preschool program before entering mainstream education in kindergarten. Preschools have changed since I was in school. Now, they are geared towards preparing the children academically. When children stay home, they miss this and the process of getting to know other children.
If money is an issue, keeping a child at home instead of sending them to preschool seems like a good idea. You don’t have to pay for child care and you can make sure of your child’s surrounding environment. Unfortunately, your child will also miss out on playing with other kids their own age.
Most states offer federally funded preschool programs. If you enroll in one, there is no cost passed on to the parent. Your child receives preparation for kindergarten for free. Some even provide transportation within their own districts. The waiting lists for these programs can be long so you should get your child on one as early as a year before they are ready.
Federally or state funded programs are regulated. These preschools teach counting, color and shape recognition, drawing, physical skills like clapping and waving, and social skills like sharing. These are things that all children need to learn.
A stay at home parent can teach these skills, too. The problem is that the way a parent demonstrates the skill is not a realistic interpretation of how things will be with another child. At the age of two through four, children are self-centered. The universe revolves around them. If Suzy has a toy and Johnny puts out his hand to take it, Suzy may draw back and hold on tighter to her toy. What will Johnny do? He may cry or he may try to pull the toy from Suzy’s arms. An adult will not demonstrate this when teaching their child how to share.
Parents should consider sending their children to preschool at least two or three days a week. What do you have to lose? A free program costs you nothing, but your child has everything to gain. Learning how to interact with children their own age will prepare them for kindergarten. Preschool can give them the social etiquette necessary in relationships throughout their life. Children who interact with others are less selfish and more prone to situational problem solving. They learn the option of playing together as opposed to hogging a toy and not sharing it.
If you are a parent that is dead set against preschool or there are no preschool options in your area, you can introduce socialization into your child’s life if you are resourceful. Play groups offer children the chance to interact with other children. Local churches offer children’s groups. Neighborhoods that have stay-at-home mothers with small children can organize park days for playtime. While the mom’s get a much needed break, the children can learn to play together in the sandbox.
Get your child involved in sports. Tumbling or gymnastics groups not only teach physical skills but also camaraderie and team work. Kids can get involved with pee-wee soccer or T-ball. When situations arise between your child and another, you will have to be the one to explain to your child the right way to handle it.
All of these options are good alternatives. But, unless they are done on a regular basis, your child will not get the constant interaction that is needed with learning new behaviors. If you have younger children at home, it could become a burden for you to take on your preschool age child’s socialization all by yourself.
If you are concerned about the quality of your preschool, look into getting your child placed in another program. When it comes to giving your child a well-rounded education, check all your options. Socialization may seem like a small thing now, but not doing it could affect your child for the rest of their life.
For more information on raising your toddler or preschooler visit http://www.parentingzoo.com/articles/toddler.html and then take a moment to visit ParentingZoo.cm at http://www.parentingzoo.com and sign up for our online parenting magazine.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susanne_Myers
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Taming the Toddler Tantrum – How to Turn Drama into Cooperation
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By Shelly Walker
This morning we had one of those toddler melt-downs. She was sitting on my lap at the computer looking at a picture of a baby flash across the screen. I needed to get up; she wanted to look at that baby some more. She had already decided what she wanted (to look at the picture) and how she wanted it (on my lap) and there was literally nothing I could do to change her mind. We melted.
The truth is that these things will happen when you have a toddler around. They’re working so hard to become independent people; but they don’t have the life experience and skills to do what they want to do. What a frustrating time for them – and us! The good news is that there are some simple ways to minimize the fuss and maximize the fun as your toddler works to develop those skills that he needs to be a successful human being.
One of the most important things to keep in mind is this: every tantrum has a real reason behind it and it’s up to us as parents to look behind the melt-down and find the root cause. Usually it’s one of the following: hunger, exhaustion, frustration or fear. When your toddler melts, it’s up to you to address the root cause, not necessarily the behavior itself. Telling a screaming toddler to “stop it or you’ll be in trouble” does absolutely nothing to mitigate the true cause of the tantrum. If anything, that kind of attitude only adds to your child’s frustration.
Here are some ways to avoid tantrums and some ideas on how to tame the tantrums that do occur:
• Keep to your schedule. Being on a regular schedule helps a toddler to feel secure. Having that security gives her the space to make new ventures in her little world. Also, being on a regular schedule means that you will limit the number of melt-downs that occur because of hunger and exhaustion. Here’s what a toddler schedule could look like: Wake up. Change diaper. Eat breakfast. Have play time with care-giver. Have snack. Have nap (if on a two-nap schedule) or more play-time (if on a one-nap schedule). Change diaper. Have lunch. Have reading time with care-giver. Have nap. Change diaper. Have play time with care-giver. Have snack. Have play time with care-giver. Change diaper. Have dinner. Have play time with family. Change diaper. Go to bed. And, for you stay-at-home parents who are wondering how to get your chores done… Toddlers love to help around the house! “Play time” could be sorting laundry, shopping, washing windows, gardening, sweeping, doing the dishes and cooking! As long as it doesn’t include power tools, include your toddler in your day. Also, keep nap-times sacred to (gasp!) ME-time. Read, nap, meditate, garden, write, paint -- use this time every day to feed your soul. This will keep adult-tantrums to a minimum.
• Be sensitive about transitions. Many tantrums happen because the child is not being prepared to switch tasks: he’s simply expected to stop what he’s doing and move on to the next thing. Imagine being in his world: one minute you’re happily stacking blocks then someone walks in and drags you to the car to go shopping without warning. How rude! Keeping to your schedule means that your toddler will be prepared to make smooth transitions from one activity to the next. But sometimes things happen and we have to be more flexible. Give your child a catch-phrase that you use during the day when it’s almost time to switch to something else. For our family, we give a five-minute warning. “Faith, in five minutes it will be time for nap.” Another phrase that works well for some families is, “We’re almost done with _______, and next we’ll be doing _______.” I’ve noticed that first-borns especially like to be well-informed on what’s going to happen next. Giving a warning helps your toddler to end one task so she can move on to the next gracefully.
• “Me do it!” Nothing makes a toddler angrier than when his care-givers won’t let him do things for himself. Create opportunities for him to have the independence he so desperately needs.
Make sure he has clothing that is simple to put on. Minimize buttons, snaps and over-alls. Make sure he has shoes that he can slip on himself.
Get him a set of toddler-sized house-cleaning tools. If he has the tools, he will use them!
Make sure he has stools at sinks so he can wash his hands and “help” with the dishes.
When he’s attempting tasks that are beyond his skills and strength, help him tactfully. “How about if I just hold this part of the box and you hold that part and we’ll carry it together?”
