Children are great

Thinking back to when you was a kid did you ever realized how awe inspiring you were, what a wonderful vision, your center and steadiness. What a time of existence to recall. During that time frame of essence we are so special and basically God like. The time we do things, grown-ups think it is youthful. What a time, we as a grown-up now fear to be.

When you are a kid, you are to be viewed not listened to. We picture you are a tyke that has no advanced not realizing that a little person has improved within the womb of a mother. For example, a kid knows the fathers voice from within of the mothers womb, ever thought around then of life commencement the eyes may appear to be shut but still creates a development when the father speaks.

Several days in the past, I realized how persevering single kids might be. As squirts, we do what we are not permitted to do and when we develop into a grown-up, we quit doing those things. Why do we quit doing those things? Some of the time we are prevailed upon by certain things around us which have moulded our direction of behaviour and the things we do in existence, we have been shown by our guardians, our companions, surroundings, TV, radio etc… This has modified our God such as behaviour that limits us from doing what we suspect. The steadiness and center in us has gone as a grown-up. How about we remind us how steady and centered a youngster might be. Final week a mother went in the laundrette with her several kids. What happened is that they reminded me of my youth behaviour which I recognize surprising. I would be able to enlighten you a small story regarding that. When I was small, we utilize to have a small radio in our home in the late fifties, which I cherished so far when the radio could play. I utilize to surmise that there was a human head within of it. I had a desire to open it to see the head but assuredly my mother or father could evacuate me from the radio telling me to sit down. I could sit down for a few seconds then afresh, do a reversal to the same radio and I could inch toward getting smacked when doing it a few times but, that never stopped me from doing it which reminded me that the youngsters that go into the laundrette have the same aspects as I did when I was a kid. The little people went into activity whenever they went into the laundrette. They were playing with the laundry machines, touching and looking at the attire go adjust and adjust. Even though they were confined from touching it, they still carried on. What this piece is attempting to indicate, is that when we develop into mature people, we lose that instinct concerning center and in-susceptibility that was in us as a youngster. No matter what sort of business you do, you need to uncover the squirt in you that will make you center and diligent.

At the downturn of the economy, this is the chance to center and stay tenacious as a considerable measure of folks give up their dreams.

No matter the scenario you are in your business, don’t give up. Getting a load of how this economy is at this day and experience, it is the chance to endure and stay centered.

Beyond Supermom: How Being

If you're a mom, I wonder what comes up for you when you hear the phrase "super mom". How about: "oh brother, that is definitely not me?" Or perhaps a craving to be closer to the ideal mom you think you "should" be? Or frustration and rolling of your eyes as you imagine a mom who seems to have it all together? Perhaps with other moms you like to pretend you have it all together, or you talk about the ones who do. The truth is, no mom, no woman has it "all together" and once we can be real about that, we can support each other authentically AND feel more confident about our flawed selves and imperfect parenting.

I've struggled on and off my entire life with the alternating wish to "be liked and looked up to" with the awareness that I wanted to "be real". I think Motherhood brings out the best in us, but also all of our insecurities. This self-doubt can even start with pregnancy when we read books to prepare for parenting and find that "the experts" have completely opposing opinions! You quickly figure out that depending who is judging, you'll either be a wonderful mother, or a terrible mother when you make any decision about parenting!

As a therapist and life coach, I have worked with hundreds of women who struggle with anxiety and insecurities. I see that girls often "lose their voice" or identity and confidence around middle school and a similar thing can happen with women when they become moms. They may feel confident in work and other relationships, but their sense of self can be shaken and they doubt themselves and their abilities as a mom.

Many women have sat in my office struggling with guilt and self-doubt that is exaggerated by their belief that "other moms wouldn't do this/think that/forget things." Critical thoughts may intrude on a peaceful day at the park: "I can't believe I forgot to pack snacks and wipes. How could I be so stupid. I know all the other moms have their bags packed with everything they need all the time. It is probably obvious that I really don't know what I am doing!" Or later as your kids head to school and into adolescence, you face more complicated issues and the self-doubt can continue to creep into your thoughts. On my personal journey, I have alternated between wanting to feel "all together" and look OK on the outside, but also feeling drawn to reassure and encourage others that not one of us is perfect. I'm glad to share stories of how I'm certainly not and I love that there are so many books out now for moms that expose the myth of perfect parenting!

What I have learned over and over in my own life is that my identity is not made up of "what I do and what I accomplish" as much as "who I am". It was scary, but freeing for me in high school and college to figure out who I was beyond outside awards and achievements. The same can be true for us as parents. I invite you to consider how you can find freedom by stepping away from external measures of success and acknowledge who you are as a parent. This can be a gradual and life-long process, but you can learn to trust your instincts as a mom. We certainly need advice and support along the way, but I believe you are uniquely suited to parent and love your child.

To have more confidence, I encourage you to stop comparing yourselves to other moms. We all have our areas of strengths and struggle and if we are feeling inadequate, we often don't know the whole story of the other mom. I invite you to recognize your strengths more than your struggles and to let go of any "shoulds" that don't feel authentic to you! The great news is that when we relax about who we really are - imperfections and all - we feel more freedom to be the best mom we can be for our children. We can work on the areas of struggle without beating ourselves up and therefore we'll be more calm, more authentic, and more confident.

When you think of the moms with whom you love spending time, do they exude an aloof supermom persona? Probably not! "Being real" helps us connect! It helps us get the support we need as well as offering encouragement and reassurance to other moms. My hope is that you can let go of any strong negative reactions to the word "supermom"....that it won't bring up guilt, pressure, resentment or scorn, but perhaps it will just be the thing you use say in fun as you lift a 3 year old high in the air, or leap for a basketball with your teen, (feel free to put your own image here!) "Here I am! SuperMom!"

Some Good Ways To Correct Inappropriate Behavior in Kids

There are lots of ways to correct bad behavior in kids. For example, you can examine on age-appropriate improvement, select your words wisely, lead by example, praise good behavior, and involve the entire family.

Does it make you desire to scream in disappointment each time your child gets difficult? Are you questioning your parenting abilities when your child behaves abominably at play dates while the other children seem to sit around just like little angels? Worry not, for these are typical challenges that all parents face. Here are some ways to correct undesirable behaviors in children:

1. Evaluate age-appropriate development :- When measuring your kid's behavior, it is not very accurate if you compare your child to other children. In fact, it is advisable if you graph your child's improvement against set standards instead. Read more books on kid education and then try to learn a little bit more about child psychology, to ensure that you will learn how to approach the behaviour troubles you are dealing with. For example, it does not make sense if you'd address young children like you'd troubled teens. Most undesirable behaviors in children are a result of their inability to voice out their frustrations, so they go to other ways to get some attention.
   
