Kids' Guide to Table Manners

I think most parents have been embarrassed when invited to dinner at someone else's house and their child just won't behave the way they would like him to. Children tend to show their worst behavior when it is least convenient. Here is a great summary I found that will help keep in mind how to reinforce good manners at home. There are some that some of us adults even have to work on I'm sure.
Manners are important and learning them at home will give your child the advantage of already knowing how to behave in a new situation. We can't expect to teach our children all kinds of new things when they tend to already be overwhelmed by other people around...lots of noise...new thing to look at and so on. Teaching this at home can eliminate the stress that can come along with eating out or visiting with friends.
Have fun



By: Vanessa Greaves

A no-tears approach to taming the young barbarians at the feast.


Having good table manners is a win/win for kids and the grown-ups who love them. And when you teach children proper behavior at the dinner table, you're giving them life skills that will pay off now and in the future.



Basic Training

It's never too early or too late to learn the basics of "company manners," and just like learning any skill, practice makes perfect. Here are eight easy ways to exercise your good table manners:

Wait for the cue to sit down. Unfold your napkin, place it over your lap, but don't pick up your fork just yet.
Watch and wait. When a parent or the host picks up a fork, that's your green light to do the same.
If you're eating "family style" and sharing food from serving dishes, pass them from left to right. Take only as much as you will finish, then pass the dish to the person on your right.
Sit up straight and bring the food to your mouth instead of hunching down over your plate. You are not your dog.
Speaking of bringing food to your mouth, use your utensils unless everyone is eating finger food. Note: you can eat pizza and still use good manners.
Chew with your mouth closed; talk with your mouth empty. And if you want to lick your lips, dab them with your napkin instead.
Ask your family how their day was and share something from your own day; eating in grim silence isn't any fun and making conversation is essential to good table manners.
Are you finished? Resist the temptation to push your plate away. Place your knife and fork side by side on your plate with the handles pointing right. Straighten your napkin and leave it on the table, near the left side of your plate. Some parents might let you leave the table early, but you should ask permission first.



Know Your Way Around

Which fork do I use? Is that my bread plate? Are you drinking out of my glass? Here's how to face the most complicated place setting with confidence.

More than one fork? Start from the outside and work your way in. The smallest fork on the left side of your plate is usually for appetizers or salad. If you're having soup, you might find a large spoon on the right side of your plate. If you're having bread, your bread knife will be placed on your bread plate.
Your bread plate is above and to the left side of your dinner plate.
Your glassware is above and to the right side of your dinner plate.
Sometimes a dessert spoon or fork might be placed above your dinner plate.




Social Graces

How to behave like a civilized human being.

Say please and thank you.
Try a little of everything you're served, even if you suspect you won't like it. You might be pleasantly surprised. And if you really don't like it, just don’t say anything hurtful.
Is your family hosting a party? Ask how you can help. Maybe you can take coats or serve hors d'oeuvres.
Are you dining out? Ask your parents if you can order for yourself. (Hint: don't point at the menu when you order.)
Do you need to use the restroom? Ask your parent quietly.
Did you accidentally burp? It could happen. Say "excuse me" and hold back the giggling.
Are you going to sneeze? Turn your head completely away from the table and cover your mouth with your napkin.
Here's one even grown-ups forget: if you're a dinner guest, send a short thank-you note the next day.

via:
http://allrecipes.com/_HowTo/Detail.aspx?id=5871

The Importance of Vitamin D

Why this vitamin is so crucial for your child's good health

By Jennifer Abbasi
38: The percentage of babies and toddlers who don't get enough vitamin D

Your child needs this vitamin to help her body absorb calcium and build healthy bones. Plus, there's mounting evidence that vitamin D reduces the risk of Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and certain cancers. Kids need at least 200 international units a day — about two eight-ounce glasses of milk. Formula is fortified, but breastfed babies should get liquid supplements starting at 2 months, says Catherine Gordon, M.D., lead researcher of a new study on vitamin D at Children's Hospital Boston.

via:
http://www.parenting.com/parenting/child/article/0,19840,1666662,00.html?topic=l1365

Music and Your Child

This is a great article I found. I am not sure about your Family, but in ours music is very important. It is a much bigger part of our lives then I thought until I stopped to think about it. Songs lighten our day when we are singing in the shower, cooking together, humming a tune while doing housework or singing along as loud as we can when the music is turned up in our car!
I think music is absolutely important to a child's development. It teaches children language and rhythm. The Benefits of singing to and with your child are endless. So, sing on...



How Song and Dance Encourage Social Development
Research by the Content Manager
You're probably already enriching your child's life with music and dance.
Whether you're singing a lullaby to help him drop off to sleep, or making
him laugh by dancing to the latest Top 10 hit, music and dance bring you and
your child closer. But did you know they can also help him develop skills
that will last a lifetime?

When a child hears music, especially coming from you, it encourages him to
listen closely and repeat the sounds he hears. Such careful listening and
mimicry will certainly help him when he goes to school * where almost every
learning experience includes listening and responding appropriately.

Don't worry so much about what type of music you share with your child. Your
child doesn't have to love Mozart to reap the rewards of early music
appreciation. Simple and silly songs are just as important. The constant
repetition and rhyme in many children's songs can help your child learn
numbers, letters, words and concepts. For example, songs that lead children
in clapping, jumping and other motions can help your child associate the
words he hears with the actions he performs.

Music is often a child's introduction to the arts and creative expression.
Children who make their own music or invent their own dances learn how to
communicate ideas and emotions without words. Singing and dancing are also
great lessons in social interaction. When children sing, dance or play
music together (and with their parents) they're practicing give-and-take,
cooperation and concentration.

There are many reasons to make music an important part of your child's life,
and just as many ways to do so.

1. Sing to and with your child
2. Attend musical events together
3. Encourage your child to dance and act out the words of songs
4. Expose your child to different kinds of music * children's songs,
classical, jazz, the list is endless

But most of all, make music fun. The rest will follow.

Activities To Do With Your Infant and Toddler

All grown up and ready to go
As your toddler begins to walk and learns new words, she will want to practice all of these things over and over again. Toddlers love repetition and this is how they learn and master new things. Toddlers have lots of energy, are very curious about everything and it can be a challenge trying to keep them busy. Below are a few activities you can try with your toddler that will support his development and maybe even help burn off some of that excess energy!

Activities for you and your toddler

Encourage fine motor development. Provide your toddler with fat crayons or non-toxic, washable markers, and let him scribble on paper. This will get him interested in and give him practice drawing, coloring, and writing.

via:
http://onetoughjob.org/communication.aspx

Spend time outside. Your toddler will want to run and climb, and the outdoors is a great place for her to do this. Help her climb and play on an age appropriate playground structure. You can also engage your child outdoors by playing with a ball, or introducing her to a bicycle or riding toy that is safe and appropriate for her age and size.

Use rhythm and rhyme. A great way to stimulate your toddler's language development is with rhythmic rhymes. Sit with him on your knees facing you and recite simple rhymes. Don't worry, if you don't know any, you can make them up as you go along! You can also listen to music and hold his hands and dance.


Toys and games. At this age, there are many things your toddler can play with. She will like blocks and toys that can be stacked. She may also like push, pull, and riding toys, such as a miniature stroller or cars and trains. You can also engage her with simple puzzles. She may also like to ‘help’ you with what you are doing; for example, if you are cooking, give her some pots and pans to play with.


Read to your child. Reading to your child is one of the best gifts you can give him. Pick simple sturdy books with bright pictures and let him help turn the pages while you read the words on each page. Wordless books are also great at this age, and you can make up your own story.

The Importance of reading with your child

Stories are a very big part of our family. I used to read to my son when I was pregnant with him. Ever since he was a little baby we would all sit together and read stories. In the beginning he used to just love sitting or laying there with us looking at all the bright colours in the books, next he would start pointing at things and then start naming objekts that he was familiar with. Over time books have become a tradition and a special time. I encourage you to read a lot with your child, because they really benefit from it. I would also love to know about the books that have found a special place in your familie.
here is a very interesting article that I found on the subjekt.

By Bernice Cullinan & Brod Bagert
Helping Your Child Learn to Read (1996). Office of Educational Research and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education.
http://www.rif.org/parents/articles/ReadingWithChild.mspx

There is no more important activity for preparing your child to succeed as a reader than reading aloud together. Fill your story times with a variety of books. Be consistent, be patient and watch the magic work.

Home is Where the Heart Is
It's no secret that activities at home are an important supplement to the
classroom, but there's more to it than that. There are things that parents
can give children at home that the classrooms cannot give.

