Optimism and Motivation: Keys to your Child’s Success

Optimism can help your child cope with the challenges of life. Sometimes it is hard to be optimistic about things. Education.com offers some ways to nurtures your child's optimism. Click here to read the article.



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Toddler Teeth

Toddlers usually feel two ways about brushing their teeth. They are either excited to be a big girl or boy, or they are uncooperative. It’s important to help your young one develop good oral hygiene. Here are some tips on handling common teeth brushing problems.

Start with good habits early – when your baby's first tooth pops out, you can begin to brush their teeth.

Take advantage of your child’s curiosity – if your child wants to brush their own teeth, and you feel they have the ability to brush their own teeth, let them. However, you should supervise the process up until your child is school-aged.

Let Your Child Express Their Independence– let them have fun picking out the toothpaste and the brush they want. This is just another way to get them interested.

Be Creative – there have been a lot of changes in toothbrush technology since we were kids. A toothbrush can now play music, speak to your child, and they are shaped as your child’s favorite character. Take advantage of these gimmicks to increase your child’s interest in teeth brushing.

If you have a real dental question you should always contact your friendly pediatric dentist.


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Protecting your Family from Ticks

Now that the warmer weather is here to stay, you and your family will be spending much more time outdoors. One of the dangers of being outdoors is ticks. The website Parent Squad offers tips on protecting your family from ticks this season. Click here for tips:

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Resolve Kid Conflicts

Arguments between siblings and other children are part of your child’s development. It’s difficult to see your young child yelling at another, but it’s essential for your child to experience conflict so that they can begin to develop problem-solving skills.


You can help your child learn critical problem-solving skills through these tips:

1. Step in as a mediator – when a conflict happens, help the children think through a proper solution. If they are arguing over a book, teach them how to share or have them split equal time using the book. Ask the children to come up with a few of their own solutions to the problem. If you let them feel like part of the problem-solving process they will be more likely to abide by the solution.

2. Teach communication skills – let your child speak about why they are angry. This can help children become less frustrated because they are given the opportunity to express themselves. Once your child expresses their concerns they will become calmer and more open to resolving the conflict.

3. Teach your child to walk away – in many cases, this is the best way to resolve a conflict. If your child has a difficult time backing down from conflict then distract them so their attention is turned away from the conflict.

4. Give your child room – as your child gets older they need time to resolve conflicts on their own. It’s tempting to jump in and solve every conflict for them but, your child needs time to figure it out on their own.

Soon your children will be resolving conflicts on their own every day with your help.




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10 Ways to Improve Reading Skills

The site, Family Education, offers 10 Ways to Improve Your Child’s Reading Skills. It’s important that parents find creative ways to encourage and improve their child’s reading skills. Family Education offers some great suggestions and some clues on what to look for when reading with your kids. Click here to read the article.





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The Importance of Play at Preschool

Preschool is the time to prepare your child for elementary school. You may wonder how play fits into the preschool setting, but even though a preschool day is jammed packed, it’s important to make time for play.

Up until the age of 2, children tend to play by themselves with little interaction with others. But after age 2, right around preschool age, children’s play becomes more sophisticated and interactive.

Around 2½ to 3 years, preschoolers start to seek out other kids with similar interests and they begin to interact with them. And as language skills continue to develop you begin to see elements of cooperative play.

Between 4 and 5 years, preschoolers begin to actively seek out seek kids with similar interests and the level of play becomes even more elaborate. Children create creative play scenes, they take turns, and they begin to work together toward mutual goals.

For younger children 2 to 4 years old, you can begin to facilitate play at home by setting up a space for your child and a friend and helping them find the words to express their questions or needs. As children get older play becomes natural and they need less help to socialize.

Ask about play when choosing a preschool

When you tour potential preschools for your child ask for their philosophy about play. Preschoolers need opportunities to play, prepared spaces for them to explore and responsive teachers to support their learning. Such a setting prepares children not only to become students who will work with others cooperatively and approach learning with excitement.



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Teaching Kids To Learn From Failure

No one wants to see their child fail at something but you need to remember that kids can learn from failure. This article gives some great tips to help your child along this bumpy road. Click here to read more.

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The Perfect Bike

It’s spring and your child may be ready for their first bike. Here are a few tips on selecting the right bike.

Check the recommended ages for each bike when you’re shopping. Getting the wrong size bike can make learning to ride a difficult experience. One rule of thumb for selecting the right size is to make sure your child can sit on the seat with their feet flat on the ground.

Go to the bike store – many bike stores have specially trained salespeople who can help you select the right size bike for your child.

Every child is different and only you know when yours is ready to ride a two-wheeler. However, an average 6 year old should have the motor skills needed to balance and ride a bike.

If your child still isn't ready for their own bike, try a tag-along. This is a small bicycle that attaches to your bike. Instead of a front wheel, it has a connector that attaches to the seat post of another bike. It looks like a tandem bicycle, but it is more portable, can easily fit on a bike rack and provides your child with the independence for pedaling, balancing and stopping.

Safety is the first rule of riding a bike. Make sure your child is wearing their helmet and other safety equipment. Adult supervision is important in making sure young riders stay safe.


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