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Raising An Independent Decision Maker

by BlogChild Development & EnrichmentThe Montessori Approach

Watching your child grow is often a bittersweet experience. Graduating from baby-talk to asking seemingly endless questions like “Why can’t I eat the food after it dropped on the floor?”, “Why must I wash my hands?” and “Why is this allowed and not that?” is simply nature taking its course. While you may dismiss some of these questions, it’s also important for parents to guide the children’s curiosity and build them up into a curiosity that would eventually lead to good decision-making principles and cultivate independence in young children. The pedagogy in Montessori revolves around five principles mentioned The children’s house blog. The curation of an environment that emulates real-life allows young children to take charge of their actions and have them learn accountability. Maria Montessori also mentioned “the birth of will” within young children. It’s important to recognise in this crucial stage of development, children are already making small decisions for themselves; let it be the toy they want or the choice of food they want to eat.

“We discovered that education is not something which the teacher does, but that it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being.” – Maria Montessori.

Positive guidance and assurance for children greatly impact them in building a habit of choosing wisely in the future which takes patience, and an especially long time to shape. Yet, the benefits are plenty when children can view themselves as capable and further nurtures their confidence within themselves.

Steps to guide decision making in children include:

  1. Allowing age-appropriate decision making for children
  2. Allow the child to participate in decisions that affect the family
  3. Mistakes happen, it’s part of their growth and development
  4. Set a great example
  5. Converse on decision making and the thought process behind it

Read more: Activities for children & parents for the school holidays in Kuala Lumpur

Allowing age-appropriate decision making in children

It could be something as simple as the shoes they want to wear or the lunch they choose to bring to school. The decision should eventually affect their day and let them know that what they chose matters. By the end of the day, they would question themselves on the more comfortable shoes or the better lunch ingredients.

Allow the child to participate in decisions that affect the family

When the opportunity arises, involve your child in decisions with the family. This lets them know that their opinion matters, while also teaching them to be considerate about other members of the family. This stage, however, could be a huge leap in progress for your child. It’s alright to take things slowly.

A good way to encourage decision making in children is through activity night with the family through play-based activities. Try book reading, role-playing, or even board games!

Read more: How Preschool at U-Thant maximises nature play?

Cute toddler peeking from behind a wall

Mistakes happen, it’s part of their growth and development

It’s second nature to want to correct your child’s mistake as it happens. Yet, we all know the time-tested saying that mistakes are part of the process. As long as the choice doesn’t affect them permanently, remember that there are important lessons imparted in making a different choice!

Read: How preschool education sets the stage for your child’s future successes

Set a great example

Decision making in children can also be learned through exemplary examples by you, the parent. After all, the best lessons in life are caught, not taught. Emulating great leaders (or successful family members) is also another way to set a good example.

Converse on decision making and the thought process behind it

Keep your child’s progress on decision making in check. Are they understanding the thought process behind choosing apples over potato chips for snack time? Do they understand the health benefits of choosing salad greens over jelly? Perhaps, they understand the ‘why’ but choose against the better (read: healthier) choice. Do they have a reason for choosing it anyway?

Read: Control or Comply: Why You Must Limit Your Child’s Screen Time

Children often think about short-term gratification instead of long term benefits. They might justify their choice simply because ‘I like it’ or ‘It tastes better’, and that’s acceptable. As parents, we must understand the child’s perspective. These guiding principles on decision making in children would not only cultivate independence but also instil a sense of confidence and discipline in the child. Balance, as they say, is the key to life!

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Inculcating a Love for Reading in Children

by BlogChild Development & Enrichment

How do you encourage children to read books? 

A good recipe for inculcating a love for reading in children is one part consistency, a dash of discipline and large amounts of love! It’s a process that involves the whole family and should be enjoyed by all. 

We suggest adding these steps to your ‘recipe’ mix to sow good reading habits in your children. 

  • Tip #1 Make Reading Fun 

A good book is a great start to develop a child’s cognitive skills and they don’t always have to be pieces of paper bound to a cover. Try swapping a traditional book for an audiobook from time to time. According to Elissa Mostransky, a reading specialist at West Babylon School District in New York in a Parents online article, children learn fluency in language as they hear words being audibly spoken. Think of it as storytime with an imaginary friend.

