PARENTING IS THE MOST JOYFUL JOB YOU'LL EVER HAVE.
(It's also the toughest.)DURING THE INFANT AND TODDLER YEARS:
You must meet all your Child's needs. This includes feeding, Changing,
bathing and dressing your child. It also includes helping your child learn --
starting from infancy -- by taking and playing with him or her.
AS YOUR CHILD GROWS:
So does your role as a parent. For example, you become your child's:
1. Teacher -- answering your Child's questions about why things happen
and how things work
2. Counselor -- guiding your Child through good times and bad.
PARENTING TAKES TIME, ATTENTION AND PATIENCE.
MOST OF ALL, IT TAKES LOVE.
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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO LEARN PARENTING SKILLS???
(Because you need them to help meet your Child's):
1.PHYSICAL NEEDS: This means doing all you can to help your child
grow up healthy and safe.
2.EMOTIONAL NEEDS: Showing your love and giving encouragement
are critical! They help your child build self-confidence and form healthy
relationship.
3.INTELLECTUAL NEEDS: Your Child needs your help to learn and
master new skills.
YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD REACH HIS OR HER FULL POTENTIAL.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PARENTING......
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UNDERSTAND YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICAL NEEDS:
They include:
A HEALTHY, BALANCED DIET*:
(It's also the toughest.)DURING THE INFANT AND TODDLER YEARS:
You must meet all your Child's needs. This includes feeding, Changing,
bathing and dressing your child. It also includes helping your child learn --
starting from infancy -- by taking and playing with him or her.
AS YOUR CHILD GROWS:
So does your role as a parent. For example, you become your child's:
1. Teacher -- answering your Child's questions about why things happen
and how things work
2. Counselor -- guiding your Child through good times and bad.
PARENTING TAKES TIME, ATTENTION AND PATIENCE.
MOST OF ALL, IT TAKES LOVE.
******************************************************************************
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO LEARN PARENTING SKILLS???
(Because you need them to help meet your Child's):
1.PHYSICAL NEEDS: This means doing all you can to help your child
grow up healthy and safe.
2.EMOTIONAL NEEDS: Showing your love and giving encouragement
are critical! They help your child build self-confidence and form healthy
relationship.
3.INTELLECTUAL NEEDS: Your Child needs your help to learn and
master new skills.
YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD REACH HIS OR HER FULL POTENTIAL.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PARENTING......
*******************************************************************************************
UNDERSTAND YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICAL NEEDS:
They include:
A HEALTHY, BALANCED DIET*:
Provide 3 healthy meals a day -- plus healthy snacks.
1. Serve a variety of foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber.
And limit fats, cholesterol, salt(sodium) and sugars. (The Nutrition Facts
label on foods can help.) Serve lean, low-fat or fat-free items when possible.
2. Serve lots of fruits and vegetables, and choose all different kinds.
(But limit juice.)
And limit fats, cholesterol, salt(sodium) and sugars. (The Nutrition Facts
label on foods can help.) Serve lean, low-fat or fat-free items when possible.
2. Serve lots of fruits and vegetables, and choose all different kinds.
(But limit juice.)
3. Be sure at least half of all the grain products your serve -- like bread,
cereal, rice and pasta -- are whole-grain products.
4. Provide enough milk products each day -- for example, 2 cups of milk
or yogurt for ages 2 to 8, and 3 cups from age 9 and up.
5. Don't over-serve. Learn about healthy serving sizes and the right amount
of calories for gender, age and activity level.
***** Do not restrict fat for children under age 2, or give cow's milk to those
under age 1. Ask your health-care provider about other nutritional needs
for children. Also ask before you put a child of any age on a diet. ***********
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY:
Children should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity on most --
preferably all -- days of the week. Be sure to consult your child's health-care
provider before starting your child on an exercise program.
SAFETY: HERE ARE SOME TIPS:
1. Use a safety-approved crib.
2. All children age 12 and under should ride in the back seat. Use a properly
installed safety seat if appropriate for your child's age and weight. (Follow
seat and vehicle manufacturers instructions exactly.) Never use a safety
seat in a seat that has an air bag in front of it!*
3. Lock up poisons (such as household cleaners and insect sprays) and
medicines.
4. Teach bicycle, traffic and swimming safety.
MEDICAL CARE: Take your Child for regular.
1. Physical and dental exams.
2. Immunizations (shots)
3. Vision and hearing tests.
***If your vehicle has no back seat or you are absolutely unable to avoid
transporting a child in the front seat, see a dealer or mechanic for information
about a front air bag on/off switch. Also, if you have side air bags alongside
seats occupied by children, ask the vehicle manufacturer if the side air bags
should be deactivated.
MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD GETS PLENTY OF SLEEP.
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YOUR CHILD'S EMOTIONAL NEEDS ARE IMPORTANT, TOO
They include:
1.Love:
Let your child know every day that you love him or her. Holding,
smiling and playing simple games can communicate love naturally
to infants. As your child grows, show your love by sharing your
time, listening and being involved in your child's activities.
