Friday, May 11, 2007
TOOTHBRUSHING
Ethan's motor skills are quite good. Which is why he is more adept at brushing his teeth than Nikki is. Of course, Nikki still tries and I encourage him all the time. Hopefully, he will be brushing his teeth correctly in no time. =D
STOP WHINING
http://parenting.ivillage.com/tp/tpbehavior/0,,6xvg,00.html
6 Ways to Stop Whining
Many parents have theorized that there's a recessive gene that seems to be present in about 99 percent of young children: the whining gene.
If only DNA or some other scientific phenomenon could account for why so many of our kids resort to whining when they want something. And coming up with an effective coping strategy to pull the plug on whining can greatly improve your relationship with your child. On the other hand, coming up with the wrong one will only encourage more whining.
According to a recent survey of almost 1,650 parents conducted by Parent Soup, the best way to stop whining is to calmly explain to your kids why it's not appropriate. More than 40 percent of respondents said children are most likely to obey if you are calm, but firm, with your explanation. Almost 30 percent of those quizzed said they simply ignore the whining and that their kids stop once they realize they aren't eliciting a reaction. About 22 percent said their kids stop whining when they pretend not to understand what the child is saying.
Experts say parents must exercise caution when their children resort to whining. If you mock or ignore them, this might enrage them. It's important to know WHY they are whining. If they feel it's the only way to get your attention, it's time to take stock of how much attention you're giving your children. On the other hand, providing positive reinforcement by "caving" to their requests will only encourage them to whine more.
Here's a selection of some of the best advice offered by members of the Parent Soup communities:
1. "I try to ignore whining, then I try to explain why (my son) shouldn't whine, then I cajole, threaten, and finally ... I WHINE!!!"
2. "My best advice: Let your 'no' mean no and your 'yes' mean yes. Giving in to whining just perpetuates the habit."
3. "If my children whine, I make it clear that I did not understand what they have said (even if I have). They (soon) realize that they must speak in an acceptable way, i.e. moderate tone, (proper) enunciation. ... When they speak in an appropriate way, they are acknowledged and addressed. When they whine, they are misunderstood and unanswered."
4. "By whining, our children learn that we will then pay attention to them. ... It's not their tone of voice that we should be reinforcing. We really can avoid the problem with better listening skills and (hopefully they will no longer feel the need to indulge the) nasty whining habit."
5. "My house is full of kids with a sense of humor. ... If they whine, I whine right back. "But, Mooooom...," they drag on. "But, daaarlings...," I yodel. Usually they are sick of me first. Victory!"
6. "Did you notice the 'What's the best way to stop your child from whining?' poll did not allow for any answer involving actually trying to find why the child is whining? Is it because the poller/s assumed a child is doing it only to annoy us grown-ups?"
6 Ways to Stop Whining
Many parents have theorized that there's a recessive gene that seems to be present in about 99 percent of young children: the whining gene.
If only DNA or some other scientific phenomenon could account for why so many of our kids resort to whining when they want something. And coming up with an effective coping strategy to pull the plug on whining can greatly improve your relationship with your child. On the other hand, coming up with the wrong one will only encourage more whining.
According to a recent survey of almost 1,650 parents conducted by Parent Soup, the best way to stop whining is to calmly explain to your kids why it's not appropriate. More than 40 percent of respondents said children are most likely to obey if you are calm, but firm, with your explanation. Almost 30 percent of those quizzed said they simply ignore the whining and that their kids stop once they realize they aren't eliciting a reaction. About 22 percent said their kids stop whining when they pretend not to understand what the child is saying.
Experts say parents must exercise caution when their children resort to whining. If you mock or ignore them, this might enrage them. It's important to know WHY they are whining. If they feel it's the only way to get your attention, it's time to take stock of how much attention you're giving your children. On the other hand, providing positive reinforcement by "caving" to their requests will only encourage them to whine more.
Here's a selection of some of the best advice offered by members of the Parent Soup communities:
1. "I try to ignore whining, then I try to explain why (my son) shouldn't whine, then I cajole, threaten, and finally ... I WHINE!!!"
2. "My best advice: Let your 'no' mean no and your 'yes' mean yes. Giving in to whining just perpetuates the habit."
3. "If my children whine, I make it clear that I did not understand what they have said (even if I have). They (soon) realize that they must speak in an acceptable way, i.e. moderate tone, (proper) enunciation. ... When they speak in an appropriate way, they are acknowledged and addressed. When they whine, they are misunderstood and unanswered."
4. "By whining, our children learn that we will then pay attention to them. ... It's not their tone of voice that we should be reinforcing. We really can avoid the problem with better listening skills and (hopefully they will no longer feel the need to indulge the) nasty whining habit."
