First and foremost, parents should model the manners they want their children to have. Simply put, teach by example. Transform your dialog with those around you. Thank your spouse for making dinner. Always say a friendly hello to the greeter at a store you enter. Be extra polite to the security guy. Your kids will think that's just how the world works! Precious Treasures truly believes in and supports an amazing company that says it best “Be Good To People” see it for yourself click on http://www.begoodtopeople.com/
Here's 10 suggestions on how to raise well-mannered children:
1. Introduce and guide your children to master the “Magic Words” (please, thank you, etc.). Use them often and make sure they understand their meanings. When teaching “I’m sorry” – make certain children know it must be meaningful.
2. Promote the concept – “Be Good To People”. Using alternative words to name calling, compliments vs. bullying or treating others friendly vs. callously. Explain the rewards of being nice.
3. Reinforce respect – act respectfully towards your children, and demand respect from them. Identify ways to help children feel good about themselves (earned self-respect). Treat your child with the same respect you would show your spouse, co-worker or a friend. Respectful parenting is about finding ways to model behavior & set up reminders that are not shameful and do not put the child on the spot.
4. Foster and teach values – honesty, tolerance, sharing, empathy, compassion, gratefulness, kindness – embrace them!
5. Develop mealtime manners. It's a life skill that will continue to help children (and adults) be confident in all future social/dining experiences. These skills can make or break a business deal in the future.
6. Demonstrate and discuss the importance of making a difference in someone’s life. Exhibit charity and ask your children to participate with you. It will encourage your children to be grateful for what they have and make them aware that we can help improve the world and make it a better place for everyone.
7. Teach your child the art of social exchange – meeting and greeting, eye contact, body language, a firm handshake. These skills are essential for making friends and keeping them, being part of a group and socialization.
8. Outline rules for courteous behavior- be considerate when using cell phones, computers and the Internet.
9. Explain the importance of accepting responsibility and becoming personally accountable; this is an essential step towards independence.
10. Demonstrate respect for our planet – recycle, reuse grocery bags, turn lights off, don’t litter and conserve energy whenever possible.
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/ptchildcare or look us up on Facebook at facebook.com/ptchildcare
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
How to Watch Guard What Your Kids Are Watching
Parent participation and involvement can ensure that children have a positive experience with television. The following strategies can help achieve that goal:
View Programs with Your Children
Most of us have moments when we end up using television or a video as a babysitter, but if you can, make it an activity the two of you can enjoy together. If needed, bring a basket of laundry to fold or some other task into the room so you can work and watch.
Talk with your children about what they are seeing as you watch shows with them. Identify positive behavior, such as cooperation, friendship, and concern for others. While watching, make connections to history, books, places of interest, and personal events. Express your personal and family values as they relate to the show. Converse about the realistic consequences of violence.
Select Developmentally Appropriate Shows
Choose slower-paced, calm programs to view as these give your toddler time to think about what they are watching and absorb the information. Quickly changing images and lots of action will only confuse them or make their eyes glaze over.
Research suggests that children who watch violence on TV are more likely to act aggressive. Avoid scary shows, too. Try to choose simple programs that emphasize interactivity. The best programs are those that inspire your child to make sounds, say words, sing and dance.
Place Limits on the Amount of Television Viewing
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that older kids not watch more than 1-2 hours of TV or video per day, and that kids under age 2 not watch any television. And of course, TV should never be a substitute for activities like playing, exercising, or reading.
Use Closed Captioning
Did you know that close caption television increases children's reading ability and comprehension? Research on using captions for instruction has shown that using text captions with audio and video helps student motivation, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. The results also showed that the students learned more with the captions; furthermore when the pace was slow, they retained more information two weeks later. The authors of the study concluded that students actually learn more from captioned video than from print material on the same topic. It clearly demonstrates the academic benefits of captioning. Using text captions with video and audio aids and reinforces language learning.
Turn Off the TV During Family Meals and Homework
Establish rules for when the television will be off. Homework time is for learning, not for sitting in front of the TV while trying to study. Meal times are for family members to talk with each other.
