8Sep2017
Kids Development, Motivation
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September 8, 2017

Via The Good Men Project: Positive Parenting Tips: Be the Parent You Want Your Children to Become

One of my goals for my website is to read and review some of the most recent academic literature on positive parenting tips and then summarize it for a more general audience. To that end, I am excited to tell you about an article that was published in Developmental Psychology journal in January 2015 called “The interpersonal antecedents of supportive parenting: A prospective, longitudinal study from infancy to adulthood.”*

The authors of this study followed a cohort of children from the time they were three months old into their adulthood when they, themselves became parents. What they found was strong evidence for a connection between our own parenting and how we were parented, ourselves. The authors were interested in trying to figure out how what they call “intergenerational transmission of parenting practices” actually worked. How is it that most of us treat our children the same way we were treated when we were young?

When the children in the study were three months old, trained observers told their mothers to play with them like they normally would – just act natural. These play situations were repeated when the children were 6 months old, 24 months old and 42 months old. Starting with the children’s second visit (at 6 months old), the playtime included problem-solving tasks, each of which was more and more complicated. The researchers wanted to see whether the mothers stepped in to help their child, and if they did, exactly how they did so.

The observers rated the mothers for how positively involved they were with their children as they tried to solve the problems. To what extent did the mothers try to help the child feel comfortable? Did they provide a “secure base” for the child when they were frustrated?

Later, when the children had grown and started going to school, the researchers gathered information from their teachers, asking them specifically how competent they seemed to be in social situations. Did other children want to play with them? Did the children demonstrate an ability to play with others in a way that was kind and inclusive?

Even later, when the children were adults, the researchers interviewed them about their romantic relationships. They wanted to know how healthy their history of romantic partnerships was. Did the relationships consist of mutual care, trust, emotional closeness, concern, and sensitivity? Were the relationships faithful, loyal and honest?

Finally, the researchers visited the children once again, to ask them about their own parenting practices. The researchers were looking for parenting that involved what was described by Carl Rogers, the great humanistic psychologist as “unconditional positive regard.” The researchers were looking for signs of “positive emotional connectedness,” a feeling of personal interest by the mother in the well-being of the child, and a general practice of giving the child warmth and affection. On the negative side of things, the researchers noted any signs of hostile parenting (berating, abusing, etc.).

Positive parenting tip of the day

Now, the wonderful news: There is a pathway of influence from how your own parents treat you, all the way through how you parent your own children. Specifically, it appears that when your parents treat you with empathy, and teach you how to see things from another person’s perspective, and when they teach you how to resolve conflicts without violence or ridicule, communicating through a problem with grace and style, you internalize these methods of being in the world, and they become your go-to tools for interacting with others in the future.

The way the children’s parents treated them when they were very young was related to how well-liked they were as children, and how good they were at being good friends to others. That social competence as school-aged children was related to how positive and caring their later romantic relationships were when they were adults. And those romantic relationships were then associated with how much warmth and affection they gave their own children.

Now, some of you may be thinking – “Wait a minute! This doesn’t sound like a positive parenting tip. My parents didn’t interact with me this way. I guess my children are in trouble.” Well, at first glance, that could be true. If the children’s parents were more hostile or neglectful when they were brought in for the play sessions, their later social competence was negatively impacted, as was their later romantic relationships, and their own parenting.

So where is the good news? What exactly is the positive parenting tip? The good news is related to the main message that I wish to communicate in all of my articles; that is, you have tremendous power as parents to influence your child’s entire future! Even if your parents treated you harshly, or didn’t have enough time for you; even if your mother or father was emotionally or physically abusive, you have the power to break the cycle!

This is what I mean when I talk about “parenting on purpose.” When you think about how your parents raised you, have the courage to recognize when their methods were inadequate or even wrong. Your child’s life depends on you thinking about this cycle that affects so many new parents – the cycle that just repeats the parenting practices that came before without thinking – and making adjustments. Be intentional about the kind of child you want to raise, and the kind of parent you want to be, and then strive to improve upon the work your parents did with you.

The way your parents treat you predicts your own parenting, and this is regardless of your parents’ education, money, or what age they were when they had their children. The same goes for you as a parent – how you treat your children predicts major aspects of their entire life.