Start Young and Stay With It
At just a few months of age, an infant can look at pictures, listen to your
voice and point to objects on cardboard pages. Guide your child by
pointing to the pictures, and say the names of the various objects. By
drawing attention to pictures and associating the words with both pictures and the real-world objects, your child will learn the importance of language.
Children learn to love the sound of language before they even notice
the existence of printed words on a page. Reading books aloud to
children stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of
the world. It helps them develop language and listening skills and
prepares them to understand the written word. When the rhythm and
melody of language become a part of a child's life, learning to read will be
as natural as learning to walk and talk.

Even after children learn to read by themselves, it's still important for you to
read aloud together. By reading stories that are on their interest level, but
beyond their reading level, you can stretch young readers' understanding
and motivate them to improve their skills.

It's Part of Life
Although the life of a parent is often hectic, you should try to read with your
child at least once a day at a regularly scheduled time. But don't be
discouraged if you skip a day or don't always keep to your schedule.
Just read to your child as often as you possibly can.

If you have more than one child, try to spend some time reading alone with
each child, especially if they're more than two years apart.
However, it's also fine to read to children at different stages and ages at the
same time. Most children enjoy listening to many types of stories.
When stories are complex, children can still get the idea and can be
encouraged to ask questions. When stories are easy or familiar,
youngsters enjoy these "old friends" and may even help in the reading.

Taking the time to read with your children on a regular basis sends an
important message: reading is worthwhile.

One More Time
You may go through a period when your child favors one book and wants it
read night after night. It is not unusual for children to favor a particular
story, and this can be boring for parents. Keep in mind,
however, that a favorite story may speak to your child's interests or
emotional needs. Be patient. Continue to expose your children to a wealth
of books and eventually they will be ready for more stories.

Talking About Stories
It's often a good idea to talk about a story you are reading, but you need not
feel compelled to talk about every story. Good stories will encourage a
love for reading, with or without conversation. And sometimes children need
time to think about stories they have read. A day or so later, don't be
surprised if your child mentions something from a story
you've read together.

Remember When You Were Very Young
It will help, however, if we open our eyes to some things adult readers tend to
take for granted. It's easier to be patient when we remember how
much children do not know. Here are a few concepts we adults know so
well we forget sometimes we ever learned them.

There's a difference between words and pictures. Point to the print as you read aloud
Words on a page have meaning, and that is what we learn to read
Words go across the page from left to right. Follow with your finger as you read
Words on a page are made up of letters and are separated by a space
Each letter has at least two forms: one for capital letters and one for small letters
Imagine how you would feel if you were trying to interpret a book full of
such symbols. That's how young readers feel. But, a little patience
(maybe by turning it into a puzzle you can solve together) is certain to
build confidence.

Advertise the Joy of Reading!
Our goal is to motivate children to want to read so they will practice reading
independently and, thus, become fluent readers. That happens when
children enjoy reading. We parents can do for reading what fast food
chains do for hamburgers ... ADVERTISE! And we advertise by reading
great stories and poems to children.

We can help our children find the tools they need to succeed in life. Having
access to information through the printed word is an absolute
necessity. Knowledge is power, and books are full of it. But
reading is more than just a practical tool. Through books we can
enrich our minds; we can also relax and enjoy some precious
leisure moments. With your help, your children can begin a lifelong
relationship with the printed word, so they grow into adults who read easily
and frequently whether for business, knowledge or pleasure.

via:
http://www.colgate.com/app/HealthyHabits/US/EN_v2/ResourcesForParents/ExpertArticles/ReadingWithYourChild.cwsp

Talking Jack-o-Lantern Trick

Talking Jack-o-Lantern Trick
Here's a fun idea for a talking Jack-o-Lantern sent in by one of our visitors.

Carve a witch face on your pumpkin.
Put a walkie-talkie inside of the pumpkin and then hide out of sight, but where you can see the trick-or-treaters
When people walk by you can say, "How ya doin' my pretty?"
Then you scare them but you don't scare them away!
If you can see the trick-or-treaters, ask a specific question about their costume. It will keep them guessing to figure it out.

via:

http://www.creativekidsathome.com/activities/activity_41.shtml

Pumpkin Carving Tips

Pumpkin Carving Tips
Tips for making your own Jack-o-Lantern:

Always check how your pumpkin sits, before you start to carve. Often it will lean one direction that you may be able to work around.
Lighter-colored, softer pumpkins are easier to carve, but won't last as long.
Use an ice cream scoop to clean out the flesh (don't forget to roast the seeds!).
Pumpkins with lots of flesh can be hard to carve. Scoop out extra flesh where you want to carve details. The flesh should be less than an inch thick for easy carving.
Use a light marker to draw your lines before you start to carve. If you aren't sure about your drawing skills, look for objects you can trace that are the right size and shape (eg. A small plate could be the right curve for a smiley mouth.
Start from the center, and work out. Carve the nose before eyes, and eyes before eyebrows.
For intricate features, try using a craft knife or an exacto knife rather than paring knife.
Sprinkle your pumpkin’s lid with herbs like cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin spice for a festive scent.
If you don't want to carve this year, get some paint and brushes and let the kids paint the faces on their pumpkins.

via:
http://www.creativekidsathome.com/activities/activity_41.shtml

Fall Fingerprint Tree

This is a wonderful idea, that is fast to prepare and easy for the kids. Also a great activity for more then one child. Have fun!


By: Amanda Formaro

Difficulty: Very Easy

Age: 3 and up

Average User Rating:

12345(5/5)


Hand print and finger print crafts always make wonderful keepsakes. Here’s a fun way to celebrate the coming of Autumn while preserving your child’s size and age at the same time.


What you'll need:
• White construction paper or card stock
• Orange construction paper
• Scissors
• Acrylic or poster paint in green, brown, orange, yellow, tan and red
• White craft glue

How to make it:
1. Line work surface with newspaper and place white construction paper in the center.

2. Start by showing the child where you want to place his/her arm on the paper, you will be painting the bottom of the forearm, palm and all fingers.

3. Use brown paint to cover bottom of forearm, palm and all fingers, use a generous amount.

4. Help child carefully lay their arm and fingers down on the paper, fingers extended. Hand should go in the center of the paper to allow room for the leaves. Gently press down and roll each finger, palm and arm onto the paper. Lift arm straight up into the air.

5. Wash paint off arm and hand and dry completely.

6. Place a nickel sized amount of each color paint into a paper plate. Have child dip their finger into the paint and onto the paper creating leaves of all different colors. The fingers on the paper are the branches, so put the leaves at the end of the branches and all around them.

7. Use a paint brush to add some grass at the bottom of the tree.

8. For older kids, add a few flowers in the grass. Use a small dot of paint on their finger to create the center and flower petals. You can even add a little squirrel in the tree by dotting on a head, body and tail! Use a black marker to dot on the eye. You can also add a few “falling leaves” by dotting two or three colors falling from the branches and use a marker to add a few squiggly lines indicating motion.

9. Make a frame from the orange construction paper by gluing around the back edge of the picture.

Tips:

• This project has fun variations for Spring as well. Make all the leaves green using two or more shades, then add red dots for apples or white and pink dots for flowers. Use a construction paper color for the frame to match the season.

• It’s best to show children a finished project first so that they understand what they are trying to create. This will make it easier to envision their own picture.

• Be sure to have a bowl of water and some paper towels handy for cleaning off fingers.

via:
http://crafts.kaboose.com/fall-fingerprint-tree.html

Potato Prints

here is something that I used to do a lot when I was little. A great activity for a rainy afternoon.


Potato Prints

You'll need
Potatoes
Poster paint or tempera
Paper, cardboard, or wood
sharp knife
pencil
1. Cut potatoes in half or thirds.
2. Draw desired design onto potato with the pencil.
3. Young children can carve their whole design with the pencil but if more detail is preferred, an adult needs to cut around the pencil outline.
4. Place paint in tray or paper plate in a thin layer.
5. Press potato design into paint and firmly press
onto paper for impression.
Don't have Paint ????
Coloring with marker onto the potato works as well although
it produces a lighter effect.
Mom's Tip: Practice a couple of times to get the
feel for how much paint you want on your print.
To accomplish a textured effect try letting layers
dry and adding prints on top in different colors.
Making Stamps
You'll need
Any of these items
Rubber erasers, Cork board, Styrofoam, cardboard
Inner tube rubber, Felt squares
Sharp utility knife
ink pad
Glue gun

1. Cut the desired shape out of a rubber eraser for example:
The tip of a pencil eraser will form a circle,
Add notches to create flowers, carve letters
( don't forget to reverse for printmaking)
2. When using felt, cork or cardboard attach the stamp
to a wood block with a glue gun.
Two inch dowel pieces work well.
3.Press stamps onto ink pad and press on paper.
Mom's Tip:
Stamps will last longer if you keep a damp sponge
at work area to dab after each color.

via:
http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/artpaintnprint.htm

Is Halloween too scary for young children?

Halloween can be so much fun! It plays such a big part in the life of children.

