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10 Reasons Some Kids are Extremely Scared of Dogs

Posted on May 16, 2012 by admin

Some kids have to be restrained from tackling strange dogs and smothering them with affection, but there are also those who are stricken with terror at the sight of man’s best friend. If a child in your life is struggling with a  fear of dogs, here are ten of the possible root causes of their phobia.

  1. Previous Trauma – Whether their experience was as harrowing as a major attack or as minor as being inadvertently knocked down by an excited puppy, kids who have suffered any sort of traumatic experience with dogs may have a difficult time feeling safe around them later.
  2. Barking – Though kids are endless sources of loud and unexpected sounds, they can often be startled and unsettled by the barking of a dog. Even playful barking from a big dog can sound menacing, and it can be too much for more timid tykes.
  3. Mistaking Exuberance For Aggression – A jumping, barking dog with a lolling tongue can look like a leaping, snarling dog who’s foaming at the mouth to a little one, who is still having trouble processing the non-verbal cues of adults in their own species.
  4. Sheer Size – A Great Dane with the sweetest disposition and calmest demeanor may still scare a preschooler who could easily sit astride him like a horse. Being dwarfed by a large, fur covered creature that licks and sniffs is understandably unsettling for some kids, who may not be as frightened by smaller breeds.
  5. Unfamiliarity – Kids that have never been exposed to dogs regularly might be terrified due simply to inexperience. With no reference point to rely on, these kids may not know if dogs can be trusted and react with terror.
  6. Accidentally Instilled Fear – Though they may seem to never be listening, kids can store up the things their parents say and process them in ways that weren’t intended. As a result, kids that are warned not to touch dogs by well-meaning parents could end up with a phobia based upon the fact that they’ve learned that it’s never okay to touch a dog, though that was far from their parents’ original intention.
  7. Pressure to “Get Over” Their Fear – Anxious to help their children overcome fear, some parents may force a child into a situation where they encounter a dog face-to-face. These sink-or-swim tactics can backfire in a major way, however, leaving kids more frightened than they were to begin with.
  8. Witnessing a Parental Phobia – In the minds of children, their parents are superheros with no fear and are stronger than anyone in the world. If they see one of these all-powerful beings react to a dog with fear, they will often feel as if dogs are something that everyone should fear.
  9. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy – When scared kids are forced to interact with a dog, that dog can sense the child’s fear and is likely to react with wariness or even aggression in some cases. This causes the child to become more frightened and to react with even more fear the next time, which can lead to a never-ending cycle.
  10. Angry Neighborhood Dog – The angry neighborhood dog is the stuff of legend. He may be famous for eating kids whole or swallowing bowling balls covered in firecrackers with a single gulp, and he strikes fear into the hearts of kids all around the block. If this is the only interaction a child has with a  dog, it’s natural for them to feel later as if all dogs should be feared.

Experts agree that the best way to help a child overcome a fear is to introduce them carefully to a controlled environment in which they can slowly become more accustomed to their source of anxiety, rather than forcing immersion which can lead to permanent trauma. Always remember to start small and stay positive.

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10 Ways Kids Learn Early That Life Isn’t Always Fair

Posted on May 8, 2012 by admin

Kids should be allowed to remain blissfully ignorant to the harsh realities of life for as long as possible. There’s plenty of time later for them to deal with that stuff later.  Unfortunately, they sometimes learn much too soon that life isn’t always fair.  Here are ten ways that kids learn this lesson early:

