Kindermusik in the Car

Do you like music?  Do you like to listen to music with your kids?  How about in the car where we so often find ourselves?

From Kindermusik:

How many hours do children spend with their families in transit? A lot! The average American spends 2.5 hours per week or 130 hours per year in the car. Imagine using that time to benefit our students.

A recent research study proves the family car is an excellent space for fostering musical development and family togetherness.

Visit the following link to receive a code for 5 free songs from kindermusik.com.  There is also a PDF with 10 fun musical learning activities to give you helpful ideas for those car rides.

How to get your kids excited about walking

Walking is an excellent form of exercise that has significant health benefits, and can be enjoyed at almost any age.  But getting kids excited for a walk is another story of course.  What are some ways parents can convince a child to tear themselves away from the latest video game and enjoy some time outdoors?

First, don’t call it a walk!  Don’t ask “Shall we go for a walk?” Say, “Who wants to explore the forest?”

Also, children love places with lots to look at and things to clamber over: dunes, trees, streams, beaches.

Another idea is to give your child a cheap camera and get them interested in two things at once, photography and outdoor exploration.

For more helpful ideas that can get kids excited to be outdoors and moving, visit the following website:

http://www.macsadventure.com/walking-holidays/top-tips-for-walking-with-the-kids/

Quiz: What's Your Discipline Style?

We all know that proper discipline is very important in a child's upbringing.  But what amount is best, and what kind?  Take a fun and helpful quiz at parents.com to learn more.

Here are a few helpful pointers for encouraging better behavior in your kids:

·         Let them help. Little kids are more likely to be cooperative when they feel as if they're part of the game. If your toddler is underfoot while you're preparing dinner, have him fold some napkins and place them on the table.

·         Foster empathy. A child who understands that others have feelings similar to his own will learn to treat people the way he wants to be treated. If a sibling has a cold, you could say, "Emily feels bad because she has a cold. What can we do to make her feel better?"

·         Be kind. Kids copy everything you do, and they want to be just like you. Small acts of kindness -- an extra smile for the mailman, or holding the door for someone -- will inspire your child to do the same.

The power of a Hug

The folks at Positive Discipline know that sometimes all it takes is a hug....................