Book Review:
Chapter book for older kids (4th to 6th grade):
"The Secret Garden," by Frances Hodgson Burnett should be an enjoyable summer read. It's a classic. The story takes place in England. It revolves around an orphan named Mary, her cousin, Colin, and a friend, Dickon. Mary comes to live with her emotionally distant uncle in his mansion after her parents die. (The uncle also likes to leave unexpectedly which both his son and Mary find disconcerting.) Mary along with the two boys have some pleasant times in a secret garden. Because of Mary her uncle gets a new leash on life. The characters personalities are all different and because of this it helps the story move along in an interesting manner.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Parenting Article about ADHD
Let's Accentuate the Positive Characteristics of Children with ADHD for a Change!
Just to Let you Know some Famous people have had ADHD.
Instead of focusing on the problems correlated with having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, let's take a break from this pattern of thinking and look at the positive qualities that co-exist with it. Children with ADHD can be curious, bright, energetic, creative, imaginative, funny, athletic, go-getters, and have a zest for life that our past U.S. President, Teddy Roosevelt, would be envious of. I believe this because as a former nanny I've dealt with children with ADHD. Plus, I have a brother and a father who were both hyperactive as children. In fact, my father who's in his eighties is still on the go and as smart as a whip. Believe it or not, he was still running in races into his early eighties. I don't know if he won many races as a child, but he sure has won a lot in his golden years. He has a string of first place medals for the 70+ age category and enough vim and vigor which people half his age wish they could have. But as for your child, his or her senior years are a long way off. The point is, there are positive attributes that go along with the challenges of having ADHD.
These positive aspects can be evident now and then can continue into your child's adult life. Is he or she creative? This creativity can show up in their present drawings or dance, and later in life when they choose an occupation. Maybe they'll be a top-notch choreographer or graphic artist. If your child has impulsive behavior and difficulty sitting still, stop and think how you can re-channel this energy. Find constructive outlets. Does your child like to run? Dance? Play tennis? Find out and get them involved. Going with this train of thought if your child has an endless amount of curiosity, discover what really fascinates them. Do they like bugs? Building model planes? Then nurture it, safely. You might have a budding entomologist or inventor in your home. Is your child extremely imaginative? Get them some large paper and paints and let them go at it, or give them a pen and have them jot down stories. Does your child have a flare for comedy or dramatics? Do they crave attention? Put them in acting classes. Who knows maybe when they grow up they'll be a first rate comic, actor, or trial attorney. (I kid you not. I knew someone who as a child was very hyperactive and argumentative. He also liked to be the center of attention. He found his calling. Being a trial lawyer.)
Last remarks: If you're the parent of a child with ADHD who consistently complains to them about their behavior this can be counter productive. If you tell them over and over that their behavior is obnoxious or annoying, what do you expect it to be? Try substituting positive words for the negative ones. Instead of saying, "Stop being hyper and annoying," say, "Be calm. Be polite." Children will grow into how you see them. Also, try these things: Praise your child when you see them working on their frustration, anger or manners. Look at what they have to offer the world. Are they kind? Considerate? Enthusiastic? How about every once in awhile both you and your child step outside the ADHD box and look inside it. I bet you'll both be surprised how many pleasant revelations there are if you really look.
Just to Let you Know some Famous people have had ADHD.
Instead of focusing on the problems correlated with having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, let's take a break from this pattern of thinking and look at the positive qualities that co-exist with it. Children with ADHD can be curious, bright, energetic, creative, imaginative, funny, athletic, go-getters, and have a zest for life that our past U.S. President, Teddy Roosevelt, would be envious of. I believe this because as a former nanny I've dealt with children with ADHD. Plus, I have a brother and a father who were both hyperactive as children. In fact, my father who's in his eighties is still on the go and as smart as a whip. Believe it or not, he was still running in races into his early eighties. I don't know if he won many races as a child, but he sure has won a lot in his golden years. He has a string of first place medals for the 70+ age category and enough vim and vigor which people half his age wish they could have. But as for your child, his or her senior years are a long way off. The point is, there are positive attributes that go along with the challenges of having ADHD.
