A couple weeks ago we posted a blog post about the importance of setting rules and boundaries for your new teen driver.
The State of Ohio requires parents to log 50 hours of driving with their new drivers. Here is an opportunity offered by some of our partners, AAA Miami Valley and PDS Driving School, to make sure the time you spend with your new driver is quality time.
Free parents only training class
Sunday, December 6 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
AAA Conference Center
825 S Ludlow Street
Dayton, OH 45402
Call (937) 224-2826 to reserve a seat!
Each year over 6,000 young drivers are killed in car crashes. This parent class is a first step to reduce these devastating incidents.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Toys for Language Stimulation in Infants
No doubt you have started planning the perfect gifts for all of your loved ones. Don't forget that toys can help children in their development as well. Here are some toy recommendations that can help language stimulation in infants from our pediatric speech/language pathologists at Dayton Children's:
1. LeapFrog Learn & Groove™ Musical Table $34.97
1. LeapFrog Learn & Groove™ Musical Table $34.97
- Helps teach cause-effect relationship (push=music), word-symbol associations
- Auditory/language stimulation (music, single words)
- Introduces shapes, numbers and counting 1-10 in English and Spanish
- Helps teach cause-effect relationship (shake=rattle noise)
- Auditory stimulation
- Helps teach cause-effect relationship (push=music)
- Auditory stimulation
- Four buttons to activate lights, phrases and songs; six songs to help teach abc's, numbers, shapes, colors, and classic nursery rhymes; helps teach cause-effect relationship (push=music); auditory stimulation
- Good for language/auditory stimulation (single words, e.g. “open, close”)
- Could help teach “putting in” and “taking out;” good for teaching verbal imitation (if cups are used as amplifier)
- Helps teach cause-effect relationship (bite=vibration); mouth-alerting for those with low facial tone, those who enjoy vibration
- Could help teach “on” and “1, 2, 3, 4”
Questions from readers
By Gregory Ramey, PhD, child psychologist at Dayton Children's and Dayton Daily News columnist
Question:
My 3-year-old son won’t stay in his bed at night. He keeps coming into our bedroom, regardless of what I say to him. I finally threatened that the boogie man would get him if he came out of his room and this seems to be working. I hate to scare him, but I don’t know of any other way to control his behavior.
Answer:
You should never threaten a child with consequences that you can’t or don’t want to deliver. There is a much easier way to deal with this common bedtime problem. Stop talking and threatening your son and instead, immediately put him back into his own bed whenever he goes into your room. Within a week or two he will learn that his behavior is not being reinforced and will stay in his own room throughout the night.
Question:
I think my in-laws are too tough on their 5 year old granddaughter. They seem very harsh with her - sometimes screaming at her, punishing her unnecessarily, and having expectations that seem too high for such a young child. I’ve spoken to my husband about this, and he is also surprised as that is not the way he was raised. I would like to talk to my in-laws, but I don’t want to hurt the relationship with our child.
Answer:
You and your husband need to have a frank discussion with his parents. Keep your approach balanced and positive. However, be very specific about what discipline techniques you find appropriate. If they are doing things that you find seriously objectionable, then you may need to limit their contact with your daughter to times when you are present. Your daughter’s welfare comes before your in-law’s feelings.
Question:
My 10-year-old has almost a perfect life, but he still seems whiny and negative. He goes to an excellent school, has two parents who love him dearly and give him a tremendous amount of attention, and has pretty much everything he wants. Even so, it seems like whatever we do is not enough and he is always asking for more. Does it sound like he may need professional help?
Answer:
Instead of seeing a psychologist, reflect upon your parenting approach. He has many of the characteristics of a spoiled child. Some kids develop a sense of entitlement. These youngsters depend upon others to entertain them, give them things, and satisfy their every whim. They are egocentric, self-absorbed, and generally unhappy.
It may be that you are giving him too much attention, and that he feels he is the center of your universe. Decrease the number of things you are giving him. Require him to do chores, and don’t attend to his whining and complaining. Volunteer efforts through his church or school may also help change his perspective.
Gregory Ramey, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and vice president for outpatient services at The Children’s Medical Center of Dayton. For more of his columns, visit www.childrensdayton.org/ramey.
Question:
My 3-year-old son won’t stay in his bed at night. He keeps coming into our bedroom, regardless of what I say to him. I finally threatened that the boogie man would get him if he came out of his room and this seems to be working. I hate to scare him, but I don’t know of any other way to control his behavior.
Answer:
You should never threaten a child with consequences that you can’t or don’t want to deliver. There is a much easier way to deal with this common bedtime problem. Stop talking and threatening your son and instead, immediately put him back into his own bed whenever he goes into your room. Within a week or two he will learn that his behavior is not being reinforced and will stay in his own room throughout the night.
Question:
I think my in-laws are too tough on their 5 year old granddaughter. They seem very harsh with her - sometimes screaming at her, punishing her unnecessarily, and having expectations that seem too high for such a young child. I’ve spoken to my husband about this, and he is also surprised as that is not the way he was raised. I would like to talk to my in-laws, but I don’t want to hurt the relationship with our child.
Answer:
You and your husband need to have a frank discussion with his parents. Keep your approach balanced and positive. However, be very specific about what discipline techniques you find appropriate. If they are doing things that you find seriously objectionable, then you may need to limit their contact with your daughter to times when you are present. Your daughter’s welfare comes before your in-law’s feelings.
Question:
My 10-year-old has almost a perfect life, but he still seems whiny and negative. He goes to an excellent school, has two parents who love him dearly and give him a tremendous amount of attention, and has pretty much everything he wants. Even so, it seems like whatever we do is not enough and he is always asking for more. Does it sound like he may need professional help?
Answer:
Instead of seeing a psychologist, reflect upon your parenting approach. He has many of the characteristics of a spoiled child. Some kids develop a sense of entitlement. These youngsters depend upon others to entertain them, give them things, and satisfy their every whim. They are egocentric, self-absorbed, and generally unhappy.
It may be that you are giving him too much attention, and that he feels he is the center of your universe. Decrease the number of things you are giving him. Require him to do chores, and don’t attend to his whining and complaining. Volunteer efforts through his church or school may also help change his perspective.
Gregory Ramey, Ph.D., is a child psychologist and vice president for outpatient services at The Children’s Medical Center of Dayton. For more of his columns, visit www.childrensdayton.org/ramey.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
