A few years ago I read an interesting book, My Stroke of Insight. I was looking back through it and wanted to share a few things from it. This is a book by a brain scientist who had a stroke.
"Peace is only a thought away, and all we have to do to access it is silence the voice of our dominating left mind." "...no one had the power to make me feel anything, except for me and my brain. Nothing external to me had the power to take away my peace of heart and mind. I may not be in total control of what happens to my life, but I certainly am in charge of how I choose to perceive my experience." "Sadly, the expression of compassion is often a rarity in our society. Many of us spend an inordinate amount of time and energy degrading, insulting, and criticizing ourselves (and others) for having made a "wrong or bad" decision. When you berate yourself, have you ever questioned: who inside of you is doing the yelling, and at whom are you yelling? Have you ever noticed how these negative internal thought patterns have the tendency to generate increased levels of inner hostility and/or raised levels of anxiety? And to complicate matters even more, have you noticed how negative internal dialogue can negatively influence how you treat others and, thus, what you attract?" "I have the ability to choose a peaceful and loving mind(my right mind), whatever my physical or mental circumstances, by deciding to step to the right and bring my thoughts back to the present moment." "Feeling deep inner peace and sharing kindness is always a choice."
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
"Because of food's deeper meanings, I believe it's worth a lot of patience, understanding, and self-control on the part of parents to avoid turning mealtimes into battlegrounds. I'm not even comfortable when mealtimes become bargaining sessions."
"It can be one of parents' most difficult jobs to walk the fine line between giving in to their children's whims and punishing them for what are basically healthy attempts to discover who they are."
Fred Rodgers
Today I put some pears (from our tree) in to the dehydrator, then made a peach crisp. Now I need to figure out some other way to use zucchini, I make a zucchini quiche last night and a zucchini crusted pizza the night before.
Enjoy the last of the season fresh produce before the farmers markets close for the year.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Sept. 10
"Call them rules or call them limits, good ones have this in common: They serve reasonable purposes; they are practical and within a child's capability; they are consistent; and they are an expression of loving concern."
Fred Rodgers
It's becoming easier to find a variety of wholesome food at the grocery store. You can now find whole grain pasta, cereal and bread at most stores. Check the label, it should say 100% whole wheat for example. Some companies are starting to make crackers, cookies and other packaged food without high fructose corn syrup and bleached white flour.
Try Annie's brand crackers, or cookies. I buy them when they're on sale.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Sept. 7
Discipline
You will each work out your own methods of discipline. It is most important that Mother and Father agree about your basic approach. Parents working together have a good chance of helping your child behave in a comfortable manner. Especially if they try to have a good understanding of what is reasonable to expect of their own child.
There are different tools we use to make the day a little easier for everyone.
1. Remember to speak positively rather than negatively. Say, "Let's put the books on the shelf", instead of "Don't throw the books on the floor".
2. Distraction is often a very good tool with any stubborn child of a difficult age, such as 2 1/2 or 3 1/2. So if you see resistance coming on, ask him a question, compliment him, tell him something interesting. Turn on some music or give him a bit of his favorite food.
"When we give a young child choices, we acknowledge that child's individuality. And when a child's urge to be an individual gets channeled into choice making, it's less likely to go into contrariness."
Fred Rodgers
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Sept. 5 Discipline
I'm going to talk about discipline, using as my resource, Your Three Year Old by Ames and ILg.
Discipline is the setting up of rules and expectations that make desirable behavior possible.
It is recommended that you follow a discipline policy of flexible control. That you try to fit your expectations to the things it is possible for your child to perform. Considering your own child's personality and maturity level.
The more effectively you manage this, the fewer will be the incidents of disobedience and bad behavior.
I will continue with more on this subject this week.
Zucchini Crust for Pizza
I rediscovered this in my Moosewood Cookbook this week.
3 1/2 cups grated zucchini
3 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup grated mozzarella
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 Tbs. fresh basil, minced
or use 1/2 tsp. dried
salt and pepper
Salt the zucchini lightly and let it sit for 15 minutes. Squeeze out all the excess moisture.