  1. Losing a loved one is a traumatic introduction to life’s unfairness. Especially if that loved one was still young. There’s never a good time to lose someone you love, but that first loss hits very hard indeed.
  2. Not getting picked by either team for a baseball game can be a tough pill to swallow. Every once in a while in life we find out that we’re the odd man out. We just don’t want to find it out at the tender age of 10.
  3. Some girls are more popular than others for reasons you can’t fathom. They have all the friends, get all the boys, and all the breaks. She isn’t even that pretty, you think, but there it is. Life isn’t fair. What’s she got that I haven’t got?
  4. When an only child finds out that Mom and Dad are bringing home a new brother or sister, that can seem patently unfair to him. He was supposed to get all of the attention, and now he has to share his parents’ love with a total stranger.
  5. Getting sick the day of a birthday party or other social event. Your child had planned for this occasion for weeks. All the kids are going to be there, and the flu bug bites overnight. That’s just not fair at all.
  6. When you’ve got to explain a news story that your child has seen on television, it’s difficult to put things in a perspective that a child can understand. Things just happen, and in the mind of an innocent kid, there’s just no good explanation.
  7. Kids who are born with an illness or handicap, or who incur one at an early age, learn that life isn’t always fair. They must learn to accept a condition, or a fate that others their age never need to address. And none ever should.
  8. When it’s sunny all week, then rains all weekend, that’s just not fair for a 5-year old. Or pretty much anyone else, but we’ve at least come to accept it. Then again, we don’t get 3 months off from work every summer either, so Junior can just deal with some rain.
  9. Younger kids who see their older siblings stay up later or get more privileges don’t see the fairness in that. They’ll get their turn, you tell them, but it’s small consolation to a young child who has to go to bed earlier than everyone else in the whole world.
  10. Your son’s team lost again, and he just knows that they were better than the other team. They haven’t won a game yet all season. It just doesn’t seem fair that with all the practice they put in, they’re in last place.
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10 Rules for Sitters Bringing Homework with Them

Posted on May 2, 2012 by admin

It’s not unusual for teenage or college age sitters to bring their homework with them, but there are some rules that should be observed. Most of this is common sense. However, there may be a few things you wouldn’t normally think of. Unless you’re babysitting very active kids with no “down time”, there’s no reason you can’t do some multi-tasking and get some schoolwork done. If you plan to bring your homework to your next babysitting job, here are 10 rules you want to keep in mind.

  1. Kids come first – Your primary duty is to take care of the children, so always remember that the kids come first. Make sure your homework isn’t distracting you from what you’re getting paid for. It’s great to have schoolwork to fill time, but it has to be secondary to the needs of the children.
  2. Get ok from parents – It’s a good idea to get an ok from the parents first, instead of just showing up with your book bag. Some parents want to make sure the kids are getting your full attention at all times, since they’re paying for you to be there. Most parents are going to be just fine with it, but they’re your boss.
  3. Keep away from food – This is just a common sense rule, but make sure you keep your homework away from food and beverages. You may want to fit in a little schoolwork while the kids are eating, but this could end up in disaster. Children are notoriously clumsy and you don’t want to hand in an assignment soaked in juice.
  4. Wait until kids are asleep – The ideal time to get a little homework done is while the kids are asleep. This is normally the boring part of the job and a class assignment is a good way to fill the time. Just make sure you keep an ear on the children too.
  5. Get kids occupied – If you’re sitting for older children who aren’t napping or going to bed, you’ll want to save homework for when they’re occupied with something else. You may want to bring a new game for them to play or movie to watch so you can get your schoolwork done.
  6. Do homework together – Some parents want sitters who will also help the children with their homework. You can set a good example by doing your school assignments while they’re completing theirs. Just make sure you’re ready to set your own work aside when they need your help.
  7. Keep out of reach – Another good rule is to keep your homework out of the reach of tiny hands. Toddlers won’t hesitate to rip, rumple or otherwise destroy your paperwork if given the chance.
  8. Don’t get too engrossed – It can be easy to get so preoccupied with your homework that you forget about the kids. This could end in disaster so avoid it at all costs. Bring simple assignments that don’t take your full attention and leave the more difficult ones for when you’re on your own time.
  9. Get kids to help – You may actually have an opportunity to have the kids help with your homework, so involve them whenever you can. They’ll feel good that you value their input and their active imaginations could help you think of things you wouldn’t have come up with on your own.
  10. Don’t forget it – The last rule to remember is not to forget your homework when you leave. Parents complain that this happens all the time and it’s a pain in the rear for everyone. It could also be very embarrassing if they start reading your assignments.

Since most sitters are school age, it stands to reason that babysitting and homework tend to go hand-in-hand. Most parents don’t have a problem with it and some actually expect their sitter to bring some schoolwork with them. It shows they are conscientious, studious and mature. By observing a few common sense rules, both babysitting and homework can be mutually inclusive.

