“My son recently turned three and we have noticed a change in his behavior. While he is doing great at potty training, he has been acting more aggressively by hitting and pushing at school. My son has always been a daddy’s boy and recently has been hitting me, telling me I can’t play with him and that I don’t love him. Help!  Is it a phase?”

Dr. Kyle Pruett A

This mom has a three-year-old  son who is toilet-training, learning language, playing ‘I-wanna-be-a-big boy-like-daddy-right-now,’ and giving her and a few of his friends a tough time these days. This last development feels new to her. She asks, “Is it a phase?”

I titled this answer ‘regression’ to remind us that development is not a steady progression from young to old, unknowing to all-knowing. The road of development is full of speed bumps, potholes, slips backward and endless side streets. Why is it so rough? Development is a highly dynamic interaction among children’s genes, personality, environments and experiences. Three-year-olds are especially busy because of the high volume of traffic flowing across this intersection. Their vocabularies are exploding (100 words a month), their bodies are increasingly under their conscious control (toilet training and staying asleep are VERY complicated things to pull off with their abilities and wishes and your rules) and they are whizzing past emotional landmarks at blinding speed (envy, shame and embarrassment are new arrivals in their brains and in your homes).

Preschoolers are more powerful and impulsive than ever, and are just starting to learn the differences between girls and boys, mothering and fathering. By now, children have developed different repertoires of behaviors for mom and for dad. Moms are often aware that they are getting the toxic waste from the day on a regular basis (mouthy and aggressive pushback is more common around moms), while dads seem to get away with being Mr. Nice Guy and enjoying the playful, physical rough-and-tumble stuff and little pushback. These trends are normal. The child is learning how to be away from mom without needing her so much and feeling helpless (hence the pushback).

T. Berry Brazelton, the previous generation’s go-to pediatrician, taught us that a period of regression is common just before a child makes a big developmental transition (sleeping through the night, giving up breast feeding, learning to walk or talk, going to preschool, staying overnight with relatives without you). Often, these periods of regression are more obvious in retrospect (“Oh, that’s why he was such a mess the week before he slept at grandma’s.”). I compare it to trying to jump over a puddle on the sidewalk. In order to clear the obstacle, you might have to back up so that you can gather enough momentum to carry you safely to the other side. Parents usually miss this because we are so focused (if not preoccupied) with supporting constant forward and upward progression. Unfortunately, the brain and personality don’t work that way.

To handle a child’s apparent regression, back up yourselves, don’t change much (appropriately, the mother kept using her time-outs, to some avail), put your faith in your child, calm down the other adults in the circle of upset and let your child clear the puddle. If he continues to have difficulties, you should talk with your pediatrician. In the meantime, enjoy his baby pictures to refresh your spirits.

Mother’s Day

April 23rd, 2012 by Sue Adair

Family - Mom Daughter BMother’s Day will be here next month on Sunday, May 13, 2012. This is the day children honor their mommies for all that they are and all that they do.

Before Mother’s Day, have your little one write down all the reasons she is grateful for her mommy (Dads, grandparents, significant others…you’re going to have to help out with this!). Let her have fun and get creative—she can write words that describe her, draw a picture, write a poem and make lists of the favorite places she goes with mommy and the activities they do together.

Paired with a great big hug and a kiss from her little one, mom is sure to think it’s the best Mother’s Day gift ever!

Nation’s No. 1 Childcare Brand Showcases Commitment to Community and Military

Last month, children at more than 380 Goddard School locations throughout the country participated in the Goddard Community Games, a week-long celebration focused on play-based learning and friendship. As a part of the celebration, children colored, painted and decorated more than 15,000 postcards with heart-warming messages of thanks to send to the U.S. military.

“It’s the little things that make big differences,” said Joe Schumacher, CEO of Goddard Systems, Inc. “Through our messages, we hope to put a smile on the face of people who are or have represented our country.”

Goddard Systems, Inc., the franchisor of The Goddard School, sent the 15,000 postcards to A Million Thanks, a year-round campaign to show appreciation for U.S. Military men and women, past and present, for their sacrifices, dedication and service to our country through letters, emails, cards and prayers.

The Sugar Land, Texas location led all Goddard Schools by creating 373 postcards, followed by Grove City, Ohio at 260 and Gaithersburg, Maryland at 249.

Additionally, Goddard Systems created an online video showcasing the children’s artistic postcards. Watch the video by clicking here.

