Build a broad base of knowledge – When the teacher talks about a new topic in class, it’s helpful if your child has a fund of related knowledge. There are several ways to build this. Focus on building your child’s vocabulary – A child’s vocabulary scores are often reflective of their overall cognitive scores. A … Continue reading Ways to Encourage Confidence in the Classroom from Home
A foundation piece of self-esteem is a child’s growing sense of skills and abilities. Are they being challenged? Are they learning new things? An easy way to build this in is giving challenges in play. If they are building with blocks, challenge them to build it taller. If they are climbing, challenge them to do … Continue reading Giving Challenges Builds Self Esteem
This post is for parents whose children lack an assertive voice. When Alicen was a toddler, if someone took a toy or did something she didn’t like, she would just stand there or cry. When she was a preschooler, she would sadly walk away or come bury her face against my leg. She didn’t have an … Continue reading Helping Kids Speak Up for Themselves
Whether your four-year-old is working on a hard puzzle, or your fourth grader is struggling through math homework, when they ask for your help, start by asking them how they would like to be helped. If you swoop in and give them your brand of helping, you may be doing too much, which discourages independent … Continue reading Ask Them How They Want to Be Helped
Dear Dr. Rene, My, just turned three years old, son knows his alphabet, colors, shapes and dinosaurs. He is beginning to spell and can manage 48 piece puzzles by himself. He is very interested in learning and listens intently and soaks information up like a sponge when interested. My concerns are when he has to … Continue reading Nurturing Independence
Parenting by Dr. Rene 