Play and love at pre-school

In an age when parents, esp. in India, want to push their children to 'achieve', 'do', 'compete' - right from the time they are toddlers, this beautiful post by Teacher Tom serves as a timely reminder about what is really important and what education should be all about.

http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.in/2012/10/a-play-and-love-based-curriculum.html

Thanks, Teacher Tom!

How often we do all the wrong things!

Just today we had a major tantrum and meltdown where I told my daughter to go to her room and stay there until she calms down. I read this blog post later in the evening.... how do we manage to do the wrong things so often?? :(

http://www.ahaparenting.com/_blog/Parenting_Blog/post/What_To_Do_When_Your_Child_Gets_Angry/

Empathise

A wonderful article.

You don't have to give in to an unreasonable child - just empathise.

http://www.ahaparenting.com/parenting-tools/raise-great-kids/emotionally-intelligent-child/emotional-health

What Does Your Child Think of Disciplining Tactics?

Even after reading what I think is loads of material on disciplining and bringing up kids well, I still get stuck in grooves of losing my temper, over-reacting, etc. How does my child react to these reactions of mine? What does she think of it?

Here's a lovely article by Janet giving answers to just those questions. Now if only I can keep these in mind before I 'lose it' the next time.

http://www.janetlansbury.com/2012/02/what-your-toddler-thinks-of-discipline/

Writing in the Montessori environment

Do we stop to think about how a child begins the process of writing? Is it only about providing paper and pencil and letting them get on with the job?

Or are much deeper processes involved - processes that involve preparing the mind and the hand to perform the complex task of writing. Read on...

http://blog.montessoriprintshop.com/2011/10/31/writing-in-the-montessori-environment.aspx

Tips To Calm Kids Down

http://practicalkatie.com/2011/02/04/calm-it-down-tips-for-helping-your-kids-relax/

A perfectly awesome post by Katie - Practical Parenting

I'm going to be using the 'pretend' balloon blowing one and the story walk most often, if I can remember to when we need to bring in some 'calm'. Ms. E loves 'pretend' ideas so it should not be too difficult! The trick will be to begin the calming process before she goes completely berserk!

Thanks, Katie!

Positive Discipline Part 4

Where are we heading with Positive Discipline?

The ultimate goal is to have well-balanced kids, who know they're loved and have the self-confidence to face life.

Thanks to Katie Mommy Moment for this beautiful round-up of the Positive Discipline series.

http://www.mommymoment.ca/2011/10/positive-discipline-long-term-goals.html

Turn a 'No' into a 'Yes'

How often do we head into tantrums and fussy behaviour for no reason whatsoever! But is that true? Is there really no reason?

The reason lies in OUR behaviour -after reading this post below, I can see where and how we go wrong as parents in our dealings with our little ones. Yes, we're rushed for time; yes, we've got other things to do BUT making them rush is what makes them dig in their heels and get stubborn about what and how they want to do things. At their own pace.

So it seems to me - for anything we need them to do, we have to make provision for enough time - enough spare time for dawdling and wasting, for getting side-tracked, so that everyone wins and we have a happy toddler by our sides.

Read on!

http://www.regardingbaby.org/2011/10/04/the-secret-to-turning-a-toddlers-no-into-a-yes/

Thank you, Lisa, your blog Regarding Baby is wonderful.      

Positive Discipline Part 3

Here's the 3rd part in the series on Positive Discipline: an excellent post once again. This series is amazing.

http://www.mommymoment.ca/2011/09/positive-discipline-praise-encouragement-rewards.html

Now if only Eyana and I can follow it by the book :)

Handling Sibling Violence

Though we don't need it yet, at some point, we just might! :) We've often seen parents getting worked up, upset, infuriated with such situations and the result is that the older child is either scolded strongly or even beaten up sometimes. Complete deterioration of the situation results and no one benefits or learns anything from the process.


A lovely post from Dr. Laura Markham of Aha! Parenting showing some skills in handling such sibling rivalry/violence situations -

http://www.ahaparenting.com/_blog/Parenting_Blog/post/The_Best_Way_to_Stop_Sibling_Violence/