2.  Select your words correctly :-A great way to make sure that you obtain the message across will be to use age-appropriate language. When conversing to your children, steer away from using complicated terms and try to utilize the right tone, so that they'll know what you are saying. Utilize simple phrases like "Do not do that" rather than "I forbid you from touching that". In some cases, all it requires is a stern look, so test out several strategies. If you're a mother or father of more than one child, you might realize that different kids respond to various treatments differently. This is especially true when they are younger. 
3. Lead by example :- It doesn't make sense if you halt your kid from executing something, but you go along and do the same thing in front of them. If you're trying to educate your child never to litter, set a leading example. Your kids imitate you, and their behavior is really an extension of yours. So, if you're trying to educate your child to live right, you need to first start doing so yourself. This creates an atmosphere where your kids learn how to accept things the way they are simply because you've already set a good example of good behavior from the beginning.
4. Reward excellent behavior :- The common saying says that you should never bribe your kids for good behavior, but you can always praise them upon great behavior. In case you're going for a household party and your child behaves superbly, perhaps have him an ice cream cone on the way back and be sure to praise him for behaving so well in the party. In this manner, your child learns to associate good behavior with good remarks and approval and will, therefore, seek to keep doing so. Children are easily shaped when they are still young, thus begin these early.
5. Involve your entire family :- Children are wise with regards to sensing who they could push the limitations and lines with. Hence, if you want to use proper discipline, you involve and talk to the rest of the family. All your initiatives will be wasted if you're strict with your child, but grandma allows him to have dessert prior to dinner. In this way, your child learns that the boundaries could be pushed and modified depending on who's setting them, which is not good for them in the long run.

Taking care of children is a never ending activity, and it's only through true love that parents can form and shape the lives of their children. Show them this, and you'll be able to have a positive impact on your kids.

Are Your Parenting Methods Unable You? - A Parent Coach Advice

As parent coach, children age our tactics of parenting should alter with them. Have you found that your parenting abilities appear to be failing you? Has your child changed? This young, respectful, effectively behaved per-adolescent has changed over night! Now combative, hitting, arguing and you are at your wits finish! As our children transition from per-adolescents to adolescents of their life, parents are typically concerned with disciplining their adolescent. Children become more challenging as they grow up, they have a tendency to turn into uncontrollable. A parent's first response is to attempt to control the youngster.
Facing kids who are moving by way of those preadolescence and adolescent years, our tendency is often to end up responding to them in really controlling methods. We speak to them as if we have control over them, and we do not. We make the very same mistake with younger young children, but typically we get by with it for years.

Do We Control Our Young children?

The bottom line is that we do not control our young children. The far more that we end up falling into the trap of attempting to control them, when we do not have control, the far more we wind up in futile battles and constant struggles.

Let's assessment what it sounds like when you're genuinely trying to control your children, and it's not working. It could sound like any of these comments:

* "Cut that out."
* "Put that away."
* "Put that down."
* "Stop hitting your brother."
* "You're going to eat every little thing on your plate."
* "Clean up your room."
* "Do your homework."
* "Get off the phone."

You notice the theme. You're responding and talking to your youngsters as if you did have control.

As adults, do we like to be talked to in this way? Obviously not! And neither do your youngsters.

So what's the option?

The option is always to shift your focus from controlling your kids to controlling the environment. This is a vital distinction that shifts your focus from the illusion of having control over your children (because you do not) towards the reality of what you do control...your environment.

In fact, you control every little thing that your youngsters genuinely care about. You control whether or not the electricity works, whether there's a Tv or cable within the home, whether or not the vehicle goes to soccer practice, whether the phone works, and even what food is within the refrigerator. You control every little thing that they care about.

So instead of attempting to focus on controlling your kids, I encourage you to focus on controlling the environment in response to your children's selections. In the event you maintain your focus here, you'll be able to now control the consequences to every single selection! Your kids then begin to learn from the consequences of their choices.

Revolutionize Your Parenting

This approach can totally transform your parenting, as it gets you out of the world exactly where you use lots of words to attempt to manage behavior. Words will not teach the lessons you need to teach. Consequences will. And you control all the consequences that are truly important to your children.When you make this fundamental shift inside the way which you parent, there's a world of additional methods and approaches that will make life even better. 

I encourage you to use this idea as a beginning point, and ignore all the several voices on the market that are encouraging you to repeatedly speak to your kids when dealing with dilemma behaviors. Of course, when dealing with an occasional moment of upset, speak with your children. But, when you are struggling via a pattern of tough behavior, keep in mind to enjoy reality...and focus on control of the environment...not your kids!

Honest Parenting

WHICH ROAD DO I HAVE TO TAKE TO REAR A GOOD CHILD?

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All throughout the parenting process, you'll find yourself thinking and even daydreaming about things like wonderful times you will spend with your child, but you have to put that one on hold just for now. Not that it's not proper to dream bout your child's future, its just that things happens differently in real life. 

THE PROCESS OF BEING A NEW PARENT.

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Parenting skills are something that you must become skilled at and it is basically earned. At the time conception, your gratifying job as a parent finally begins. 

HERE ARE THE PROCESSES THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW TO BECOME SKILLED IN PARENTING. 

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To find out answers to solving your parenting issues, you can talk to another parent whom has actually gone through that same situation with their before. There are parenting forums that are available online nowadays and some are equipped with online chat options. There are many websites about parenting and you can find nearly all solution to every type of situation out there. Try to look at how other parents have ended their issues and what their solution was and try to see if that may actually work for you.

PARENTING IS A NEVER-ENDING JOB. 

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Just because now that your child is taller than you doesn't mean that they are more matured and ready for anything that this world can offer them. To raise a child into being a good adult definitely takes a commitment (life long that is). Parenting is the most underpaid job ever and you do not even earn anything from being a parent. There is a time where the fine line of parenting is nothing but wide, smooth and straight, that is when you know exactly what to do. Parenting never stops, whether you realized it or not. 

TEACH YOUR KIDS SELF-RELIANCE 

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This would make them have fond childhood memories or in a way heal your own emotional wounds by giving your children all of these materialistic things, you are interfering with your child's development unconsciously. By giving acceptance, abundant love and affection to your child, they tend to be kinder, charitable and best of all responsible as opposed to those whose parents acceded to their every whims and materialistic demands. True independence is the only precious gift that you as a parent can actually give to your child. A strong integrity and well developed self-esteem stretches beyond any possession and approval of their peers. 

GET MORE COMPLIANCE FROM YOUR CHILD.

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By showing your feelings towards your child - Often times when you start to show compassion towards your child and reflecting back what or how they are feeling is helpful for gaining cooperation from your child. To be able to get to the next place with your child, make it fun - If your child is the type that has troubles with changes and becomes oppositional, you can ask him/her to hop like a kangaroo to the door, or even have their favorite thing waiting in the car for them thus providing cooperation from you child. A example of positive communication is, when your child asks "Can I watch TV now?" If your initial response to allowing your child to watch TV is "No, you can't watch TV right now, try saying, "You can watch right after dinner". 

COMMON CHILD AND PARENT PROBLEMS.

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Though, children do not realize that not all parents can actually afford to pay high prices for their children clothes and shoes, I know that your own child won't take that into consideration, he/she wants to be just like the others, and often say that if others have it, why can't they have it too. Going out alone is just not an option for children any more. There is no use in going back down your memory lane (your own school days) if you want to try to help your child with their homework, you'll just probably find yourself lost and unable to understand the child's homework, since all of the teaching methods have changed since your were last in school. Plus, by being a active parent in your child's school system you will learn about their behavior while at school. 

