The other day we did a class activity concerning bullying in the classroom. We had a large heart drawn on a piece of paper divided in half. On the top the children wrote kind words we say to each other and on the bottom, we wrote unkind words. Later in circle we crumpled up the bottom half to show how the unkind words hurt people even after you say I’m sorry. Later on, I was thinking about how that applies as a parent talking to their children or as a teacher talking to children. Our days get so busy that we think about the consequences of the conversations we have with children. I think back to when my child was growing up and wonder about the times when he came to me to show me a drawing and I responded by giving it a brief glance, “saying great now put your shoes on so we can go”. We all get busy and there wasn’t anything really wrong with what was said but it was a moment missed. A moment to that could have been affirming to his accomplishment, a bonding moment, and a chance to boost his confidence and sense of self value. As a teacher I have seen parents take their child’s schoolwork and throw it away on their way out the door and feel sad because of all the lost opportunities they missed to talked, encourage, and show that child value in their achievements. Words said and not said will leave an impression on a growing child and it is important that we take a second to think about what impression we want to leave on them.

The first step is that picture. Instead of a brief glance stop for a moment and actually look at it. Look at the colors they used, the control they show with drawing lines, curves, and circles. Ask them a question or two. “What is happening in the picture?” “Why is the dog in the tree?” As you ask the questions watch the child’s face. The difference is remarkable! Their eyes light up, they smile, they start to show excitement about the time you are spending with them about what they drew. Your response means more than you know. Saying the words “I’m proud of you” teaches them that you value their work and accomplishments and that they should value them also. Saying “I believe in you” gives them the courage and the drive to continue trying when something is difficult to learn or accomplish. Saying “you can do it” teaches them that they have support in the things they attempt and are not alone. Using such verbal ques with your child make a huge difference in the way they view themselves. A few seconds look at something they did in school, ask questions about it, and engage in active conversation about it might seem like a little thing. It might take only a minute.

The repercussions will be fantastic!

Ms. Dotty
Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
NAEYC Coordinator

A priority for all parents is setting basic boundaries and instilling obedience in our children. As parents, we expect our kids to follow our expectations and rules without challenging us. In addition to establishing boundaries between parent and child, we also expect children to follow our rules and expectations because we want what’s best for their health, safety, and well-being. When children behave respectfully, this helps them develop other important skills and character traits, in addition to keeping our kids safe. However, raising an obedient child can seem easier said than done. 

Instilling obedience in our kids can be frustrating. It takes a lot of patience, reminding, and practice. Additionally, we want to make sure our kids do not just obey our rules and expectations because they want to avoid punishment, but because they truly understand the benefits of doing so. The good news is instilling good behavior in kids does not have to be complicated. You can follow these practical, simple, and gentle methods to help you lay the foundation for good behavior with your little one. 

Use a few soft-spoken words

Getting your child to follow your expectations and behave respectfully doesn’t need to require using a lot of words on your part, nagging or threatening. You only need to use a few simple and soft-spoken words. If you find yourself yelling at your kids frequently when they misbehave, now is the time to stop. This isn’t the most effective approach when raising an obedient child. 

You can earn respect from your child and instill obedience in them by using soft-spoken and simple words. It will not come easily at first, but you’ll see the benefits as more time goes by. 

Teach them how to obey

Young kids don’t always understand what the word “no” means, and it isn’t enough that we say things like, “No, you can’t pick that up,” or, “No, you can’t touch that.” Teach little ones how to obey by showing them how to obey. 

For instance, if you want children to stop playing with dirt, you need to physically remove their hands from the dirt and then tell them. “No.” If your child is a little older and can understand logic, you can explain why he or she isn’t allowed to do certain actions. 

Do not keep repeating yourself

It’s not effective obedience training when you find yourself constantly repeating your instructions. Remember that “following up” is different from repetition. Once you’ve given your child an instruction and have ensured that he or she is clear about what’s expected, do not keep repeating yourself anymore. If your child becomes accustomed to hearing repetitive instructions, it will only give the impression that it’s okay not to do what you’ve asked after the first time.

Offer alternatives

One of the reasons obedience is instilled in children is to keep them out of danger or trouble. However, this concept may be difficult for young children to comprehend. They don’t always understand why we want them to go to bed at a reasonable hour or why it’s important that they don’t eat sweets before dinner time. 

Instead of focusing on the things that they can’t do, it may be helpful to suggest the things children can do. For example, if your child isn’t allowed to munch on sweets before mealtime, you can suggest a better option. Tell your child that after he or she finishes dinner to your satisfaction, he or she can enjoy a scoop or two of ice cream for dessert afterward. This will help ensure that your child adheres to your rules with fewer complaints or resistance. 

Be consistent

Consistency is key when it comes to effective obedience training. When you establish rules and set expectations in your home, be sure to implement them consistently. Your training will be useless if you say “no” to something, only to change your expectations later.

For example, when you say “no” to having junk food for an afternoon snack, be sure not to give in no matter how much your child may beg. Stick with your rules to help your child understand that you mean them. 

Set an example

The number one place your child will learn anything is from observing your actions. You have the power to instill discipline and good behavior in children by setting an example with your own behavior. Start with yourself., Be mindful of your own words and actions. Be the adult you want your child to be and obedience will follow. 

Raising an obedient child may seem challenging but it doesn’t have to be. Through consistent training and smart strategies, you can build the habit of obedience in your little one. 

Visit Young Scholars Academy for more helpful parenting tips and resources. 

