Discipline - An Opportunity for Learning

Spanking, removing privileges and verbal reprimand are possible forms of punishment, but are they the best way to discipline your child? According to “How to To Discipline Your Child” from Positive Parenting Solutions, we often misinterpret the term “discipline” with punishment, but the word “discipline” comes from the Latin word “disciplina,” which means “teaching, learning.” Parents should always focus on teaching their children constructive lessons, beyond simply punishing out of anger or frustration. The form of discipline you use should reflect the age and maturity of your child as well as the misbehavior.

Here are some suggestions on how to properly discipline your child: 1) Set boundaries and make sure you enforce them, 2) Be reasonable, 3) Give yourself a timeout before you react, and 4) Make sure that your child understands exactly why he or she is being punished. To find out more information about how to discipline children, click on this link. Remember actions do have consequences.

Reach Out and Read

Did you know that reading aloud is often recognized as the single most important activity leading to language development? Reach Out and Read is one of the leading organizations that promotes early literacy and school readiness by prescribing books to children as young as six months old. Reach Out and Read has been a valuable Help Me Grow partner since the beginning in Alabama. The Reach Out and Read three part model incorporates books into regular doctor visits and empowers parents as children's first teachers. Doctors can write parents a prescription for reading, and provide them with an age-appropriate book for their child. The website also offers reading tips, literacy milestones, and useful links for parents and pediatricians. For more information about early literacy and to find the Reach Out and Read program that is closest to you, go to www.reachoutandread.org.

National Obesity Awareness Month

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control, childhood obesity is a major public health problem and has the potential to lead to lifelong issues. It occurs when a child’s body mass index (BMI) is at or above the 95th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex. Children who have obesity are more likely than non-obese children to be obese as adults, face more bullying, have mental health problems, have diabetes and increased risk of certain cancers. The good news is childhood obesity is 100% preventable! 

Photo Credit

Here are some things you can do to decrease your child’s chances of becoming overweight or obese:

• Participate as a family in a walk/run
• Incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet
• Drink more water and less sugary carbonated drinks
• Ensure that your child is getting an adequate amount of sleep
• Limit television viewing and video game play
• Encourage children to participate in activities that are age-appropriate and enjoyable
• Be a role model and lead by example!!!

For more information, visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/features/childhoodobesity/
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/HealthierKids/ChildhoodObesity/Preventing-Childhood-Obesity-Tips-for-Parents-and-Caretakers_UCM_456118_Article.jsp

Bilingual Benefits

Photo Credit

“Learning more than one language is an asset to individuals, families, and our entire society. Early childhood teachers can share the benefits of bilingualism with families and their communities, find ways to support children’s home languages, and encourage families to keep their language strong. Developing the child’s home language provides the foundation for reading and writing, preparing children to be biliterate.” Click here for a pdf to learn about a few of the benefits of being bilingual, and for more information on working with young children who are learning more than one language.

Are We Asking the Proper Question?

Dr. Dworkin of the Help Me Grow National Network has written a blog post discussing the recent US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) draft of a report, Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children. The draft report states that it cannot presently make a recommendation either in favor of or against autism spectrum disorder screening, and calls for more research to better determine risks and benefits.

Photo Credit

The draft report may come as a surprise, and Dr. Dworkin acknowledges that "when insufficient research is available, the Task Force acknowledges the lack of evidence, neither recommends nor discourages the activity, and calls for more research." Dr. Dworkin supports the call for more research, and also explains why he still supports developmental screenings. Read more from Dr. Dworkin here.