Self-Confidence in Children

                                Self-confidence in Children


 Self-confidence Is a feeling of trust in one's abilities, qualities and judgment.


Kids who have healthy self-esteem tend to:

feel valued and accepted
feel confident that they can do what's expected
feel proud of a job well done
think good things about themselves
feel prepared for everyday challenges
Kids with low self-esteem often:

feel self-critical and are hard on themselves
feel insecure, or not as good as other kids
focus on the times they fail rather than the times they succeed
lack confidence
doubt their ability to do well at things
Why Self-Esteem Matters
When children feel good about themselves, it sets them up for success — in everything from school to friendships. Positive feelings like self-acceptance or self-confidence help kids try new challenges, cope with mistakes, and try again. Taking pride in their abilities and accomplishments helps kids do their best.

By contrast, kids with low self-esteem might feel unsure of themselves. If they think others won't accept them, they may not participate as often. They may allow themselves to be treated poorly and have a hard time standing up for themselves. Kids who don't expect to do well may avoid challenges, give up easily, or be unable to bounce back from mistakes.

Having low self-esteem can block success. It can leave kids distracted by the stress of how to deal with everyday challenges.

How Self-Esteem Develops
Contrary to what some might think, self-esteem does not come telling kids they're wonderful, special, and great (even though they are!). Giving every child a trophy doesn't help kids' self-esteem. Indeed, it's possible for kids to feel good about themselves even when they fail.

When children compete — win or lose — they see that their own hard work and practice can make a difference. Earning a prize contributes to self-esteem only when a kid knows he or she earned it.

Self-esteem is the result of experiences that help a child feel capable, effective, and accepted.

When kids learn to do things for themselves and feel proud of what they can do, they feel capable.
Children feel effective when they see that good things come from efforts like trying hard, getting close to a goal, or making progress. For example, kids who take part in a service project feel good about themselves when they see how their actions matter.
When kids feel accepted and understood by a parent or someone close, they are likely to accept themselves, too. Their good feelings about themselves multiply as parents praise good behaviors, help when needed, and give encouragement and support.
How Parents Can Nurture Self-Esteem
Self-esteem develops over time. And if it's low, it can be raised. Here are things parents can do:

Help your child learn to do things. At every age, there are new things for kids to learn. Even during babyhood, learning to hold a cup or taking first steps sparks a sense of mastery and delight. As your child grows, things like learning to dress, read, or ride a bike provide perfect opportunities for self-esteem to take root.
When teaching kids how to do things, show and help them at first. Then let them do what they can, even if they make mistakes. Be sure your child has lots of opportunities to learn, try, and feel proud. Don't make new challenges too easy — or too hard.
Praise your child, but do it wisely. Of course, it's good to praise kids. Your praise is a way to show that you are proud, too. But research shows that some ways of praising kids can actually backfire.

Here's how to do it right:

Avoid over-praising. Praise that doesn't feel earned doesn't ring true. For example, telling a child he played a great game when he knows he didn't feels hollow and fake. It's better to say, "I know that wasn't your best performance, but we all have off days. I'm proud of you for not giving up." Add a vote of confidence, "Tomorrow, you'll be back on your game."

Praise effort rather than fixed qualities. Avoid focusing praise on results (such as getting an A) or fixed qualities (such as being smart or athletic). This kind of praise can lead kids to avoid challenges that may threaten the good 'reputation' they get praised for most.

Instead, offer most of your praise for effort, progress, and attitude. For example: "You're working hard on that project," or, "You're getting better and better at these spelling tests," or, "I'm proud of you for practicing piano — you've really stuck with it." This kind of praise encourages kids to put effort into things, work toward goals, and try. When kids do that, they are more likely to succeed.
Be a good role model. When you put effort into everyday tasks (like raking the leaves, making a meal, cleaning up the dishes, or washing the car), you're setting a good example. Your child learns to put effort into doing homework, cleaning up toys, or making the bed.

Modeling the right attitude counts, too. When you do tasks cheerfully (or at least without grumbling or complaining), you teach your child to do the same. When you avoid rushing through chores and take pride in a job well done, you teach your child to do that, too.
Ban harsh criticism. The messages kids hear about themselves from others easily translate into how they feel about themselves. Harsh words ("You're so lazy!") are harmful, not motivating. When kids absorb negative messages about themselves, they feel bad about themselves, and act accordingly.
Focus on strengths. Pay attention to what your child does well and enjoys. Make sure your child has opportunities to develop these strengths. Nurturing strengths is better than focusing on weaknesses if you want to help kids feel good about themselves and succeed.


