Your child's speech development

The development of your child's speech and language capabilities is one of the most natural as well as impressive. Help your child along the way with these suggestions.

Almost all children pick up on their speech capabilities at a very young age without any formal instruction. Human beings, after all born to talk and this trait is indeed an innate gift for your child. While they are not born to talk immediately, children as babies use cries and gestures to convey meanings. They also seem to immediately grasp whatever message you are trying to convey to them by making sense of your body language as well as your gestures.

Most children say their first words between 12 and 18 months of age. By age 4 to 5 years, they begin using complex sentences. As they hit the kindergarten age, your child should by now know most of the fundamentals of their language and be able to converse easily with someone at their level.

However, as a parent, you should understand that each child has different aspects of speech development. While one child may say his or her word at 10 months, another could do the same at 20 months.

Helping your child along the way

Not to worry - as a parent, you can play an important role when it comes to helping your child develop his or her skills. The first thing you should realise is that children learn at different rates. Some are fast learners, others are slow. To begin teaching your child, you should not judge based on speed but instead focus on whether your child's language development proceeds steadily.

The way you engage with your child will determine his or her language development, which is vital in the first five years. A few things to keep in mind are these :

• Enjoy the process : Don't force your child to learn faster than normal or put stress upon the learning process. It should be an enjoyable process for both of you.
• Keep it natural : Remember, you are talking to someone who is obviously not at the same level as you are. So talk in a natural way that your child understands and comprehends.
• Listen to your child : Pay attention to what yous child is saying and listen to the sounds and words that he or she is saying. This way, you are able to better respond to your child and help him or her progress further.
• Make it fun : Learning should be a fun process, not arduous. Do activities that will not only teach your child but also make it fun to do together. For example, read stories together and make communicating fun so your child is more eager as well as encouraged to learn.
• Be mindful of your own language : Want your child to learn properly? Then, be mindful of the language that goes around in your household. Having bad habits will only mean your child pick up the same.

One important advice - don't pay too much attention on the "problems" (such as pronunciation). Most children generally outgrow such things, which is a common issue. However, if your child displays signs of not being able to comprehend you or taking longer than usual, then you may seek advice from speacialists in children's speech, language and hearing.

By : Ms Woo Pei Jun, Developmental Psychologist

More speech development ideas, as suggested by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association :

• Make a scrapbook of favourite or familiar things by cutting out pictures. Go through the scrapebook with your child and name everything in it or talk about each picture.
• Expand on vocabulary by naming body parts and identifying what you do with them. For example, say "This is my nose. I can smell flowers, brownies, popcorn and soap".
• Acknowledge, encourage and praise all attempts to speak. Show your child that you understand by fulfilling the request, if appropriate.
• Encourage your child to give directions.
• Sing simple song and recite nursery rhymes to show the rhythm and pattern of speech.

Source : Positive Parenting Magazine, vol 1 :2008, www.mypositiveparenting.org

Encourage learning!

The home is the best place to begin your child's learning. Here are some suggestions.

One of the best teachers a child can have is his or her parents. And the best place for a child to learn is in his or her home environment. Help your child develop skills, whether it is writing, reading, learning a new foreign language or simply just picking up new learning habits, with these easy - to - do tasks.

1. Talk, sing and dance with your child : Children love physical activities and nothing makes them excited than being able to do fun things with you. Learn some new songs and teach these to your child. Include the entire family in this fun - and - games session to help motivate your child more.
2. Read to your child : Children who are read to growing up often fate better than their counterparts who aren't. Reading is one of the fastest ways for a child to pick up learning skills and no one does a better job than a parent. Make reading athing to do every day, even if just for five minutes. A good time to do this is before bedtime. Make sure you read with fun in your voice to make it all the more exciting for your child. When your child is at an age where he or she can start reading, do this together with a favourite book.
3. Limit television viewing : The TV is often a bad excuse for parents who have no time so make sure you limit the hours your child spends on this. Instead spend them doing things together. Children need to hear and talk to adults in order to learn. Just watching television will not make this happen.
4. Have a positive attitute towards learning : Be positive and enthusiatic when your child comes back from school telling you of the new things he or she has learnt. Keep abreast of what is going on in school and take a pro-active approach in finding out your child's progress in school. Take an interest and if possible, try to enhance your child's learning progress with your own personal imvolvement.
5. Give your child the much needed praise : Children thrive on praises. So if your child has done well, let him or her know this. This will not only encourage your child but also shows that you care. Another good way to do this is by putting up drawings done your child on the refrigerator.
6. Encourage your child to use learning materials : Learning tools such as the dictionary and encyclopedia can be very useful indeed when your child is picking up new vocabulary or knowledge. Encourage them to constantly refer to these two when they want to answers to some queris they may have.
7. Take them out! : To the library, the museum, an exhibition or even the playground. Exposing your child to such activities will help encourage learning as well as motivate your child to learn more. Not only that, it is something fun for the entire family to do!

