Children don’t all develop in the exact same way, at the exact same time. Development milestones should be looked at as guidelines – nothing more. Understand that child development, as so many other things, is not predictable.
Each child’s development has the potential to be influenced by his or her environment, DNA, and life’s personal experiences. Just the way each child has his or her own personality, the process of development towards adulthood is unique.
However, there are milestones that are worth looking to for each age range. Here’s what to look out for in 7-8 year olds.
Knowledge and Learning Style
Your child may begin to enjoy sharing what he or she has learned with parents, siblings, and just about anyone who is willing to listen with interest. He or she may also begin to demonstrate a greater attention span and become a better problem solver. Learning starts to peak, due to an increase in understanding, becoming more curious, and having a desire to learn, not only in school, but about the world around them.
As the area of technology continues to increase and expand, where children are using it in their learning as well as entertainment, electronic gadgets are great learning tools. These include eReaders or tablets that can be loaded with age-appropriate reading and electronic games.
Motor Skills
At this stage, there is an increase in your child’s motor skills and desire to participate in physical games and activities, such as structured sports. You may also notice that your child can run for a longer period of time with better form, and kick or catch a ball with more accuracy. This is a great time to introduce your child to playing on a local sporting team.
Toys that encourage this specific area may include a basketball set that is adjustable in height, soccer ball and practice nets, bicycle, and even a jungle gym set. Encourage outdoor play and less indoor gaming for overall good health.
Creativity
You can help your child adjust in this area by exposing him or her to art, music, plays, and even different forms of dancing. As body awareness becomes more evident, so does your child’s focus and concentration, such as in reading or watching plays.
Some of the best toys to encourage creativity are drawing easels, sketch pads, dramatic play with dolls and puppets, and character dress-up, where your child can dress up as his or her favorite television or movie character. There is no limit to creativity.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Dealing with Fear: A Guide for Parents of Anxious Children
Do you have a fearful child? It is not uncommon for young children to express anxiety about a number of topics, including "monsters," the dark or even going to school. The good news is, you can help your little one manage their fears while improving your relationship at the same time. Read on for a few tips to help you with this situation.
Recognize Where Fear Comes From
Children are afraid of things they do not understand. Little ones, in particular, do not have the ability to think through new experiences to figure out what is going on and how to cope with it. In addition, starting at around age two, children begin to develop an imagination, which can also increase fear. A child may be able to picture a monster in their mind, but at the same time, they have difficulty understanding that the monster isn't real. It is important for your child to be able to manage their fear, because it sets the stage for how they will deal with other emotions later in their life. As their parent, you can be a crucial support during this process.
Reassure Your Little One
If your child expresses fear, start by telling them that everyone gets afraid sometimes. Thank them for telling you how they feel. From there, make sure they know that you and your partner will do everything you can to keep them safe. However, make sure you don't tell your child not to be afraid or ridicule them for expressing this emotion. It won't help them get over their fears and it may lead to a situation where they do not feel comfortable confiding in you any longer. Always acknowledge what your child is saying to you, but try and find a balance between giving them too much attention for their fears and ignoring them.
Help With Bedtime
Children often feel anxious at bedtime for two reasons. First, the dark can be scary. In addition, it can be difficult to be away from you and your partner for long periods of time. To help with the adjustment, make sure your child has a nightlight. Establish a bedtime routine, where you read a story or sing a song to get your little one to relax. You can also purchase a sound machine so there is some background noise in the room.
Once your child reaches the age of four or five years old, you can begin helping them manage their fear of the darkness. Have him or her draw pictures of the dark; it could help you see if there is a specific fear, like a monster living in the closet, that you weren't aware of before. Also, play games together in the dark (with a flashlight) to help your child get used to the experience of being in an area without light.
Having fears and anxieties as a child is very normal. You can help your child learn coping skills that will be valuable to them later in life by using the tips included above.
Recognize Where Fear Comes From
Children are afraid of things they do not understand. Little ones, in particular, do not have the ability to think through new experiences to figure out what is going on and how to cope with it. In addition, starting at around age two, children begin to develop an imagination, which can also increase fear. A child may be able to picture a monster in their mind, but at the same time, they have difficulty understanding that the monster isn't real. It is important for your child to be able to manage their fear, because it sets the stage for how they will deal with other emotions later in their life. As their parent, you can be a crucial support during this process.