5. "My house is full of kids with a sense of humor. ... If they whine, I whine right back. "But, Mooooom...," they drag on. "But, daaarlings...," I yodel. Usually they are sick of me first. Victory!"
6. "Did you notice the 'What's the best way to stop your child from whining?' poll did not allow for any answer involving actually trying to find why the child is whining? Is it because the poller/s assumed a child is doing it only to annoy us grown-ups?"
Thursday, May 10, 2007
CLASSICAL MUSIC
I decided to play some classical music today for Nikki and Ethan. I wanted them to be exposed to different kinds of music aside from their nursery rhymes. Nikki already appreciates classical music and I see no need to stop exposing him (and Ethan to it). Hopefully, my boys will discover what type of music suits them as they grow older.
For today, these are the pieces we listened to:
1. Spring - Antonio Vivaldi
2. Summer -Antonio Vivaldi
3. Autumn - Antonio Vivaldi
4. Winter - Antonio Vivaldi
5. The Toreador Song from Carmen - Georges Bizet
6. The Flight of the Bumblebee - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
7. The New World Symphony - Antonin Leopold Dvorak
8. Moonlight Sonata - Ludwig Van Beethoven
For today, these are the pieces we listened to:
1. Spring - Antonio Vivaldi
2. Summer -Antonio Vivaldi
3. Autumn - Antonio Vivaldi
4. Winter - Antonio Vivaldi
5. The Toreador Song from Carmen - Georges Bizet
6. The Flight of the Bumblebee - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
7. The New World Symphony - Antonin Leopold Dvorak
8. Moonlight Sonata - Ludwig Van Beethoven
FREE FREE FREE
Another beautiful letter from HomeschoolFreeStuff...
Home Schooling
Truly FREE
~By Kristan Mikala~
Note From The Editor: This was a writing assignment prompted by these HomeschoolSoup newsletters. It was written by a 15 year old homeschool student. Aside from it being one of the more touching messages I've ever read, consider it a powerful open letter to all children and parents thinking about homeschooling.
As a student in almost every sense of the word, I have experienced many different types of teaching. The worst of all were the styles in which you were so boxed in you felt you couldn't breathe, couldn't move, couldn't do anything. The best was that rare wildflower of learning, homeschooling. In homeschooling, you are FREE; FREE to learn, FREE to be yourself. You needn't worry about what your peers think of you, you needn't worry about whether this or that teacher does or doesn't like you, you only worry about whether there's something you forgot to remember to learn. In the fields of your mind, you choose what you plant. You don't need someone to do it for you because you want to learn. No one can force you to do what you are already doing. There may be rows you'd rather not hoe, but for the sake of your future you do it anyway. You look forward to tomorrow, and you know that even if you aren't completely prepared, you can and will make it, because you can and will learn how to. Saying 'the sky's the limit' is untrue, because you can reach beyond. There are many things only you can understand because others aren't willing to learn. They won't open their minds unless someone does it for them, and some things can only be learned voluntarily. Some things can only be learned if one knows how to learn and loves learning itself. Some things can only be experienced with open eyes. Hiding from the world, and even from themselves, many cannot understand that.
How can you revel in the glory of the sunrise if you won't wake up?
How can you marvel at the beauty of a flower if you won't stop and look?
How can you breathe the fresh sea air if you won't leave your house?
How can you find if you won't seek?
You can't.
Neither can you reach your full potential if you limit yourself by closing your mind to knowledge. So open your mind. Shake yourself FREE of the tangling cords around you, hindering you from truly living. Shake yourself FREE and fly into the blue sky that expands with every new thing you learn. Soar into your ever-growing horizon, and learn what it is to be truly FREE.
~Kristan Mikala Age:15~
Home Schooling
Truly FREE
~By Kristan Mikala~
Note From The Editor: This was a writing assignment prompted by these HomeschoolSoup newsletters. It was written by a 15 year old homeschool student. Aside from it being one of the more touching messages I've ever read, consider it a powerful open letter to all children and parents thinking about homeschooling.
As a student in almost every sense of the word, I have experienced many different types of teaching. The worst of all were the styles in which you were so boxed in you felt you couldn't breathe, couldn't move, couldn't do anything. The best was that rare wildflower of learning, homeschooling. In homeschooling, you are FREE; FREE to learn, FREE to be yourself. You needn't worry about what your peers think of you, you needn't worry about whether this or that teacher does or doesn't like you, you only worry about whether there's something you forgot to remember to learn. In the fields of your mind, you choose what you plant. You don't need someone to do it for you because you want to learn. No one can force you to do what you are already doing. There may be rows you'd rather not hoe, but for the sake of your future you do it anyway. You look forward to tomorrow, and you know that even if you aren't completely prepared, you can and will make it, because you can and will learn how to. Saying 'the sky's the limit' is untrue, because you can reach beyond. There are many things only you can understand because others aren't willing to learn. They won't open their minds unless someone does it for them, and some things can only be learned voluntarily. Some things can only be learned if one knows how to learn and loves learning itself. Some things can only be experienced with open eyes. Hiding from the world, and even from themselves, many cannot understand that.
