Best answers from a school and developmental psychologist, preschool teacher and mom
An abbreviated version of the popular 8-Weeks to Positive Discipline Series is now on YouTube Intro Introduction to positive discipline Outline Week 1 1.1 Role of emotions and “I” messages 1.2 Giving children empathy week 1 outline Week 2 2.1 Positive Intent2.2 Positive Directions2.3 Descriptive v. Evaluative Praise week 2 outline Week 3 3.1 Choices, … Continue reading 8-Week Positive Discipline Series
It can be hard enough to get children to wear their jackets and keep their shoes on. Getting them to wear masks may seem like an impossible task. With mask mandates and the start of school just around the corner, here are several ways to encourage even young children to wear masks. Fit and comfort … Continue reading Ways to Encourage Even Young Children to Wear Masks
The guidelines for speaking with children about difficult topics vary by age. This is true with the coronavirus as well. With preschoolers you might narrowly focus on building healthy habits and giving reassurances about their safety. In elementary school, many children are ready for basic information and there may be a need to correct misinformation. … Continue reading How to Talk with Your Child About the Coronavirus
By fourth grade it can be helpful for a child to use a homework notebook. This is a place to jot down homework assignments, due dates and materials as needed. If your child is struggling with any of these pieces, you might ask his teacher to spot check the lists. It can also be helpful […]
Another common homework battle is over place. The goal is a well stocked, well lit space with a good table or desk and a comfortable something for reading. Well stocked means having everything your child might need for homework for the year. In elementary school this might be pencils, erasers, wide lined paper, markers, crayons, … Continue reading Homework Solution #2: Place
The most common homework concerns are related to time, space and organization. I am linking three blog posts with the aim to answer each. There isn’t a best time to do homework, just several options. The idea is to find what fits your family best for now. There are some children who just want it … Continue reading Homework Solution #1: Time
Separation anxiety is fairly common in the toddler and preschool years. It is most likely to happen in response to the start of a new school year as it is a change in caregivers, setting, peer activity and schedule all at once. Goodbye rituals can be helpful. When my girls were little we had two … Continue reading Separation Anxiety Tips (from CDS with notes for other schools)
I am firmly in the learning through play camp when it comes to preschoolers and early academics. Done in a good way, this doesn’t mean just let them play and they’ll be ready. It means thoughtfully providing academic experiences in fun, engaging and play based ways. Early Literacy Skills to Keep in Mind – Early … Continue reading Providing a Foundation for Academic Success in Preschool Friendly Ways
I am aging myself here, I was a child in the 1970s. We knocked on doors to ask friends to play, rode bikes unsupervised and stayed out until the street lights came on. Starting in Kindergarten I walked to elementary school with other kids from my street. As a tween, I earned money babysitting and … Continue reading Providing Children a Sense of Community
Empathy is the understanding of or sensitivity to others feelings and experiences. It is a developing trait across childhood and can greatly vary between children based on age, predisposition and experiences. There are several ways parents can coach the component pieces of emotion language and perspective taking. Coach Emotion Language – Children being able to … Continue reading Encouraging Children’s Empathy
Parenting by Dr. Rene 