Reassure Your Little One
If your child expresses fear, start by telling them that everyone gets afraid sometimes. Thank them for telling you how they feel. From there, make sure they know that you and your partner will do everything you can to keep them safe. However, make sure you don't tell your child not to be afraid or ridicule them for expressing this emotion. It won't help them get over their fears and it may lead to a situation where they do not feel comfortable confiding in you any longer. Always acknowledge what your child is saying to you, but try and find a balance between giving them too much attention for their fears and ignoring them.
Help With Bedtime
Children often feel anxious at bedtime for two reasons. First, the dark can be scary. In addition, it can be difficult to be away from you and your partner for long periods of time. To help with the adjustment, make sure your child has a nightlight. Establish a bedtime routine, where you read a story or sing a song to get your little one to relax. You can also purchase a sound machine so there is some background noise in the room.
Once your child reaches the age of four or five years old, you can begin helping them manage their fear of the darkness. Have him or her draw pictures of the dark; it could help you see if there is a specific fear, like a monster living in the closet, that you weren't aware of before. Also, play games together in the dark (with a flashlight) to help your child get used to the experience of being in an area without light.
Having fears and anxieties as a child is very normal. You can help your child learn coping skills that will be valuable to them later in life by using the tips included above.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Bonding With Your Baby: Forming a Lifetime Relationship
We have all heard how newborn animals bond with their parents, imprint on them and learn from them. It is the same with humans. You may not realize it, but you and your newborn need to bond during the first few weeks of life, and this bonding will be the beginning of a long, and satisfying, relationship. Good bonding has been shown to impact a child's adult life as well, enabling him to form lasting, successful relationships as he grows.
Your baby is unique, and uses his own set of signals to express his needs and wants. During the first months of your baby's life, you will learn how his cries can signal hunger, or tiredness and how his body movements indicate his mood and excitement. Soon, before he can even talk, you will know your baby like a book. The secret is to really pay attention to your child and spend lots of time learning from him.
One of the most important ways you can bond with your baby is by spending a lot of time looking at him. Look deep into his eyes as he is feeding, whether by breast or bottle, talking soothingly to him. Make interesting facial expressions with him as you change his diaper, or while you hold him. Be sure to talk to him all the time, explaining what you are doing, even though he is too young to understand. He will soon associate your voice with comfort and happiness. Your baby will learn that you are his parent, and the most special person in his life.
You can bond with your baby through play and laughter. For infants, it is fun to play body part games, such as little piggy and patty cake. Soon, you will find that he is trying to do the motions with his own hands. Laughing is great fun for babies, and he will learn to imitate your laughter and facial expressions, as well as cultivating a wonderful relationship with you.
It can be difficult for dads to bond with their babies, due to long workdays, and children being in bed sometimes when they come home. But dads need to bond with their babies too. A good way to encourage the bonding experience between dad and baby is to let him feed the baby a bottle once in a while. Once breastfeeding is established, it doesn't hurt to give daddy a bottle, so that he can experience the eye contact and body language that is so important in a baby's first months.
Bedtime routines can be a special bonding experience. A warm bath, nighttime feeding and a couple of picture books make for a relaxing evening that is conducive to peaceful sleep. Be creative, and come up with your own bedtime traditions, as this is an important time in your child's day.
There is a lot to learn when you have a newborn or infant in your life, and it is crucial that the bonding process is encouraged every day. If you just follow your feelings, and your baby's actions, you will learn about him every day, as he learns about you. Good bonding will jump-start your relationship, and pave the way for a lifetime of love!
Your baby is unique, and uses his own set of signals to express his needs and wants. During the first months of your baby's life, you will learn how his cries can signal hunger, or tiredness and how his body movements indicate his mood and excitement. Soon, before he can even talk, you will know your baby like a book. The secret is to really pay attention to your child and spend lots of time learning from him.
One of the most important ways you can bond with your baby is by spending a lot of time looking at him. Look deep into his eyes as he is feeding, whether by breast or bottle, talking soothingly to him. Make interesting facial expressions with him as you change his diaper, or while you hold him. Be sure to talk to him all the time, explaining what you are doing, even though he is too young to understand. He will soon associate your voice with comfort and happiness. Your baby will learn that you are his parent, and the most special person in his life.
You can bond with your baby through play and laughter. For infants, it is fun to play body part games, such as little piggy and patty cake. Soon, you will find that he is trying to do the motions with his own hands. Laughing is great fun for babies, and he will learn to imitate your laughter and facial expressions, as well as cultivating a wonderful relationship with you.
