Having just returned from a short visit to Bahrain on the Arabian Gulf I have come to believe even more strongly in teaching our children about as many different cultures as we can. While I do not agree with some of the things that the Bahranians do as far as there children go, I also saw that most parents only want the best for their children, so in that way we are alike.
What a boring world this would be if we were all the same, from the way we dress to what we eat or even how we speak. Life is much more exciting and interesting when we can appreciate all the different dimensions of the human race. It is important to teach our chldren to appreciate these diversities and learn to understand and accept them for who they are.
Happy Parenting,
Monicka
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Respect goes both ways...
Following on from yesterday's blog on children and respect, there is another point to make and that is that babies and children brought up with respect from an early age will realize - not when they are very young but in due course as they grow older - that respect goes both ways.
We cannot expect respect and consideration unless we are also willing to extend the same to others. This isn't something that a toddler will be ready to comprehend, but gradually as he becomes less self-centered and develops the social skills of empathy and awareness of his own impact upon those around him, your child will learn this lesson from you naturally!
Happy parenting,
Cassie
We cannot expect respect and consideration unless we are also willing to extend the same to others. This isn't something that a toddler will be ready to comprehend, but gradually as he becomes less self-centered and develops the social skills of empathy and awareness of his own impact upon those around him, your child will learn this lesson from you naturally!
Happy parenting,
Cassie
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Children and Respect
Children and Respect
I was struck by a comment from a new mother who bemoaned the fact that so many people were "rude" to her small baby. She complained that her baby would be gazing at some object with interest and people would get in his line of vision and try to force his attention onto something that was of interest to THEM. I thought this an insightful perspective - after all, a baby is a human being just like an adult and deserves to be treated respectfully and politely just like the rest of us.
I also suspect that the more we earn our children's respect, the more likely we are to later on be blessed with teenagers who themselves will treat us and others with respect and consideration!
Happy parenting,
Cassie
I was struck by a comment from a new mother who bemoaned the fact that so many people were "rude" to her small baby. She complained that her baby would be gazing at some object with interest and people would get in his line of vision and try to force his attention onto something that was of interest to THEM. I thought this an insightful perspective - after all, a baby is a human being just like an adult and deserves to be treated respectfully and politely just like the rest of us.
I also suspect that the more we earn our children's respect, the more likely we are to later on be blessed with teenagers who themselves will treat us and others with respect and consideration!
Happy parenting,
Cassie
Friday, January 11, 2008
How to Teach Your Child to Concentrate
Most children naturally possess the gift of concentration but sadly it is often lost in the process of growing up. Perhaps because we continually try to get them to concentrate on things that we want them to concentrate on rather than on the things that they want to concentrate on!
Successful people in all fields have the ability to concentrate - to "get in the flow" - at will. Watch a great sportsman, artist, writer or craftsperson at work and you will soon see that this is true.
How can we help our children learn concentration as the important skill that it is, rather than something that happens only when they are engrossed in play, computer games or worse, TV? How can we teach them the value of this skill so that they can use it to their benefit in school and in later life?
This article will give you ways to communicate to your child the importance and a true appreciation of how they concentrate, and how they can use the skill at will to make their lives more enjoyable, productive and successful:
How to Teach Your Child to Concentrate
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Christmas Gifts and Kids
Merry Christmas to all our readers! We hope you are having a lovely time with your kids.
Have you noticed how sometimes the simplest gifts are the ones that bring the most pleasure?
It's not necessary to spend a fortune on your children to give them the important gifts of happiness and love.
Read the article, The Greatest Gift of All for some wonderful gift ideas that you can present to your children throughout the year!
Happy parenting,
Cassie
Have you noticed how sometimes the simplest gifts are the ones that bring the most pleasure?
It's not necessary to spend a fortune on your children to give them the important gifts of happiness and love.
Read the article, The Greatest Gift of All for some wonderful gift ideas that you can present to your children throughout the year!
Happy parenting,
Cassie
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Children and Problem Solving
I don't know about you but I loved reading Monicka's blog yesterday about helping her son with his homework.
It's often easy to solve children's' problems FOR THEM instead of helping them to learn to solve problems (and boosting their self esteem into the bargain).