Here is the model I would like you to think about for your own parenting:

  1. When you use unconditional positive regard with your child, you teach him how to empathize with others, how to see things from someone else’s perspective, and how to resolve conflicts successfully.
  2. These lessons you teach your child makes her a good friend, and people whom others want to be friends with.
  3. The lessons she gets from these high-quality friendships teach her how to care for others, how to receive care from others, and how to deal with the positive and negative emotions that come with friendships as they come and go in and out of her life.
  4. These lessons can make her a good romantic partner, and attract people who are good for her. Your child is far less likely to choose a string of romantic partners who are hostile to her, or incapable of treating her well, if the model she has is your warmth and affection.
  5. The high-quality relationships that your child will have in his life can provide a buffer for handling the stresses of parenting, so that he can pay forward your great example, and treat your grandchildren with love and care.

And it all starts with you! How can you change your parenting, starting today, so that your legacy of unconditional positive regard can live on? I look forward to hearing from you if you care to share.

6Sep2017
Courtesy, Kids Development
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September 6, 2017

Via AskDrSears.com: 7 Ways to Teach Your Child Good Manners

Modeling behaviors is the best way to teach your child good manners

Every parent dreams of the polite little child who says “please” and “thank you.” After all, your child’s behavior reflects on you. Manners come easily to some children while others struggle. Understanding the basis of good manners will help you teach your child good manners. Good manners, after all, are necessary for people to live together in this world. Gracious manners reflect a loving and considerate personality.

1. Expect respect

Believe it or not, you begin to teach your child good manners at birth, but you don’t call them that. The root of good manners is respect for another person; and the root of respect is sensitivity. Sensitivity is one of the most valuable qualities you can instill into your child — and it begins in infancy. The sensitive infant will naturally become the respectful child who, because he cares for another’s feelings, will naturally become a well-mannered person. His politeness will be more creative and more heartfelt than anything he could have learned from a book of etiquette. In recent years it has become socially correct to teach children to be “assertive.” Being assertive is healthy as long as it doesn’t override politeness and good manners.

2. Teach polite words early

Even two-year-olds can learn to say “please” and “thank you.” Even though they don’t yet understand the social graciousness of these words, the toddler concludes that “please” is how you get what you want and “thank you” is how you end an interaction. At least you’ve planted these social niceties into your child’s vocabulary; later they will be used with the understanding that they make others feel good about helping you. When you ask your toddler to give you something, open with “please” and close with “thank you.” Even before the child grasps the meaning of these words she learns they are important because mommy and daddy use them a lot and they have such nice expressions on their faces when they say these words. Children parrot these terms and understand their usefulness long before they understand their meaning.

3. Model manners

From age two to four, what Johnny hears, Johnny says. Let your child hear a lot of “please,” “thank you,” “you’re welcome,” and “excuse me” as you interact with people throughout the day. And address your little person with the same politeness you do an adult. Let your child catch the flavor of polite talk.

4. Teach name-calling

We have always made a point of opening each request by using the name of our child: “Jim, will you do this for me?” Our children picked up on this social nicety and address us by title: “Dad, may I…” or “Mom, would you…” When he was eight, our son Matthew made all of these language tools part of his social self. Matthew concluded that if he timed his approach for the right moment, looked me in the eye or touched my arm, addressed me as “Dad…,” and adds a “please” or “may I,” he could get just about anything he wants. Even when I know I’m being conned, I’m a pushover for politeness. Although Matthew didn’t always get his politely-presented wish, I always acknowledged his use of good manners.

5. Acknowledge the child

The old adage “children should be seen and not heard” was probably coined by a childless person. Include your child in adult goings-on, especially if there are no other children present. When you and your child are in a crowd of mostly adults, tuning out your child is asking for trouble. Even a child who is usually well-behaved will make a nuisance of herself in order to break through to you. Including the child teaches social skills, and acknowledging her presence shows her that she has value.

Stay connected with your child in situations that put her at risk for undesirable behavior. During a visit with other adults, keep your younger child physically close to you (or you stay close to him) and maintain frequent verbal and eye contact. Help your older child feel part of the action so that he is less likely to get bored and wander into trouble.

