Crafting with Kids

Most children love to do craft projects, and this can be a fun way to teach them new things.  There are endless possibilities to how you can do this.  Begin gathering supplies that they can use when they would like to.  Here are a few suggestions.

Start collecting objects that can be reused.  Small baby food containers, empty toilet rolls, twist ties from bread bags, small cardboard boxes, and old birthday cards are some ideas.  Put them in a box with some markers, glue, scissors, and heavy cardstock and let your child’s imagination flow.

Teach them about volcanoes and then make a volcano from clay or playdough.  You can make a playdough that you can dry, or simply reuse when finished.  Or get some paint and paper and create a volcano through painting.  Volcanoes are just one idea; you could use any subject to teach through crafts.

Scrapbooking is a fun activity with kids and can be really simple.  Find some items that they can add to a scrapbook, like the confetti from their birthday party, the cards they received, and a balloon.  Use these objects to decorate the scrapbook page and include the pictures from their party.  Show them how to journal to help them record their thoughts from that event.

Teach Yourself VISUALLY Crafting with Kids (Teach Yourself VISUALLY Consumer)

Make a craft box with different types of crafts they can use.  Include paper, markers, crayons, paints, glues, tape, wood sticks, and other items.  Back to school sales are a great time to stock up on some of these supplies.

Allowing your kids to create with crafts gives them an outlet for the creativity that we want to bloom inside.  Make sure you marvel at their creation, and they will love you for it.

Every Day's a Holiday: Year-Round Crafting with Kids

What Shall We Do Today?

Do As I Say and As I Do

Children learn to imitate at a very young age.  It's how they learn to behave, care for themselves, develop new skills, and communicate with others. From their earliest moments they watch you closely and pattern their own behavior and beliefs after yours. Your examples become permanent images, which will shape their attitudes and actions for the rest of their life. 

It's important to be responsible, consistent and loving with your child.  This also holds true for the relationship you have with your spouse, your parents, and other family members and friends that are also a part of your child's life.  Own up to mistakes when you make them, and communicate open and honestly with all family members.  

It's also important to take good care of yourself.  When we're focusing on what's best for our child it's easy to neglect our own needs.  Your child and your family are counting on you physically and emotionally, so it's imperative that you teach your child by example that taking care of yourself helps you to take care of them and the rest of your family.  This shows your child that not only do you love them and the rest of the family, but you love yourself as well.  

This is an important step in teaching your child about self esteem.  This may involve getting a sitter and treating yourself out to dinner and a movie, or doing another favorite activity on your own.  This teaches your child that you are not only their parent, but your own person with your interests and needs, and also gives them a chance to show you how well they can do without you with them for a while. 

It's also important to nurture your relationship with your spouse.  Let your child see you communicate in a positive and healthy manner with one another, and show love and affection for one another so your child can begin to learn early on what a healthy marriage should be like.

  

You'll soon see your child patterning many of his behaviors after your own.  So make sure that what you say and do around your child will help build a strong sense of security and self esteem. 

Imitation in Children (Phoenix Books)

Excuse Me!: A Little Book of Manners

Children's Rhymes, Children's Games, Children's Songs, Children's Stories; A Book for Bairns and Big Folk

Control your Anger, Don't let it Control You

Anger can be a paralyzing and debilitating condition.  But it can be a terrifying and degrading experience for your child if you're taking your anger out on them.  Physical and verbal abuse of a child can have lasting and lethal implications, so it's crucial that as a parent, you do whatever necessary to get your anger in check. 

As a parent, you have a wonderful opportunity to undo the wrongs that were done to you as a child if you had an angry and abusive parent or parents. It can be very curative and demonstrate you where your troubles lie are and inspire you to fix them. Perhaps your past is filled with unresolved hurt and anger.  If so, take the necessary steps to heal yourself.  If you don't, you could unwillingly and unthinkingly harm your child. Studies have shown that children whose mothers often express anger are more likely to be difficult to discipline.

Identify problems from your past and honestly look at current situations that are angering you. Maybe you aren't fulfilled at work; perhaps your spouse and you are having relationship troubles, maybe you have other personal issues or unfulfilled goals that are bothering you. If all your child ever sees is your angry face and hears an angry voice, that's what they'll most likely grow into as well. 

It's important to 'pick your battles' when parenting. Accidents and nuisances don't warrant the energy and agony it takes to get angry.  But misbehaviors such as a child hurting themselves, others or property demand a firm, quick and appropriate response from you. You will probably have to continually remind yourself that the small stuff isn't worth getting worked up over. And remind yourself also that you're the one in control of your anger; don't let your anger control you.  Put yourself in time out, take a deep breath, walk away, do whatever you have to in order to get a grip on yourself before addressing the situation if you feel your anger coming on strong. 

      

"Because" Just Isn't the Answer

The Top 50 Questions Kids Ask (Pre-K through 2nd Grade): The Best Answers to the Toughest, Smartest, and Most Awkward Questions Kids Always Ask

Children are inquisitive by nature.  When they are younger, it's usually because they want to better understand something.  When they are older, it's because they want to better understand why you think something is important and why they should also feel the same way.  Regardless of their age, it's imperative that when setting forth the rules and expectations in your home, your child understands there is no room for questioning the rules you set forth and the consequences of breaking the rules.  How Come? Every Kid's Science Questions Explained

Younger children usually do not understand a lengthy explanation of why it's important that they be home from their friend's home at a certain time or why they aren't allowed to play ball in the house.  But the one thing they do strive to do most of the time is to make their parents proud and happy.  So when a young child asks "Why?" or "Why not?" when they are told they can't play with something or someone or why they have to obey a rule you've set forth, simply explain to them that "because it makes me happy when you follow the house rules and do what I have asked of you."  You should avoid using the term, "Because I said so," as that only adds to the child's frustration and confusion. Questions for Kids: A Book to Discover a Child's Imagination and Knowledge

Older children, adolescents and teenagers alike will probably require more from your explanation.  When they question "Why?" or "Why not?" it's best to directly, honestly and clearly state your reasoning.  "I asked you to be home by 10 p.m. because we have to be at the dentist's office first thing in the morning for your check-up and we can't be late."  It is also a great opportunity for you to reiterate the consequences of breaking the rule.  "If you are not home by 10 p.m., you'll be grounded from going to your friend's house for a week." Be consistent, be firm, and be clear.  Really, Really Big Questions

Though your child may challenge you by asking your reasoning why a rule has been put in place, it also shows their growth as an individual thinker.  So try not to get angry or frustrated when they do so; realize it's their way of understanding their world around them.  Questions Children Ask