An amusing way to think of this is an image that I got from a self-help business book. It was to do with how some managers tend to get busier and busier as their staff get less and less busy. The book called a problem a "monkey" and the image that really got to me was of me walking down the corridor at work and bumping into a colleague who had a big hairy monkey clinging onto his back. The colleague says to me "We've got a problem... xyz, what should we do??" and I say "Hmm, I'll have to have a think about that and get back to you." Immediately I say that, the monkey jumps onto MY back and my colleague waltzes off happily and free of monkeys!
Instead, I have learned to handle this situation better at work. Now I might say something like "That's tricky, why don't YOU have a think about some possible solutions we could consider and then come back to me to tell me about them and we can talk them over." Then I'm the one that walks off monkey free, and my colleague OWNS his problem and learns to be more self-sufficient in the process - while still getting my support and assistance.
How could you use this idea to help your KIDS learn problem solving, while still giving them the love, attention and support that all children need?
Happy parenting
Cassie
It's often easy to solve children's' problems FOR THEM instead of helping them to learn to solve problems (and boosting their self esteem into the bargain).
An amusing way to think of this is an image that I got from a self-help business book. It was to do with how some managers tend to get busier and busier as their staff get less and less busy. The book called a problem a "monkey" and the image that really got to me was of me walking down the corridor at work and bumping into a colleague who had a big hairy monkey clinging onto his back. The colleague says to me "We've got a problem... xyz, what should we do??" and I say "Hmm, I'll have to have a think about that and get back to you." Immediately I say that, the monkey jumps onto MY back and my colleague waltzes off happily and free of monkeys!
Instead, I have learned to handle this situation better at work. Now I might say something like "That's tricky, why don't YOU have a think about some possible solutions we could consider and then come back to me to tell me about them and we can talk them over." Then I'm the one that walks off monkey free, and my colleague OWNS his problem and learns to be more self-sufficient in the process - while still getting my support and assistance.
How could you use this idea to help your KIDS learn problem solving, while still giving them the love, attention and support that all children need?
Happy parenting
Cassie
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Goals and Dreams for Kids - The Importance of a Supportive Family
It's so important for kids to have a family environment that is supportive - especially when it comes to goal setting. Sometimes, those that are supposed to be our nearest and dearest are the ones that shoot our dreams down before they even have a chance to get started.
My friend told me yesterday about just such an example. When he was about 11 he wanted to be a ball boy for his favorite football team. Unfortunately when he told his Dad about the idea he immediately started telling him all the reasons it was a bad idea! Terrible idea - it'll be very boring, and imagine how horrid it will be when it rains!
It's important to try and step back when children confide in us about their dreams and goals. Might it have been possible for my friend's Dad to bite his tongue and at least find out a bit more before shooting the idea down in flames. Thinking back to how he wished his Dad had handled it, my friend said that what he really would have wanted back then as a child would have been:
1. For his Dad to show he cared by asking more about the idea and what it was about it that was getting his son excited
2. Then for his Dad to make some suggestions and ask some questions.
3. Finally, he would have liked some specific help - for his Dad to offer to talk to some friends and find out what would be involved, or some such action.
It really made me think about how carefully we should protect our children's self esteem by listening carefully and being supportive, especially when they surprise us with an idea that we might normally rubbish without even considering!
Happy parenting,
Cassie
My friend told me yesterday about just such an example. When he was about 11 he wanted to be a ball boy for his favorite football team. Unfortunately when he told his Dad about the idea he immediately started telling him all the reasons it was a bad idea! Terrible idea - it'll be very boring, and imagine how horrid it will be when it rains!
It's important to try and step back when children confide in us about their dreams and goals. Might it have been possible for my friend's Dad to bite his tongue and at least find out a bit more before shooting the idea down in flames. Thinking back to how he wished his Dad had handled it, my friend said that what he really would have wanted back then as a child would have been:
1. For his Dad to show he cared by asking more about the idea and what it was about it that was getting his son excited
2. Then for his Dad to make some suggestions and ask some questions.
3. Finally, he would have liked some specific help - for his Dad to offer to talk to some friends and find out what would be involved, or some such action.