How can you revel in the glory of the sunrise if you won't wake up?
How can you marvel at the beauty of a flower if you won't stop and look?
How can you breathe the fresh sea air if you won't leave your house?
How can you find if you won't seek?
You can't.
Neither can you reach your full potential if you limit yourself by closing your mind to knowledge. So open your mind. Shake yourself FREE of the tangling cords around you, hindering you from truly living. Shake yourself FREE and fly into the blue sky that expands with every new thing you learn. Soar into your ever-growing horizon, and learn what it is to be truly FREE.
~Kristan Mikala Age:15~
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
BOOKS THIS WEEK
These are the books we are reading this week. Nikki seems to love The Best Nest from last week so we continue to read that as well. Again, these books were previously owned by my siblings and me.
PULLING THE PLUG
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070508/hl_nm/tv_school_performance_dc
More TV time means worse school performance
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The more TV adolescents watch, the more likely they are to develop attention and learning problems, and to do poorly in school in the long-run, a new study confirms.
The findings "suggest that by encouraging youths to spend less than 3 hours per day watching television, parents, teachers and health care professionals may be able to help reduce the likelihood that at-risk adolescents will develop persistent attention and learning difficulties," Dr. Jeffrey G. Johnson of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City and colleagues write.
Children in industrialized nations generally watch 2 or more hours of TV each day. There is evidence linking TV watching and poor academic and intellectual performance, the researchers point out, but it's not clear whether the TV time leads to school failure, if kids who don't do well in school tend to watch more TV than their better-performing peers, or if there are factors such as poverty or neglect that may contribute to both increased television watching and learning problems.
To investigate, the researchers followed a community-based sample of 678 mother-child pairs from upstate New York beginning when the children were about 14 years old until they reached age 22.
The amount of TV kids watched when they were 14 was positively linked with having attention problems later, not doing homework, being bored at school, not finishing high school, and "hating school," the researchers found.
The relationship between TV watching and school failure was stronger among kids with higher-than-average verbal intelligence scores, and those whose parents had more than 12 years of education.
When children who watched less than 2 hours of TV at age 14 reduced their TV watching by 1 hour or more, they halved their risk of school failure, the researchers found. But when 14-year-olds who watched fewer than 2 hours added 1 more daily hour of TV, they doubled their risk of academic failure at age 16.
Further analysis of the findings found that time spent watching television likely contributed to learning and attention problems, rather than vice versa.
Future research should address "whether promoting opportunities for developmentally appropriate weekend, summer, and after-school extracurricular activities...may help to reduce risk for the development of attention and learning difficulties during the adolescent years," the researchers conclude.
SOURCE: Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, May 2007.
More TV time means worse school performance
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The more TV adolescents watch, the more likely they are to develop attention and learning problems, and to do poorly in school in the long-run, a new study confirms.
The findings "suggest that by encouraging youths to spend less than 3 hours per day watching television, parents, teachers and health care professionals may be able to help reduce the likelihood that at-risk adolescents will develop persistent attention and learning difficulties," Dr. Jeffrey G. Johnson of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City and colleagues write.
Children in industrialized nations generally watch 2 or more hours of TV each day. There is evidence linking TV watching and poor academic and intellectual performance, the researchers point out, but it's not clear whether the TV time leads to school failure, if kids who don't do well in school tend to watch more TV than their better-performing peers, or if there are factors such as poverty or neglect that may contribute to both increased television watching and learning problems.
To investigate, the researchers followed a community-based sample of 678 mother-child pairs from upstate New York beginning when the children were about 14 years old until they reached age 22.
The amount of TV kids watched when they were 14 was positively linked with having attention problems later, not doing homework, being bored at school, not finishing high school, and "hating school," the researchers found.
The relationship between TV watching and school failure was stronger among kids with higher-than-average verbal intelligence scores, and those whose parents had more than 12 years of education.
When children who watched less than 2 hours of TV at age 14 reduced their TV watching by 1 hour or more, they halved their risk of school failure, the researchers found. But when 14-year-olds who watched fewer than 2 hours added 1 more daily hour of TV, they doubled their risk of academic failure at age 16.
Further analysis of the findings found that time spent watching television likely contributed to learning and attention problems, rather than vice versa.
