Can you trace the roots of your morals, values and beliefs to any specific figures or role models that were in your life as a child? Children develop these and other traits based largely on those of their parents and other authority figures when they are young. Children spend a good portion of their days in school with classmates and teachers, where they will glean information to form the belief systems and social behaviors they will have as an adult. Continue reading
If you’re a new parent, it might be shocking to learn that your child has bitten another child, or has begun to bite you. Despite your initial concern, you should understand that biting is a very common behavior in young children. By the time they are in preschool, most children have bitten someone at least once, as well as been on the receiving end of an unfriendly nip. This behavior diminishes as children get older, but in their younger years, it is typical in situations where children are in larger groups together, such as daycare centers or playgroups. Continue reading
Still fresh on the heels of another New Year’s celebration, many of us have resolved to lose weight, swear less and save more. Although researchers have found that 75 percent of New Year’s resolutions fail, there is plenty to be said for the desire to reinvent/improve oneself in 2012. Children may not have developed enough bad habits to warrant an annual resolution, but they can begin learning how to set realistic, attainable goals early on to avoid inevitable disappointments as they get older. Continue reading
Sure, the holidays are over and parents aren’t being bombarded with wish lists at every turn, but children’s desire for toys and other gadgets is a year-long reality. In American society in particular, the notion of instant gratification is so pervasive that today’s newest generation has learned to expect rewards rather than working for them. Whether you indulge your child out of guilt or just because you can, you’re likely doing them more harm than good, so read on to learn how to tame the entitled child. Continue reading
Remember that infamous article by Chinese mother Amy Chua in The Wall Street Journal? This line mentioned from a study of Western American and Chinese mothers may refresh your memory – “[the] vast majority of the Chinese mothers said that they believe their children can be ‘the best’ students, that ‘academic achievement reflects successful parenting,’ and that if children did not excel at school then there was ‘a problem’ and parents ‘were not doing their job’.” This article received almost universal pans, and sparked endless debate over innumerable issues, one of the main ones being balance. Continue reading
There are just a few more days left in the year, and New Year’s resolutions are likely on your mind. If you have young children, you might be making resolutions to become better parents in one way or another. If you’ve been too busy and stressed to help teach your child some valuable, practical life skills, 2012 may be the perfect year to start. Continue reading
The holidays are the perfect time to introduce your child to the wonderful world of arts and crafts. Not only is it a great way to keep your child occupied during their time off from school, it’s an excellent opportunity to spend time with your child while teaching him or her some useful life skills. Continue reading
While most of us know our fair share of Scrooges, the holidays are generally a bright spot in the year for the majority of Americans. It’s easy to enjoy the end result of gift-giving, cooking and decorating, but when you’re the sole party responsible for making the season’s festivities memorable, it can quickly turn from merry to maddening. Ease your stress by enlisting the help of your child, and you will quickly find that four hands are far better than two. Continue reading
The minute Halloween ended, retailers across the country were in a frenzied rush to display this year’s holiday décor. The fall season is in full swing, and it’s the best time of year for festive arts and crafts. Crafts help us adults relax and get back in touch with our inner creative child, and they’re the perfect activity to do with your child. The next time you’re planning what to do with you and your child’s shared down time, consider taking a trip to your local hobby shop to make some fun cold weather crafts. Here are some ideas from around the Internet (click the links for directions): Continue reading
Every parent dreads it, and most will encounter it at some point in their child’s adolescent life. Getting “the phone call” from your child’s school about anything from misbehavior to poor academic performance is almost inevitable, but there are plenty of ways to deal with the news without making a bad situation worse. Continue reading
Dr. Vicki Folds, Ed.D. is vice president of education & professional development for Children of America in Delray Beach, FL She is one of the nation's leading child development experts with 35 years of hands-on and research and experience and several published childcare books including "Tray Tasking" and "Three Step Tray Tasking." Dr. Folds is currently on the National Association for the Education of Young Children's (NAEYC) Consulting Editors Panel and reviews articles for its Young Children Journal as well as future books for publication.