These positive aspects can be evident now and then can continue into your child's adult life. Is he or she creative? This creativity can show up in their present drawings or dance, and later in life when they choose an occupation. Maybe they'll be a top-notch choreographer or graphic artist. If your child has impulsive behavior and difficulty sitting still, stop and think how you can re-channel this energy. Find constructive outlets. Does your child like to run? Dance? Play tennis? Find out and get them involved. Going with this train of thought if your child has an endless amount of curiosity, discover what really fascinates them. Do they like bugs? Building model planes? Then nurture it, safely. You might have a budding entomologist or inventor in your home. Is your child extremely imaginative? Get them some large paper and paints and let them go at it, or give them a pen and have them jot down stories. Does your child have a flare for comedy or dramatics? Do they crave attention? Put them in acting classes. Who knows maybe when they grow up they'll be a first rate comic, actor, or trial attorney. (I kid you not. I knew someone who as a child was very hyperactive and argumentative. He also liked to be the center of attention. He found his calling. Being a trial lawyer.)
Last remarks: If you're the parent of a child with ADHD who consistently complains to them about their behavior this can be counter productive. If you tell them over and over that their behavior is obnoxious or annoying, what do you expect it to be? Try substituting positive words for the negative ones. Instead of saying, "Stop being hyper and annoying," say, "Be calm. Be polite." Children will grow into how you see them. Also, try these things: Praise your child when you see them working on their frustration, anger or manners. Look at what they have to offer the world. Are they kind? Considerate? Enthusiastic? How about every once in awhile both you and your child step outside the ADHD box and look inside it. I bet you'll both be surprised how many pleasant revelations there are if you really look.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Movie Review
Movie Title: Goonies. Comedy-Adventure. Rated PG. In a nutshell, a boy and his friends discover a pirate map and go on quest to find the treasure. Some funny scenes. Charming kid movie. Both boys and girls should like it. Not for very young kids like seven-years-old. They might be taken aback by a couple of scenes.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Family Activity
Go on a nature hike. Hunt for roly-polies, lizards, newts, ladybugs, grasshoppers, beetles, butterflies, etc. whatever wildlife is in your region. You can check out a bird book from your library and find bird species. You can stop and have a picnic. You can put colored pencils and paper in your backpack. Then your children can draw pretty pictures of nature when you stop for lunch. If you plan to picnic on the ground, bring lightweight, hardback picture books to place the drawing paper on. It will make drawing easier.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Article: Tips to Get Your Child to Focus Better with Homework
As a former nanny, I thought I'd share a couple of tips for children who have a difficult time focusing on their homework. This can be helpful for children with ADD or ADHD.
Tip #1: Homework should be done in a place that is comfortable but has the least amount of simulation, visually and audibly. A bedroom where toys are can be a distraction. I suggest you pick the barest room possible where no one is talking and where the radio, computer and television are all completely turned off. If you have two children, put them in different rooms. I've found that children find dining rooms generally boring, and therefore are less likely to look about so much and get up to touch things. If you have knick-knacks around, move them.
Tip #2: Limit the time your child spends on a homework task. If the math they brought home would normally take half hour for a child who can concentrate well, your child might need three 15 minute time periods. Use an oven or egg timer to count down the time. After 15 minutes, let your child take a short break. They can stretch, do jumping jacks, eat a snack or some other small respite. Do not encourage a board game or watching T.V. This break is only meant to be a breather. So they can learn to refocus. Do not get frustrated if your child has trouble with any of the 15 minute intervals. If need be cut down to ten minutes. It is far better to get something done in ten minutes, than for him or her get almost nothing done in forty-five minutes. It's not worth the aggravation. To either of you.
Remember if you're getting frustrated about the homework situation you're not adding anything positive to it. If need be go to another room, count to ten or twenty and calmly come back in and check on your child. If they're daydreaming, playing with their pencil, flipping on and off the light switch… gently remind your child to stay on task. (You can always tape the cover of your light switch shut.) If you would like, you can at another time though not a hectic one (you're running late for school), talk to your child about small rewards for staying on task. You can have a bag of marbles and every time your child focuses on their homework for 15 minutes they get to put a marble in a jar (5 marbles can equal a special game with you or 15 minutes of computer time). This means even if your child doesn't stay on task for all three 15 minute time periods, they're still rewarded for the one or two times they do. It gives them motivation and a positive outlook they can indeed focus. Do not reinforce that they can't focus. Most children can focus in varying degrees.