MAKE MEMORIES WITH QUALITY FAMILY TIME.

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All that you should is change the way that you think, this can be achieved with simple steps with just a bit of planning and forethought. 

THE FOLLOWING TIPS ENSURE THAT YOUR FAMILY TIME WILL BE STRESS FREE AND WILL ENSURE THAT YOU WILL MAKE YOUR FAMILY MEMORIES LAST FOR A LIFETIME:

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> Also, there should be a timeout for issues that have been brought up earlier and the issues should be continued at a later time which is another solution for enjoying stress memories. 

> Design your dinner table to be a little more festive, avoid the usual setting of a bouquet of flowers. 

Parenting Teens Without Losing Your Mind

It is just part of parenting teens to feel shut out and worthless as a parent, right? This is not the case. Most children (remember, teens are still kids) need a firm parental hand on their shoulder. While most of the time they will make good decisions based on what you have taught them through the years, other times they will struggle endlessly with peer pressure. The first thing that you need to do as a parent is to take a step back and then make your move.

Take A Step Back

Parenting teens is no easy task. The first thing that you need to do, no matter how angry you are, is to take a small step back and realize what is really happening with your teen. To do this, you need to realize what they are facing. They are facing peer pressure, constant rejection from friends and are usually struggling with their self image. They are under a lot of stress and do not need you to add to it.

Make Your Move

No matter what you see when you take your step back; you need to react to it. If you are thinking that you do not need to worry about your child because they will make the right choices, you are welcoming their pain. Instead, you need to pull them aside when they are having trouble and talk to them in a frank yet understanding way. For example, if you suspect that your child is doing drugs, sit down with them, tell them what you think is happening and offer to help them to get them back on track. No accusations, no pressure, just you being a parent.

Realize that all children make mistakes, even teens. The mistakes teens make are just bigger and more life threatening than those that toddlers make. Yet, parenting teens means being a parent to them. Realize what is happening to your child. Realize what you need to do about it. Forgive them for making the mistake and help them to get out of it. You will need to do this type of parenting for as long as you have teens.

Tips For Creating A Balance Between Your New Baby And The Job

Having a baby and a career is doable, nonetheless it can be challenging. If you're not organized it can seem as if you, your husband and the baby are in perpetual motion. The first thing you should know is that as much as you attempt and organize that something will invariably come up to disrupt her best laid plans. So learning to go with the flow will certainly be a big help. 

The way you do things will have to change and you should embrace that change. Several ladies don’t consider the change that occurs in your work environment when you have a baby. Prior to having a baby you were able to put in long hours at the office and then even go home and finish up projects. While you occasionally will probably be able to work extra hours that can not be the norm. I am not saying you career is doomed, I basically am saying you will need to change the way you do things and locate yet another method to get things carried out. 

Both mom and dad need to be on board with career changes. Dad and mom who must adjust the way they get things at work, to ensure that they are both home to take care of the baby and household chores. This needs to be a discussion that you've just before baby is born. And there should be buy-in and from both parties. 

An additional discussion that the parents will desire to have prior to the baby is born is about the organizations and superiors they work for. Is your workplace family friendly? It makes since to know what you companies policies are on family issues and how your boss feels. Knowing these things ahead of time will allow you to navigate these waters less complicated need to a family scenario arise. 

Your family will be unique, and so will the choices you make regarding work and family. Quite a few individuals could disagree with your selections, but they're your options and you should do what’s appropriate for your family. You'll also should be flexible. You might discover out after the baby is born that you need to modify your options or change course totally and that's okay. Finding balance takes some time. 

The bottom line is that juggling work and family is tough. But discover a system that works for you and you'll do great.

After School Program - Recreational Vs. Educational

So, your child is beginning to get restless and make you restless. He has got more time than is good for him, and you are now considering after school programs - anything that will keep him busy for a few life-saving hours! Most after school activities can be broadly classified into three - recreational, educational and society-oriented. The last bit usually comes in when your child is already a bit grown up and can voice his own interests.

Educational activities aim at furthering the knowledge of your child. His general awareness, his understanding and his memory are targeted and he is given various techniques that will help him improve one or all of these. Programs such as intensive memory training and speed mathematics are educational after school activities. There are academic programs that will go over your child's homework and class work and help the child gain more in-depth knowledge in the various subjects. Thus academic programs have a definite edge over the fun and games, especially if parents feel that their child has a lot of catching up to do.

Recreational activities include sports and games, fine arts, painting etc. The main thrust here is to have fun. Of course, classes become more competitive as the child climbs up the ladder. Many sport events, competitions, stage performances etc are held to encourage the child. 

When we compare the merits of the two kinds of activities, I believe that the recreational programs have more meat. Firstly, children do not enjoy learning unless they themselves feel curious about something. Most academic programs are standardized courses that are not too flexible. They have a general purpose and a well laid out methodology. After a number of hours at school, the child may feel bored. Further study may overwhelm him and make him feel frustrated. Burnout is very much a possibility here.

Recreational programs provide a welcome break from the monotony of learning and studies. The mental challenge and the physical exertion make the child feel a renewed zest and a pleasant sense of fulfillment. Group activity teaches him social skills, discipline and patience. It is a proven fact that children involved in extra curricular activities get better grades than others. Sometimes closing the textbooks and playing a game may be the best way to handle your studies.

Whatever program you choose for your child, regular evaluation is the key to success. You will have to measure the child's progress. If progress is unsatisfactory, shift your child out of the program. The child should also have the freedom to reject an activity if and when he feels bored with it. Generally, programs that combine the educational with the recreational are best suited especially for younger children. This way, children can have fun while they learn.

How to Adjust Your Baby's Natural Sleeping Rhythm

Day sleeping is similar to eating, every child is different. Develop a schedule based on what you see in your baby, and once that schedule naturally forms, try to stay to it. You have to bend your schedule around your child's if you want consistency. In other words, if your baby usually goes to sleep at 7:30 P.M., don't take her to a class that starts at 7:00 P.M. or leave for the mall after 6:00 P.M. Plan your day around baby's sleep schedule, and both of you will be much happier because you'll soon fall into a predictable rhythm. 

A lot of mothers get upset that their babies can be so fussy at certain times of the day. I say, "Get used to it and deal with it!" Most of this frustration stems from the fact that Mom has not taken the time to get to know her baby's natural rhythm, and she has tried to make her baby work around her own schedule. Just because you can wake up at 6:00 A.M. to get ready and go to work doesn't mean your baby can adapt to your schedule. It might not be convenient for you to put baby to bed at 7:00 P.M. and wake up with her at 4:00 A.M., but you're only asking for trouble if you plan a big gathering that doesn't get started until after 7:00 P.M., and then get frustrated that your baby is so fussy. Of course she's fussy¡ªshe's tired, and it's past her bedtime! 