By Dr Goh Chee Leong, Cognitive/Developmental Pshycologist

Source : Positive Parenting magazine, Vol 1 : 2008, www.mypositiveparenting.org

Positive values for your child

The one thing a parent wishes for is a child with positive values and morals. Here is how you can start instilling these values in your child from young.

Every parent worries about the type of person his or her child will grow up into. Will they be an honest person? What about confidence? The list can go on but one thing remains : how your child turns out to be can very much depend on the type of upbringing he or she will have. And the one person who is responsible for this is yourself.

A lesson in life

There are several ways parents can instil positive values in their child and it is not just a metter of strict discipline and regime. In fact, strict upbringing is perhaps the less advocated method as compared to the scare tactic which is often a bda method of teaching.

Here are several method to instil positive values:

• Help your child understand by talking to them : Start at a young age to talk to your child about the importance of having morals. Share your experience, talk about other people and take the time to properly explain to your child. For example, if you want to talk to your child about the virtues of being diligent, explain to him or her in a languange that they will understand. Complete your teaching with anecdotes that make sense to your child. Guide your child and answer any questions he or she may have.
• Be a good example : The saying "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" is a prime example when it comes to instilling positive values in your child. If you are teaching your child about patience, losing your top over the smallest issues is not going to help. Your child models your behaviour, after all, their minds are like cameras and they see and record everything that you do.
• Encourage your child : Help instil positive values by giving your child praises. If you ctach your child doing something wrong, tell them so. In extreme situations, you can an should punish them for their bad behaviour. At the same time, why not instruct your child to start practising good behavious such as saving money or being responsible? Each time your child does something good, let him or he know it with rewards or praise.
• Create a perfect environment : No point tecahing your child about being polite if the entire household speaks to each other in a rude manner. Ensure desired settings and wanted values in the family while eliminating undesirable actions. For example, if you want your child to have good manners, make sure you portray this within the family setting. Ask for the entire family to be polite to one another and make sure bad manners get punished to set an example. Remember, when it comes to teaching your child positive values, consistency is the key. Make sure you teach them the same thing over and over again so that they understand exactly what is desired. And lastly, the best way to improve your child's behaviour is by improving your own. So keep to positive values yourself to make sure your child sees how important it is with their own eyes.

By Assoc Prof Dr M Swamenathan, Psychiatrist

Source : Positive Parenting magazine, Vol 1 :2008, www.mypositiveparenting.org

MORE WAYS TO INSTIL POSTIVE VALUES

• Encourage participation as a family in volunteering or community service : This will help your child develop a sense of moral obligation.
• Share emotional times : Talk to your child about your feelings so that he or she may learn to identify their own.
• Show respect for those in authority : This will help discipline your child when it comes to appropriate behaviour

Source : www. parenting.org

Interacting with your child

One of the best ways to ensure a happy and positive child is by constant interaction with the parents. Here are some ideas on how you can promote healthy interaction with your child regardless of age.

Communication is the key to any relationship, especially when it comes to your children. Positive interaction has always been advocated by experts to start your child on the right track of effective communication. It can also build healthy relationships. However, interaction with children is not the easiet thing to do. Because of the different level of understanding, it can become frustrating, especially when dealing with very young children. And it doesn't become any easier when your child grows up into a teenager. Some parents swear it is the hardest years when it comes to parent-child interaction.

Here are some ideas on how you can promote positive parent-child interaction at the different stages of your child's life :

Talking with your baby

Start young : Positive interaction with your child can begin even before he or she is born! Start the bond by singing to your unborn child or even having min conversation with him or her. This way, your child will already recognise your voice and can react better with you later on

Laugh, dance, do whatever to enjoy each other's company : Relax! Just enjoy spending all this time with your child. Have a good time with your baby and communicate with smiles, touch, funny faces and generally being in good spirits. Establish a routine or a playtime that will be unique to the two of you.

Talking with your toddler

Do as much as you can : What your toddler learns in his or her first three years of life will mould him or her into the person they will become for the rest of their lives. Therefore, effective communication is important here as your toddler is at a stage when he or she will learn quickly and efficiently.

Schedule playtime: This is the time when your child begins to strengthen and develop motor skills. To help him or her develop further, sit down with your toddler every day for one-to-one playtime. When your child is slightly older, you may want to consider playtime with children around the same age.