If your child is seriously struggling to get their homework done and can't, please talk to their teacher about shortening their homework. Maybe instead of doing 30 math problems, your child can do 10. I believe if your child is having a really difficult time focusing on their homework, there's a strong likelihood they're also having a difficult time focusing on their schoolwork as well. A conscientious teacher will pick up on this and want to work with you. If you don't have a teacher who will work with you I encourage you to meet with your principle. You're your child’s voice.
Point to think about: I know of lawyers today who didn't finish their homework back in grade school and junior high, who SOMEHOW managed to finish law school and pass the bar. The lesson here: Finishing grade school and junior high homework is not the be all and end all to your child's future. So stop making it like it's the end of world if they can't finish it; especially if they're trying to the best of THEIR ability. Please note how I wrote "their" ability and not "yours."
Tip #1: Homework should be done in a place that is comfortable but has the least amount of simulation, visually and audibly. A bedroom where toys are can be a distraction. I suggest you pick the barest room possible where no one is talking and where the radio, computer and television are all completely turned off. If you have two children, put them in different rooms. I've found that children find dining rooms generally boring, and therefore are less likely to look about so much and get up to touch things. If you have knick-knacks around, move them.
Tip #2: Limit the time your child spends on a homework task. If the math they brought home would normally take half hour for a child who can concentrate well, your child might need three 15 minute time periods. Use an oven or egg timer to count down the time. After 15 minutes, let your child take a short break. They can stretch, do jumping jacks, eat a snack or some other small respite. Do not encourage a board game or watching T.V. This break is only meant to be a breather. So they can learn to refocus. Do not get frustrated if your child has trouble with any of the 15 minute intervals. If need be cut down to ten minutes. It is far better to get something done in ten minutes, than for him or her get almost nothing done in forty-five minutes. It's not worth the aggravation. To either of you.
Remember if you're getting frustrated about the homework situation you're not adding anything positive to it. If need be go to another room, count to ten or twenty and calmly come back in and check on your child. If they're daydreaming, playing with their pencil, flipping on and off the light switch… gently remind your child to stay on task. (You can always tape the cover of your light switch shut.) If you would like, you can at another time though not a hectic one (you're running late for school), talk to your child about small rewards for staying on task. You can have a bag of marbles and every time your child focuses on their homework for 15 minutes they get to put a marble in a jar (5 marbles can equal a special game with you or 15 minutes of computer time). This means even if your child doesn't stay on task for all three 15 minute time periods, they're still rewarded for the one or two times they do. It gives them motivation and a positive outlook they can indeed focus. Do not reinforce that they can't focus. Most children can focus in varying degrees.
If your child is seriously struggling to get their homework done and can't, please talk to their teacher about shortening their homework. Maybe instead of doing 30 math problems, your child can do 10. I believe if your child is having a really difficult time focusing on their homework, there's a strong likelihood they're also having a difficult time focusing on their schoolwork as well. A conscientious teacher will pick up on this and want to work with you. If you don't have a teacher who will work with you I encourage you to meet with your principle. You're your child’s voice.
Point to think about: I know of lawyers today who didn't finish their homework back in grade school and junior high, who SOMEHOW managed to finish law school and pass the bar. The lesson here: Finishing grade school and junior high homework is not the be all and end all to your child's future. So stop making it like it's the end of world if they can't finish it; especially if they're trying to the best of THEIR ability. Please note how I wrote "their" ability and not "yours."
Friday, July 24, 2009
Book Review
Today's book pick is "Frindle." It's a chapter book for new readers. The whole concept of the book is intriguing. Why is a pen called a pen? Why not call it frindle instead? A boy name Nick starts calling a pen a frindle and gets his friends to take an oath to do the same. But the adults don't like it. Have your child read the book to find out what happens next. A fun book where your kids could learn something useful.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Movie Review
Movie Title: Captain January. Musical. For kids and other Shirley Temple fans. Colored & Black and White version. Rated G. Shirley Temple sings and dances herself right into your heart. No wonderful why she was so popular back in the 1930's. Ms. Temple plays, Star, a mop-headed orphan who contently lives with, Captain January, known as Cap. Cap is a kind-hearted lighthouse keeper who fished Star out of the sea a long time ago. But he hasn't enrolled Star in school. Instead, the little girl hangs out with sailors. The town's new truant officer Ms. Morgan, a spoiled-sport (I say this tongue and cheek), decides Star needs to go to school. Star finally goes, but Ms. Morgan tries to get her removed from Captain January anyway when he loses his job.
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