We are busy planning the 2008 Columbus Day Professional Development Day! There are lots of great presenters. Jim Rule will start our day out singing. This year we will be at Glad Tidings Assembly of God! Look for registration information within the next few weeks.Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Columbus Day 2008
We are busy planning the 2008 Columbus Day Professional Development Day! There are lots of great presenters. Jim Rule will start our day out singing. This year we will be at Glad Tidings Assembly of God! Look for registration information within the next few weeks.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Building a Strong Emotional Foundation for Your Child
Raising children is such an important job and one that requires time and commitment. So often parents are bombarded by commercials for “stuff” that will make their child smarter and better able to succeed in life when instead, the best tools they can impart cost little in terms of money. A child who has had a strong emotional foundation is better able to cope with the roadblocks and obstacles that we each face in life. Laying this foundation begins at birth.
It is during the first two years of life that children first learn about trust. When they are hungry and are fed; are dirty and are changed; are afraid and are comforted, they are learning that someone is there and can be counted on to meet their needs. It is important that babies are held and cuddled. This is not “spoiling” the child, but rather helping them to build this most important bond and to affirm that relationships are important and loving. A child who is well handled, nurtured and loved is able to develop trust and security.
As children get a bit older, it is important that we help them to learn how to handle feelings. This begins first by watching the adults who are caring for them. Children need adults who can express their own feelings in suitable and constructive ways. If we want children who are able to be emotionally mature, we as adults need to spend time being sure we are reacting appropriately so that we can model this for them. As hard as it can be sometimes, it is important that we accept children’s feelings and the emotional response that results. It is the action that we need to help shape. When your child strikes out by hitting when they are angry or upset, it is important that they learn that feeling angry is okay. After all, we all get angry. The lesson to learn is that it is not okay to hurt other people no matter how angry we get. Instead, acknowledge the feeling and ask the child to tell you what it is he or she is feeling. Help the child to problem-solve and come up with acceptable solutions to whatever the problem may be. It can be something as simple as learning to take some time away in order to calm down when we get angry.
Learning to be empathetic is also an important skill for children to acquire. By observing our children’s emotions and then sharing what we see is a good way to start this process of learning. One example is if you observe your child looking sad, you might say to your child, “You seem sad.” Listen to what your child responds and if he or she confirms that they are sad, give them time to talk and just listen to what they are saying. Avoid being negative with them when they share their feelings. Also be aware that you are not humiliating, denying, pitying and lecturing your child. It is better to listen and help your child to problem-solve.
It is also important for children to have limits set by those who care for them. Limits help children to feel safe and secure. Limits should be consistent, fair and age-appropriate. Knowing what to expect and count on is very important for children.
Taking the time to create a safe, secure, nurturing and caring environment when children are young will reap big rewards for them and for all of us as they grow into secure, caring, self-regulating adults.
It is during the first two years of life that children first learn about trust. When they are hungry and are fed; are dirty and are changed; are afraid and are comforted, they are learning that someone is there and can be counted on to meet their needs. It is important that babies are held and cuddled. This is not “spoiling” the child, but rather helping them to build this most important bond and to affirm that relationships are important and loving. A child who is well handled, nurtured and loved is able to develop trust and security.
As children get a bit older, it is important that we help them to learn how to handle feelings. This begins first by watching the adults who are caring for them. Children need adults who can express their own feelings in suitable and constructive ways. If we want children who are able to be emotionally mature, we as adults need to spend time being sure we are reacting appropriately so that we can model this for them. As hard as it can be sometimes, it is important that we accept children’s feelings and the emotional response that results. It is the action that we need to help shape. When your child strikes out by hitting when they are angry or upset, it is important that they learn that feeling angry is okay. After all, we all get angry. The lesson to learn is that it is not okay to hurt other people no matter how angry we get. Instead, acknowledge the feeling and ask the child to tell you what it is he or she is feeling. Help the child to problem-solve and come up with acceptable solutions to whatever the problem may be. It can be something as simple as learning to take some time away in order to calm down when we get angry.
Learning to be empathetic is also an important skill for children to acquire. By observing our children’s emotions and then sharing what we see is a good way to start this process of learning. One example is if you observe your child looking sad, you might say to your child, “You seem sad.” Listen to what your child responds and if he or she confirms that they are sad, give them time to talk and just listen to what they are saying. Avoid being negative with them when they share their feelings. Also be aware that you are not humiliating, denying, pitying and lecturing your child. It is better to listen and help your child to problem-solve.
It is also important for children to have limits set by those who care for them. Limits help children to feel safe and secure. Limits should be consistent, fair and age-appropriate. Knowing what to expect and count on is very important for children.
Taking the time to create a safe, secure, nurturing and caring environment when children are young will reap big rewards for them and for all of us as they grow into secure, caring, self-regulating adults.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Professional Development in SPANISH
Each of these Keystone STARS core trainings will be presented in Spanish:
July 1 6:15 PM -9:15 PM Core Body of Knowledge and the Professional Development Record
July 15 6:15 PM- 9:15 PM Continuous Quality Improvement
August 5 6:15 PM - 8:15 PM Developing a Facility Professional Development Plan
All sessions are at the Berks County Agricultural Center and cost $5 each. Registration may be made online at www.pakeys.org or by contacting our office at 610-378-1327. Registration fee may be made out to Berks Extension Program Acct and mailed to
Berks Extension
Suite 110
1238 County Welfare Rd.
Leesport PA 19533
July 1 6:15 PM -9:15 PM Core Body of Knowledge and the Professional Development Record
July 15 6:15 PM- 9:15 PM Continuous Quality Improvement
August 5 6:15 PM - 8:15 PM Developing a Facility Professional Development Plan
All sessions are at the Berks County Agricultural Center and cost $5 each. Registration may be made online at www.pakeys.org or by contacting our office at 610-378-1327. Registration fee may be made out to Berks Extension Program Acct and mailed to
Berks Extension
Suite 110
1238 County Welfare Rd.
Leesport PA 19533
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