Another way to make reading fun for your older readers is to get a headlamp. Staying up “past bedtime” would help remind them that reading is a privilege and a treat!

It is also best to avoid forcing children to read as it often takes the fun out of it. Once it’s being forced, the child may look at it as a chore… A very boring chore. 

  • Tip #2 Don’t Just Say It, Model It 

It’s easy to put a book in your little one’s lap and ask them to read. But if they don’t see it being modeled in their daily life, it will not  be as effective in shaping them to be avid readers. Children often mimic their parents, adults or the environment they are in. So, make reading an enjoyable habit, talk about the book or the story and help your child see how much of a joy books can be!

  • Tip #3 A Cosy Reading Nook

Do you have a reading corner at home? If you don’t, try one. The reading corner doesn’t have to take up much space at home. It can be a comfortable little chair draped in a blanket. Or a tiny space by the window. Make it look inviting. Encourage your young one to become an avid reader by giving them a space where they can enjoy a variety of books at their own pace.

  • Tip #4 Themed Reading Corner? Always Fun! 

Children, in their active little minds, enjoy using their imagination! Encourage them to ‘read by the beach’ by laying a towel on the ground and propping an umbrella by the side. If ‘reading in a castle’ sounds much more appealing to the child, perhaps drape a blanket over two chairs and bring a flashlight to make a comfortable reading fort. Create a fantasy environment that introduces an exciting element to the experience. 

  • Tip #5 Read the Book, then Watch the Movie 

There are many children’s books that have been turned into movies. Another way to sow a love for reading and motivate reluctant young readers, is to host a fun movie night with the film version once you and your little reader are finished with the pages. Don’t forget to talk about the different versions of the stories with your child and ask them questions such as “Was the film character how you imagined them to be?” or “Did this scene play out the way you thought it would?” Having a light discussion on the different interpretations of the story also encourages critical thinking in children.

  • Tip #6 Read Aloud, It Always Helps 

How do you spark a love for reading? Much like storytelling, Dr. Nancy Carlsson-Paige, a professor of early childhood education at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts and author of Taking Back Childhood, says reading a story aloud (even when the child doesn’t need it) is beneficial both educationally and socially. Think of your child, sitting on your lap while listening to a great story! They can also take a break and rest while still listening to a story they really love.  

  • Tip #7 Reading in Rhymes 

Are there specific types of books that help with reading and development? Dr. Carlsson-Paige suggests books with rhymes. They are especially beneficial as rhyming words helps the child recognise repetition and sounds. In other words, they develop phonetic awareness through reading. It also helps when a child can anticipate the word that comes next and chime in on the story. Spark a love for reading through this fun and interactive activity. 

  • Tip #8 Book and Bake

Have you tried reading a recipe book? It requires much concentration and focus as they are intentionally instructional, improving comprehension. Choose a simple recipe that both you and your child can bake (or cook) and ask them to read the instructions aloud. Whether it’s preparing the ingredients or kneading the dough, be sure to switch the roles between recipe reader and baker to keep them engaged! 

Finally, always remember to… 

  • Tip #9 Ask questions

Dr. Carlsson-Paige also encourages parents to always ‘check-in’ on a child’s understanding of the story, instead of simply focusing on the sound or letter of each word. Gauging the child’s understanding of the story enhances comprehension and further fuels the reading process! Similar to Tip #5, ask your child which character they liked best, which part of the story was their favourite or even perhaps, what they would do if they were in a similar situation to the character in the story. 

We believe these simple tips will make a world of difference in encouraging avid readers! 

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Talking to Children About Difficult Topics

by Kids & Family Time

How often do you find yourself in a situation when you have no idea what to tell your child? 

“Mommy, why is the sky blue?”

“Daddy, why do we have to cook the food before we eat it?”

Children have a naturally curious mind and it’s normal for them to ask bountiful questions! 

But, there comes a time when even parents become speechless at the questions posed by their child. 

“Mommy, why does that person look like that?”

“Daddy, what is that *political* sign talking about?”

In a research conducted by a nonpartisan fact tank, The Pew Research Centre, found that 48% of parents with children under the age of 5 years say that their child has interacted with a tablet computer while 55% of them have used a smartphone. The same group of parents are both relieved and concerned with the amount of screen time as it provides both entertainment and education for their children but also, age inappropriate content. 

