When Kids Feel Better, They Do Better

When are you at your best?  After a good nights sleep?  After a delicious meal?  After accomplishing an important task on your “to do” list?  When someone compliments you on your hard work, effort, promptness or reliability?  After an evening with friends filled with good conversation and laughter?  Finishing a really good book?  All of these things can make us feel better.  And when we feel better we do better:  we are happier, we are more fun to be around, we get things done, we are more willing to work with and help others, and it is the same for our children.  Make sure you are providing experiences that make your child feel good about themselves.  Positive thoughts and experiences fuel better behavior. We know that when kids feel better they do better.  It makes perfect sense!

Mary Bartusek, Parent Educator

There is No Mental Picture of Don't

I want you to close your eyes and picture the statement I say, or if you are reading this alone close your eyes after you read it.

“Don’t hit your sister.”

“Don’t climb on the chair.”

“Don’t color on the wall.”

“Don’t wiggle your toes.”

What did you picture in your head?  There is no mental picture of don’t.  You picture the action and doing.  Tell children what they should be doing.

-Mary Bartusek, Parent Educator

Kids Crave Connection. They Settle for Attention.

Everyone wants to be loved and cared about.  We want people to love us for who we are and understand us.  This is a need that all humans have.  We all want to belong and feel accepted and connected.  Research on gang membership tells us that kids will join gangs for the sense of belonging and connecting that their family life is not giving.  Younger children do not have the capability to seek out gang membership or join another family so younger children learn that if they are not connected they will seek attention.  It does not matter if the attention is positive or negative.  Any attention from a parent is better than no attention at all. 

So connect with your child, don’t just settle for giving them attention.

-Mary Bartusek, Parent Educator

Let's All Tap

This is a song done in the "little room" at ECFE to start our circle time each week. I have a lot of parents say they tend to forget the tune of it so here it is. If you want to sing along and participate with the video, grab a pair of "Bang, Bang Blocks"!

 

You can sing this song over and over again, tapping different parts of your body or whatever is around you (floor, table, toy shelf).

 

Have a great week!

-Miss Britt