'Tis the season of sharing and caring.  Well today I witnessed an act of sharing and caring and thought I would share it with you.  I took two little girls out today to play at an indoor playground.  When we got there they realized that the one girl didn't have socks on.  As they read the rules of the indoor playground they realized that one of them might not get to play because she didn't have socks.  The one girl said, " Here you can have one of my socks."  They ran off to play with one sock on and one barfeoot.  They looked so cute and they had a great time.  I sat there smiling and thinking what if everyone was so generous.  What if every day people could share and care for each other in such a selfless way.  We would live in a much better world.  During this season while we are rushing about to get the latest gift or gadget we need to stop and remember to share and care about those who are less fortunate.  Teach your children to give from the heart and not from the pocketbook.  As you shop this season keep in mind the one little who shared her sock so her friend could play too.  Until next time..

This week we celebrate Thankgiving.  What a wonderful holiday!!  We should celebrate all of the great moments over the past year.  This year has been a wonderful year but it did have some very difficult moments.  I learned that we should celebrate every day that we have with our loved ones and not to sweat the small stuff.  Thanksgiving has always been my favortie holiday.  I love sharing time with my family, the parades and the food, of course.  We should take time to spend quality time with our children on this special day.  Happy Thanksgiving!!  Until next time...

This my second post today!! I wanted to remind everyone to get out and vote on Tuesday!!  This is a very critical vote.  I fully support Obama!!  Romney will take away a women's right to choose.  I think every women should have the right to choose whether or not they want to bring a child into the world.m  A child is so special and EVERY child deserves to be wanted and to be loved.  Taking away a woman's right to choose will be the biggest step backwards that we have ever made in this country. The governemnt should have nothing to do with this personal decision.  Also Romney wants to take away from the Head Start programs.  He wants the federal government to step down and let the Head Start program be run by each state.  If this happens this will end the Head Start program.  The states can not financially support this program.  I worked for Head Start and saw first hand what a wonderful program it is.  If nothing else it assures that each child gets two nutrious meals a day.  There is no reason why a child should go to bed hungry in this country.  Head Start is a wonderful academic based program that gives a child the best start they can get into the academic world while ensuring their health and nutriction.  Please support Obama for these reasons if not for any other reasons.  Get out and VOTE on Tuesday.  Until next time..

November is the month of giving.  Give your time to your child.  Give them quality time.  One on one attention; such as reading a book, playing a games, making a craft or any other fun activities.  When they grow up they will remember these special times that you shared together.  Also teach your child the act of giving.  They are never to young to start this.  Have your child donate a canned good at school, give a an elderly neighbor a dinner, or clean out their toy chest and donate the toys to a woman's shelter.  These are just a few suggestions to promote giving to others.  When your child learns to give at an early age they will be the type of person who will continue to give for their entire life.  Reaching out to people is a very important lesson to teach your child.  Until next time...

Hallooween is rapidly approaching and I know everyone has heard all of this before but I feel like I should give everyone a subtle reminder.  When choosing a costume make it friendly and nnnonviolent.  Let your child help you select their costume but promote creativity not violence.  No weapons: swords, guns, knives.  I think homemade costumes are the best.  Let your child help you make their costume.  Respect all of their input.  This can be a very family oriented activity.  Select a theme and everyone can have fun making their own costume.  Have fun carving pumpkins, making treats and spending quality family time together.  Always stress safewty first.  Wear relflective clothing, bring a flashlight, don't eat candy before getting home etc...  Halloween is a fun holiday!!  Enjoy!!  Until next time...

This month is antibullying month.  I feel compelled to address this issue because it affects so many children today.  It all starts at the preschool level. As I observe children playing I can see the ones that are doing the pushing and the ones that are receiving it.  It is always  the same children.  As a teacher I encourage the child being bullied to stick for themselves by saying "No.  I had it first and not just give it to the bully.  I also tell the bully that he should not take things from other children.  It all starts in the sandbox.  Parents need to teach their children to repsect one another.  Children need to learn to appreciate the differences in people and understand that we are all not the same.  I encourage , you, as parents to set a good example by not stereotyping people.  Remeber your children are watching everything you do and you are their first teacher.  There should be no tolerance for bullying!!  When a child is forced to commit suicide becasue they can't take the bullying any longer there is something sadly wrong with our society.  Every child deserves to feel loved and respected.  Unitl next time...

