August 15, 2008

Motivation to Succeed Develops in Early Childhood

By Madina Bakhitova-Niazoff

Have you ever heard about a child whom parents or teachers describe as lazy, unenthusiastic, and non-interested in any school subject or social activity? If yes, have you ever thought why this child is so low motivated, when he or she needs to do something demanding assiduity, diligence, patience, attention, tenacity, self-control and other important personal qualities? While growing up these children meet obstacles in real life and do not find enough will power, strength of mind to overcome life difficulties and achieve goals. This happens because in childhood and during adolescent period, when important aspects of self-regulation and self-control build up, these children did not learn to be patient, assiduous and purposeful. That is the reason why it is very important to make the basis of your childs motivation to success, self-control, and self-regulation in early childhood. Sometimes it is much easier for parents just to close their eyes to many things thus allowing their child to do anything he or she wants and have 'peace' without listening to the child crying or demanding anything. But this is not a way out of the situation, because now your child is having only a small problem, but while the child is growing up problems will be becoming more complicated and solving them will be much more difficult.

How can you help your child be more motivated?

1. Be sure that you are ready and have enough patience to talk and explain your child many things even there could be some misunderstandings and communication difficulties.

2. Do not be afraid to be strict sometimes, but at the same time try to explain all your actions, be reasonable and appeal to consciousness of your child. (For example, if your child does not want to make homework in math, explain your him or her, that now the most important thing is not the homework, but how strong and self-controlled he or she is, and the ability of doing important things, which children do not want to do.)

3. Teach your child to avoid words such as 'I want to do…' and 'I dont want to do…' substitute these word-combinations with 'I need to do…' and 'I dont need to do…'Also do not tell your child, that he or she is 'the smartest, most clever…' or 'the best person' in any field. Because when a person says: 'I am the best…' it is the signal for unconscious mechanisms to stop accept new information. 'The best' person does not need to learn or know anything. Isnt he or she 'the best' already? Instead of that, say: 'Im good in this today, and I will even be better tomorrow!'

4. Do not demand from your child fast results and improvements. Remember, you should begin with small tasks, like homework or house work help.

5. Teach your child to be enthusiastic and open to new knowledge and experience. Explain and show him or her that, for example, every subject in school can be much more interesting if they try to learn more about it.

Invest your time, efforts and teach your child to be motivated to achieve their goals with the help of patience, diligence, strength of mind, will power, and hard work. This will be one of the most important investments in your life, because in the future you will be very glad to see that your son or daughter is able to achieve their goals and become a successful person.

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Madina Bakhitova-Niazoff, MS Psychology, is the chief editor for http://www.psychologyspace.com - an online psychology portal providing news and information on various psychology subjects, discussion forum, psychology RSS feeds and web links. Madina volunteers at Wilmington Hospitals First State School - a very special program for children with chronic illnesses.

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May 29, 2007

Encouraging Language Development In Early Childhood

By Nicole Munoz

Language and speech are primarily learned through imitation and observation. During infancy, babies listen to their parents talk and they pay close attention when someone talks to them. This observation of casual conversation is the foundation for a child's understanding of their native language.

There are several activities and games you and your child can engage in to enhance her language development. While your little one is still an infant, encourage her to imitate simple syllables like "ma" or "da". Repeat any sounds your baby attempts and praise her efforts. Talk to your infant often, using everyday activities like feedings or bath time as opportunities to develop new language skills. Describe everything you do and name the everyday objects you and your little one come in contact with.

Gestures and understanding their meanings are an important part of early language skills so teach your infant to wave goodbye, to nod yes, and to shake her head no. Imitating these simple gestures will help her learn nursery rhymes and songs during her toddler years. Reading to your child on a daily basis is vital to language development. Begin reading to your baby at birth and continue throughout childhood.

By her first birthday, your baby will most likely know how to say a few words. Encourage her speech by expanding on her simple words and phrases. Read picture books that emphasize animals, colors, shapes, or everyday objects. Say the names of the pictures and allow your little one to point to the correct object. Remember to praise her efforts and attempts.

Once your child reaches her preschool years, she will have a good grasp on language and should be talking in complete sentences. Continue to read to your child. Reading favorite story books again and again has been proven to enhance early language development and can improve reading comprehension skills. Nursery rhymes and silly songs also help your child learn speech patterns and language skills.

Talk to your preschooler and listen when she talks to you. Repeat her sentences to correct any pronunciation or grammatical errors without chastising her mistakes. Encourage her oral language and her vocabulary skills by naming common objects, familiar people, and body parts and then describing them. Ask questions that require your child to make a choice rather than answer yes or no. Support your preschoolers emerging language skills by requiring her to use her words to ask for things or to explain her feelings when she gets upset.

Make your own picture book with your child. Help your preschooler colllect pictures of her favorite toys, animals, people, and things and then allow her to sort the pictures into groups. Glue the pictures onto paper and have your child dictate the labels as you write. Read your picture book together often and add new pictures and words as her vocabulary grows.

My First Amazing Diary is a great software program to enhance language development. This educational software has several fun games that allow your preschooler to express herself through pictures. The program will grow with your child and her language development, encouraging simple word use and pictures to create stories and journal entries at level two and offering creative story starters and interactive journaling at level three.

For more tips on parenting an educational toys see our site www.thekidstoystore.com.