Sometimes, it’s okay to let him try and fail. How will he know what he can do if he’s not allowed to try the limits of his potential?
• Keep your sense of humor and an open mind! One evening at tooth-brushing time, my daughter decided that she simply wasn’t going to brush her teeth. We tried everything: we put on her favorite toothpaste (toddler toothpaste – without fluoride), we let her start by herself, we tried forcing her to let us help, we tried joking with her and tickling her to get her to open her mouth, we tried singing with our mouths wide open so we could trick her into opening up. Nothing worked. She went from stubborn to giggling to frustrated back to stubborn. Finally I remembered watching her try to spit in the sink after she’d seen her dad spit. I said, “Faith, do you need to spit?” Immediately, she got back in the game. She spat then she let me brush some more so she could spit again. We kept up this cycle of brushing and spitting until her teeth were clean. Enrolling cooperation is much more effective than forcing your will onto your toddler. I’ve become the master of marketing – to my children any way. I’ve learned how to manipulate their prejudices and preferences to get them to do what I want them to do, like try new foods, take showers and even brush their teeth. You know your children inside and out. Use that knowledge and your creativity to help tame the tantrums.
• Remember the four things to look for then your toddler does melt down. Is he hungry? Tired? Frustrated? Afraid? Your toddler is too young to control his emotions and he is just learning how to behave in situations. His behavior is a reaction to some internal event. Dig down and address that internal cause. Let him feel understood and loved as you help him to learn appropriate ways to handle his emotions.
Remember to keep cool in the heat of the moment. There’s no point in getting angry or embarrassed. Simply address the root cause of the tantrum in a loving, peaceful way. She’s not misbehaving; she’s just reacting in a totally appropriate toddler fashion to something that is very real for her. Love her, guide her and watch her blossom!
Straight talk from the mom who’s been where you are and knows how to help your family: Shelly Walker is the mother of two beautiful children and the author of Awakened Power and the upcoming book Parenting Keys. Shelly is passionate about children and believes that every child deserves healthy, happy parents.
For more information, go to http://www.parentingkeys.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelly_Walker
By Shelly Walker
This morning we had one of those toddler melt-downs. She was sitting on my lap at the computer looking at a picture of a baby flash across the screen. I needed to get up; she wanted to look at that baby some more. She had already decided what she wanted (to look at the picture) and how she wanted it (on my lap) and there was literally nothing I could do to change her mind. We melted.
The truth is that these things will happen when you have a toddler around. They’re working so hard to become independent people; but they don’t have the life experience and skills to do what they want to do. What a frustrating time for them – and us! The good news is that there are some simple ways to minimize the fuss and maximize the fun as your toddler works to develop those skills that he needs to be a successful human being.
One of the most important things to keep in mind is this: every tantrum has a real reason behind it and it’s up to us as parents to look behind the melt-down and find the root cause. Usually it’s one of the following: hunger, exhaustion, frustration or fear. When your toddler melts, it’s up to you to address the root cause, not necessarily the behavior itself. Telling a screaming toddler to “stop it or you’ll be in trouble” does absolutely nothing to mitigate the true cause of the tantrum. If anything, that kind of attitude only adds to your child’s frustration.
Here are some ways to avoid tantrums and some ideas on how to tame the tantrums that do occur:
• Keep to your schedule. Being on a regular schedule helps a toddler to feel secure. Having that security gives her the space to make new ventures in her little world. Also, being on a regular schedule means that you will limit the number of melt-downs that occur because of hunger and exhaustion. Here’s what a toddler schedule could look like: Wake up. Change diaper. Eat breakfast. Have play time with care-giver. Have snack. Have nap (if on a two-nap schedule) or more play-time (if on a one-nap schedule). Change diaper. Have lunch. Have reading time with care-giver. Have nap. Change diaper. Have play time with care-giver. Have snack. Have play time with care-giver. Change diaper. Have dinner. Have play time with family. Change diaper. Go to bed. And, for you stay-at-home parents who are wondering how to get your chores done… Toddlers love to help around the house! “Play time” could be sorting laundry, shopping, washing windows, gardening, sweeping, doing the dishes and cooking! As long as it doesn’t include power tools, include your toddler in your day. Also, keep nap-times sacred to (gasp!) ME-time. Read, nap, meditate, garden, write, paint -- use this time every day to feed your soul. This will keep adult-tantrums to a minimum.
• Be sensitive about transitions. Many tantrums happen because the child is not being prepared to switch tasks: he’s simply expected to stop what he’s doing and move on to the next thing. Imagine being in his world: one minute you’re happily stacking blocks then someone walks in and drags you to the car to go shopping without warning. How rude! Keeping to your schedule means that your toddler will be prepared to make smooth transitions from one activity to the next. But sometimes things happen and we have to be more flexible. Give your child a catch-phrase that you use during the day when it’s almost time to switch to something else. For our family, we give a five-minute warning. “Faith, in five minutes it will be time for nap.” Another phrase that works well for some families is, “We’re almost done with _______, and next we’ll be doing _______.” I’ve noticed that first-borns especially like to be well-informed on what’s going to happen next. Giving a warning helps your toddler to end one task so she can move on to the next gracefully.
• “Me do it!” Nothing makes a toddler angrier than when his care-givers won’t let him do things for himself. Create opportunities for him to have the independence he so desperately needs.
Make sure he has clothing that is simple to put on. Minimize buttons, snaps and over-alls. Make sure he has shoes that he can slip on himself.
Get him a set of toddler-sized house-cleaning tools. If he has the tools, he will use them!
Make sure he has stools at sinks so he can wash his hands and “help” with the dishes.
When he’s attempting tasks that are beyond his skills and strength, help him tactfully. “How about if I just hold this part of the box and you hold that part and we’ll carry it together?”
Sometimes, it’s okay to let him try and fail. How will he know what he can do if he’s not allowed to try the limits of his potential?
• Keep your sense of humor and an open mind! One evening at tooth-brushing time, my daughter decided that she simply wasn’t going to brush her teeth. We tried everything: we put on her favorite toothpaste (toddler toothpaste – without fluoride), we let her start by herself, we tried forcing her to let us help, we tried joking with her and tickling her to get her to open her mouth, we tried singing with our mouths wide open so we could trick her into opening up. Nothing worked. She went from stubborn to giggling to frustrated back to stubborn. Finally I remembered watching her try to spit in the sink after she’d seen her dad spit. I said, “Faith, do you need to spit?” Immediately, she got back in the game. She spat then she let me brush some more so she could spit again. We kept up this cycle of brushing and spitting until her teeth were clean. Enrolling cooperation is much more effective than forcing your will onto your toddler. I’ve become the master of marketing – to my children any way. I’ve learned how to manipulate their prejudices and preferences to get them to do what I want them to do, like try new foods, take showers and even brush their teeth. You know your children inside and out. Use that knowledge and your creativity to help tame the tantrums.