How to protect your children without smothering them is very difficult for a parent.  This week a little girl was murdered on her way to school.  It happened in Colorado.  I'm sure her parents are very good parents.  She only had to walk three blocks and then she met her friends and walked the rest of the way to school with them.  She was 10 years old.  She was at an age where she could do this simple act.  Walking three blocks to meet friends is reasonable but she never made it.  This is so sad and it does make us think about how we can protect our children while giving them their independence.  As parents we want our children to be safe and secure but we also want them to grow and have a sense responsibility.  My heart aches for the little girls parents and I know their lives will never be the same.  Go over the rules of safety with your children.  Never talk to strangers.  Shout, kick, scream and run in the opposite direction if someone strange approaches you.  Try to walk in groups and never alone.  Review these safety tips every three months with your child.  Hug your child and make them feel secure.  I know the parents of the little girl from Colorado wish they could hug their child one more time.  Until next time..

I don't understand mother's that don't want their children to get dirty.  Being a kid means getting DIRTY!!  It's O.K. to play in the sand,  Outdoor play teaches children a variety of things.  First and most important is that they get much needed exercise.  We are worried about childhood obesity but we don't want our children getting dirty.  They need to to run, climb and play outdoors.  Playing outside allows them to learn to socailize with other children.  It teaches them to share and how to take turns.  Also they get the much needed vitamin D from the sun.  Let your child have fun outdoors.  Le them make mud pies and even play in the rain.  Next time your child comes home with sand in their hair and on their clothes know thta they are having fun and benefiting from playting outside.  Unti next time...

Everyone knows that when a child digs his heels in it is hard to get them to do what you want them to do without a battle.  I have found a techinique that USUALLY works.  First wait for the situation to calm down.  The parent needs to take a deep breath and the child needs to regain self-control and then they will be a little more reasonable.  The parent then states first this then this.  Example:  First you pick up your toys and then you can go watch T.V.  It is as simple as that.  You are giving the child the control he wants with options.  This helps the child feel like he has some power but ultimately you are the one in control.  This helps with your child's self-esteem.  This is not spoiling a child but teaching your child self-control and the ability to reason.  Remember take a deep breath and good luck.  Until next time...

A very important step for children is taking care of their own needs.  As parents we tend to want to help them with everything but part of the process of growing up is becoming independent.  The first stage is for the child to watch or observe us doing something like eating, washing our hands, dressing, you get the idea.  After watching they begin to try things on their own.  At first they might forget some of the steps but with gentle reminders they will begin to do things on their own.  After accomplishing these self-care activities they begins to realize that they can use differnt items to help with their activity; like a broom to sweep the floor or scissors to cut things out.  The last step is for the child to try to help someone else do an acitivity.  This is great for their self-confidence and their independence. This also teaches them that helping others is a good thing and that there are others in the world around them. I know as a parent that we want our child to succeed so let's give them the tools and confidence to get there.  Ubtil next time...

I hope everyone enjoyed the long Labor Day weekend. I did!!  That is why I didn't post last week.  Labor Day!!  How appropriate.  That is how we all start our life of parenting.  Once you are a parent a little piece of your heart walks around outside of yourself.  Every child should have a parent who thinks they are the most precious thing that has ever walked on this earth but unfortunately that is not true for every child.  A parent has the opportunity to help create a self-sufficent loving human being.  Spend time with your children, talk to them, play with them and enjoy them.  Build a good relationship while they are young and they will always want to have a relationship with you.  Enjoy parenting don't look at it as a chore.  You only get one chance so don't mess it up.  Until next time...

A child should try to solve problems with the materials he plays with.  When a child is playing and he can't solve the problem he might become frustrated and act out by cying or screaming or even hitting.  A parent should try to help him with suggestions at this point and not let him contiue to be frustrated.  As an adult we have coping skills but a child doesn't possess these skills at an early.  As they grow they wil try diffrent solutions on their own and the majority of the time they will succeed.  This is how a child learns to be independent.  Don't jump in and try to solve all of their problems for them.  It is very important for a child to develop coping skills and self-regulations.  That is the problem with many children today.  They never developed these skills.  Their parents, out of love, tried to make everything easy for them and as we all know, life is not easy.  Relax and let your child try to figure things out on their own.  It will make your life easier and it will benefit them in the long run. Unnntil next time...

