kids – Page 4 – United Way of Lane County Testing

Developing An Interest In Sports

Posted on April 9, 2021 - 10:05 pm by Early Childhood Hub

Children are born movers and shakers. Starting in infancy, babies wiggle and squirm in an effort to move their bodies through space, grab onto things, and explore the world. Giving your baby lots of opportunities to manipulate and explore encourages a curiosity and mastery that lays a strong foundation for love of learning and moving. Pillow obstacle courses, tunnels, and blanket “forts” are all challenging and fun for little ones.In toddlerhood, children discover the joys of kicking or throwing a ball, or racing mom or dad down the hallway. By elementary school, kids are running around the field, climbing on playground equipment, and enjoying learning about different sports in gym class.While not all of us grow up to be the next Serena Williams or Michael Phelps, there is plenty to be gained from engaging in sporting activities of all kinds. Here are some tips for developing a love of physical activity at an early age.

Start early

Kids need encouragement and a foundation of confidence to play most sports. Start early to develop basic skills like catching and kicking balls, hopping, skipping and jumping. You can help your toddler develop these skills by:

Hopping on one foot, two feet, and jumping over items.

Making and going through obstacle courses.

Helping them learn to use the playground equipment at your local park safely.

Going for walks in your neighborhood and balance on the lines of the sidewalk like a balance beam.

Playing hopscotch at the park.

Playing catch with different kinds of objects – balls, paper airplanes, discs like Frisbee’s or balloons.

Rolling a ball back and forth to one another.

When your child is young, make physical activities fun and simple. Play silly games and get creative with how your child wants to play a game or sport. It’s OK if they don’t “kick” the soccer ball, but instead toss it to you. As long as your toddler or young child is moving their body, it’s OK! Games like “red light, green light” and “mother may I” help them learn impulse control and to follow simple directions as they move their body. Both of these skills are important as they learn a new game or sport.Young children also love to be praised, so keep the compliments and high fives coming as you play together. The joy of spending time moving your bodies when you play together releases those feel good hormones that improve overall mood and reduce stress for both of you. Investing time having fun together builds your relationship with your child, putting “money in the bank” for the stressful times ahead. Your child will be more likely to cooperate with you when you have built up those positive interactions.

Tips for older children

As your child gets older, you can start introducing more challenging physical activities to get the body moving, such as:

Hiking a nearby trail.

Climbing a rock wall at the playground.

Practicing basketball shots at the schoolyard.

Riding a bike.

If you think your child might be ready to learn a sport or participate on a team, ask them about the types of sports they are interested in trying. There are so many options for kids, including soccer, basketball, Tee ball, ice skating, lacrosse, swimming, martial arts, and so on.Find out what your child is interested in, watch a sporting event together, or attend a lesson to get a feel for what learning the sport is like. If you are unsure where to start, connect with KIDSPORTS, Willamalane Park and Recreation District, Eugene Family YMCA for some ideas. In addition, here are some points to consider:

Let your child decide the sport they want to play—rather than push your favorite sport on them. Helping kids make choices for themselves will help them become better decision makers and reduce arguments and power struggles later on.

It’s OK if they want to try lots of sports! Interested in soccer in the spring and softball in the summer? Let them try out their abilities in different ways.

Lead by example

One of the best ways you can encourage your child to engage in a sport or physical activity is through being active yourself. It can be hard to find time for fitness or hobbies when you are caring for little ones, so try to find activities that you can do as a family, such as walking, running, kicking a ball around the field, throwing a Frisbee back and forth. Or you could even learn a new sport together! This fun, physical play supports the whole family healthy ways to reduce stress and reset your moods. Engaging in a sport, regardless of what kind, provides all sorts of learning experiences and promotes healthful, lifelong skills. Encouraging your children to participate can be fun for the whole family!

This article is brought to you by Parenting Now Parenting Educators and authors Amanda Bedortha, Claire Davis and Lynne Swartz, and consultant Jay Thompson. Parenting Now offers parenting groups and drop-in programs for families with children 0-8, and is passionate about happy, healthy families. For more information about Parenting Now, please visit their website or contact us at info@parentingnow.org.

