Research has shown that dads are much more likely to engage in active physical play with their preschoolers than mums. Physical activity not only helps children develop and self- confidence and a healthy body image, but also directly links with brain development.
According to Prof. Robert Winstone, of Imperial College London, male caregivers have an important role in active physical play with their children. They tend to extend children in the physical arena. Learning to take risks, within safe limits, transfers to other learning situations.
“The first 5 years is the time when the brain is developing rapidly and learning pathways are being formed,” says Sophie Foster, co-author of a new book ‘Move Baby Move’. ... read more >>
The 32nd president of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was related either by blood or by marriage to 11 former presidents. And the majority of Americans are 15th generation descendants from the Mayflower Pilgrims. It’s important for you and your children to know your ancestors. Yet very few of us can even name our great, great grandparents.
So why not assign your kids some homework this summer to find out more about your predecessors? There are many great resources on the Web. Also, have your kids ask their grandparents more about family history and write everything down for your future descendents to benefit.
For a list of questions for grandparents,click here.
Fred started swimming lessons last week so everyday from 5:30-6 we can be found lounging out by the city’s public pool. When we first started kicking over the idea of Fred learning to swim a couple of things immediately came to mind. 1) We are talking about my son so do we really want him to learn how to swim when walking down the hall without tripping over his own feet is still a problem? I mean I’m 32 and I still fall all the time. 2) Our idea of swimming lessons involves people in red one-piece bathing suits ala Baywatch with whistles around their necks which they use to keep in the kids in order. ... read more >>
Are your kids at an age where they can read and write complete sentences? Rather than just giving them time-out when they misbehave, why not have them put together an essay on what they did wrong and how they will abstain from it in the future?
Writing a paper not only will force your kids to think about their indiscretion, but will enhance their literary skill as well. You may even ask them to do a little research to boot. Make sure the essay is done to the best of their ability. And let them know they are forgiven and loved.
For a free article on how to have your kids write an essay, click here.
While I was getting my degree in Music Education one of the classes I took was titled "Reading - A whole language approach". I had never heard of the "Whole Language" concept before, but throughout the 3 months of the class the method seemed to have merit and provided a more creative and fun approach to learning to read compared to the way I had learned to read which was a phonics based approach.
Whole language learning stresses the flow and meaning of the text, emphasizing reading for meaning and using language in ways that relate to the child's own life, cultures, and interests. Whole language classrooms tend to teach the process of reading, while the final product becomes secondary. The "sounding out" of words so central to phonics is not used in whole language learning. Instead, children are encouraged to decode each word through its larger context. ... read more >>
Daniel Patrick Moynihan, a four-term U.S. Senator, passed away a few years ago. But his view on the necessity of fathers lives on. He said: “From the wild Irish slums of the 19th century Eastern seaboard to the riot-torn suburbs of Los Angeles, there is one unmistakable lesson in American history: a community that allows a large number of young men to grow up in broken families, dominated by women, never acquiring any stable relationship to male authority, never acquiring any set of rational expectations about the future - that community asks for and gets chaos.”
In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau show the importance of fathers in its statistics on children who grow up in homes without a father. These children are:
-5 times more likely to commit suicide
-32 times more likely to run away
-20 times more likely to have behavioral disorders
-14 times more likely to commit rape ... read more >>
My daughters, all of two and three years old, think it's the height of comedy to walk up to me, point at my face, and insult me. Really. I'm getting insulted by pre-schoolers, and I blame Bill Cosby.
The girls like to watch Little Bill, a cartoon that Bill Cosby created (and, coincidentally, my cousin Shauna animated for. Shauna was the talent behind those beautiful pictures of Clara and her toy trains last year.) In one particular episode, a new kid who likes to toss around insults comes to Little Bill's school. He walks up to Little Bill and says, "You're a peanut-head!" As an objective observer, I'd have to agree that Little Bill's head is shaped just like a peanut, but that's neither here nor there. Little Bill gets his feelings hurt and his dad shows him how to deal with mean kids. ... read more >>
Greetings! In a media culture that doesn’t promote responsibility, here are some time-tested ideas on how to raise children to become responsible adults.
Top Ten Ways to Raise Responsible Children
1. Start them with tasks and chores when they’re young.
Young kids have a strong desire to help out, even as young as age two. They can do a lot more than you think if you have patience and let them do it their way.
2. Don’t use rewards with your kids.
If you want your kids to develop an intrinsic sense of responsibility, they need to learn the “big picture” value of the things they do. They won’t learn that if they’re focused on what they’re going to “get.”
3. Use natural consequences when they make mistakes.... read more >>
What if you had one final lecture to give your children before you departed from this life? What would you say? Dr. Randy Pausch had this privilege.
and while you’re watching his story, reflect that any of your lectures could be your final lecture. Speak to encourage; not humiliate. Words well-spoken are like apples of gold in settings of silver. ... read more >>
Richard Nixon used to drive his aides crazy because he hated to face a press conference where he would field tough questions. They would encourage him to answer the tough questions because that would help him make tough decisions.
The same is true of being a father. Many dads dislike asking their kids tough questions because it might make them uncomfortable. But tough questions can produce right thinking in your children. And right thinking leads to right living. So don’t be afraid to ask your kids’ views on sex, drugs, religion, culture etc. You may be surprised at their answers. ... read more >>
Are you organising, running or attending any stay-home-dad meetings in your area? We'd like to start a directory of groups per city. Let us know and we will list your group here.
Research has shown that dads are much more likely to engage in active physical play with their preschoolers than mums. Physical activity not only helps children develop and self- confidence and a healthy body image, but also directly links with brain development.
The 32nd president of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was related either by blood or by marriage to 11 former presidents. And the majority of Americans are 15th generation descendants from the Mayflower Pilgrims. It’s important for you and your children to know your ancestors. Yet very few of us can even name our great, great grandparents. 
Fred started swimming lessons last week so everyday from 5:30-6 we can be found lounging out by the city’s public pool. When we first started kicking over the idea of Fred learning to swim a couple of things immediately came to mind. 1) We are talking about my son so do we really want him to learn how to swim when walking down the hall without tripping over his own feet is still a problem? I mean I’m 32 and I still fall all the time. 2) Our idea of swimming lessons involves people in red one-piece bathing suits ala Baywatch with whistles around their necks which they use to keep in the kids in order. 
Are your kids at an age where they can read and write complete sentences? Rather than just giving them time-out when they misbehave, why not have them put together an essay on what they did wrong and how they will abstain from it in the future? 
While I was getting my degree in Music Education one of the classes I took was titled "Reading - A whole language approach". I had never heard of the "Whole Language" concept before, but throughout the 3 months of the class the method seemed to have merit and provided a more creative and fun approach to learning to read compared to the way I had learned to read which was a phonics based approach.
Daniel Patrick Moynihan, a four-term U.S. Senator, passed away a few years ago. But his view on the necessity of fathers lives on. He said: “From the wild Irish slums of the 19th century Eastern seaboard to the riot-torn suburbs of Los Angeles, there is one unmistakable lesson in American history: a community that allows a large number of young men to grow up in broken families, dominated by women, never acquiring any stable relationship to male authority, never acquiring any set of rational expectations about the future - that community asks for and gets chaos.”
My daughters, all of two and three years old, think it's the height of comedy to walk up to me, point at my face, and insult me. Really. I'm getting insulted by pre-schoolers, and I blame Bill Cosby.
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