We send our kids to school so they can become equipped with the knowledge and skills they’ll need in order to succeed later in life. They go to school to learn important academic concepts and skills that will better prepare them for adult life. It is also in school that children develop emotional and social skills as they interact with their peers and teachers. While a lot of the life lessons that kids learn are acquired at school, there are also other crucial skills that many schools around the globe do not teach. One of the key concepts often missing across too many schools is that of financial literacy. 

Teaching financial literacy to kids is something that needs to take place at home. As parents, it’s vital that we take an active role in teaching our children how to be responsible when it comes to handling money and making informed money management decisions. Learning these things early on can be beneficial to your child as he or she approaches adulthood. As children and adolescents learn these vital life skills, they will become better equipped to live independently and make sound financial decisions. 

So, how can we teach our children to be financially responsible? Here’s a helpful guide on teaching financial literacy skills to kids!

Start them young

One of the ways we can equip our kids with the foundation they need for solid financial literacy skills is by starting them young. Whenever possible, squeeze the importance of saving money into your conversations at home. Many parents make the mistake of avoiding the topic of money because they may not feel comfortable discussing it with their kids. However, remember your child will never be able to understand the concept of money management unless the topic is broached at home. 

So which aspects of money are important for us as parents to discuss with our children? As the saying goes, it’s important for our kids to understand that “money doesn’t grow on trees”. Adults work hard to earn money. In the future, if kids want to buy items they desire, they need to work to earn their own money and acquire the things they like. This is how kids begin to learn that money needs to be valued and not wasted or spent frivolously.

Teach them how to save

Now that your little one is starting to understand where the money comes from, the next step is teaching our kids about the importance of saving. Start by providing your child with a jar. A piggy bank is usually the most common option, but a clear jar is actually more effective. Using a clear jar will allow your children the visual opportunity to see how their money collects and grows over time. Seeing those dollars add up and grow helps to keep them motivated to save even more. 

Set a good example

A lot of things young kids learn come from what they observe at home. This applies to the concept of financial literacy as well. In addition to the importance of talking about the value of saving money, it’s equally important that parents set a positive example for children to follow. Kids observe everything we say and do. They follow our actions. If we want our kids to develop wise money habits early on, we need to lead by example. 

For example, Instead of using a credit card for all of your purchases and when you dine out, try to use cash instead whenever possible. Your kids will notice. When possible, try to avoid allowing your children to witness you and your spouse arguing about money. When you exhibit healthy behaviors around money, your kids are more likely to carry these habits with them as they get older and become more independent.

Show kids how much things cost

Understanding that things that cost money isn’t a concept that comes naturally to young kids. In order to further help your kids understand the value of money, it’s a good idea for them to see exactly how much some things cost. For example, if your child wants to buy a toy that costs $10, have him or her grab $10 out of his or her money jar and go buy that toy together. This may seem like a simple act, but it’s an excellent way to instill in our children the impact of buying things with money when the funds come from their own pocket. 

There’s no better time than now  to teach your child about money. Follow these tips for teaching financial literacy for kids so you can help equip your children with vital money lessons they’ll incorporate into adulthood. 

For more parenting tips, or if you’re looking for the best preschool for your little one, please visit Children Central. 

 

Back-to-school time can be both exciting and daunting for many parents and kids. While some children look forward to reuniting with their friends and making new ones, learning new things, and engaging in fun activities, others may not be as excited. Some may even feel nervous – especially those who are attending school for the first time. Besides enjoying less playtime than during summer,, kids also need to adjust to a new routine as the school year begins. Children must learn important skills so that they can get themselves organized, spend time on schoolwork, and they must also be separating from their  parents for the first time. If you and your little one are experiencing any trepidation about the beginning of the school year, take comfort in knowing that these feelings are normal and you aren’t alone. Returning to school can be fun and enjoyable. Here are a few pieces of advice to help ease the transition into a new school year:

Make reading a habit

Reading is one of the most critical foundations for all learning. Reading is what helps your child build crucial skills in literacy, communication and even helps them develop social skills needed for future school success. This is why it’s imperative to encourage and create good reading habits at an early age. 