Young children are impressionable and observe through their daily interactions. Some parents might find it difficult to digest how fast their child is growing, while others may be more shocked about the information they bring home. 

Speaking on difficult subjects such as racism, global warming and environmental issues and the current pandemic can be a difficult issue in itself for parents. First and foremost, we want our children to be safe and feel safe but our parental instincts naturally kick-in and we want to shelter our children from the calamity of the world. And as much as we try our hardest to shield our children’s innocence from the realities of today, we cannot elude these sensitive topics for long. 

As parents responsible for raising the next generation of leaders for the new world, it’s vital that we prepare our children for a better future, and not our own world. 

Tackling these subjects would take a different approach with children of the appropriate age. As young children do not have the life experiences to relate with some of the more complex topics, it further becomes a barrier when explaining these topics. 

 

What can you do? 

  • Limit their media consumption. 

While the news can be very informative, it is targeted towards an audience that can readily digest information and not towards children who have yet to have a firm grasp of the world. 

  • Provide a safe space.

Reassure children that they are safe while speaking on the subject. If you are more open to having a conversation with your child with regard to these topics, first and foremost, ensure the child that they are safe and it’s always okay to speak with mom and dad (or a trusted family member) about troubling issues. While some children are more open to speak with their parents, some children are more quiet and tend to shy away from having a conversation. 

  • Acknowledge feelings and validate them.

You might think that a certain reaction is to be expected from a certain situation. Children, on the other hand, may think otherwise. A child’s social prowess is shaped by their environment. Guide your child to the appropriate reaction but allow them a safe space to feel what they may feel. 

  • Breakdown an issue into simpler terms 

The pandemic is a perfect example of breaking down an issue into simpler terms as the school, government and many public areas are educating children about the importance of hygiene and social distancing. Build the information up from the small foundation of knowledge they may have and perhaps, you can pique their interest in sciences and medicine. 

  • Reflect on yourself. 

Are you yourself using biased terms? When it comes to sensitive issues such as races, religion and the likes, it’s best to avoid describing a person’s ethnicity, sexual identity, weight, financial status, and so on unless it’s relevant to the issue. 

Talking about difficult topics is not a breezy task! But it’s our responsibility to be our children’s guide to the universe (or perhaps, just their universe). 

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The Many Benefits of Quiet Time For Children

by Kids & Family Time

You might have heard of the old adage: distance makes the heart grow fonder. In this situation, that is likely true but on different grounds. You may have heard of the term Quiet Time. What is it exactly and how can time away from my children possibly benefit me as a parent? 

Aside from the rewards of parenthood and the joyous moments of laughter and love, children can be quite a handful. Often, parents need a break from their rambunctious bundles of joy. 

Quiet time is not to be mistaken for a ‘time out’. In some households and schools, a time out is the preferred method of soft punishment where if a child acts out inappropriately or misbehaves, they are sent to a corner to reflect on their actions for a certain amount of time, depending on their age. 

Quiet time is quite the opposite of a punishment. Consider having an hour or at least 40 minutes dedicated to resting and allowing your body to just relax. Quiet time has been proven to be mentally beneficial not only for parents who are looking for a break, but also for the developing child. 

 

Why Should I Start Quiet Time with My Child?

Cognitive Development

In a study conducted by the University of New York, researchers found that the brain tends to strengthen a memory during periods of rest while conscious. The machine used a brain scan called a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which showed massive amounts of brain activity during periods of study and the following resting period. The conclusive results showed that rest is significant for cognitive or brain development ¹. 

Creative Release

Disconnect from technology. Children these days often spend time in front of a black screen consuming a wide range of content that may or may not be geared toward them or their age range. Taking this time out to let their mind wander without the constraints of consumer media would greatly benefit their creative side ². 

The Practice of Mindfulness

In today’s competitive society, anxiety and stress levels in children have been hiking higher with each generation ³. The pressure created by our fast-paced environment has translated not only in adults but in adolescents and children as young as 6 years 4. 