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10 Studies About Latchkey Kids and the Impact on Their Lives

Posted on April 27, 2012 by admin

For many families, it’s an economic necessity that both parents work. This often means that kids wind up spending part of their day apart from adult supervision. When they get home from school, the house is empty. These are known as latchkey kids, and they’re the subject of today’s list. We’re going to look at ten studies about latchkey kids and its impact on their lives:

  1. Latch Key Children by Frances Kemper Alston – This study points out a statistic that one-third of all complaints to child welfare agencies involve latchkey kids, and that 51% of latchkey kids are doing poorly in school. According to one source cited, 8th graders who spend at l1 hours per week alone are twice as likely to abuse drugs as those who are kept busy after school.
  2. Latchkey Children by Ellen B. Gray – Provided for perspective, this earlier study from 1987 is largely inconclusive about the effects on latchkey kids of being left to self-care. The number of children who are currently latchkey kids is far higher, and the opinions have since gelled into a clearer picture through more recent studies.
  3. Programs, Problems and Policies: A Study of Latchkey Children in Ohio Public Libraries - This study addresses the specific issue of parents in Ohio who availed themselves and their children of the accommodations of their public libraries as a place for their kids to spend their time while the parents were at work. It collected data on the policies, if any, of each of 52 libraries regarding this trend.
  4. Latchkey Kids More Likely To Be Obese – This study published in the journal Child Development makes a direct correlation between children’s weight and the number of hours their mothers work. According to the study, every six months that mothers worked translated to an additional 1 lb. of  body weight for each of their kids.
  5. Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) – In a study from 1992, it was determined that communication between parent and child was an important factor in maintaining a happy and healthy latchkey life for the child. Another element which contributed to the child’s adaptability was his level of involvement in making family decisions.
  6. Latchkey Kids by the William Gladden Foundation – The research for this paper was done in 2005, and it includes some helpful lists such as behavioral indicators which signify self-reliance, a safety checklist for latchkey kids, and suggestions for parenting them.
  7. Taking Action for Latchkey Children and Their Families by Bryan E. Robinson, Bobbie H. Rowland and Mick Coleman – A summary of research findings regarding latchkey kids and their families; suggestions for how to successfully parent latchkey children and programs that can assist in facilitating its success.
  8. The Effect of a Latchkey Situation on a Child’s Educational Success by Elza Venter and Eunice Rambau – A study published in the South African Journal of Education concludes that children under the age of 13 who spend time at home alone on a regular basis may be at risk for behavioral, social and developmental problems, or injury. Also, substandard academic problems could arise as a result.
  9. Latchkey Children StateUniversity.com – A summary of  research data collected through various studies and surveys conducted from the late 1980′s through 2000. Its findings suggest that the effects of self-care on latchkey kids is dependent on separate conditions such as family conditions, the child’s individual characteristics, as well as the type and amount of time spent in self-care.
  10. America After 3 PM: A Household Survey on After-school in America – Published by the After School Alliance, this study reveals that there are 15 million youth in America in need of after-school programs, who instead spend their after-school hours in self-care. Only 6 percent of middle schoolers are in such programs while 34 percent are unsupervised.
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10 Cool Ways to Use Building Blocks for Kids

Posted on April 26, 2012 by admin

How many of you think that blocks are just for building and stacking?  A good many of you I would bet. And those are the most common ways. However this is a place to think outside the box – or block as the case may be.  You can use building blocks in a lot of different and creative ways.  Check out 10 cool ways to use building blocks for kids.