Oh, to Be a Fly on the Wall…

April 13th, 2012 by Sue Adair

Art - Boy & GirlIf you want to learn something new about your preschooler, create a developmentally appropriate (and safe) play area for her—one that will be easy for you to see from a chair off to the side—and just watch. Don’t ask her questions. Don’t tell her the “right” way to play. Just let her be! And if you do, you may just get lucky enough to catch a glimpse of her magical world. A preschooler’s imagination is really an amazing thing. She may pretend to be or do anything! Pay attention and you just may learn something new.

What have you learned from your preschooler?

Give ‘Em Props: Imaginary Play

April 10th, 2012 by Sue Adair

Blocks - Boy BGuide your child into imaginative play by providing a few simple and developmentally appropriate props.

  • Blocks are so simple, yet they can be used for and as so many things;
  • A cardboard box can become a car to ride in, a secret hiding place or a mountain to climb;
  • A lightweight pot, extra spatula, kitchen mitts and empty egg cartons can help your child whip up a little something special;
  • Theme- or season-related items in the dress-up box can inspire hours of creativity. Switch them out to keep it fresh and fun. Add extra hats and mittens in the winter, bunny ears and silk flowers in the spring, colorful faux leaves in the fall and a straw hat for the summer. Or, try adding an apron for “cooking,” fairy wings, a firefighter hat and a “cape” for turning your child into a superhero.

What are your child’s favorite props?

When picking up and dropping off children at preschool, make it a habit to hang up your cell phone and remove your hands-free devices before you walk into the building. Your child is worth it and deserves your attention.

Family - Mom Daughter B

Chances are, your child has been at preschool for a few hours, maybe even all day. Make this daily reunion a meaningful one by giving your child your undivided attention, even if you only have a few minutes to spare before the chaos of dinner or another activity ensues.

Make it a point to always ask your child how his or her day was. If your child is not yet verbal, that’s okay. The point is to develop the habit and relay the sentiment.   One day, your child just may answer you.  If your child is verbal but not always talkative, get the dialogue started by asking questions.  You can ask them to tell you three good things that happened that day, something good that happened for someone else or what they might be looking forward to tomorrow.

What do you do to make sure that your daily reunion is a good one? How do you get the conversation rolling with your little one?

Imaginary Friends

April 2nd, 2012 by Sue Adair

As you watch your little one playing, you may notice him chatting away to no one in particular. Do not be alarmed—imaginary friends are completely normal for toddlers and are an indication of your child’s ever-burgeoning creativity and social development.

Blocks - Boy AAccording to researchers, imaginary friends may appear due to a change in your child’s life, for example, a new sibling or a new home. They could also be your child’s way of learning to express his emotions and understand roles and relationships. As a result, your child may blame his naughty behavior on his imaginary friend. Do not make a big deal out it. Simply explain to your child why the behavior is unacceptable.

Allow your child to explore his relationship with his imaginary friend. In time he won’t need his “friend” anymore. Be sure to keep the “friend” in his world—not yours. If you acknowledge his imaginary friend as a “real” person, he may stick around a lot longer than necessary.

Infants & Teacher with Bubbles A

If you’ve spent a lot of time indoors this winter, now is the time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors again! How about welcoming spring by going on a scavenger hunt around your yard and neighborhood and seeing how many signs of spring your family can find? Look—or listen—for some of these things:

  • A caterpillar
  • A robin
  • Baby bunnies
  • Bike riders
  • Birds’ nests
  • Birds chirping
  • Car windows rolled down
  • Children playing outside
  • Crocuses blooming
  • Frogs or toads
  • House windows open
  • Leaves budding on trees
  • People taking a walk
  • Plants emerging
  • Someone washing their car

Girl Smiling B

Your child may be—or perhaps, should be—getting close to braving the world without that tattered lovey. It’s a big milestone—this lovey has provided comfort for your child for some time now, and has even helped him develop self-soothing skills. The lovey has been there in good times and in bad, and it may even seem like a part of the family! Sometimes, it can even difficult for Mom and Dad to say farewell to the lovey.