It really made me think about how carefully we should protect our children's self esteem by listening carefully and being supportive, especially when they surprise us with an idea that we might normally rubbish without even considering!
Happy parenting,
Cassie
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Children and Listening
As we were having a nice talk over dinner with our girl Sam, I was reminded of the importance of listening well to our children. As she's 17, most people treat her now with the politeness usually extended to grown-ups, but for toddlers and younger children it amazes me how often I see them not being listened to.Fair enough, they are young and perhaps a little rude themselves, as they have not yet learned all the civility of normal conversation such as not interrupting, giving others a chance to speak, etc, but I think that the best way for them to LEARN good conversational manners is to be treated in a polite way.
When people wonder why children don't listen to them, I sometimes wonder - are they first setting a great example and listening well to the children?
For more information, you might be interested in the Children and Listening Skills Article.
Happy parenting,
Cassie
Monday, June 04, 2007
Children and Making Friends
My step daughter Sam (17) has been living with us for less than a month, and we were a little concerned about how easy it would be for her to make new friends in Buckingham. To our delight, however, she is doing great - and in fact has a shopping trip to Milton Keynes, our nearest big town, with a group of new girlfriends today!
Tomorrow she starts her new job as an assistant at the local optician's store, and I'm sure she'll soon make even more friends through work.
For helping younger children make friends, you might like to check out Monicka's article, Helping Your Child Make Friends.
Happy parenting!
Cassie
Tomorrow she starts her new job as an assistant at the local optician's store, and I'm sure she'll soon make even more friends through work.
For helping younger children make friends, you might like to check out Monicka's article, Helping Your Child Make Friends.
Happy parenting!
Cassie
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Talking about feelings
A good tip that I heard and wanted to pass on to any parents dealing with kids who are having emotional tantrums!
It's basically to remember that you can empathize and even sympathize, without "giving in" and letting your child "get his own way."
Often small children over-react to things such as "you must finish your dinner before you can have your pudding," or "please share the toy with your sister/brother," etc - and a lot of it can simply be pent-up emotions that the child needs to let out.
So if a child is sobbing and over-upset, you can try to deflect both your and his attention away from the incident at hand by getting down onto his level, and expressing your understanding of his emotions. "You seem to be feeling very upset / angry," ... you can stay close and show with your body language and your voice that you love your child, without necessarily giving in to what he is demanding.
Try to remember that it is healthy - and essential for normal psychological development - for your child to express the full range of emotions - including anger and sadness as well as happiness. And your role is to be supportive, loving, and gently guide your child into appropriate ways to express ALL his emotions!
Happy parenting,
Cassie
It's basically to remember that you can empathize and even sympathize, without "giving in" and letting your child "get his own way."
Often small children over-react to things such as "you must finish your dinner before you can have your pudding," or "please share the toy with your sister/brother," etc - and a lot of it can simply be pent-up emotions that the child needs to let out.
So if a child is sobbing and over-upset, you can try to deflect both your and his attention away from the incident at hand by getting down onto his level, and expressing your understanding of his emotions. "You seem to be feeling very upset / angry," ... you can stay close and show with your body language and your voice that you love your child, without necessarily giving in to what he is demanding.
Try to remember that it is healthy - and essential for normal psychological development - for your child to express the full range of emotions - including anger and sadness as well as happiness. And your role is to be supportive, loving, and gently guide your child into appropriate ways to express ALL his emotions!
Happy parenting,
Cassie
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Simple pleasures for you and your child
Have you ever bought an expensive toy for your child, only to see it lie unused after just a few hours of play time?
More than expensive toys, your children want you to spend time with them. And there are so many simple, cheap ways to entertain them!
Take paper airplanes for instance. All you need is a bunch of paper, perhaps some scissors and crayons, and you're guaranteed hours of fun.
Did you know that the world record for a paper plane's flight length (indoors) is 16.87 seconds? Why not challenge your kids to a tournament. 16 seconds doesn't sound like long, but if your kids have a go, they'll find it is harder than it sounds to keep a plane in the air that long!