6. Don’t force manners.

Language is a skill to be enjoyed, not forced. While it’s okay to occasionally dangle a “say please” over a child before you grant the request don’t, like pet training, rigidly adhere to asking for the “magic word” before you give your child what he wants. The child may tire of these polite words even before he understands them. When you remind a child to say “please,” do so as part of good speech, not as a requirement for getting what he wants. And be sure he hears a lot of good speech from you. Overdo politeness while you’re teaching it and he’ll catch the idea faster. “Peas” with a grin shows you the child is feeling competent in her ability to communicate.

7. Correct politely

As a Little League baseball coach, I learned to “chew out a child” — politely. When a child made a dumb play (which is to be expected), I didn’t rant and rave like those overreacting coaches you see on television. Instead, I keep my voice modulated, look the child straight in the eye, and put my hand on his shoulder during my sermon. These gestures reflect that I am correcting the child because I care, not because I am out of control. My politeness showed him that I value him and want him to learn from his mistakes so he becomes a better player, and the child listens. I hope someday that same child will carry on these ball field manners when he becomes a coach.

Have you ever wondered why some children are so polite? The main reason is they are brought up in an environment that expects good manners. One day I noticed an English family entering a hotel. The father looked at his two sons, ages five and seven, and said, “Now chaps, do hold the door for the lady,” which they did. I asked him why his children were so well-mannered. He replied, “We expect it.”

27Aug2017
Courtesy, Kids Development
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August 27, 2017

Via Everyday Family: 10 Manners Your Kid Should Know by Age 5

Kids are never too young to learn manners. In fact, in a day and age when we are seeing more teenagers lacking in the manners department, it seems more important than ever that parents start early in teaching their children how to interact with the world. The truth is your child will get further in life and will be more respected by adults and playmates alike if they learn manners.

Whenever I see a child without a clue about how to act in public or how to interact with adults, I immediately blame the parents. Very young children are not just developmentally ready, but eager to learn how to appropriately engage with others socially.

How to say “please” and “thank you”

“‘Please’ and ‘thank you,” in the words of Barney the Purple Dinosaur, “truly are the magic words.” And this little tidbit of mannerly behavior can be taught even before your child is able to talk. Making “please” and “thank you” a habit in the home makes these courtesies a habit in life.

How to cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough

Spittle flying from little noses and mouths is just plain gross. Trust me: teachers appreciate children who know this before they get to school.

How to ASK before taking

There is nothing more disturbing than a child who hasn’t yet learned that they aren’t the center of the universe. Children should ASK before taking something that is not theirs, and this includes Mom and Dad’s stuff.

How to say sorry: for real

Not the kind of “I’m sorry” that means nothing because they were forced to say it by an angry parent. Empathy is definitely a life skill.

How to say “Excuse me!”

Children are naturally impatient. Far too often, you see parents who jump every time their child interrupts them. Children need to learn when they can and when they cannot interrupt people, they and should learn how to gently say “excuse me,” rather than insist on incessant tapping and saying “Mama, Mama, Mama.”

How to sit quietly

It’s rude to talk through an entire movie. Kids need to learn how to calm down their wiggles and giggles in less-than-interesting situations. Patience is a definitely a virtue.

How to eat at the dinner table

OK, so my dinner table is at times pure pandemonium. Still, my kids know how to use their cutlery and how NOT to talk with their mouths full. And when we are not at home, manners are a must — even for my 5-year-old.

Not to make fun of people

Toddlers and young children are notorious for pointing out gigantic moles or fat people in public, but parents must teach children that sometimes comments like these hurt feelings unnecessarily. It’s not nice to make fun of people or point out their flaws.

How to be helpful and compassionate

Hold a door open for someone that has their hands full. Ask their teacher or parent if they need help with chores. Recognizing ways to be helpful and compassionate to others is a gift that children can learn early in life — a gift that will make them feel good about themselves and be well liked by others.

21Aug2017
Creativity For Kids
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August 21, 2017

Via Parents: 5 Ways Grown-Ups Squelch Kids’ Creativity

What are parents and teachers doing to stop kids’ imaginations in their tracks? These experts, A-list actors, and modern parents reveal the top creativity-stoppers.

Building Blocks of Creativity

Where does creativity come from? And at what age does it go from plain ‘ol being silly to actually becoming the driving force behind astounding, inventive ideas?

Actor Matthew Broderick touts basic wooden blocks as being the foundation of his own creativity, which he now culls on-screen and on-stage. As a kid in a Manhattan private school, there were no toy cars or train sets — only blocks. “The idea that you could make toys yourself and not having ones already designed [for you] was a very profound thing,” he says.