Talking to your teenager

Treat them like adults : The biggest mistake you can do here is still treat them like babies. This can go wrong in two ways - your child will never be able to build self confidence or your child will rebel by acting completely out of line to establish the fact that he or she is no longer a young child.

But still be stern : Don't let your teenager walk all over you. Be an understanding parent but also realise that there will be times when you need to be stern as well, especially when your child has crossed the line. Be firm when giving out punishment so thay your child knows that you mean business. Involve your child in deciding the type of punishment to be imposed.

MORE IDEAS ON WAYS TO CONNECT WITH YOUR CHILD

1. Go on trips : Find time once a week to get the entire family together and go on an excursion. It can be a sort or a long trip but what matters most is that the entire family is together to spend quality time together.
2. Have dinners together : Studies has shown that kid who have regular and frequent family dinners are less likely to do drugs. Schedule mealtimes whereby the entire family can sit down together and share this special moment.
3. Game night : Instead of just turning on the television after every meal, why not arrange for game nights? This will allow your child to bond with you over board games and can be a fun time for all.
4. Pay attention to your child's interest : Is your child an artist? Bring out some large sheets of paper and start painting! Your child loves to bake? Spend time together to bake a cake for the entire family

By Assoc Prof Dr M Swamenathan, Phychiatrist

Source : Positive parenting magazine, vol 1 2008

Time with the family

Research has shown that family quality time often contributes to a child's ositive upbringing. However, with our busy schedules, this is something that is lacking in today's families. Create family quality time again to help build a happy home.

A study published by the Canadian Social Trends showed that workers spent an average of 45 minutes less per day with family members in 2005 than they did 20 years ago. What this transltes into is that the more time you spend at work, the less time you have with your family.

Spending time with the family is important but this is something many of us forget as we are too busy wrapped up in our work, career, personal life and more. So often, we focus too much on the big things rather than the other more important little things in our lives. Before you know it, it could already be too late to do anything about this.

Remember this - time flies! You may think you can put off spending time with your child to another day but by then, your child would have already grown up and you are left wondering what happened to the little girl/boy who looked up to you so much.

Quality time & Quantity time

There is a huge different between quality time and quantity time. If you are spending time 'lecturing' your cild, you can be sure it won't be an enjoyable time for him or her. However, if it is time spent doing the things your child enjoys, then even if it is just 15 minutes of it, it will be time that your child appreciates.

Know the meaning of quality time, which translates into communicating with your child in an upbeat and useful manner. Watching TV in silence does not count as quality time. Bonding while watching TV is what makes the difference.

The more family time you spend together, the more close-knit a family becomes. This will result in reducing stress in the household as well as less arguments with each other.

Create these quality time

Here are some ways to start incorporating family time in your life:

Rethink your life

Think of what you would rather have - a happy family or one that is constantly bickering with one another while you hide in the office? Set your priorities straight and start rethinking your life and how you can make the changes to include more family time.

Give your child attention he or she deserves

Give your child the attention and interest he or she yearns for. Be positive about your child and be generous with your praises. Let yur child help around the household and make sure you praise hard work and effort.

Learn to make time

Be spontaneous in your life, the last thing you want is for your child to feel as if a scheduled appointment is needed to have your attention! Don't sweat the small stuff (unwashed dishes, dirty laundry, management presentations etc) and instead, think of the little but important things such as going to the park with your child, celebrating a birthday or even singing a song before your child goes to sleep.

Talk, don't nag

Don't spend whatever little time you have with your child nagging. Instead, learn to talk to your child as you would another adult and you could be pleasantly surprised at the reaction you may receive.

Take the effort to find out what is going on in your child's life - younger children can talk about their friends or school while older children can focus on what's occuring outside the home or neighbourhood. If possible, ask for opinions. This will make your child feel appreciated, which is exactly the effect you desire.

By Dr Anjli Doshi-Gandhi, Deputy Director-General (policy), National Population and Family Development Board Malaysia

Source : Positive Parenting Magazine, Vol 1 2008

Teaching children to build self-esteem

Self Reliance

Allow space for children to learn responsibility. It is important to introduce them to daily living skills such as cleaning up and self direction. Adults need to practice 'active listening' to help children recognize their feelings and be able to communicate them. The ability to articulate well will help children to say 'No' when they feel unsafe or threatened; to seek help when needed, to be aware of their own rights while respecting others

Self image

Children develop a positive self concept when adults take them seriously. Their questions are answered honestly and completely adn displays of emotion are encouraged. Self-assurance grows when they receive positive reinforcement instead of being reminded of behavious frowned upon. Valuing each child as a unique individual and not in relative terms preserves their self image