 

 

Children love to play. They love to play with toys. Toys should not however define their play. It is an unconscious thing to classify toys as being for girls or boys. I’ve done it myself. When shopping for a boy’s birthday I naturally find myself looking at cars and action figures whereas if I’m shopping for a girl, I’m looking at dolls and stuffed animals. I’ve parents complain that they feel judged when their son wants a doll, or their daughter wants a dump truck. The idea of girl toys and boy toys is ingrained into our psyche from an early age. I think it is growing more important everyday that advocate for our children and their interests. Toys should be given to align with their interests and what we want our children to learn through play than the stereotypical ideas of what they are playing with.

If your child has a personality that leans toward nurturing, empathy and taking care of others then dolls, kitchen play, and stuffed animals should be accessible whether your child is a boy or a girl. The same concept should be applied to children with interests that lie in construction toys, boxing gloves, or footballs. Allowing children to participate in activities and play with toys that center in their wants and needs despite their gender will encourage them to be confident in who they are and not what they are expected to be. Little girls should not be defined as being princesses in pink frilly dresses if they don’t want to be. They should be permitted to be fire fighters, superheroes, or sport stars if that is who they are. Little boys should not be defined as muscled knights in shining armor always rescuing damsels in distress. They can be artists, teachers, or stay at home Dads if that is where their heart lays.

I’m not saying you should analyze every toy you purchase for your children to teach them a lesson in life. Slime is just plain fun! I think it is important to realize who your child is and to help encourage them to be unafraid to follow their ideas despite what society and advertisements say. Teaching your child to embrace their interests will help to build them up and help them to embrace their true selves. The happiest adults that I know are the ones who bucked common stereotypes and preconceived ideas of they should be when they grow up. They are also the one who were given opportunities to play with that chemistry set, sit and read books, play in the mud, or put together puzzles despite what others might have said they should be doing.

Children learn a lot through play. They learn who they are and who they want to be. They learn how to communicate and cooperate with others. They learn how to solve problems whether it be with their peers or how to get a car from point a to point b without touching the car. Children learn how to be leaders, inventors, and care takers through play. It is not always and cannot always be about being a girl or a boy but about who they are and what they want to be.

Ms. Dotty
Lead Kindergarten Teacher
NAEYC Coordinator

It’s important for parents to make sure they speak with their kids about the fundamentals of finances. While many traditional schools tend to focus on core subjects such as math, science, English, social studies, and foreign languages, they may not be  teaching the concepts of financial literacy. Therefore, this is something that parents may need to address with kids on their own. Unfortunately, a lot of parents are not comfortable discussing money with their kids, often viewing it as a “taboo” topic. However, it’s important for kids to learn about money at a young age so they can be prepared to manage their own finances as they face the future. When it comes to financial literacy for kids, there are a few key points to keep in mind.

Discuss how people earn money

The first step when it comes to talking to kids about finances is to teach them that money comes from hard work. Too often, many kids think that money simply comes from a piece of plastic with their parent’s name on it that they swipe at the store. By teaching kids that money can only be earned through hard work, parents can eliminate any sense of entitlement that their kids might have.

Parents should talk to their kids about their own careers, what made them choose that career path, and what kinds of tasks they perform at their jobs. It’s also helpful for parents to encourage their kids to think about what they might want to do when they get older. Furthermore, it’s wise to give kids an allowance for doing household chores as a means of teaching them the value of hard work and earning money.

Teach kids about budgeting

Oftentimes when kids receive money, the first thing they think about is what they can buy with it. Before kids jump into spending that money, it’s important for parents to talk to their kids about budgeting. While spending some money is okay, it’s vital that children learn the concept of budgeting. Otherwise, kids may grow up thinking that all of their money is meant to be spent immediately.

When kids start earning an allowance, it’s a good time to talk with them about deciding how much money they should spend and how much they should save. That way, kids can learn how to budget appropriately both for the present and in the future.

Talk to kids about giving back

It’s also important for parents to encourage their kids to donate money to charity, if possible. Giving back is important when it comes to raising well-rounded children. However, it might take younger kids some time to understand the importance of donating to charitable organizations. You can start by volunteering with kids at places like Goodwill or local food banks. This is a good way for children to see that these types of organizations can’t operate without charitable donations.

Teach kids learn about credit cards, checking accounts, and savings accounts

Financial literacy means understanding the different types of financial tools at our disposal, in addition to cash. Therefore, it’s important to talk with kids about opening a bank account and why this is important. Older kids might be able to understand the concept of interest as well. As kids grow up, parents also need to talk to kids about how credit cards work. While credit cards may seem great on the surface because of the convenience and rewards they provide, they also make it possible for people to spend more money than they should. Parents need to make sure they review these financial tools with their kids to make sure they manage their money well in the future.

Review investments and taxes with children

Finally, parents also need to talk to their children about taxes and investments. Investing is a great way for kids to use their money to save for retirement, college, or a home. On the other hand, parents also need to talk to their kids about taxes, where they come from, and why they exist. Parents can also talk with older kids about how they can use investments to shield their assets from being taxed. Some parents might even teach their older kids how to do their own taxes. These topics are critical when it comes to financial literacy.

Trust the team from young scholars academy in Colorado!

These are some of the most important tips a parent can follow as we aim to teach our kids about financial literacy. Make sure that you provide your children with the strong foundation they need to set themselves up for success, both in and out of the classroom. At the Young Scholars Academy in Colorado, we focus on childhood education, providing your kids with the practical skills they need to succeed. Contact us today to learn more about how we can set your kids up for success!