As a dad himself to young son James (who now goes to his father’s alma mater), Broderick relishes the unstructured time the two of them spend getting creative together. Whether it’s building and knocking down towers or just “lying on the floor and staring up at the ceiling,” Broderick is serious about helping his son get his creative wheels turning — on James’ terms. “I like to let him decide what we use that time for,” Broderick says.

Time for Creating — and Dreaming

But how do non-Broadway types set their family’s creative motors to zoom? A company synonymous with kids’ exploratory endeavors, LEGO, is offering one idea: Take an hour every day to play — without expectations or ground rules. Kids need parents to back up their efforts to imagine and embrace discovery; parents could use a little time to just wonder, themselves.

It seems fitting that LEGO, a company whose name appropriately means “play well” in Danish, would sponsor such an initiative. But what happens when parents’ best intentions of working their child’s brain gets out of control? Check out these top mistakes parents make that actually burn out — not boost, as they might hope — kids’ creativity.

Overscheduling Is a No-No

Squelcher #1: Keep ‘Em Booked

“It’s easy to schedule our kids, because we think it’s better than [letting them] do nothing,” says Heather Reider, co-CEO of MomsTown, Inc., a media group that produces parenting books and broadcasts. “But really, maybe doing nothing is the best thing for them.”

Of course, some extracurricular activities can be major brain-boosters for kids, and offer the opportunity to explore some of the interests they have that don’t get touched upon during the school day. But practice-to-meeting-to-class-to-field schedules often don’t give kids the chance to appreciate what they’re gaining from each individual activity. Parents need to ask themselves: Is the idea of being in a Spanish language group or a ballroom dance class the main reason your child is involved in those activities — or does he actually dig what he’s learning?

How to monitor activity overload:

  • Constantly check in with your kids about their schedule. Are there things they’re just not having fun with anymore? Let those be the first classes or sports to drop.
  • Gauge what they’re learning by simply asking, and present them with the opportunity to look like the expert: “You know, I’ve never taken a drawing class. Can you show me some of the things your teacher has you practice?”
  • Remember that extracurriculars can exist informally, too. If your child is talking about taking some astronomy classes at a local science center, take a few trips there with him, first. He may just be interested in the overall topic, which could be sated without months of scheduled classroom time.
  • Reserve time to do nothing. Schedule a little sloth time each month — a Pajama Saturday, maybe, or a weekday afternoon lying on the lawn.

Managing Homework & Expectations

Squelcher #2: Allow Excess Homework

No, you shouldn’t flat-out refuse to let your child complete his take-home assignments, but when your evenings are being eaten up by hours of worksheets and studying — and when your child’s frustration level is skyrocketing nightly — it’s okay to put your foot down.

That’s what Reider did. “I finally had to say to my son’s teacher, ‘We value our time as a family.'” The mother of three says that it’s necessary to convey to teachers what’s reasonable for kids: Not only does it alleviate unnecessary academic stressors (and resulting emotional and physical anguish) for your child, but it also opens up time that your family can spend time learning and creating and playing together.


Squelcher #3: Expect Perfection

It’s like the whole color-in-the-lines debate: Do kids need to be taught that art only exists within the boundaries of coloring books? Should they be penalized if their arts and crafts get a little, well, crafty?

“I’d rather look at an auditorium full of first-grade paper turkeys than a room full of beautiful ones done by parents,” Reider says. When it comes down to it, grown-ups need to resist the urge to channel kids’ interests for them, and make peace with letting them explore. That may mean less-than-stellar paper turkeys, failed basement rock bands, or dashed attempts at learning to knit — and that’s okay. Because even if his passion doesn’t pan out as a strong skill, you’ve shown your child it’s crucial to try.

How to discourage “blah” ideas:

  • Let kids make a mess — a huge one. Curb your instincts to tell them to keep it clean, and give them a confined space they can trash, but later clean up. Talk about what they make or, better yet, throw on some play clothes yourself and join in.
  • Give them tools to get creative with. “Construction paper, crayons, glue sticks, markers, blocks, LEGO bricks,” writes Reider and co-author Mary Goulet. “If kids have the right tools they can create all kinds of imaginative sculptures and artwork.”