Even before school begins, encourage your child to allocate time for reading. Read bedtime stories together, or spend lazy afternoons enjoying interesting and fun reading materials. Surround kids with books at home, or take them to the library or bookstore so they can choose their own reading materials that pique their interest. 

Adjust the bedtime routine before the first day of school

Young kids tend to love summer vacation because they may not need to stick to an early bedtime, or you may allow your child to enjoy longer hours of playtime and screen time. Be sure to avoid problems with the transition by adjusting your child’s night time routine before school starts. 

Help children get back into their school year sleep routine at least one to two weeks before the back-to-school season. Limit your child’s screen time at night, and be sure to remove electronic devices at least an hour before bedtime. Also, set a specific time for when your child needs to get up in the morning. This will help make school mornings easier and less stressful for both you and your child. 

Involve your child in shopping for school supplies

Children tend to be more excited about school when they have new stuff. One piece of back-to-school advice  is to involve your little one when shopping for school supplies. Give children the opportunity to pick out the items they’d like to use for school. Let kids choose the color of their notebooks or lunchbox, for instance. This will help them feel more excited about school, thereby hopefully alleviating some of their anxiety.

Limit screen time

While electronic devices such as laptops and smartphones can be extremely useful tools for learning and education, excessive exposure to screens can be detrimental for your child. Overuse of electronics can also distract children from their academic responsibilities.Be sure to keep an eye on your child’s screen usage. Monitor how much time children are spending on their devices. More importantly, make sure your child prioritizes homework before being allowed to watch TV or play video games. 

Create a quiet study area

Young kids need a conducive space for studying and doing school work. They need a quiet spot that is free of distractions so they can focus. Find a space in your home that can be used as a study area. It doesn’t have to be a huge space, but make sure it’s conducive to learning. Make sure children are provided with the things they need to complete assignments and study. Surround the area with books, learning materials and other items needed for school work. 

Create a rewards system

Who doesn’t love getting rewards and surprises? You can give your little one something to look forward to by creating a rewards system. For example, if children are able to finish their school projects by the end of the week, or if they earn sufficient grades on their quizzes, then a prize awaits them. The prizes, however, don’t have to be something tangible like a toy. It can be a treat from their favorite ice cream parlor, or an hour extension of playtime on a Friday night! The more variety, the more exciting!

Back-to-school time can be a challenging transition for kids and parents alike. Follow these back-to-school advice to make the start of your child’s school year a smooth and exciting journey for you and your child! 

For more resources and tips on parenting, or if you’re looking for the best preschool for your little one, please visit Children Central.

 

Over the years, many things in our lives have changed and have also been improved by digitalization, including the way we communicate. As a result, we’ve become increasingly dependent on technology when it comes to written communication, as we tend to use  keyboard and digital platforms to communicate these days. Even though we may communicate via technology more frequently,  the importance of handwriting remains. 

As parents, it’s important to encourage our kids to continue building their handwriting skills and not turn their backs on good old pen and paper. For one, practicing handwriting helps children build their fine motor skills. As kids learn to write letters and words that string together sentences and paragraphs, they also learn to read. When children hone their handwriting skills, it can help to improve their visual-motor skills as well. 

It isn’t always easy when young kids start their handwriting journey, but there are things that parents like you can do to help boost your child’s skills. Here are some tips you might find handy. 

Let your child start with scribbles

Before your little one even learns how to form letters, an excellent way to introduce him or her into the world of handwriting is to begin with scribbles. Simply give your child a pencil (or any other writing utensil) and paper.  Let little ones create simple drawings,  shapes, of irregular forms. It doesn’t matter whether or not their drawings make sense. The goal here is for your child’s brain and muscles to begin working together as they start to build the foundation for legible writing. 

Make practicing fun and exciting

Practicing handwriting skills may not seem as exciting for some kids as it is for others. But who says it has to be boring? By using colorful and fun materials, your child will be more inclined to sit down and start scribbling.