To alleviate this concern, it’s good to teach your children how to manage their feelings and emotions through being mindful. Practising mindfulness helps a child connect and understand their environment around them. Children will need a lot of guidance in this aspect and will be a huge step toward building a focused mind so start small! Talk about the little things that matter, being grateful for the things that are taken for granted for instance.  

Building Positive Solitude in Children

Solitude can be described as a physical state of being alone. Whether positive or negative, parents can guide the child toward a better (positive) solitude experience. Research shows that during this time of seclusion, development of self-reflection, creative activity and development of personality takes place. These important brain activities were noted by psychiatrists who pronounce solitude as a developmental process that is equivalent to building strong relationships 5. 

Builds Independence, Instils Confidence

Does the proverb ‘the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree’ sound familiar? Children are great at imitating and being the smaller version of yourself, because they regurgitate the habits of parents. But what happens when the parent isn’t around to show them how to do things? During quiet time, children are free to do as they please (within safe and acceptable constraints). They may take this time to realise that they are capable of doing certain things by themselves, thus instilling independence. 

 

How Do I Start Quiet Time?

There is no better time than the present. When you’re looking to build a habit, you must first start. If your child is already taking regular naps, assure them the importance of taking a break from time to time. This would be easier for when you want to transition out of regular naps and into quiet time instead. 

It’s important to establish rules such as the time period of each quiet time – Is one hour of silence and self-reflection sufficient for both you and your child? 

If you’re looking to use quiet time as part of your discipline strategy, keep in mind that discipline is about teaching the child about a certain behaviour and guiding them to express the appropriate response instead of lashing out when they don’t get their way 6.  

 

My Child Is Resistant Toward Quiet Time – Help! 

If your young one is not receptive to the idea, just keep in mind that any change in routine is a possible trigger. Be patient and introduce the concept gradually, reassuring the importance of quiet time for both yourself and your child. 

For instance, ease your child into quiet time by giving them 10 minutes. Once the child is comfortable with the idea and has explored what they can do with the 10 minutes, gradually increase the time to 20 minutes, then 30 minutes and so on. 

You can also opt for a visual aid and use a timer counting down to the end of quiet time. Being able to see how much time is left on the clock could console your child. Give suggestions to your child on what they can do during quiet time – let it be reading a book, playing with their toys or simply daydreaming. 

 

Conclusion

Theory may not always agree when it comes to practice but just remember that in order to develop a habit, one mustn’t stop. As parents, we always want the best for our young children so it’s important to be patient and consistent when implementing a new routine. 

Take that break, mums and dads. 

We all need it ☺ 

 

Reference

  1. Quiet Time Benefits 
  2. A mind at rest strengthens memories 
  3. Discipline is not a punishment 
  4. Solitude in children and adolescents 
  5. Discipline strategies 
  6. Mindfulness and Education 
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Parents’ Day Puzzles

by Parents' Day PuzzlesStay Home Activities

Happy Parents’ Day!

Reveal the surprise picture by decoding our little puzzle.

This simple at-home activity is for the whole family.

It’s time to put your little one’s motor skills to the test!

  1. Download and print the Parents Day Puzzle pieces here (there are three images to choose from)
  2. Have your child (carefully) cut around the puzzle pieces.
  3. Put the pieces together to reveal the hidden photo!

Or you can try out the puzzle online in the links to reveal the hidden photo & message.

Choose different themes from Animal, Flower or Heart <3

 

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The “Hot & Cold” Game

by Stay Home Activities

If you’re looking for ways to teach your child patience and perseverance in a fun way without additional tools, here’s a suggestion:

Try Hot & Cold!

Grab your child’s favourite toy (or any small object) and hide it inside a room. For a younger child, bring him or her inside the room and hold out their hand. As they move closer to the hiding place of the object, shout out “warm”, “warmer” or “hot!” The farther they are from the object’s hiding place, the “colder” it is. Keep going until they manage to find their favourite toy.

For an older child, you may start in a different room to make it a little more difficult to locate the object. If your child seems frustrated, it’s okay to give a little guidance and hold their hand for a little clue. This way, your child can also learn that just because you can’t see it – doesn’t mean it’s not there. They will also feel a sense of accomplishment once the “mission” is complete.

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A-maze-ing Marbles!

by Stay Home Activities

Montessori-At-Home

Here’s a really fun activity for your child (and you) to try out!