I think it can be a fun holiday for children and adults, but it has the potential to put some very scary and permanent memories into your child's brain.
So, how do you keep it fun, yet protect your child from a situation that may keep them and you up for the next few weeks?

I think the key here is to look at every child individually. Is your child the type of person that frightens easily and is always very cautious in a new situation or do you notice that your little one is more of a little daredevil and pulling right along with all the other older kids?

In either case communication is the first step to keeping things fun. Find out how real this whole thing is to your child, because for small children there is a very thin line between imagination and reality.

If your child is already really frightened by the floating and glowing witch in the store...maybe don't put that kind of stuff right by your front door.

Some children, especially ones with older siblings don't always like to admit when they are scared. They don't want to seem like the baby in the bunch, so do watch your kids, as you know them best and if you get the feeling they are getting really uncomfortable just pull them out of the situation.

Make the whole "Halloween-Time" fun! Just like Christmas is not just one day Halloween should not only be about one spooky night. Carve some pumpkins, have your child help you make decorations and put them up together. As long as you are there through the process it will be a lot easier to catch anything that might be bugging them or even scaring them and you can redirect their attention to something more fun and silly, so that that becomes their theme for Halloween.

Here is an article by a child psychologist that gives some hints on how to keep it fun, yet protect your children.




Press Releases

SOME HALLOWEEN FUN MAY BE TOO SCARY FOR SMALL CHILDREN
Posted 10/5/2001

COLUMBUS, Ohio - For most children dressing up in scary costumes, visiting 'haunted' houses, and watching horror movies late at night are all a part of the fun, excitement and illusion of Halloween. While these activities are suitable for most older children, they can really frighten the younger ones, cautions a child psychologist.

Dr. Mary Fristad, child psychologist at OSU & Harding Behavioral Healthcare and Medicine says, "For a four-year-old, it's hard to decipher what is fantasy and what is reality. Children in your neighborhood dressed up in scary ghost or goblin costumes can be very real and very frightening for a small child."

Fristad says one way to help small children avoid becoming upset and scared during Halloween is to take them to visit costume shops so they can see that these masks are nothing to fear. "Once they see that a person is actually wearing the costume, then children tend to become less frightened and Halloween can become fun."

In addition, parents can assist their children when they are picking out costumes, says Fristad. "Picking out a costume together helps both the parent and child feel like they are a part of the process and children area able to find a costume they feel comfortable in."

Fristad also says it's best to accompany small children while they are trick or treating. "If they do become too overwhelmed with the whole experience then they are able to go home and go to bed."

Researchers and clinicians at OSU & Harding Behavioral Healthcare and Medicine serve the central Ohio community with behavioral health services for children, adolescents, adults and older adults, including treatment for depression, anxiety disorders, family and marital conflict and resolution, and crisis services.


via:
http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/mediaroom/press/article.cfm?ID=1119&i=96

Effective Discipline

Here is a great summary of what it takes to make discipline work in every ones favor. I use all of these methods myself and they work wonderful in my family!


How You Say It Is Key

All parents get tired of yelling and repeating themselves trying to teach their children the same lessons and the appropriate way to behave. When it comes to disciplining your child effectively, how you communicate – what you say and how you say it -- are key. Discipline your child with words that are instructive, not destructive, and that are caring, not callous. If your child feels that you respect him or her, your child is more likely to comply.

How to effectively discipline and guide your child…
• Be calm. Your neutral tone shows your child you are standing your ground. Your calmness is contagious and will help your child calm down. • Be confident. If you want your child to have a two-cookie or one-hour TV limit, then establish that those are the rules in your home by enforcing them consistently and with confidence.
• Focus on your child. Say his or her name when you give a directive and look directly at the child.
• Praise good behavior. Use specific praise that reiterates the good thing your child did and what it meant. “Thank you for sitting quietly and reading while I dressed your sister. It made us all happy and able to get things done. You are becoming a good reader.”
• Gentle reminders. Time these appropriately. As your child leaves the bathroom, remind him or her to hang the towel up.
• Present choices. Instead of always telling your child not to do something, give your child choices such as, "do you want to put your socks on first or your shirt?" Just make sure you only give choices that if your child chooses, you will be comfortable with.
• Don't ask, tell.Asking "Are you ready for bed?" leaves the decision up to your child and the likely answer will be "no!" Try "Time for bed!" instead.
• When…then . Tell your child when he completes an act of good behavior (puts away a toy, finishes homework, brushes teeth), then something desirable for your child will happen (you can have a cookie, watch TV, call your friend on the phone.)
• Tell your child you will count to ten and explain what needs to happen during the countdown. Kids actually like the 'beat-the-clock' challenge and the countdown also allows you to keep your cool.
• Invite input. Work out a situation together by asking your child how he or she would solve the problem. Then listen and work together to solve the issue at hand.
• Say please and thank you . This helps your child use these important terms in his or her own language, but also provides an air of civility and kindness
• Focus your message and be specific. Direct your child specifically, saying, “Dinner's almost ready. Please turn off the TV, wash your hands, and come to the table.”
• Brief is best. One or two sentences will work better than a lecture in most cases. “Put your coat on or you'll be late for school.”
• Use “I” phrases, instead of “you” phrases. Shift your criticism from the child to the child's behavior. Rather than, "You really make me sad when you do not put away your toys" try "I really like it when you put away your toys when you are finished playing."
• Don't give too many orders at once. As your child completes a task, then direct him or her to the next one to avoid overwhelming your child.

via:
http://onetoughjob.org/discipline.aspx

Pumpkinhead Pencil

Looking for something other than candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters? Make a batch of jack-o'-lantern pencil pals. CRAFT MATERIALS:
Large wooden beads (if you cannot find an orange one, you can paint a plain one) with an opening big enough to accommodate the end of a pencil)
Pencils
Fine-point permanent black marker
Tape

Time needed: Under 1 Hour
1. Use a permanent black marker to draw a jack-o'-lantern face on the bead.

2. When the ink has dried, slide the bead over the pencil's eraser.

3. If the bead's opening is slightly larger than the pencil, wrap tape around the eraser for a snug fit.

via:
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10332

Spooky Fence Decoration

Make a spooky fence decoration to hang up for Halloween.

You need:

Craft Sticks
Raffia
Foamie Halloween Shapes
Tacky Glue
White Paint and Brush
Fine Point Black Marker
Our project prepack has all materials to make a spooky fence decoration.

Instructions:

Paint sticks white. Layout four sticks vertically and glue three stick across them horizontally lining the bottom stick up with the bottom of the vertical sticks. Cut a 5" piece of raffia and glue it to the back of the sticks in a loop for hanging. Cut the rest of the raffia in irregular pieces to use as grass. Glue to the bottom horizontal stick. Glue the yellow moon behind the sticks and the rest of the foamies to the front of the sticks. Use a fine point black marker to add details.

via:
http://www.makingfriends.com/fallcrafts/fence_decoration.htm

Take a walk...

I am a big fan of hiking and walking and anything that involves being outdoors, so naturally I encourage my son to hike and walk as well. After a long summer, where we have done all our outdoor activities during the day, the days are getting shorter and the sun actually sets before his bed-time. So last night, we finished dinner and he was about to continue in his nighttime routine of a little bit of play, bath and then bed-time-cuddles,when we went ahead and surprised him with an evening walk. He had so much fun!
I encourage you to take a half hour to 45 minutes out of your evening and take the kids out walking.
There are fun things to discover like:

- different shapes throw different shadows

- trees make shadows that can look like...let your imagination run free

- one of our favorites is watching stars. Have your kids try to count them...if they are older , see if they can find constellations. You can prepare that by going online and looking at what the different constellations look like:
http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/OHSICS/planet/constell/constell.htm

- Take a flashlight with you and every time you see something a little further away
that is a little harder to recognize, go ahead and have everyone guess what it could be and then find out by shining the light on it.

Oh, the little angels...well, most the time anyway.

written by Nadine Clifton

Today I want to talk about the very precise timing that children have. Because most temper tantrums don't come along when you are sitting on the couch, relaxing with a cup of coffee and you would actually have the time and the patience to deal with a screaming child.
No, we all know that on the day when you have the most stuff to day, racing from one thing to the next, stressing out to the last of your abilities! Everything will go great, you just have one more stop and then you can go home and unwind, because your strength has really been worn out for the day. Just a few items to pick up from the store...and then you are done, and really you are done!
Just as you are almost at the end of your day, your precious little angel, that has been so great all day, decides: Hey, after this much sunshine, we are going to have a little bit of rain, mom!
There you are, in the store, a screaming child in front of you, you feel like the whole world is looking at you, whispering about your skills as a parent, and you feel your last bit of patience slipping away.
We have all been there! You feel helpless and there is this feeling starting up in the pit of your stomach...frustration! How do you deal with your child in a situation like this, without causing an even bigger scene?