Watch out for our tips for paper plane enthusiasts young and old, in the next issue of the KidsGoals Parent Newsletter.
Happy parenting,
Cassie
More than expensive toys, your children want you to spend time with them. And there are so many simple, cheap ways to entertain them!
Take paper airplanes for instance. All you need is a bunch of paper, perhaps some scissors and crayons, and you're guaranteed hours of fun.
Did you know that the world record for a paper plane's flight length (indoors) is 16.87 seconds? Why not challenge your kids to a tournament. 16 seconds doesn't sound like long, but if your kids have a go, they'll find it is harder than it sounds to keep a plane in the air that long!
Watch out for our tips for paper plane enthusiasts young and old, in the next issue of the KidsGoals Parent Newsletter.
Happy parenting,
Cassie
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Child self esteem and desire
There are lots of ways to build our childrens' self-esteem.
One place to start might be to help them have a goal - a strong desire for something, which you can then help them to believe in.
You can give your child the best possible schooling, teach all the important techniques of success, encourage goal setting and set a fantastic example. But that is not enough! All these good things have one vitally important pre-requisite. Before you can achieve anything, you must know what you really, really want.
A burning desire is the first, most important and essential step towards any major achievement. As a parent, you are in a unique position to influence another person's desires - your child's. By the time they reach their teens, you will have lost this influence to a significant degree, as young adults are swayed much more by their peers' opinions than their parents'.
So make the most of the early years by instilling positive, beneficial desires in your children. The desire to do well academically could shape your child's further education and career much more than her innate ability.
How can you instil desire? Telling stories is a great way. Children love stories! Be creative and tell stories where the hero or heroine has a burning desire for something, overcomes challenges and set backs, and achieves the desired outcome. Try telling stories where a child achieves academic success, which in turn results in something even more desirable. For instance, one story could tell of a child who has a burning desire to travel to the North Pole. She succeeds academically and thus wins an award, which makes her dream come true. Tailor the stories to your own child's life and experiences as much as you can.
The famous author Napoleon Hill used story-telling to instil in his almost-deaf son both a burning desire to hear, and a firm belief that his disability would actually bestow upon him a great advantage (although at the time even his father had no idea what that advantage could be). By the time this boy left college, he had against the odds acquired a hearing aid that enabled him to hear clearly for the first time in his life. More remarkably, he had justified his father's belief by securing a marketing position with the hearing aid manufacturer to bring the same benefit to millions of other deafened people.
Check out the KidsGoals article on child self esteem for more ideas!
Cyberhugs,
Cassie
One place to start might be to help them have a goal - a strong desire for something, which you can then help them to believe in.
You can give your child the best possible schooling, teach all the important techniques of success, encourage goal setting and set a fantastic example. But that is not enough! All these good things have one vitally important pre-requisite. Before you can achieve anything, you must know what you really, really want.
A burning desire is the first, most important and essential step towards any major achievement. As a parent, you are in a unique position to influence another person's desires - your child's. By the time they reach their teens, you will have lost this influence to a significant degree, as young adults are swayed much more by their peers' opinions than their parents'.
So make the most of the early years by instilling positive, beneficial desires in your children. The desire to do well academically could shape your child's further education and career much more than her innate ability.
How can you instil desire? Telling stories is a great way. Children love stories! Be creative and tell stories where the hero or heroine has a burning desire for something, overcomes challenges and set backs, and achieves the desired outcome. Try telling stories where a child achieves academic success, which in turn results in something even more desirable. For instance, one story could tell of a child who has a burning desire to travel to the North Pole. She succeeds academically and thus wins an award, which makes her dream come true. Tailor the stories to your own child's life and experiences as much as you can.
The famous author Napoleon Hill used story-telling to instil in his almost-deaf son both a burning desire to hear, and a firm belief that his disability would actually bestow upon him a great advantage (although at the time even his father had no idea what that advantage could be). By the time this boy left college, he had against the odds acquired a hearing aid that enabled him to hear clearly for the first time in his life. More remarkably, he had justified his father's belief by securing a marketing position with the hearing aid manufacturer to bring the same benefit to millions of other deafened people.