Culled from
KidsHealth
Nemours

Back to school tips for parents .

How To Help Improve Your Child's Confidence In School

Helpful tips for parents as schools resumes .

As an adult, most things in life are not too scary.Certainly we get nervous from time to time, but it is easy to forget how the world looks to a child. Of course some children have more self-confidence than others, but for children who are insecure and also those with learning disabilities, school can appear to be a pretty scary place, regardless of the child's age.

Even routine educational activities can be a source of stress to children.

For example, the pressures of exams and even occasional pop quizzes can put a lot of pressure on children, and while they are an important part of education, it is important to help your child approach such trials with confidence. Helping your children to build their own confidence now will help them develop important coping skills that will help them throughout their lives.

Problem Areas

Try to take a note of which subjects your child likes and dislikes. Some subjects will be obvious favorites, and that is always a good sign that your child may cope well in those courses. However, the subjects that your child does not like are most likely to be the ones in which his or her confidence will need greater support.

Anytime your children seem to be avoiding certain subjects, or even faking illness on the days that they have those subjects, you should consider whether it is because of a confidence issue.

Reluctance to go to school in a child with a disability may also indicate that his or her academic needs are not being met or perhaps accommodations and specially designed instruction are not being provided appropriately.

Give Your Child Confidence

I'm sure every parent likes to shower their children with praise, but it might be helpful to be a little bit more specific.

Children expect their parents to tell them that they are beautiful, clever, wonderful etc... However, a great way to help your child grow their confidence is to tell them with specificity what they are actually good at. Most children struggle with some things and have a natural ability with others. Unfortunately, talented children often do not even realize how talented they really are. Anytime you notice that your child is good at something, let him or her know with specific, genuine praise.

Listening

Children like to be paid attention to - - just like adults do. When your child is telling you something that happened, do your best to give your full attention and actively listen. You would be surprised how good children are at telling when you're not really listening. Try to respond constructively and avoid being dismissive and making vague, general responses like "that's nice dear."

Take the Fear Out of Parent Conferences

Parents can, often sub-consciously, put a lot of pressure on their children, and when parent conferences roll around it can be a scary time.

When you come back from a parent conference, avoid the temptation to tell your children what they're doing wrong and instead focus on the positives.

Telling your children about their weaknesses isn't necessarily constructive. Instead, consider discussion with their teachers how you could help them improve upon those weaknesses. Create a plan and act on it.

Outside of School

Extra-curricular activities are rarely a bad thing, so give your child every encouragement (without pressuring them) to try new things. Clubs and groups are a great opportunity for your children to practice socializing with new friends and away from the pressures of school this can really help with insecurities.

Being Open

This is a simple tip, but one to live by. Always be nurturing and loving, but also speak to your child about their education. Let them know that if they have any problems at school they can talk to you. It seems obvious, but to a child it might not be, so just knowing that you're there can often make scary things a little less scary.

Culled from : verywell.com

Great Parents Hear Things Their Children Are Not Saying.

       
      The most important thing in communication is
hearing what isn't said. - Peter F. Drucker

        Body language is a very powerful tool. We had body
language before we had speech, and apparently, 80%
of what you understand in a conversation is read
through the body, not the words. - Deborah Bull

Children love talking endlessly especially to their parents and get excited more when they see their parents showing a great interest in them.But chatting with our children can take loads of time and parents are usually busy attending to lot's of things that we tend to get carried away and fail to pay attention to our kids non -Verbal Communications. And so we say to them "please talk, am listening"and not bothering to look at them to see their non -Verbal Communications. 
    and so we miss alot of reaction and expression on them.
Whether you do that consciously or you don't realize
it's happening, contradiction between verbal and
nonverbal communication can lead to :
Irritation or
confusion or even
Mistrust
Paying attention to those contradictions is also a way
to uncover lies

Some Non -Verbal Communication Parents Should Take Note In Their Children

Facial Expressions
Facial expressions can alert a parent to so many
things. A baby who has a soiled diaper, a toddler who
has wet himself or a teen who is angry with the world
all can be revealed by the facial expressions they wear.
Looks of confusion or uncertainty can let a parent
know when something is unclear and countenances of
sadness or grief can send the signal to console a
bereft youngster. Without these clues, parents would
have a difficult time understanding the current status
of their children's heartfelt feelings as well as their
cries for attention and assistance.