  1. Learning colors:  The nice thing about building blocks for kids is that they come in such bright fun colors.  You can build with the blocks with your child and while you build you can say what color the block is.  As your child starts to learn their colors you can ask them to hand you a red block or another color to reinforce their learning. 
  2. Teaching them addition and subtraction: You can use anything to teach addition and subtraction, but you already have the blocks so why not use those?  Gather up the blocks and ask your child what 1+1 is.  Then show them with the blocks, if I add one block to another block how many would I have?  If they hesitate, help them count the blocks.  This will become especially necessary as you get into adding bigger numbers.  Many times showing a concept visually will help your child learn quicker.
  3. Teaching them multiplication: When teaching multiplication let your child know that multiplication is repetitive addition.  So if you multiply 2×3 you will need to put up three rows of two blocks.  If they can count by 2’s all the better.  Show them that they can just do 2, 4, 6 and get the answer.  Or they can count all of the blocks and get the answer too.
  4. Use them with play dough: Many block sets come with several cylinder pieces that can be used as a rolling pin to roll out the play dough.  You can then show your child that by pressing the blocks onto the play dough they will be able to make the different shapes.
  5. Use them to paint with: Most paints will wash off the blocks as long as the blocks are sealed so this craft should do no damage to the blocks.  By dipping the blocks into different washable paints and pressing them to drawing paper your child can make an imprint of that shape.  Then they can use the different shapes and make houses, robots or anything else that their imaginations can dream up.
  6. Make a path with them to practice soccer: Do you have some blocks that your 4-5 year old isn’t playing with as much?  Use them instead of cones for your new soccer player to practice dribbling around.  Use the bigger blocks and set them out about 3 feet apart at the beginning and push them closer together as your child gets better at dribbling.
  7. Decorate for a birthday party with them: This is a particularly good theme for a toddler because they love building blocks at this age.  Stack the blocks on the cake table as a cool centerpiece or put them in various stacks on the mantel or side table.  Bringing the theme around the room will just reinforce your theme and make it all the more unique and adorable, not to mention at a very low cost to you since you are decorating with something you already own.
  8. Use them as a cupcake stand:  While you are decorating with the blocks for the party you can use them to make a one of a kind cupcake stand.  Stack the blocks in various levels or steps and fill with cupcakes.  The display will be fun and colorful and the kids and adults will love it.
  9. Play games with them:  Need games for the party?  Break the kids up into several smaller teams and give each team a bucket of blocks.  Start the timer and see how high they can build a tower in 1 to 3 minutes.  Then let them knock them down.  You can also use the blocks in a scavenger hunt.  The kid to find the most blocks in the yard wins a prize.
  10. Use them as cool wall art:  A contemporary art piece is easy enough to create yourself using some old building blocks.  Let your child help you.  Take a board cut as big as you would like the art piece to be.  Paint the board and then stack the blocks up in an interesting shape, only 2-3 layers deep.  Once you have decided on the final shape hot glue the blocks down and give them a final paint job if you’d like them to be all one color that matches your décor or if you are using it in a kid’s room you might want to leave it bright and colorful.  You’ve made your own art piece for next to nothing.

 

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10 Fears Every Parent Has About Their First Sitter

Posted on April 15, 2012 by admin

Hiring a new babysitter can be taxing for veteran parents, so you can imagine how finding the perfect childcare for a first child’s first sitter experience can not only be taxing, but also downright nerve-wracking. New parents are constantly bombarded by thoughts of everything that could go wrong, and many parents face several of the same fears; here are ten of the most common fears that plague parents when hiring a babysitter for the very first time.

  1. Inexperience With Children – Lying convincingly in order to get a job is, unfortunately, quite simple for some. Hiring a brand new sitter for the very first time can cause a parent to question their character-judgment skills and the sitter’s ability to keep their children safe and sound.
  2. Criminal History – Running a background check is, ideally, part of the hiring process when it comes to childcare providers. However, these can quickly become pricey, and new babies are expensive as it is. When the budget for background checks is non-existent, parents often worry about their sitter’s past.
  3. Potential For Sex Offender Status – Parents become well-versed in worrying as soon as they bring their new bundle of joy home. This newfound ability can causes them to quickly get acquainted with sex offender registries, and to realize that only those who have been caught have a place on the list. This overwhelming suspicion, while almost certainly unfounded, can lead to a few sleepless nights.
  4. Lack of CPR/First Aid Training – Children can choke or injure themselves in the blink of an eye, and part of caring for a child responsibly is having the ability to handle these crises immediately. Leaving a child with their very first sitter can cause parents to wonder if that sitter is able to maintain control during a crisis, especially if the sitter is on the younger end of the scale.
  5. Use of Drugs or Alcohol – Another fear that’s more than likely unfounded but still very real for new parents is that their sitter could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while looking after their child, thus rendering themselves incapable of handling an emergency situation.
  6. Secret Smokers – Second-hand smoke is nothing to sneeze at; the toxic fumes and traces of chemicals that remain on the hands and fingers of a smoker can be the source of much parental worry as they drive away for that first night out.
  7. Bad Influence For Older Children – Some infants and toddlers are only in the care of their parents or other family members during their earliest years, meaning that they don’t encounter a babysitter until they’re older. Worry that a sitter’s language or habits might be less than desirable in the parents’ absence is a very real concern in this scenario.
  8. Stealing – Sitters who are great with the children and have impressive resumes can still have a penchant for taking things that don’t belong to them. At the same time, leaving a relative stranger in their home for an extended period of time can cause parents to worry about their belongings, as well as their child’s welfare.
  9. Violence or Aggression – Violent and abusive tendencies can be well-hidden during the interviewing process; every adult has seen tales of nanny-cams that catch childcare providers in the act of abusing their charges. Fears that a sitter could be harboring similar leanings can haunt new parents.
  10. Inattentiveness – Children require constant vigilance to prevent injury or other accidents. Fears that a sitter might be inattentive are warranted on a new parent’s behalf; cautionary tales about negligent sitters are frequently covered by neighborhood gossip and local newscasts alike.