• Remember the four things to look for then your toddler does melt down. Is he hungry? Tired? Frustrated? Afraid? Your toddler is too young to control his emotions and he is just learning how to behave in situations. His behavior is a reaction to some internal event. Dig down and address that internal cause. Let him feel understood and loved as you help him to learn appropriate ways to handle his emotions.
Remember to keep cool in the heat of the moment. There’s no point in getting angry or embarrassed. Simply address the root cause of the tantrum in a loving, peaceful way. She’s not misbehaving; she’s just reacting in a totally appropriate toddler fashion to something that is very real for her. Love her, guide her and watch her blossom!
Straight talk from the mom who’s been where you are and knows how to help your family: Shelly Walker is the mother of two beautiful children and the author of Awakened Power and the upcoming book Parenting Keys. Shelly is passionate about children and believes that every child deserves healthy, happy parents.
For more information, go to http://www.parentingkeys.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelly_Walker
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Parenting - The Right Way To Communicate With Your Children
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By Donald Saunders
Communication is a fundamental part of our day-to-day lives and, within the family setting, it is vital for parents to learn to communicate effectively with their children. This is not always as easy as you might think and there is certainly a right way and a wrong way to approach the subject.
One of the biggest problems we face with communication in general is that people vary so widely in so many different areas that there is no single way to communicate with others which will fit everyone in all circumstances. This means that there is no simple rule of communication which we can learn and apply. However, studies, together with many years of experience, do show that there are a few methods of communicating which are generally effective and which work better than others.
The first and most important rule in communicating with our children is honesty. Children are not stupid and they will very quickly spot a situation in which they are being lied to.
Now this doesn't imply that you must answer every question that is put to you in a totally frank and open manner. There are some things that your children don't need to know, and indeed shouldn't know, and you have your own right to privacy. How much information you share with your children will depend upon their age, their ability to understand the information being imparted, their level of genuine interest in the information and your own level of comfort in sharing such information. The secret however is to share that information with your children as and when it is appropriate, but not to evade the issue by attempting to lie your way out of it.
The second important rule of communication is to pick the right time to communicate with your children. For example, let's suppose that you are concerned about recent behavior with regard to other people's property and feel that your children need to understand that they have to respect other people's belongings.
Simply sitting them down and talking to them about the problem would be one option, but it is unlikely to have the impact you would wish for. However, waiting a while and watching for an example of the problem to arise outside of the family could yield excellent results. Witnessing an example on the television or while out shopping could provide just the right moment to open a discussion on the issue, perhaps along the lines of, "Hey, did you see what he just did?" and then inviting the child's comments with something like, "What do you think of that then?"
The important point here is that the issue becomes the subject of a relevant discussion within a real life context in which the child has the opportunity to express his or her point of view, as well as discovering what you think about the issue. The child will benefit far more from this approach than from a simple 'lecture' on the subject.
The third secret to good communication with your children is that of listening. Communication is very much a two way process and it's often easy to forget this fact.
One of the biggest problems in many households arises out of what children views as hypocrisy. A case of parents saying one thing and doing another, or telling children to behave in a certain manner while doing just the opposite themselves. The problem however is that, while the children see this and interpret the parents actions in this manner, the parents themselves don't always spot the problem.
Children see a great deal and are affected by everything that goes on around them but, unless you take the time to listen to them, how can you ever know what they are thinking and how they are feeling.
An excellent approach is often referred to as 'Stop, look and listen' and it is extremely effective. If one of your children needs to speak to you then stop what you're doing, look at the child and listen while he or she speaks. Giving your children your clear attention sends a powerful signal to them that you are interested in hearing what they have to say and that their thoughts, views and opinions are valued.
These are just a few of the basic rules of parental communication but they are extremely important and should form the foundation on which you build your own method of effective communication with your children.
Parenting4Dummies.com provides advice and information on child parenting and on a wide range of topics including only child parenting, the skill of parenting teenagers, step parenting, divorced parenting and the science of parenting.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donald_Saunders
By Donald Saunders
Communication is a fundamental part of our day-to-day lives and, within the family setting, it is vital for parents to learn to communicate effectively with their children. This is not always as easy as you might think and there is certainly a right way and a wrong way to approach the subject.
One of the biggest problems we face with communication in general is that people vary so widely in so many different areas that there is no single way to communicate with others which will fit everyone in all circumstances. This means that there is no simple rule of communication which we can learn and apply. However, studies, together with many years of experience, do show that there are a few methods of communicating which are generally effective and which work better than others.
The first and most important rule in communicating with our children is honesty. Children are not stupid and they will very quickly spot a situation in which they are being lied to.
Now this doesn't imply that you must answer every question that is put to you in a totally frank and open manner. There are some things that your children don't need to know, and indeed shouldn't know, and you have your own right to privacy. How much information you share with your children will depend upon their age, their ability to understand the information being imparted, their level of genuine interest in the information and your own level of comfort in sharing such information. The secret however is to share that information with your children as and when it is appropriate, but not to evade the issue by attempting to lie your way out of it.
The second important rule of communication is to pick the right time to communicate with your children. For example, let's suppose that you are concerned about recent behavior with regard to other people's property and feel that your children need to understand that they have to respect other people's belongings.
Simply sitting them down and talking to them about the problem would be one option, but it is unlikely to have the impact you would wish for. However, waiting a while and watching for an example of the problem to arise outside of the family could yield excellent results. Witnessing an example on the television or while out shopping could provide just the right moment to open a discussion on the issue, perhaps along the lines of, "Hey, did you see what he just did?" and then inviting the child's comments with something like, "What do you think of that then?"
The important point here is that the issue becomes the subject of a relevant discussion within a real life context in which the child has the opportunity to express his or her point of view, as well as discovering what you think about the issue. The child will benefit far more from this approach than from a simple 'lecture' on the subject.
The third secret to good communication with your children is that of listening. Communication is very much a two way process and it's often easy to forget this fact.
One of the biggest problems in many households arises out of what children views as hypocrisy. A case of parents saying one thing and doing another, or telling children to behave in a certain manner while doing just the opposite themselves. The problem however is that, while the children see this and interpret the parents actions in this manner, the parents themselves don't always spot the problem.
Children see a great deal and are affected by everything that goes on around them but, unless you take the time to listen to them, how can you ever know what they are thinking and how they are feeling.
An excellent approach is often referred to as 'Stop, look and listen' and it is extremely effective. If one of your children needs to speak to you then stop what you're doing, look at the child and listen while he or she speaks. Giving your children your clear attention sends a powerful signal to them that you are interested in hearing what they have to say and that their thoughts, views and opinions are valued.