Manerisms and Gestures
A crying baby who constantly pulls at his ears will
immediately be checked for an ear infection. A child
who continuously rubs his eyes may be indicating that
he is tired. A preschooler crossing his legs and jumping
up and down may need to use the restroom -- and
quickly. There are so many cues that a child gives his
parents on a day-to-day basis that it is important that
parents be alert to the message being sent so they can
properly care for their offspring.

Eye Contact
Eye contact is especially important with older children.
The manner in which they look at you can indicate
shyness, deceit, discomfort, or love. The ancient
proverb, "The eyes are the window to the soul," is
especially true in that so much can be read into the
visual exchanges between adult and child. A student
who loses his place during a show can gain immediate
confidence just from a teacher's look of
encouragement from across a stage. A child can see
when a parent's love shines from her eyes after a job
well done. A stern glance lets a youngster know when
he is in big trouble for an infraction.

Posture
When you ask your child how his day is going and his
response is "great" or "wonderful" but he is hunched
over and walking slowly with little or no energy, it is
highly likely that you will read his body language and
ask him what is wrong. A student walking straight and
tall through the front door on report card day is sure to
have exemplary grades. Posture can reveal so much
about how a child is feeling and what is going on in
his life and also how he feels about himself and his
body image.






Sources:
Conscious Communication
LIVESTRONG.COM
Our every day life

Recognising children with attention disorder(ADHD)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder  ADHD


It’s normal for children to occasionally forget
their homework, daydream during class, act
without thinking, or get fidgety at the dinner
table. But inattention, impulsivity, and
hyperactivity are also signs of attention deficit
disorder (ADD/ADHD), which can affect your
child’s ability to learn and get along with others.

The first step to addressing the problem is to
recognize the signs and symptoms.
What is ADD / ADHD?
We all know kids who can’t sit still, who never
seem to listen, who don’t follow instructions no
matter how clearly you present them, or who
blurt out inappropriate comments at
inappropriate times. Sometimes these children
are labeled as troublemakers, or criticized for
being lazy and undisciplined. However, they may
have ADD/ADHD.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
is a disorder that appears in early childhood. You
may know it by the name attention deficit
disorder, or ADD. ADD/ADHD makes it difficult
for people to inhibit their spontaneous responses
—responses that can involve everything from
movement to speech to attentiveness.
Is it normal kid behavior or is it ADHD?
The signs and symptoms of ADD/ADHD typically
appear before the age of seven. However, it can
be difficult to distinguish between attention
deficit disorder and normal “kid behavior.”
If you spot just a few signs, or the symptoms
appear only in some situations, it’s probably not
ADD/ADHD. On the other hand, if your child
shows a number of ADD/ADHD signs and
symptoms that are present across all situations
—at home, at school, and at play—it’s time to
take a closer look.
Once you understand the issues your child is
struggling with, such as forgetfulness or
difficulty paying attention in school, you can
work together to find creative solutions and
capitalize on strengths.


There are three types of ADHD:
(1)Hyperactive-impulsive
(2)Inattentive
(3)A combination of both


Symptoms of ADHD
(1)Hyperactivity — Hyperactive behavior is defined as
excessive fidgetiness or talking, difficulty
remaining seated when required to do so,
difficulty playing quietly, and frequent
restlessness or always seeming to be "on the go".
These symptoms are usually seen by the time a
child is four years old and typically increase over
the next three to four years. The symptoms may
peak in severity when the child is seven to eight
years of age, after which they often begin to
decline. By the adolescent years, the hyperactive
symptoms may be less noticeable, although ADHD
can continue to be present.
(2)Impulsivity — Impulsive behavior almost always
occurs with hyperactivity in younger children. It
can cause difficulty waiting turns, blurting out
answers too quickly, disruptive classroom behavior,
intruding or interrupting others' activities,
rejection by classmates, and unintentional injury.
Similar to the hyperactive symptoms, impulsive
symptoms are typically seen by the time a child is
four years old and increase during the next three
to four years to peak in severity when the child is
seven to eight years of age. However, impulsive
symptoms usually continue to be a problem
throughout the life of the individual.
(3)Inattention — Inattention may take many forms,
including forgetfulness, being easily distracted,
losing or misplacing things, disorganization,
underachievement in school, poor follow-through
with assignments or tasks, poor concentration, and
poor attention to detail.
Because of the developmental demands on a child
(eg, needing to pay attention, sit still), these
problems may become more obvious in school when
the child is eight to nine years old, although the
child may have symptoms at a younger age when at
home. Inattention is most likely to persist through
adolescence and potentially into adulthood.
WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION — Your child's
healthcare provider is the best source of
information for questions and concerns related to
your child's medical problem.


