Do you ever feel like you don't know where to turn for good resources that can help your child? If there is something in particular you are trying to find information about please feel free to call me at 645-8668 or email me at Stacey.Boitnott@stspb.org. I may have some resources you can borrow and utilize. Please feel free to use the following articles to help your child be successful in school. _____________________________________________________________________________ LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO BE POSITIVE Children's misbehavior at home can lead to misbehavior at school. Sometimes it can be downright frustrating, making it too easy to rely on punishment. One way to correct misbehavior is to focus on the positive. When your child isn't misbehaving, try to: * Pay attention to what he does well. It's especially important to note behaviors you want to encourage. If he usually resists getting out of bed in the morning, compliment him whenever he rises on time and isn't rushing to catch the school bus. * Offer choices so your child won't argue as much. A child who dislikes chores might be more receptive to, " You can pick today. Would you rather take out the trash or put away the clean dishes?" Remember to thank him for his hard work. * Make work fun. Challenge your child to a contest on who can clean the room the fastest or play upbeat music while working on a task. * Offer rewards. Children need to understand that they don't only do something because a reward follows, but every now and then it is nice to be recognized and rewarded for a job well done. Perhaps your child is intimidated by writing book reports, so he puts them off until the last minute. Say, "Write down the steps to this project. Complete one step each day. Then we'll be able to enjoy a movie together on Friday." Follow through with the reward. _____________________________________________________________________________ DAILY ROUTINES MAKE LIFE EASIER The beginning of the school year is an opportunity for routines to make a big difference in your child's life. A regular schedule - such as going to sleep, waking, and studying at the same time each day - can make all of these tasks easier because it becomes to be expected daily activities. It may also mean fewer power struggles with your child. When daily activities are always accomplished in the same way, kids know what to expect. _____________________________________________________________________________ QUIET CALMS THE CHAOS Want to help your child better handle life's stresses? Turn down the volume at home. Studies show that kids from loud, chaotic homes may have anxiety issues or trouble handling their environments. To calm the chaos: * Turn off the TV when you're not watching it. You don't need the background oise. * Offer refuge. Find a quiet place when your child can unwind. * Rely on routines. They help your child maintain a sense of order. _____________________________________________________________________________ DECISION-MAKING BUILDS GOOD JUDGMENT Teach your youngster to use good judgment. Instead of simply telling him what to do - "Get your notebook off the kitchen counter" - ask him to consider why he should do it. "I'm getting ready to make dinner. Why do you suppose your book shouldn't be on the counter?" Let him come up with the reasons - it will be in the way, something could spill on it, etc. - by himself. _____________________________________________________________________________ FIND THE RIGHT DISCIPLINE BALANCE Research indicates that being a nurturing parent - not too harsh and too lenient - helps children behave best. This requires being kind, understanding, and helpful. Here are some nurturing messages to send your child: * I care about you. * I will be calm when you tell me difficult things. * I will help you learn from mistakes. * We are learning together. * I have confidence in you. * I hear what you are saying. * I am proud of you. * I am so happy you are my child. * You are an important part of the family. * I love you. _____________________________________________________________________________ REMEMBER DISCIPLINE'S ULTIMATE GOAL The true goal of discipline is not only to make children obey their parents. It's to help kids develop and obey their own good senses of right and wrong. Use proven discipline methods (such as praise and reasonable consequences) to build self-discipline. As your child grows, you'll trust her more...and she'll trust herself too. _____________________________________________________________________________ USE ANGER POSITIVELY WHEN DISCIPLINING All parents get anger. Rather than cave in to your anger, though, put it to work for you. Here's how: * Be a detective. If you're angry about your child's misbehavior, see if that behavior has a root cause. Did something happen at school to upset him? Ask. * Use a support system. Can you vent to a friend or relative? Do it. If not, consider getting professional help. It could be a big first step toward improving everyone's behavior. _____________________________________________________________________________ MY CHILD IS A MONSTER IN THE MORNING Q. I left my child stay up late in the summer and sleep late. Now that school is back in session and needs to wake up early, my child has become a monster. Every morning brings another meltdown. How can I get this part of her school-day routine back on track? A. It's understandable that your child isn't thrilled about waking up early. Who wants to leave a warm bed? Still, a smooth morning routine will help her arrive at school ready to learn. To make her - and your - mornings more peaceful: * Reevaluate bedtime. As yourself: Am I consistent about enforcing a regular bedtime? Is that bedtime reasonable? Remember, it's natural to let her stay up later as she gets older, but she still needs at least eight hours of sleep per night. * Plan ahead. Complete morning-related prep work the night before. This means her book bag should be packed, lunch should be in the fridge, and her outfit should be chosen well before "lights out." The fewer tasks she faces in the morning, the better. * Build extra time into your schedule. If she struggles to get out the door, wake her up 10 to 15 minutes earlier each morning (adjust her bedtime accordingly). The bit of breathing room may make everyone less stressed. * Insist on good behavior. Yes, she's tired. But she doesn' thave the right to be rude to you. If she gets out of line during her morning frenzy, enforce a consequence (even if you must postpone it until after school). (All articles came from The Parent Institute)