Instead of a pencil, try giving your little one different colored pens or crayons? And rather than simply focusing on practicing letters and words, inject a little fun by using simple word games as a way to give their writing practice more purpose.

Practice tracing

Another trick you can try to help build your child’s handwriting skills is to let them practice tracing before writing letters on their own. There are several tracing workbooks designed for young kids who are learning to write letters. You can purchase these activity books, or better yet, use other materials to make it more fun. 

If you have a chalkboard at home, you can have your child  multicolored chalk to further engage him or her in the activity. Or consider using a sandbox and let little ones trace shapes and letters in the sand! After all, learning is best when children can have fun at the same time!

Encourage your child to draw specific shapes and forms

One of the challenges that young children face when learning to write is controlling their hands and fingers. Holding the pencil correctly isn’t something that comes naturally to anyone at first. It’s something that requires practice. Because we want our kids to spend more time practicing manipulating objects with their hands, encourage your child to practice drawing lines and shapes before even beginning to form letters. Simple shapes such as circles, triangles or squares will do. After all, most letters are just a combination of lines and shapes so this is a perfect place to start. 

Give them the right tools

It may not be enough for your child to use a standard pencil. It’s important to find out what your child is comfortable using. If young children are having a hard time with a regular pencil, it can help to give them something smaller or easier for their hands to hold.

Monitor screen time

Kids often love using electronics and screens. Whether they’re watching their favorite shows or playing games on their mobile devices, they may spend hours engrossed in their electronics without getting bored. In addition to the fact that too much screen time can be detrimental to your child’s wellbeing, it also takes away from the time that could be spent learning. Be sure to monitor your child’s screen time and maintain a healthy balance between the use of media and practicing handwriting skills. 

Handwriting skills remain a critical part of a child’s success in all areas of academic development. Use these tips to help your child improve his or her handwriting skills!

For more parenting tips and resources, please visit Children Central. 

 

We can all remember the magical feeling that comes with hearing stories during childhood. Tales about adventures to far away places, whimsical stories of knights and princesses, and those of dragons and castles. Kids often love hearing stories no matter how many times we read them to them.

Parents typically read stories to their children to lull them to sleep. But reading with children actually offers more benefits than just a soothing bedtime routine. For example, reading helps young kids become more familiar with aspects of language,  new words, and sounds. Reading stories also stimulates curiosity and imagination. When young children are read to, It helps to enrich their cognitive functioning, communication, and social skills. Even if we each have different methods and styles when it comes to reading with our kids, there are important things parents should keep in mind to maximize the benefits of reading as it relates to your child’s development.

Pay attention to your child’s cues

One of the most important things to bear in mind when reading to kids is that you should tune in to your child. Pay close attention to young children’s cues and get a sense whether they are engaged in the story. Try to observe if your child is enjoying the stories you’re reading, if he or she understands the vocabulary, if your child is focusing primarily on the flow of the story or the pictures.

Help young children become engaged in the activity by coaching instead of instructing them. For example, instead of  telling your child about the characters’ actions,  try asking your child stimulating questions. You may ask, “Where are they going?” or, “Why are they going to the forest?”

It’s important to get a sense of whether your child is engaged in a particular story.  If he or she seems disengaged, consider offering to read a different book or story.

Ask questions

There are times when young children may feel sleepy or bored in the middle of the reading activity because we fail to engage them, especially since we are doing all of the reading. You can make the activity more fun and informative by asking your child  questions as you navigate the story together. Let your child try to make predictions about upcoming events in the story, ask the “whys”, the “whats” and so on.

Not only will your questions keep your little one engaged and interested, But  it can also be an excellent way to stimulate a young child’s thinking and imagination. Additionally, this process can also help strengthen your bond with your child  as it offers an opportunity for genuine connection and involvement.  

Try to link the events within the story

The way you build logical links between the different events of a story can further boost a child’s cognitive skills. The events in storybooks usually unfold quickly, and young kids may not easily understand their sequence or the logic behind the event. 