2. A SENSE OF SECURITY:
Your Child needs to feel sure of your love. Never threaten to leave your
child. If someone else cares for your child, such as a child-care provider,
be sure your child knows that you'll return.
3. PRAISE: Point out when your child has done something well.
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YOUR CHILD HAS INTELLECTUAL NEEDS:
at every age.
ENCOURAGE CREATIVITY:
For example:
1. Let your child explore paints, crayons and clay.
2. Sing songs, listen to music and dance together.
3. Act out a favorite story. Or make up your own stories.
PROVIDE LEARNING AIDS:
Depending on your child's age, consider blocks, puzzles, models,
books, etc. Everyday objects such as tubes and egg cartons are
great for art projects or games that teach counting and sorting.
TALK WITH YOUR CHILD:
Start from early infancy. Encourage questions. Provide the best
answers you can. If you don't know the answer, be willing to help
your child find it.
BE INVOLVED IN YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION:
For Example:
1. Get to know your child's teachers.
2. Volunteer to help with field trips or other activities, if possible.
3. Help with home works.
4. Ask about special help if your child is having trouble at school.
5. Build on school lessons with trips to museums, Zoos and libraries.
READ TO YOUR CHILD OFTEN!
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BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS CAN BE A NORMAL PART OF GROWING UP
Use them as opportunities to teach your child right from wrong. Here
are ways to handle some common problems:
TEMPER TANTRUMS:
Keep your cool! Walk away if you can do so safely. Or take your child
to another room. Don't reward your child with your attention.
LYING:
Let your child know that you are aware that he or she is not telling the truth.
Instead of giving harsh punishment, try to understand why your child lied.
Explain why telling the truth is important.
DISCIPLINE YOUR CHILD WITH LOVE:
Make sure your child understands what the rules are and why following
them is important. Be consistent in discipline -- don't allow on thing one
day and not allow it the next. Try to use a positive approach("Do this")
instead of a negative one ("Don't do that"). Never hit or shake your child.
CHEATING:
Make it clear that cheating is always wrong -- at school and at play.
Cheating can be the result of too much competition. Talk to your child and
find out if he or she feels pressured to do well. Help your child understand
the importance of being fair.
STEALING:
Don't ask your child whether he or she has stolen something. This might
give your child an opportunity to lie instead, show your child that stealing
is wrong. Insist that your child return the stolen item and apologize for his
or her actions.
GET HELP IF PROBLEM BEHAVIOR CONTINUES:
Sources of help include:
1. Your child's teacher or other school staff.
2. Your child's health-care provider.
3. Family counseling services.
4. Mental health centers.
5. Religious leaders.
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BRING OUT THE BEST IN YOUR CHILD
These qualities may help your child be more successful:
SELF-ESTEEM:
Your child needs to know that he or she is a capable person. Help your child
feel good about accomplishments and accept-- and lean from -- failure.
INDEPENDENCE:
Children remember things better when they discover them on their own.
Allow your child to try new things that are reasonable for his or her age
and experience.
SOCIAL SKILLS:
Help your child learn to get along with others. Teach him or her:
1. good manners 2. how to share 3. how to listen 4. how to respect others
needs, opinions, differences and property.
A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY:
Develop this by including your child in household chores. For example,
let your child be in charge of setting the table or feeding the family pet.
Decide together on the consequences of not carrying out responsibilities.
A SENSE OF HUMOR:
Smiling and laughter are a healthy part of your child's development.
Tell jokes and silly stories. Encourage your child to find humor in
his or her own actions.
EVERY CHILD IS DIFFERENT. ACCEPT YOUR CHILD FOR THE INDIVIDUAL
HE OR SHE IS.
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COMMUNICATION IS A KEY TO EFFECTIVE PARENTING
MAKE TIME TO TALK:
Find time in your busy day when you can give your child your full
attention. Pick a time that's good for your child, too. Take the
opportunity to explore what's going on in your child's life.
LISTEN:
Pay attention to what your child has to say. Look for hidden messages.
For example, your child may complain that nobody likes him or her.
But your child may really be upset because a good friend sat next to
another child in the school cafeteria.
SHOW RESPECT:
Value your child's thoughts and feelings. Don't judge, blame or tease.
Try to put yourself in your child's shoes.
BE HONEST:
Explain your beliefs. Be direct and tell your child what you think. Help
your child understand your point of view.
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MORE TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL PARENTING
BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL:
Your child learns how to act by watching you. Be the kind of person you
want your child to be. For example:
1. Show your love, and your child will too.
2. Treat others fairly, and your child will too.
3. Approach problems with a positive attitude, and your child will too.
4. Show respect for your child and others, and your child will show
respect for you and others.
BE WILLING TO LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES
There's no such thing as the perfect parent -- or the perfect child. Admit it
when you make a mistake. Think about what you could have done differently.
