Saturday, February 6th, 2010
The topic of TV time comes up with parents and many are not aware of its negative effect upon children, including literacy. The following article provides some interesting insights:
Are you surprised that the American Academy of Pediatrics says no television before age two? This standard alerts parents of infants, toddlers and preschoolers that their children are strongly affected by the talking tube and that they need to consider the way their children are exposed to its powerful influences.
- If you chose to allow your children to view television, consider limiting the amount of “watching time” in their first three years to 30-90 minutes per day. This is more than enough for their young brains and eyes. Children prefer, and benefit from, interacting with people far more.
- The programming you chose should be specifically directed at the age of your child. Most good parenting magazines regularly publish guidelines that tend to be more objective and reliable than an advertiser’s suggestions.
- Commercial-free is far better for eyes, ears, and minds. Fewer interruptions and a generally higher level of intellectual and emotional content are the benefits.
- A child’s room does not need a television. Television may inhibit a child’s desire to read and play imaginatively for years.
- When your children watch television, watch with them. They may need your help to decipher the barrage of messages, and only you know when they have had enough. Occasional babysitting by means of television so you can get something done is understandable, but may be a waste of your child’s time and mind.
These guidelines should be discussed regularly by all adults in your household. The evening news may matter to the grown-ups, but it is frequently incomprehensible and somewhat frightening to your little ones. Media-literate parents are great blessings to their children.
Suggested resource: Coalition for Quality Children’s Media www.cqcm.org
Kyle D. Pruett, M.D. is an advisor for The Goddard School®. Dr. Pruett is an authority on child development who has been practicing child and family psychiatry for over twenty-five years. He is a clinical professor of child psychiatry at Yale University’s Child Study Center. Subscribe to The Goddard School monthly newsletter by CLICKING HERE
Tags: goddard school, infant, Parenting, Television
Posted in Reading & Literacy | 2 Comments »
Sunday, December 13th, 2009
At The Goddard School of Cedar Park, potty training is a frequent topic that comes up with parents. So Are you ready to throw out the diapers for good? Common signs that a child is ready to start using the potty are showing interest in the bathroom, letting you know when it’s time for a diaper change, and making funny facial expressions when he goes in his diaper. Another sign that he’s ready is waking up from a nap with a dry diaper. This shows that he is making a subconscious decision not to wet himself. If your child is showing any of these signs, it may be time to start potty training. Potty training can be a rocky road, but here are some potty training tips to make the ride go smoothly.
Transitioning from diapers to the potty chair can be a scary time for a toddler. Anything new has the tendency to frighten toddlers, so you should do your best to ensure your child that this is not a bad thing. Make it fun. One of the best potty training tips is to present the potty chair like it’s a special gift just for him. Wrap it up in pretty paper, with a big colorful bow, and let your child open it like a present. You’d be amazed at how excited a toddler can get over a potty chair. This will make his introduction to the potty a happy experience, instead of a frightening one.
Another great potty training tip is to make it a point to sit your child on the potty several times a day, even if you’re not sure he needs to go. Toddlers don’t yet know their bodies well enough to decide whether they need to use the potty, so you will have to take some control over this until your child is able to recognize when he needs to go. If you need to, set a timer to go off every ten or fifteen minutes.
I know you’ve heard it a thousand times over, but you can never go wrong with lots, and lots of praise. Kids love to get special attention from their parents. Before he’s even gotten the hang of it, tell your child he did a great job just for trying. The first time he actually goes in the potty make a huge deal out of it. Clap your hands, and excitedly say “hooray! You went pee pee in the potty like a big kid!” You can even make up your own potty song. There are some hilarious potty songs on the web. Just search youtube for potty training tips, and potty songs.
The reward system is tried and true. Using special prizes is the easiest, and most obvious way to motivate your child to use the potty. You can use stickers, candy, or even something unique that he shows an interest in. If your child loves cars, go to the dollar store and buy a variety package of matchbox cars. Just use what you know about your toddler to make him want to use the potty.
The most valuable potty training tip I can give you is to stay consistent. Don’t get discouraged. If you’re on the go a lot, you may want to purchase an extra potty chair to keep in your car. Remember, toddlers are creatures of habit, and keeping up with a routine is very important to them.
Visit our website @ http://www.goddardschool.com//Schools/Cedar-Park-TX/Schools.gspx & follow us on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/GoddardSchoolCP
Tags: Diaper, goddard school, infant, Parenting, Toilet training
Posted in Parenting | 20 Comments »
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