Well, first of all: It doesn't matter what other people think! Ignore them!

The most important thing is to keep cool. Take a deep breath and try to think clearly. Keep your frustration under control, because you are showing your child in this situation how to deal with frustration. So, spanking or any other form of physical punishment is the wrong choice for this problem!

Don't start negotiating, yelling or worst or all giving them what they want! If one tamper tantrum works for a little on, then there will be a whole lot more and they will be worse every time!

Sometimes simply ignoring the child's tantrum can be very affective. Just go about your duties as if there wasn't a screaming little terror right next to you. I know that can be hard, but it has proven to work in many cases. One thing you want to keep in mind for younger children is to never leave them behind, while ignoring them. That will put a feeling of abandonment right on top of all the other overwhelming feelings they are already experiencing, so just stay within sight.

While ignoring their big fit, try to distract them. My son has, on several occasions, started to throw a nice fit and I just started looking for things that might capture his attention. So if I would see a fire truck or a puppy or a picture of Elmo...anything to distract them.
Try to involve them, like: "Should we buy the cereal with strawberries or the one with raisins?" Don't ask: Should we buy cereal?" The answer to that will be: NO
However, be careful not to point to something they are going to want to have immediately! Do not reward if the tantrum stops! You do not want your child to think that this type of behavior gets him rewards!

If the ignoring and the distracting doesn't work, then there is only one thing left to do: Take them out of the situation! Take them to the car, or a quiet room or corner and talk to them. By the time kids are put into a different situation, they have already calmed down a lot, and it'll be easier to talk about what happened. If they haven't calmed down, then sometimes you just have to wait for a little while, because while throwing a tantrum, there is no reasoning with a child!

Let us take a quick look at why kids throw tantrums. If you know the reason behind the big outbreak of frustration it will be easier for you to put yourself in their shoes and understand them a little better.
There are a few things that can set of a tantrum:

~exhaustion, if you kids are tired the tantrums will come much easier and without much warning

~Hunger

~seeking attention, and if your child wants attention bad enough, it doesn't matter to them what they get. Either positive or negative attention are fine with them.

~Frustration! They feel like the whole world is against them, they can't get something or someone they want, they don't know how else to express it....

To avoid such tantrums in public, keep a few things in mind:
If you have a really busy day ahead of you try to prepare your child. I like to tell my son the list of things that we have to do the next day and at the end of the list I will put something fun like: bank, post office, haircut, lunch with daddy, shopping, vet and then ice cream with mommy, or go to the playground or the park...
anything that will stick in your child's head. And then the next day my son knows what is next, because the whole evening before he will repeat the list and and the end his voice will get all high and squeaky when he tells everyone what he can do the next day.

Try not to pack your days too full. Children get tired and when your child is already grumpy and tired before you go to the store, then unless you absolutely have to go skip the store and go the next day. It is hard for a child to keep up with an adult-schedule.

Good luck and let me know if you have helpful hints to the matter.

Silly Face Sandwich

Hey, I just found this and if you don't know what to make your kids for lunch today, here is a great idea that will for sure make them smile:


Get your kids to eat their veggies with this tasty sandwich.


RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
Condiments (ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise)
Sandwich roll or bun
Ham or other cold cuts
Raw vegetables
Olives
Cherry tomatoes
Softened cream cheese
Cheese sticks
Cheese cubes
Carrots
Bell peppers
1. Spread your child's favorite condiment on the bottom half of a sandwich roll.

2. Add a slice of ham or another cold cut.

3. Fold a second slice of meat lengthwise so that it resembles a tongue and lay it across the bun with one end hanging over the edge.

4. Create a face on the bun top using sliced raw vegetables, olives, and cherry tomatoes for features and softened cream cheese for glue. (The cheese sticks best if you first blot dry the cut veggies with a paper towel.) You can even add a couple of cheese cube "teeth."

5. Use a potato peeler or grater to create long carrot curls to pile on top of the sandwich or push bell pepper slices into the bun for a spiky hairdo.

via:
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=40726

Kids Homemade Placemats

How to create a homemade placemat, that's as unique as your child!


You'll Need:
construction paper, cardstock, or poster board
one roll of contact paper or Xyron Laminate
glue Stick
photos, magazine images etc.
optional craft supplies; stickers, markers, crayons etc.

Directions
First have your children select and cut photographs
and/or magazine pictures. Attach the pictures to the
paper using a glue stick. Finish decorating the placemat
with markers, stickers and drawings.
Don't forget to write your name with bold letters.

When everything is attached and dry...cover the placemat
on both sides using the laminate paper, following the directions on the package.

These placemats also make a wonderful mother or grandmother gift!

via:
http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/art_placemat.htm

10 Ways to make your childs Day

written by Nadine Clifton

1~ Laugh at their Jokes! You probably have heard the same "Knock-Knock-Joke"
hundreds of times, but laugh and show interest like you have never heard it
before. That is a huge confidence-booster for kids.

2~ PRAISE them! Children don't only need that when they have done something
extraordinary! Praise them for little stuff and show them that you appreciate
their good behavior!

3~ Don't let your child go to bed thinking that you are mad at him/her! It is very
important for kids to go to bed knowing that everything is ok. So, even if there
is a big issue, that is making everyone upset, make sure you tell your child
before they go to sleep that you love them and that you will talk about
everything the next day, when you have had a little bit of time to think about
stuff.

4~ Involve them in daily decision's and errands. For instance, this is what we have
in the Fridge and pantry: What could we make for dinner?
On the Way to the grocery store give them three items to remember. My son
actually loves doing that and there has been a few times when we have been at the
store and I really would have forgotten one of those things, had it not been for
my son yelling: Mom, the milk! We have to get milk!
Let them pick what they are wearing that day, making them aware of the weather and
such.

5~ Scoop them up or give them a hug out of the middle of nowhere and tell them that
you love them!

6~ Spend time together. That is still the best way to bond with your child. Find out
what they would like to go do and then do that with them.

7~ Surprise them! That never has to be anything big. Is there something small that
you know they have been thinking about for a while? Did they do something really
nice? Surprise them and enjoy that big smile on their faces! We have a wooden
surprise box on our coffee-table. It is not very big, so every once in a while
I'll put a little piece of candy in there or a tiny toy or just something small
that I think my son would enjoy. he checks the box quit frequently and man is he
ever so excited when there is something in it!

8~ The cold weather is coming closer...so grab the family, make some hot chocolate
and some snacks and cuddle everyone up under a blanket. Read a good book
together, watch the fire or look at Family videos....

9~ Be silly! Oh, do Kids get a kick out of this. Play the mirror-Game, where you
imitate everything they do.
Or dress up in silly hats at the store, one of my sons favorites, and then we do
funny voices and faces. But remember, there is an end to every silliness, cause
other wise it can get a bit chaotic.

10~Get down to their Level. Try to always look at your child and bring yourself down
to their Level when you are talking to them, especially when it is about
something important. It is a lot less intimidating to them and it is much easier
for them to tell you something when they have your full attention. It lets them
know that what they have to say matters to you.

Paper Bag Puppets

Enchanted Learning Software's
Paper Bag Puppets
More Kinder Crafts
Very simple puppets made from small paper lunch bags. You can make a raccoon, dog, cat, rabbit, bunny, mouse, pig, panda, or frog.

Supplies needed: Paper bags
Scraps of construction paper
Glue
Scissors
Markers or crayons
Optional - googly eyes, pipe cleaners for whiskers


Frog:

Make bulging frog eyes by cutting two strips of green paper that are rounded on one end. Fold the straight end under (at the dotted line), and glue on an eye (made of paper or a googly eye).
Glue or tape the folded base of the eyes onto the paper bag.
Cut a long tongue out of paper. Glue in in the frog's mouth.
Frog
Glue on two short arms and two long legs, and decorate the frog with green paper patches.


Raccoon, Dog or Bear:

Fold the two square edges of a paper bag under (at the dotted lines), to form the animal's head.
You now have the shape of the animal's head.
Raccoon
Cut out ears, eyes, and a nose. Glue them to the raccoon's face.
Dog
Cut out ears, eyes, a nose, and a tongue. Glue the tongue inside the mouth. Glue the eyes, nose, and ears to the dog's face.
Brown Bear
Cut out ears, eyes, and paws. Glue them to the bear. Using a black crayon or marker, draw a nose and mouth. Cut out tiny claws and glue then to the paws.


Bunny, Panda, Pig or Polar Bear :

Fold the two square edges of a paper bag under (at the dotted lines), to form the animal's head.
You now have the shape of the animal's head.