Watch Programs, Not Television
Instead of sitting down to watch whatever happens to be on TV, be selective about the program your toddler is going to watch, and turn off the set when the show is over. If possible, record programs ahead of time so your child can watch what you want, when you want.
For television program suggestions, talk to our staff at Precious Treasures...we're here to help!
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/ptchildcare or look us up on Facebook at facebook.com/ptchildcare
View Programs with Your Children
Most of us have moments when we end up using television or a video as a babysitter, but if you can, make it an activity the two of you can enjoy together. If needed, bring a basket of laundry to fold or some other task into the room so you can work and watch.
Talk with your children about what they are seeing as you watch shows with them. Identify positive behavior, such as cooperation, friendship, and concern for others. While watching, make connections to history, books, places of interest, and personal events. Express your personal and family values as they relate to the show. Converse about the realistic consequences of violence.
Select Developmentally Appropriate Shows
Choose slower-paced, calm programs to view as these give your toddler time to think about what they are watching and absorb the information. Quickly changing images and lots of action will only confuse them or make their eyes glaze over.
Research suggests that children who watch violence on TV are more likely to act aggressive. Avoid scary shows, too. Try to choose simple programs that emphasize interactivity. The best programs are those that inspire your child to make sounds, say words, sing and dance.
Place Limits on the Amount of Television Viewing
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that older kids not watch more than 1-2 hours of TV or video per day, and that kids under age 2 not watch any television. And of course, TV should never be a substitute for activities like playing, exercising, or reading.
Use Closed Captioning
Did you know that close caption television increases children's reading ability and comprehension? Research on using captions for instruction has shown that using text captions with audio and video helps student motivation, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. The results also showed that the students learned more with the captions; furthermore when the pace was slow, they retained more information two weeks later. The authors of the study concluded that students actually learn more from captioned video than from print material on the same topic. It clearly demonstrates the academic benefits of captioning. Using text captions with video and audio aids and reinforces language learning.
Turn Off the TV During Family Meals and Homework
Establish rules for when the television will be off. Homework time is for learning, not for sitting in front of the TV while trying to study. Meal times are for family members to talk with each other.
Watch Programs, Not Television
Instead of sitting down to watch whatever happens to be on TV, be selective about the program your toddler is going to watch, and turn off the set when the show is over. If possible, record programs ahead of time so your child can watch what you want, when you want.
For television program suggestions, talk to our staff at Precious Treasures...we're here to help!
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/ptchildcare or look us up on Facebook at facebook.com/ptchildcare
Monday, October 10, 2011
Establishing Family Time
Establishing family time is one of the best things you can do to be a positive parent. It doesn't mean that your children can't have friends or do other things but rather it means making sure that quality family time, such as dinner together, is part of every day. Have fun with your kids with one or more of these fun family activities, while bonding with them, and relaxing too.
Cooking
Cooking with your kids can be a great bonding experience. Have a good time making dessert or snacks together. Baking, making ice cream or preparing homemade snack mixes for school can all be good fun. It may take a longer time to get the meal or snack done but the moments with your children will be priceless. Just remember to approach it with a relaxed attitude and don't mind a messy kitchen. Find simple and fun recipes designed for kids on the internet.
Have a Game Night
Everyone is busy and it's hard to play games during the week. There are meals to prepare, dishes to wash, laundry, homework, mail to open, phone calls to return and the list goes on and on. Instead, try to do a game night on the weekends. How nice it would be to clean up after Friday night dinner and set up a board game, choose seats, get some snacks and start dealing the deck or rolling the dice? Better yet, grab a pizza on the way from work so there's no dinner to prepare and clean! Let the conversation and interaction with your kids flow.
Crafts
Visit a craft store or discount store and buy some items to make inexpensive crafts with your children. You can use crafts to make things easier around the house by making attractive storage spaces to put things. It will also have the added benefit of encouraging your kids to put things away and to stay organized. You can also make family mealtimes more special by decorating napkin rings for each family member, make some place mats, seasonal displays, etc...an added bonus may be your children volunteering to set the table next time. Spend time at bed making up stories that kids can later illustrate or act out for you.