Triple P – Positive Parenting Program

Are you interested in receiving more parenting advice? Triple P Online – Positive Parenting Program could be for you! This online parenting program allows you to take a parenting class in the comfort of your own home!

If you live in Lane County, you can get Triple P Online for free by filling out the form on the Triple P page. A staff person from Parenting Now will send you an access code within 24 hours and you’ll be able to start using the program right away! For more information about the program and to sign up visit the Triple P page.

Single Parenting During a Pandemic

Posted on March 5, 2021 - 1:10 am by Early Childhood Hub

It’s no secret that parents are struggling right now as we approach the 1-year anniversary of the COVID-19 quarantine and associated restrictions. This is especially true for single parents. Managing your job, childcare, homeschooling and being responsible for caring for your children all day every day takes a toll.

You’ve heard this before, especially as a single parent: it’s important that you put on your oxygen mask first so you can best care for others, and there are tips and tricks you can try to help manage some of the stressors you may be currently experiencing. Now is the time to really take this to heart.

Remember the basics

We are busy balancing remote school and work, plus all the care and feeding of our children as we spend more time at home than ever before. It can be easy to forget some of the basics of parenting that just make life a little easier. If things are feeling “off” or maybe you just need a fresh start, it might be a good time to remember the basics.

Routines: Having a routine to your child’s day doesn’t mean that you have to micromanage their entire day, penciling in fun activities every hour just to keep your child entertained. Making a routine is more about having a predictable schedule that your child can count on and feel comforted by. When they can know and expect what is next in their day, they feel safe. To get started, make a nighttime routine for you and your kiddos. Do what works for your family—factoring in work schedules, extracurriculars, bedtimes, etc. Generally, dinner, followed by bath, teeth brushing, story, and lights out works well for many families with young children. Whatever your routine, your child will feel comforted by knowing what comes next.

Set Limits: Children of all ages need limits. Toddlers may need limits when it comes to “helping in the kitchen,” while older children may need limits around how much time they are allowed to play video games. As a single parent, setting consistent limits and sticking to them can help you avoid spending too much of your time explaining and re-explaining rules to your child.

Be Consistent: As a single parent, you are the one always saying “OK, just one more story,” or “no, you can’t eat cookies for breakfast.” Whatever limits you need to set, be consistent and follow through. Your child will form needed habits and you can avoid them feeling disappointed and confusion when you are consistent in your rules. Explaining to your child why yesterday there were three bedtime stories, but tonight only one, can cause possible meltdowns, take away quality time with your child, and is also just confusing for them. Try to find rules that you can follow through on both easy and challenging days.

Remember To Have Fun: When you are responsible for all of your child’s discipline and logistics, it can be hard to find time to play together, or just be together. Take even five minutes to look at the clouds together or let your toddler chase you around the table. Remember, that it’s quality over quantity. Meaning, your child will appreciate even just 10 minutes of your undivided attention before you start making dinner. Special time each day for each child, even if it’s only 10 minutes, may make your child more willing to follow the limits you set later. This will build the relationship you have with each other, including trust and respect.

Let It Go: During this busy and challenging time, it’s OK to adjust your expectations and put off “big” projects. Laundry and dishes don’t have to be put away immediately; the attic can be cleaned out later. Your child is the age she is for a very short time. Embrace opportunities for positive interaction over chores sometimes. Let the laundry sit in the basket for a while. Additionally, you will reduce your stress when you don’t expect perfection from yourself.

Triple P – Positive Parenting Program

The Art of Raising a Humble Winner and Gracious Loser

Posted on February 18, 2021 - 12:13 am by Early Childhood Hub

“Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life, the secret is learning how to lose.” — Wilma Rudolph, Olympic champion

We all love to win—whether it’s in a board game, sport, or even a race with your sibling. It can make us feel good and push us to give our best effort, but it can also lead to hurt feelings when we don’t win or, worse, treat the “loser” poorly when we do win.It’s not uncommon for children—and adults—to struggle with their feelings around losing and winning. You might notice your child:

Have a meltdown if her team loses on the ball field.

