The Center on the Developing Child - Harvard University Videos

Today I'm sharing a playlist of videos from The Center on the Developing Child.

Please share these videos with parents and daycare providers you know.

Video Playlist

Parent Tips

Are you looking for help being a good parent?

Would you like resources to share with parents you know who are looking for help with parenting skills?

I found some resources from Leah Davies. Here's a link to Parent Tips from Leah Davies M. Ed. .

There are some great books for reading aloud to your children on the site too. I'm the owner of a business called Parent and Child Reading Assistance and a huge fan of parents reading to their children.

All the parent tip guides include useful information. I thought the guide, Ten Ways to Raise Children to Use Drugs, was a typo. It describes what parents can do wrong to increase the likelihood that their children will use drugs. It was interesting reading. I know I won't be a perfect parent, but I want to do my best. I have three beautiful people depending on me for guidance.

Have a great day! Happy Parenting!
Michelle Breum

Best Apps to Teach Phonics and Letter Sounds

Here are some of the best apps to teach phonics and letter sounds:

ABC Alphabet Phonics - Preschool Kids Game Free Lite
Phonics Genius - Innovative Mobile Apps
Interactive Alphabet - ABC Flash Cards - Piikea St. LLC
Reading Remedies - Needleworks Software
Simplex Spelling Free Lite - With Reverse Phonics - Pyxwise Software Inc.
Bob Books #1 - Reading Magic - Learning Touch


Best wishes on your reading journey!

Help for Parents Teaching a Child to Read





After School Programs for Youth and Teens are Worthwhile

 

The Wallace Foundation shares an important study about what parents and children want.

The Wallace Foundation is doing great work! I encourage you to read part of the study and share this post, so others can know about and support The Wallace Foundation. Our youth are our future!

Here's a quote that hit home with me from the study.

"All Work and No Play? also suggests that parents who

have encountered disinterest or resistance when they suggest

activities to their youngster might be well advised to give it a

second try. A whopping 89% of the youngsters we interviewed

told us that “even though I might complain about it, sometimes

I need to be pushed by my parents to do things that are
good for me”—with 62% strongly agreeing."

After school programs and activities for youth are important, but I also think youth need free time. It can be difficult to find the right balance. We don't want to over schedule our kids.

Does your community have enough after school programs and activities for youth? Have you found the right balance for your kids?

 

Happy 4th of July! Video and Book

Right click on this image to save as and share this flag in other places today.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July. Take time to teach a little about the day with your kids. Our family checks out a few patriotic books each year from the library. Our favorite book this year was Stars and Stripes: The Story of the American Flag.


















Here's a fun firework video your family might enjoy today.

Stop Sibling Rivalry

Do your children fight? Is it becoming more of a problem this summer? My children mostly get along, but my nine year old son and almost seven year old daughter have some problems with sibling rivalry. I think I've pinpointed the problem. My nine year old son is the oldest of three children. The younger children are boy/girl twins. The twins have a strong bond, and the boys have a strong bond. I think there are times my nine year old son and seven year old daughter are jealous of the relationship each has with their brother.

My husband and I don't allow anyone to talk in a negative or irrated tone to each other, but it keeps happening with our older son and younger daughter.

Last night our youngest son was at a sleepover birthday party. Our oldest son wanted to play Wii. I don't think he thought he would have much fun with his sister. It was a nice evening, so I suggested we go outside. There was a storm that was passing north of our town. We got out lawn chairs and watched the clouds and lightning. I don't know what was more beautiful, my children's interactions or the sky.

I've searched the internet for advice to manage sibling rivalry. One suggestion is for parents to have one on one time with each child. This makes each child feel important and special. We are lucky enough to have my mom living seven blocks away. She takes two children at a time for sleepovers periodically. We get the bonus of one on one time with a child, and the other two children get a chance to bond with each other.

Here are two links I've found useful.
http://www.parents-in-a-pickle.com/managing-sibling-rivalry.html
http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/sibling_rivalry.html















Here are a few videos of sibling rivalry for your entertainment. There's even one of puppy sibling rivalry.

How Should We Praise Our Children?

I've asked myself this question many times. My husband and I have discussed it. We even asked our moms to slow down on telling our oldest how smart he is and telling him he's the best drummer. We thought it would make him think he didn't need to try to be good at things.

We watched this video this morning. It lasts seven minutes. I think it has some good advice. We all want to tell our children they are smart and good, but it might have the opposite effect. One thing we can't overdo as parents is to tell them how much we love them.