Why is it that we, as human beings, seem to focus so much on the negative characteristics of a person? Perhaps it is because they seem to stick out more or maybe it is because the negative attributes elicit a more powerful emotional response. Whatever the reason, it takes practice and focus to concentrate and react to the positive attributes of a person. This includes those of our own children.
As parents, we know we should reward positive behaviors with praise. However, it also makes sense that, when we notice a negative behavior, we should also correct the behavior by starting with a positive. I know I have personally caught myself harping on one of my children for engaging in some behavior he knows he is not supposed to do, and then throwing in a positive comment at the end. This should be the other way around. For example, instead of yelling, “Elliot, why were you playing in the cat’s water dish again! Oh, by the way, thanks for cleaning up the mess,” what I should have said was, “Elliot, thank you for cleaning up the water you spilled, but you know you are not allowed to play in the cat’s water dish. Please don’t do that again.”
Starting with a positive let’s the child know that he is doing something right, but that he still has a behavior to correct. It isn’t easy, and it takes practice. This is an area in which I still have a long way to go. Today, I am walking around with a “+” on the top of my hand as a reminder to say a positive first.
Read MoreNo Comments
Digg
Delicious
Favorites
Blogmarks
Magnolia
Google
Newsvine
Reddit
Technorati
Written by Laura on August 13, 2010
Last week we had good friends of ours staying as guests for the week. One of the many positive aspects of our relationship is that they have two little girls the same exact ages (within weeks of each other) as our two little boys. Corresponding friendships formed the first time they all met each other, and, although we, as the parents, think it is a bit early, our four-year-olds are already plan
No Comments
Digg
Delicious
Favorites
Blogmarks
Magnolia
Google
Newsvine
Reddit
Technorati
Written by Laura on July 9, 2010
Last evening at the dinner table, I actually said to my four-year-old, “If you don’t learn some table manners, you are not going to be allowed to sit at this table.” (Some of his rice had fallen onto the table, and he was picking it up with his fingers and licking it off of his hands.) I am not sure exactly how I expected a preschool child to learn table manners on his own, but
No Comments
Digg
Delicious
Favorites
Blogmarks
Magnolia
Google
Newsvine
Reddit
Technorati
Written by Laura on June 14, 2010
We have all seen toddlers pick up a toy phone or something that is being used as a phone and then pretend to talk to an imaginary person on the other end. Where do they learn this behavior? By watching us, of course. However, even we adults do not have the best telephone etiquette all of the time.
No Comments
Digg
Delicious
Favorites
Blogmarks
Magnolia
Google
Newsvine
Reddit
Technorati
Written by Laura on May 31, 2010
Getting your child to mind his manners may sometimes seem like an impossible task. It may feel as though you have repeated the words “please” and “thank you” to your child a million times only to have him forget to use either sentiment when visiting relatives or friends. However, your determination will eventually pay off in the end. And, in the meantime, you are teachin
No Comments
Digg
Delicious
Favorites
Blogmarks
Magnolia
Google
Newsvine
Reddit
Technorati
Written by BRWI Staff on April 27, 2010
Most people like to stick with what they know. They would much prefer to stay within their comfort zone. It may not be as obvious to detect, but this description of people also applies to their dialogue, and children also tend to follow this pattern.
If you were to follow a person around ...
No Comments
Digg
Delicious
Favorites
Blogmarks
Magnolia
Google
Newsvine
Reddit
Technorati
Written by BRWI Staff on April 5, 2010
My husband is the master of big words. He is practically a walking dictionary. It used to frustrate me because I always felt a bit inferior when he would fill a conversation with words that were beyond my realm of understanding. However, I have since learned that my own knowledge base grew immensely from this constant immersion in vocabulary. My speech, reading, and writing skills have all imp
No Comments
Digg
Delicious
Favorites
Blogmarks
Magnolia
Google
Newsvine
Reddit
Technorati
Written by Laura on March 24, 2010
As parents, we want the best for our children. And, if you are reading this, you, like many parents, have taken an interest in providing the best possible foundation for your child before he enters kindergarten. You may already be practicing letters, numbers, shapes, colors, etc. with your child. However, many people overlook an obvious skill that is used, practiced, and learned on a daily basi
No Comments
Digg
Delicious
Favorites
Blogmarks
Magnolia
Google
Newsvine
Reddit
Technorati
Written by BRWI Staff on March 12, 2010
When we talk to one another, we use changes in our voice and tone to represent different emotions. We converse using emotions without even thinking about it. However, children sometimes need practice in identifying and then using these emotions in their conversations.
No Comments
Digg
Delicious
Favorites
Blogmarks
Magnolia
Google
Newsvine
Reddit
Technorati
Written by BRWI Staff on February 3, 2010
As a parent of a young child, I am sure you have had more than one experience where your child has said something that you do not fully understand. Either the words have been pronounced incorrectly or your child may have used the word in such a way as it was not intended to be used. Either way, your child may not understand that she has made a mistake unless you correct her. There is no need to
No Comments
Digg
Delicious
Favorites
Blogmarks
Magnolia
Google
Newsvine
Reddit
Technorati
Written by BRWI Staff on September 25, 2009
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »
