Worlds of wonder

 

When I was a child, I remember my mother reading to me a lot. I credit my love of writing and books, as well as my over active imagination, to my mothers love of this art. It doesn't take long to open a world of wonder to a child; just open a book.

Positive Encoragement: 20 words for succes

We all need to hear these words more often.  Make children want to succeed and they will be more likely to. Encouragement is one of the keys to success. 

1. Amazing
2. Astonishing
3. Brilliant
4. Excellent
5. Extraordinary
6. Fabulous
7. Fantastic
8. Great
9. Incredible
10. Marvelous
11. Mind-blowing
12. Out-of-this-world
13. Outstanding
14. Remarkable
15. Super
16. Superb
17.Terrific
18. Tremendous
19. Unbelievable
20. Wonderful

Nutrition: the fuel to learning

 Here is a link to the ChooseMyPlate.gov interactive game Blast Off for kids to see what kinds of food are the best fuel for the body.

Blast Off 

Food is the fuel for the brain. 

Making healthy food can be fun.

ChooseMyPlate.gov

There are so many great tips for making well rounded meals.

Four Types of Parenting. Which one are you?

 Four types of parenting:


Authoritarian: This style of parenting is associated with the militaristic type of environment. Very strict and unyielding. It's your way or the highway.

 





Authoritative: This style is more about a cooperative way of parenting. The child plays an active role in their own discipline and parents show a good balance of love and discipline.

 


Permissive: These parents find it easier to give in to the child's will than cause any problems. The child is aloud to dictate what is done in the family unit.






 

Uninvolved/Neglectful: I would hope we would all agree that this is NOT a form of parenting. That is why is is not listed a lot of times when you look up "types of parenting" but I thought it was important to mention because unfortunately I have witnesses this "type" of parenting.








Life is not black and white, so take this as it is; a scale. We all want to have balance.
If you every wondered what style of parenting you most favor take the quiz below. This is not meant to be scientific but a fun way to gauge your style



Click here for a Parenting-Style Quiz

Key's to CONSISTANCY

 As teachers and parents, we have always heard "consistency is the key". It seems simple. But first, you really need to ask yourself "what does consistency mean?" and "am I the type of person who can be consistent"? 

What does consistency mean? The dictionary defines it as a "steadfast adherence to the same principles, course, form, etc."  Consistency is something that most would equate with a positive, but I have seen the dark side of consistency. Adults can consistently be late, stressed, angry and unhappy. You have to identify what the word means to you as a parent or teacher to understand what it really means.

Can I be consistent? You get out what you put in. If you want to lose weight you have to work at it. Well, if you want a well behaved child you have to work just as hard. Are you the type of person that can be consistent? Just like every child, adult's have their own personality quirks. Some of us can't even discipline ourselves enough to put down the doughnut. How can we teach children things we don't even understand or practice ourselves. So, am I saying if you are an inconsistent adult you can't teach your children discipline? NO, their are some simple ways each person can achieve harmonious consistency in their family.

• Be yourself but be consistent. Each person is different and children are smart. Some people are strict while others are laid back. A laid back person can't change to a military style disciple plan all of a sudden. The children will see right through them and more than likely the adult with lose steam and give up. Children lose respect for parents and teachers who are not genuine to themselves.

• Consequences have to be real. For example; If you tell your child that if they don't behave at school they don't get to go to the movies with the family tonight, and the child comes home with a bad report. What do you do? You have put yourself in a no win situation. Either you cancel movie night and the whole family is punished or you go to the movies and the child learns nothing and you lose authority. Punishment should fit the crime and cause the child to learn in the process. In life, there are consequences when we don't follow the rules. We have to instill REASONABLE cause and effect relationships. If you can't uphold a rule don't make it. 

• Know what behaviors you find unacceptable. Do you remember before you had kids and you would see someone's kid in the store yelling and screaming at whatever parental unit had the bad luck to have spawned such a monster and you said to your self "when I have kids...". Well, now you are that parent and that child writhing on the floor and screaming is your spawn. You have to have a plan for what behavior you will allow and what you won't. My husband was raised in house where you didn't speak unless you were spoken to by an adult. I believe in including children in discussions, of an appropriate nature, and using it as a learning experience. We compromised. When the child wants to speak they have to raise their hand and the adult will decide weather or not the child can participate in the conversation.
 

• Chose your battles. I find that adults will antagonize a student/child in order to flex their "power" muscles for the adults own ego. This becomes a power struggle and you end up loosing any authority you thought you had. This may be hard for some people to admit, but it is true at one time or another for most of us. You ever remember hearing "because I said so" come from your parents mouth? By putting the child on the defensive, you are causing yourself and the child unneeded stress. Think to yourself, "how would I react to being treated the way I am treating my child. By putting yourself in their shoes you see things a lot clearer. Everything does not have to be a power struggle. Sometimes purposeful choices and reverse psychology can make a situation go the way you want without a battle.

Raising children is the most awesome responsibility that anyone can have. Children are amazing and they should be molded into the people we want them to be. Everyday will present itself with new and difficult situations; be strong and don't give up.