For instance, instead of saying, “The wolf was able to get inside the house because the mother wasn’t home”, you can break it down and come up with a more logical way of communicating this part of the story. So instead, you can say something like. “The wolf saw the mother leave the house to go get some food. He thought it would be a good time to trick the baby goats in the house so that he could eat a delicious lunch!”

Include relevant details

While most parents include details to make the reading activity more interesting and engaging, details also play an important role in improving a child’s learning. Details also make the story easier for young children to understand. When adding relevant details for example, it’s not enough to describe a character by simply naming the color of the clothes he or she is wearing. Try to be a bit more descriptive by saying something that will add more value to the story. For instance, you may say something like, “The treacherous brown wolf was waiting for a chance to sneak into that house”. Here, the behavior of the wolf is being described with the adjective “treacherous”. This makes it easier for kids to understand the reason behind the wolf’s actions. 

Reading with your kids can offer numerous benefits when it comes to improving their developing language and literacy skills, as well as their social and cognitive skills. Remember this approach  when reading with your child. You’ll be pleased with the many benefits it brings!  

For more parenting tips, or if you’re looking for the best preschool for your child, please visit Children Central. 

 

Kids don’t come with handbooks. That seems trite and obvious, even as every parent in history has wished at one time or another that they did.

All kids, no matter how well-raised, have bad behaviors from time to time. It’s simply part of growing up.

A child’s bad behavior doesn’t automatically reflect on you or on your skills as a parent. How you respond matters much more. Respond well, and you will succeed in raising wonderful adults.

With that in mind, let’s look at the drivers behind some typical bad behaviors and how best to deal with them.

Understand Where the Behavior Comes From

There are three identifiable phases to all behaviors, both good and bad. These are easiest to identify and remember by the acronym ABC:

• Antecedent, or trigger, is the thing that leads to the behavior
• Behavior is the action a person takes in response to the trigger
• Consequences are the result of those actions

This framework applies to all people, not just children.

According to professor Brendan O’Day of Georgetown University, understanding what need a behavior is serving is key to effectively dealing with the behavior for the long term.

Even older teenagers haven’t yet fully developed their base of experience and maturity. So the strategies or behaviors they use to cope with undesirable circumstances may not be the best ones available, but they don’t necessarily know that. Obviously, this is even more true with younger kids.

This ties in with advice from a parade of experts and researchers. The general theme is:

• Connect with your child
• Find out what’s going on or what they are feeling
• Validate and show that you understand and care about their feelings
• Explain how and why those feelings, valid as they might be, still don’t excuse bad behavior
• Impose sensible and proportional consequences
• Circle back and teach your child strategies for handling things better next time

As you might guess, this approach takes more time and a lot more patience than less constructive approaches. Some other approaches might yield immediate satisfaction for you and short-term compliance from them, but in the long run will only breed hostility and rebellion.

Digging Deeper into the Process

It’s important to note that validating your child’s feelings does not mean condoning their behavior. The two are separate.

For instance, say that your child is being picked on in school then comes home and takes out his frustrations on a younger sibling. You can acknowledge his feelings while still making it clear that picking on his younger brother is not okay.

Even as you impose consequences for bullying the younger sibling, you can also take steps to address what’s going on at school (e.g. by contacting his teacher).

Never shame or insult your child. A key is to always address the behavior and not the person. Also, try being intentional with your language and voice tone. If you raise your voice or become emotional, your child will respond to that rather than the words you are saying.

It’s also worth noting that your child may not even know right away what’s behind certain behaviors. When you ask what’s going on, she may point to something trivial. That isn’t necessarily her avoiding giving a direct answer. She may not have processed it well enough to know the full answer herself yet.

To get your child to open up, Nathan Maynard of BehaviorFlip advises asking open-ended questions.

The goal is ultimately to teach your child to recognize that behavior is nearly always emotion-driven. Do this well and eventually it will become second-nature for both of you.