The good news is that sleep schedules change quickly. The first ten days will be a lot different than the first ten months, and the routines won't really stop changing until your child is done with her naptimes. By two months, your child will be physically capable of sleeping through the night without being fed. By three or four months, most babies (but by no means all) should sleep either through one nighttime feeding or through the entire night. At that point, you can be a little bolder about letting him cry. It's your job to help distinguish between naptime and bedtime so that junior can begin to get a feel for what's going on. To do this, create a new ritual for bedtime¡ªgive baby a bath, sing a special song, darken the room, give baby a special toy or blanket. Do something that signifies this is different from a typical nap¡ª and stick with it, but remember to keep it manageable, timewise. 

Just remember: You're the mother. You are in charge. If baby starts to sleep more during the day than the night, it's your job to get him turned around. Get him up from his afternoon nap, play with him a little more vigorously before you put him down so he's extra tired and ready for nighttime, and feed him a little extra. You may have to help your child find an acceptable sleep rhythm.

20 Best Parenting Tips

These are Best 20 Tips from experienced Parents from various parts of the world which i felt will be very good if  implement it on my SON. So, I felt to share this with others also who are searching for Best tips of parenting

1.  Be consistent.

     I explained about this in previous posts please go through that

Being consistent in following through with rules and expectations should be the number one task with    young parents. By being consistent, you eliminate the control that a child likes to have in “raising a parent.” I think that being consistent is the hardest task a parent faces. The positive consequences are worth the effort.”

2.  Discipline wisely

“When disciplining, don’t talk, act!” —Nick Wiltz, PhD, Father, Grandfather, Child Psychologist

3.  Be involved in your child’s schooling.

Many parents don’t get involved in their child’s schooling because they don’t know how important it is, they feel overwhelmed in their own lives, or are too busy. Parents, most teachers love having your help. Helping in your child’s classroom offers you several golden opportunities. You’ll find out how your child is doing. You’ll be more effective helping with your child’s homework. You’ll be showing your child how much you care. Helping in your child’s classroom is a great way to insure your child’s success.

4. Share grief.

Share grief. “Include your child in difficult things, like the death of a loved one.”

It’s helpful to let your child see you grieve. When your child sees you grieve, your child realizes that grief is normal. It adds another dimension and makes life more realistic. Of course, your child will have sad things to grieve throughout his or her life. To help your child, have him or her draw a picture of the difficulty and then tell you about it. When you take the time to listen, you’ll lessen your child’s pain.

5 Listen and validate feelings.

Listen and validate feelings. “Rather than question your child’s feelings, listen with understanding. Beware of saying things like, ‘You don’t mean that,’ even if it is something you don’t want to hear. If you can listen with understanding and validate your child’s feelings, your child will be comfortable in coming to you with problems.” —Ann Mortensen, Mother and Business Woman

6. Follow through. 

“Follow through on both rewards and punishments. Empty promises and threats don’t achieve anything"

7. Avoid arguing and talking too much.

Avoid arguing and talking too much. “Rather say, ‘You may have a point.’Listen and consider what your child has to say but still remember you are the parent.

 Three helpful solutions:
1. Listen and consider what your child has to say.
2. S ay, “You may have a point.”
3. Remember you are the parent.
I believe it is important to give your child respect by listening and then acknowledging his or her point. Yet, when it comes to decision-making, remember you are the parent. You have the authority, the power, and the responsibility to choose what’s best for your child.

8.  Be firm.

“When it is time for your child to come out of Time Out, ask her why she was sent there. If she says, “I don’t know,” tell your child to go back until she does know. (This is providing you made it clear why she was sent there in the first place.) It may take three or four times before she admits her misbehavior and answers you. In the end your child will learn to take responsibility for her own behavior.”

9. Give attention.

Give your child your full attention. “Listen without an agenda. Give your child all the time s/he needs to develop his/her thoughts.”

Parents, in today’s fast world it’s difficult to listen well when there are so many things on your mind. It’s easy to think your child’s thoughts are not that important when you’re busy. Consider asking yourself the 10-10 -10 rule:
1. Will not listening to my child be important 10 minutes from now?
2. Will not listening to my child be important 10 months from now?
3. Will not listening to my child be important 10 years from now?
Listen, if you develop the habit of not listening, why would your child ever seek your advice? Imagine the teen years, who will your child will be listening to then?

10 Treat your kids with respect.

If we want our children to respect us, we must show them respect too, even when we’re upset.

11. Teach your child how to disagree.

“Teach your child how to respectfully disagree with you. Don’t accept anything less than respect.”

Here’s an example:

Parent: “Please do your homework right after school.”
Child: “You want me to do my homework right after school and I’d like to relax and play after school. I promise to do it right after dinner. “
Parent: “Let’s try having you do your homework right after dinner for one week. If I have to remind you to do it, then I expect you to do it right after school. Do you agree?”
Child: “OK.”

Of course, there are many different responses that could be said during a role play. The point is, as the parent, you take the leadership role in teaching your child how to respectfully disagree.

12.  Praise and respect your child.

“Praise children to build their self-esteem. Respect their secrecy. If they tell you something and ask you to keep it a secret, do so.”

Don't Share the secrets told by your child in your friends circle. He stop it when he knows that and you will loose the opportunity to influence him in later stage of life.

13. Teach your kids about money.

“When the kids wanted to borrow money, we set up a contract. The kids had to put in their money first. They borrowed the rest from us.We set up a payment chart until they paid us back by completing chores. Today,as adults, they handle money well.”

14. Remember the goals.

“Rather than yell and criticize your kids at Little League games, remember the goals of team sports. Instead, use phrases like, “Good job!You played well! Way to go!”

15. Welcome friends.

“If your kids shut down and won’t talk with you, make sure their friends are welcome at your home. You’ll find out what they’re into if you hear their conversations from the next room.”

16. No TV!

No TV! “Don’t let them get addicted when they are little. They’ll find more interesting things to do. They’ll become more creative. They’ll co-operate because you won’t be interrupting their programs. They’ll have longer attention spans too. If you never start TV, you’ll never have to take it away.”

17. Tell them you love them.

“When my boys were growing up I didn’t wait until they did something good to tell them I loved them and felt proud of them. They heard it often. Now they keep in touch, and love to tease me. Because of letting them know how much I loved them when they were growing up, I feel loved right back today.”

18. Avoid showing disappointment in your child.


Avoid showing disappointment in your child. “Let your child know when you are disapproving of his/her behavior though.” —Nina Ramsey, ARNP, PhD, Therapist

Filling children with shame for misbehavior can cut deeply into their sense of self. This can lead to self-hatred especially when your approval means so much to them. On the other hand, it is important to tell them what you think about their negative behaviors.This is a delicate balance. It means you are mentally separating children from their misbehaviors before you correct them. A tactic I like to use after the correction is to “catch them being good” when they behave well. Children want our approval. “Catching them being good” increases the likelihood that they’ll increase their positive behaviors. It also creates a mutually good feeling.

19. Create a united front.




“If you disagree about how your partner is handling a discipline problem, talk with your partner later. Why? You need to have a united front with your child. Don’t allow your child to manipulate you.” That is Even if you disagree with your partner’s handling of a discipline problem, talk with your partner later. Present a united front. Give your children a secure feeling. Don’t let them manipulate you.