Future research should address "whether promoting opportunities for developmentally appropriate weekend, summer, and after-school extracurricular activities...may help to reduce risk for the development of attention and learning difficulties during the adolescent years," the researchers conclude.
SOURCE: Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, May 2007.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
CONFIDENT KIDS
http://www.bbc.co.uk/parenting/your_kids/toddlers_confidence.shtml
Confidence building
Eileen Hayes
Many childcare experts stress the importance of building self-esteem in children - and, indeed, having it ourselves as parents. Here are some tips to help you boost your own and your child's confidence.
Learning to love themselves
Having high self-esteem means:
So, it makes sense to do all you can to build your toddler's confidence.
Ways to build self-esteem
Toddlers are still just realising they're separate people. As your toddler grows and develops, he'll begin to learn who he is and will have more understanding about himself.
Toddlers slowly build up a sense of self. Gradually, he learns what he looks like and works out the things he can do.
Some of the more difficult types of behaviour your toddler might display, which you may find hard to cope with, happen as a result of him beginning to realise he's a separate person with a mind of his own. He's also learnt he doesn't actually have to stay where you've put him or do exactly as he's told.
To begin with, a toddler's view of himself is still very much a reflection of what other people seem to think of him. So it's important for his developing self-esteem that he's exposed to mainly positive views.
This means:
Nothing's more damaging to your toddler's developing self-esteem than a message from you that he's not loved, liked or wanted.
It's important not to use sarcastic, unkind words or a harsh tone of voice when speaking to him. He'll believe what you tell him and if your message is that he's irritating, it'll have a negative impact on his self-esteem.
Remember:
Confidence building
Eileen Hayes
Many childcare experts stress the importance of building self-esteem in children - and, indeed, having it ourselves as parents. Here are some tips to help you boost your own and your child's confidence.
Learning to love themselves
Having high self-esteem means:
- liking yourself and feeling good about the way you are
- realising you're a worthwhile, competent and likeable person
- having the confidence to try new challenges
- feeling you can achieve the things you set out to do
- not being afraid to keep on trying if you get things wrong or fail occasionally
- feeling confident and optimistic about the future
So, it makes sense to do all you can to build your toddler's confidence.
Ways to build self-esteem
Toddlers are still just realising they're separate people. As your toddler grows and develops, he'll begin to learn who he is and will have more understanding about himself.
Toddlers slowly build up a sense of self. Gradually, he learns what he looks like and works out the things he can do.
Some of the more difficult types of behaviour your toddler might display, which you may find hard to cope with, happen as a result of him beginning to realise he's a separate person with a mind of his own. He's also learnt he doesn't actually have to stay where you've put him or do exactly as he's told.
To begin with, a toddler's view of himself is still very much a reflection of what other people seem to think of him. So it's important for his developing self-esteem that he's exposed to mainly positive views.
This means:
- Telling your toddler, as often as possible, that you love him and that he's marvellous, wonderful and fun to be with
- Letting your toddler know you love him by showing affection with lots of hugs, kisses and kind words
Nothing's more damaging to your toddler's developing self-esteem than a message from you that he's not loved, liked or wanted.
It's important not to use sarcastic, unkind words or a harsh tone of voice when speaking to him. He'll believe what you tell him and if your message is that he's irritating, it'll have a negative impact on his self-esteem.
Remember:
- Show love - tell your child, as often as possible, that you love him
- Chat - talking together gives the message that you enjoy your child's company
- Listen - show your child you find him interesting and worth listening to
- Play - join in your toddler's games, or if you have household chores to do, ask him to help, to show your child you enjoy spending time with him
- Praise - not just for succeeding but for efforts and attempts too
- Encourage - managing buttons or putting on his own clothes gives a great boost to self-esteem; be ready to step in if he gets into difficulties and gets too frustrated but don't solve every problem
- Provide choices - help your toddler feel he can exert some control over the world by, for example, asking your child to choose his own clothes or which book he'd like to read with you
- Stay one step ahead - try to avert disasters that can lead to loss of confidence, tempers and tears and be aware that the over-confidence shown by some toddlers can falter quite quickly if they constantly fail at all the things they try
- Emphasise good points - concentrate on the positives and try to ignore any annoying behaviour as much as possible
- Provide plenty of activities - trying out lots of things makes it more likely you'll find something your child is good at, even if there are lots of other things he can't manage so well yet
- Encourage friendships - being able to make friends and get on with others plays a big role in building self-esteem, so take an interest and, if possible, invite your child's friends round to play
- Celebrate family life - morning chats in bed or particular ways of saying goodnight not only celebrate family life, but also help your child understand that he has a special place within it
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