Control Issues, Staying Creative

Squelcher #4: Make “No, Do It This Way” a Mantra

It’s a creatively deadly phrase, says Dr. Meri Cummings, a science resource teacher in a NASA-sponsored Classroom of the Future. As an instructor who structures classes so that teachers are a guide on the side and the students, themselves, are setting the procedures, Cummings is adamant about imparting that there’s no “right” way to do most things. Implying that there is just keeps kids from taking creative risks — a major sap for inventive thinking.

Matthew Broderick agrees, and emphasizes that for decades, kids have done just fine making decisions without formal processes. He uses his stickball-playing days as a kid as proof: “There were no coaches, no umpires. We had to decide how six kids would play nine positions.” And they did — their own way.

Squelcher #5: Abandon Creativity Yourself

Truly, the easiest way to convince a kid that creativity is a hoax and just a school buzzword is for parents to abandon it, themselves. “If you immerse yourself in creative pursuits, your kids will see it and you will provide a great model,” the MomsTown founders write.

Sounds simple, but how do you tap back into your inner kindergartener? Unplug. Turn on your favorite music, and plop down with your kids. Follow their lead, and get messy or rowdy or silly — better yet, be all of those things. Creativity, after all, is what guided us through our most formative years, and it’s just not something that adults need to abandon.

31May2017
Kids Craft, Kids Development
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May 31, 2017

Crafts for toddlers do not need to be difficult, but there are types of crafts that work better for toddlers than others. Toddlers need something simple and fun, and you can expect them to need adult help. Here are some ideas for cool crafts for this fun age group.

1. Play Food

Craft foam is great for making pretend food; it’s bendable but sturdy. If you can get thicker foam at a craft store, then it comes in handy for making “bread.” Cover boxes with construction paper or craft foam to make cakes. Here are simple directions for a craft foam pizza.

Supplies:

* Craft foam in yellow, green, red, and brown
* White paper plate
* Scissors (adults should probably do the cutting)
* Glue

Crafts for Toddlers

Use the paper plate as the pizza crust. Cut a red circle from the craft foam that is slightly smaller than the paper plate, and glue it to the plate. This is the sauce.

Cut various shapes from the craft foam, letting your toddler help with the scissors as he or she is able. Make green pepper strips, pepperoni, small rectangles of cheese, and whatever toppings you and your little one can think of. You can use glue if you want to make this permanent, but many toddlers enjoy being able to create their pizza over and over. You can store the foam toppings in an envelope.

2. “Sand” Art

Some parents worry about their toddler eating sand with typical sand crafts, but if you use an edible sand substitute you needn’t worry. Simply separate fruit-flavored, colored cereal into colors and crush them in a zip-top bag. Then, on card stock or other stiff paper, let your toddler make designs with glue. Then help him or her sprinkle the colorful “sand” on the glue design. Allow it to dry. It smells good, too!

Crushed colored cereal can also be used to make other “sand” art, such as poured into clear containers in layers or used in a diorama.

3. Butterflies

Using tissue paper, you can make pretty butterflies. This is a nice craft for toddlers as it is not very messy and produces a nice item fairly quickly. You’ll need:

* Tissue paper in various colors
* Pipe cleaners

Cut rectangles out of various colors of tissue paper. Layer several colors of the tissue, and then double a pipe cleaner around the tissue rectangles (the tissue will be sitting in a long “U”-shaped pipe cleaner). Twist the pipe cleaners at the top until the pipe cleaner holds the tissue and bunches slightly in the center. The pipe cleaner makes a butterfly body and antennae.

Crafts for toddlers can be fun to do when you have the right ideas and expectations. Try the above suggested ideas and get your hand dirty now with your little one!

25May2017
Kids Craft, Kids Development
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May 25, 2017

Paper could be called the ultimate craft material. There are so many types of paper, from tissue paper to shiny magazine pictures, and from basic construction paper to newsprint. Here are some ideas for some creative paper crafts for kids using this fun medium.

Easy Crafts for Kids

1. Paper Lantern

Like many paper crafts, you can use a variety of paper types for this craft. Leftover wrapping paper is particularly attractive, but you can use catalogues, magazines, or construction paper. If you have an old phone book, you could even use pages from that! All you need is the paper, scissors, and glue. Here’s how.