Exercise
You don't need to have a lot of money to exercise. Take a walk with your kids and talk about what you see, appreciating nature and the things around you. If you have bikes, take a ride and maybe visit a store, restaurant or playground on your journey together.
Play Together
Eliminate electronics and TV for an afternoon. Take out the Lego's, dolls, play dough, bubbles, blocks, etc. Build Lego houses, role play with the dolls, blow bubbles in the backyard or bathtub. Be a kid again!
Most people work and it's hard to get a second to yourself and easy to let the computer or TV babysit our kids so we can get some peace at the end of the day. But the quality of time you spend with your family is critical to their development and happiness. Talk with your kids, listen to them and most importantly, play with them. Keep family first because keeping your priorities straight will ensure a happier, better-adjusted family.
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/ptchildcare or look us up on Facebook at facebook.com/ptchildcare
Cooking
Cooking with your kids can be a great bonding experience. Have a good time making dessert or snacks together. Baking, making ice cream or preparing homemade snack mixes for school can all be good fun. It may take a longer time to get the meal or snack done but the moments with your children will be priceless. Just remember to approach it with a relaxed attitude and don't mind a messy kitchen. Find simple and fun recipes designed for kids on the internet.
Have a Game Night
Everyone is busy and it's hard to play games during the week. There are meals to prepare, dishes to wash, laundry, homework, mail to open, phone calls to return and the list goes on and on. Instead, try to do a game night on the weekends. How nice it would be to clean up after Friday night dinner and set up a board game, choose seats, get some snacks and start dealing the deck or rolling the dice? Better yet, grab a pizza on the way from work so there's no dinner to prepare and clean! Let the conversation and interaction with your kids flow.
Crafts
Visit a craft store or discount store and buy some items to make inexpensive crafts with your children. You can use crafts to make things easier around the house by making attractive storage spaces to put things. It will also have the added benefit of encouraging your kids to put things away and to stay organized. You can also make family mealtimes more special by decorating napkin rings for each family member, make some place mats, seasonal displays, etc...an added bonus may be your children volunteering to set the table next time. Spend time at bed making up stories that kids can later illustrate or act out for you.
Exercise
You don't need to have a lot of money to exercise. Take a walk with your kids and talk about what you see, appreciating nature and the things around you. If you have bikes, take a ride and maybe visit a store, restaurant or playground on your journey together.
Play Together
Eliminate electronics and TV for an afternoon. Take out the Lego's, dolls, play dough, bubbles, blocks, etc. Build Lego houses, role play with the dolls, blow bubbles in the backyard or bathtub. Be a kid again!
Most people work and it's hard to get a second to yourself and easy to let the computer or TV babysit our kids so we can get some peace at the end of the day. But the quality of time you spend with your family is critical to their development and happiness. Talk with your kids, listen to them and most importantly, play with them. Keep family first because keeping your priorities straight will ensure a happier, better-adjusted family.
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/ptchildcare or look us up on Facebook at facebook.com/ptchildcare
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Tips for Baby Sleep
From research we know how important regular sleep times and routines are for good sleep. These tips are the first step to help your baby sleep through the night.
Establish a set bedtime and regular nap times — and stick to them.
A sleep schedule is vital for good sleep. Going to bed and getting up at regular or easily recognized times each day is ideal for the human body. You should establish a regular bedtime, as well as consistent nap times, to regulate baby's sleep patterns.
Choose a reasonable bedtime that suits your family's schedule and stick to it as much as possible. If your baby seems to want to stay up past bedtime, consider this: Energetic behavior late at night can be a sign that a child is tired.
Baby's bedtime routine
A bedtime routine is a set of actions and words you do with and say to your child at each bedtime. By doing this over and over, your baby will recognize that it is time for bed. Whatever routine works for your family is fine, as long as you do it in the same order and at the same time every night. Babies thrive on consistency.