Finding the balance between appropriate caution and exaggerated fears is the key to solving the dilemma of ‘first babysitter’ fears.

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10 Tips for Clipping Your Baby’s Fingernails

Posted on April 5, 2012 by admin

When parents bring home their newborn infant, it doesn’t take long to notice their tiny little fingernails. They’re not only totally adorable, they grow really fast and they’re incredibly sharp. If those fingernails don’t get trimmed regularly, the baby will inadvertently scratch themselves and you. This may seem like a simple task until you try it for the first time. Babies are notoriously squirmy and those nails are so tiny that clipping them can be a challenge. If you are a new parent or caring for a young infant, here are some tips for clipping a baby’s fingernails.

  1. Baby clippers – The first thing I would recommend is to purchase some special tools. Adult fingernail clippers and scissors are bulky and can end up harming your baby. Use clippers or scissors especially made to care for infants and your task will be much easier.
  2. Press their finger – You want to clip only the nail and not the end of the finger, but this can be difficult. If you press down on the top of the baby’s finger it pulls the skin away from the nail so the fingernail is much easier to get at.
  3. Emery board – Use an emery board to file off the sharp edges of the fingernail. If you do this often enough you can eliminate the clipping process altogether. For parents that are worried about clipping the skin, filing the nail may be a more comfortable way to go.
  4. During feeding – Another tip is to do the fingernail clipping when your baby is relaxed and not squirming too much. During feeding the baby is concentrating on food so it’s a good time to clip the nails.
  5. When sleeping – The best time to clip your baby’s fingernails is when he/she is sleeping. If your baby is sound asleep you can get the nails clipped in a flash with no drama or trauma. When baby awakes the fingernails are all trimmed and he/she didn’t even know it happened.
  6. After a bath – Babies fingernails are softest right after a bath. This is an excellent time to get the clippers out. The only problem is holding a squirmy, wet, slippery baby!
  7. Get help – If you need to clip your baby’s nails when he/she is awake, get some help. One person can hold the baby while the other does the clipping. This is especially helpful as the baby gets older and may start to resist when you want to trim the nails.
  8. Use a diversion – For babies that really start to rebel when it’s time to clip the nails, you may want to create a diversion. Use a favorite toy or food to distract the baby while you get the trimming done.
  9. Don’t over-clip – It can be tempting to trim the nails as far as you can to avoid doing it so often. This can be a big mistake since you risk hurting the baby by nicking the tender skin under the nail. Make sure you clip the white part of the nail but leave a sliver so you don’t over-clip.
  10. Do it often – Since the baby’s fingernails grow so fast, you will need to clip them often. This can be 2 or 3 times a week at first but less often as they grow. Keep an eye on those fingernails and don’t let them get too long between clippings.

Your baby’s toenails also need to be clipped regularly, but not quite as often. Since toenails are thicker, this is definitely easier after a bath. Don’t beat yourself up if you accidentally clip your baby’s skin. This happens and will heal quickly. Press a tissue or cotton ball on the finger until the bleeding stops and don’t use a bandage that the baby could choke on. As with everything else, practice makes perfect. It won’t take long before you’re clipping your baby’s fingernails with ease.

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10 Ways Music Could Help Any Child

Posted on March 15, 2012 by admin

In the 1950′s, research on the Mozart Effect became popular. The theory postulated that listening to the compositions of Mozart improved children’s intellectual performance and IQ. While these claims have never been proven, it is a fact that music does help children in many ways. Here are ten of the reasons why an appreciation for music or musical training can help all children.