Unwilling to acknowledge improvements in their skills in the face of losing, or want to give up.

Brag too much if their team won.

Refuse to participate in anything that they don’t think they can win.

If any or all of these are true for your child, they may have what is sometimes known as “sore loser syndrome.”There are steps you can take to prevent your child from being overwhelmed by losing, as well as ways to help them if they do react strongly to the pressure to win.

Start early – As parents, we all let our children win at family games every now and then. But don’t do it every time! It’s okay for your child to lose at Go Fish occasionally. Learning to lose and manage the feelings that come with it will help your child deal with the inevitable losses they will experience throughout their childhood and their lives. You might say something like, “We’re a learning family. We all learn new things. Sometimes we win, and sometimes we lose. We take turns winning and losing. Today, it was your brother’s turn to win. Maybe it will be your turn to win tomorrow.”

Affirm feelings – “In life, winning and losing will both happen. What is never acceptable is quitting.” — Magic Johnson, basketball player

Don’t brush aside your child’s feelings of disappointment or sadness with expressions like “It’s just a game.”

Let them know that how they feel is okay: “You tried hard to hit the ball. It can be frustrating when you try hard and can’t make it work the way you want to.” Focus on what they are learning, and help them notice and acknowledge their improvement.

Give your child support for dealing effectively with feelings: “You drew a picture about feeling sad about not winning today’s game. That is a wonderful way to express your feelings.”

Learning from loss – Sometimes losing can create learning moments for kids. Use the powerful word “yet.” You haven’t won “yet.” Is there something your child could do differently next time? Does the skill need more practice? Did your child try to rush through the game without listening to the instructions? With your child, come up with solutions to help the game go more smoothly.

Emphasize the positive – Let your child know that we all have different skills for different things: “You didn’t hit the ball this game, but you swung at the ball! One thing you did do well was catch the ball twice when you were in the field. You really know how to catch the ball.”Make sure to let your child know you recognize small successes, especially with young children: “You made it to the top of the play structure. Way to go!” “You knew exactly which card to ask for” (when playing Go Fish).

Reframe winning and losing – “It’s not about winning or losing a competition, it’s about beating the doubt from within yourself and knowing at the end of each day you are one step closer to your goals.” — Jonathon Horton, gymnast

Instead of talking about “winning” and “losing” in black and white terms, try focusing on the process. Use words like:

Opportunity
Growth
Learning
Effort
Working Hard
Enjoyment
Fun

If your child is hesitant to participate because they can’t “win” or “be the best,” encourage them to participate in activities they really enjoy.

Give them support for working hard or being willing to participate, even if they are not “the best.”

Emphasize enjoyment: “You sure laughed a lot when we were playing cards.”

Emphasize effort: “I can see how hard you were trying to hit that ball. You were really watching carefully.”

How do you manage your feelings? – How do you deal with loss and disappointment? If you realize you are having a hard time dealing with loss, take the opportunity to make some changes. Not only will you benefit, but your child will also benefit from seeing effective ways to deal with losing. When your child sees you coping with hard feelings, they learn how to cope with their feelings.Walk your child through your process when you are trying something new. When you make a mistake, let them see you deal with it and try again. Learn to do something new together. Let them see you struggle with a new skill or game, and lose gracefully.

At the end of a day, it’s just a game

“Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.” — Michael Jordan, basketball player

Start practicing with your child early and they’ll see that losing can be disappointing, but no one wins all the time and that’s OK! If your child is starting to have “sore loser syndrome,” affirm their feelings of disappointment when losing, but also provide them with perspective. Remind them they haven’t won “yet”, they can improve, no one can be the best at everything, and sometimes having fun makes participating worthwhile. And, remember to check in with yourself about how you react to winning and losing too!

