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K. Brewer: Posted on Thursday, October 27, 2011 1:47 PM
When consistently used, positive discipline fosters emotional growth as kids identify their feelings and express them appropriately. Children learn to stand up for their own rights while respecting the rights of others. Positive discipline helps children develop responsibility and independence as they treat materials with respect and care. Valuable social skills are developed as children learn to problem solve and defuse confrontations. Logical thinking is nurtured as children comprehend rules and reasons for them. When experiencing consequences, children learn about cause and effect. They learn to anticipate and predict events within their control. When positive discipline is used, it introduces children to the world of relationships with compassion and patience. As a result, they develop social competence. Just as importantly, they learn to trust adults. By being treated with gentleness and high regard, they learn to respect and love themselves. All this is possible when we focus on positive practices. Like our fan page to interact with our facebook community |
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K. Brewer: Posted on Thursday, October 06, 2011 6:51 PM
Poor sleep may play a part in aggressive behavior among children, according to new research that found that children who bully other kids are more likely to be sleepy during the day. In the study, researchers from the University of Michigan Medical School found that children with conduct problems at school were twice as likely to have sleep-disordered breathing problems or daytime sleepiness as other children who reportedly got adequate amounts of sleep. "What this study does is raise the possibility that poor sleep, from whatever cause, can indeed play into bullying or other aggressive behaviors- a major problem that many schools are trying to address," Louise O'Brien, assistant professor in the University of Michigan's Sleep Disorders Center and the departments of neurology and oral and maxillofacial surgery, said in a university news release. |
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K. Brewer: Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2011 2:14 PM
This morning on the Today show one of the topics was on bed-sharing; it was an interesting segment. For those of you who missed it, I will post the link on our facebook page. Below is an exert of the article which can also be found on the Today show website. "Researchers are saying relax when it comes to bed-sharing. If it works for your family, go with it. There is no harm to your child’s intellectual or social development, according to a new Columbia University study of nearly 1,000 families. The American Academy of Pediatrics still recommends against co-sleeping until after age 1 due to the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The Columbia study was on toddlers. Why the stigma attached to bed-sharing? Dr. Joshua Weiner, child and adult psychiatrist, tells TODAY viewers that “parents don’t want to look like they don’t have control over their kids.” Bed-sharing is common in Asia and Africa, but it’s not the norm in the U.S. However, there is a growing trend of parents no longer afraid to admit they let their kids snooze in bed with them." Tell us what you think! Is this a no-no in your home or do you consider this just a phase that your child will outgrow when he/she is ready? Does the new bed-sharing research help you to be more open about your sleeping arrangements?" This is sure to be a hot topic on which most of you probably have an opinion. I hope you will share your thoughts with us... |
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K. Brewer: Posted on Monday, July 25, 2011 2:43 PM
Having a regular mealtime helps parents model good food choices as well as creates a sense of responsibility and cooperation in children of all ages. Research shows that eating together as a family on a regular basis contributes to how happy a young person feels. Younger children can contribute by choosing between setting the table, clearing the dishes or selecting a favorite dish once a week. As they get older they can increase responsibility and cooperation by helping with shopping and preparation. Meal time offers a consistent and fun opportunity to connect and learn the importance of being together. Try to plan a meal where everyone contributes. Allow the youngest children to choose from the easiest jobs to make them feel responsible and valued. Model and reinforce table manners. Bon Appetit...! Like our fan page to interact with our facebook community |
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K. Brewer: Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 4:39 PM
Kids thrive on consistency and a feeling of security. As they grow they want to test the limits and it’s our job as parents to let them know the boundaries are strong and the child can safely and securely explore and experience his/her world while learning that behavior has logical consequences. It’s never too early to start setting limits and allowing kids to learn from the logical consequences of choices. And it can all be done from a positive and loving place. Over the next few weeks our blog will touch on some areas where parents can begin setting some boundaries and consequences for when boundaries are crossed. This week the focus will be on bedtime which for some can be a real chore. Many families struggle with setting up a bedtime routine and as a result find themselves in a battle zone every night with little ones refusing to go to bed or constantly invading the parental bedroom in the middle of the night. Everybody ends up sleep deprived and very grumpy. Experts recommend setting a bedtime with a consistent routine that leads to the child being in his/her own bedroom with the firm expectation that he/she will stay there, settle down and fall asleep. Parents can’t force children to fall asleep but they can set limits for children to stay in their room and allow control or choice about story or not, cuddle or not, light on or not, and so on. A calming down period 30-45 minutes before bedtime is useful to help children wind down. Some children respond well to a bath before bedtime followed by a bedtime story. Whatever your routine, it should be the same every night. Sweet Dreams...! Like our fan page to interact with our facebook community |
