Wednesday, November 19, 2008

"Childrens Good Manners" Tis The Season How To Say Thank You

It's almost Christmas and there will be lots of family visits and many presents will be given. This is a great time to teach your children about the importance of being polite and letting people know you are grateful. Children do not automatically have manners installed in them, they have to be taught this behavior and then manners need to be reinforced. I think most parents want their children to have good manners, but they just don't quite know how to go about passing them on to their children. One of the most important things children need to understand is that the best presents are kindness and consideration. Some of the best presents come from the heart, not in a package. Here are some ways to start with when teaching your children manners.
  1. Always say "please" and "thank you." The best way for your children learn is by example. If you say please and thank you, your children will follow.


  2. Greet visitors by looking up at their face and saying "Hello". Tell your children to always try to figure out what color a persons eyes are. This will ensure that they always make eye contact.


  3. At the table, speak with an " inside voice. Always use a napkin and silverware when eating and ask to be excused before you leave the table.


  4. Have your children help clean up after a family gathering. Clean up toys that were played with or clean dishes off the table after eating.


  5. Help pick out present for family and friends. Teach them to take some time to think about what that person would really enjoy getting for a present.


  6. When shopping, it is always nice to smile at a busy salesperson. You never know when you might make their day.


  7. When you receive a gift, write a thank you note. If your child does not write yet, it's still great to have them color a picture or scribble a note.

Manners are not just something you do when we have holidays, but they must be practiced all year long. It is best to start young, but it is never to late to start teaching good manners. Your children might not catch on at first, but soon it will become a good habit. Be consistant and you will see results!

"Parent Your Children" 6 Ways to Terrific Parenting

Being a parent is the most difficult job you will ever face. Trial and error is inevitable when taking care of children. No child is the same and so they must be treated differently. There are many ways to be a terrific parent, here are just a few.

  1. Play with your children! It doesn't matter what you play together, your child just wants to know they are important. Let them decide. This will help you learn more about your childs interests and concerns.


  2. Take charge. As backwards as it seems, children like to have limits set for them. Children without limits don't feel secure and will generally act out in frustration and fear. Even adults in a new job, without direction can feel uneasy and fearful. You will find that children without limits will gravitate towards people who will give them structure, because they feel safe.


  3. Eating a meal as a family. Statistics show that children who eat at the table with their families will eat healthier. It is also great for family relationships. It is a time to talk about your day. The happy and the sad. The best way to start conversation at the dinner table is to go around and have everyone tell what was the best or worst thing that happened to them today. You'll be amazed at what you learn about your children.


  4. Let your children help. Give your children responsibility. When your child is old enough, let them help clean up their toys. Have them take their dish to the sink. This actually gives your child confidence, self-esteem and is great for their development. Start your child young and this will make your job as a parent a whole lot easier later on.


  5. Read books together every day. Read to your baby daily. Even from the time they are just new born. Babies love to listen to their parents voice, even if they don't know what you are reading about. This will develop a love for reading books at a young age. Children who are read to will do better in school when they are older.


  6. Say "I love you" every time you feel like it. Give hugs and kisses every time you have the chance. It is important for your child to know that you love them. This helps build self esteem and confidence also. You can never show your child that you love them too much. The more the better. Remember, they may not always be accepting of this kind of affection, so get in as much as you can while your children are young.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

"Child Development" Baby to Gradeschooler and Why They Should Play

Children and playing go together. It is something that children do even when they are tiny babies. It is the way they learn and develop. Pretending is how they can experience things that they would not otherwise be able to do yet. It is not necessary for you to decide what your child will play, but it is important to be involved. Children could play peek-a-boo for hours. Most people don't realize that a simple game of peek-a-boo, helps children develop confidence and security. It helps them know that when you go away, you will be coming back.

When a toddler plays, he is very likely developing his motor skills with every thing he touches. At this age everything is a toy to them. Spoons, bowls, lids, pots and pans, nothing is safe. This is when they are just as excited to play with the box, as with what came in it. So when your toddler dumps out the kitchen drawer for the 100th time, remember he is developing motor skills, he needs to explore.

Preschoolers enjoy playing with others more. They want to use their imaginations with others, playing house, babies, trucks, etc. Their physical and motor skills allow them to do allot more.

School-age children enjoy organized play. Singing songs, playing games, sports, and projects are what keep their attention.

Why is this important to know? Playing is one of the most important jobs of a child. It is hard for adults to understand, but play helps children to develop into what they will be as an adult.

  1. Play is just plain fun, giggling and laughing. Who doesn't want their child to be happy? When they are happy, you are happy!

  2. Children develop their physical and motor skills by playing. This is how they move their bodies. It is learning reaction time to catch a ball and how to move when throwing a ball. They must learn to match what they see with what their body needs to do. Coordination and balance go along with this.

  3. Cognitive learning is the intellectual development of a child. If you tell a child that 2+2=4, he is not likely to remember it or even understand why. But if you show a child that when you have 2 cars and I give you 2 more cars, then you have 4 cars, he will be able to relate to that and make the connection. When a child plays with blocks of different shapes, he can create different shapes when he puts them together. The child is developing concepts through play. Even as adults, sometimes we do not get things until we are physically shown.

  4. Play develops socio-emotional learning. Children have to learn to deal with other people. How to treat others and how to react to disappointments in life. Basically they are learning how to act in a social setting. Playing with others requires sharing and being kind to others. When your child loses a ball game, they are helping to develop their emotional learning. When your toddler makes a new friend, she is learning social skills.

  5. Play stimulates children to be creative. If your child can't imagine things, then it limits them. Imagination gives them confidence. It means they think they can do anything. Imagination is the best way for a child to express themselves. The more a child can use their creativity when they are young, the more comfortable they will be using it as an adult.

  6. Language development increases with play. Toddlers will be able to communicate better the more they hear and use words. So sing songs and say rhymes with them. Say everything you are doing, out loud. I am going to put your socks on. We are making dinner. I am stirring the noodles. Whatever it may be. The more they here you talk, the better their language skills will be. If you play with words, they will be more likely to listen to you, because they are having fun.

  7. Playing with your child is a great opportunity to get closer to your little one. Let your child pick the activity. It will let them be in control and allot of times express their feelings. When you watch a child play, it gives you an inlet to what kinds of things they are dealing with emotionally. Help them to do things on their own. When your child says he can't do something, don't just rush in and do it for them. Ask them questions, "What do you think you could do to get this done by yourself." Get them thinking and learning. This will help teach independent thinking. When they figure it out, make sure you praise them for their success.

Now that you see how important play is for children, encourage them in it. If you see them struggling in a certain area, then you can work with them by playing. Look at the great person you have become. Just imagine what your children will become if they play, play, play.