These are just a few of the basic rules of parental communication but they are extremely important and should form the foundation on which you build your own method of effective communication with your children.
Parenting4Dummies.com provides advice and information on child parenting and on a wide range of topics including only child parenting, the skill of parenting teenagers, step parenting, divorced parenting and the science of parenting.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donald_Saunders
Monday, March 12, 2007
Tips to Help New Parents Care for Their Baby
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By Janice Cheng
Being a new parent is a wonderful time in your life, but also one that is full of questions. You will find that no matter what you ask, you will get several different opinions from doctors, friends, and family members. Sometimes this advice is well received, and other times it is overwhelming. Most new parents second guess their own decisions at times. That is normal. Remember that you know your baby better than anyone else. Each child is unique, so what works well for someone else many not work well for you and your child.
It is very important that you remain calm while caring for your new baby. They can sense other people’s feelings. If you are tense and nervous they will feel it and react to it. A baby thrives in an environment that is safe and secure. You can help your baby adapt to its new environment by talking soothingly and by establishing a regular daily routine.
Eating is a very essential part of a baby’s life. You and your partner should make the decision together about how the baby will be fed. Some parents prefer breastfeeding while others are comfortable using a bottle and formula. Make sure the nutrients your baby is getting agree with their system. You may have to try various formulas to find one that your baby is able to digest comfortably.
Safety is very important with a newborn. Never leave them unattended no matter how small they are. A baby can learn to turn over or wiggle to the edge of a bed before you know it. Keep the home free of clutter as well so that you don’t run the risk of tripping while your baby is in your arms.
Janice Cheng is a mother of two and the editor of ParentWonder. The site offers parents and parenting tips. She also publishes a newsletter and a public blog for parents. For articles or to blog, visit her site at http://www.parentwonder.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janice_Cheng
By Janice Cheng
Being a new parent is a wonderful time in your life, but also one that is full of questions. You will find that no matter what you ask, you will get several different opinions from doctors, friends, and family members. Sometimes this advice is well received, and other times it is overwhelming. Most new parents second guess their own decisions at times. That is normal. Remember that you know your baby better than anyone else. Each child is unique, so what works well for someone else many not work well for you and your child.
It is very important that you remain calm while caring for your new baby. They can sense other people’s feelings. If you are tense and nervous they will feel it and react to it. A baby thrives in an environment that is safe and secure. You can help your baby adapt to its new environment by talking soothingly and by establishing a regular daily routine.
Eating is a very essential part of a baby’s life. You and your partner should make the decision together about how the baby will be fed. Some parents prefer breastfeeding while others are comfortable using a bottle and formula. Make sure the nutrients your baby is getting agree with their system. You may have to try various formulas to find one that your baby is able to digest comfortably.
Safety is very important with a newborn. Never leave them unattended no matter how small they are. A baby can learn to turn over or wiggle to the edge of a bed before you know it. Keep the home free of clutter as well so that you don’t run the risk of tripping while your baby is in your arms.
Janice Cheng is a mother of two and the editor of ParentWonder. The site offers parents and parenting tips. She also publishes a newsletter and a public blog for parents. For articles or to blog, visit her site at http://www.parentwonder.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janice_Cheng
Friday, March 9, 2007
How to Choose the Best Preschool Curriculum for Your Child
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By Adela Osmond
So many mommies seek to find the most efficient preschool curriculum for teaching their precious preschooler.
I admit I was one of them. When my little girl was three years old, I began my quest. I wanted to be the best mommy ever, giving her a head start in academics. Especially reading!
A dear friend of mine, settled my anxious heart by simply saying, "take it easy, at her age there's no need to buy expensive curriculum, just go to a superstore and pick out a $7.99 preschool skill builder workbook, find free preschool activities online and make it fun!"
I took my friends advice, bought a few books, found some preschool websites and had lots-n-lots of fun building wonderful memories in which I want to share with you.
Our preschool schedule was easy and flexible. I used the skill builder activity book three days a week. In addition to that, we did lots of reading, singing, fun puzzles, educational videos, and explored several online websites together. I used it all as preschool curriculum. But really it was just time spent playing with her, guided by an educational purpose.
I planned two or three activities a day. The time that I spent in teaching was no more than 10 to 20 minute intervals. Just enough to keep her attention on the subject at hand, and then we moved on to "non-playing" tasks.
However, during our "non-playing" tasks, learning was taking place too. After all there was homemaking skills to acquire. (grin) When Jamie and I went to the grocery store I made it a learning experience for example: "Jamie, please count how many milk cartons we have in our buggy. You are right! 1-2-3-4-5 " - "What sound do you hear in the word egg?" eh, eh, eh,ggg? - "Will you get 5 round oranges for me and place them in this clear bag?"
When we did laundry, I had her sort the clothes by color. When she took a bath, we would play name that sound with a set of foam alphabet letters and so forth.
One thing I want to emphasize though, descriptive language is very important in teaching your preschooler. Talk to your child in such a way you would an adult using the proper names and descriptions for objects and experiences. Children have a natural affinity for learning. If you present them with intelligible words, their vocabulary and speech will grow abundantly. You can give your child a heads up in English class by simply starting now at the preschool age!
I learned very quickly in the early years of parenting, that a preschool child learns best in a relaxed atmosphere. When mommy smiles, speaks with a pleasant voice, and spends time playing with her child there is a special kind of bonding that takes place... the bond of love. So, let me gently remind you when irritation arises within, give yourself an attitude check and refocus your thoughts and lower your tone of voice. Your child will not only learn early academics from you but also godly character. (big smiles)
To sum it up... let me pass on the advice of which my friend gave me, take it easy during the preschool age. Buy some skill builder books, bookmark a few websites and make the learning atmosphere relaxed and fun!
Your preschooler will love being read to, seeing things, making things, creating things, talking about everything, asking questions and playing outdoors. Remember... enjoy this bonding time with them for it truly a blessing!
Listed below are a few items I've used with my first born. Please don't spend too much money on preschool curriculum you can get creative and find good resources for very little money online or at your local superstore. Don't forget to use the library too; their books are free but only for a little while!