* Fold a rectangular piece of paper in half lengthwise.

* Cut slits along the fold, 1/4 to 1/2 inch apart, stopping about an inch from the top edge.

* Unfold the paper, and then turn it sideways.

* Curve the cut paper around and attach the short ends of the rectangle using the glue (clear tape or staples would also work).

* To make a handle, simply take a strip of paper and glue each end across the top, leaving a curve over the top. If you like, make lots of lanterns and string them on a cord or yarn using this handle.

2. Paper Bags

Crafts for Kids

If you take your lunch to school or work, you know how many of these handy little bags you go through. Why not recycle a few with some crafts? Here are some paper bag craft ideas.

* Gift Bag – Decorate a brown bag with a stencil, stamp, or free-hand painting and create a custom gift bag, perfect for a jar candle or other similarly-shaped gift.

* Puppets – Fold a paper bag so that its bottom is flush with the side (the way it usually is in the package). On the flap, which is the underside of the bag when it’s unfolded, make a face using cut-outs from construction paper, feathers, buttons, markers, googly eyes and so forth. Bird faces work well because the beak overlaps and covers the flap like an upper “lip.” Put your hand in a have fun!

Paper craft for kids

* Luminaries – Using a hole-punch, cut designs in the sides of a folded paper bag. Open it up, and then fill the bottom with an inch or so of sand. In the middle of the sand, well away from the sides of the bag, insert a votive candle or tea light. Use these only outdoors on concrete or asphalt, away from any grass, leaves, or other foliage and objects.

3. House

Paper Crafts for Kids

Search online or at your local library for a template of a paper house. It will have tabs along the edges of the template that you will use to attach the “walls.” Print it out or photocopy it, using the paper type and color of your choice. Then color the parts if you like. The template can then be cut out and assembled by folding along the lines and gluing the tabs together.

Try out these fun and easy paper crafts for kids to spark their creativity!

18May2017
Games for Children, Kids Development
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May 18, 2017

One of the most investigated subjects currently is children’s mind development and analytical skills. More and more studies are being made and more games, programs and lessons are being developed in order to boost early stages of growth and increase existing skills.

Analytical Games For Children

There are more options and possibilities now than ever, starting with different educational facilities suited for different levels of development, and carrying on with special TV games, books and shows. These games are especially built to work on the growing and developing areas in a child’s mind.

These skills can be developed in all kinds of different ways and not necessarily in a special kindergarten or a structural program. It can also be done in the simple and fun way of gaming. Considering the fact that there are hundreds of mind developing games for children, in this article, we will focus on card games.

Card games can come in different shapes and sizes and at different difficulty levels. The most basic card game is the card memory game. The game is played with half a deck or less spread on the table, while each card is facing down. Each player, on his turn, chooses to peek at one card at a time in order to eventually form couple or groups (based on what was decided earlier to be a group). This game helps to develop the child’s memory skills and his ability to divide logically the symbols into groups.

How To Develop Analytical Skills In Children

Another game similar to the memory game, but one that focuses and handles a completely different area of your childs brain is the group game. At this game, the deck of cards is divided to the number of player so all the players receive an equal amount of cards. 

This game is more complicated then the other card games and therefore it contributes more to the child’s growth more. The game teaches the players to make decisions based on optional following moves and to solve problems using their giving cards, which is in this case literally speaking. The game is highly recommended for children and adults as one, for it is competitive and suspenseful as much as it is friendly and fun.

Games To Develop Analytical Skills

Another popular game that most kids enjoy is war. Do not let them play it the usual way where the stronger card beats the weaker one. Instead, set different rules for each round. You can determine such things as that a two of clubs and a six of hearts beat any cards. You could even make it more challenging by setting a range of cards as jokers.

The variety of these kinds of games is relatively big and it is growing more and more as people are constantly looking for new games to play. As for the kids, the may be participating for a whole different reason, but the outcomes are the same. 

6Apr2017
Kids Development, Music and Children's Development, Music for Children
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April 6, 2017

Music is a vital part of every kid’s growth. An excellent tune can usually illuminate their eyes, urge them to move and also dance, as well as aid infuse a feeling of self-confidence. And also it doesn’t end there.

