The Goddard School of Cedar Park begins the “Love & Logic” parenting course begins Thursday, 1/19 (6:30-8:30pm) for non-enrolled, as well as enrolled, families.   Call us at 512-258-5292 to attend the first free 2 hour session or CLICK HERE for more details and registration.  It provides many great ideas for positive communications with your child, such as the tips below.

Children should begin to learn to respect limits from a young age. Most boundaries for children are set for health and safety reasons and are a very important and necessary developmental tool. Children are corrected every day, which can lead them to simply “tune out” any perceived negativity or become uncooperative. Regardless of their age, most people respond better to positively communicated direction. This is especially true for children. For example, “Grandma is worried about us getting stains on her couch. Let’s enjoy our snack in her kitchen instead,” will generate more cooperation than “No food or drinks in Grandma’s living room.”

Try telling your child what they can do instead of what they can’t. Practice the positive alternatives below to avoid overusing the word “no” while maintaining reasonable limits.

•     “Maybe later” can work to delay a request such as snacks or sweets before mealtime.

•    “Not today” communicates that the timing is wrong but leaves the possibility open.

•    “When we’ve done (this), then we can do (that).” This method is good for transition times and to help toddlers establish event routines. For example, “When all of your toys are put away, we can go play at the park.”

•    “I’ll think about it” replaces an automatic “no” by allowing yourself the time to think about your determination. Parents tend to make better decisions when they take the time to think about the request and their response.

•    “Sure, did you bring your allowance?” This technique allows you to communicate that they may have the requested item if they can pay for it themselves.

•    “Yes (with qualifier).” This strategy grants conditional permission. For example, “Yes, you may play the game after we eat dinner.”

Tags: “love & logic”, “love and logic”, Cedar Park preschool, daycare, goddard school, Kindergarten
Posted in Parenting | No Comments »

Search for:

Image by Lee & Ayu via Flickr

At Goddard School of Cedar Park, many parents enroll in our 2 or 3 day part time program specifically for the purpose of positive socialization for their child.  Our curriculum incorporates many opportunities for a child to learn cooperation and sharing.  Here are some ideas on how to raise a generous child.

The ability to give unselfishly to others is not a quality people are born with. Experiences we have and the values we are taught form the basis for the choices we tend to make in our lives regarding generosity. Similar to other behavioral and physical growth stages, researchers have found that children’s moral behaviors also evolve in developmental phases.

Usually young children up to about five years of age are a bit self-absorbed and fairly unaware of other’s feelings. They tend to believe that they should have whatever it is that they want. At around four-and-a-half to five-and-a-half years of age, children like to please adults and are more willing to be coached.

As a child’s moral reasoning develops, parents can model generous behaviors and discuss the importance of generosity. Children will more easily grasp a value such as generosity if they have early and frequent real-life exposure to it. Setting examples and reinforcing good manners at this stage will go a long way.

Don’t despair if your little one seems quite selfish. It’s almost as nature intends for us to learn to love ourselves before we can love others. Remember that a child’s behavior and train of thought will go through various transitions and eventually even a self-centered preschooler can become a warm and generous individual.

By giving your children many opportunities to experience the wonderful feeling of giving to others, they will likely grow up to be generous adults.

Children should begin to learn to respect limits from a young age. Most boundaries for children are set for health and safety reasons and are a very important and necessary developmental tool. Children are corrected every day, which can lead them to simply “tune out” any perceived negativity or become uncooperative. Regardless of their age, most people respond better to positively communicated direction. This is especially true for children. For example, “Grandma is worried about us getting stains on her couch. Let’s enjoy our snack in her kitchen instead,” will generate more cooperation than “No food or drinks in Grandma’s living room.”

Try telling your child what they can do instead of what they can’t. Practice the positive alternatives below to avoid overusing the word “no” while maintaining reasonable limits.

•     “Maybe later” can work to delay a request such as snacks or sweets before mealtime.

•    “Not today” communicates that the timing is wrong but leaves the possibility open.

•    “When we’ve done (this), then we can do (that).” This method is good for transition times and to help toddlers establish event routines. For example, “When all of your toys are put away, we can go play at the park.”

•    “I’ll think about it” replaces an automatic “no” by allowing yourself the time to think about your determination. Parents tend to make better decisions when they take the time to think about the request and their response.