Combine all ingredients and spread into an oiled 9 by 13 inch pan.
Bake 20 minutes in a 350 oven. Brush the top with oil and broil it for 4 minutes.
Top with sauce and your favorite veggies and cheese, or whatever you like.
Bake for 25 minutes at 350
Discipline is the setting up of rules and expectations that make desirable behavior possible.
It is recommended that you follow a discipline policy of flexible control. That you try to fit your expectations to the things it is possible for your child to perform. Considering your own child's personality and maturity level.
The more effectively you manage this, the fewer will be the incidents of disobedience and bad behavior.
I will continue with more on this subject this week.
Zucchini Crust for Pizza
I rediscovered this in my Moosewood Cookbook this week.
3 1/2 cups grated zucchini
3 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup grated mozzarella
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 Tbs. fresh basil, minced
or use 1/2 tsp. dried
salt and pepper
Salt the zucchini lightly and let it sit for 15 minutes. Squeeze out all the excess moisture.
Combine all ingredients and spread into an oiled 9 by 13 inch pan.
Bake 20 minutes in a 350 oven. Brush the top with oil and broil it for 4 minutes.
Top with sauce and your favorite veggies and cheese, or whatever you like.
Bake for 25 minutes at 350
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Garden August 15
I've been freezing beans and broccoli. Spending time in the garden, enjoying watching everything grow.
Friday, August 6, 2010
August 6
When your day is getting hectic and the kids are acting up or totally losing it. Stop. Take a moment to think about your day. Sometimes we get so busy and caught up in getting everything done, that we miss the most simple problems. Then these lead to big problems. Your kids might need to eat, or maybe they are tired. Possibly you have had them out shopping for two long and they need to go home. They may need some attention, sit down and color with them for a bit, or read a book. This might be enough to change the mood and make everyone feel better.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
August 4
MOTHER AND BABE
"I see the sleeping babe nestling the breast of its mother,
The sleeping mother and babe--hush'd, I study them long and long."
Walt Whitman
Get comfortable, gather your children in your lap, get a book and enjoy some closeness. You will be giving your child a gift of your time and presence. This can provide a much needed rest time for both you and your children.
"I see the sleeping babe nestling the breast of its mother,
The sleeping mother and babe--hush'd, I study them long and long."
Walt Whitman
Get comfortable, gather your children in your lap, get a book and enjoy some closeness. You will be giving your child a gift of your time and presence. This can provide a much needed rest time for both you and your children.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
August 1st
The garden is just great this year, I'm that person with too much zucchini trying to give it away to everyone. It's nice having enough to share. I have lettuce, spinach, various greens, basil, parsley, onion, zucchini, broccoli, peppers, blueberries and plums ready. In a few days I will have beans, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower and tomatoes. Just had to share that.
Here are just a couple of ideas for a quick dinner using lots of the summers bounty.
Mixed green salad
Start with a mixture of greens, leaf and romaine lettuce, spinach, radicchio what ever you like.
Add diced zucchini, red peppers, diced roasted sweet potatoes or mushrooms.
Add some fresh basil or parsley.
I like to add black beans or leftover quinoa for protein, you could add hard cooked eggs, walnuts, cheese, leftover rice or barley.
Then toss with vinegar and olive oil.
Of course there are tons of variations you can make on a salad, try different combinations. If your children don't care for some of these veggies you can try adding raspberries, pears, apples or strawberries. Then leave out the disliked veggies, add nuts, cheese and maybe a raspberry vinaigrette .
Serve this with a whole wheat, or whole grain bread and you have a wholesome, complete meal.
Garden fresh stir fry
Four servings
First put on some brown rice to serve with your stir fry. Cooks for about 45 minutes.
1/2 head broccoli florets
1 onion, sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 carrots, cut matchstick style
1 zucchini, sliced
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
16 oz package, firm tofu ( you can marinate the tofu first if you like, in some soy sauce, garlic, dijon type mustard, sesame oil, fresh ginger. Just mix these together, cube tofu and coat with marinate) Or you can use prepared stir fry sauce.
olive oil
soy sauce
Using a wok or saute pan over medium heat.