20. Keep your kids quiet when you’re on the phone.

“Draw a picture of a phone with the word “important”. Talk to the kids ahead of time about keeping quiet when they see the picture. Role play by asking the kids to fuss until you pretend to use the phone on an important call. Create simple refrigerator charts. After that, hold up the phone picture when you are talking to customers.Give each child a sticker for their charts when they’ve been quiet.”

I like this tip because it:
Is simple to do.
Encourages the parent to be creative.
Prompts the parent to think first instead of yelling.
Involves the children in being helpful.
Teaches them to be polite.
Helps them practice self-discipline.
Rewards the children for being respectful.

Hope these tips will help you to become a good parent and cross the some of the huddles you are facing in parenting a child.

Optimizing Early Brain and Motor Development

New Perspectives on Early Brain Development
Connections that are not made by activity, or are weak, are “pruned away,” much like the pruning of dead or weak branches of a tree. If the neurons are used, they become incorporated into the circuitry of the brain. Due to differences in experience, not even alike twins are wired the same.
The main basis for the significance of movement and sensory experiences was derived from studies which compared brain
structures of animals raised in various environmentally normal, deprived, and improved settings. The improved settings provided the opportunity to interrelate with toys, treadmills, and obstacle courses.
Implications for the Early Childhood Educator.
One of the strongest implications of brain research has been the identification of grave periods in brain development in which experience may be most efficient in forging relations in wiring the brain. Studies with young kids using modern neuro imaging, pictures of the brain, have provided the basis for identifying the periods of exuberate neural connectivity connected with the windows of opportunity. These critical periods have more recently been referred to as “windows of opportunity;” nature opens certain windows for experience to have the maximum effect. These windows begin opening before birth and then narrow as a kid grows older. In theory, there are sequences of windows for developing motor control, vision, language, feelings, etc. If a kid misses an opportunity, his or her brain may not develop its circuitry to its full potential for a precise function.

 Windows for Motor Development by Preschool Teacher Training.
For basic gross-motor skills, the general window of opportunity emerges to be open from the prenatal period to around age five. Once again, this is a period in which knowledge is very important to laying the “foundation” of brain circuits enthusiastic to motor control. The primary motor circuits that bond to the cerebellum, which controls attitude and coordination, forge during the first two years. It is during this period that the kid begins to gain substantial experience in the world as he or she “moves” about in the environment. Once again it is recommended that physical activity is a strong determinant in the early development of the brain, not just motor control. It seems sensible that the grave period for finer muscle control and timing, which naturally follow gross-motor development, would be open from shortly after birth to about age nine. This information has strong inferences for developing the primary circuits needed for learning skills that need a high degree of physical deftness, such as playing a musical instrument or performing precise manual operations. There is also speculation that the general window of opportunity for most behavioral functions narrows significantly around age 10.

What we can do as noted previously, the general time frames for the windows of chances are still quite tentative. This is particularly true in view to the types and effects of definite movement activities. Yet, few researchers would reject that early movement experiences are grave to optimal brain development. To be of maximum benefit, movement experiences should be introduced early in life and during the windows of opportunity. Surely, this is not to say that such activities should not be worried further than the critical period. Motor skills improve our lives at all ages and an optimistic attitude about usual physical activity sets the base for a lifetime of good health. Although it seems quite reasonable that a inclusive developmentally suitable movement program would be effectual in improving  early brain and motor skill development, the following suggestions are offered based on the research discussed by teacher training course in Mumbai.

1.Provide kids with lots of sensory-motor experiences, particularly of the visual-motor variety. This would comprise activities that put together visual information with fine- and gross-motor movements. Such activities incorporate striking, kicking, and catching.

2.Include a variety of basic gross-motor actions that engross postural control, coordination of movements, and locomotion – crawling, creeping, body rolling, and jumping. In addition to motivating the general wiring patterns of these fundamental skills, moderate and energetic intensity gross-motor activity provide the brain with its chief energy source, glucose. In core, these activities increase blood flow, which feeds the mind and improves neuronal connectivity during the critical
period.

3.Combine movement activities and music. Although the jury is still out regarding the relationship between musical experience and precise academic achievement, the combination of music with movement presents an outstanding learning medium for young kids.

Tips on Potty Training Boys

If you are planning to start potty training your boy, you need some creative tips to help you a long. Toilet training boys maybe a little more challenging than potty training girls. Your boy has to learn how to do potty sitting down then graduate to a standing position.

This simple difference throws many women a curve ball which they do not know how to handle. It is recommended that you first teach your son to sit down on the potty. Once he is good on that, you can slowly introduce the concept of standing up. Here, I am listing a few potty training tips to help you out:

Overcome the Fear of Mess
One major hindrance that parents face when they are considering potty training is the fear of mess. If you are worried about your carpet getting pooped on, simply roll it up and put it aside for a few week. That said, accidents will still happen. Go easy on this one. There is no mess that cannot be cleaned up. It will actually not be as messy as you thing. Your will be pleasantly surprised how fast your child will potty train. If potty training becomes very messy or takes longer than you thing, give yourself a patience pet talk and keep your focus.

Get a Number of Potties

Invest in a number of potties that are well suited for a boy and place them strategically in the rooms you use most. You do not want to be running upstairs to get the potty. Your child will not have enough muscle control to hold back when the urge to use the potty comes. Be prepared.

Involve your Boy
Involve your child by allowing them to select an appropriate boy potty, pull ups and underwear of their choice. Children tend to get so excited over such things. He will be looking forward to using the potty that he hand-picked for himself without too much of a fight.

Stay on Course
Once you start potty training, do not look back until your boy is successfully toilet trained. When you face setback, and you will face setbacks, do not make it a big deal. Get back on course and keep striving to reach your goal. May parents tend to give up too soon. This only serves to confuse your boy even more.

Reward your Boy
Remember to reward your boy when he gets it right. Not at the end, but during the training. Praise your child and let him know how proud you are. You also deserve a good reward for staying focused. Children love attention and praise from their parents and siblings. Never reprimand or criticize your boy harshly. This can cause a very long term wound in him. Let him know it is okay to make mistakes.

Ask Daddy to Help
While potty training boys , daddy can be of real help. He is the best role model for your child to imitate. He can teach your boy how to use the toilet standing up, at the right time, in a way that you cannot. An older brother can also help out on this one.

Enjoy the Process

Enjoy teaching your son these things. Do not think of it as a chore and ditch any timelines you have on how long this process should take. Trust me, your boy will soon be all grown up and you will miss these moments of teaching him.

These tips will help you along in toilet training your son. This daunting milestone will soon be over and your boy will be happily using the toilet with little or no help from you.

The Power of Positive Self-Talk for Kids With Autism

What type of messages do you think are going on inside your child's mind? Children with special needs such as Autism will intuitively grasp that they are different and pick up on the less than positive judgments from others - however subtle they may be.

Do you pay attention to that voice inside your head? I am not talking about auditory hallucinations here. I am referring to the things we say to ourselves everyday. That continuous chatter of our inner dialogues that typically never stops unless we actively meditate.