All you need is playdough, a straw, and a marble (can be substituted with ping pong ball).

First, build a simple track for your child with some elongated playdough.

After the first demonstration, encourage them to add on to the track and build a maze instead!

With the complete maze, ask your child to move the ball through the maze with the straw.
Making a marble race instead? Don’t forget to keep the competition friendly for some quality family fun!

This is sure to keep them occupied!

Courtesy of Sonshine Mumma Blog.

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Snow Out

by Stay Home Activities

Montessori-At-Home

 

Try this sensorial Montessori-At-Home activity that builds on your child’s memory and language skills while bringing a small part of winter. The goal is for your child to find the letters in the snow!

You will need:
1. Letter board (same size as clear tray)
2. Clear tray
3. Snowballs or pompoms (optional)
4. A brush
5. Salt

First step is to make the letter board. Have your child sing the ABCs to you as you randomly draw the letters across a piece of paper.

Next, place the letter board under the clear tray and fill the tray with salt (substitute with other kitchen items like sugar or powder).

All your child has to do is find each letter by dusting the “snow” with their trusty “snow shovel”
Have fun!

 

Courtesy of Raising Dragons.

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Finding Nemo!

by Stay Home Activities

Montessori-At-Home

Fond of the sea? Take your little one on a fishing trip at home! This activity aims to build a child’s coordination skills as they attempt to balance the hovering magnet over the paper clip, as well as understanding of zoology! Build their curiosity in both science and nature in this simple coordination game!

Prepare a piece of stick, some string, a magnet, a piece of paper, a hole puncher and some paper clips!

How to:
1. Prepare the fishes! Draw your “nemo’s” and “dory’s” and cut them out.
2. Punch a hole through the tip or the mouth and loop the paper clip through.
3. For our fishing rod, tie one end of the string to the stick and the other end to the magnet.

You are all set to fish!

For a waterproof version, you may use hard pieces of plastic as fish!
Have fun

 

Courtesy of www.minieco.co.uk/

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Thank You, MY Heroes

by Stay Home Activities

Since the start of the quarantine period on the 18th March 2020, we have been doing our part by staying home and staying safe. But there are still doctors, nurses, healthcare teams, janitors, police officers, delivery drivers, grocery store clerks, gas station attendants, warehouse workers, pharmacists and other essential team members who are out there trying to curb the disease and keep the rest of us safe! 

To say thank you, we are getting busy at home and want to create a small token of appreciation for those in the frontlines. We’d like to invite you to join in as well!

Show You Care 

Join us by following the simple 4-step process by getting creative, submitting your masterpiece, sharing with us (if you want), and finally, anticipating the final video! 

Terms and Conditions of Participation: 

  1. This #ThankYouMYHeroes campaign is open to families of The children’s house and members of the public. 
  2. Please send us a minimum of 5 photos, consisting of the images of your masterpiece and family photos with the masterpiece by the 3rd of May 2020. However, only a maximum of 2 photos will be included in the final video. 
  3. Please ensure the photos sent are clear and in high resolution. Basic photo enhancement made available by phone applications is allowed. 
  4. Please email the photos to contact@thechildrenshouse.com.my and provide us the details below upon submission. Parents’ names, Email address & phone number, Child/Children’s names & age and TCH centre that your child is attending (if applicable). 
  5. By submitting the photos to us, you shall be deemed to have participated in this campaign and accepted the Terms & Conditions stated. Please read the instructions and rules before participating. 
  6. By submitting the photos to us, you have granted The children’s house and Global Educare Sdn Bhd permission and consent to use the photos in any types of media, including but not limited to, the right to publish, distribute, copy, display in any printed or electronic media. 
  7. The children’s house and Global Educare Sdn Bhd accept no responsibilities for any entries which are incomplete, ineligible, inappropriate, corrupted or fail to submit by relevant closing date for any reason. 
  8. Submissions that fulfilled all the requirements stated will be considered and compiled in the final video. 
  9. The children’s house and Global Educare Sdn Bhd shall reserve all the rights to adjust or cancel the campaign or any of the arrangements, directly or indirectly related to the campaign, at any time and for any reasons if deemed necessary without any prior notice.