Bunny
Cut out long, pink ears, eyes, a nose, and paws. Glue them to the bunny.
Panda
Cut out ears, eyes, a nose, and paws. Glue them to the panda.
Pig
Cut out ears, eyes, a snout, and paws. Glue them to the pig.
Polar Bear
Cut out ears, eyes, and paws. Glue them to the polar bear. Using a black crayon or marker, draw a nose and mouth. Cut out tiny claws and glue then to the paws.


Mouse or Cat:

Fold the two square edges of a paper bag under (at the dotted lines), to form the animal's pointed snout.
You now have the shape of the animal's head.
Mouse
Cut out ears, eyes, a nose, and whiskers (made of thin paper strips or pipe cleaners threaded through the paper bag). Glue them to the mouse.
Cat
Cut out ears, eyes, a nose, paws, and whiskers (made of thin paper strips or pipe cleaners threaded through the paper bag). Glue them to the cat.

via:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/puppets/paperbag/

How TV affects your child

I came across this article today and I wanted to share it with you. It really outlines all the important issues about TV. I really enjoyed that it gives helpful Alternatives to cut the TV-time down to a acceptable Limit. Enjoy and let me know what you think.



Most children plug into the world of television long before they enter school: 70% of child-care centers use TV during a typical day. In a year, the average child spends 900 hours in school and nearly 1,023 hours in front of a TV.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), kids in the United States watch about 4 hours of TV a day - even though the AAP guidelines say children older than 2 should watch no more than 1 to 2 hours a day of quality programming.

And, according to the guidelines, children under age 2 should have no "screen time" (TV, DVDs or videotapes, computers, or video games) at all. During the first 2 years, a critical time for brain development, TV can get in the way of exploring, learning, and spending time interacting and playing with parents and others, which helps young children develop the skills they need to grow cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally.

Of course, television, in moderation, can be a good thing: Preschoolers can get help learning the alphabet on public television, grade schoolers can learn about wildlife on nature shows, and parents can keep up with current events on the evening news. No doubt about it - TV can be an excellent educator and entertainer.

But despite its advantages, too much television can be detrimental:

Research has shown that children who consistently spend more than 4 hours per day watching TV are more likely to be overweight.
Kids who view violent events, such as a kidnapping or murder, are also more likely to believe that the world is scary and that something bad will happen to them.
Research also indicates that TV consistently reinforces gender-role and racial stereotypes.
Children's advocates are divided when it comes to solutions. Although many urge for more hours per week of educational programming, others assert that no TV is the best solution. And some say it's better for parents to control the use of TV and to teach children that it's for occasional entertainment, not for constant escapism.

That's why it's so important for you to monitor the content of TV programming and set viewing limits to ensure that your child doesn't spend time watching TV that should be spent on other activities, such as playing with friends, exercising, and reading.

Violence
To give you perspective on just how much violence kids see on TV, consider this: The average American child will witness 200,000 violent acts on television by age 18. TV violence sometimes begs for imitation because violence is often demonstrated and promoted as a fun and effective way to get what you want.

And as the AAP points out, many violent acts are perpetrated by the "good guys," whom children have been taught to emulate. Even though children are taught by their parents that it's not right to hit, television says it's OK to bite, hit, or kick if you're the good guy. And even the "bad guys" on TV aren't always held responsible or punished for their actions.

The images children absorb can also leave them traumatized and vulnerable. According to research, children ages 2 to 7 are particularly frightened by scary-looking things like grotesque monsters. Simply telling children that those images aren't real won't console them, because they can't yet distinguish between fantasy and reality.

Kids ages 8 to 12 are frightened by the threat of violence, natural disasters, and the victimization of children, whether those images appear on fictional shows, the news, or reality-based shows. Reasoning with children this age will help them, so it's important to provide reassuring and honest information to help ease your child's fears. However, you may want to avoid letting your child view programs that he or she may find frightening.

Risky Behaviors
TV is chock full of programs and commercials that often depict risky behaviors such as sex and substance abuse as cool, fun, and exciting. And often, there's no discussion about the consequences of drinking alcohol, doing drugs, smoking cigarettes, and having premarital sex.

For example, studies have shown that teens who watch lots of sexual content on TV are more likely to initiate intercourse or participate in other sexual activities earlier than peers who don't watch sexually explicit shows.

Alcohol ads on TV have actually increased over the last few years and more underage children are being exposed to them than ever. A recent study conducted by the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY) at Georgetown University found that the top 15 teen-oriented programs in 2003 had alcohol ads.

And although they've banned cigarette ads on television, kids and teens can still see plenty of people smoking on programs and movies airing on TV. This kind of "product placement" makes behaviors like smoking and drinking alcohol seem acceptable. In fact, kids who watch 5 or more hours of TV per day are far more likely to begin smoking cigarettes than those who watch less than the recommended 2 hours a day.

Obesity
Health experts have long linked excessive TV-watching to obesity - a significant health problem today. While watching TV, children are inactive and tend to snack. They're also bombarded with advertising messages that encourage them to eat unhealthy foods such as potato chips and empty-calorie soft drinks that often become preferred snack foods.

Too much educational TV has the same indirect effect on children's health. Even if children are watching 4 hours of quality educational television, that still means they're not exercising, reading, socializing, or spending time outside.

But studies have shown that decreasing the amount of TV children watched led to less weight gain and lower body mass index (BMI - a measurement derived from someone's weight and height).

Commercials
According to the AAP, children in the United States see 40,000 commercials each year. From the junk food and toy advertisements during Saturday morning cartoons to the appealing promos on the backs of cereal boxes, marketing messages inundate kids of all ages. And to them, everything looks ideal - like something they simply have to have. It all sounds so appealing - often, so much better than it really is.

Under the age of 8 years, most children don't understand that commercials are for selling a product. Children 6 years and under are unable to distinguish program content from commercials, especially if their favorite character is promoting the product. Even older children may need to be reminded of the purpose of advertising.

Of course, it's nearly impossible to eliminate all exposure to marketing messages. You can certainly turn off the TV or at least limit kids' watching time, but they'll still see and hear advertisements for the latest gizmos and must-haves at every turn.

But what you can do is teach your child to be a savvy consumer by talking about what he or she thinks about the products being advertised as you're watching TV together. Ask thought-provoking questions like, "What do you like about that?," "Do you think it's really as good as it looks in that ad?," and "Do you think that's a healthy choice?"

Explain, when your child asks for products he or she sees advertised, that commercials and other ads are designed to make people want things they don't necessarily need. And these ads are often meant to make us think that these products will make us happier somehow. Talking to kids about what things are like in reality can help put things into perspective.

To limit your child's exposure to TV commercials, the AAP recommends that you:

Have your kids watch public television stations (some programs are sponsored - or "brought to you" - by various companies, although the products they sell are rarely shown).
Tape programs - without the commercials.
Buy or rent children's videos or DVDs.
Understanding TV Ratings and the V-Chip
Two ways you can help monitor what your child watches are:

TV Parental Guidelines. Modeled after the movie rating system, this is an age-group rating system developed for TV programs. These ratings are listed in television guides, TV listings in your local newspaper, and on the screen in your cable program guide. They also appear in the upper left-hand corner of the screen during the first 15 seconds of TV programs. But not all channels offer the rating system. For those that do, the ratings are:

TV-Y: suitable for all children
TV-Y7: directed toward kids 7 years and older (children who are able to distinguish between make-believe and reality); may contain "mild fantasy violence or comedic violence" that may scare younger kids
TV-Y7-FV: fantasy violence may be more intense in these programs than others in the TV-Y7 rating
TVG: suitable for a general audience; not directed specifically toward children, but contains little to no violence, sexual dialogue or content, or strong language
TV-PG: parental guidance suggested; may contain an inappropriate theme for younger children and contains one or more of the following: moderate violence (V), some sexual situations (S), occasional strong language (L), and some suggestive dialogue (D)
TV-14: parents strongly cautioned - suitable for only children over the age of 14; contains one or more of the following: intense violence (V), intense sexual situations (S), strong language (L), and intensely suggestive dialogue
TV-MA: designed for adults and may be unsuitable for kids under 17; contains one or more of the following: graphic violence (V), strong sexual activity (S), and/and crude language (L)
V-chip (V is for "violence"). This technology was designed to enable you to block television programs and movies you don't want your child to see. All new TV sets that have screens of 13" or more now have internal V-chips, but set-top boxes are available for TVs made before 2000. So how exactly does the V-chip work? It allows you to program your TV to display only the appropriately-rated shows - blocking out any other, more mature shows.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires that V-chips in new TVs recognize the TV Parental Guidelines and the age-group rating system and block those programs that don't adhere to these standards.

For many, the rating system and V-chip may be valuable tools. But there is some concern that the system may be worse than no system at all. For example, research shows that preteen and teen boys are more likely to want to see a program if it's rated MA (mature audience) than if it's PG (parental guidance suggested). And parents may rely too heavily on these tools and stop monitoring what their children are watching.