Check out the KidsGoals article on child self esteem for more ideas!
Cyberhugs,
Cassie
Saturday, May 19, 2007
A thought about tantrums
When a child has a screaming tantrum in the middle of the supermarket, it's really not nice for the parent! You probably feel embarrassed, to say the least. No wonder it often comes out in a telling-off for the child.
But it's important to consider that when a child gets into trouble for expressing his emotions in a socially-inappropriate way, this can have a far-reaching impact on his emotional health.
As parents, a key responsibility is to TEACH OUR CHILDREN TO EXPRESS ALL THEIR EMOTIONS IN A HEALTHY AND APPROPRIATE WAY. Try to never make your child feel shame or guilt for feeling any emotion. He needs, like all healthy humans, to experience anger, sadness and fear as well as positive emotions like happiness.
When dealing with a tantrum, be particularly careful to address the behavior and not the emotion. And take the time to talk to your child about emotions, and how to express them appropriately.
Happy parenting,
Cassie
But it's important to consider that when a child gets into trouble for expressing his emotions in a socially-inappropriate way, this can have a far-reaching impact on his emotional health.
As parents, a key responsibility is to TEACH OUR CHILDREN TO EXPRESS ALL THEIR EMOTIONS IN A HEALTHY AND APPROPRIATE WAY. Try to never make your child feel shame or guilt for feeling any emotion. He needs, like all healthy humans, to experience anger, sadness and fear as well as positive emotions like happiness.
When dealing with a tantrum, be particularly careful to address the behavior and not the emotion. And take the time to talk to your child about emotions, and how to express them appropriately.
Happy parenting,
Cassie
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Stability at home for Toddlers Versus "The Best School"
A friend was telling me yesterday about his brother and sister-in-law and their plans to move house in order to get into the "catchment area" of a better school. In the UK that is quite a common thing. Because most children go to State-Funded schools, and some schools have a better track record than others, parents often move house deliberately so as to be in the vicinity, or "catchment area" of a good school so that their children have a better chance of being selected to have a place at that school.
I can't help feeling that this is often done with the best of intentions but that the priorities of the parents may sometimes be wrong.
As someone who had very little security as a child, I am very interested in how security versus upheaval affects children. From what I have learned from psychology, both from my own reading and from my friend, who is training as a counsellor, the effect on children of a house move can be quite traumatic. This is especially true for very small children, aged 1-5. During this period, toddlers are exploring the world around them - everything is so big and new - and a secure base that they can feel safe in is of crucial importance.
Security and same-ness are vitally important for all children, and especially for tiny children. Maybe this is an area that we should consider in more depth and provide some educative articles on the KidsGoals website?
JMHO.
Happy parenting,
Cassie
I can't help feeling that this is often done with the best of intentions but that the priorities of the parents may sometimes be wrong.
As someone who had very little security as a child, I am very interested in how security versus upheaval affects children. From what I have learned from psychology, both from my own reading and from my friend, who is training as a counsellor, the effect on children of a house move can be quite traumatic. This is especially true for very small children, aged 1-5. During this period, toddlers are exploring the world around them - everything is so big and new - and a secure base that they can feel safe in is of crucial importance.
Security and same-ness are vitally important for all children, and especially for tiny children. Maybe this is an area that we should consider in more depth and provide some educative articles on the KidsGoals website?
JMHO.
Happy parenting,
Cassie
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Children, school and changes
Is Change Always Good Thing??
I am sure we have all heard the saying that “Change is as good as a rest or even a vacation”, but with an impending move looming on the horizon, I am wondering if a change of location is really going to be such a positive experience. For one, my daughter Savannah has been in the same school district since she was eight- years- old and being an Aspergian, any kind of change is especially difficult for her. I can remember the first time we had our dog Rocky trimmed, and she got extremely upset because he didn’t look the same as when she left that morning. She has finally accepted that Rocky will have his regular haircuts, but will she be able to accept a new school and new faces as readily?
The kids from the school that she now attends have not been the friendliest but she has developed relationships with a few of them and has always had amazing support from her teachers. I am concerned that this will all change when we move to the new place. Luckily, she will still be able to continue working with Nora, her speech language pathologist because she is willing to commute to the new school. I have also been assured that the new school is very supportive and being more of a farming community the kids hopefully will be a bit friendlier than where we are now which tends to be a bit cliquey.