Growing Beyond the Incident

Many types of bad behavior affect, or even harm, others. Help your child figure out how to repair damaged relationships and/or replace lost or broken property.

Learning to take responsibility for one’s actions and how to make amends are two skills that are foundational to becoming a successful, respected member of society.

Helping Your Child Doesn’t Mean Giving In

University of Maryland Assistant Professor Rellie Derfler-Rozin advises thinking about your child’s underlying interest and not just their position. For instance, a child may want to go outside and play before doing homework because his friends may not be allowed to play later, once the homework is done.

That doesn’t mean you should necessarily give in, but understanding the motivation may lead you both to a compromise solution you can each feel happy with.

Treat Kids Like Adults

Katherine Reynolds Lewis, author of The Good News About Bad Behavior, has plenty to say on this topic. One important point Lewis hammers on is that kids today are ‘unemployed’. That is, few have chores to do around the house or are not offered meaningful ways to contribute to the household.

She argues that the impact on morale and feelings of self-worth are exactly the same as they would be for a wage-earning adult who was chronically unemployed.

If we want our kids to have self-discipline, the only way is to give them some freedoms to regulate their own behaviors and learn first-hand what that entails.

Natural consequences are a powerful teacher. Burn yourself on a hot skillet and you’ll quickly learn to be more careful around skillets, and probably other types of pots and pans too. At the same time, Lewis advocates that sometimes imposed consequences are necessary. She says these should be built around a framework she calls the Four R’s:

1. Revealed in advance. That is, the child knows in advance what the consequences of an action or decision will be.
2. Respectful. The child should know she’s being punished for her actions and not because she’s a bad person.
3. Relevant. The punishment should fit the crime.
4. Reasonable in scope. 

“Our job as parents,” says Lewis, “is to go from doing absolutely everything for them when they are infants to have them do everything on their own when they become adults.” This transition should be gradual and take place in incremental steps throughout their childhood.

Even at five or six years old, get your kids involved in planning their morning routine. Maybe use pictures to draw a visual guide to what must be done in the mornings. Then let your child rearrange some of the pictures to determine the order in which things happen. Do they brush teeth before putting on shoes, or vice versa?

Set the Tone

Kids who aren’t given meaningful ways to contribute to the household, or worse, who feel disrespected, are far more likely to act out.

If you talk to kids a bit more like adults and treat them with the same measure of respect you would give to another adult, they will step up and begin acting more like adults.

 

We hope you found this guide helpful. At Children Central, we strive to give both parents and children the tools and resources to be their best selves every day.

It’s no secret that adequate family time is paramount to building stronger bonds. It nurtures confidence and teaches our children the importance of interaction. Neglecting simple activities with the family can be detrimental to the healthy growth and development of children.Though most parents tend to be overly busy with either work or house chores, there are still ways on how to  instill quality family time.  

Here are some reasons why you should make family time a part of your routine:

Bonding time = Quality Time

Spending quality family time creates lasting memories for your kids to cherish. It also creates a positive impact on their social well-being as it brings honest and open communication that they can incorporate into their social interactions with their peers. Be sure to never take bonding time with your little one for granted, no matter how full your plate is.

Makes the kids happier  

The effects of having quality family time with your kids are far more rewarding than just buying them desired material items.  While the entire family benefits from spending time together, it also can help to enhance your child’s mood , attitude, behavior, and general happiness . Increased family time can even help your child approach misunderstandings with peers with more maturity and less judgment, which can improve your child’s overall disposition.

It boosts their self-esteem

Children are actually building their self-esteem at  times that we may not even be aware of. Seemingly random experiences like a fun family weekend getaway,, an “art sesh”  afternoon, or a family karaoke night with the family can have more impact that you realize. These experiences carry over into their social lives and positively influence how children  interact with their peers both in school and in the community What matters most is that time spent together is enjoyed and cherished. 

