With our second child, we learned early on that in order for him to be successful, he needed to be in charge, or in charge as much as we could let him. Letting children make their own decisions gives them ownership of the situation and can help them learn to behave well.
We’re halfway through the summer! The weather here is hot and sunny - not a cloud in the sky. So, look for quite a few outdoor activities this week. Join in a few, and be sure to submit suggestions of your own to add!
Last week, I mentioned monitoring my child’s progress through an incentive chart to achieve a certain goal - staying in bed for my older son and potty training with my younger one. Incentive charts can be a useful tool for teaching a child a new skill or desired repeatable behavior, from picking up toys to folding clothes to clearing the table without being asked. The key is consistency.
I cherish the time I spend with my children, especially my older son. During the school year, he spends the majority of his waking hours at school with another adult and other children. So, our time together is all the more special. During the summer, though, when we’re together ALL THE TIME, we have to adjust. Oftentimes I find myself on the short end of the temper-stick. Here are some things I do to keep my cool during the heat of the summer:
Whew! Last week was a whirlwind, but the summer heat is starting to get to us, and we’re looking for ways to cool off around here! Let’s take a look at this week’s activities!
In the United States today, people far and wide are celebrating. It is Independence Day. It is a day to honor the country and how it has evolved into what it is today - a free and democratic society. It can also be a day to celebrate independence on another level…the independence of our children.
Do you ever have that feeling that no one is listening to you? That feeling usually happens for me when I say magical phrases like, “pick up your toys” or “brush your teeth”. Good listening skills are not something we are all born with; they are an acquired skill. Here are several ways to teach your child to be a good listener:
Welcome to our Independence Day edition! Fourth of July in the States will be celebrated this week, so we’re finding things around the house to get ready for it! Join us!