Here are some tips and ideas for leaving the lovey behind:

  • Don’t put too much pressure on your child to pass up the lovey. This may cause anxiety and can actually make it more difficult for her to let go. Instead, encourage every positive step in the process.
  • Encourage your child to take the first step by leaving the lovey in her cubby or backpack during the day or while out running errands.
  • Don’t be surprised if your child cuddles up with her lovey again for comfort during a stressful time, such as a new sibling’s arrival. When the stressor has passed, your child will be more willing to start letting the lovey go.
  • Purchase a “create-your-own” stuffed animal or doll kit, or visit a store where children can build their own stuffed animal. Make it a fun and exciting process. Encourage your child to put the lovey inside just before the stuffed animal is sewn shut. This little stuffed animal can keep lovey safe and sound during the day, all from the comfort of your child’s pillow.
  • Respect your toddler’s attachment to the lovey. Talk to your child it in a relaxed way. Let her know that you understand why she loves and will miss the lovey. Don’t punish or embarrass your child into giving up the lovey—she’ll be ready one day.
  • Consider the “Lovey-Fairy” when all else fails. Cuddle up with your child during a comfy, quiet, low-key time and tell your child a story of the Lovey-Fairy who collects loveys from children who are ready to be “big girls” and “big boys.” Let your child know that when she is ready, she can pack up her lovey to trade to the Fairy for a very special reward. Keep it fun, positive and low pressure—and most importantly, let her decide when she is ready. You may be surprised how quickly your child is ready to make the trade!

Over 45,000 children are “Stepping Up for the Environment”

More than 360 Goddard Schools are joining together in a week of learning activities about saving energy and the environment. The week will culminate with a big “Flip the Switch” event on March 30th at 10 a.m. in their local time zone, a day before the global Earth Hour event, when Goddard Schools will turn off any non-essential lighting for one hour. The worldwide Earth Hour event will take place on Saturday, March 31st, at 8:30 p.m. in each local time zone. Hundreds of millions of people around the world will turn off their lights for one hour in a global call to action on climate change.

Additionally, The Goddard School’s national Facebook Page will feature a “Goddard Virtual Garden” where fans will be invited to answer questions and provide their own eco-friendly tips. In return, The Goddard School will virtually plant various fruits and veggies in the virtual garden. At schools around the nation, Goddard School children and their teachers will participate in a variety of fun activities, games and lessons designed to increase their awareness of how energy use and daily activities can affect the future of the planet and how they can conserve energy in their daily lives.

“The Earth Hour event is a very real and visible demonstration of the power of grassroots commitment,” says Sue Adair, director of education at Goddard Systems, Inc. “Working with the children in the week before the event will help them understand the significance of Earth Hour to feel that they are a part of a worldwide effort. It will also help share the message about this important initiative with their families and their communities.”

During the Stepping Up for the Environment event, Goddard Schools will integrate learning about the environment into art projects, science lessons and even snack time! Some classes will nominate an official “Lightning Bug” who will be responsible for always turning off the classroom lights when the children exit the room. Children will also create invitations asking their parents and neighboring businesses to join them in Stepping Up for the Environment.

“We believe that Stepping Up for the Environment presents an exciting opportunity for both our teachers and children to take a creative approach to raising awareness about energy conservation and protecting the environment,” says Adair. “The lessons that our children learn today will hopefully inform their lives for years to come.”

To learn more about the Stepping Up for the Environment event or The Goddard School, parents are encouraged to visit www.goddardschool.com/green or call 1-800-GODDARD.

 

About Goddard Systems, Inc.

Recently named No. 1 Childcare Franchise in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine, for the eleventh consecutive year (January 2012) and one of the Top 200 Franchise Systems (in worldwide sales), by Franchise Times, for the fifth consecutive year (October 2011); Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI) is expanding The Goddard School® network throughout the United States. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, GSI currently licenses 380+ franchised schools with more than 45,000 students in 35 states. With a successful system in place and dedicated franchisees, GSI is the acknowledged leader in franchised childcare and a premier childcare provider in the United States. To learn more, visit http://www.goddardschool.com for more information.

About EARTH HOUR

Since its inception four years ago, Earth Hour has captured the world’s imagination becoming a global phenomenon. Last year, for Earth Hour 2011 over one billion people in 4,000 cities in 126 countries on seven continents turned out. In the U.S. alone, 90 million Americans officially voted for action with their light switch. These people and municipalities were joined by iconic landmarks including: the Las Vegas Strip, the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings in New York City, the Space Needle in Seattle, Church of Latter-Day Saints Temple in Salt Lake City, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and the National Cathedral in Washington DC.  International landmarks that turned off their lights included the Great Pyramids of Giza, Parthenon in Athens, St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Big Ben and Houses of Parliament in London, Paris’ Elysee Palace and Eiffel Tower, Beijing’s Birds Nest and Water Cube, Symphony of Lights in Hong Kong, Sydney’s Opera House and Christ de Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.