Sleep helps beats obesity
New Research finds that children who go to bed early and wake early are less likely to become obese than children who go to bed late, even if they get the same amount of sleep.
Early risers accumulated 27 more minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day. The late-to-bed and late-to-rise kids tended to watch TV, play video games or surf online 48 minutes longer each day than early-to-bed kids.
Late-nighters were almost twice as likely to be physically inactive and 2.9 times more likely to sit in front of the TV or computers for longer than guidelines recommend.
And all that inactivity seems to catch up. The kids who went to bed late were 1.5 times more likely to be obese than those who went to bed early and got up early, the researchers found.
Precious Treasures is here to support our parents when issues with sleep are being experienced. We want to be a resource for you so please come to us for advice when you need guidance on specific issues related to sleep. We'll do our best to help your baby (and you) get a good night's rest!
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/ptchildcare or look us up on Facebook at facebook.com/ptchildcare
Establish a set bedtime and regular nap times — and stick to them.
A sleep schedule is vital for good sleep. Going to bed and getting up at regular or easily recognized times each day is ideal for the human body. You should establish a regular bedtime, as well as consistent nap times, to regulate baby's sleep patterns.
Choose a reasonable bedtime that suits your family's schedule and stick to it as much as possible. If your baby seems to want to stay up past bedtime, consider this: Energetic behavior late at night can be a sign that a child is tired.
Baby's bedtime routine
A bedtime routine is a set of actions and words you do with and say to your child at each bedtime. By doing this over and over, your baby will recognize that it is time for bed. Whatever routine works for your family is fine, as long as you do it in the same order and at the same time every night. Babies thrive on consistency.
Sleep helps beats obesity
New Research finds that children who go to bed early and wake early are less likely to become obese than children who go to bed late, even if they get the same amount of sleep.
Early risers accumulated 27 more minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day. The late-to-bed and late-to-rise kids tended to watch TV, play video games or surf online 48 minutes longer each day than early-to-bed kids.
Late-nighters were almost twice as likely to be physically inactive and 2.9 times more likely to sit in front of the TV or computers for longer than guidelines recommend.
And all that inactivity seems to catch up. The kids who went to bed late were 1.5 times more likely to be obese than those who went to bed early and got up early, the researchers found.
Precious Treasures is here to support our parents when issues with sleep are being experienced. We want to be a resource for you so please come to us for advice when you need guidance on specific issues related to sleep. We'll do our best to help your baby (and you) get a good night's rest!
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/ptchildcare or look us up on Facebook at facebook.com/ptchildcare
Monday, October 3, 2011
Curriculum's Impact on Your Child's Growth & Behavior
Your child's curriculum at daycare plays an important part in laying the foundation for literacy and language, cognitive development, social, emotional and physical development. Parental involvement reinforces and enhances the child care curriculum and is equally important.
Literacy / Language
The National Institute for Literacy has identified several key elements to include in an early childhood curriculum related to literacy. These elements are: holding a book appropriately and turning pages; telling a story from looking at pictures; saying the names of letters in print; saying the sounds letters make; being able to "play" or manipulate the sounds in words (rhyming, changing the first letter sound, ending sound, etc.); and being to write the child's own name or some letters in the name. Even more important to language development than the curriculum are the interactions children have with teachers and other children. Communicating with children positively impacts the development of language concepts and skills.
Cognitive
Cognition is the process of thinking and there are two stages of early childhood development - sensory motor and symbolic representation. A curriculum focusing on sensory motor development provides infants to 2-year-olds with the opportunity to learn about the world using their senses. A curriculum focusing on symbolic representation has activities for 2- to 4-year-olds that support the ability to create mental images and to remember them when the object is not immediately in front of them.
Social Emotional Development
A curriculum should address early childhood social emotional development and include activities that enhance the ability to form close and secure relationships such as: expression of emotions; managing emotions (regulating); social problem solving; understanding emotions; self-control; empathy; anger management; building friendships; following rules; and behavior management.