It can be difficult for dads to bond with their babies, due to long workdays, and children being in bed sometimes when they come home. But dads need to bond with their babies too. A good way to encourage the bonding experience between dad and baby is to let him feed the baby a bottle once in a while. Once breastfeeding is established, it doesn't hurt to give daddy a bottle, so that he can experience the eye contact and body language that is so important in a baby's first months.
Bedtime routines can be a special bonding experience. A warm bath, nighttime feeding and a couple of picture books make for a relaxing evening that is conducive to peaceful sleep. Be creative, and come up with your own bedtime traditions, as this is an important time in your child's day.
There is a lot to learn when you have a newborn or infant in your life, and it is crucial that the bonding process is encouraged every day. If you just follow your feelings, and your baby's actions, you will learn about him every day, as he learns about you. Good bonding will jump-start your relationship, and pave the way for a lifetime of love!
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
A Few Tips For New Parents
Becoming a parent is a very exciting experience but a lot of new parents also feel stressed because of their lack of experience. You should go over this article for some useful information on parenting strategies you can use.
Reading parenting books can be helpful but you should not attempt to follow absolutely everything you read. Keep in mind that parenting books are written by professionals who have developed their own method. You will probably find some methods more interesting than others but it is best to raise your children by using your common sense and following your gut feeling instead of always referring to a method. The same thing is true with parenting classes.
Always remember that there are no perfect parents. Do not blame yourself if you make a mistake or feel like you have a hard time communicating with your children. Try the best you can and make sure your children understand that you deeply care. Tell your children you love them and do what you think is best for them. If you feel like you need help with parenting, talk to your friends or relatives for advice or consider taking a parenting class.
Parenting is easier if you work as a team. Talk to your significant other about the parenting strategies you want to use and the values you want to teach your children. It is important to be consistent in the rules you establish for your children and in the punishments you implement. You should talk about your children regularly and make important decisions together. Do not hesitate to turn to your close relatives if you need help with parenting.
Put as much money aside as possible to build a better future for your children. You should open up some savings accounts and save up for emergencies. Consider opening a 529 plan so you can start saving for the education of your children. Try finding a better job so you can move to a safe area and be closer to quality schools. Keep in mind that providing a safe environment for your children should be your priority. Make sacrifices if necessary, for instance by getting rid of small luxuries.
Get to know your children. The strategies you use for parenting should be adapted to the personality of your children. Spend some quality time with them and communicate as much as possible. You should ask them about their day at school once they are old enough. Talk to your toddlers, sing songs together and play games to establish communication. Your children are unique and it is important that you get to know them so you can adapt to their specific needs and interests. Keeping a strong connection with your teenagers will be easier if your children get used to communicating with you openly from a young age.
Apply these different parenting tips and do more research on this interesting topic so you can raise happy children. Keep in mind that parenting gets much easier as you gain more experience and confidence.
Reading parenting books can be helpful but you should not attempt to follow absolutely everything you read. Keep in mind that parenting books are written by professionals who have developed their own method. You will probably find some methods more interesting than others but it is best to raise your children by using your common sense and following your gut feeling instead of always referring to a method. The same thing is true with parenting classes.
Always remember that there are no perfect parents. Do not blame yourself if you make a mistake or feel like you have a hard time communicating with your children. Try the best you can and make sure your children understand that you deeply care. Tell your children you love them and do what you think is best for them. If you feel like you need help with parenting, talk to your friends or relatives for advice or consider taking a parenting class.
Parenting is easier if you work as a team. Talk to your significant other about the parenting strategies you want to use and the values you want to teach your children. It is important to be consistent in the rules you establish for your children and in the punishments you implement. You should talk about your children regularly and make important decisions together. Do not hesitate to turn to your close relatives if you need help with parenting.
Put as much money aside as possible to build a better future for your children. You should open up some savings accounts and save up for emergencies. Consider opening a 529 plan so you can start saving for the education of your children. Try finding a better job so you can move to a safe area and be closer to quality schools. Keep in mind that providing a safe environment for your children should be your priority. Make sacrifices if necessary, for instance by getting rid of small luxuries.
Get to know your children. The strategies you use for parenting should be adapted to the personality of your children. Spend some quality time with them and communicate as much as possible. You should ask them about their day at school once they are old enough. Talk to your toddlers, sing songs together and play games to establish communication. Your children are unique and it is important that you get to know them so you can adapt to their specific needs and interests. Keeping a strong connection with your teenagers will be easier if your children get used to communicating with you openly from a young age.
Apply these different parenting tips and do more research on this interesting topic so you can raise happy children. Keep in mind that parenting gets much easier as you gain more experience and confidence.
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