•    “Sure, did you bring your allowance?” This technique allows you to communicate that they may have the requested item if they can pay for it themselves.

•    “Yes (with qualifier).” This strategy grants conditional permission. For example, “Yes, you may play the game after we eat dinner.”

Though we’ve heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day—especially for children—it is often a casualty of morning mayhem. Start your child’s day off with a nutritious and energy-boosting breakfast. Children (grown-ups too!) who consistently eat balanced breakfasts have more energy, better diets, perform better and are less likely to be anxious or irritable. We’re busy with our daily routines and sometimes it seems difficult to find healthy foods that children enjoy. Serving up a balanced breakfast is actually easier than it seems!

Trying these nutritious breakfast tips and easy ideas can help make mornings cheerier, keep tummies fuller and help provide lots of energy.

• Cutting foods into fun shapes with seasonal, animal or other cookie cutters is a quick way to turn a boring breakfast into a tummy pleaser.
• Turn an ordinary bowl of whole grain cereal with milk into something more exciting by topping with sliced star fruit, pomegranate seeds or other unexpected bright fruit.
• Scramble egg whites with low-fat cheese and diced, colorful veggies. Add tomatoes for eyes, a baby carrot for a nose, a slice of turkey bacon for the mouth—even broccoli for hair!

• Whip up a mixed fruit smoothie using crushed ice, yogurt, fresh or canned fruit and add brightly colored frozen juice concentrate. Garnish with an orange wedge. This can be made the night before to save time in the morning.
• Toast a whole grain toaster waffle, top with low-fat berry cream cheese. Create a flower or other fun design on top using sliced strawberries and peaches.
• Spread peanut butter in a whole wheat tortilla. Add raisins and banana slices, roll up tightly and slice to create yummy pinwheels.
• Serve up a ‘breakfast sundae’ by layering low-fat yogurt with fresh fruit and crunchy granola cereal in a fun, see-through container. Top with a cherry or grape and use colored cereal bits for “sprinkles.”

Create a ‘breakfast pizza’ using a whole wheat English muffin. Spread the English muffin with low-fat flavored cream cheese and top with diced fruits or veggies.

Find out what we’re doing that’s educational and fun each month with the Goddard School monthly events newsletter SUBSCRIBE HERE

About The Goddard School
The Goddard School (www.goddardschools.com) is a nationwide franchise of Goddard Systems, Inc. headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. With over 330 franchised schools nationwide and 42,000 children enrolled, Goddard is the fastest growing preschool in the United States. You can subscribe to our monthly events newsletter via the option under “School Information.”

Age-Appropriate Chore Ideas
Toddlers

• Pick up toys and books
• Collect dirty laundry
• Dust with socks on hands

Preschoolers

• Make the bed
• Help with laundry
• Help in the kitchen – cooking and preparing food
• Set the table
• Take dirty dishes to the kitchen
• Carry and put away groceries

Pre-Kindergarteners

• Empty the dishwasher
• Feed the family pet
• Vacuum
• Take out the trash
• Fold and put away laundry

These activities are fun learning experiences, especially if you are teaching informally along the way. The chores may take a little longer as they learn the ropes and make mistakes, but the value for their learning and their self-regard are more than worth the extra time.

We’ve monthly events open to the public – CLICK HERE for our monthly events newsletter.

Here are the “Top Toy” picks by The Goddard School of Cedar Park.  Our results will be included in the votes for the national toy test results.  CLICK HERE to see the toy finalists for 2010.

Preschoolers at The Goddard School determined the top five toys for the holidays amongst a selection of toys identified from a nationwide search. The toys selected not only encourage creativity, but are designed to encourage playful learning. The top five Preschooler-Approved Picks include (in alphabetical order):

1.      Green Toys Blocks
2.      Green Start Giant Floor Puzzle
3.      Kid K’Nex Railroad Pals Building Set
4.      Maisy in Overalls & Book
5.      Slimy Squishy Polymer Fun

With Thanksgiving “around the corner,” here are some ideas to keep in mind to make it a wonderful holiday experience from The Goddard School of Cedar Park!