Physical Development
An early childhood curriculum needs to address physical development in these skill areas: fine and gross motor; sensory integration (touch, smell, sight, hearing); muscle tone and strength; performance of a physical movement; visual motor (eye hand coordination); and learning how to use writing instruments.
Parental involvement
Precious Treasures believes what matters most is that parents are engaging (daily) in conversations and activities with their child(ren). Young children are constantly learning from their everyday environment and there are many ways to enhance their experiences. A few ideas are: Read to your children daily, cook with your children, play with your children, talk to your children about their day & remind them to ask you about your day, visit a library/museum/park together and talk about what you can do and see, run errands with your child and talk about what and how the things you are doing affect their lives as well as how their positive behavior effects your schedule. These are just a few suggestions and the list goes on and on.
Precious Treasures is committed to providing a top notch curriculum to prepare your child for kindergarten and the social/emotional aspects of their lives. We ask that you support our efforts at home and we can all enjoy watching your children blossom into their full potential.
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/ptchildcare or look us up on Facebook at facebook.com/ptchildcare
Literacy / Language
The National Institute for Literacy has identified several key elements to include in an early childhood curriculum related to literacy. These elements are: holding a book appropriately and turning pages; telling a story from looking at pictures; saying the names of letters in print; saying the sounds letters make; being able to "play" or manipulate the sounds in words (rhyming, changing the first letter sound, ending sound, etc.); and being to write the child's own name or some letters in the name. Even more important to language development than the curriculum are the interactions children have with teachers and other children. Communicating with children positively impacts the development of language concepts and skills.
Cognitive
Cognition is the process of thinking and there are two stages of early childhood development - sensory motor and symbolic representation. A curriculum focusing on sensory motor development provides infants to 2-year-olds with the opportunity to learn about the world using their senses. A curriculum focusing on symbolic representation has activities for 2- to 4-year-olds that support the ability to create mental images and to remember them when the object is not immediately in front of them.
Social Emotional Development
A curriculum should address early childhood social emotional development and include activities that enhance the ability to form close and secure relationships such as: expression of emotions; managing emotions (regulating); social problem solving; understanding emotions; self-control; empathy; anger management; building friendships; following rules; and behavior management.
Physical Development
An early childhood curriculum needs to address physical development in these skill areas: fine and gross motor; sensory integration (touch, smell, sight, hearing); muscle tone and strength; performance of a physical movement; visual motor (eye hand coordination); and learning how to use writing instruments.
Parental involvement
Precious Treasures believes what matters most is that parents are engaging (daily) in conversations and activities with their child(ren). Young children are constantly learning from their everyday environment and there are many ways to enhance their experiences. A few ideas are: Read to your children daily, cook with your children, play with your children, talk to your children about their day & remind them to ask you about your day, visit a library/museum/park together and talk about what you can do and see, run errands with your child and talk about what and how the things you are doing affect their lives as well as how their positive behavior effects your schedule. These are just a few suggestions and the list goes on and on.
Precious Treasures is committed to providing a top notch curriculum to prepare your child for kindergarten and the social/emotional aspects of their lives. We ask that you support our efforts at home and we can all enjoy watching your children blossom into their full potential.
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/ptchildcare or look us up on Facebook at facebook.com/ptchildcare
Friday, September 23, 2011
Is Your Child Familiar with Yes?
Do you ever feel like you are constantly saying "no" to everything? Are you worried that your parenting style may be creating a negative family environment?
You can turn your "no" into "yes" and create a more harmonious, positive household without letting your kids walk all over you! It requires you to re-think the way you phrase your words and with practice it becomes easier and fosters more positive results in the end.
An example of this would be instead of saying, "No, you can't play video games until your homework is done", you can turn it around by saying, "Yes, you can play video games as soon as your home work is done."
Instead of yelling "No running!", simply re-phrase it, "Walking feet please". It sounds more respectful and describes the desired behavior.
Take time to review your usual "no" scenarios and create a "yes" for future use so you are ready when the time arrives. In time, with regular use, the words become second nature.