Experts tell us that we are constantly talking to ourselves, using between 150 and 300 words a minute to be exact. We plan what needs to be done next or we review things that just happened. Most of this self-talk is harmless yet some of it is detrimental to our self-worth. "That was so stupid of me." or "I will never be popular... thin, smart, pretty, etc." You know what I am talking about. We battle with this every day.

Having some negative self-talk from time to time is to be expected but it is important to be mindful about how often we do this so that it doesn't become our default mode. Unfortunately, these malicious little voices can be even more powerful than positive affirmations because we often find them easier to accept.

Each pessimistic thought or word is a negative affirmation and has the capacity to do a lot of damage if allowed to continue. Self-fulfilling prophecies are built from the thoughts that run inside our heads so repeating positive messages makes better sense if we want to create optimistic possibilities.

We will begin to accept whatever our conscious mind comes to believe, it's that simple. But turning off the negative isn't really that simple to do and if it isn't easy for us as adults think of how difficult it is for our children.

Solution: Teach kids positive affirmations at an early age.

Regardless of your child's challenges and abilities - ALL children will benefit from learning to listen to the positive voices inside their heads and if they don't have many, we need to help them develop some. The more we help our children focus on positive self-talk the more it will minimize the self-blame and doubt that sprouts from paying too much attention to the negative.

As adults we can prevent them from creating a broken record of negative self-talk that gets in the way of progress. We can give our children a jumpstart by teaching them positive affirmations while they are young, setting the stage for good habits to take hold.

For those of you who saw the movie, The Help, there is a powerful example of helping a child develop positive affirmations when Aibileen, a third generation housemaid, who has helped raise seventeen children, teaches Mae, the little girl currently in her care, to repeat the words, "I am smart, I am kind, I am important."

When we encourage our kids to speak and believe such statements instead of "I can't... " or "I should..." etc we are giving them the best gift there is to help them reach their full potential and experience success in life.

In order to get these statements to soak deep into their subconscious mind we can also write these affirmations down and post them in places that our child is apt to run into on a daily basis. The bathroom mirror, their bedside table, the refrigerator, the TV or computer screen and their lunchbox are all good examples of where to place affirmations.

Depending on where your child is on the Autism spectrum, he or she may be more visual and think in pictures. Therefore, find visual pictures that represent the affirmation you want them to absorb and cut them out. Have them look for pictures of what is important to them or what they are good at (or want to be good at).

You can then use these photographs and pictures to make a vision board with your child. This is a great tool to create a positive atmosphere in a child's bedroom, a place where they can refer to it often. Doing this activity together will not only enhance your connection to your child but it will also give you insight into their likes and dislikes, their passions and interests.

They sooner we can help our children to acquire a habit of dismissing the negative dialogue inside their heads and replacing it with positive and affirming self-talk, the sooner our children will be on the road to maximizing their potential. It is a well-known fact that maintaining good thoughts about one's self creates a mindset conducive to growth and an attitude and spirit that is ripe for blossoming. What better gift can you give a child with Autism?

Is Your Child Being Cyber-Bullied

If your child was being bullied at school, you'd probably know about it. There would most likely be physical signs, such as bruises or scrapes.

But if your child is being bullied on the internet how you would ever find out?

Consider the story of David Knight, a Canadian teenage who suddenly found himself the victim of cyber-bullying.

Some kids at his school set up a website devoted to making hateful comments about David and his family members. Even after the police were involved, the website stayed up for over 7 months... visible by over 6 billion people.

In the real world, a bully must usually be bigger and stronger than other kids to inflict any real damage.

But online, anyone can play the role of a cyber-bully and start to torture your child with threats, taunts and harsh words.

Recently, a survey of over 1500 students in grades 4-8 showed that over 42% had been bullied online and 53% admitted that they had typed mean or hateful things about classmates.

Do the math: There could possibly be a 95% chance that your child has been involved in cyber bullying either as the victim or the aggressor.

The Worst Case Scenario

Ryan Halligana's parents had no idea that he was a victim of cyber-bullying. Until the day he committed suicide. After that Ryan's father logged onto the computer and discovered that Ryan's classmates had been taunting him over the internet for months.

What can parents do?
To start with, you can try to keep the computer in a public part of the home.

Or you can do you best to open the lines of communication with your child and hope that if they ever do become a victim of cyber bullying they'll come talk to you about it.

But sometimes, more drastic measures are necessary. The only way to make sure your child doesn't end up the victim of cyber bullying is to be 100% aware of what your child is doing online.

There are a variety of software programs that allow you to remotely monitor you child's activity online. If the idea of spying on your child's online activities makes you uncomfortable, that's only normal.

But considering the consequences of cyber-bullying, many parents feel more than justified.

After all, by staying alert now... you may just catch wind of something easily preventable later on.

Also, you just might protect yourself from legal damages as it's quite possible that a victim of cyber-bullying could sue the aggressor in a court of law.

Practical Advice for Parenting Teenagers

Parenting teenagers is full of extremes. There are great joys while parenting teenagers and also great disappointments. The teen years are a time when the child is slowly separating themselves from their parent's tight hold and parents need to realize this. Each child needs to gradually be weaned off the total parental control into a world of adulthood. This can be a difficult experience but also an exciting one. As a parent, one has been working to prepare his child for adulthood and now the goal is about to be achieved. A parent needs to celebrate the teenagers step towards independence while continuing to provide a safety net.

Preparing for Parenting a Teenager

As a child begins to celebrate double digit birthdays the parent must begin preparing for parenting a teenager. One thing that can help to make the future easier is to find interests for the child to be involved in. Some children are very sports motivated; being involved in team sports is a great experience for the teenager and will help to keep the child involved in wholesome activities. The parent needs to be involved with this area of the child's life. Attending the games and showing interest will be very important.

Another great thing for the child to get involved in is a church youth group. Teenagers will have questions regarding their spiritual life. Having a well founded spiritual leader and group outside the home will help both the parent and the teenager throughout the teen years. There are other appropriate activities for the teen years. These include scouting, choir, band, dance, gymnastics, fishing, camping and many other activities. Parents need to get involved with their child in some activity before the teen years begin. This will keep the teenager involved in good activities as they begin to pull away from the parents.

A Team Approach to Parenting Teenagers

In a two parent family it will be important for the parents to be united in their approach to parenting a teenager. Parents need to plan and discuss the expectations for the teenager. Even if there are areas of disagreement between the parents, the teenager needs to see a united front. If the teenager see the parents in open disagreement this may cause confusion and rebellion. Parents need to work together for the benefit of the teenager.

If the parents are separated or divorced, differences need to be put aside for the benefit of the child. The world offers too many options for teenagers today. The parents must be united in the morals, values, and attitudes they want the teenager to uphold. Most teenagers will still rebel somewhat but this can prevent major rebellion. If the home is a single parent home, without the support of a second parent, the single parent should seek the support of a grandparent or other relative or friend. It is good to have someone supporting the very important decisions which need to be made while parenting a teenager.

Parenting Education Tips

This written document is all about the issue that you have been looking for, take your time to read it.

With parenting education classes they are not just theoretical, they relate to the many of the subjects that are happening right now in our lives. As children are constantly developing and ever-changing before our eyes we need help in understanding how to raise them in our complicated world. This help has to be consistent with our surroundings and the diverse problems that are encountered.