We see our family and friends, eat too much pie, enjoy a few extra days off from school and work, but beyond that… How can we demonstrate to our children the importance of both Thanksgiving and giving thanks?

The first Thanksgiving. First, let’s start by making sure our children know the story of the first Thanksgiving. Pick up a developmentally-appropriate book or find information online. It is important to discuss this story of hardship, friendship and sharing in an age-appropriate way.

A new tradition. Establish a new family tradition revolving around what your family is thankful for. This Thanksgiving, have everyone write or draw what they are most thankful for. Together, decorate a shoebox or journal to everyone’s answers. Make a point of adding to this box or journal throughout the year, and by next Thanksgiving you will have an amazing record of thanks. Add to this year after year—what a great treat it will be for the family to read through each Thanksgiving as your children grow!

Share. What are some of the things your children are most thankful for?

To subscribe to our monthly events newsletter CLICK HERE.

It’s the moment of truth. You are getting ready to go back to work. Maybe your maternity/paternity leave has come to an end or you took time off from your career to be a stay-at-home parent. In these economic times, you may have even been home due to unexpected circumstances. No matter the reason, juggling parenthood while reentering the workforce can be quite the challenge– just getting out the door in the morning can be a logistical nightmare! Here are some survival tips for the savvy parent.

Before You Go Back

A week before you go back to work, wake up at the new time and practice getting everybody ready. Do you need to get yourself ready before the rest of your household wakes? How long do you need? What can your children do while you are getting yourself ready? Will they play in a pack-n-play, feed themselves cereal, take care of their own potty needs or have cuddle time with your spouse? Make it a team effort and brainstorm with your spouse. Get specific about who will pack lunches, feed the children, pour the milk, give the vitamins, etc. Decide whether you will take turns or divvy up the responsibilities. Make sure you each have time to take care of your own needs, too. Hashing all of this out upfront and writing up a schedule will help you to figure out realistically how long it actually takes to get everybody ready in the morning, and then work your timeline backwards from when you’re due at work. Changing diapers, potty time, breakfast, getting dressed and tooth brushing may take a lot longer than you think! And be sure to leave plenty of extra time for traffic or the occasional extra-long good-bye with your child.

Start the Night Before

Pack up everything you and your child need for the next day before you go to bed: diaper bag, lunches, laptop bag, permission slips and bottles. Have the coffeemaker set to have that much needed java brewed and ready. If you weren’t a list maker before you had children, there is no better time than now to start! Jot down even the smallest of details and necessities that need to be packed or prepared. Sticky notes are a working parent’s best friend. Put a small bin in the fridge for each member of your family who packs breakfast, lunch or bottles and label with names.  Fill each bin with all lunch box items so in the morning you can just transfer the contents of each into a thermal bag with ice packs, etc. If something can’t be pre-packed, jot down a note and stick it in the bin so you know at a glance what is missing in the morning mayhem. Choose outfits the night before—if you are super savvy, you might even check the weather and select your children’s outfits for the whole week!

Back to the Grind

You may be shocked at how busy you will be when you go back to work. Plan time before or after work to spend with your children so you don’t feel like you are missing the details. Ease up on the idea of keeping the house clean 24/7. Your children won’t remember if the house was always sparkling clean or not, but they will remember the quality of the time they spent with you. Maximize your lunch breaks: go on a quick walk to boost your energy levels and be sure to pack healthful snacks. You may find it energizing to be back at work—you may be filled with new ideas, and be excited to spend your day with grown-ups! Don’t feel bad about leaving the office as soon as your workday officially ends–parenthood has taught you to be decidedly efficient, and to get more accomplished in less time. And, be sure to get as much sleep as possible–no matter how prepared and organized you are, going back to work and still maintaining a productive household can be exhausting!

You Deserve a Reward!

After all of the planning, organizing and hard work it takes to go back to the grind while also creating a happy and healthy work-life balance, treat yourself! Plan that rewarding lunchtime mani/pedi, a happy hour with your BFF or schedule some Saturday morning cuddle time with the little ones. You deserve it, and it will help reenergize you so you can do it all again next week.

Subscribe to our monthly events newsletter CLICK HERE.

As a parent, you probably never stop worrying about your child. Is he or she happy? Healthy? Safe? While you can’t control everything, there are steps that you can take in your home to help improve your child’s safety and well-being.