Suggestive Preschool Resources to Used
Preschool Skill Builder/Activity Books
Preschool Comprehensive Curriculum of Basic Skills - From School Specialty Children's Publishing. We used this workbook a lot. The pictures are rich in color, and perforated. Subjects include reading, mathematics, language arts, and writing. You can find this workbook at Amazon.com which you can find them as low as $2.00 a workbook. ISBN 1-56189-374-9
My Heavenly Helper Preschool Skill Builder and Activity Guide - McGraw Hill Children's Publisher offers a skill builder activity book that I found very helpful in teaching Bible lessons to my preschooler. This particular workbook focuses on concepts such as the alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, sequencing, same and difference. Pages are perforated black and white. ISBN 0-7696-2907-5
A Must Have Preschool Educational Video
Letter Factory Video by Leap Frog - This particular pre-reading video is a must have for preschoolers. I recently noticed our local library with a copy. But I suggest you buy a copy for your family library. Your preschooler will learn letters, phonics and listening skills in no time. Creative production to say the least. ISBN 0-7907-8894-2
Free Preschool Curriculum Found Online
Starfall.com - An "absolutely" free website that teaches children to read. Perfect for preschooler too. You can put your preschooler in your lap and click through the alphabet shows. Be sure to let them click your mouse, they'll love discovering they can interact with the show! FREE printables too.
LetteroftheWeek.com - Letter of the Week was written and compiled by Katrina Lybbert. She created this site from her experiences teaching her 4 children at home. She offers free preschool curriculum. If you have children younger than preschool, you'll find her website very useful too.
Adela Osmond, is author of Plant the Word and co-owner of http://www.trainupchildren.com. Plant the Word activity guide (for ages 4 and up) comes with 100+ hands-on Bible activities to teach children how to draw close to God in word and in deed. Plant the Word CD accompaniment hold 179 Bible verse traceable worksheets, sow the word stationary, and 51 Scripture cards. Also, you can find free Old Testament Bible Lessons, activities, and worksheets at: http://www.trainupchildren.com/children/bible-lessons.php
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adela_Osmond
By Adela Osmond
So many mommies seek to find the most efficient preschool curriculum for teaching their precious preschooler.
I admit I was one of them. When my little girl was three years old, I began my quest. I wanted to be the best mommy ever, giving her a head start in academics. Especially reading!
A dear friend of mine, settled my anxious heart by simply saying, "take it easy, at her age there's no need to buy expensive curriculum, just go to a superstore and pick out a $7.99 preschool skill builder workbook, find free preschool activities online and make it fun!"
I took my friends advice, bought a few books, found some preschool websites and had lots-n-lots of fun building wonderful memories in which I want to share with you.
Our preschool schedule was easy and flexible. I used the skill builder activity book three days a week. In addition to that, we did lots of reading, singing, fun puzzles, educational videos, and explored several online websites together. I used it all as preschool curriculum. But really it was just time spent playing with her, guided by an educational purpose.
I planned two or three activities a day. The time that I spent in teaching was no more than 10 to 20 minute intervals. Just enough to keep her attention on the subject at hand, and then we moved on to "non-playing" tasks.
However, during our "non-playing" tasks, learning was taking place too. After all there was homemaking skills to acquire. (grin) When Jamie and I went to the grocery store I made it a learning experience for example: "Jamie, please count how many milk cartons we have in our buggy. You are right! 1-2-3-4-5 " - "What sound do you hear in the word egg?" eh, eh, eh,ggg? - "Will you get 5 round oranges for me and place them in this clear bag?"
When we did laundry, I had her sort the clothes by color. When she took a bath, we would play name that sound with a set of foam alphabet letters and so forth.
One thing I want to emphasize though, descriptive language is very important in teaching your preschooler. Talk to your child in such a way you would an adult using the proper names and descriptions for objects and experiences. Children have a natural affinity for learning. If you present them with intelligible words, their vocabulary and speech will grow abundantly. You can give your child a heads up in English class by simply starting now at the preschool age!
I learned very quickly in the early years of parenting, that a preschool child learns best in a relaxed atmosphere. When mommy smiles, speaks with a pleasant voice, and spends time playing with her child there is a special kind of bonding that takes place... the bond of love. So, let me gently remind you when irritation arises within, give yourself an attitude check and refocus your thoughts and lower your tone of voice. Your child will not only learn early academics from you but also godly character. (big smiles)
To sum it up... let me pass on the advice of which my friend gave me, take it easy during the preschool age. Buy some skill builder books, bookmark a few websites and make the learning atmosphere relaxed and fun!
Your preschooler will love being read to, seeing things, making things, creating things, talking about everything, asking questions and playing outdoors. Remember... enjoy this bonding time with them for it truly a blessing!
Listed below are a few items I've used with my first born. Please don't spend too much money on preschool curriculum you can get creative and find good resources for very little money online or at your local superstore. Don't forget to use the library too; their books are free but only for a little while!
Suggestive Preschool Resources to Used
Preschool Skill Builder/Activity Books
Preschool Comprehensive Curriculum of Basic Skills - From School Specialty Children's Publishing. We used this workbook a lot. The pictures are rich in color, and perforated. Subjects include reading, mathematics, language arts, and writing. You can find this workbook at Amazon.com which you can find them as low as $2.00 a workbook. ISBN 1-56189-374-9
My Heavenly Helper Preschool Skill Builder and Activity Guide - McGraw Hill Children's Publisher offers a skill builder activity book that I found very helpful in teaching Bible lessons to my preschooler. This particular workbook focuses on concepts such as the alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, sequencing, same and difference. Pages are perforated black and white. ISBN 0-7696-2907-5
A Must Have Preschool Educational Video
Letter Factory Video by Leap Frog - This particular pre-reading video is a must have for preschoolers. I recently noticed our local library with a copy. But I suggest you buy a copy for your family library. Your preschooler will learn letters, phonics and listening skills in no time. Creative production to say the least. ISBN 0-7907-8894-2
Free Preschool Curriculum Found Online
Starfall.com - An "absolutely" free website that teaches children to read. Perfect for preschooler too. You can put your preschooler in your lap and click through the alphabet shows. Be sure to let them click your mouse, they'll love discovering they can interact with the show! FREE printables too.
LetteroftheWeek.com - Letter of the Week was written and compiled by Katrina Lybbert. She created this site from her experiences teaching her 4 children at home. She offers free preschool curriculum. If you have children younger than preschool, you'll find her website very useful too.
Adela Osmond, is author of Plant the Word and co-owner of http://www.trainupchildren.com. Plant the Word activity guide (for ages 4 and up) comes with 100+ hands-on Bible activities to teach children how to draw close to God in word and in deed. Plant the Word CD accompaniment hold 179 Bible verse traceable worksheets, sow the word stationary, and 51 Scripture cards. Also, you can find free Old Testament Bible Lessons, activities, and worksheets at: http://www.trainupchildren.com/children/bible-lessons.php
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adela_Osmond
Thursday, March 8, 2007
How to Handle Your Child's Temper Tantrums
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By Colin Southgate
Every child undergoes a period when he is becoming less patient and is somehow frustrated at how limited his abilities can be. This disappointment and struggle to grasp greater control of things is vented through an activity referred to as temper tantrums.