Saute the onion, garlic and carrot in 2 tablespoons olive oil for three minutes.
Add the broccoli, mushrooms and zucchini and saute for two more minutes.
Stir in 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1/4 cup water.
Add the tofu and stir fry sauce if using; cover and steam on low for about 6 minutes.
Serve over brown rice.
Here are just a couple of ideas for a quick dinner using lots of the summers bounty.
Mixed green salad
Start with a mixture of greens, leaf and romaine lettuce, spinach, radicchio what ever you like.
Add diced zucchini, red peppers, diced roasted sweet potatoes or mushrooms.
Add some fresh basil or parsley.
I like to add black beans or leftover quinoa for protein, you could add hard cooked eggs, walnuts, cheese, leftover rice or barley.
Then toss with vinegar and olive oil.
Of course there are tons of variations you can make on a salad, try different combinations. If your children don't care for some of these veggies you can try adding raspberries, pears, apples or strawberries. Then leave out the disliked veggies, add nuts, cheese and maybe a raspberry vinaigrette .
Serve this with a whole wheat, or whole grain bread and you have a wholesome, complete meal.
Garden fresh stir fry
Four servings
First put on some brown rice to serve with your stir fry. Cooks for about 45 minutes.
1/2 head broccoli florets
1 onion, sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 carrots, cut matchstick style
1 zucchini, sliced
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
16 oz package, firm tofu ( you can marinate the tofu first if you like, in some soy sauce, garlic, dijon type mustard, sesame oil, fresh ginger. Just mix these together, cube tofu and coat with marinate) Or you can use prepared stir fry sauce.
olive oil
soy sauce
Using a wok or saute pan over medium heat.
Saute the onion, garlic and carrot in 2 tablespoons olive oil for three minutes.
Add the broccoli, mushrooms and zucchini and saute for two more minutes.
Stir in 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1/4 cup water.
Add the tofu and stir fry sauce if using; cover and steam on low for about 6 minutes.
Serve over brown rice.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
July 25
Two-and-a-half
Little tricks that can help you get through the difficult times of the day.
Accept his need for sameness. He likes to know just how things will go. In fact use this to set up rituals through out the day. A bedtime ritual will most likely help your child settle down and fall asleep. Try not to skip any part of the routine. So set up routines that will be easy for you to follow day after day.
Put your fragile and valuable objects out of reach, use gates if you need to keep him out of certain parts of the house. When he is a little older his own inhibitors will be stronger and you can easier teach him what he can and can't touch.
Try to avoid head on clashes and inflexible demands. Change,"You can't go out to play until you pick up your toys."; to, "Let's get your toys picked up and then you can go out to play." Then you can help him get the toys put away.
Distract or change the scene. You can do this by introducing a new idea or object, by leaving the room, by taking him away from the scene.
Information source was; Your Two-Year-Old; Louise Bates Ames
"A two-year-old is not a six-year-old, and a six-year-old is not an adult! That may seem like a simplistic statement, but I've seen people in all walks of life treat some two-year-olds as if they were six-year-olds, and some six-year-olds as if they were adults."
Fred Rogers
Little tricks that can help you get through the difficult times of the day.
Accept his need for sameness. He likes to know just how things will go. In fact use this to set up rituals through out the day. A bedtime ritual will most likely help your child settle down and fall asleep. Try not to skip any part of the routine. So set up routines that will be easy for you to follow day after day.
Put your fragile and valuable objects out of reach, use gates if you need to keep him out of certain parts of the house. When he is a little older his own inhibitors will be stronger and you can easier teach him what he can and can't touch.
Try to avoid head on clashes and inflexible demands. Change,"You can't go out to play until you pick up your toys."; to, "Let's get your toys picked up and then you can go out to play." Then you can help him get the toys put away.