There are obstacles and one of the many questions that you as a parent will have to deal with is that of your child’s education. There are many parents who will tell you that they have already chosen the schools their kid will attend all the way up to university. These same parents will advocator you to make the same choices now but I think that it would be wiser in the long run in your child’s education if these choices were made as your kid approaches each of those stages.

The other useful thing that you can learn at parenting education classes is how to deal with your children without losing your calmness or your temper. This is very significant because children learn their life’s lesson by watching you. As their role models you need to be able to deal with all of these situations calmly.

Its true that children learn by imitating us. Whatsoever we do they attempt this same thing. Some time they will get the job right the first time around. Other times your children will try to get these same task right over and over again. When they fail repeatedly your children will be disappointed and ready to cause some mischief.

One of the things that parenting education deals with is how to show your children the best way to achieve their goals without letting their diverse problems over takes them. You can also instill in the children a feel of determination about not failing. These are important lessons that you both can take in by.

Being a parent there are certain responsibilities that we need to handle, as parenting is a full time career you will have to find ways and means of juggling your career with that of parenting. When you manage to talk with other parents in your parenting education classes you will see how they have managed this task successfully.. for further information on this topic, please check our web site by following our link below...

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and found the selective information useful and interesting.

Children And The Potential Harmful Effects Of Television

Since the dawn of television, children have found this an enjoyable and interactive pastime. Visual stimulation is preferred by children in comparison to any other media, and current figures report than children watch an average of four hours of television a day. These figures are much larger than they were almost half a century ago, but changes in lifestyle and technological advances make this inevitable. However, many people question how television is affecting the lives of modern children.

Children`s television programmes began in the 1950s. By 1951 television showed up to 27 hours per week of television programmes aimed at children. The usual time slot was late afternoon and evening with programmes aimed at shorter viewing periods. In the mid 50s the Saturday morning television programme slot was discovered, and since then has long since been kept for children`s viewing. The 1960s saw a switch to animation based television programmes which were cheaper to produce. The lower the cost; the more could be produce and children`s television gained more viewing slots. In the 1970s programmes were made longer to increase viewing figures and in the 80s cable television arrived. This enriched and widened the scope for the provision for children and dedicated television channels were aired.

As the industry grew, so did the concern for the effects of watching television on children. The children`s television act arrived in the 1990s, requiring high levels of research and monitoring in that area. The main concerns centred around health, academic progress and the effects of violence on television. The first testimonial involving the effects of violence on television on juvenile behaviour was brought about in the US as early as 1952. The effects of violence on television have been studied since 1964 when it was officially ruled that television was a factor in children`s behaviour. The main concerns were that levels of violence would increase through copied behaviour, with children becoming desensitised.

So, what has been determined through research with regards to children and television violence? Two outcomes were discovered; catharsis and stimulation which are still the leading theories in this area. Catharsis was found to remove negativity, whereas the stimulation effect increased violent emotions with the latter showing to be the most likely outcome. There is a proven small and consistent link between viewing violence and increased aggression. However, the results were highest amongst children witnessing violence at home rather than non television.

Other studies showed that there are definite cognitive effects when children watch television as they are stimulated by visual movement. This includes the movement of colour, camera angles, and panoramic views. Television aimed at children takes this into account and this is why children seem transfixed. Research shows, however, that attention to the television is in fact fragmentary before the age of two, but it steadily increases until attention peaks at the age of 12 years. The understanding of many concepts is lost until aged 10 in the average child as there is too much information to comprehend and so concentration depends upon pure enjoyment.

In terms of health, the main problem is obesity through a lack of exercise, and so television has been blamed for this in part. This is because watching television distracts the receptors in the brain which let the child know when they are full. However, there is no research to state that this has any more effect than general family eating habits. Television is like any other factor in life; it can have positive effects in moderation. There are no suggested guidelines for television viewing, and so it is down to personal and family choice.

If you have concerns about the effects upon your child, the best advice is to look at family attitudes towards television. This includes the amount of time spent watching television, the type of programmes viewed and even comments made. It is possible to limit the type of programmes viewed, and to reduce the time spent watching by offering it as a reward system. To improve educational elements, discuss issues raised with honesty and interest and your child will be encouraged towards this type of programme.

Smart Toys and Gifts for Smart Kids

A kid’s eyes shine bright while opening his present. When he sees that his presents are clothes, his bright eyes suddenly turn dim. Kids are not known for hiding their disappointment. But give them a toy as a gift, and you’ll see a display of appreciation that could warm the cockles of any gift-giver. It seems that instinctively, kids prefer something that will engage his mind, not just something that will make him look good.

But not all toys or gifts are equal. There are those that engages him for a long time, and those that amuse him for just a few hours, and then forgotten.

Educational gifts get your child’s attention for a longer time, as they feed his or her stimulation-hungry. More importantly, the impact of the best educational gifts lasts a lifetime. These gifts give him a head start in reading, math and science. They develop his love for learning, the most important attitude to make your kid grow up smart. A great educational gift even triggers what will be your kid's lifelong passion.

Because of the internet, you do not have to waste time and energy going through the mall looking for the best educational gifts. You could shop right in your bedroom in your pajamas!

The following are the top 10 educational toy and other unique educational gift ideas that you can find on the internet:

1. Educational Toys
The best toys and gifts are those that make your child learn while he is having fun. This way, learning happens while he plays. And the more he plays, the more he learns! Make sure that the toy you give is appropriate for his age and gender, and that it is safe. Avoid toys that can only be played with one or two ways. The more activities a kid can do with a toy, the better it is. For younger kids, find one that can be opened, closed, twisted, pulled, dragged, formed, changed, preferably all at the same time. For older kids, the best toys are those that stimulate the imagination.

2. Hobby and Science Toys
Brilliant engineers, inventors and mechanics get their beginnings from tinkering with toys when they were kids. Chemists begin by mixing stuff and biologists play with their ant farms.
Hobby Toys help your kid discover his lifetime passion by offering hundreds of educational toys that catches his interest. Examples are science projects, electronic kits, Lego Mindstorms and robot projects, chemistry, biology, anatomy and physics sets.

3. Nature Toys and Pets
Nature toys make your child explore the wonder and mystery of the world around him. These can make him eternally curious and thus be a lifelong learner. Examples are microscopes, telescopes, planetariums, and globes.
Pets are also great gifts. An aquarium can teach your kid about aquatic life, and kittens and puppies can be a great way to introduce your kid to love for animals. Seeds will fascinate your kid when he sees it grow into a plant. Who knows, your kid’s appreciation of nature may be key to his being able to help save the planet in the future.

4. Personalized Gifts
Studies show that children learn when their activities are personalized. When they are a character on a book they read, they are fascinated and their minds open up. Personalized books, music, and toys also improve your child’s self-confidence and positive view of himself.
Babies and kids will love hearing their OWN name sung in songs, printed in books, built with trains, or just hanging on the wall.

