Talking to Your Kids

Yesterday I was on the phone with my dearest friend Monicka, and as we were chatting away she was also telling her 10-year-old to get ready for bed.

I said to her, "I love listening to you talk to your kids!"

"Why's that?"

"Well you are always so polite, patient and kind with them, unlike some parents who if they have to tell a child to brush their teeth twice might sound a bit annoyed or rude the second time, you always ask them nicely. It's no wonder they are so kind, thoughtful and polite back!"

The thing is, Monicka talks like that to her kids all the time without thinking about it. So my challenge for all you wonderful parents today is to catch YOURSELF doing something good, and give yourself a big pat on the back. How often do you spend nice time with your child, speak to them nicely, do something with them, help them with a problem? Take this opportunity to appreciate yourself for all the things you do RIGHT every day as a parent - our children are the future, and you as a parent are the most important person in the world for nurturing your children!

Happy parenting,

Cassie

Talking to your kids

Today I got my free DV, "Chatter Matters" produced by the children's charity I Can.

One of the tips on the DVD is "Talk in sentences one word longer than your child." For instance, if your three year old can string together three or four word sentences ("Tommy go to park") you can help develop his vocabulary and communication skills by talking back to him and introducing an extra word or two into the sentence, "Going to the park to play," etc.

Taking the time to talk with your children, and of course also to really listen to them, is a priceless expression of love.

Happy parenting,

Cassie

Talk to Your Kids, "Chatter Matters"!

Another shocking story in the paper today! Research by children's communication charity "I CAN" found that:

• Half of children were entering primary school unable to speak properly
• 350,000 5-year-olds per year are unable to string a sentence together
• On average, parents spend more time watching TV than talking with their children

The charity has a family pack to give away to help encourage communication at home. It's available free of charge to families in the UK and includes a DVD and posters. There is a nominal postage charge of just 49pence.

Please visit them and claim your free DVD pack!

http://www.bteducation.org/resources/view.ikml?id=191

cyberhugs,

Cassie