References
www.uptodate.com
Helpguide.org
www.m.webmd.com

The importance of play for kids

              The Importance Of Play

Before They Even Go To School, Kids Learn a Lot of Skills from the World of play.

For children, play is naturally enjoyable. And since it is their active engagement in things that interest them, play should be child-led, or at least child-inspired, for it to remain relevant and meaningful to them. Children at play are happily lost in themselves; they are in their own realm of wonder, exploration, and adventure, pulling parents in at times with a frequent "Let's play, mom!" as an open invitation into that world.

As early as infancy, children immerse themselves in play activities with the purpose of making sense of the world around them. Play gives children the opportunity to learn and experience things themselves, which is vital for their development. Although peek-a-boo games seem pointless to adults, tots are awed by the surprise that awaits them as they see the suddenly emerging faces of people they love.

Stages of Play

During toddlerhood, children experience a motor-growth spurt that equips them to solitarily fiddle with anything they can get their hands on -be it a construction toy or the box from where it came. Toddlers also love breaking into song, wiggling and jiggling to tunes, and imitating finger plays they are commonly exposed to.

Preschoolers begin extending their play to involve others, whether they bring others in at any stage of their game or they plan their game and its players' way ahead. Their physical and motor skills allow them to widen their lay arena, from dramatic play to table games to outdoor pursuits.

School-age children start appreciating organized play -such as innovated songs and rhymes, games with rules, relays and other physical activities, sports and projects that they can accomplish over a certain time frame.

Play Perks

Why the big fuss about playing? Play benefits the child in ways that might be a tad difficult for adults to imagine.

1. Play brings pure and utter joy.

A toddler who jumps into an empty box and runs around the house "driving a car"shows the sheer happiness that play brings him or her. When children are asked what they did in school and they answer 'play,' it is a clear sign that these kids remember a feeling of genuine joy that is captured in this four-letter word.

2. Play fosters socio-emotional learning.

What does a ten-month-old baby who shrieks at the sight of her stuffed toy have in common with a ten-year-old boy who plays basketball with his friends? They both deal with their confidence as they choose to embark on their play activities. At the same time, they are displaying their independence in the decisions that they make. These two children are also internalizing social rules in their respective play situations: the baby waits patiently for her stuffed toy to appear, while the school-age child has to contend with an impending loss in a ball game.

3. Play hones physical and motor development.

Play often involves the use of the senses, the body, and the extremities. When children play, they exercise their bodies for physical strength, fluidity of movement, balance and coordination.

Perceptual-motor ability, or the capacity to coordinate what you perceive with how you move, is an essential skill that preschoolers need to develop. A three-year-old who is engrossed in digging, scooping, and pouring sand into a container must match his or her perception of the space in front of him or her with actual hand movements, so that he or she can successfully fulfill the motor activity.

4. Play facilitates cognitive learning.

Play is vital to the intellectual development of a child. We live in a symbolic world in which people need to decode words, actions, and numbers.

For young children, symbols do not naturally mean anything because they are just arbitrary representations of actual objects. The role of play is for the child to understand better cognitive concepts in ways that are enjoyable, real, concrete, and meaningful to them. For instance, through play, a child is able to comprehend that the equation 3 + 2 = 5 means 'putting together' his toy cars by lining them up in his makeshift parking lot. When he combines 2 triangles to make a square during block play, or writes down his score is a bowling game, the child is displaying what he knows about shapes and numbers.

Through play, the child is constructing his or her worldview by constantly working and reworking his understanding of concepts.

5. Play enhances language development.

Toddlers who are still grappling with words need to be immersed in oral language so they can imitate what they hear. They benefit from songs and rhymes that provide the basis for understanding how language works.

When these tots are playing with toys, adults model to them how language is used to label objects or describe an event. At play, preschoolers use language to interact, communicate ideas, and likewise learn from dialogues with more mature members of society.