Also, broadcast news, sports, and commercials aren't rated, although they often present depictions of violence and sexuality. The rating system also doesn't satisfy some family advocates who complain that they fail to give enough information about a program's content to allow parents to make informed decisions about whether a show is appropriate for their child.

So even if you've used the V-chip to program your TV or a show features the age-group ratings, it's still important to preview shows to determine whether they're appropriate for your child and turn off the TV if the content becomes inappropriate for your child.

Teaching Your Child Good TV Habits
Here are some practical ways you can make TV-viewing more productive in your home:

Limit the number of TV-watching hours:
Stock the room in which you have your TV with plenty of other non-screen entertainment (books, kids' magazines, toys, puzzles, board games, etc.) to encourage your child to do something other than watch the tube.
Keep TVs out of your child's bedroom.
Turn the TV off during meals.
Don't allow your child to watch TV while doing homework.
Treat TV as a privilege that your child needs to earn - not a right to which he or she is entitled. Tell your child that TV-viewing is allowed only after chores and homework are completed.
Try a weekday ban. Schoolwork, sports activities, and job responsibilities make it tough to find extra family time during the week. Record weekday shows or save TV time for weekends, and you'll have more family togetherness time to spend on meals, games, physical activity, and reading during the week.
Set a good example by limiting your own television viewing.
Check the TV listings and program reviews ahead of time for programs your family can watch together (i.e., developmentally appropriate and nonviolent programs that reinforce your family's values). Choose shows, says the AAP, that foster interest and learning in hobbies and education (reading, science, etc.).
Preview programs before your child watches them.
Come up with a family TV schedule that you all agree upon each week. Then, post the schedule in a visible area (i.e., on the refrigerator) somewhere around the house so that everyone knows which programs are OK to watch and when. And make sure to turn off the TV when the "scheduled" program is over, instead of channel surfing until something gets your or your child's interest.
Watch TV with your child. If you can't sit through the whole program, at least watch the first few minutes to assess the tone and appropriateness, then check in throughout the show.
Talk to your child about what he or she sees on TV and share your own beliefs and values. If something you don't approve of appears on the screen, you can turn off the TV, then use the opportunity to ask your child thought-provoking questions such as, "Do you think it was OK when those men got in that fight? What else could they have done? What would you have done?" Or, "What do you think about how those teenagers were acting at that party? Do you think what they were doing was wrong?" If certain people or characters are mistreated or discriminated against, talk about why it's important to treat everyone equal, despite their differences. You can use TV to explain confusing situations and express your feelings about difficult topics (sex, love, drugs, alcohol, smoking, work, behavior, family life). Teach your child to question and learn from what he or she views on TV.
Talk to other parents, your child's doctor, and your child's teachers about their TV-watching policies and kid-friendly programs they'd recommend.
Offer fun alternatives to television. If your child wants to watch TV, but you want him or her to turn off the tube, suggest that you and your child play a board game, start a game of hide and seek, play outside, read, work on crafts or hobbies, or listen and dance to music. The possibilities for fun without the tube are endless - so turn off the TV and enjoy the quality time you'll have to spend with your child.
Updated and reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: February 2005
Originally reviewed by: Steve Dowshen, MD

via:
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/tv_affects_child.html

Crafty Foliage Friends

Here is a fun way to spend some time together outside and then inside. Perfect Family activity! Display your works of art somewhere after you are done. That just makes them feel so proud!

Use your imagination (and some paper, glue, and a pen or pencil) to turn ordinary backyard leaves into a whimsical menagerie. CRAFT MATERIALS:
Autumn leaves from your yard
Paper
Glue
Pencils, pens, or crayons

Time needed: About 2 to 3 Hours
1. Go outside and see what kinds of animals are hiding in your leaf piles. Below are some possibilities. When you've found leaves in your yard whose shapes you like, glue them to pieces of paper and use pencil, pen or crayon to make your creatures complete. To preserve your creations, press them between two books.

2. MAPLE: These leaves have three main points and lots of smaller ones; count them as they flutter by.

3. ROSE: The rounded shape of this bush's leaves makes them look a lot like little shields.

4. BIRCH: As big and tall as this white-bark tree can get, its leaves are as small and as light as feathers.

5. GERANIUM: You might flip your wig if you find one of these wild-looking leaves in your yard.

6. BARBERRY: While this plant doesn't live underwater, its leaves resemble raindrops.
via:
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11527

Homemade changeble Carryall tins

Cool idea for a rainy afternoon for your little school kids. It encourages creativity and Uniqueness! No one else will have one just like them.


Need a handy place to stash lunch money, notes, or other small but important items? These personalized, changeable tins are just the thing. CRAFT MATERIALS:
Small, empty metal box, such as the kind Altoids mints come in
Paper
Adhesive-backed magnetic sheet
Colored pencils or markers

Time needed: Under 1 Hour
1. Trace the top of the tin onto both the paper and the magnetic sheet, then draw and color a design on the paper.

2. Cut out both shapes, remove the backing from the magnet, and stick the drawing to it.

3. Set the decorated magnet on the top of the tin, then fill the tin with all those very important things.

via:
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11491

The Controversy of Television

written by Nadine Clifton

A very difficult subject of parenting is television.
I myself have a very clear opinion on the matter.
I do not let my son watch anything that is not age appropriate and that I have not seen myself and if I am not sure how he will react to certain things then I sit down and watch the movie with him.
We have a very clear time limit in our house regarding TV. He may watch a half hour right before lunch and a half hour before dinner. The less the better.
As with most rules there are exceptions to the matter. However, if I know that we are planning to watch a movie together as a family that night then I cut his TV time during the day and let him do something else that is fun instead.
To me TV is a dangerous matter of conversation, because it is easy to fall into either extreme.
Many Parents do not let their children watch any TV! I think that the basic thought of that concept is a good one, because, as proven in many studies, Television for children can cause harmful consequences:
"Several recent [2005] studies show that the quality of the content that children watch on television matches closely with their later level of academic success. Watching less TV increases a child’s likelihood of successfully finishing university, although watching higher quality programmes with educational content can help children achieve academically."

"Between the ages of five and eleven the less television watched, the greater the probability of success at school and beyond. This finding is amplified for the middle, ‘average’ range of intelligence. Having a television in the bedroom is also likely to contribute to lower grades or even failure.
via:
http://www.abelard.org/tv/tv.htm#kids_tv_100705
Decades of studies have linked childhood hours in front of the TV with aggressive behaviour, earlier sexual activity, smoking, obesity, and poor school performance. The research has lead the American Academy of Pediatrics to suggest children watch no more than 2 hours of TV per day and that children under 2 years old watch none at all."
...
"So Robert Hancox at the University of Otago in New Zealand and colleagues studied nearly 1000 children born in Dunedin, NZ, in 1972 and 1973. The researchers gathered data from both parents and children on how many hours a day were each spent watching TV at age 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15. The team then re-evaluated participants at the age of 26.

Drop outs
Kids who watched the least TV – especially between the ages of 5 and 11 – had the highest probability of graduating from university by the age of 26, regardless of IQ or socioeconomic status. While those who watched the most TV, more than 3 hours per day, had the highest chance of dropping out of school without qualifications.

Furthermore, the effects seemed to be strongest for those who had a median IQ level, probably because the outcomes for the children at either IQ extreme are less likely to be affected by TV watching.

Two other studies, also published in the July issue of Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine found similar results. Dina Borzekowski at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and colleagues found that Northern Californian third-graders - aged about 8 - with a TV in their bedroom watched more TV and performed worse on standardised tests than classmates without a bedroom TV."

via:
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7626

So, I very well understand Parents, who have decided to cut TV out of their household.
Then there is the other extreme. In some Families the TV is constantly on. Kids ca watch it as they please, and even if no one is watching the TV is on.
I do not agree with either of those methods. For my family a in between has proven to work the best.
Now of course, as all of you, I want my son to be successful in Life. So, knowing about these studies his time in front of the TV has been cut down to minimum and instead I encourage him to play with toys, paint, play outside or help me with stuff(which is still so much fun at that age...I know that'll change). I want him to be able to use his brain and be creative. It is so very important for their development to be able to play alone and come up with stuff to do.
We don't have Cable or Satellite. We have a TV to watch DVDs on, but nothing else.
Here is why: Today's Kids shows are becoming more and more violent. Now I know there is some very good and educational stuff out there, but those things I buy on DVD and let my son watch it on his time. Have you sat through a few kids TV-shows lately? The commercials that come on rather frequently are shocking to me. They are usually not age appropriate!
My concept is about the fine line in between!
I know this is a subject that I could write on and on about, but instead I am very interested to find out how you feel on this Controversy. To your left is a poll matching this post, that I would like to include in our conversation.
Thank you.

