Counseling Connection
September 2014
Character Quality of the Month
Developing Character in Kids
- Trustworthiness: say what you mean and mean what you say (think before you speak and do what you say you are going to do), live up to your promises (breaking a promise gives your child license to do the same), be truthful.
- Respect: read to your children and keep good literature visible in your home (showing your respect for reading by being willing to spend time with good books develops your child’s respect for reading), allow your children to solve appropriate problems, show respect to your spouse, children, and other people.
- Responsibility: don't make excuses for your child’s inappropriate behavior (making excuses gives your child permission to continue to act irresponsible), don't cover for you child when he or she has done something inappropriate (covering for your child is an invitation for your child not to accept the consequences of a behavior).
- Fairness: set reasonable expectations for your children and consistently hold them responsible (if children are treated fairly, they will treat others fairly), delegate household responsibilities to each family member, listen to all sides of a conflict (listening to everyone’s concerns shows that you intend to be fair to everyone involved).
- Citizenship: plan family service projects and model appropriate manners and behavior (good manners are a staple for interaction throughout life—using good table manners and polite speech and actions provide your child with tools for a successful future).
- Caring: know where your children are, who they are with, and what they are doing. Pay attention to the television shows, videos, and movies your children watch and to the internet sites they visit.
GAMESGAMESGAMESGAMES
Have you ever thought to use ordinary games to teach your child developmental skills? Here are a few games that could be used for different skills.
Paying Attention: Memory
Concentration and focus: Pick Up Sticks & Bop-it or Bop-It Extreme
Impulsivity: Perfection, Operation, Jenga
Making Decisions: Don’t Break the Ice, Guess Who, Battleship
Communication: Guesstures, Charades
Anger Management: Sorry, Checkers
Talk to your kids before playing the game about the purpose of playing and what everyone is going to concentrate and work on while playing.
Building Character with Books
Did you know you can build character by sharing a good story? Family read-alouds are perfect for helping develop positive traits such as determination, responsibility, courage, and kindness.
When sitting with your child read books that deal with traits he or she need to strengthen. At the end of the story talk with your child about whether the character made a good choice and what lead to that choice. Your child is likely to remember the positive messages for a long, long time.
Check with your children’s librarian or ask me for books that help build character traits. Here are some examples:
Perfect Pigs by Brown & Krensky (manners)
Arthur’s Computer Disaster by Brown (self-control)
It’s Mine! by Lionni (sharing)
Rainbow Fish to the Rescue! by Pfister (decision–making)
The Fourth Little Pig by Ceklsi (fears)
Secrets From the Heart
Parenting is not always an easy job. But these seven secrets just might make it a little simpler:
1. Focus on strengths, not on weaknesses.
2. Share your values regularly.
3. Find different ways to say “I Love You”.
4. Give choices whenever possible.
5. Listen as much as you talk.
6. Provide a steady supply of smiles and hugs.
7. Remember to take a little time each day for yourself.
Helping Your Child Develop Healthy Homework Habits
Kids whose parents treat homework lightly have a harder time doing it. Try these steps to help your child develop good homework habits:
· Plan a regular time for homework.
· Turn off the TV during this time.
· Provide a quiet, well-organized place to study.
· Be sure your child reads and understands the directions for the assignment.
· Be available to answer questions and give support.
· Don’t schedule too many after school activities.
· Check to see that your child’s work is complete and reasonably neat.
· Set clear limits on TV and telephone times.
· Teach time management. Have your child estimate how long an assignment will take. Then see how long it really is.
Parenting Class - Positive Ways to Deal with Stress and Anger
Presented at South Keller Intermediate School
817-744-4150
Tuesday, Oct 7, 2014, 06:00 PM
201 Bursey Road Keller, TX
Parenting Class: Communicating with Respect
Presented at Hidden Lakes Elementary
817-744-5000
Thursday, Nov 6, 2014, 01:00 PM
900 Preston Lane, Keller, TX, United States
Janet Schupp (M, T, W) and Tierra Rawal (Th, F)
Worth Quoting:
“The only thing of value we can give kids is what we are, not what we have.”
--Leo Buscaglia