6. Play encourages creativity.

Barney the dinosaur was right about using imagination to make things happen. A lump of Play-Doh suddenly turns into spaghetti with meat sauce and cheese; a small towel transforms into a cape that completes a superhero's wardrobe; and a tin can serves as a drum that accompanies an aspiring rock artist. Play opens an entire avenue for children to express themselves, show what they know and how they feel, and to create their own masterpieces.

7. Play provides bonding opportunities.

Play is an important factor in child development. It provides for interaction, experimentation, and moral development. Here are some ways by which parents can encourage and support their children's playtime.

- Let your child be the player-leader. Let children initiate their activity, set their own theme, choose the parameters where the play will take place. Play becomes a venue for children to express their feelings and be in control.

- Help them help themselves. When your 5-year-old asks for help, say, figuring out how to piece a puzzle together, stop yourself from coming to her rescue and first ask your child questions that allow him or her to help himself or herself. Say, "Where do you think this piece should go?" Afterward, commend his or her success.

- Play attention. Once you make a commitment to play with your child, watch for the following signals: Does he or she want you to actively play a part in the activity? Does he or she need encouragement? Is he or she tired or hungry? Does he or she need to take a break?

- Have a play plan. If you seem to have little time for playing with your child, consider using self-care chores to have fun with him or her. Also, get support from other people in your household, like older siblings, household help, or the child's grandparents, so that they understand why play is important and how they should continue to encourage it.

Source:Smart Parenting

The Power of Listening.

             The Power of Listening..

“ It takes a great man to be a good     listener"

Calvin Coolidge

Our lack of patience as adults in listening to children has cost lots of children repairable damages.Most times adults don't actually listen to what children are saying.Likewise this deficiency also cost lots of individual unsolved problems. There is power in the act of listening to what children are saying....but then not just children.....    

Note:
Learning is a result of listening, which in turn leads to even better listening and attentiveness to the other person. In other words, to learn from the child, we must have empathy, and empathy grows as we learn.
Alice Miller
    
     When we listen it actually shows that we:                                                                1.Love the individual communicating. 2.Ready to help the communicator. 3.Happy to see the individual.                4.Have trust in the communicator.        5.The individual is important to us. 6.Whatever the person is going through we are in together..most especially kids.. 7.Ready to accept the communicator's idea.                                                          8.Feeling for the individual.                Studies have shown that great listeners make great leaders.Make it a duty to listen to someone today.... Trust me lots of problems are solved that way...

“ Most of the successful people I’ve known are the ones who do more listening than talking"

Bernard M. Baruch

www.nafisustain.com

Father &Daughter

   How fathers influence daughters

       by Elizabeth Weiss McGoleric

A girl’s father is one of the most influential people in her life, from infant to toddler to tween to teen. Learn why Dad has such a big impact on his little girl’s development into a strong, confident woman.

A father's influence in his daughter's life shapes her self-esteem, self-image, confidence and opinions of men. "How Dad approaches life will serve as an example for his daughter to build off of in her own life, even if she chooses a different view of the world," says Michael Austin, associate professor of philosophy at Eastern Kentucky University and editor of Fatherhood - Philosophy for Everyone: The Dao of Daddy.

"What matters in the father-daughter relationship is that Dad seeks to live a life of integrity and honesty, avoiding hypocrisy and admitting his own shortcomings, so that she has a realistic and positive example of how to deal with the world. He should try to model a reflective approach to life's big questions so that she can seek to do the same," he adds.

Dads and daughters: From infant to toddler:

We now live in a culture where Dad is an equal partner in care giving. From day one, dads are encouraged to be hands-on, changing diapers, giving baths, putting Baby to sleep and calming her cries. That presence and effort is the beginning of a very important relationship.

According to Austin, this quality time together is crucial at all stages of a girl's life. "Dads need to spend time with their infant daughter, taking care of her physical needs and supporting her Mom," he explains. And once the little lady starts toddling around, "[i]t's essential that Dad gets down on the floor — on her level — and plays with her," Austin says.

Fathers and daughters: From tween to teen:

It's those pesky "hormonal" years that can often have dads shying away from their moody and sometimes standoffish daughter. When there's a tween girl in the house, "[d]ads should focus on cultivating a trusting relationship so that their daughters feel secure talking with them about what's going on in their lives," Austin explains. "When necessary, dads should apologize and ask for forgiveness, as this both shows respect and love to our daughters and heals the hurts that are inevitable in daily life together."

