This first step is to lay a strong foundation on which to build your children's education.
Enjoy the bi-weekly articles below.
These sections are organized by age level, but the information is not confined to that age group. Consider looking at other age ranges as well. Also, make sure to check out the Archives.
Enjoy the bi-weekly articles below.
These sections are organized by age level, but the information is not confined to that age group. Consider looking at other age ranges as well. Also, make sure to check out the Archives.
Teaching Patience to Young Children
It is best to begin teaching patience to little children one step at a time.
When your child wants something, almost give it to them. Don't stop doing what you are doing, but repeat back to them what they want. Hold up one finger and say "Wait! Wait! Just one second." After a few seconds (while you continue doing what you were doing or doing something else), give your child what they have asked for. Praise your young child "Good waiting!" Quickly rewarding your child's patience teaches "waiting" is good. It also helps your child know you keep your word.
If you practice "patience stretching" (waiting longer each time), you will build your young child's self-control. You must not tease, but give your child what he ask you for- to grow your child's faith in you and help him/her know they can trust you.
Patience can enable learning.
Help Your Children Know Themselves
An important element of emotional intelligence is knowing ourselves. Self-awareness is a process taught and practiced throughout life. Children can become aware of themselves by the end of their first year or between 15 and 24 months.
Self awareness is understanding who we are, what we can do, knowing our own strengths and weaknesses, how we get to be the way we are and how our presence and behavior affect others. Understanding our own needs, desires, failings and habits contributes to what makes us unique human beings not like any other. It is up to parents to nurture and develop this trait in their children. It is one of the most essential attributes parents can help their children learn. If children understand their own thoughts, emotions, strengths, challenges, needs and dreams, they can make better choices to help them be successful throughout their lives.
Parents can teach children to be confident—how to take risks, develop a growth mindset “I can!”, and celebrate their wins and successes. Parents can teach children to compliment themselves “I did it!” Trying new things together and giving children opportunities for a chance to learn about themselves are other things parents can do. Teach children about their feelings and emotions and possible ways to handle them.
Thinking about these things focuses on a child’s ability to accurately judge their own performance and behavior and respond appropriately to different social situations in which they find themselves. How to handle frustration, anger, fear and undesirable reaction taught to young children will encourage future interaction with others.
Websites such as fatherly.com/parenting/how-to-teach-self-awareness-to-kids/ suggests you teach children “I” statements such as “I feel ______ when_______.” This helps children with honest communication. “I feel mad when my sister goes into my room without asking me first.” Parents might take this opportunity to promote creative problem solving as well.
There are other websites with ideas to help you implement strategies to help your children of any age learn to be aware of their personality and to develop a positive character.
Such books as Be Who You Are by Todd Parr, The Things I Love About Me by Trace Moroney, Mixed Me by Taye Diggs, You’re Here for a Reason by Nancy Tillson and I Like Me! by Nancy Carlson are just some of the books suggested by readbrightly.com/books-that-help-kids-know-and-love-themselves/ to help your children learn their value and awareness of themselves in a complicated and confusing world.
Every human has four endowments—self-awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom. The power to choose, to respond, to change. Stephen Covey
Endow your children with these gifts.
It is best to begin teaching patience to little children one step at a time.
When your child wants something, almost give it to them. Don't stop doing what you are doing, but repeat back to them what they want. Hold up one finger and say "Wait! Wait! Just one second." After a few seconds (while you continue doing what you were doing or doing something else), give your child what they have asked for. Praise your young child "Good waiting!" Quickly rewarding your child's patience teaches "waiting" is good. It also helps your child know you keep your word.
If you practice "patience stretching" (waiting longer each time), you will build your young child's self-control. You must not tease, but give your child what he ask you for- to grow your child's faith in you and help him/her know they can trust you.
Patience can enable learning.
Help Your Children Know Themselves
An important element of emotional intelligence is knowing ourselves. Self-awareness is a process taught and practiced throughout life. Children can become aware of themselves by the end of their first year or between 15 and 24 months.
Self awareness is understanding who we are, what we can do, knowing our own strengths and weaknesses, how we get to be the way we are and how our presence and behavior affect others. Understanding our own needs, desires, failings and habits contributes to what makes us unique human beings not like any other. It is up to parents to nurture and develop this trait in their children. It is one of the most essential attributes parents can help their children learn. If children understand their own thoughts, emotions, strengths, challenges, needs and dreams, they can make better choices to help them be successful throughout their lives.
Parents can teach children to be confident—how to take risks, develop a growth mindset “I can!”, and celebrate their wins and successes. Parents can teach children to compliment themselves “I did it!” Trying new things together and giving children opportunities for a chance to learn about themselves are other things parents can do. Teach children about their feelings and emotions and possible ways to handle them.
Thinking about these things focuses on a child’s ability to accurately judge their own performance and behavior and respond appropriately to different social situations in which they find themselves. How to handle frustration, anger, fear and undesirable reaction taught to young children will encourage future interaction with others.
Websites such as fatherly.com/parenting/how-to-teach-self-awareness-to-kids/ suggests you teach children “I” statements such as “I feel ______ when_______.” This helps children with honest communication. “I feel mad when my sister goes into my room without asking me first.” Parents might take this opportunity to promote creative problem solving as well.
There are other websites with ideas to help you implement strategies to help your children of any age learn to be aware of their personality and to develop a positive character.
Such books as Be Who You Are by Todd Parr, The Things I Love About Me by Trace Moroney, Mixed Me by Taye Diggs, You’re Here for a Reason by Nancy Tillson and I Like Me! by Nancy Carlson are just some of the books suggested by readbrightly.com/books-that-help-kids-know-and-love-themselves/ to help your children learn their value and awareness of themselves in a complicated and confusing world.
Every human has four endowments—self-awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom. The power to choose, to respond, to change. Stephen Covey
Endow your children with these gifts.