101 Ways to praise a child

I saw this hanging in the kitchen of one of my friends. I love these 101 easy ways to show your child that you love them and that they are importent to you. Let's be honest, sometimes, in the middle of all that daily-life-craziness it is hard to find the right words all the time to let them know just how much they mean to us!
So, here you go...a word for every situation!

WOW • WAY TO GO • SUPER • YOU'RE SPECIAL • OUTSTANDING • EXCELLENT •
GREAT• GOOD • NEAT • WELL DONE • REMARKABLE • I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT • I'M PROUD OF YOU • FANTASTIC • SUPER STAR • NICE WORK • LOOKING GOOD • YOU'RE ON TOP OF IT • BEAUTIFUL • NOW YOU'RE FLYING • YOU'RE CATCHING ON • NOW YOU'VE GOT IT • YOU'RE INCREDIBLE • BRAVO • YOU'RE FANTASTIC • HURRAY FOR YOU • YOU'RE ON TARGET • YOU'RE ON YOUR WAY • HOW NICE • HOW SMART • GOOD JOB • THAT'S INCREDIBLE • HOT DOG • DYNAMITE • YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL • YOU'RE UNIQUE • NOTHING CAN STOP YOU NOW • GOOD FOR YOU • I LIKE YOU YOU'RE A WINNER • REMARKABLE JOB • BEAUTIFUL WORK • SPECTACULAR • YOU'RE SPECTACULAR • YOU'RE DARLING • YOU'RE PRECIOUS • GREAT DISCOVERY • YOU'VE DISCOVERED THE SECRET • YOU FIGURED IT OUT • FANTASTIC JOB • HIP, HIP, HURRAY • BINGO • MAGNIFICENT • MARVELOUS • TERRIFIC • YOU'RE IMPORTANT • PHENOMENAL • YOU'RE SENSATIONAL • SUPER WORK • CREATIVE JOB • SUPER JOB • FANTASTIC JOB • EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE • YOU'RE A REAL TROOPER • YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE • YOU ARE EXCITING • YOU LEARNED IT RIGHT • WHAT AN IMAGINATION •WHAT A GOOD LISTENER • YOU ARE FUN • YOU'RE GROWING UP • YOU TRIED HARD • YOU CARE • BEAUTIFUL SHARING • OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE • YOU'RE A GOOD FRIEND • I TRUST YOU • YOU'RE IMPORTANT • YOU MEAN A LOT TO ME • YOU MAKE ME HAPPY • YOU BELONG • YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND • YOU MAKE ME LAUGH • YOU BRIGHTEN MY DAY • I RESPECT YOU • YOU MEAN THE WORLD TO ME • THAT'S CORRECT • YOU'RE A JOY • YOU'RE A TREASURE • YOU'RE WONDERFUL • YOU'RE PERFECT • AWESOME • A+ JOB • YOU'RE A-OK MY BUDDY • YOU MADE MY DAY • THAT'S THE BEST • A BIG HUG • A BIG KISS • SAY I LOVE YOU!

Logical approach brings love into discipline

Key to method:
Involve children in decision-making

By Kathryn Richert
Enterprise Staff Writer

Four years ago, Principal Larry Leatherman was fed up with disciplining kids who entered his office.
He said his accusatory, in-your-face style of discipline wasn't working for him or his students.
That was until he welcomed Love and Logic ion his normally tense office at Emerald Elementary School.
When he learned about the Love and Logic style of parenting and educating, he was skeptical, but he gave it a chance out of desperation. What he learned were practical ways of disciplining he thought could work.
Essentially, the Love and Logic program provides discipline alternatives during those unpleasant times when adults have to face kids who don't want to go to bed or don;t want to pick up their toys or don't want to play nice on the playground.
Instead of yelling, which causes stress for kids and adults, Love and Logic teaches alternatives to help parents and kids feel in control of the situation, Leatherman said.
One of the philosophies behind the program, founded in 1977 by former school principal Jim Fay, is kids respond best to discipline when they're given choices.
Leatherman took the practical advice to heart.
If children are sent to his office for fighting, for example, instead of immediately going into mean principal mode, he lets them talk. he listens and responds in an empathetic voice, "Ahh, man. What a bummer."
Then he gives the responsibility back to the students, telling him it is not his problem and they need to fix it, but he's there to help.
He uses key phrases such as, "What do you think about this?" and "How can you fix this?"
He gives them choices, explaining that kids in similar situations have been expelled or been held back grade. He asks the kids what the you think about that. He gives consequences, not punishment options, which makes them feel less threatened and like they are in charge. In tun, Leatherman said, there is less of a power struggle.
When kids feel like adults are on their side, they are more likely to remedy the situation themselves, he said.
"It's not a cure-all," Leatherman said. "But,it works. I use it almost every single day."

Another philosophy of the approach is that love and empathy are the best ways to discipline so a problem can be turned into a learning experience.

Parents might say, "I love you to much to fight," Leatherman said.

Using Love and Logic, adults set firm rules, but they don't lecture or threaten, Leatherman said.

Leatherman believes in the program so much, he became a certified Love and Logic instructor. For the past three years, he's provided free classes using videotapes, discussions and other activities for parents and educators at Emerald.

Donna Schatz is another adult who was tired of yelling, so the Broomfield mother of two enrolled in Joanna Stith's six-week Love and Logic course.

Schatz said implementing the principles she learned in Stith's six-week course has been challenging, especially with a 2-year-old. But she said she's already seen the effects.

When her 2-year-old son recently ripped the nose off his sister's stuffed, rocking dog, instead of yelling and putting him in time out,Schatz said in an understanding voice, "That's not being very nice. You hurt her. I think you're going to have to help me fix it."

To Schatz's surprise, it worked. her son helped her tape the dog's nose back on without tears and without a fight.
Using the method, kids still learn there are consequences to their actions, but without the headache so many parents face when reprimanding, Stith said.

Stith, who recommends the class for parents with children ages 3 to 16, said the key is to instill lessons early to help kids' make the right choices when they are older.

"The basis of this is to build that relationship with your child," so that when your child is faced with drinking, not bedtime, he or she will make the right choice, she said.


This was send to me not too long ago out of a newspaper in the Denver, Colorado, area.
I find this concept very interesting and I must say that it is very close to my concept of Communication, Choice and Consequence.
I think the Love and Logic concept has wonderful points and I can't wait to hear what you think about it. Let's open this discussion!

Have some fun...make some pizza

This is something that not only my son enjoys doing.
My husband is actually usually the one who requests this family night.
We love pizza, however....we usually do not like the same things on our pizza. So, inspired by Elmo on his DVD "the magic cookbook" we started to make our own pizza.
It is so much fun for the kids to create their own pizza and I have to be honest: it is so much fun to be in the kitchen with my husband and son and everyone is just having a great time. Your children will love being "big helpers". So I want to encourage you to try it out. Here are some helpful hints on how to make it a fun night and also a very easy and quick Dough recipe.
Have fun and enjoy a great night with the family!

1~ the dough has to be made an hour in advance, so keep that in mind.

2~ unless your children are already a little bit older - gather and prepare all the toppings before your little helpers enter the kitchen, because it will save you some chaos and a lot of mess!

3~ try having your kids make silly faces with the toppings on the pizza

4~ while the pizza is in the oven: we made the mess together we clean it up together.

Here is the Recipe:

1 package active dry yeast 1 1/2 tsp. salt
3 1/4 cups flour, sifted 1/2 tsp. sugar
1 cup very warm water

1. Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand for 10 min.
2. Stir flour and salt in large bowl an make a well in the center.
Add yeast and sugar mixture to well and mix to create a firm dough.
3. Place dough on lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Place dough back in bowl, cover and let stand for 45 to 60 minutes or until size of dough has doubled.

I usually double the recipe and that makes three good sized pizzas. that way we all have left overs for the next day.

Fun Family Games for any Occasion

Waiting Games

by Charlotte Meryman
Try readers' favorite strategies for fending off the fidgets during unexpected delays
1 of 4
Whether you're awaiting dinner at your favorite restaurant or your turn at the doctor's office, try our readers' favorite strategies for fending off the fidgets during unexpected delays.

EATERY ACTIVITIES
Put these activities on the menu next time your family is waiting for food to arrive.

Restaurant Menu Challenge: Create a Word
As a writer, Debbie Swanson of Westford, Massachusetts, has always been fascinated by language. So in restaurants she picks an interesting item on the menu and challenges her family to see how many new words they can make from the letters in the dish's name. When her kids were younger, she chose smaller words. And, she says, "We didn't get too hung up on spelling things perfectly -- phonetically was fine." Nowadays, the game often turns into a spirited competition, with her kids vying to come up with the longest list.