Triple P – Positive Parenting Program

Creating a Successful Summer Chore Plan

Posted on July 16, 2019 - 11:36 pm by Early Childhood Hub

With the kids home for summer and lots of housework that needs tending to, you may be wondering what chores you can give to your older children. Studies have shown that there are benefits to children having chores, including learning mastery of a task and feeling a sense of accomplishment. Having your child wash windows every Monday not only frees you up to get something checked off your to-do list but also teaches your child a skill that they can carry with them through adulthood. This week, we offer tips for creating a successful summer chore plan.

Getting started

Start chore responsibility off on the right foot by holding a family meeting to make a plan.

Explain to your child why you are having the meeting and why helping out around the house is important. For example: “Living in a family involves a lot of work. It takes all of us working together to take care of ourselves and our home. It is everyone’s responsibility to help the family run smoothly, so we want to give you some choices about what you can do to make all of our summers fun.”

Make a list of chores that need to be done: making beds; taking out the garbage; watering the garden; feeding the dog.

Ask for your child’s input: Give your child a chance to say which tasks they would like to do. Ask your child to choose jobs they can manage alone, but be mindful of your child’s age and abilities.

Create a final jobs list and categorize by family member, and whether each chore is daily, weekly, or monthly. Make sure it is clear on the chart that you are contributing to the family too.

Your child might benefit from a visual checklist that shows them what chores they need to do on certain days of the week. Many elementary school children like to help make their checklist. Your child could help draw the lines, read items from your draft list, or write down chore items themselves.

Before talking with your child about their new jobs, decide whether you plan on using rewards or consequences as an incentive. Each child is unique and you know your child best. As a family, decide whether, for example, your child can “earn TV time at the end of the week” for completing chores.

As with all chores, the key to your child’s success is showing your child how to do the task and doing it with them until they are comfortable. At first, your child may need help getting started with their chore, especially if it is a new one. Ask them what would help them remember to do their job. One idea is to do it at the same time every day. Another is to pair it with something else the child likes to do. For example, maybe they would find it fun to listen to their favorite songs while washing the dishes or folding laundry.

Ask if they would like a reminder from you if you notice they haven’t done it by a certain time. If they don’t do their task, are there natural consequences you can live with and are the consequences applied to each family member? Do you have a “work before play policy” in your household? If so, make that clear in your discussion.

When you notice a chore has been done, get into the habit of saying thank you. Add an impact statement, telling them specifically how it makes the family run more smoothly. Tell them how them doing jobs around the house or yard makes it more pleasurable to walk up to the front door or hang out in the living room.

At the end of the first week, talk with your child about how chores are going. Ask for their opinion, then offer your own thanks. Keep your conversations positive and offer lots of praise when possible.

Yard card and safety

While some chores, such as feeding pets or putting laundry away, are appropriate for children over 7, there are certain chores that need to wait. Many parents are eager to get their kids on lawn mowing. duty, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has some guidelines regarding this common household chore—and for good reason. According to the AAP, in the U.S., more than 9,000 children go to the emergency room for lawn mower-related injuries every year. To use a push mower, children need to be 14 and over. In addition:

Kids must be both strong and mature enough to remain focused on the task

Be trained in how to safely operate a mower

Wear eye protection and closed-toe shoes

The AAP also recommends that parents supervise their child’s work until they are comfortable that their children can mow alone. And, lawn mowers, weed eaters, chip-shredders, and other sharp-edged yard tools should not be used by anyone under 14.While lawn mowing may be out of the question for a few years (or not!), there are lots of other yard work chores your child can help with:

Teach your child how to maintain a garden, including planting seeds, watering, and pruning.

Have your child be in charge of the watering schedule.

Show your child what plants are “weeds” and what needs to be removed.

Rake up any tree debris.

Shovel dirt or mulch into garden or flower beds.

Harvest fruits and veggies from the garden.

Create a compost bin and manage it.

Teaching life skills

Accomplishing chores makes kids feel proud of their competence in taking care of their possessions and living space, which also makes them feel good about themselves and builds confidence. Teaching your child to care for their living space from an early age will set them up for success later in life.