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When you learn science you build on what you already know. Children need to start learning early, at home, so that they have a firm base of knowledge to build on when they get to school. As parents, what’s important is that we share the knowledge we have with our children. Science is in everyday activities: cooking, washing dishes, growing plants. So, look around the house and out the windows and see that science is everywhere.

Here are some things you can do:

* Ask your children questions: How do you think the clock works? Why does a bird make a nest and what is the nest made of? How does electricity help us every day?

* Have children look at what’s happening around them and… Continue Reading

Are you a parent who’s having a difficult time getting your teen to sit down and have a conversation with you? Does your teen avoid your questions? Do you only get a one or two word answer or short comments from your child? Well, you are not a parent who is facing a rare situation. Many parents are searching for methods or strategies to get their child to open up with them. This article will provide you with some ideas to get your teen talking.

Parenting children, especially teens, requires patience and creativity. One way to get your teen taking is to use open-ended statements and questions. For example:

“So, you’re getting a “D” in math and, uh…” “So, tonight you are going… Continue Reading

Morality and Parenting

Part of our education as we grow and develop as human-beings is to establish a set of beliefs. Many of our beliefs and character traits pivot around our moral values. One of the benefits of raising children is not only passing on our family history and cultural beliefs, but moral beliefs, as well. Children, as early as the age of two, begin to understand the concepts of right and wrong. This article will help you, the parent, with some beginning talking points to begin discussing moral values with your child.

Possible Topics to Discuss:

• Your child sees cheating occurring at school.
• Your child witnesses drugs being sold at school.
• Your child finds some money or a valuable item

Does your parenting philosophy include the responsibility of having to make uncomfortable decisions for your children and family? You are not alone as a parent or an adult when it comes to feeling uncomfortable in telling someone, especially a child, “No.”

More and more parents are searching for a way to tell their child, “No.” Saying “no” is important. Numerous youth surveys indicate that children expect adults to say “no.” Here some considerations that parents need to make while considering telling their child “no.”

Tell your child that some of your answers will be “yes” and some answers will be “no.”

Tell yourself that it’s okay to tell your child “no.”

Enter… Continue Reading

Child do not want us to judge them; especially in a manner that compares them to other children. Successful parenting involves developing a relationship that includes open, positive conversations with your child.

Ask your child how he or she feels about the situation that you are discussing before you state your feelings or present your opinions.

Strive to keep your voice tone neutral and accepting. Be descriptive, rather than critical.

Descriptive example: “I heard you swear, what’s going on?”

Judgmental example: “People swear because they are not smart enough to select a better word.”

Descriptive example: “I see your wearing that beer shirt again. “The school does not allow it and neither do I.”

Judgmental example: “Kids who wear shirts like that turn into drug… Continue Reading

Discuss with your child that you feel he or she is at a developmental stage in life capable of making “this” decision. Take time to discuss the decision that is being considered, what they feel the outcome will be and what options are available if the decision is correct, or incorrect. Helping your child list options on paper, discussing pros and cons and select options that are safe and have some chance to succeed is important.

Many parents worry too much about helping their child make a decisions that will always lead to success. Decisions making that leads to failure can be appropriate and meaningful as long as the child is not placing him or… Continue Reading

Self-esteem is just that… SELF esteem! Self refers to the person who owns or possesses his or her own esteem. Is it possible to build someone else’s esteem? Parents, educators and child psychology and behavioral specialist have all pondered that question. Here are some self-esteem factors for parents to consider.

Signs That Your Child Has Poor Self-Esteem

• Your child gives up easily

Television? Phone Use? Instant Messaging? Eating? Friends? Late Nights? Homework? Activities?

Do Children Need Limits?

It’s important for parents to enforce rules and set limits for their children. Youth surveys indicate that children feel more secure when parents set limits. Consider the following when enforcing rules and setting limits:

Consequences should be meaningful, a learning opportunity and appropriate for the child’s age, situation and child’s reasoning ability.

Don’t make threats or set a consequence that you can’t apply.

Try to let your child know in advance what the consequences will be for breaking a set rule.

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www.scottcounseling.com… Continue Reading

Peer pressure is a tough issue for every child to manage. Everyone wants to have and keep friends. Parents need to help their child realize that peer pressure is a normal part of life and child behavior. Parents also need to help their child cope with peer pressure. The following brief steps are written to help you, the parent, begin to assist your child with this important issue.
Help your child to become more assertive with his or her friends by:

Teaching your child to use a calm but firm voice. Say, “No, I don’t care to be with you guys when you do that stuff.”

Role-play with your child: The parent plays the part of the negative influence… Continue Reading

As your child is growing and developing physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually, it’s important for parents to recognize what stage of development their child is at. Parents who recognize the differences in the developmental growth stages are often more successful in parenting. Read through the developmental differences listed below. Keep in mind that children grow at different rates with different degrees of success and failure. As always, it’s important for parents to check with their pediatrician while their child is progressing through the developmental stages described in this article.

Physical Development

Steady and slow growth development occurs in children in this age group.
Some body pains, especially in the legs and knees are common. Check with your medical doctor if growth pains persist.

High school… Continue Reading