Do American parents focus too much on intelligence?

The link below is a brief article discussing research that finds American parents are very different than other parents around the world, even when compared to other modern/western parents. In particular the research looks at the primary focus of parents.

The findings did not surprise me from an educator standpoint. I often had to reassure parents that through play and social interactions children were building the foundation for math, science, reading, writing, etc. PLUS they were gaining a very different type of intelligence than what we typically think if as intelligence - Social-Emotional Intelligence. This type of intelligence, in my humble opinion, is severely needed and sadly lacking in our society currently. Who cares if you are a math whiz if you cannot function with others and/or manage your emotions?


I am VERY curious to hear your thoughts on this! Please post below.


http://www.slate.com/blogs/how_babies_work/2013/04/10/parental_ethnotheories_and_how_parents_in_america_differ_from_parents_everywhere.html

Articles from the National Association for the Education of Young Children - How Parents can Support Children's Play

See, it is not just me; I have research from the experts to back me up! Want your children to learn? PLAY WITH THEM!! You might just find your second childhood too! Here's what NAEYC (PS - this is a great source for information, not just for teachers but for families as well) says:

http://families.naeyc.org/learning-and-development/child-development/how-support-children%E2%80%99s-approaches-learning-play-them

http://families.naeyc.org/learning-and-development/child-development/10-things-every-parent-should-know-about-play 

VERY Moving Video

This video makes me tear up every time I watch it. This is why I do what I do and believe what I believe folks!

http://youtu.be/GbSp88PBe9E

Long Time No See!

Well, it's been just shy of a year. Where does time go really? I can tell you this past year has been much more than I ever bargained for. I thought I had it all figured out finally. Boy did life decide to show me just how little I had figured out!

Not far into working two full time positions I decided to quit my teaching position. It was a heavy decision to make. I did not want to leave the classroom but knew I was no longer in the right place. I wanted to take the time to pursue my other passions, get my feet wet in other areas. More than that though I think I needed the time to process just what it was I wanted out of life.

By early summer of this past year I felt certain that I was on the right track. I was looking closely at a long stay in Brazil to further learn the culture, including a martial art I found centered me beautifully. I was hoping to be able to teach once I was in Brazil. I tasted freedom (of what I am still unsure) for the first time in a long time. I was doing what I felt was the right thing for me, without being tied down to anything or anyone. I was sure I wanted to have this life I was creating.

This is of course when life decided to show me up. In September, I found out I was pregnant. What a shock that was! Not long into the pregnancy I started to reevaluate where I was at and where I wanted to be. I suddenly saw everything differently. Gone was a trip to Brazil (at least for now), the carefree world and lifestyle I had created, and seemingly that freedom I had just began to enjoy.

I have made many changes since that day in September. Mostly, I have just taken more hours than I can count to reflect, process and prepare. In the end, I have come to the realization that the freedom I was tasting last year is simply a state of mind. Yes, I now have more responsibilities and my world is changed forever, but that carefree life is not gone. Not even close. Now I have an excuse to engage in the freedom of child's play! Below is a link to a youtube video that sums up my feelings quite nicely.


"Play keeps us vital and alive. It gives us an enthusiasm for life that is irreplaceable. Without it, life just doesn't taste as good," Lucia Capacchione.
http://youtu.be/4_aXMaNpWWU

I encourage every parent to drop what they are doing, throw out the stress and worry, and engage in some good 'ole PLAY! 

Apologizes!

I want to apologize for not being as diligent in posting every week. I am currently working two full time positions and am running short on time and sleep. I will post as often as I can. I encourage all of you to post your questions in the mean time and I will answer them promptly! 

Thanks for reading my work. 

 

Sign language with infants and toddlers

http://youtu.be/PtYv1AL-CkQ


 When nonverbal children have a means of expressing their wants and needs it reduces frustration for the adult as well as the child. Just think of how often your young child wants or needs something but you are not sure what it is. Your child becomes exacerbated with you and you become completely frustrated with the whole situation. Sign language is one way for communication to take place between adults and children to limit the times of frustration.

There is much research in the child development field implying that using sign language with your young child enhances not just language development, but also cognitive development, fine motor development, and - if used correctly - social and emotional development.

The tips at the beginning of the video are essential. Only use the signs that are important to your child. Children need concrete ways to build the connection between language and their environment. Remember to use the signs in context and continue it (often for months) until your child picks it up.

The appropriateness of time out with toddlers

As infants develop independence and grow into toddlerhood they naturally test boundaries, limits and often choose to ignore adult requests. When and how do you as a caregiver consistently stick to boundaries and limits with your toddler in the face of all that "defiance"?

Natural consequences often do not work in the heat of  opposition when a child is simply refusing to do as you ask. However, it can be a logical consequence to tell a child that they cannot do anything else until they follow through with what you've asked them to do, which is essentially time out. It is all about presentation though, and how you set it up.

I disagree with the standard way time out is used. It should not be a punishment, but it can be used as discipline (that is, to TEACH a child). In this sense it works well for out right defiance. The major difference in using it this way is that it does NOT go by the standard one minute of sitting for every year of age the child is. Here is an example of when and how it would be appropriate:

Adult: "Please put your cars back in the bucket they go in."

Child: does nothing or says "No"

Adult: "Put your cars where they go so nobody steps on them."

Child: still does nothing

Adult: "You can either put the cars away or you can sit until your ready."

Child: still does not comply

Adult: Takes child by the hand or gently picks up, depending on age, in a calm manner and firmly states, "You can sit until your ready to put the cars away. You will not do anything else until the cars are picked up." as they sit the child down in a designated spot away from distractions and attention.

*As the child gets up, if they do not go to pick up the cars then the adult takes them back and sits them down, repeating the above statement. If the child tries to get up again without complying the adult no longer speaks or makes eye contact but simply, calmly and gently leads them back to sit down. This continues for however long it takes for the child to put the cars away. THIS ONLY WORKS WHEN A CHILD UNDERSTANDS WHAT YOU ARE ASKING OF THEM, YOU REMAIN CALM AND DO NOT GIVE ATTENTION UNTIL THE CHILD COMPLIES. BE CONSISTENT AND FOLLOW THROUGH EVERY TIME!