 

Improves the kids’ mental and physical health

When children feel connected to the members of their family, they become more socially engaged and their academic performance gets better. Spending quality family time also plays a significant role in  children’s mental health. Behavioral issues decrease s as children interact more positively with their peers in school. . Positive family relationships at home can even decrease the likelihood that children will abuse drugs and alcohol when they reach adolescence. 

With regard to physical health, children who are actively engaged  with family receive guidance when it comes to personal food choices, which may decrease the chances of being overweight in the long run. No matter how simple the choice, when children  are surrounded by positive nurturing family members, it will have an impact on their food selection 

Behavioral Problems Decrease

Spending quality family time together.tends to improve children’s general behavior and yield a decrease in violent behavior. The chances of children getting involved in dangerous activities like likely when they experience strong emotional connection during family time. As  children continue to learn and thrive in a safe environment, they will incorporate these lessons into their everyday lives and gain self-confidence along the way. 

Getting to know them better

There’s no better way for parents to get to know their kids than by spending time with them.  No matter how seemingly random, quick, or inconsequential, you are creating a lasting bond between you and your child.. You can create this connection by simply reading a book together, and along the way, you will even learn  about your kids’ preferences, attitudes and attributes without much effort.. Many parents ignore the value of spending time with kids and then end up asking why their children are not close with them. 

Improves their academic performance 

When children are guided in their daily activities outside of school, they are more inclined to strive for academic excellence because they have a strong support system at home. Even when they face failures along the way, they are more likely to receive positive guidance and  mentoring . In effect, When children have meaningful discussions at home ,their academic performance will benefit. 

Children are gifts in which we invest – not just financially, but as in many ways.. It is our duty to create lasting moments that they will cherish and carry on when they become parents someday. Start off by spending some quality family time and take it from there. 

For more parenting tips to guide you through in parenthood, read more of our articles at Children Central. 

 

In the modern era that we live in, children are born and raised with gadgets in their everyday lives. As parents, we are normally stuck with the question of how to limit screen time use of our kids. Though it would take a lot of effort to decline their request to use their gadgets, controlling screen time can benefit them in several different ways. It can be a challenge, but here are 7 tips on how to limit screen time in young kids.

 

LEARN ABOUT ELECTRONICS AND GADGETS

Before teaching your kids the dangers of too much screen time, be sure to be well-educated about how these gadgets work. Some kids will trick you if you don’t know how to use them – and they’ll end up with more screen time usage when you’re not looking. Learning about these electronic devices will also minimize the risk of putting your child in possible danger. Also, have a conversation with them about what you’ve discovered so they, too, are aware of the consequences from too much use.

 

LET THEM IMITATE YOUR HEALTHY ELECTRONIC USAGE

Children usually see their parents as an example of almost anything they do. When they see you on your mobile phones the entire day, they will imitate what you’re doing and use their gadgets all day too. Tell your family members to model healthy electronic usage so your children won’t have an opportunity to copy any unhealthy screen time behaviors at home. 

 

MAKE SURE YOUR HOUSE HAS TECH-FREE ZONES.

Let your house have multiple technology-free zones wherein they won’t be tempted to use gadgets and instead recognize areas of the home as they should be. Make sure your child’s bedroom isn’t filled with electronic devices that will keep them from bedtime. They need to recognize the bedroom as a place of sleeping and not playing with electronic gadgets. You can start by creating a playroom filled with physical toys instead of these gadgets. 

 

ENCOURAGE THEM TO TRY OTHER ACTIVITIES. 

When your child seems to like painting and other forms of art, encourage them to do more of it. This is one of the most effective ways to limit screen time for kids. You may also enroll them in special classes that focus on their passion and optimize their potentials, skills and talents. 

 

Here are some other activities they could try:

 

• Dancing
• Singing
• Playing musical instruments
• Arts and Crafts
• Theater 
• Biking
• Board games
• Ball games

 

ALWAYS HAVE PARENTAL CONTROLS.

For younger kids, obtain their passwords and keep a close eye on their online activities. Make sure to protect your kids from viewing untrusted sites that might expose them to explicit content.  The moment you start using these parental controls, you are assured that your kids’ activities are monitored. Hopefully they will avoid any dangerous content with your oversight. Though for teens, monitor them once in a while for them to have a chance to explore on their own. 