 

The media’s popularization of searching for from research studies suggesting a causal web link between songs training as well as spatial reasoning in kids (Rauscher et al. 1993, 1997) has actually captured the attention of several and also stimulated rate of interest in the inclusion of music in early childhood education and learning.


Music Early Child Development

I’ve heard a million parents lament the fact that they didn’t get their children interested in music sooner. There are also hundreds of adults out there that wish they had learned how to play an instrument when they were younger.

Studies actually support the idea that music stimulates certain brain connections and can actually help children grow smarter!

Music also provides an invaluable outlet for safe expression of feelings and emotions, and can also serve as an important learning tool throughout your children’s lives!

Music helps educate in many ways, by developing children’s memory skills and nourishing their spirit.

Now, some children are a bit resistant to music at first, but you can easily find ways to encourage them to enjoy music in many different forms early in life.

You need to simply adopt some creative ways to introduce music in your children’s life without forcing them to take on a task they aren’t interested in (Hint: don’t go buy a saxophone and tell them to practice or else).

Here’s how you can successfully and gently introduce music into your children’s life:


Music and Child Brain Development

1) Allow them the opportunity to select an instrument they are interested in. Even if that instrument is something you consider too large or incompatible for them. When they do, be willing to let your children make their own decisions and encourage them.

2) Play a variety of different music in the home whenever your children are around. Turn on the radio and turn off the TV, and make a point to try and play something different every day.

3) Teach your children how to sign songs. Children learn through music. You can use songs to teach numbers, the alphabet and even help develop basic memory skills.

4) Help your children make up their own songs. This will encourage them to use their natural creativity and talent.

5) Hum a tune with your child. When they try something a little different, praise them.

6) Consider taking your children to age appropriate concerts. There are many concerts specifically designed with children in mind, chock full of songs and beats that will entertain and delight even the youngest of children.

Music is an important part of the developmental process children go through.


Why Music is Important for Child Development 

Children who are involved in activities such as band or other musical outlets are less likely to get involved in problematic behaviors and dangerous after school activities.

Music has even reportedly increased the intelligence of newborns, particularly building spatial reasoning. Music also makes the world a happier place to live in.

You’ll enjoy learning as much as your children will, and you can even explore music together!

By introducing your children to music while they are still young, you will ultimately improve their lives and their appreciation of the world in many ways.

Even if that instrument is something you consider incompatible or too large for them. Be willing to let your children make their own decisions and encourage them when they do.

Teach your children how to sign songs is a good idea, as it provide them with many benefits of music in early childhood education. Children learn through music. You can use songs to teach numbers, the alphabet and even help develop basic memory skills.

9Mar2017
Kids Development, Motivation
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March 9, 2017


How to motivate children to learn in the classroom

Thinking about how to motivate children to learn in the classroom? We all know how hard it is to motivate children when it comes to doing work in the classroom, thanks to their small attention spans and their habit of preferring to do things later. If you are a teacher, you need to learn how to motivate children in the classroom so that they can learn better and are more focused. Here are some tips that will help you out:

Learning How to Motivate Children to Learn In the Classroom

Praise Their Efforts

Everyone loves being praised and same goes for children. Some of the ways in which you can promote learning in children are:

• Recognizing their work in class
• Presenting and displaying their work on the class board
• Sending praising notes home to the parents
• Having a weekly award system
• Acknowledging the students hard work in whatever way you can
• Leaving positive comments on their written work


Motivate children

Avoid Extremely High Expectations

In order to motivate children, you need to avoid having unrealistic expectations from them. One great way to go about is to let them know about your realistic expectations. Make sure that the child sets goals for themselves and that you celebrate whenever they achieve a goal or reach a milestone.

Spread Happiness

You need to show that you are very enthusiastic about the subject you are teaching. In order to help them understand better, you need to give them appropriate examples. If you are teaching really young kids, one great way is to use alliteration because such phrases are easier to remember.

Mix It Up to Motivate Children

Different people will claim that different teaching methods work for a child. In order to cater to every child, you need to have an eclectic approach that includes a mix of all the teaching styles. Make sure that you break down all the activities that you will do in class. One great way to go about is:

• Have an introduction
• Introduce the new concept
• Have discussion
• Have a group activity
• Close the class with a Q/A session

Just make sure that the students know what you expect from them and that they come prepared for the class.