Distract or change the scene. You can do this by introducing a new idea or object, by leaving the room, by taking him away from the scene.
Information source was; Your Two-Year-Old; Louise Bates Ames
"A two-year-old is not a six-year-old, and a six-year-old is not an adult! That may seem like a simplistic statement, but I've seen people in all walks of life treat some two-year-olds as if they were six-year-olds, and some six-year-olds as if they were adults."
Fred Rogers
Friday, July 16, 2010
July 16
"But why should these companies want to change? Their loyalty isn't to you, it's to the stockholders. The bottom line: They're a business, no matter what they say. And by selling you unhealthy food, they make millions. And no company wants to stop doing that. If this ever-growing paradigm is going to shift, it's up to you."
Morgan Spurlock, SUPER SIZE ME
If you have formed some bad habits, like eating things you know you shouldn't. Now would be a good time to think about not passing those habits on to your children. They will easily get use to the taste of overly processed, high-calorie, high sugar foods if given to them.
Your Baby
Feeding your baby is a wonderful bonding time for you and your baby, a time for you to relax and talk to your baby. If you are bottle feeding always hold your baby when feeding, to take advantage of this bonding time. Also a propped bottle can be a choking hazard.
If no one is encouraging you to nurse your baby, I will. It is the natural intended food, there is no expense and no mess of the bottles. Also it helps your body get back to normal after delivery.
Morgan Spurlock, SUPER SIZE ME
If you have formed some bad habits, like eating things you know you shouldn't. Now would be a good time to think about not passing those habits on to your children. They will easily get use to the taste of overly processed, high-calorie, high sugar foods if given to them.
Your Baby
Feeding your baby is a wonderful bonding time for you and your baby, a time for you to relax and talk to your baby. If you are bottle feeding always hold your baby when feeding, to take advantage of this bonding time. Also a propped bottle can be a choking hazard.
If no one is encouraging you to nurse your baby, I will. It is the natural intended food, there is no expense and no mess of the bottles. Also it helps your body get back to normal after delivery.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
July 14
"Moving confidently toward independence depends to a great extent on there being a sure foundation of early love to build on, and a fundamental trust that help will be there when we need it. Love and trust are what most enable children to risk trying to be themselves."
Fred Rogers
Fred Rogers
Sunday, July 11, 2010
July 11
Parents who treat their babies kindly and patiently and meet his needs make him feel secure.
A crying baby is talking to you in the only way possible right now. The crying means I'm hungry, I'm uncomfortable or I hurt. If the parent feeds the baby right away or does whatever is necessary to comfort him, there will be less crying during the first year.
If his needs are not met, or they are met after so much delay that he loses his confidence that they will be met. He becomes anxious; quicker to cry and slower to accept comfort.
In order to become spoiled a child has to be able to want things as well as to need them. He feels a need and he expresses it. He is not grown up or clever enough to be spoiled. Make him feel good and let him make you feel good, too. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
A crying baby is talking to you in the only way possible right now. The crying means I'm hungry, I'm uncomfortable or I hurt. If the parent feeds the baby right away or does whatever is necessary to comfort him, there will be less crying during the first year.
If his needs are not met, or they are met after so much delay that he loses his confidence that they will be met. He becomes anxious; quicker to cry and slower to accept comfort.
In order to become spoiled a child has to be able to want things as well as to need them. He feels a need and he expresses it. He is not grown up or clever enough to be spoiled. Make him feel good and let him make you feel good, too. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
July 10
"Nothing can replace the influence of unconditional love in the life of a child. When we love a person, we accept him or her exactly as is: the lovely with the unlovely, the strong along with the fearful, the true mixed in with the facade, and of course, the only way we can do it is by accepting ourselves that way."
Fred Rodgers
Terrible Twos
Each year children gradually go from equilibrium to disequilibrium. Stages in good equilibrium, when things are fine are followed by stages of disequilibrium.
Usually, 18 months, 2 and a half, 3 and a half etc. are in disequilibrium. Always remember that your child may be normally behind or ahead of this schedule.
