Providing your child with confidence

Children become aware of their parents' feelings and behavior. They hear not only the words parents say but the tone of their voices. They observe, recognize their body language and also watches their facial expressions closely. The child will also model himself on the things their parents say and do.

Therefore, the way parents behave and speak to their children has enormous influence on their development. Most importantly, it can affect the children's self-confidence.

When parents praise and affirm their offspring, they ensure that their children grow up with appropriate self-esteem But when parents are critical or inconsistent or even unloving, their children will invariably grow up undervaluing themselves.

Praising and rewarding good behavior is more beneficial than constant criticism. To hug the child and praise him or her for good behavior encourages the child to see that being nice or kind brings rewards. It also encourages good self-esteem.

And on a side note, please remember that it is also important for your children to hear you say that you love them.

Dealing with Child's frequent tantrums

Motivation

" Jacklyn, a four year old girl, was brought to us as her parents were worried about her frequent tantrums.Whenever she could not do something well, she would cry. If she lost a card game with her siblings, she would throw away the cards in disgust.Her parents were taught to guide her to understand and accept that sucess is completing the task rather than achieving good results.Good results were a bonus."

Motivation is an important part of learning because with it, a child will develope interest and self belief.

• Give the child a sense of sucess by giving him tasks that he can do.
• Don't focus on mistakes but instead point out the correct way.
• Parents and teachers should not force a child to learn as it generate negative emotions.
• Minimize comparison with other children.Focus on the child's positive aspects.
• Stimulate a child's thirst for knowledge by using field trips to the zoo.library,gardens,museums.etc.
• Encourage participation in non-acafemic activities during tender years. (The 3Rs in tender years should be rest,recreation and relaxation instead of reading,writing and arithmetic.)

Understanding Your Child

Many parents fail to recognize that children are different at different ages.

An infant is a newborn child who has specific needs in order to survive. Infants are defined as from newborn to 12 months in age.

Toddlers refer to young children aged 12 months to three years, who have started developing basic skills in communication, movement and some degree of self care.

Preschoolers are young children between the ages of three to six who are ready for nursery and kindergarten.

It is a challenge to improve the quality of life for our children. Brining up a child is an important and responsible task which changes as the child grows through the stages.

Ages	Infants and toddlers	Children	Adolescents
Specific tasks	Sleep, eat and explore	Play and learn	Identify and independence
Parenting skills	Sensitive and responsive	Protective and nurturing	Negotiation and communication

Knowing the needs of your child is an essential part of parenting skills. For a child to grow up into a mature individual, his day-to-day needs must be adequately met.

The needs of children can be divided into three categories:

Physical needs:-

Including wholesome food, adequate clothing, safe shelter, play, rest, sleep and protection from danger and infection.

Emotional/psychological needs:-

Comprising the need for love and security, new experiences, praise and recognition, and responsibilities.

Moral/spiritual needs:-

From the age of two, children begin to have a conscience and are able to feel guilt. This is the period children learn good moral or religious values from the attitudes of their parents.

Storytelling

Young kids enjoy hearing stories about you and your family. When did you lose your first tooth? Who was a favorite teacher? Thinking about Mommy or Daddy as a little kid may spark the imagination. Maybe you want to share the story, passed down to you, about the ghost that lived in your great-grandmother's attic. And there's nothing more delightful than a story about the time a parent did something mischievous and the consequences. Kids delight in these glimpses of a past that is connected to them.

When you tell stories, you show how to put words together to make meaning. You share something new about yourself that your kids may find interesting or exciting and that might be a springboard for questions and discussions. Most important, you nurture a love of language and stories that kids will have for life.

So take a deep breath and begin: "Once upon a time ...."