 

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April 4, 2007

Pittsburgh Public Schools Early Childhood Program Brings Quality to Preschool Education

By Stacy Andell

Educational Program Services
All Pittsburgh Schools Early Childhood Programs cover five days a week, for at least six hours a day. The goal of the program is to ensure that preschool children develop the skills that they will need for attending kindergarten, including self confidence, physical abilities, increased academic awareness, and social interaction.
This free program is open to children between three and five years old. Pittsburgh School Head Start Programs accept children between three and five, while the Pre - Kindergarten accepts children who are three and four years old. Children must be at least three years old by September 1st of the current school year.
Health Program Services
Children participating in the Pittsburgh Schools Early Childhood Program have access to a variety of health services to evaluate their health needs and identify problems early on. All students entering the program must provide complete medical records, including immunizations. Follow up care on the health condition of the child is provided.
The Pittsburgh Schools Early Childhood Program recognizes the need for mental and psychological assistance to preschool children in order to develop the emotional and social skills necessary for attending school and being successful in school. Parent and mental health professionals work together to recognize the special needs of each child and prepare special courses of instruction or treatment for those children who require special attention.
Children in the Pittsburgh Schools Early Childhood Program receive two meals every day. A nutritionist helps prepare the meals as well as help parents design meal programs that suit the needs of their preschool students. Special services are also provided for students with disabilities involving diagnosis, therapy, consultation, referral, and follow up treatment. A minimum of 10%25 of the children participating in the Pittsburgh Schools Early Childhood Program must be children with disabilities. Staff and parental counseling is provided to ensure that these children can participate in the program.
Childcare Partnerships
Many working parents can take advantage of subsidies for childcare for children that are eligible for the Head Start program. Pittsburgh Schools have developed partnership agreements with a number of child care and early learning agencies throughout the city. These programs provide learning opportunities for children that are similar to the school based programs in the Pittsburgh Public Schools Early Childhood Program. These childcare providers have been screened by Pittsburgh Public Schools and been provided with curriculum, materials, and training to match the school based programs.
The Pittsburgh Public School Early Childhood Program Selection Process
All City of Pittsburgh residents who meet the age criteria are eligible to participate in a lottery for places within various classrooms in the Pittsburgh Public Schools Early Childhood Program. These lotteries will take into account whether children have a sibling who is already attending a Pittsburgh Public School. Children who do have siblings are given priority over those who do not. Many of the special classrooms, such as the one at the Children's Museum will have other conditions to ensure that there is an equal racial and gender mix of students.

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, Which provides free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. Patricia has a nose for research and writes stimulating news and views on school issues.

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March 30, 2007

Keeping An Early Childhood Activity List To Hand Is One Of My Parenting Tips

By Ann Marier

Keeping a toddler busy can feel like a full-time job. Children who are two or three-years-old can attend a pre-school program but when they are at home, they'll be searching for things to do. Parents may find that having an early childhood activity list on hand can help them when they are looking for things to do with their little one.

Every small child is different and their interests tend to vary. Some can spend an hour with a box of crayons and a coloring book while others don't enjoy this popular early childhood activity. Therefore it's important for parents to think about what their child likes to do before they develop a personal early childhood activity list.

One thing that almost every child can't get enough of is having books read to them. This can be a wonderful part of any early childhood activity list. A fun idea is to have the child go to the library with the parent to pick out some books they would enjoy. This helps the youngster become familiar with the library at a very early age.

In addition to reading to a toddler, a parent can use books in another way. Children have very porous minds and exposing them to books can actually help them learn to read. Parents know that any early childhood activity that encourages learning is definitely worth spending time on. The key is to choose books that only contain simple words that a child can begin to recognize by sight.

There are many other things that a parent can do with their child that will help them learn new skills. Computers are essential for success today and if a parent wants an early childhood activity that emphasizes computers they can find software programs designed to teach a toddler something new. Matching or simple adding games both teach a young child something interesting and useful.

Parents would do well to remember that children grow up very quickly. Don't be surprised if you soon discover that your child has outgrown many of the items on the early childhood activity list. That's a great thing as it means they are maturing and getting ready to take on new challenges like beginning grade school.

However, there are things that children do when they are very small that they may long for again even as they turn six or seven-years-old. You'll probably find that some of the things on the early childhood activity list like using a coloring book or doing a puzzle are entertaining to kids even as they are discovering new things to do.

Ann Marier has written many articles on health problems and useful house and garden Topics. More articles on More Parenting Tips

 

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March 6, 2007

A Review of Early Childhood Education Programs

By Morgan Hamilton

Pre-school years are a fun time in your child's life. At this age they begin to develop and learn the skills needed for their future. It's a phase that passes quite quickly yet it is at this time that they exhibit a lot of potential. Nowadays early childhood education programs are available for children at this age. Parents are now willing to give their children a head start in life. By going through an early childhood education program a child can have a decent grasp of the situation when they enter their kindergarten years.

It would be wise to consider an early childhood program for your pre-school children. It can be an important part of your child's intellectual growth. The earlier a child is taught the brighter the future for that child will be. It prepares the child for the learning process and the curriculum that are offered in public schools. Many children experience problems as they adjust to the public school environment.

The adjustment difficulty may be due to the sudden change of environment. Children who have been cooped-up with their parents at home can be shocked to an environment dominated by the teacher and the presence of other children. An early childhood education program may be able to help your children cope with the sudden change in the environment and may help them have a greater learning success rate. Another way that you may consider to prepare your children for education and learning is through the Internet.

The World-Wide-Web is packed with children's games that can enhance their learning capacity in a fun filled environment. In the process of having fun, they begin to develop and learn useful skills they need for their education. Online games can stimulate children from four up to seven years old. This inventive technology can help your child develop learning and understanding skills.

If you are planning early childhood program for your child, then you should consider trying the Internet for games that can help your child. Browse through a number of sites to discover that ideal early childhood program for your pre-school darling. Give them an early head start for their future.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Early Childhood Education Programs. Visit our site for more helpful information about Early Childhood Education Programs and other similar topics.

 

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