A 2 and a half year old's demand for sameness and having things just so can make routines extremely difficult for any caretaker.
Toys and Games for the 2 1/2 year old.
Puzzles, with large pieces
Books
Easel, brushes, paints
Hand puppets
Lego's (large size)
Costume box, with hats, gloves, large shirts, dresses, hand bags
Clay
Crayons (large size)
Blackboard and chalk
finger paints
A great book for this age is: Good Night Moon
Food
It's the weekend, don't forget your local farmers market. Our local one is only open on Sunday, you may be lucky enough to have one open on weekdays. Some of the farms in our area have road side stands, so time to find one near us.
Fred Rodgers
Terrible Twos
Each year children gradually go from equilibrium to disequilibrium. Stages in good equilibrium, when things are fine are followed by stages of disequilibrium.
Usually, 18 months, 2 and a half, 3 and a half etc. are in disequilibrium. Always remember that your child may be normally behind or ahead of this schedule.
A 2 and a half year old's demand for sameness and having things just so can make routines extremely difficult for any caretaker.
Toys and Games for the 2 1/2 year old.
Puzzles, with large pieces
Books
Easel, brushes, paints
Hand puppets
Lego's (large size)
Costume box, with hats, gloves, large shirts, dresses, hand bags
Clay
Crayons (large size)
Blackboard and chalk
finger paints
A great book for this age is: Good Night Moon
Food
It's the weekend, don't forget your local farmers market. Our local one is only open on Sunday, you may be lucky enough to have one open on weekdays. Some of the farms in our area have road side stands, so time to find one near us.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
July 7
"What is essential is invisible to the eye"
The Little Prince
When you talk to your baby you are showing her the sounds of words which she will later use. Your baby probably learns more during the first year than any other year of her life.
At three months of age your baby begins to turn his eyes towards a sound. He is putting seeing and hearing together.
Play lullaby's for your baby.
The baby enjoys brightly colored object to reach for and look at. Change these objects occasionally.
Watching your baby change and grow is about as much fun as you will ever have. Enjoy!
The Little Prince
When you talk to your baby you are showing her the sounds of words which she will later use. Your baby probably learns more during the first year than any other year of her life.
At three months of age your baby begins to turn his eyes towards a sound. He is putting seeing and hearing together.
Play lullaby's for your baby.
The baby enjoys brightly colored object to reach for and look at. Change these objects occasionally.
Watching your baby change and grow is about as much fun as you will ever have. Enjoy!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
July 6
A newborn listens and responds to the sounds he hears. Talking to your baby while you dress, feed and play with him is definitely important in shaping his future communication skills. Respond to his sounds and talk to him.
Baby will like a view of himself in the mirror.
Soft toys to feel.
Talk to your baby.
I have basil from my garden today. Maybe some tomatoes and mozzarella and basil with olive oil with our dinner tonight.
Baby will like a view of himself in the mirror.
Soft toys to feel.
Talk to your baby.
I have basil from my garden today. Maybe some tomatoes and mozzarella and basil with olive oil with our dinner tonight.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
July 3
"A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself."
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Once we have woken to the harm caused by agrochemicals, contaminated produce can never again taste really delicious, never be really satisfying, no matter how thoroughly we wash the tomato or how carefully we peel the peach.
From the book Harvest For Hope by Jane Goodall
www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service offers a state-by-state listing of local farmers markets.
Glenn and I are going to our local farmers market tomorrow. I've only gotten lettuce, radishes and strawberries from our garden so far. The fence Glenn put up to keep the deer out is working. Yea!
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Once we have woken to the harm caused by agrochemicals, contaminated produce can never again taste really delicious, never be really satisfying, no matter how thoroughly we wash the tomato or how carefully we peel the peach.
From the book Harvest For Hope by Jane Goodall
www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service offers a state-by-state listing of local farmers markets.
Glenn and I are going to our local farmers market tomorrow. I've only gotten lettuce, radishes and strawberries from our garden so far. The fence Glenn put up to keep the deer out is working. Yea!