 

UNPLUG ELECTRONIC DEVICES. 

The moment you wake up and are about to sleep are the best times to unplug devices. The moment they  see that their mobile gadgets still need to be charged, they might look for another activity to do. And while they are at it, make sure that the other options in sight are those that limit their screen time use.  While their gadgets are unplugged, introduce them to a new hobby or sport that requires their physical energy, like learning how to ride a bike. 

 

LET SCREEN TIME BE A REWARD.

Try asking them to do some simple household chores, like clearing the table, folding their laundry, organizing their toys or cleaning their rooms. After they finish their simple tasks, that’s when they can use their mobile devices or other electronic gadgets. Reward your child with the gadgets they really love afterwards. You can also track their activities to encourage them to do other helpful and healthy activities instead.

 

Make learning fun for your kids and prepare them for kindergarten with ease. Enroll them in Children Central. Call us at (215) 752-9330 to schedule a tour today. 

 

Effective parenting means being able to correctly identify the key differences between discipline and punishment. While punishment focuses on making a child suffer for breaking the rules, discipline is about teaching children how to make better choices and helping them to understand the elements of their misbehavior. In order for a parent to understand how beneficial discipline can be when implemented strategically, it is crucial to first understand what distinguishes discipline from punishment.

Discipline and Punishment: Key Differences

Discipline is a proactive method and it requires a bit more introspection from both the parent and the child. Punishment, however, inflicts suffering upon children for past behaviors in the hopes that future behaviors will change. This sort of logic typically backfires.

The goal of using disciplinary methods is to incite active thinking, which helps children to learn and identify new behaviors that will replace bad behaviors. Once learned, these new behaviors will ideally prevent the bad behaviors from reoccurring.. Punishment, on the other hand, invokes the emotional brain to fear consequences. This sort of teaching instills in children sentiments of both fear and anxiety that may continue to affect them later in life. 

Even the strategies of both disciplinary and punishment-related methods differ.. Effective discipline includes modeling behavior, positivity, consistency, and careful reevaluation of age appropriate methods  as the child ages. Punishment instills a sense of fear and can predispose children to a slew of mental disorders. Punishment can result in children being emotionally dysregulated, externalizing their behaviors, and even becoming future bullies.

The Problem with Punishment

Punishment does not teach children how to properly behave. A child who receives a spanking as a means to resolve conflict will not learn from their mistakes. Instead, they’ll be left feeling confused, conflicted, and unclear as to why it’s okay for you to hit them. Punishment also inadvertently teaches a child that they are  not in control of themselves or their actions. They simply learn that misbehaving has dire, and even painful consequences. Punishment removes the concept of responsibility, fails to teach corrected behaviors, and instead causes children to dwell on their anger towards the person that is inflicting pain upon them.

Understanding Discipline

Discipline teaches children important life and social skills that will help them to both manage their emotions and to mitigate consequences. It also gives them the framework to deal with uncomfortable emotions and situations,which is an important reality for any person growing up. Discipline empowers children to learn from their mistakes and teaches them appropriate methods to deal with both anger and disappointment. The goal of discipline is to give kids a clear negative consequence that will enable them to choose to make better decisions in the future. Healthy discipline involves giving kids a sense of autonomy over their emotions and providing them with clear rules and consistent consequences when rules are not followed.

The main benefit of this approach is the ability to ensure that kids are actively learning from their mistakes. Disciplinary techniques involve using positive approaches such as strategic praise and reward systems. These types of reinforcements consistently encourage  appropriate behavior.

Discipline naturally fosters moments of introspection. For example, if children are acting out or are becoming emotional, you as a parent can help them to determine the origins of their frustrations and how to dispel them. While discipline and punishment are sometimes confused for being interchangeable, they are quite dissimilar. Discipline takes advantage of appropriate levels of guilt — it doesn’t shame children. This is a crucial difference between using discipline as a parenting tool as opposed to using punishment. A child who can feel good about themselves is less likely to make poor decisions. Instead, they will have the introspection, tools, and confidence in their abilities to help manage their behavior.

