Finding the Right Childcare

Did you know. . . Research proves that parents have an important influence on their child’s development regardless of how much out-of-home care children receive? So whether you work outside the home or you are with your child all day, you are still your child’s most influential teacher. Wow, that's heavy responsibility, right?

However, most parents today need childcare due to our lousy economy. So if you're in that boat, here are a few things to look for in your search:

• Adult turnover is low. A stream of new caregivers is unpleasant to young children. It may signal to you that a relationship problem exists between staff and the director, a problem that trickles down to your child.

• Children are touched frequently in positive and affirming ways. Children need to be touched, even if it’s a pat on the back, or holding hands during games.

• Each is addressed by name. There should be a minimal use of group terms like “the infants,”

Change Your Environment

Changing or modifying a child's play or living environment can be a useful tool in helping them develop self-control. It's especially effective on younger children.

What happens when you change a child's environment? It can prevent difficulties from arising as well as done in response to a problematic behavior.

Below is a list for building success into a child's environment. Think of some concrete examples or ideas for every category that you may use. Be creative in how you wish to modify the environment to help promote the child's self-control.

• ORGANIZING helps children learn how to sort, pick up, and find their own things. Organizing increases the child's ability to accomplish self-care tasks. When my daughters were young, I put their books on a lower shelf so they were all together, easy to find, and easy (hopefully for them) to pick up and reshelf.
• ENHANCING the environment involves those activities that make your child's world full of age-appropriate and interesting items. Think of most daycares or preschools where age-appropriate chairs, sand tables, posters, books, wall hangings, and toys are available to children and enrich their curiosity and learning. Is there a way you can rearrange your child's bedroom to help him learn how to spend time alone, occupy himself, develop hobbies, focus, and concentrate?
• SOOTHING is a technique used most often with babies. Simply remove sources of stimulation like the TV or bright lights or bright colors from the environment. When I taught preschool and the children would become over-active, loud, or aggitated, I'd simply lower the lights. By doing so, they'd quiet. Then I could give my instructions in a quieter voice (never add to the volume by screaming over their voices!). What stimulation can you remove today?

-- this is good discipline.

Remember children's "bad" behavior can be avoided or eased through modifying your (their) environment.

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Inappropriate Behavior?

Some children are always happy-go-lucky, while others are grumpy. Some are hesitant in new situations while others run with open arms. Some kids complain when the sun is too bright or a clothing tag is touching their neck, while others hardly let you know when they are hurt. Challenging? Yes! But, this does not mean their behavior is inappropriate.

In your daily discipline, it helps to understand something about each child's individual style. Temperament is an inborn, distinct style of responding. Wise parents and childcare providers consider each child's temperament when disciplining. It just might make a difference in your daily discipline too.

I encourage you to read my article, Tune in to Temperaments at the Mommy Perks website.

I'd love to hear your thought. You can leave a comment below or email me at speaker2parents at juno.com.

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