Friday, July 2, 2010
July 2 Garden is doing well, survived the rain
"It is difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato"
Lewis Grizzard
The idea of eating local foods becomes easier if you think of eating seasonal foods. We are all use to buying any food any time of the year. We need to plan our meals around fresh seasonal foods. Start by planning at least one meal a week with local, seasonal ingredients. If you don't have time or the space for a garden, start a tomato or pepper plant in a pot.
Some products such as coffee, tea, cocoa, etc. can't be grown here. We should buy those that are fair-trade and organic. Shade grown coffee is grown under the umbrella of the rain forest. If it's not shade grown, it could be grown on a clear-cut plantation, dependent on agrochemicals. Fair-trade means the growers are paid a fair price, helping them retain their land (keeping it out of corporate control). If everyone would insist on drinking only ethical coffee, we could preserve almost 25 million acres of rain forest a year.
Lewis Grizzard
The idea of eating local foods becomes easier if you think of eating seasonal foods. We are all use to buying any food any time of the year. We need to plan our meals around fresh seasonal foods. Start by planning at least one meal a week with local, seasonal ingredients. If you don't have time or the space for a garden, start a tomato or pepper plant in a pot.
Some products such as coffee, tea, cocoa, etc. can't be grown here. We should buy those that are fair-trade and organic. Shade grown coffee is grown under the umbrella of the rain forest. If it's not shade grown, it could be grown on a clear-cut plantation, dependent on agrochemicals. Fair-trade means the growers are paid a fair price, helping them retain their land (keeping it out of corporate control). If everyone would insist on drinking only ethical coffee, we could preserve almost 25 million acres of rain forest a year.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
July 1 2010
"The Old Lakota was wise. He knew that man's heart away from nature becomes hard; he knew that lack of respect for growing, living things soon led to a lack of respect for humans too. So he kept his youth close to its softening influence" Chief Luther Standing Bear
Yogurt and Fruit
Serves 3
combine ingredients
1 1/2 cups plain nonfat yogurt (organic)
1 cup fresh peach slices
1/2 cup fresh strawberries
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 Tbs. honey
Growing Child
Lack of understanding and improper punishment can create a child with a problem. The 2 1/2 year old exhibits a strong will power and he recognizes the many ways to successfully manipulate his parents. He may refuse to eat, go to sleep or cooperate. Nevertheless, when you inflict punishment on child of this age, he is not to young to feel angry with you. This anger he feels may frighten him. Some parents use words, "you'll be the death of me", "you drive me crazy", which can be as equally destructive as physical punishment. The child grasps the parent's anger. He doesn't know that this anger is temporary and that angry feelings are normal. What he learns is to imitate aggression which often takes the form of tantrums. Parent and child feed the flames of each others passions, precipitating a vicious cycle.
We know that a child intuitively wants to be good and please his parents. By reflection his thoughts back to him, he has an emotional release and can save face: "I know you're angry, and I know how you feel. You don't want to put away the toys. You want to play. Come, let's put them away together. In spite of this a child doesn't always accept the situation, in which case it is necessary to distract him. Not every cause must be resolved. It's important to make allowances for individual differences. It is not to soon to set reasonable limits which for this age must be clear-cut. Avoid unnecessary confrontations which result from too many "no's", "don't touch" and "stop".
This is from Growing Child. I found the advice, avoid unnecessary confrontations, to be very valuable. I enjoyed reading child development books when I was raising my kids. I want to just put information out here, random bits of stuff, and hope that it can help. Since it's my nieces and nephews who have children and not my own kids, maybe I can do this with just genuine caring and desire to help.
4 months
At four months baby likes to
Raise herself up by her arms.
Turn her torso from one side to the other
Hold her feet in the air and kick when lying on her back.
Chew on things she can bring to her mouth
Babble for pleasure.
Splash with hands and feet in the bath.
Give your baby
A variety of objects to examine and explore ( a cube, a ball, rattle, bell)
More dangling toys to watch and swipe at with hands or feet.