Experts claim that temper tantrums often manifest in children aged one to three years. Temper tantrums are usually the nightmares of parents who often also grow impatient over their children's terrible behaviour.
Temper tantrums are manifested through crying, screaming, and breath holding, hitting and kicking. The loud screams and cries usually annoy people. The parents almost always want to just run out of the location where their child is throwing tantrums. Alas, they can never do that.
Psychologists remind parents that temper tantrums are a normal part of the child's growing up years. Some children may throw up regularly, but there are also some who occasionally burst out. It’s also true that some children are more prone to developing the habit of throwing temper tantrums and some tend to cease the habit.
Another setback to this behavioural problem in children is that you will never know when a child will suddenly burst out, and you can never tell where. You might have seen children throwing tantrums at places like the movie house, the grocery, and church or even at the bank.
That is why it is imperative that parents know the basics over handling temper tantrums in their children. First-time parents especially should be educated about the subject. All parents, even those who already have children, can also use a refresher.
Moreover, experts warn that not all parents are dealing with the temper tantrums appropriately. While others may be satisfied with their small strategies to pacify their children, it is not assured that those schemes are healthy.
Dealing with a child who is throwing temper tantrums
There are many simple means on how parents can deal with their
children amid a temper tantrum episode. Take note of the following simple guidelines.
Be sure to be firm and in control. Moreover, do not throw tantrums yourself. Spanking and yelling at the child during such episodes is not helpful. Doing this only triggers the child to cry and scream louder.
If it is clearly indicated that the child is having tantrums just to get something, remember not to give in to the child's demands. Children may be small and younger, but do not underestimate them. If you pamper them just to keep them quiet, you may develop an impression that he should just throw tantrums whenever he wants something or whenever he wants a person to do something for him.
When the child throws tantrums at home, just put him in a room or his crib, where he can scream, kick and cry as freely as he chooses. Let him ventilate his frustration. Within a few minutes, he will tire and realize that there is no point continuing the activity. It may be significantly annoying hearing the child do so, but endure it. If the child is put in a room, then close the room until crying ceases.
If you cannot leave your child alone while he is having an episode, just sit away from him. Do not lift a finger or try to pacify him, let him do it voluntarily. Avoid developing eye contact with the child during the tantrum episode.
If you happen to be in a public place when the tantrum occurs, take the child to the car. Put on his seatbelt and let him vent his frustration inside. You may opt to remain inside or step out of the car during the duration of the episode.
If, unfortunately, you are in a long line in a grocery store, let the child have his moment. Still, do not try to pacify him. He may be smart enough to capitalize on the fact that there are other people around just to get what he wants. Ignore the nasty comments and the glares of all other people in the line. It is funny how the line will move quickly when there's a child throwing tantrums. Of course, the cashier will aim to move faster just to get rid of the child. That way, you are doing everyone a good and practical favour.
Talk to your child after the temper tantrum episode. Emphasize that what he did was wrong and very inappropriate. Toddlers also understand what his parents tell him, so talk to him also as gently and as patiently as possible. Teach the child the habit of just saying, "I’m angry!" whenever he feels frustrated and disappointment.
Seeking experts' help
Of course, there are situations when the parent should start seeking professional help, like when the parent still feels his measures are inappropriate or when the parent becomes uncomfortable with the recommended responses to the episode.
Professional help should also be sought if the child starts hurting himself amid tantrums, or if he learns to be destructive and throws objects.
Sometimes, tantrums can also be mistaken as regular crying sessions, when the child could not express unbearable pain or discomfort. He may be feeling ill, so check the body temperature for any indication.
Children are born with tantrums. The best way parents can deal with the situation is to be in control. Remember that when your child throws another temper tantrum.
http://www.successful-parenting.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Colin_Southgate
By Colin Southgate
Every child undergoes a period when he is becoming less patient and is somehow frustrated at how limited his abilities can be. This disappointment and struggle to grasp greater control of things is vented through an activity referred to as temper tantrums.
Experts claim that temper tantrums often manifest in children aged one to three years. Temper tantrums are usually the nightmares of parents who often also grow impatient over their children's terrible behaviour.
Temper tantrums are manifested through crying, screaming, and breath holding, hitting and kicking. The loud screams and cries usually annoy people. The parents almost always want to just run out of the location where their child is throwing tantrums. Alas, they can never do that.
Psychologists remind parents that temper tantrums are a normal part of the child's growing up years. Some children may throw up regularly, but there are also some who occasionally burst out. It’s also true that some children are more prone to developing the habit of throwing temper tantrums and some tend to cease the habit.
Another setback to this behavioural problem in children is that you will never know when a child will suddenly burst out, and you can never tell where. You might have seen children throwing tantrums at places like the movie house, the grocery, and church or even at the bank.
That is why it is imperative that parents know the basics over handling temper tantrums in their children. First-time parents especially should be educated about the subject. All parents, even those who already have children, can also use a refresher.
Moreover, experts warn that not all parents are dealing with the temper tantrums appropriately. While others may be satisfied with their small strategies to pacify their children, it is not assured that those schemes are healthy.
Dealing with a child who is throwing temper tantrums
There are many simple means on how parents can deal with their
children amid a temper tantrum episode. Take note of the following simple guidelines.
Be sure to be firm and in control. Moreover, do not throw tantrums yourself. Spanking and yelling at the child during such episodes is not helpful. Doing this only triggers the child to cry and scream louder.
If it is clearly indicated that the child is having tantrums just to get something, remember not to give in to the child's demands. Children may be small and younger, but do not underestimate them. If you pamper them just to keep them quiet, you may develop an impression that he should just throw tantrums whenever he wants something or whenever he wants a person to do something for him.
When the child throws tantrums at home, just put him in a room or his crib, where he can scream, kick and cry as freely as he chooses. Let him ventilate his frustration. Within a few minutes, he will tire and realize that there is no point continuing the activity. It may be significantly annoying hearing the child do so, but endure it. If the child is put in a room, then close the room until crying ceases.
If you cannot leave your child alone while he is having an episode, just sit away from him. Do not lift a finger or try to pacify him, let him do it voluntarily. Avoid developing eye contact with the child during the tantrum episode.
If you happen to be in a public place when the tantrum occurs, take the child to the car. Put on his seatbelt and let him vent his frustration inside. You may opt to remain inside or step out of the car during the duration of the episode.
If, unfortunately, you are in a long line in a grocery store, let the child have his moment. Still, do not try to pacify him. He may be smart enough to capitalize on the fact that there are other people around just to get what he wants. Ignore the nasty comments and the glares of all other people in the line. It is funny how the line will move quickly when there's a child throwing tantrums. Of course, the cashier will aim to move faster just to get rid of the child. That way, you are doing everyone a good and practical favour.
