Question: What kind of beans won’t grow in a garden? Answer: Jellybeans! Question: A faucet, lettuce and a tomato were in a race…what happened? Answer: The faucet was running, the lettuce was ahead, and the tomato was trying to ketchup! Riddles and jokes are great ways to develop skills. Riddles and jokes can: How do Read More
Parent Tips
Imaginary Friends
Imaginary friends are common and normal As many as 65% of children up to age seven played with at least one imaginary friend at some point in their lives. Adults need not have any concern; not only are imaginary friends common and normal, but children who play with imaginary companions may have distinct developmental benefits Read More
Manners
Social development is primarily the development of social skills: The set of behaviors and attitudes that demonstrate the ability to cooperate with others, understand others’ feelings, interact positively with others, resolve conflicts respectfully, and state opinions, needs and desires appropriately. Social skills involve etiquette and manners. These are words we don’t use much anymore. But Read More
Enjoying Your Child
Enjoying your child isn’t always very easy.Difficult behaviors, like whining and tantrums, can seem to outweigh the fun times. And when you feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and angry, things can get to the point where you just don’t feel very positive about your child and may not want to spend time with them. And yet–spending positive Read More
Reasonable Expectations for Teenagers
Parents often wonder what they should expect from their adolescents. When parental expectations are too high and limits are too tight, the adolescent becomes disrespectful and family communication and relationships can break down. As adolescents grow older, parents must prepare their children for the real world, therefore real expectations. Out in the real world we Read More
Curse of the Teenager
“I just don’t understand teenagers!!”“What happened to that child I loved?”“It’s like a spaceship from an alien planet stole my child and replaced him with a sullen, dissatisfied stranger!” Choose your battles wisely. What kids choose to wear or how they shear their hair are non-destructive ways of expressing their individuality. Most teens want to Read More