Self worth

Encourage children to be considerate of others and their property, to share what they have, to be polite and to take time listen so they would understand better another's worth as they would their own. Use every opportunity you can to help children appreciate differences; help them to take pride in the unique person they are while recognizing and learning from others who are different

Self discipline

Children ought to be aware of their own environment so they can better gauge their needs and desires to develop their own unique personality in a socially responsible context. Help them make choices so they see them as preferences rather than directed by rules. A child's opinions, desires and rights must be respected although it is the adult's responsibility to advise them of the consequences

Self motivation

A suitable learning environment will allow children to develop at their own pace, challenging oneself to do better the next time and make self-motivation an innate quality so that pride in one's accomplishement becomes a goal

Source : http://www.culturemagic.org/PDF/cValuesChildren.pdf

http://www.sitagita.com/view.asp?ID=2531

From : Mama to Mama magazine, Malaysia Edition, Vol 4/2007

10 tips to raise healthy, happy kids

Our children are our most valued teasures. If we could just secure their well-being, happiness and success in life, we know we've fulfilled our mission and passed parenthood with flying colours.

WHERE TO START

Take charge in providing the best nutrition possible for your child from conception onwards. For them to learn how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, emphasis on clean, healthy living everyday should be set earlier on. For instance, regular visits to your trusted pediatrician for proper guidance and care should never be compromised.

Small gestures go a long way. Establishing good eating habits and making healthy food choices always put them on the right track to living a full life. And there's nothing like regular quality time spent with our kids to help us get to know them better, strengthen bonds of communication, and weave strong moral fibers of trust and honesty.

Here, some of today's top health experts take time to share with us wisdom culled from their many years of dealing with families and children. Consider what they have to say. After all, our kids deserve only the best love and care we can give.

Give yourself : Adequate maternal vitamins and supplements during pregnancy and breat feeding, and a well-balanced diet, complete childhood immunizations and quality time for emotional quotient.

Breast feeding from birth is best for a baby. This should be followed by regular checkups, immunizations and health examination under a dependable healthcare provider. This will ensure good health for your child.

Introduce proper diet to your children - start by breast feeding them [and emphasize] healthy eating in adulthood. Overfeeding should be avoided ; it may lead to obesity in adolescence. Fat babies are not healthy babies.

Accident-proof your home. potential hazards around the home should be identified, and safety measures should be implemented. Every effort should be made to emphasize accident prevention.

Start them young on good habits. Live healthy, live as an example!

Aside from providing good food ang nutrition, parents can be good role models for their children by eating a well-balanced diet and getting egular exercise themselves - to show how important good physical and mental health are.

Responsible parents should provide the best possible education - health education included. Teach them values like respect for elders, and give your utmost love and care.

Breast feed your babies.

Bring your children to their pediatician for checkups and be updated on current immunization procedures.

Be a best friend always to your children. Take good care of them and give them the support - physical, mental, emotional - they need. Do your best to be a good companion - someone they can communicate with who stays put and listens to them.

By : Mary Rose Abad Jimenez.

Source : HealthToday magazine, November 2005

The smart way to parenting

Perfect parents may not exis but smart parents abound. There is always room for improvement and even more room to better our ways with the latest and smartest on parenting. Busy parents, good parents - we can all take away something from a list of basic principles on better parenting.

Doing what counts

What you do every day with your child, how you treat him or her should be a result of a conscious decision on your part. The consequences are wwhat you reap as a result of your actions.

Be generous with loving

You cannot love your child too much. Too much love is not the reason for a spoilt child but substituting rewards for love or compromising on things that matter can bring about indiscipline.

Participate actively in your child's life

Sacrificing time and energy is expected once a child enters your life irrespective of how busy or how good a reason you have for not being there. And always show a keen interest in whatever your child is doing.

Managing behaviour

You need to establish good behaviour patterns while your child is still young as this would be his code of conduct when he gets older. Parents must always be aware of where their child is, with whom and doing what at all times. And be consistent when establishing rules.

Keep an open line of communication

You need to get down to your child and explain your expectations. Encourage questions, use examples and analogies when explaining - what is obvious to you may not be obvious to him

Respect your child

Every child deserves the same courtesy and respect you would expect for yourself. Speak politely, respect his opinion and show interest in what he says. Children treat others the way their parents treat them.

This is not a scientific formula that has a ready answer to problems. But smart parenting plant the seeds of kindness, honesty, self-reliance and joy that would grow and nurture every child to become good individuals.