Talk to your child after the temper tantrum episode. Emphasize that what he did was wrong and very inappropriate. Toddlers also understand what his parents tell him, so talk to him also as gently and as patiently as possible. Teach the child the habit of just saying, "I’m angry!" whenever he feels frustrated and disappointment.
Seeking experts' help
Of course, there are situations when the parent should start seeking professional help, like when the parent still feels his measures are inappropriate or when the parent becomes uncomfortable with the recommended responses to the episode.
Professional help should also be sought if the child starts hurting himself amid tantrums, or if he learns to be destructive and throws objects.
Sometimes, tantrums can also be mistaken as regular crying sessions, when the child could not express unbearable pain or discomfort. He may be feeling ill, so check the body temperature for any indication.
Children are born with tantrums. The best way parents can deal with the situation is to be in control. Remember that when your child throws another temper tantrum.
http://www.successful-parenting.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Colin_Southgate
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Teenage Dating: 10 Tips for Parents
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By Felecia Sheffield PhD
Dating among teenagers is a reality and seen by some as a right of passage from childhood to adolescence. Adolescence is also a time when your child wants to fit in, belong and be accepted. Parents must set appropriate boundaries to help their teenager come through this very challenging developmental stage.
1. Decide if your teenager is responsible and emotionally mature enough to handle dating.
2. Look at your teenager’s track record. Do they have numerous instances of lying, breaking rules, and not following through on commitments or promises? Past behaviors although not a 100% are strong indicators of future behavior.
3. Discuss which persons and places are off limits.
4. Discuss in advance which dates require adult supervision or chaperones.
5. Know who your teenager will be dating before they ring the doorbell on the first date and have contact information.
6. Set the night(s) on which your teenager can go out on a date.
7. Set an appropriate curfew time and make your teenager stick to it. Decide with your teenager consequences for curfew violations. Research shows that most children and teenagers set much tougher consequences than their parents.
8. Let your teenager know that under no circumstances are they to drink and drive. It is also important to stress to them that they are also not to get into the car with someone who plans to drive after drinking. Tell them to call home for a ride regardless of the hour and no questions will be asked.
9. Be open and frank with your teenager regarding dating and sex. Discuss safer safe practices including appropriate condom and birth control use.
10. Ask your teenager if they are having sex. Remember most teenagers are afraid to be honest with their parents for fear of their reaction. So don’t ask if you really don’t want to hear the answer.
Felecia D. Sheffield, PhD, is an author, trainer, international speaker and
life coach. Dr. Sheffield has over 15 years of experience providing services to parents, schools, colleges, universities, and social services agencies. For addtional parenting articles, ADHD, LD and college resources visit http://www.psychcore.com
Copyright 2004-2007, Felecia D. Sheffield. PhD. All Rights Reserved Worldwide in all Media. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article in your ezine, newsletter, newspaper, magazine, website, etc. as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, leave my name and bio box intact, and you follow all of the EzineArticles Terms of Service for Publishers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Felecia_Sheffield_PhD
By Felecia Sheffield PhD
Dating among teenagers is a reality and seen by some as a right of passage from childhood to adolescence. Adolescence is also a time when your child wants to fit in, belong and be accepted. Parents must set appropriate boundaries to help their teenager come through this very challenging developmental stage.
1. Decide if your teenager is responsible and emotionally mature enough to handle dating.
2. Look at your teenager’s track record. Do they have numerous instances of lying, breaking rules, and not following through on commitments or promises? Past behaviors although not a 100% are strong indicators of future behavior.
3. Discuss which persons and places are off limits.
4. Discuss in advance which dates require adult supervision or chaperones.
5. Know who your teenager will be dating before they ring the doorbell on the first date and have contact information.
6. Set the night(s) on which your teenager can go out on a date.
7. Set an appropriate curfew time and make your teenager stick to it. Decide with your teenager consequences for curfew violations. Research shows that most children and teenagers set much tougher consequences than their parents.
8. Let your teenager know that under no circumstances are they to drink and drive. It is also important to stress to them that they are also not to get into the car with someone who plans to drive after drinking. Tell them to call home for a ride regardless of the hour and no questions will be asked.
9. Be open and frank with your teenager regarding dating and sex. Discuss safer safe practices including appropriate condom and birth control use.
10. Ask your teenager if they are having sex. Remember most teenagers are afraid to be honest with their parents for fear of their reaction. So don’t ask if you really don’t want to hear the answer.
Felecia D. Sheffield, PhD, is an author, trainer, international speaker and
life coach. Dr. Sheffield has over 15 years of experience providing services to parents, schools, colleges, universities, and social services agencies. For addtional parenting articles, ADHD, LD and college resources visit http://www.psychcore.com
Copyright 2004-2007, Felecia D. Sheffield. PhD. All Rights Reserved Worldwide in all Media. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article in your ezine, newsletter, newspaper, magazine, website, etc. as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, leave my name and bio box intact, and you follow all of the EzineArticles Terms of Service for Publishers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Felecia_Sheffield_PhD
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Should You Let Your Child Bodybuild?
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By Eric Hartwell
My son likes to do body building. He does it everyday throughout the whole day and has been doing it for six or seven months. He’s only 13, but already he has got larger muscles than I could ever have imagined for myself. He has been doing this quite consistently throughout all this time and enjoys it very much.
The problem is that he wishes to pursue this further. However, medical opinion and other considered opinion suggests that it is not good or useful for a child of 13 who is growing to subject his muscles to huge weights and other strains. There is risk, they say, of muscle damage, burn damage, or other significant problems which can cause disability or other conditions in the future. I do, understand this. Being a loving father, I do not wish to have anything happen to my children which will make them worse. I try to protect my children just like any other loving parents would do, however, his love for body building is such that he wishes to pursue this further.
He has seen the pictures of the “world’s strongest kid”. This is Richard Sandrak, who is born in Ukraine. By the time he was 11, he could already lift twice his weight. My son is not at that stage, but he would like to be. So where do I stand? Do I allow him to keep doing this and push him further and further? The problem is that there are no gymnasiums or other supportive agencies in my area that will allow a 13-year old boy to undertake such strenuous activity. It is all very controlled and regulated. Health and safety, they say, comes before personal gain.
My son would enjoy the challenge of building his body and enjoying the challenge of being better than the next kid. Should I not allow him to be able to function in this way even if there is a risk of him damaging himself in the future? I find this a big problem. We are always told to allow our children to pursue their loves and aspirations. However, health and safety regulations in my country prevent me doing this. Meanwhile the world’s strongest kid “Richard Sandrak” has all the fame accolades and personal aspirations met that he could wish.