Giving your child choices is another great way to create a positive learning environment, by giving them control of non-essential choices designed to meet the desired outcome regardless of which choice they choose.
You can get immediate results using this technique if you change how you respond to potential battles by giving your child the power to make some decisions. When dealing with a rather headstrong two-year old at bedtime, stay calm, and give choices like: Do you want to have milk before you go to bed, or juice? The focus becomes her choice of drink instead of the battle on whether or not she is going to bed.
Because young kids are easily overwhelmed, help narrow down their choices, so that they have finite options for decision making. An example of this is: Your daughter likes to dress herself in the morning and you're not going anywhere today, so it doesn't really matter what she wears. However, if you give her free reign, she'll unload her entire closet and change six times before breakfast.
Child: I want to pick my clothes!
Mom: Sure, here's your pink shirt and your purple shirt. Which one would you like?
Child: The pink shirt!
The child was given the freedom to choose the pink shirt from the finite options. The choice has empowered her and helped build her self-confidence. It also provides a trusting and positive environment while teaching some positive habits.
You can embrace the fact that testing the limits is a natural and healthy way for young children to learn, these techniques can help to facilitate and not discourage that type of learning, and yet still teach the right behavior.
At Precious Treasures, we encourage the use of "yes" and work to provide the most positive environment for learning and growth.
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/ptchildcare or look us up on Facebook at facebook.com/ptchildcare.
You can turn your "no" into "yes" and create a more harmonious, positive household without letting your kids walk all over you! It requires you to re-think the way you phrase your words and with practice it becomes easier and fosters more positive results in the end.
An example of this would be instead of saying, "No, you can't play video games until your homework is done", you can turn it around by saying, "Yes, you can play video games as soon as your home work is done."
Instead of yelling "No running!", simply re-phrase it, "Walking feet please". It sounds more respectful and describes the desired behavior.
Take time to review your usual "no" scenarios and create a "yes" for future use so you are ready when the time arrives. In time, with regular use, the words become second nature.
Giving your child choices is another great way to create a positive learning environment, by giving them control of non-essential choices designed to meet the desired outcome regardless of which choice they choose.
You can get immediate results using this technique if you change how you respond to potential battles by giving your child the power to make some decisions. When dealing with a rather headstrong two-year old at bedtime, stay calm, and give choices like: Do you want to have milk before you go to bed, or juice? The focus becomes her choice of drink instead of the battle on whether or not she is going to bed.
Because young kids are easily overwhelmed, help narrow down their choices, so that they have finite options for decision making. An example of this is: Your daughter likes to dress herself in the morning and you're not going anywhere today, so it doesn't really matter what she wears. However, if you give her free reign, she'll unload her entire closet and change six times before breakfast.
Child: I want to pick my clothes!
Mom: Sure, here's your pink shirt and your purple shirt. Which one would you like?
Child: The pink shirt!
The child was given the freedom to choose the pink shirt from the finite options. The choice has empowered her and helped build her self-confidence. It also provides a trusting and positive environment while teaching some positive habits.
You can embrace the fact that testing the limits is a natural and healthy way for young children to learn, these techniques can help to facilitate and not discourage that type of learning, and yet still teach the right behavior.
At Precious Treasures, we encourage the use of "yes" and work to provide the most positive environment for learning and growth.
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/ptchildcare or look us up on Facebook at facebook.com/ptchildcare.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Discipline Strategies for All Ages
Many books have been written about discipline and there are many viewpoints and techniques that have been advocated throughout the years. The most effective method for some parents and children may not be effective for others. Try the methods that seem right for you and if you like the result, incorporate it into your discipline style. Keep in mind, we are parents first, friends second. This is a very basic outline for building a foundation of discipline that can be used as a starting point.
It's important to begin by "Laying the Foundation" which entails:
1. Mutual Respect. An important thing for parents to remember, is that the children that learn respect, are those that are also being treated respectfully. Children learn what they live. The adults in the family should use the same manners that they expect of their children.