  1. Playing an Instrument Improves Academic Performance – Researchers have found that children with musical training have higher spatial-temporal IQ scores, enhanced abstract reasoning skills and read an average of two years ahead of their reading age.
  2. Listening to Music Can Boost Concentration – While it was never proven that listening to Mozart improves your IQ, research has indicated that listening to classical music does improve focus and concentration, which can help during homework and study time.
  3. Musical Training Improves Memory – Studies on the effects of musical training in children also showed an increase in the memory abilities of these students when compared to their non-musical peers.
  4. Playing in the School Band Improves Social Skills – While even the most gregarious child can benefit from the social atmosphere in an ensemble, wallflowers can also reap these benefits. Learning to play music together also teaches teamwork and problem-solving skills, in addition to providing a built-in peer set of children with similar interests.
  5. Music Lessons Provide a Sense of Accomplishment – The feeling of accomplishment is important for the development of healthy self-esteem. Learning to play an instrument has been proven to provide this sense of accomplishment, especially if the child becomes proficient in it.
  6. Benefits for Special Needs Children – Setting lessons to familiar tunes can help children with learning disabilities or special needs to retain information, while rhythmic movements can improve mobility.
  7. Improved Dexterity and Hand-Eye Coordination – Playing musical instruments improves hand-eye coordination and dexterity dramatically, regardless of the chosen instrument. Developing fine motor skills can provide an edge in many professions later in life.
  8. Playing An Instrument Requires Patience – Most children struggle to be patient; our instant-gratification world doesn’t help. Learning to play an instrument, however, can’t be rushed. In order to develop the skills necessary to play well, a child must patiently learn the basics first.
  9. Kids Who Play Music Are More Likely To Graduate – Teenagers with a background in music are dramatically less likely to drop out of high school, or to skip classes. This could be due to the social aspects of playing as a group, and also could be due to increased interest in school activities.
  10. Teens With a Musical Background Have Higher SAT Scores – A 1999 study indicated that students with a background in musical performance or music appreciation showed higher SAT scores across the board; verbal scores were an average of 53 points higher than those with no musical background, and 42 points higher on math portions.

The benefits of a musical background extend from early childhood well into the young adult years, improving many intellectual and emotional skills that can prove valuable throughout a child’s lifetime.  Results of studies conducted around the world all indicate that an appreciation for music or training could greatly aid in many essential areas. There are many prestigious institutions currently conducting even more in-depth research into this phenomenon.

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10 Ways to Avoid Kids Cussing up a Storm

Posted on March 10, 2012 by admin

Unless a child grows up in an exceptionally sheltered home, chances are good that they’ll let a curse word or two fly at some point. Whether they’re little ones experimenting with language they don’t understand, or going through a rebellious streak as they get a bit older, parents will almost inevitably be faced with the need to curb the use of a few choice words. Here are a few tricks to help keep the language in your home from offending delicate sensibilities.