Visit us or share your opinions at the worlds best homepage or free content resource. Do you want to quit smoking? Visit Smokefree England for further information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Hartwell
By Eric Hartwell
My son likes to do body building. He does it everyday throughout the whole day and has been doing it for six or seven months. He’s only 13, but already he has got larger muscles than I could ever have imagined for myself. He has been doing this quite consistently throughout all this time and enjoys it very much.
The problem is that he wishes to pursue this further. However, medical opinion and other considered opinion suggests that it is not good or useful for a child of 13 who is growing to subject his muscles to huge weights and other strains. There is risk, they say, of muscle damage, burn damage, or other significant problems which can cause disability or other conditions in the future. I do, understand this. Being a loving father, I do not wish to have anything happen to my children which will make them worse. I try to protect my children just like any other loving parents would do, however, his love for body building is such that he wishes to pursue this further.
He has seen the pictures of the “world’s strongest kid”. This is Richard Sandrak, who is born in Ukraine. By the time he was 11, he could already lift twice his weight. My son is not at that stage, but he would like to be. So where do I stand? Do I allow him to keep doing this and push him further and further? The problem is that there are no gymnasiums or other supportive agencies in my area that will allow a 13-year old boy to undertake such strenuous activity. It is all very controlled and regulated. Health and safety, they say, comes before personal gain.
My son would enjoy the challenge of building his body and enjoying the challenge of being better than the next kid. Should I not allow him to be able to function in this way even if there is a risk of him damaging himself in the future? I find this a big problem. We are always told to allow our children to pursue their loves and aspirations. However, health and safety regulations in my country prevent me doing this. Meanwhile the world’s strongest kid “Richard Sandrak” has all the fame accolades and personal aspirations met that he could wish.
Visit us or share your opinions at the worlds best homepage or free content resource. Do you want to quit smoking? Visit Smokefree England for further information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Hartwell
Thursday, March 1, 2007
An Introduction to Baby Car Seats
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By Simone Butler
Becoming a parent for the first time involves a huge amount of learning, as there are hundreds of things involved which childless people will have had no reason to come across before, nor had any incentive to learn about. When you first learn of the impending new arrival, your thoughts will probably be taken up with decorating and equipping a nursery, buying clothes, bottles, and much more, but many people don't think of a baby car seat until later on in the pregnancy. It's very important to make sure you know what to look for in a seat, as after all, you'll need one on your baby's very first journey, from the hospital back to home.
For this first journey, you'll need a seat which faces towards the rear of your vehicle. This provides the best protection in the event of an impact for an infant who is unable yet to support the weight of their own head. The seat will be nicely reclined backwards, providing a safe and comfortable coccoon for your baby.
It's important to choose a rear-facing seat which is sturdy and dependable, yet light to carry. Young babies sleep a little and often, and the last thing you want to do after finally getting your child to sleep in a car journey is to wake them by removing them from their warm and cosy seat. Having an easily detachable model which is light to carry means you can ferry your baby from car to house with as little disturbance as possible.
These rear facing seats are only suitable for younger infants. Once they've grown to weigh around 20 pounds, or the top of their head is nearing the upper edge of the seat and thus no longer protected properly, you'll need to move to a forward facing seat.
These seats are much more upright, but better models can be adjusted to provide a more horizontal position to help your toddler sleep during longer journeys. Because of the upright position, it's essential that your child is able to sit up on their own before using this kind of seat. Forward facing seats are built to last for a fair few years, and most will be good until your child reaches the age of 4 or 6.
Before we finish, there are two extremely important things to bear in mind when buying a car seat.
Firstly, you should be very careful when buying one that isn't brand new. Although it might seem like an economy to get a second hand seat, there's no way of knowing for sure its history. It may have been involved in an accident at some point in the past, resulting in weaknessess that may not be visible to the naked eye. These weaknesses could endanger your baby even in a minor accident. You should only buy a used seat when you can be absolutely sure of the history - such as when buying off close friends or family.
Finally, baby car seats shouldn't be fitted in front seats where an airbag is fitted. In an accident, the inflation of the airbag could cause serious injury or suffocation to a child, so always fit car seats in the rear of the vehicle in this case.
Simone writes for Nappies From Hell, a guide for new parents, where you can read more about baby car seats and other aspects of moving about with your new arrival.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simone_Butler
By Simone Butler
Becoming a parent for the first time involves a huge amount of learning, as there are hundreds of things involved which childless people will have had no reason to come across before, nor had any incentive to learn about. When you first learn of the impending new arrival, your thoughts will probably be taken up with decorating and equipping a nursery, buying clothes, bottles, and much more, but many people don't think of a baby car seat until later on in the pregnancy. It's very important to make sure you know what to look for in a seat, as after all, you'll need one on your baby's very first journey, from the hospital back to home.
For this first journey, you'll need a seat which faces towards the rear of your vehicle. This provides the best protection in the event of an impact for an infant who is unable yet to support the weight of their own head. The seat will be nicely reclined backwards, providing a safe and comfortable coccoon for your baby.
It's important to choose a rear-facing seat which is sturdy and dependable, yet light to carry. Young babies sleep a little and often, and the last thing you want to do after finally getting your child to sleep in a car journey is to wake them by removing them from their warm and cosy seat. Having an easily detachable model which is light to carry means you can ferry your baby from car to house with as little disturbance as possible.
These rear facing seats are only suitable for younger infants. Once they've grown to weigh around 20 pounds, or the top of their head is nearing the upper edge of the seat and thus no longer protected properly, you'll need to move to a forward facing seat.
These seats are much more upright, but better models can be adjusted to provide a more horizontal position to help your toddler sleep during longer journeys. Because of the upright position, it's essential that your child is able to sit up on their own before using this kind of seat. Forward facing seats are built to last for a fair few years, and most will be good until your child reaches the age of 4 or 6.
Before we finish, there are two extremely important things to bear in mind when buying a car seat.
Firstly, you should be very careful when buying one that isn't brand new. Although it might seem like an economy to get a second hand seat, there's no way of knowing for sure its history. It may have been involved in an accident at some point in the past, resulting in weaknessess that may not be visible to the naked eye. These weaknesses could endanger your baby even in a minor accident. You should only buy a used seat when you can be absolutely sure of the history - such as when buying off close friends or family.
Finally, baby car seats shouldn't be fitted in front seats where an airbag is fitted. In an accident, the inflation of the airbag could cause serious injury or suffocation to a child, so always fit car seats in the rear of the vehicle in this case.
Simone writes for Nappies From Hell, a guide for new parents, where you can read more about baby car seats and other aspects of moving about with your new arrival.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simone_Butler
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