Reading to Your Little Ones: Some Helpful Tips for Parents
Helping Your Child in Decision Making
Candy, TV Shows, Toys and even what to wear, there are a lot of things a child CAN make choices on. Oftentimes, we do the choosing for our children and sometimes we just give in to what they want the first time… not always the best option.
Kids will not be able to do well in decision making unless we help them to begin thinking for themselves with small decisions from an early age.
Children who are well-verse in aspects of decision-making early on, grow up to become smart and responsible adults with an increased sense of cause and effect. Since they know how to properly choose for themselves and stick to their decision, they are able to think more critically in all of life’s decisions.
Though kids will only have to decide on things such as; toys, games and food, it all starts small. Below are some ways on how you can help them in decision making:
- Reduce their options for them. You may not decide for them but you can make it easier at the start. Help them decide better by limiting their options to where they can comfortably choose. Sometimes, too many options will only confuse them, adding a sense of pressure.
- Let them make decision even if you think they will choose incorrectly. What your kids need to learn is to know that they can make mistakes sometimes. There is no perfect circumstance thus they do not need to be perfect all the time. The mistakes they do sometimes make can help them become stronger and more self-reliant as they mature.
- Be an example for them. Kids will always try to follow what adults do. Live the kind of life that you want your kids to have. If you want them to be wise in making decisions, set an example for them.
- Help them get a clear picture. Children do not have enough experience to identify which is a good decision or situation and which is not. Help them decide better by creating a clear picture for them of what will happen if they choose this and that. This will help to further teach your children the concept of cause and effect.
- Support their decision. Show kindness and support to your children and they will feel more confident. If they choose a decision, support their decision, even if it isn’t exactly what you would have chosen for them. Let them know that you are there always no matter what.
- Let them know that you trust them. Give your kids the assurance that you trust them in making a good decision. This will encourage them to not only feel confident in their decisions, but also to make the right decisions.
Benefits of Gardening for Children
Minnieland Academy is committed to supporting health and nutrition by planning physical activities both indoors and outdoors, serving nutritious foods and implementing gardening and cooking experiences. Studies indicate that children who grow their own food are likely to eat more fruits and vegetables.
In the spring we prepare our gardens for planting and by mid-summer they are brimming with bounty for our children to harvest and enjoy. These range greatly in diversity with some schools opting to plant in garden boxes while others cultivate garden plots or collect recyclable materials to try their hand at container gardening.
Throughout our Minnieland programs you will see a variety of gardening such as herbs growing in window sills, flower beds planted to attract butterflies, and salsa or pizza-themed produce growing in vegetable patches. Sunflowers are also a favorite in many of our gardens.
Getting Your Child Interested In Reading
Sharing Parenting Duties Successfully
Sometimes you have to share parenting your child with others such as spouses, grandmothers, and child care teachers.
The key to success is communication and trust. Listen with respect to the child rearing styles of your child’s other caregiver and talk openly about yours. Come up with a plan that accommodates both styles, try it out, and meet again.
Sometimes you may have to adapt your plan a few times before all are comfortable. The important thing is for your child to learn to build trusting and positive relationships with others.
-Dr. Rosemary Burton
Vice President of Education,
Minnieland Academy – Virginia Childcare
Help Teaching Your Child The Alphabet
Same Family – Different Personalities Among Children
Your Child’s Need For Independence
Three-year-old’s develop a special and healthy need for independence. They like to say, “I can do it myself.”
You may think they obviously can’t but it is good for them to try. When they want to put their shoes or their shirt or their coat on themselves, let them start. Let them struggle for a moment and when you see the frustration start to build, give them a tiny bit of help and then let them continue on their own.
Make sure they get to do the last part all by themselves. This will give them great confidence!
–Dr. Rosemary Burton
Vice President of Education,
Minnieland Academy – Virginia Childcare
A Rainy Day Game For Your Child