Children who are supported through positive disciplinary methods will thoroughly understand their behavior, be self-sufficient, and most importantly will value both themselves and their peers. Implementing positive discipline is a process and may require the parent to take a different approach than they might be used to. However, a parent that  goes out of their way to adopt this approach will enable their children to learn how to successfully get along with others, which is a great reward in itself

About Children Central

Children Central is a child care and learning center that utilizes positive reinforcement and discipline in order to help toddlers, kindergartners, and elementary aged children to interpret their emotions and their feelings. We use positive reinforcements to encourage prosocial behaviors while simultaneously preventing misbehavior. Discipline is used in an effective way to encourage children to be held responsible, and to motivate them to complete their daily tasks, homework assignments, and extracurricular activities. To learn more about Children Central, contact us directly at (215) 876-2932.

 

It came as quick as a snap of a finger–your little bundle of joy is now added to your growing family! And as much as you wished they came with a manual or something, they don’t. But not to worry, because we’ve got you covered. Here’s a quick guide on the parenting basics which will ease your day-to-day activities and fit right in your new lifestyle.

You Will Want To Do Everything, But You Don’t Have To

Your first-born means everything to you, yes. And as a new parent, you automatically think you need to be on top of everything. It’s a normal instinct, but trust us when we say, you also need rest. Taking care of your first child can be especially exhausting and that’s why the first rule of parenting basics is to take care of yourself too. The last thing you want is you getting sick and passing on your sickness to your child. 

It’s Okay To Say No To The Extra Tasks 

Ask your partner or a family member to switch roles and share the tasks. And while you’re at it, say no to the little unnecessary stuff that might drain your energy. In the long run, you will be thanking yourself you did. And remember, if you are down, you won’t be able to attend to your child’s needs as much as you want and it’ll be mentally and emotionally frustrating. Also, your laundry can wait.

Your Family Is Your Priority Now

Invitations can wait. Parties can be postponed. Plans shall have to be cancelled. All these and you still have to skip the guilt for doing so. Still filed under ‘Parenting Basics’, is choosing your family first above all else. Your children depend on you and the last thing you want is to be multi tasking your responsibilities while enjoying a night out with your college friends. 

Create Mini Traditions for your family

Whether it’s just a picnic in the park once every month, or a Movie Marathon night every Friday. Creating bonding moments with your family will not only bring you closer together but also make a positive impact on their well-being. Your child will eventually see you as an example to their future kids and you will be just as proud you took the extra effort to do it.

Learn When To Save and When To Splurge

Learning to ease your budgeting skills for your family’s needs is a bit tricky. As part of parenting basics, you need to weigh things out whether it’s a want or a need first. Learn to compare and contrast your expenses to your earnings before shelling out money. The last thing you want is to be in debt while trying to provide the most expensive stuff to your family. Sure, you want the latest toy for your child, but it’ll cost you about 10 dinners or so. Do the math first and you’re good to go.

Spend Quality Time With Your Partner

You don’t need a fancy date to do it. A quick massage can do the trick. Or a short trip to the beach can give you both a break. Spending time with your partner can help you both get the rest you need and deserve. Entrust your children (if they’re still too young) to a doula or a family member when you need time off. Once a week will do the trick. A relaxed mind is all you need to get going and keep your sanity sometimes. 

Motivate your children

To do better, and to be wiser. You might want your child to be on top of everyone but you don’t have to force it. She might be bad at singing, but her feet and body can dance. They can choose whatever they want to do just as long as they’re not breaking any rules. They can play as much as they want just as long as they know their limits. As a parenting basic, you don’t need to stop your children from doing what they want as long as they know their limitations. Stop comparing them to other kids and let them shine on their own. Motivate them to become better for themselves and not a competitor. 

Learn more helpful parenting tips by visiting Children Central.