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Discipline and Guidance

Child Development Articles

Helping Children Cope After a Disaster

Helping Children Cope After a Disaster

As adults we know the world is an ever-changing place and sometimes life can deal us a heavy blow that we are not prepared for. Children, however, see the world differently. They expect the world to be safe and fair. When it is not, they can experience trauma. All children are unique regarding how they [...]
Following Directions

Following Directions

Learning to follow directions is an important life skill that can be nurtured. The ability to follow directions directly affects a child’s learning ad performance in school. In fact, their health and safety depend on their ability to listen and follow directions. In addition, this ‘real world’ skill will support their learning throughout their lives. [...]
Encouraging Independent Thinking

Encouraging Independent Thinking

What is “independent thinking” and why is it important for my child? Independent thinking is the process of making sense of the world based on your own observations and experiences rather than depending on the word of others. It is the ability to trust your own judgments, even if they are not in agreement with [...]
Discipline for Infants

Discipline for Infants

Although discipline means “to teach or guide,” the term is unfortunately often associated with punishment. Prior to the age of two a child is not yet developmentally ready to comprehend the two essential elements necessary to enforce appropriate behavior: the desire to please parents, and the ability to remember consequences. However, parents can begin laying [...]
Developing Empathy: Raising Children Who Care

Developing Empathy: Raising Children Who Care

What is Empathy? Empathy is the ability to understand the feelings of others, feel what they feel, and respond in helpful, compassionate ways. Children who are able to identify with and comfort others make friends more easily, generally perform better academically, and demonstrate a higher level of moral and emotional development. Are children born empathetic? […]

Consistency: The Key to Well-Behaved Children

Consistency: The Key to Well-Behaved Children

What does “consistency” mean? Consistency means that rules and expectations are the same from one time to another. Consistency makes the child’s world predictable and less confusing. It frees their minds of worry about what might happen and teaches them accountability for their actions. Why is consistency important? Consistency gives a child a sense of [...]

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