As a girl continues to grow and her teen years become fraught with complicated issues, dads should continue to work on building a trusting relationship, give affection and support her as she learns more about who she is and what kind of person she wants to become, Austin says. "It's imperative that, no matter what, dads avoid the temptation to pull away or withdraw during this sometimes challenging stage of growing up."

A father's influence on a daughter's self-image:

A dad's involvement in his daughter's life is a crucial ingredient in the development of a young woman's self-esteem. Austin identifies positive elements of "common sense" parenting for dads so they can help support their daughter's self-image and curb any possibility of low self-esteem: Verbal encouragement, being consistently present in her life, being alert and sensitive to her feelings, taking time to listen to her thoughts and taking an active interest in her hobbies. "It's important to actually do these things, which can sometimes be quite challenging," Austin adds. Direct involvement and encouragement by her father will help diminish a girl's insecurity and increase her confidence in her own abilities.

How dads influence their daughter's relationships:

The type of men that women date and have long-term relationships with are also directly related to the kind of relationship a girl has with her father. Obviously, the hope is that the father figure in a girl's life will aim to skew that young lady's opinions of men in a positive way. "He must, first and foremost, treat his daughter with respect and love. Whether or not he is married to or still together with his daughter's mom, showing respect to her mother is essential as well," explains Austin. "He must also value women as human beings, and not as persons to be used. Daughters will see what their dads believe about women by how they value and respect women, or by how they fail to do so."

Reference:Google

Are you ready for your child's homework today?

"Homework should inspire student rather than bore them"
    Sharon Marshall Lockett

INTRODUCTION

Has schools resumes fully in the country,one of those things parents and children are usually guilty of is not making attempt to do their homework.
The truth is homework can sometimes be time consuming,the children are tried or the parent is so busy that they hardly have time to assist their children in doing their homework.

Homework has a positive effect on the children when they do homework given at school.When children show their parents the work load of homework ,we get discouraged and dont actually guide the children properly.The essence of homework is to bond the relationship between the parents and children and make parents participate in the teaching of the children.Once we are not in a hurry or distracted to participate in home activities,children get eager to learn more.

WHAT IS HOMEWORK?
Homework can be defined as tasks assigned to students by teachers that are intended to be carried out during nonschool hours. This definition excludes (a) in-school guided study (although homework is often worked on during school); (b) home study courses, and (c) extracurricular activities such as sports teams and clubs.

RESEARCH.:
According to Harris Cooper (2007), the most common variation in homework assignments relates to its content or subject matter. Independent of content, homework assignments also vary in their purpose or goal. Practice homework assignments ask students to go over material already presented in class so as to reinforce learning and facilitate mastery of specific skills.

During the past decade, according to Gill and Schlossman (1996), "leading educational spokespersons have celebrated homework as essential to raise educational standards, foster high academic achievement, upgrade the quality of the labor force, and link family and school in a common teaching mission"

APPROPRIATE AMOUNTS OF HOMEWORK

Based on these results and the experience of teachers, consensus has emerged regarding rough guidelines for the amount of homework that should be assigned to students in different grade levels. The National PTA and the NEA suggest that homework for children in grades K-2 is most effective when it does not exceed ten to twenty minutes each day. In grades 3 through 6, children can benefit from 30 to 60 minutes per day. Junior high and high school students can benefit from more time on homework and the amount might vary from night to night. These recommendations are consistent with the conclusions reached by studies of the effectiveness of homework

BENEFITS OF HOMEWORK                                 (1)Homework teaches students about time management. (2)Homework teaches students how to setting prioritie  (3)Homework helps teachers determine how well the lessons are being understood by their students.                    (4)Homework teaches students how to problem solve.   (5)Homework gives students another opportunity to review the class material.   (6) Homework gives parents a chance to see what is being learned in school.  (7) Homework teaches students that they may have to do things – even when they don’t want to.              (8) Homework teaches students how to take responsibility for their part in the educational process.   (9)Homework teaches students how to work independently.  (10)Homework teaches students the importance of planning, staying organized and taking action.

CONCLUSION
Both parents,teachers and students should take advantage of the huge benefits of homework.we should endeavor to discuss about the homework to ensure that children understands exactly what is needed to be done.
Giving out lots of encouragement and celebrating their efforts will actually go a long way in making homework fun.