Music and nursery rhyme records.
Changes of scenery both inside and outside the house.
3 year old
Questions are the techniques children use to find answers and to increase knowledge.
Activities which provoke creative imagination. "What could you do with four eyes that you cannot do with two? Name things that fly, things that are green." etc.
Activities which demand the making of theories: "What new ways can you think of to use envelopes, scotch tape, newspaper."
Activities to promote flexibility: Have them cut out different shapes from a magazine and paste them into designs.
Help your child get his room organized so that he can later get his letters organized. It is as simple as that. Have a time each day ( the same time) with help from mom and dad he gets his room in order. There should be a place for all his possessions, and he should learn the place where each object belongs. He is learning about space and how objects are organized in space. Later on in school this concept will help him learn the difference between b,d, p and q. Clothing also, Let him put his clothing items in their proper places to the extent that he is able to cope with the problems.
Yogurt and Fruit
Serves 3
combine ingredients
1 1/2 cups plain nonfat yogurt (organic)
1 cup fresh peach slices
1/2 cup fresh strawberries
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 Tbs. honey
Growing Child
Lack of understanding and improper punishment can create a child with a problem. The 2 1/2 year old exhibits a strong will power and he recognizes the many ways to successfully manipulate his parents. He may refuse to eat, go to sleep or cooperate. Nevertheless, when you inflict punishment on child of this age, he is not to young to feel angry with you. This anger he feels may frighten him. Some parents use words, "you'll be the death of me", "you drive me crazy", which can be as equally destructive as physical punishment. The child grasps the parent's anger. He doesn't know that this anger is temporary and that angry feelings are normal. What he learns is to imitate aggression which often takes the form of tantrums. Parent and child feed the flames of each others passions, precipitating a vicious cycle.
We know that a child intuitively wants to be good and please his parents. By reflection his thoughts back to him, he has an emotional release and can save face: "I know you're angry, and I know how you feel. You don't want to put away the toys. You want to play. Come, let's put them away together. In spite of this a child doesn't always accept the situation, in which case it is necessary to distract him. Not every cause must be resolved. It's important to make allowances for individual differences. It is not to soon to set reasonable limits which for this age must be clear-cut. Avoid unnecessary confrontations which result from too many "no's", "don't touch" and "stop".
This is from Growing Child. I found the advice, avoid unnecessary confrontations, to be very valuable. I enjoyed reading child development books when I was raising my kids. I want to just put information out here, random bits of stuff, and hope that it can help. Since it's my nieces and nephews who have children and not my own kids, maybe I can do this with just genuine caring and desire to help.
4 months
At four months baby likes to
Raise herself up by her arms.
Turn her torso from one side to the other
Hold her feet in the air and kick when lying on her back.
Chew on things she can bring to her mouth
Babble for pleasure.
Splash with hands and feet in the bath.
Give your baby
A variety of objects to examine and explore ( a cube, a ball, rattle, bell)
More dangling toys to watch and swipe at with hands or feet.
Music and nursery rhyme records.
Changes of scenery both inside and outside the house.
3 year old
Questions are the techniques children use to find answers and to increase knowledge.
Activities which provoke creative imagination. "What could you do with four eyes that you cannot do with two? Name things that fly, things that are green." etc.
Activities which demand the making of theories: "What new ways can you think of to use envelopes, scotch tape, newspaper."
Activities to promote flexibility: Have them cut out different shapes from a magazine and paste them into designs.
Help your child get his room organized so that he can later get his letters organized. It is as simple as that. Have a time each day ( the same time) with help from mom and dad he gets his room in order. There should be a place for all his possessions, and he should learn the place where each object belongs. He is learning about space and how objects are organized in space. Later on in school this concept will help him learn the difference between b,d, p and q. Clothing also, Let him put his clothing items in their proper places to the extent that he is able to cope with the problems.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
June 30, 2010 Trying something new
"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show to my fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."
Stephen Grellet
Stephen Grellet
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