I Love My Hair

There is something to be said about Sesame Street videos!   We’ve been hooked on Will.i.am’s video for a few weeks now, but today we have another one we really love.   This song is a father’s tribute to his daughter - you can read all about it right here.

Playground Safety

Teach your children these simple rules of playground safety and conduct so that they can play safely and courteously at all times.

• Don’t play with or on broken toys or equipment.  If a toy breaks while you are playing with it, give it to an adult or tell an adult about it.
• Know and obey the rules of the playground.
• Play in the playground only when it is open.
• Approach other people’s pets carefully.  If they are scared of you, they may hurt you.
• Get off the seesaw only when both riders have both their feet on the ground.
• Do not destroy the equipment.  Treat it as if it were your own.
• Throw trash in the the trash cans or baskets.
• Watch out for others using the playground.
• Do not sit at the bottom of the slide.  Climb up the ladder, not the slide.
• Do not walk directly in front of or behind moving swings.

Discuss these rules with your children, and reinforce them on the playground.

Why Do We Want Girls to be Confident?

 

 

Canadian statistics say that 56% of girls 12-13 years are unhappy with their bodies and how they look; 40% of girls 9-10 have considered dieting.  Why is this important?  Positive self esteem is the best protection girls can have in today’s world.  If she believes she is special, she will speak up for and respect herself and others.

 

To develop confidence in girls:

·        Focus praise on her actions and effort, not just her physical features.  “You had a strong voice reading the story,” “You put a creative outfit together.”

·        Encourage her to praise herself and self evaluate.

·        Listen respectfully to her opinions (even when they differ from yours) and acknowledge her feelings.

·        Support her interests and talents.

·        Teach her about fitness and healthy eating; challenge ideas of the perfect body.

·        Provide sports opportunities.

·        Give girls time to complete tasks before “rescuing them.”

·        Watch television and read together; discuss how woman are shown.  “What is realistic about these girls (not realistic)?” “What do you think (or feel) the show is saying about women?”

·        Teach her to be wise about advertising.

·        Choose books that show girls as smart and capable.

·        Teach girls how to cook, as well as shovel snow and replace lightbulbs.

·        Women should be role models for girls: speak kindly about yourself and others, model healthy body image, celebrate womanhood.

 

Confident girls are not mean to others because they don’t need to hurt someone to feel good inside.  Children who bully lack empathy and have low self esteem.

 

To learn more about self esteem or bullying, please feel free to email me directly at lmcintosh(at)childreach(dot)on(dot)ca.

 

 

Written by: Lisa McIntosh, Parent Educator

Family Council

 

This is a weekly family meeting effectively involving children two years and older.  Based on democratic principles, this practice encourages open communication and positive problem solving among family members, and fosters feelings of equal worth and mutual respect.  It is also an ideal forum for planning budgets and activities and for sharing good news.

 

Some guidelines to consider:

·        Begin promptly at agreed time.

·        Rotate secretary and chairperson positions weekly, as possible

·        Share good news: affirm each others’ efforts and recognize achievements

·        Review finances: keep a family bank with funds for school activities, family outings, and allowances

·        State new business: each member has an equal voice.  If there is a problem, agree upon what happened, share feelings about the problem, brainstorm solutions, and decide which is best.  Record the plan in the minutes and put plan into action immediately.  Evaluate the plan at next meeting.

·        Close meeting.  Always end on a positive note, such as with a treat or planned outing.

 

 

 

The Family as a Team

 

As parents, we all want our children to be happy, healthy, responsible, and safe.  We also want them to like themselves and to learn independence.  We accomplish this when a family, no matter the number or structure, communicates feelings of love, equal worth, understanding, and respect, and when all members contribute in their way to family plans and activities.

 

Creating a Co-operative Environment

•         Keep your house “on limits” to children:

•         Install easy-to-reach hooks to hang things up in bathroom, bedroom and hall.

•         Put away expensive ornaments until children graduate from infant, toddler, and pre-school stages.

 

Children two years old and older can share household tasks:

•         2-year olds can help make their beds, set the table, or help care for a baby sibling.

•         3-year olds can also help dress or undress themselves, dust feed pets, or tidy their toys.

•         4-year olds can also help prepare meals, tidy their own rooms, or answer the telephone.

•         5-year olds can also prepare their own simple lunches, help with yard work, or help with shopping.

•         It is important to instruct children in their jobs, making expectations clear.

•         Do not expect perfection, but allow for some failures.  Be patient, correct tactfully, and resist temptation to re-do tasks to your own standards.

•         Teach them the importance of following through.  If they do not, follow through with their tasks:

®       Jog their memory; don’t nag.

®       Issue logical consequences; e.g. if your 4-year old does not behave appropriately at the store, as agreed, do not take him with you next time, and explain your reasons for your action.

®       Allow natural consequences; e.g. if your 3-year old knocks over a tower her playmate has just constructed, she may find that her friend will no longer play.

•         It is important to be fair and consistent at all times.

 

Above all else, have fun!