Reference :
    Hot Chalk.com
    Education.com
    School family.com
    Global post America's world news
     Nafi's notes
www.nafisustain.com

What does it mean to discipline a child?

     Discipline - what is discipline?

People often confuse 'discipline' with 'physical punishment', but they are quite different. Discipline is about teaching. It helps a child learn what is expected and to gradually learn how to control their own behaviour.

You don't need to physically punish children to teach them. They learn best when they feel safe and secure and 'good' behaviour is encouraged. The key is having a close relationship with your child as well as clear rules and realistic expectations.

What is discipline?

Parents can worry about the best ways to discipline children as there are so many different views. For many of us growing up, discipline usually meant punishment. It often left us feeling hurt, upset and unfairly treated.

Discipline is really about guidance. It is a way to keep children safe as they find out about the world. They need to learn how to manage their feelings, impulses and actions so they can learn and get on with others. Warm but firm parenting that builds on your child's strong desire to please you is the best way to guide them.

Discipline is also about helping children learn the values that are important to your family. Children learn to make good choices because they want to do the right thing, not just to avoid punishment. This teaches them self-discipline.

A positive approach to discipline is less stressful for children and makes parenting more enjoyable. It takes patience but is worth it in the long run. It uses love instead of fear to teach life-long skills, and strengthens the bond with your child.

Learning what is expected.               Children are not born knowing how to behave. They rely on you to teach and guide them in ways that suit their understanding and ability. They need you to show them what to do calmly and patiently. Just as we all learn by practice, you may need to repeat a lesson many times until they can do it without your help.

What parents can do

There are things you can do to help your child know what is expected and to learn self-discipline.

Plan ahead :Thinking ahead about your needs and your child's needs can help prevent a difficult situation. When you go shopping your toddler might get bored, or become tired or hungry. They act out and you get stressed. Plan to shop in short bursts when the shops aren't busy, and your toddler isn't hungry or tired. Let them help you in some way.

Teach them your values :Talk to your child about why you want them to do something, not just because you say so. They will learn what is important to your family, eg. doing things together, listening to each other and speaking with respect.

It is also important to be a good role model by acting in ways you expect of them. Children have a strong sense of justice and fairness and if they see you acting in ways that don't match what you say, they might resist what you tell them. They are more likely to copy what you do.

Reward 'good' behaviour: When children know what is expected and are praised and encouraged for doing this, it builds on their desire to please you. They are 'rewarded' when you notice the good things they do, and when you tell them how proud and happy it makes you feel.

Keep material rewards to a minimum or your child may learn to do things only if there is the promise of a treat.

Build responsibility: Children learn responsibility by being part of making decisions rather than just following what parents say. Even young children can be involved in making simple decisions.

This doesn't mean letting children do what they want without making sure they stay safe. It means guiding them toward good choices by:

Helping them learn how to problem-solve and think about consequences. This builds confidence and skills so they can make bigger decisions as they mature letting them learn by doing. They may not always choose what you like but as long as the choice is safe for them and for others, they will learn to trust themselves and to know that you trust them to make good choices encouraging them when they make mistakes. Mistakes teach children how to deal with frustration and disappointment. Encourage them to have another go.

Adapted from
WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN'S
HEALTH NETWORK
PARENTING AND CHILD HEALTH

Contribution of the day

Contribution of the day.

If you don't pay attention to children.They will give you things and perform actions that will get your attention.

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Back to school stickers.

Help kids stay healthy

Staying healthy for school

Back to school stickers for your kids..

Back to school.

10 tips for smart back-to-school shopping

The best strategy for back-to-school shopping? Get organized, stock up on the basics, and look for sales and promotions.

By GreatSchools Staff

Start your back-to-school shopping with a game plan. Even if your child's teacher hasn't provided a list of school supplies, you can't go wrong by sticking with the basics and taking advantage of back-to-school sales (many states offer “tax-free days” during this season). Here's how:

Make a list and get your child involved.

Use the recommended or required supplies from your child's school or teacher as a starting point. If you don't have a list yet, check with parents at your school who have older kids. They might have good advice about what is required in your child's grade. Or check our recommendations for elementary, middle, and high school. Sit down with your child and go over your list together. You'll be teaching her how to get organized, a skill that applies to more than shopping.

Separate wants from needs.