Learning in children

Give Them Classroom Jobs

On great way to encourage learning in children is to assign them tasks for the week. Some of the classroom jobs include:

• Cleaning the boards
• Pick start of class music
• putting up chairs
• Take Attendance
• Update Calendar
• Watch class pet

Tips to Motivate Children

• Know the names of the students
• Pay attention to the students needs
• Encourage interaction and shared learning
• Maintain eye contact
• Give examples
• Encourage students to share their views
• Plan fun activities
• Be consistent

In conclusion, you know now how to motivate children to learn in the classroom.

25Mar2016
Courtesy, Kids Development
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March 25, 2016

Mom-ma’s Review

I completely agree that children are never too young to learn good manners and it should start right from birth and not wait until they are off schooling age. Even before they could talk when it’s just us talking to them, we ourselves have to get into the habit of practicing common forms of courtesy when interacting with them. Eventually, when they are old enough to imitate and understand they will follow suit.

My eldest child who is 7 now sometimes speaks and act like I do. I have my crazy mom moments which I’m not proud off, like the occasional (ok maybe more that I’d like to admit) raising my voice to get my message across. When that happens, I tend to forget my manners. I’m not perfect and she’s there to remind me to keep my manners in checked. So it’s still a work in progress for all of us (my husband and son included) so here are some common courtesy practice we should teach our children.

Source: Children’s Publishing – Your children are never too young to learn good manners.  Actually, in today’s world where we are seeing more and more younglings exhibiting misbehavior and bad manners, it seems more important now for parents to start teaching courtesy to their children as early as possible.

The following are the common forms of courtesy that you must impart to your children:

#1 Magic Words: “Please” and “Thank you”

According to the well-loved Barney the purple dinosaur, these are magic words. Developing good breeding starts with learning when to say “please” and “thank you.”

Teach your child to say “please” every time he/she needs a favor and to say “thank you” every time a favor is done for him/her.

#2 Good table manners

Good manners extend to the dining area as well. It is important to teach your kids the following table etiquette:

  • Wash your hands before eating

  • Keep your mouth closed as you chew

  • Don’t talk when your mouth is full

  • Place the table napkin on your lap

  • Wipe your mouth with napkin

When your kids practice these at home, they will know how to act appropriately when you bring them with you at dinners and gatherings.

#3 Ask before you take

When a kid takes something from another kid without any permission at all, it can create conflict – not only between the younglings, but between the parents as well. Teach your kids to ask before taking something that isn’t theirs. The lack of knowledge of this etiquette may result in bigger problems, such as theft, as your kid becomes older.

#4 Knock before entering

One way of being polite is by knocking on the door before entering a room. Whether it is the bedroom, bathroom, or any other room in your home or in other places, your kid must learn how to knock.

#5 Say sorry because you mean it

These days, the word “sorry” is spoken by a lot of people without actually meaning it. The best way to instill empathy and sincerity into your child is by teaching him/her how to say “sorry” when he/she truly feels sorry.

#6 Don’t point at people

When you were a kid, your parents probably told you that when you point your finger at a person, your other three fingers are pointing back at you. Pass this wisdom to your kids too. In many cultures, just like in America and Europe, pointing a finger at someone is considered as a rude gesture because it hints superiority over someone.

#7 Cover the mouth when sneezing or coughing

Covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing isn’t only a form of good manners, but it also promotes good hygiene as it inhibits bacteria from spreading and infecting other people. Teach your children this kind of manner as early as possible, even before he/she starts going to school.

#8 “Excuse me”

Kids are impatient by nature. If they need something from you, they’ll ask for it right there and then, even when you’re in the middle of something. You may have noticed some kids interrupt their parent’s conversation with other people, calling out to the mother or father repeatedly, and in return, the parent gets angry at the kid for doing so. Refine your kid’s upbringing by teaching him/her how to say “excuse me.”

#9 “Hello” and “Goodbye”

Teaching kids social graces such as “hello” and “goodbye” is not only a way to develop respect and good manners, but a way to develop their social skills. It encourages them to talk and recognize other people’s presence.

Tip: Practice what you preach. You will be more effective in imparting good manners and right conduct on your kids if they see that you are applying these to yourself as well.

P.S. What other forms of good manners and etiquette for kids do you know? Feel free to share them!      More on tips about empowering children here or read 10 Ways to Teach Kids Common Courtesy 

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