Source : Newswise/Temple University

http://www.chiff.com/a/good-parenting.htm

From : Mama to Mama magazine/Malaysia edition/Vol 4/2007

Top 10 Tips to ChildProof Your Home

Childproofing a home is nothing but, keeping your house kid-safe. Kids are very curious about touching, handling and using or breaking the things that they come across. If you take some precautions and follow these ten tips your home will be a kid-friendly home.

1. Store spray cans such as perfumes, toilet cleaners and other products which are harmful to inhale or swallow in a locked container. These substances include but not limited to: bleaches, detergents, kerosene, petrol, spices, pesticides and some cosmetics.

2. Look around for easily breakable objects in your home. Store them in places somewhere out of reach for children.

3. Keep knives, sharp edged products in cupboards that are fitted with safety latches. Install safety latches if your cupboards do not have.

4. Does your bathroom door locks itself automatically? If so, please fix it so it can be opened from outside itself. I have heard terrible stories of kids locking themselves inside a bathroom or a restroom.

5. Keep your household plans and decorative bonsai trees away in the garden.

6. Put safety caps for electrical outlets and prevent an opportunity for young toddlers who like to poke their tiny fingers into the plug points.

7. In your refrigerator, do not keep any food items or vegetables that are not suitable for direct consumption by kids. Keep them in the first two containers well above the reach of kids.

8. Store lawn mowers, axes and other hardware tools in the garage and lock them. Children are curious to act like parents and such sharp tools cause life-threatening dangers.

9. Keep attics, basements and other spare rooms locked. Let kids not use them for playing hide-and-seek.

10. Finally, think like a kid. If anything is brightly coloured, children get attracted to them.

You have done all the things that you can now and it is the time to test if your home is really childproof. What a better way to test other than bringing a kid. When the kid comes for testing your home, follow the kid and allow the kid to play with only safe items. Anything dangerous, remove them immediately.

Shalini writes for HubPages and her best articles can be found at http://prohubber.com Check http://www.getrichblokes.com for more information and exclusive genuine money making ideas. We will give your course fees if you do not make money within the first 30 days. No questions asked.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shalini_G

Smart Parenting

That precious bundle of joy has just arrived and there is all kinds of excitement that you and Daddy are experiences. There are also concerns that you may face. The best thing that you can do right now is just learn as much as you can about the baby and you are well on your way to smart parenting.

You may find out specific problems and concerns about the baby right after he is born. It is best to not only go off instinct but to also ask the pediatrician as much as you possibly can.

Part of smart parenting is making sure that your child has all necessary items that they will need at home. Everything from diapers and cream to clothes. There is also the necessity of security in making sure that your child is being taken care of in a safe environment.

Make sure that the crib is properly assembled. You may also ask a specialist to check once you have it set up. There are other safety precautions that you need to consider before your child gets older and in his toddler years.

Smart parenting may include whether or not you may nurse or bottle feed. This is a very personal and important decision. Make sure that you know all of the advantages and disadvantages of it. It is proven that breast feeding is the best for a baby's over all health. However, not all mothers can or are willing to nurse. Of course, that choice is totally up to you. Baby's health is extremely important and also a big part of smart parenting.

Securing a future for your child even as an infant is smart parenting as well. For instance, something may happen to you and you would want your child to be cared for. Setting up an insurance policy on yourself and your spouse is securing his future. You may even consider opening a savings account to start saving for college.

Keeping doctor's appointments and regular check ups are essential for the well being of your baby. Making sure that he is all up to date on shots and physical check ups are a great sign of smart parenting. Make sure that you keep in regular contact with his doctor so that you can share all of the things that go on with your new baby.

Once you have recovered, choosing the right child care provider can be a big risk. Make sure that you know all of their credentials and also get references. It is part of practicing smart parenting skills. Don't be afraid to ask questions and make sure that you don't just go with one person.

You may even want to use a day care center. Sometimes that is not always a wise choice, however it may be your only option. Be sure that you are aware of the risks and illnesses that your baby may encounter. Bleach is used in most day care centers and is an extremely dangerous chemical. So know that when you are looking for someone to care for your baby.

Babies do not come with an instruction book. Practicing smart parenting skills start with you and taking care of your health as well. What good is a parent that is sick? Make sure that you get your regular check ups as well. Think positive, parenting can be as fun as you want it to be.

About the Author

Randy Jodoin is a recognized authority on baby care, His site: http://www.babycareecourse.com provides a wealth of Free advice and tips on methods that work and methods that don't work in baby care...

baby care doesn't have to hard ...if your ready...

check out my blog, http://newbornbabycaretips.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randy_Jodoin