Childproofing your home can be an overwhelming task. The most effective way to start is to evaluate your home, room by room, from your child’s perspective. If your child is crawling, get down on your hands and knees. Is your child toddling or walking? Get down to his or her level and check out the view. If you were crawling, toddling or walking where would you go? What looks tempting or interesting? What is within reach? Where could you climb? While not all accidents can be avoided, below are some general childproofing tips to help you get started. Remember to evaluate every area in your home for potential dangers.

Also keep in mind that childproofing is an ongoing process. As your child grows and develops (e.g., crawling, toddling, walking), you will need to reevaluate your childproofing efforts upon each milestone.

Furniture & Appliances

• Secure heavy furniture and appliances to walls wherever possible.
• Store heavy items on the bottoms of furniture such as bookshelves and cabinets so they are not top heavy.
• Keep furniture and/or office drawers closed when not in use – climbing children tend to use these as ladders.
• Make sure heavy appliances, such as televisions and computers, are pushed back from the edges of furniture – bolt them to the wall if possible.
• Cover pointed edges of furniture with guards or bumpers
• In the kitchen, use a stove guard to prevent your child from touching the burners or pulling at hot pots.
• Use plastic covers if the stove’s knobs are within your child’s reach.
• Always lock your oven or invest in a lock to prevent your child from opening the oven door.

Doors & Windows

• Keep windows and doors closed and locked when not in use.
• Use door knob covers. Be sure that these covers are sturdy enough not to break, but also allow doors to open quickly by and adult in case of emergency.
• Use door stops or door holders on doors and hinges to keep little fingers safe.
• Place marks or stickers on glass and sliding doors to make them visible.
• Keep furniture away from windows.
• If you have double hung windows, open them from the top.
• Never open low windows more than four inches.
• Use window stops, to prevent windows from opening more than four inches.

Blinds, Curtains & Draperies

• Keep your child’s crib or bed away from blinds, curtains or draperies.
• Keep blind, curtain and drapery pull cords out of your child’s reach.
  • Cut or remove pull cords.
  • Replace pull cords with safety tassels.
  • Use inner cord stops.

• Make sure that older blinds and drapery cords have tie-down devices to hold the cords tight.
• When purchasing new window coverings ask for those with child safety features.

Bathroom

• Keep the toilet seat down when not in use.
• Install a toilet lid lock to prevent your child from lifting the lid.
• Always unplug appliances such as curling irons and hair dryers, after each use (and never keep anything plugged‑in near water).
• Keep all medications and vitamins in a locked cabinet.
• Keep razors, scissors, tweezers and other sharp bathroom objects in a high or locked cabinet.
• Set your water heater temperature to 120 degrees or lower to help prevent burns from hot water.
• Install anti-scald devices on faucets and showerheads.
• Use a non-slip mat in the bathtub and on the floor next to the bathtub to prevent slips.

Cabinets, Closets & Drawers

• Secure cabinets, closets and/or drawers with locks or child-proof latches.
• Store sharp, potentially harmful objects and dangerous products in high cabinets, out of your child’s reach.

Stairways & Other Areas

• At the top and bottom of stairs, use safety gates that screw in place; they are more secure than those that stay in place with pressure.
• Use safety gates that children cannot dislodge, but that you can easily open and close so you will be less likely to leave them open.
• Use safety gates to prevent your child’s curious exploration into dangerous areas around your home such as the kitchen, bathroom, pool and hot tub.

Electrical Outlets

• Cover or replace all electrical outlets.
  • Plastic Outlet Protectors –These devices fit directly into the outlet holes to prevent the insertion of foreign objects. If using these protectors; make sure they are large enough not to be a choking hazard.
  • Tamper Resistant Outlet Covers – These outlets look just like regular outlets, but use a plastic shutter to prevent the insertion of foreign objects.
  • Tamper Resistant Outlet Face Covers – These receptacle covers have plates that slide over the outlet holes when not in use. Some require replacing the entire outlet cover, others install over the existing outlet face cover.
• Use a power strip safety cover on all in-use power strips.

Sources: www.cpsc.gov, www.babycenter.com, www.kidshealth.org

Call us at 512.258.5292 for a tour of The Goddard School of Cedar Park!