2. Set Expectations & Consequences. Be firm and clear. Talk with your child about what will happen if they behave improperly. Give them examples of a consequence such as "You will be grounded to your room for one hour". Should it be necessary to implement a consequence then it should be immediate, on the same day.
3. Be Consistent. Follow through with the consequence when needed. Giving-in communicates to the child that they can get their way by misbehaving. Reward good behavior with hugs, kisses, stickers and small prizes. Be sure to let them know you still love them.
The goal of effective discipline is to teach the child how to behave, not to make the child suffer.
When children (ages 2 yrs & up) do not cooperate:
• Get down to their level and make eye contact.
• In a firm and calm voice ask them for their cooperation (i.e. turn the TV off). Don’t yell from the other end of the house.
• Give them five seconds to get themselves ready without any further comment.
• Make the same request again and explain the consequence – don’t raise your voice, use the same firm and calm voice.
• If they cooperate, acknowledge this.
• If they do not cooperate, then in a calm voice enforce the consequence.
• Other consequences are quiet time and/or time-out.
When children under 2 years old misbehave, the best technique to resolve the situation is to use redirection. Infants and toddlers can be easily distracted by providing them with an interesting alternative. For example, a child’s attention can be diverted from playing with your watch to playing with some toy keys. You can distract a child from pulling hair by shaking a rattle.
Another way to divert or redirect a child is simply to take the child’s hand. Guide the child, either away from the misbehavior or toward what you want the child to do. For redirection to work, there must be choices. Parents must have an acceptable alternative activity to offer the child.
Redirecting behavior is one of the very best guidance techniques because it turns bad behavior into good behavior.
At Precious Treasures, we like to provide our parents with the support they need to raise healthy, happy children. We want to be a resource for you, so please come to us if you have any questions about techniques for discipline that might work best for your child and/or circumstances.
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/ptchildcare or look us up on Facebook at facebook.com/ptchildcare
It's important to begin by "Laying the Foundation" which entails:
1. Mutual Respect. An important thing for parents to remember, is that the children that learn respect, are those that are also being treated respectfully. Children learn what they live. The adults in the family should use the same manners that they expect of their children.
2. Set Expectations & Consequences. Be firm and clear. Talk with your child about what will happen if they behave improperly. Give them examples of a consequence such as "You will be grounded to your room for one hour". Should it be necessary to implement a consequence then it should be immediate, on the same day.
3. Be Consistent. Follow through with the consequence when needed. Giving-in communicates to the child that they can get their way by misbehaving. Reward good behavior with hugs, kisses, stickers and small prizes. Be sure to let them know you still love them.
The goal of effective discipline is to teach the child how to behave, not to make the child suffer.
When children (ages 2 yrs & up) do not cooperate:
• Get down to their level and make eye contact.
• In a firm and calm voice ask them for their cooperation (i.e. turn the TV off). Don’t yell from the other end of the house.
• Give them five seconds to get themselves ready without any further comment.
• Make the same request again and explain the consequence – don’t raise your voice, use the same firm and calm voice.
• If they cooperate, acknowledge this.
• If they do not cooperate, then in a calm voice enforce the consequence.
• Other consequences are quiet time and/or time-out.
When children under 2 years old misbehave, the best technique to resolve the situation is to use redirection. Infants and toddlers can be easily distracted by providing them with an interesting alternative. For example, a child’s attention can be diverted from playing with your watch to playing with some toy keys. You can distract a child from pulling hair by shaking a rattle.
Another way to divert or redirect a child is simply to take the child’s hand. Guide the child, either away from the misbehavior or toward what you want the child to do. For redirection to work, there must be choices. Parents must have an acceptable alternative activity to offer the child.
Redirecting behavior is one of the very best guidance techniques because it turns bad behavior into good behavior.
At Precious Treasures, we like to provide our parents with the support they need to raise healthy, happy children. We want to be a resource for you, so please come to us if you have any questions about techniques for discipline that might work best for your child and/or circumstances.
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/ptchildcare or look us up on Facebook at facebook.com/ptchildcare
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