Do as I say, not as I do.  Remember your children are watching you all of the time.  The example we set will teach our children how to behave.  If we volunteer at an animal shelter our children will learn to love and respect animals.  If we donate to a charity our children will learn how to be giving people.  If we teach by our action our children will learn.  I saw a man yeaterday yelling at an adult in front of his two children because a child thew a stick at his car by accident.  He was caring on like his car had been destroyed.  The boy apologized and was almost in tears. Rather then accept his apology and tell him to be more careful.  He went off on the adult.  By doing this he taught the boy that to apologize means nothing and taught his children how not repsect other people.  This is a form of bullying and we wonder why children are bullies. I encourage you to think before you act.  Be a good example for your child.  Respect each other and your children will learn to repsect each other.  Remember the saying by John Lenon, "All we need is love."  Keep this in mind when you are intereacting with your children and the poeple around you and this world will be a much better place.  Until next time...

Children are active learners.  They are inquisitive and motivated to develop their interest.  If you walk into a room full of toddlers everyone is doing something and that something has a purpose.  If a parent or teacher encourages the child to make choices and plans thier activities will have meaning.  For example if a child says they want to play in the housekeeping area at school that means they want to explore family life and they will learn to be loving and caring children. Even if they don't realize it they are laerning to develop empathy and at the same time they are learning to share with their peers.  It is very interesting to observe a child at play and see wht they are learning.  A child will first point and or state what they would like to do with one or two words but as they get older and their vocabulary expands they will make extensive plans.  Encourage your child to make plans at home when they are going to play and encourage them to follow through with these plans.  This will set htme up for success throughout their school years. Play with your child and have fun today.  Until next time...

This is one of my favorite quotes, "Listen earnestly to anything you children want to tell you, no matter what.  If you don't listen eagerly to the little stuff when they are little, they won't tell you the big stuff when they are big, beacuse to the all of it has always been big stuff." (Catherine Wallace) Keep this in mind whne you are talking to your children.  Don't just be there.  Be involved in what they are saying and doing.  It might be more interesting then you think.  Everyone has to work and deal with daily life but take time to enjoy your child.  You will never walk this way again so enjoy it!!  Until next time...

This week there has been a debate going on about Chick-fil-a and their stand on the gay lifestyle.  I would like to take a moment to talk about acceptance and diversity related to children.  Children do not discriminate.  They accept everyone for who they are.  I have seen children play beside each other and six month later they comment about their differences.  They just don't see what the big deal is.  I saw a child playing with a child of a different race for many months.  One day he said"Wow!!  Your skin is really dark and mine isn't."  He was just making an obersevation not discrimanting or judging; just observing.  Children are not born prejudice.  Society makes them prejudice.  I do not know why peole judge people for the way they look or the lifestyle they choose.  If you love someone, you love them for who they are.  Homosexuals do not choose to be homosexual but are born this way.  Love is what everyone is looking for and what everyone needs in life.  Differences are what makes this world a beautiful place.  Like the Beatles song says, "All we need is love."  Teach your child to love and not to hate.   This world would be a much better place without discrmination, violence and hatred. 

I speak now as a parent, as well as, a teacher.  Read to your child every day.  Hold them on your lap and read to them.  Talk about the pcitures and the words of the story.  Focus on one word on each page that they might not know.  Talk about what it means.  This will help to develop their vocabulary.  They will be learning and not even know it!!  If your child loves to read they will succeed in school.  Share your favorite childhood books and help them find their favorites.  Have your child act out the book. Preschooler love to act out stories and they are very good at it.  If a child says reading is boring it's because they never found a story that interest them.  Spend time at the library.  There is certain mystery about libraries that children will love.  Rows and rows of books that can open a whole new world to your child. Once they discover the joy of reading they will want to read all of the time.  Have fun reading!!  Until next time..

This is my first post.  I want to share my thughts about young children and how parents can teach their child while having fun.  My first thought is about the decision to have a child.  Many people want to have children but don't realize what it involves. It is a LIFETIME commitment.  All I can say about this is think about what you are getting into and if you are not sure; don't commit.  From the moment you become pregnant your life starts to subtly change.  I am totally prochoice and belive that if you are not ready to have a child the choice should be yours.  I have worked with many children over the years and have seen the results of when a child is not truly wanted.  Enough about that.  I think there are three key words in raising a child encourage them, love them and support them.  Most of my blog will involve ideas for preschool children.  I hope you will enjoy reading it.  What's your child doing right now?  Go give them a hug!! Unitl next time...