Most school supplies don't go out of style, and your child will happily use the unsharpened pencils his older sister didn't use. But as any parent with last year's superhero notebook knows, beware the power of trends. Rather than getting into an argument with your older child about whether a backpack with headphones is essential because "everybody is getting one," try setting a budget for supplies. It will help your child set priorities, learn how to manage money, and start saving his allowance for the items your budget won't allow.

A note from the teacher: You'll be doing your child's teacher a favor if you stick to supplies without gimmicks. Pencil sharpeners that light up are distractions in class, says Jane Ann Robertson, Arizona's 2004 Teacher of the Year and a GreatSchools consultant. "Keep supplies to the necessary and useful versus fancy and fun."

Take inventory.

Sort through last year's supplies to see what is left over or can be reused. (Having trouble finding last year's stuff? Resolve to set up a place to keep your school supplies together this year.)

Start early and look for bargains throughout the summer.

The best bargains are often available at back-to-school sales. Keeping your supply list in your car or purse or on your PDA will help you shop for supplies as you do your other errands.

Buy basics in bulk.

You know you'll need paper, pencils, glue sticks and notebooks. Dollar stores, warehouse stores and even eBay are sources for buying these and other basics in bulk. You and a group of other parents might be able to negotiate a group discount from an office supply store.

Then set up a supply shelf or storage container in your home that you can use all year long. You'll be able to avoid late-night shopping trips to buy notebook paper when you run out. And you'll know where to find unused notebooks and pencils when it comes time to shop for back-to-school supplies next year.

If you set up this storage area near the place your child will do homework, you'll be modeling good organizational skills and he'll have what he needs nearby.

Writer:
Nikki Salvatico, Pennsylvania's 2005 Teacher of the Year and a GreatSchools consultant, advises parents to send to school only what is needed. If you buy four dozen pencils, send in three at a time. This will help your child manage her supplies and help the teacher who has scant storage space in the classroom

Culled from:Great Schools.

Safety Tips For Parents As Regards To Their Kids

Children are curious in nature.They want to know why their parents has asked them not to touch or play with electric equipments and some other equipments in the house,especially in the kitchen.
As parents don't just tell children not to touch these equipments.Make sure you explain what happens to a child that goes against their parents instructions by touching these equipments.
Describe or show children charts or picture books of the aftermath of home accidents such as shock or sustained burns on the skin.
These steps makes the child reasons because they are very intelligent and choose between staying safe and not touch such equipments or otherwise.

Happy Parenting

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To Working Mothers

Being  a working mother or wife, can be energy tasking i thought to my self loudly as i set to clean all the nooks and crannies i usually ignore during day in order not to get to work late.It's just funny that despite all the efforts l put in place to always work with time and get to work very early i don't seem to see the effects.its either a case of missing socks,broken pencil,uncompleted homework and lots more
I sat down to reflect on what i really do at home that gets me so exhausted,late to work,and behind schedule most morning and pictures of the house chores such as cleaning the rooms,shopping for home supplies,doing laundry,cooking,paying bills,taking and picking the kids at school,sorting out clothes,kids home,washing kitchen utensils,calming the kids down,attending to the kids and spouse needs and lots more flashes in my head.Then,l know i had to get myself organized to weather the rush hour morning working days and busy bee weekends.And i came up with these few tips to get organized for working mothers like me who want to prioritize time ,become less tired and stay on time  .
TIPS TO GET ORGANIZED
*Get containers and places where you can keep things such as things needed for school days such as kids socks,underwear,school shoes and lunch packs and writing materials.Baskets and laundry bins will also mop out a lot of items scatter around the house.
*Always have your alarm clock around you to wake up early ;this gives you time to do some leftover house chores and get prepared before the kids.
*Always have a plan of the meals you want to cook for the three square meal.this makes you abreast of the supplies in the house and keep tab with eating healthy meal rather then just walking to the kitchen and guessing what to cook.
*Get a routine of the house chores and other errands you want to run .
*Out source for helpers when the work is to overweening for you.
*Get talking to other moms through different such as close friends,internet mediums,grandparents etc to make you feel relieve that you are not alone in this.
*Have a game plan of getting to work early and closing on time to give  a break.
*Take a lot rest when you need to.Don't be a perfectionist that always want to get your house chores and ear rands done all the time
*Kill two birds with one stone while your at your leisure  hour interact with your children to get feedback of their feelings what was learn t at school.
*Connect with your creator always to give you the strength to be that super mother and wife to you want to be. .