Restaurant Memory Game: Guess What's Missing
The Infantis of Germantown, Maryland, keep everyone entertained at restaurants by playing a tabletop memory game. They take turns lining up a sampling of whatever's handy (jellies, sugar packets, silverware, and the like), then one player covers his eyes and the others secretly remove two or three items. The guesser then takes a look and tries to figure out what's gone missing. Younger kids get fewer items to remember, older kids get more. For an extra challenge, says mom Dawn, "there might not be anything missing. My son's a little devious that way -- anything to trick you!"

WAITING-ROOM GAMES
Prevent kids from getting antsier than necessary at the doctor or dentist with these time-passing strategies.

Doctor's Office Distraction: Paper Play Mat
With their popular pediatrician often running late, Bethany Lyons of Greene, Maine, and her son, Ashton, age 4½, do a lot of waiting in the exam room. To keep things lively, they use crayons to draw play mats on the exam table paper. "We're not totally artistic, but we can come up with some pretty good roads," says Bethany. They decorate their mini villages with barricades, stop signs, rivers, parking lots, and police stations. Ashton then goes to town, exploring the neighborhood with the toy cars he brings along.

Waiting Room Challenge: Magazine Search
As a teenager, Tia Ward of Denton, Texas, spent a lot of time waiting in doctor's offices with her younger brother, who needed weekly allergy shots. To pass the time, she invented a game she now uses with her own kids. Tia lets each child choose a magazine, then she calls out something for the players to find in their magazine's pages -- a red car, a dessert, a swimming pool. She keeps an eye out for future search items during each round and sometimes helps by offering the page number. Bonus: "They're ages 3 and 4, and it's helping them learn those double digits," says Tia.

ANYTIME GAMES
Play these games in the car, at home -- any time of the day you want to keep kids' boredom at bay.

Group Trivia Game: Team Tic-tac-toe
Inspired by a "Hollywood Squares" game she organized for a YMCA summer camp, Kristen Pollard of New Britain, Connecticut, created a family twist on tic-tac-toe in which two teams take turns challenging each other with family trivia questions. "What's Chelsea's favorite color?" for example, or "Where did Mom and Dad go on their first date?" A correct guess wins an X or an O for your team, while a wrong one gives the move to your opponents. "My kids love this game," says Kristen. "It's a great way to bond."

Backseat Boredom Buster: Fortunately, Unfortunately
On long car rides, the Nortons of Morrison, Colorado (the creative family that came up with the "ert!" game on page 116), build a tall tale that bounces back and forth between good luck and woe. "A boy went to the store," one player might begin. "Fortunately, he brought three dollars in his pocket to buy bread and milk." The second player takes over: "Unfortunately, the money was soaking wet when he got there because it was raining." The third chimes in with another positive twist, and so on, with players alternating good and bad events. "It can get very silly and fun," says mom Alissa.

Pad and Pencil Game: Paper Route
When the Nortons of Morrison, Colorado, want to pass the time, they go for a drive on a sheet of paper. One person draws a winding road scattered with obstacles such as rocks, rivers, and bridges. Players study the map, then take turns negotiating the sketched course with their eyes closed, using a colored pen or pencil to mark their route. Should a player veer off course or hit an obstacle, spectators call "Ert!" (the sound of squealing tires). The player marks an X where he erred and ends his turn, picking up where he left off in the next round. "This game can be loud, but it's lots of fun," says mom Alissa, who invented it years ago with her high school drama buddies. "The kids never want to stop playing!"

CLASSIC ACTIVITIES
Try these never-fail stand-bys for spur-of-the-moment fun.

Linking Game
The Adamses of San Antonio, Texas, "do a lot of waiting -- at the doctor, at the pharmacy, in the car on long trips," says mom Starsha. One of their favorite pastimes is a simple linking game. "We think of a subject and take turns naming things in the category, with each new word beginning with the last letter in the previous word," she says. "Sometimes we get specific: zoo animals, farm animals, girls' names or boys' names -- those were really popular when I was pregnant!" When they run out of ideas, they just change categories.

Connect the Dots
Erin Rismiller of Versailles, Ohio, likes to play dots (also called boxes, or dots and boxes) with her daughter, Megan, age 5. "It's a game that I remember playing with my grandparents and my parents," says Erin. "I draw a bunch of dots in parallel rows and columns, and we take turns connecting pairs of dots with straight lines." Each time a player completes a box, she puts her initials inside. The one with the most initialed boxes at the end wins. "All you need is something to write with and a piece of scrap paper," says Erin. "It's even easier than tic-tac-toe."

Would You Rather?
Kooky choices are the name of the game for the Sonkas of Myrtle Creek, Oregon, who take turns selecting between pairs of unusual options. "Would you rather eat a caterpillar or a slug?" someone might ask. "Would you rather bungee jump or climb to the top of the Empire State Building?" Questions usually involve things to eat, do, or wear, or places to visit, and answers can run the gamut. "I'd rather eat a caterpillar because it wouldn't be slimy," for example. Her kids love that they can be totally silly, says mom Susan. "It doesn't have to make any sense, and there are no wrong answers."


via:
http://familyfun.go.com/games/indoor-outdoor-games/feature/0807-waiting-games/0807-waiting-games.html

Using positive Reinforcement

"If a child lives with approval, he learns to live with himself."
Dorothy Law Nolte

After a long day at the office, with more work facing you at home, the last thing you might feel like doing is being positive. But it is crucial that, even during conversations aimed at correcting behavior, you keep your tone positive.

What is positive communication?

Positive communication is a tool to reinforce good behavior and eliminate bad behavior; it builds self-esteem and inspires confidence in children. And it's easy — once you get the hang of it! Children's feelings of esteem are very highly influenced by their interaction and relationship with their parents. All children need to feel loved and accepted, and you can communicate those feelings to your children by the way you speak.

Once you develop the habit of consistent positive reinforcement at home, you'll see that communicating is easier, and you will also be helping your son or daughter learn to communicate with the outside world. By the time they are in elementary school, kids need the self-esteem boost gained when positive reinforcement is in practice.

Rules of the road

Face your child and maintain eye contact.
Always allow your child to finish talking and complete his statements.
"Labeling is disabling" — label the behavior instead of the child. Incorrect: "Billy, you are a bad boy." Correct: "Billy, it is irresponsible to leave your toys all over the place."
Help your child learn to talk positively.
Try to start your statements with a reinforcer, such as, "Sara, you are a very bright girl; now, let's talk about the best way to get your homework finished." People are more responsive to positive statements, but make sure your compliments are truthful. Children, as well as adults, will see through false flattery.
Correcting behavior
In the book Meta-Emotion: How Families Communicate Emotionally, by John M. Gottman, Lynn Fainsilber Katz, and Carole Hooven, the authors discuss educator and psychologist Dr. Haim Ginott's basic plan for positive reinforcement. The four basic parts are:

1. Recognize and acknowledge the child's wish.
2. State the limit calmly and clearly.
3. Point out ways that her wish may be partially fulfilled.
4. Help the child express the resentment that arises when limits are imposed. "I know you would like to watch the TV show now, but we will tape it and you can watch it after your homework."

Rewarding vs. bribing
Reinforcers vary from child to child. You should be aware of the reinforcers that your child values, and use them. Extra TV time, phone privileges, a Saturday at the mall — most kids enjoy these things. Use rewards when you feel your child has finished a difficult task, such as making the honor roll at school, getting a B (or even a C+) on a difficult test, or not arguing with her brother for two weeks. Don't confuse rewarding with bribing! You should not offer extra treats, money, or gifts for tasks you expect your child to do on a daily basis. Instead, use reinforcers and positive communication — to encourage your child to use the same form of communication with others.

Try this at home
Here are some time-tested hints for positive communication with your child.

Be firm and consistent.

Try not to force petty, time-consuming decisions, such as "Which color toothbrush do you want?"

Give your child chores when she's young. Chores build self-discipline and a sense of responsibility, but remember that she may need many calm reminders to complete them.

Accept the fact that children need to be told things over and over. If you have to repeat a direction, say it as if it were the first time.

A short list of chores is better than a long, possibly confusing or frustating list. In general, lists (in either words or pictures) are better than simply telling your child what to do, because a list addresses two learning styles — auditory and visual — and a list lets your child be in control by checking off each task as he completes it.
Remember that some kids do not process multiple requests quickly or accurately. Get your child's attention first, and never shout from one room to the other.
Speak slowly; it will help your child absorb more of what you are saying.
If your child has a learning disability, she may be disorganized, and may have trouble relating an event in proper sequence. Keep a calm, uncritical, and non-irritable manner when explaining something to your child.
James Baldwin once said, "Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them." By being positive with your child and reinforcing the behavior you want repeated, you give her the blueprint for interacting with people outside of your home.

via: http://life.familyeducation.com/communication/behavior-modification/29734.html?page=2&detoured=1