I guess time will tell and Savannah has finally accepted the fact that we have to move due to her Dad’s new job; but it took quite awhile to convince her that it wasn’t going to be the end of the world. My dilemma as her Mother is that I always wanted things to be as stress free as possible for my daughter but I know that is crazy. Stress is a part of life and she has to learn to deal with it just like everyone else. All I can do is try and be as supportive as possible while she goes through this major upheaval and hope for the best. Who knows maybe she will even like it there…..here’s hoping. :- )
All the best
Monicka
I am sure we have all heard the saying that “Change is as good as a rest or even a vacation”, but with an impending move looming on the horizon, I am wondering if a change of location is really going to be such a positive experience. For one, my daughter Savannah has been in the same school district since she was eight- years- old and being an Aspergian, any kind of change is especially difficult for her. I can remember the first time we had our dog Rocky trimmed, and she got extremely upset because he didn’t look the same as when she left that morning. She has finally accepted that Rocky will have his regular haircuts, but will she be able to accept a new school and new faces as readily?
The kids from the school that she now attends have not been the friendliest but she has developed relationships with a few of them and has always had amazing support from her teachers. I am concerned that this will all change when we move to the new place. Luckily, she will still be able to continue working with Nora, her speech language pathologist because she is willing to commute to the new school. I have also been assured that the new school is very supportive and being more of a farming community the kids hopefully will be a bit friendlier than where we are now which tends to be a bit cliquey.
I guess time will tell and Savannah has finally accepted the fact that we have to move due to her Dad’s new job; but it took quite awhile to convince her that it wasn’t going to be the end of the world. My dilemma as her Mother is that I always wanted things to be as stress free as possible for my daughter but I know that is crazy. Stress is a part of life and she has to learn to deal with it just like everyone else. All I can do is try and be as supportive as possible while she goes through this major upheaval and hope for the best. Who knows maybe she will even like it there…..here’s hoping. :- )
All the best
Monicka
Saturday, May 05, 2007
I missed it! TV Turn Off Week.
At the ripe old age of 34, I have gradually got to the point where watching TV bores me to tears. I watched a 15 minutes of a comedy show last night, just to keep the rest of the family company, and remembered why I don't watch stuff on telly!
So being a big fan of no-TV, imagine my disappointment when I found out I had MISSED TV-Turnoff week.
Check out the link for all kinds of useful information and resources to encourage us and our children to watch less TV - and do better things instead!!
Cassie
Photo by Priyan Meewella
Friday, May 04, 2007
Social Interaction in the Playground, and Mobile Phones
I heard about an interesting study on the radio today that claimed that children's ability to interact socially in the playground is being damaged by them spending more time using mobile phones and other electronic equipment. They went so far as to say "our children are growing up without friends!" - which seemed an extreme view to take!
As one who met my best friend Monicka online, I can see both points of view - certainly children should be making friends at school and should be continuing to learn and develop their social skills and their ability to interact well with one another; however, electronic communication does have its place in developing and maintaining friendships in this shrinking world of ours. Without MSN, internet telephones and the web, Monicka and I could not possibly be so close that we feel 100% confident traveling all alone to each others' countries to visit!
I wish I had a link that explained this study in more detail, as I'd love to learn more. If any readers have heard the same report and know where I could find it, please leave me the link! I'd be very grateful!
Cassie
As one who met my best friend Monicka online, I can see both points of view - certainly children should be making friends at school and should be continuing to learn and develop their social skills and their ability to interact well with one another; however, electronic communication does have its place in developing and maintaining friendships in this shrinking world of ours. Without MSN, internet telephones and the web, Monicka and I could not possibly be so close that we feel 100% confident traveling all alone to each others' countries to visit!
I wish I had a link that explained this study in more detail, as I'd love to learn more. If any readers have heard the same report and know where I could find it, please leave me the link! I'd be very grateful!
