November is a favorite month for many families. Thanksgiving festivities provides an opportunity to teach and remind kids about thankfulness and virtues, and approaching holidays mean parents can reinforce manners and friendships. Cooler weather provides new ideas for fun. Kids aren't yet worn out from activities in November and delight in the seasonal changes and anticipation of what lies ahead.
The holidays aren't the only time a kid should demonstrate good child manners--but special occasions, parties or family gatherings are when parents most want their children to be acting their best. For children to exhibit respect, tolerance, and social graces at these special times, however, means those important lessons must have already been learned.
Your youngsters may know how to sit still, use a napkin, and how to cut with a knife and fork, but do they really know proper table manners? The holidays, weddings, anniversary celebrations, school dances, and other social events are prime occasions for kids to demonstrate appropriate table manners.
Between the frenzy of school and holiday parties, shopping, cooking, and spending, sometimes the spirit of the season seems anything but happy. Stress, over-extended schedules, and concerns over how the money just seems to be flying out of the wallet can turn the season of joy to that of anxiety and hassle. But parents CAN turn the holidays into a time of family and cherished quality time.
It's an indisputable fact that kids hate writing thank-you notes as much as they love opening presents. Parental prodding to write a simple note of gratitude, however, may be needed to help teach kids the important social manner of expressing gratitude. Because if parents don't require a note, then most certainly a child is not going to initiate a thank you note on his or her own.
Thanksgiving and Christmas as well as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are ideal occasions to emphasize the spirit of philanthropy with your children. Birthdays are also a memorable way to celebrate turning a year older through volunteerism. Charitable giving and volunteering as a family extend the gift of giving of personal time as well as a loving contribution of helping hands and hearts. Your family CAN make a positive difference in your community when you volunteer as a team.
Findings from a major child care study that the longer a kid is in daycare, the more likelihood there is for behavioral problems, is raising concern by parents and providers alike. Calls to action have been enacted in asking what can be done to ensure kids develop emotional and social skills to combat concerns of disobedience and arguing. Many daycare programs are already instituting (or beefing up) character-based and virtue programs to emphasize good behavior and caring for others.
Many kids make friends easily and need no adult assistance in finding pals and going on play dates. Other children may need some gentle guidance and encouragement from parents and child care providers to match up with a peer. After all, finding and keeping friends often requires practice, and it doesn't always come naturally. Here are ways you can help.
Special occasions are not the only time child providers can express their adoration and joy for kids in their care. Caregivers can show their lovin' feeling toward their charges through special notes, attaboys (and attagirls), photo creations, and other memorable keepsakes. Here are top and budget-friendly ways providers can show kids they care. And, parents, take note: these ideas work just as great for your kids!