5. Computer Software and Games
The best educational software and fun and entertaining and helps your kid achieve success in school. They help build math, reading, and critical skills, as well as instill confidence, joy and excitement around learning. With the best educational software, your kid will beg to learn!
The best computer games are those that teaches him strategy and problem-solving, and not merely “fragging” the enemy. Although “fragging” the enemy is said to develop hand-eye coordination, some psychologist are concerned that the violent nature of these games can desensitize your child to hurt in others.

6. Magazine Subscriptions
Aside from books, magazines can be a great way to start kids off on a life-long passion for reading. Since magazines feature what is current and up-to-date, it is always interesting to your kid.

7. Puzzles and Board Games
Puzzles and games exercise the brain. And like any part of the body, the more exercise your kid’s brain gets, the more powerful and tougher it becomes when faced with challenges. The best puzzles and board games teach your kid how to plan, decide, think and think through a difficulty. Board games, when played with friends or family, enhance social skills. He learns about taking turns, following rules and cooperating with teammates or opponents.

8. Musical Instruments
Many studies have proven that learning music has a profound effect on your kid’s brain. Music is shown to increase IQ, improve school grades, and prepare your kid to learn the advanced concepts of math and science.
Most kids are interested in learning to play guitar, the drums, and the keyboard, although they may also want to take up the violin and brass instruments.

9. Educational Videos
Educational videos have proven beneficial to preschool and above kids. (Videos for kids aged 2 and below are more harmful than helpful) Kids who watch informative and educational shows as preschoolers tend to watch more informative and educational shows when they get older. They use TV effectively as a complement to school learning. On the other hand, kids who watch more entertainment program watch fewer informative programs as they get older.
There are educational movies on the internet where kids of the “You Tube” generation not only watch, but also interact for a great learning experience.

10. Scholastic.
This list will not be complete without books! Books are and will always be your kid’s brain’s best friend. Among other benefits, reading builds the language neural connections in your kid’s brain and expands his chain of knowledge.

Raising Children With Choices

It's undeniably difficult raising children in a changing world. You want the best for your children and you want them to fulfill their potential with each new activity that they undertake but, in a society where certain endeavors are still too often considered to be the domain of males only or of females only, it may take a bit of effort to create a maximum of opportunities for your children, whether they be girls or boys.

Every child, and for that matter, every adult, has innate aptitudes for certain things. Some kids may do better in school than others do, some excel in verbal skills, and for others their forte may be analytical skills or problem-solving. Mathematics and science come more easily to some children than to others, while some are good with their hands. Many are curious about how machines function. Some have the patience and perseverance to stick with a complex new project, and some don't. Certain children have a talent for drawing or for music. The possibilities and the individual variations are limitless.

As children grow up, what each child becomes is a combination of these innate aptitudes, exposure to a variety of topics and activities and experiences, plus the character-building lessons learned from parents, teachers, siblings, peers and others. One part of the equation, without the others, may lead nowhere. A particular child may have the potential to become a great musician but, unless that child is exposed to a variety of musical forms or has the opportunity to see and touch musical instruments and learn to play whichever one appeals to him or her, it may come to nothing. Another child might grow up to contribute great things to medical science but, unless taught basic biology and other sciences, that child will never see medicine as a possible career choice.

To allow your children to develop into the most that they can be, it's up to you to guide their education, in terms of their choices, from the variety of classes available to them at school, to their afterschool activities, public library use, the joining of local clubs, and the use of other resources which are available within your community or beyond it. You can also pass your own special skills, storehouse of knowledge, and interests on to your children.

Children are little bundles of potential. When raising your children, try to be ever conscious of this, and of the subtle sex role stereotyping that you yourself may have grown up with and how it might affect what you offer to your daughters or to your sons. As toddlers, are girls given dolls and boys given toy trucks ? Is a seven-year-old boy signed up for Little League, while a girl is offered ballet lessons ?

There's nothing wrong with little girls playing with dolls and taking dance lessons. Those activities are fine. Dolls are fun and they allow little girls to vicariously experiment with and prepare for real life social interactions. Dance lessons may reveal a future professional dancer or give your daughter the pleasure of a lifelong hobby, a great way to stay trim and fit, or a passion for ballet music. The problem arises if little girls are only exposed to traditional "female" pursuits and interests, such as dolls and dance lessons. Starting from the youngest age, give girls the opportunity to play with toy boats and cars and trains, as well. Encourage participation in organized sports and, when old enough, give your daughters science experiment kits. Don't limit your children's potentials by restricting their activities to traditional gender-based categories.

As your daughters grow up, expose them to as many different pursuits, of all types, as you can. Let them know how important their intellectual achievements and success in school are to you. Show them your pride in their accomplishments, but without making them feel unduly pressured. With time, their natural proclivities, abilities and talents will become more apparent and they will gravitate towards certain activities, while dropping others. In order for each to find the career and the leisure time activities that are a perfect fit for them, however, they need to have a smorgasbord of things from which to choose. Sure, this is all just common sense but, amid the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it's easy to reinforce old gender roles and girl/boy stereotypes without even being consciously aware that they exist.

After a childhood rich in opportunities and choices, a young woman still may ultimately choose a profession that's always been a female-dominated one and become a nurse or a teacher, for example, and that is fine. Those can be wonderful choices and they're important jobs in our society. I'm not denigrating any one job in relation to any other job. I just feel that a choice can only truly be a choice when it is chosen from a maximum variety of possibilities. If a girl (or a boy) becomes a nurse because it is the job that most appeals to her or him, that's wonderful. If a girl grows up to be a nurse, however, because she never realized that her interest in health care might have led her to become a great heart surgeon, then that is sad and not a true choice.

Ii's not just little girls who might suffer from an unnecessarily restricted set of choices. Little boys should also have the opportunity to experiment with the widest possible range of activities and interests. If dolls can help little girls practice for motherhood or for social interactions with their peers, then why can't they help little boys learn to be more nurturing future fathers ?

Doing their share of household chores can help all children become more responsible and cooperative adults, but don't automatically make girls wash the dishes while boys take out the garbage. Teach both sexes that all family members share both in the labors of and the rewards of family life. Both can help with the housework, both can help care for the new baby, and both can learn to be responsible for the care of family pets. That way, everyone wins. The world could do with more men who see housework as something that everyone in the family shares equally, who become equal partners in the raising of their own children, and who develop their interpersonal skills, along with their muscles. With that in mind, don't restrict your sons' extracurricular activities to all things macho. Your son may be a budding Njinsky or Fred Astaire but he, and you, will never know it if he's never exposed to a single dance step.

As with other types of unfair limitations on individuals' aspirations or lack of opportunities because of culture, race, income level, or physical handicap, for example, gender is a poor excuse for narrowing children's choices or placing ceilings on their dreams. It's all too easy for all of us to revert to old sex roles without even thinking, as some of these are so deeply ingrained in our society, in popular culture, and in the media. With a bit of care and thought, though, we can help the next generation build a society where boys and girls, women and men are all freer to find meaning in their lives by following their personal dreams, choosing the career track that's right for them, and developing hobbies that are a perfect fit for their individual interests and abilities. To do this, all they need is plenty to choose from and the chance to try out whatever interests them.