Cassie
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Your Child's Goals and Dreams
Well here I am - writing my first blog in Canada at Monicka's house! Although exhausted from the trip, I wanted to share something that I thought you would enjoy.
One of the movies on the plane was "The Pursuit of Happyness" and there is a scene in the film where the Dad and his son (both called Chris) are playing basketball and little Chris says "I'm gonna go pro!" .... his Dad kinda laughs at him and puts him down, saying I was never much good at basketball and you probably won't be great either. Little Chris is so disappointed and disillusioned. Then his Dad realises what he is doing and tells his son to always pursue his dreams. "Don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't do something, son," he says, "not even me."
It's so important to support our children in all their endevors - even if they seem unrealistic, don't take their dreams away from them!
Happy Parenting,
Cassie
One of the movies on the plane was "The Pursuit of Happyness" and there is a scene in the film where the Dad and his son (both called Chris) are playing basketball and little Chris says "I'm gonna go pro!" .... his Dad kinda laughs at him and puts him down, saying I was never much good at basketball and you probably won't be great either. Little Chris is so disappointed and disillusioned. Then his Dad realises what he is doing and tells his son to always pursue his dreams. "Don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't do something, son," he says, "not even me."
It's so important to support our children in all their endevors - even if they seem unrealistic, don't take their dreams away from them!
Happy Parenting,
Cassie
Friday, April 06, 2007
What is autism?
Given the statistics that Monicka shared with you on the blog recently, it is fairly likely that your child will know someone with an autism spectrum disorder.
How can you explain something so complex to a child? They may have lots of questions if their classmate is Autistic.
To start, you can use the explanation that autism is something that some people are born with (not like an illness which you can catch) and which affects the child's brain - making it more difficult to communicate and interact with others.
Another characteristic common to many autistic children is "sensory overload" - things can look much brighter, and sounds can be much louder, to an autistic child.
Just a few simple explanations like that can help your child understand that it would be kind to go gently with their autistic classmate. To remember that the other child might not understand a frown or a smile, and so to speak clearly - in simple sentences and without complex social overtones that can be difficult to understand. At the same time, your child can realise that the autism spectrum child may also be very intelligent and be passionate about his or her interests.
And most of all, your child can learn to be kind, welcoming and tolerant to all other children, even if they are a little different - and to appreciate the diversity in their classroom!
Happy parenting,
Cassie
How can you explain something so complex to a child? They may have lots of questions if their classmate is Autistic.
To start, you can use the explanation that autism is something that some people are born with (not like an illness which you can catch) and which affects the child's brain - making it more difficult to communicate and interact with others.
Another characteristic common to many autistic children is "sensory overload" - things can look much brighter, and sounds can be much louder, to an autistic child.
Just a few simple explanations like that can help your child understand that it would be kind to go gently with their autistic classmate. To remember that the other child might not understand a frown or a smile, and so to speak clearly - in simple sentences and without complex social overtones that can be difficult to understand. At the same time, your child can realise that the autism spectrum child may also be very intelligent and be passionate about his or her interests.
And most of all, your child can learn to be kind, welcoming and tolerant to all other children, even if they are a little different - and to appreciate the diversity in their classroom!
Happy parenting,
Cassie
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Kids and Body Language
Kids can vary a lot in their ability to interpret body language - and this in turn can affect their social skills.
Children on the autism spectrum will clearly have special issues with understanding body language and some patient guidance may go a long way, particularly with Asperger Syndrome children.
Why not take the time to talk about and play with understanding body language with your children? Explain to them what different body signs mean. Show them how they can look confident by standing with their legs slightly apart and their head erect, with direct eye contact.
You can play all kinds of role-play games with your kids to teach them social skills - and have a lot of fun together at the same time!
Happy parenting,
Cassie
Children on the autism spectrum will clearly have special issues with understanding body language and some patient guidance may go a long way, particularly with Asperger Syndrome children.
Why not take the time to talk about and play with understanding body language with your children? Explain to them what different body signs mean. Show them how they can look confident by standing with their legs slightly apart and their head erect, with direct eye contact.
You can play all kinds of role-play games with your kids to teach them social skills - and have a lot of fun together at the same time!
Happy parenting,
Cassie
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