Best answers from a school and developmental psychologist, preschool teacher and mom
Pincer Grasp Pennies in a piggy bank Tweezers to move cotton balls between bowls Eye droppers to move water between bowls (or painting with colored water) Moving toothpicks between bowls or play Pick Up Sticks Golf tee games Small pieces of food for snack Original Colorforms and stickers Sand art (spread glue and then add … Continue reading Fine Motor Play Ideas with Preschoolers
School shootings continue to be a rare occurrence. Experts report that, statistically, your child is safer from violence and death at school than they are at home or in their neighborhood. It can be difficult to keep that in mind when we hear the death tolls and now see student experiences through social media … Continue reading How to Talk about School Shootings with Children by Age
The statistics on school shootings in the United States are overwhelming. There have been 17 shootings on school grounds in 2018 alone; 8 of these being intentional and during school hours . In Florida, this week’s school shooting left 17 dead and 5 in intensive care. I am not a safety expert, I’m a school … Continue reading In Addition to Thoughts and Prayers: Actions to Address School Shootings
Parenting often involves a whole lot of scheduling. It’s your own schedule, it’s their school and activities schedule, their playdates and homework or screen time. It is a lot to juggle. Get a Master Calendar – We have a desk size calendar on our dining room table and have each year since our oldest was six. … Continue reading Answers to Overscheduling
So much of parents’ frustration stems from children not listening or following directions. Like any other social skill, this is something that can be encouraged and taught. Model – When you are in conversation with your children, or when they are asking you questions, it’s helpful to really listen. This may be putting down your … Continue reading Ways to Encourage Listening and Following Directions
First a disclaimer – I didn’t use time-outs with my own children. The preschool that I work at reserves time-outs only for when all else fails. As a formal approach, they haven’t used this in at least the last two years. Not positive discipline – Time-outs are not considered positive discipline. It’s not included in … Continue reading All About Time-Outs: Reservations and Guidelines
Perspective taking is very limited in young children. Like, how two-year-olds close their eyes to hide when playing hide and seek. The thought is, ‘if they can’t see themselves, you can’t see them.’ Three-year-olds stand in front of you and don’t realize you can’t see through them. Even four years olds get confused when you … Continue reading Teaching Kids How to Take Another’s Perspective
Before they are writing There are lots of ways to encourage the skills that support writing from long before they are writing letters and words. Fine motor activities – Starting in the first year, you can give activities that practice the pincer grasp and exercize the fingers. This is picking up small food like Cheerios or … Continue reading Ways to Encourage Early Writing
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
Tips for Creating Space in a Family “I feel like I am disciplining my children way more often than my mother had to discipline me.” I hear this often. It may be that we, as families, are just together too much. Or, at least together way more than we were with our families growing up. … Continue reading Are we together too much?
Parenting by Dr. Rene 