With more and more children being diagnosed with various attention disorders, depression, aggression, and obesity, a series of studies that endorse the restorative powers of outdoor play and access to nature are receiving serious attention. It’s time to get your kids outside with the trees and into the garden—any trees, any garden. Green space and […]
How much or how little freedom you allow your child means finding the right balance between being protective and being permissive and is the key to fostering independence. It is a fine line and a worrisome one for parents as the ramifications of both extremes have far reaching consequences.
It is important for parents to teach a child various ways to cope with unhappiness and other negative emotions rather than try to protect him from experiencing them. Children learn important lessons by dealing with strong emotions and it is not a parent’s job to shield him, but to teach him that he can regulate […]
This is the holiday season and it is important to remind your children about acts of kindness —what they are and how to perform them—and how to express gratitude for the kindness they receive from others. As exciting and happy as this time of year is for many, it is heartbreaking for some and even […]
Kids are bullied for too often and so are adults, although adults understand why it happens, know their options, and can cope better than any child can. We have all become aware that bullying is on the increase at every age level. Physically strong and dominant people—adults and children—and people in authority with power over […]
Practice staying calm even when you are upset, and teach kids the techniques they can use to remain calm and let them know about the dividends of self-control.
The bullying of children has become a major topic of conversation and concern. We know bullying occurs far too often and we know the terrible results and they are frightening. However, bullying is not confined to childhood; it is behavior that reflects the adult world.
Parents need to be involved in their child’s sports and should talk to their child’s coach—but within reason. Sometimes what is reasonable in looking after their child’s needs and best interests in sporting activities can be confusing to some parents. They find it hard to believe, for instance, that it isn’t always a good idea […]
Being appropriately dressed for your child’s sports doesn’t mean dressed in the latest sports fashion, it means being properly attired so that you’re comfortable. When your child signs up to join a team, it’s very important to be involved, and you can expect it to be a rewarding experience but you can find yourself suffering […]
Teaching positivity—positive thinking—to children is important but should not lead to showering them with unmerited praise, and encouraging them to avoid competition so they will not experience loss. If praise is insincere, and children are not allowed to compete and lose, they can develop unrealistic expectations about life and won’t learn how to deal with […]