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K. Brewer: Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 1:42 PM
Are you one of those parents who is always on his/her iPhone or Blackberry? Does it seem to bother your family or are they ok with it? Do you ever wonder if today's generation of children will grow up without the necessary social skills because parents have been too engaged in technology to communicate or perhaps because tweens and teens can't tear themselves away from their cell phones? I recently read a study about the influence of technology on families and it finds that the digital age is affecting more than how we communicate in America. The study found that parents are spending almost the same amount of time per day as their kids consuming media and using various digital technologies. Parents are as just as dependent on technology as are teens and tweens. According to this study, most family members feel that technology has been a positive influence on their families and they welcome it with open arms rather than with suspicion. The study went on to say that very few adults or youth take substantial breaks from technology. What are your thoughts on this hot topic? |
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K. Brewer: Posted on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 12:29 PM
With Father's Day approaching, I thought it would be nice to focus on Dad's role in the family. Dad's are important and children need them to validate their self-worth. Validation is like a stamp of approval. It tells the child that he/she is loved and accepted just as they are. It sends the message that they are a valued and important part of the family. Validation comes from words but it is also important to validate your child with actions. Show your child you enjoy spending time with him/her. Dads who stay engaged in the child's life (regardless of their marital status to the child's mom) make the child feel they are important and worthy of dad's attention. Communication is key! Talk to them everyday but more importantly LISTEN to them. Make affection the rule not the exception. Be intentional about role modeling because after all the home is the child's primary source for learning about life. Kids will pay close attention and they will imitate what they see. All parenting styles are different but one of the most valuable contributions a dad can make is to simply "be there" and be involved in their lives. A dad's presence provides kids with a greater sense of security than almost any other quality a father can offer. Happy Father's Day! Like our fan page to interact with our facebook community |
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K. Brewer: Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2011 4:50 PM
You never know what goes through the mind of your little one. Research shows that stress in the crucial early years of a child's life can pose dramatic, lasting challenges to development, learning and behavior. Little Kids, Big Worries: Stress-Busting Tips for Early Childhood Classrooms is a book designed to help readers address the most common causes of stress in a young child's life, including separation anxiety, bullying, jealousy and family circumstances. Even though this book is written for childcare providers it may give parents useful insight into the possible stressors of little ones. |
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K. Brewer: Posted on Monday, May 23, 2011 4:04 PM
Do you have someone in your life who just sucks the energy right out of you? Maybe a boss or perhaps a coworker who can only see your flaws and is oh too happy to point out those flaws. I don't know about you but this just leaves me feeling defeated and discouraged. By contrast, think how would you feel if everyone focused on those talents and abilities you possess that are positive and they really didn't spend much time thinking about the things that maybe you can't do very well. I think it would make me feel pretty good. I bet I would feel energized and eager to face each day! This is how I want my children to feel...excited, energized, motivated. It seems that people tend to focus on improving weaknesses but how would it be if we focus on a child's strengths rather than his weaknesses? I think if we, as a society, focus more on the positive rather than the negative, we might have children with higher self esteem and self worth. We might have more children who are self-starters. I am not suggesting that we ignore weaknesses (or discard all remedial help), nor am I suggesting that we praise a child for every little thing they do but I do think there needs to be a healthy balance. The fact of the matter is we all have strengths and weaknesses. What are your child's strengths? Is he good at a particular activity or sport? Do you have an outgoing child who tends to be a leader? Is your child super organized? By zeroing in on your child's strengths you are helping him get the most joy out of life as he pursues his greatest opportunities for success. |
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K. Brewer: Posted on Saturday, May 14, 2011 3:55 PM
Little ones love to use the word "No!" It seems to be one of the very first words they learn to say, right after dada and mama. Everything is "No!" It doesn't matter what the question is, if you are the parent of a 1-2 year old you are more than likely going to hear an adamant "No!" even when your little one actually means yes. Here are a few tips on how to manage and minimize "No!" - Try to make positive statements which will limit your use of the word "no". Rather than say "no, don't run in the house" try "use your walking feet please."
- Try to make statements rather than ask questions because questions open yourself up to hearing a "no" response. "Please clean up your toys" may work better than "Will you please clean up your toys?"
Do you have a funny "No...!" story about your children or suggestions on how to manage and minimize "No"? If so, please feel free to join the conversation by leaving a comment below. |
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