Maybe it's your child's first day of school ever, maybe they have a new teacher this year, or maybe it's just a big transition from their summer routine. No matter the circumstances, the first day of school can feel intimidating for both children and parents. Here are some tips to ease first day of school jitters:
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Playing outside can be messy, chilly, and inconvenient at times but it offers a wealth of benefits:
Play is vital to the development of language, problem solving, social skills, emotional regulation, and executive functioning. The benefits of play are many but the time that many children spend engrossed in play is dwindling. In fact, play is so vital to healthy child development that some pediatricians have started writing prescriptions for play!
You can read more about the benefits of play here: www.npr.org/sections/ed/2018/08/31/642567651/5-proven-benefits-of-play?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20180831 It can be much easier and quicker to solve problems for our children: zipping up coats, choosing their clothes and even solving sibling disputes.
However, solving problems for our children instead of letting them navigate problems on their own robs them of the opportunity to overcome frustration, brainstorm solutions, and be filled with the pride that comes from solving a problem on their own. Be nearby to offer support and guidance by summarizing and asking questions. “Looks like you feel angry that your brother has your toy. What can you tell him? How do you feel? How can you solve this problem?” It can be very time consuming in the beginning but imagine your children no longer needing a referee to solve every problem! The confidence they build from knowing they can solve their own problems can build self-esteem too. Tags: Independence, Self-Regulation, Self-Esteem |
AuthorMiss Nicole is the Social Worker for the Early Childhood Program in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Categories
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