“Please don’t rush me!” Allow time for transitions

“Please don’t rush me!” Allow time for transitions.  When we are engaged in an activity, whether it’s a computer project or reading a great book, most of us need time to switch gears.  Children also need transition time.  Give time for transition by letting your child know what will come next.  “In five minutes we will have to put the toys away so we can leave for school.”  If your child is too young to understand the concept of time you can set an alarm on your phone.  Or use an old fashion egg timer. This provides as a good visual for your child by showing when it is time to transition. 

You can also create a pictorial chart which displays the sequence of the day’s activities.  For bath time, cut out a picture of a child bathing from a parenting magazine, take a digital picture of your child reading a book for story time, and a draw a picture of a bed for time to sleep.  If you create the pictorial schedule with your child, not only is it a great time management tool, but also a lesson in literacy and an activity that helps develop fine motor skills.

In addition to helping your child change his focus from one activity to another, allowing time for transition demonstrates that you respect your child’s time and value his or her play.   Remember “play,” is a child’s work and as such is an important training ground for developing lifelong skills.

Whitehouse Mom's

Whitehouse Mom's – I enjoyed presenting the Parent Workshop entitled “Things To Do With Your Child,” for your organization.  You are a very energetic and creative group of Mom’s.  I love your newsletter!  Thanks for the opportunity to share the information!  Happy Parenting!

Preparing Your Child For Success

Kangaroo Kids hosted an outstanding Parent Workshop last week by certified school psychologist Laura Marchese, entitled “Preparing Your Child For Success,” Here are a few highlights from the workshop:

1.      Attitude - Encourage a positive attitude. Listen to your child’s comments to understand how they feel about themselves.

2.      Ability – Pay attention to what your child is good at and encourage them to develop their abilities in that area.  Indentify areas where you child may be lacking, and work to build those skills as well so they can become well rounded.  Children who focus on developing abilities they have are much more likely to achieve success than those who have great talent but don’t learn how to use it.

3.      Skills – Learning good skills are what set the average student apart from the exceptional student.  It takes practice, and successful practice is what produces those skills.

4.      Habits – Children thrive on routine.  Good study habits ensure a student will be well prepared and efficient in their studies.  Time and life management habits as well as study habits are important to develop.  The sooner you start practicing good habits, the better chance you will have for lifelong success.

Reading is crucial for academic success!  Here are a few tips from the workshop on selecting the right book for your young reader.  While reading the first page of a book, count the unknown words.  If there are five or more, the book is too hard for now.  Read that book together.

The book that is just right is one that your child can read independently.  It is not too hard and it is not too easy.  It’s just right for their level.

When selecting a book take into consideration the size of the print, the length of the book, the amount of pictures, and the number of unfamiliar words.  Books should be interesting to the child and they should be able to figure out most of the words.

Thanks Bridgewater Mom's!

Thanks Bridgewater Mom's!
You were great!  Remember the ATM method of positive discipline!

Parent Workshop

Kangaroo Kids Child Care & Learning Center will host a Parent Workshop entitled, “Preparing Your Child for Success,” Tuesday November 9^th at 7pm.  Topics will include academic preparation, social/emotional and behavioral preparation, teaching etiquette, and how to create a supportive household.  Admission is a can of food for the food bank and the workshop open to all parents.  For further information call 908-231-7800 or email staff@kangarookidschildcare.com.  The workshop will be held at Kangaroo Kids Child Care & Learning Center, 1047 Route 28, Branchburg, NJ.

Discipline: An Opportunity To Teach

Discipline is an opportunity to teach.

 Start by creating a YES environment for children.  They need to climb, explore, and experiment.  Create an environment where they can be successful and meet their developmental needs. 

Here are a few examples of how you can turn a negative comment into a YES comment:

Negative message:                                         Positive Message

Don’t climb on the furniture                             Let’s go to the park to climb

Stop yelling                                                     Use your inside voice

Don’t run                                                        Use your walking feet

You can also redirect unacceptable behavior like throwing toys into acceptable behavior by having the child help you fold socks and throw them into the laundry basket.  This serves many purposes, it fulfills their need to throw, helps you get the laundry done, gives a positive message, encourages sharing family responsibility and it can be just plain fun!

“A torn jacket is soon mended. But harsh words bruise the heart of a child”     by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow