Weekend Reads 1.31.14

Articles:

10 Ways to Guide Children Without Punishment {Aha! Parenting}

“Are you wondering how your child will learn not to do these things next time, if you don’t “discipline” him when he does them?  Then you’re assuming that we need to punish children to “teach a lesson.”  Actually, research shows that punishing kids creates more misbehavior. Being punished makes kids angry and defensive. It launches adrenalin and the other fight, flight or freeze hormones, and turns off the reasoning, cooperative impulses. Kids quickly forget the “bad” behavior that led to their being punished, even while they’re processing the emotional aftermath of the punishment for weeks. If they learn anything, it’s to lie and avoid getting caught. Punishment disconnects us from our kids so we have less influence with them. It even lowers IQ, since kids who don’t feel completely safe and secure aren’t free to learn. Quite simply, punishment is never an effective means of raising a responsible, considerate, happy child. It teaches all the wrong lessons.  If, instead, we can stay kind and connected while we set limits, our children will internalize what they’ve lived. “

The Words to Say When Children are Disappointed {Positive Parenting Connection}

“As my words met his disappointment, I saw his face relax into a small smile. It wasn’t happiness but a smile that showed acceptance and acknowledgement that I had paid attention. I had listened, and although I wasn’t giving into my sons’ request, just three words made it safe for him tofeel his disappointment and let it go.”

You Can Do Everything Right and Still Have a Child with Special Needs {Playing with Words 365}

“As an SLP, I am considered an expert in speech and language development. I kinda know how this stuff works, and I have been counseling parents for years on how to help their children. I know what to do, and how to do it. I help children communicate….Recently, I took my middle son Ev, age three, into our local school district to be assessed for speech therapy.  He qualifies.  The child of a speech-language pathologist qualifies for speech therapy.”  And I loved/related to this from the comments:  “…My role was to be the mom and not the therapist. It was someone else’s role to be the therapist.”

School Ditches Rules and Loses Bullies {Stuff.co.nz}

“The great paradox of cotton-woolling children is it’s more dangerous in the long-run.”  Society’s obsession with protecting children ignores the benefits of risk-taking, he said.  Children develop the frontal lobe of their brain when taking risks, meaning they work out consequences. “You can’t teach them that. They have to learn risk on their own terms. It doesn’t develop by watching TV, they have to get out there.”

Activities:

People Play Dough Mats (Free Printable) {Pickle Bums}

Oh my goodness, I love this!  Want to encourage creativity, fine motor skills, language, and more than just a bit of fun and silliness?  Then this is the activity for you! (I’m printing some out today!)

 12 Picture Books about Women Who Changed History {No Time For Flash Cards}

“If children do not know about the struggles history can teach them, then they won’t appreciate the rights and freedoms they have, or realize how fragile they may be….Both young girls and young boys must hear these stories and dive into the lives of these remarkable women who changed the world.”  The usual suspects like Susan B Anthony, Anne Frank, and Rosa Parks, but also women I’m ashamed to say I didn’t know (and want to now!) like Margaret E. Knight, RoseAleta Laurell and Molly Williams.

Musical Hearts: Reading, Moving, & Crazy Fun Kid Game {Teach Mama}

What a fun way to get kids moving!  And if you like, add in a little reading and large motor work while you’re at it!

Art School – Magazine Art {Classic Play}

Such a simple way to incorporate creativity, fine motor skills, and even the concept of symmetry if you like!  Another great activity to pull out on the fly!

 

Enjoy Your Weekend!