  1. Be Prepared – The first step to keeping your kids from cursing fluently is to be prepared in advance. As children learn to speak, they also learn to mimic the adults in their lives to a startling degree of accuracy; whether it’s absorbed from television or a coarse-tongued relative, anything they hear will eventually be parroted.
  2. Don’t Panic – Though hearing foul words from young mouths can be shocking, it’s important not to panic. When younger children see you get flustered, they learn that those words get a strong reaction. Similarly, rebellious older kids will quickly realize that they can use profanity to get under your skin. Staying as calm as possible is one of the best lines of defense in either situation.
  3. Put it to Bed Quickly – Some advise newer parents to ignore foul language in hopes that kids will let it go on their own; the theory behind this method is that any reaction at all encourages the behavior. Experts advise, however, to quickly but calmly let a child know that such language will not be tolerated.
  4. Avoid the Temptation to Laugh – Often, an adult’s knee-jerk reaction to hearing a child curse is to laugh; even if they thoroughly disagree with using profanity, the sheer incongruity of hearing such words from innocent mouths can cause parents to laugh out of shock. Anyone who’s ever cared for a toddler knows, however, that behavior that elicits laughter will quickly become part of an attention-seeking little one’s repertoire.
  5. Explain “Bad Words” to Little Ones – Part of nipping bad language in the proverbial bud is to explain, as clearly as possible, the concept of “bad words” to kids. Very often, young children use an unfamiliar word without knowing that it has a negative connotation.
  6. Use a Swear Jar – If the grown-ups in the house are prone to fits of bad speech, it might be a good idea to institute a swear jar. Encouraging kids to point out bad language and remind adults of the consequences can help them to understand that certain words shouldn’t be used.
  7. Monitor Kids’ Favorite Shows – Though shows directed at children are almost always profanity-free, there is a bit of misleading programming on the airwaves. Animated series intended for adults can easily slip under the radar if you’re not a fan; make it a habit to watch television with your kids or to monitor what they’re watching as closely as possible.
  8. Correct Your Guests – For the occasional slip, a meaningful look or private conversation should be more than enough to get your point across. Habitual offenders, however, open themselves up for correction in front of the children. When kids see adults being corrected for using bad language, they’re less likely to be puzzled by why some words are okay for some people sometimes, but never for them.
  9. Withhold Privileges for Tweens and Teens – While toddlers and preschoolers almost always use bad language because they don’t understand the concept of swearing, older children that curse do so because they’re looking for a reaction. Keeping your temper in check and calmly revoking privileges is a great way to let them know that swearing isn’t an effective means of communication.
  10. Practice What You Preach – In addition to using a swear jar, it’s important to get yourself in the habit of monitoring your own speech. Even when your children aren’t present, being aware of your habits and modifying them accordingly is the best way to avoid a slip in front of little ears later.

With our world now filled with media avenues on all sides and much less censorship than in previous decades, teaching children appropriate language habits has become a necessity for most parents and at a much earlier age than in former generations.

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10 Tips for a Child Being Relentlessly Teased

Posted on March 5, 2012 by admin

Being teased and picked on by bullies can be one of the toughest parts of growing up. It’s important to remember that even if someone never physically hurts you, harassment and tormenting you with words is still a serious form of bullying. If you’re being teased or bullied at school, here are some tips to help you deal with the situation to the very best of your abilities.

  1. Tell an Adult – Many kids don’t want to tell an adult what they’re going through for fear of making things worse, but it’s very important to let a parent, teacher or family friend know what’s happening to protect yourself and the other kids that the bullies are picking on.
  2. Walk Away – Sometimes, just letting a bully know that you’re not afraid of them is enough to discourage them from picking on you. Keep your head high, walk away and ignore the hurtful things they say the best you can.
  3. Be a Friend – If you see another kid getting picked on, stick up for them. You might make a new friend who can return the favor sometime, and who also understands what you’re going through.
  4. Never Retaliate – No matter how mean the things a bully says to you are, you should never try to fight them. On top of getting you in trouble or causing someone to be hurt, you’ll be giving the bully exactly what they’re looking for: a reaction.
  5. Don’t Open Messages – Don’t even open emails, texts or Facebook messages from people that you know are bullies. The things inside are bound to be hurtful, and probably untrue. No good will come of reading them, and the people who send those messages won’t be able to get any satisfaction from saying something hurtful if you don’t bother to read it.
  6. Skipping Class is a Bad Idea – It can be very tempting to skip class or pretend to be sick to get out of school to avoid being teased, but it’s not the right solution to the problem. Missing too much school can cause trouble for you and your parents, in addition to making it almost impossible to maintain your grades.
  7. Report and Block – Most social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have “Report” buttons, allowing people to anonymously report messages and posts with harassing content. Reporting these messages and blocking the sender are two of the best ways to prevent online bullying.
  8. It’s Not Your Fault – No matter what you’re being teased about, the behavior of the bullies that are picking on you is not acceptable, and it’s not your fault. Don’t blame or be angry with yourself; understand that the bully is the one with the real problem.
  9. Don’t Be a Bully – It’s easy to take your frustrations about being teased out on other kids by bullying them in turn, but you should never resort to this behavior. It won’t make you feel better about your own situation; it’ll only cause you to feel guilty and make someone else feel as badly as you do when you’re on the receiving end.
  10. Be Proud of Who You Are – Bullies tease people for lots of reasons, but most of them have to do with the way they feel about themselves. Never let a bully’s words make you do or say things you don’t want to, or change who you are. Individuality might cause some people to tease you now, but it will be highly prized in a few years.
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