Children

Learn What They Live

If a child lives with criticism,

he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility,

he learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule,

he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame,

he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance,

he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement,

he learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise,

he learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness,

he learns justice.

If a child lives with security,

he learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval,

he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,

he learns to find love in the world.

By Dorothy Law Nolte

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Make sure your children know they are loved!

• Show love with hugs, smiles, kisses, talking and looking directly into your baby’s eyes.
• Remember that your baby cries to communicate with you.
• Understand that giving attention to a baby is not spoiling; when you respond to your baby’s cries and coos consistently, his learning is stimulated and he develops trust.
• Talk to your baby even before she seems to be able to understand what you are saying, and she will soon talk back to you.
• Imitate his coos and sounds; diaper changing, feeding, bathing and dressing are good times for you to talk with your young child.
• Say your child’s name in a cheerful, caring voice.
• Really listen when your child talks to you.
• Avoid calling your child names when discussing her behavior.
• Encourage and support your child by showing appreciation for his accomplishments.
• Improve your child’s self-esteem by teaching her how she can help others.
• Say “yes” and “I love you” more often than you say “no” or “don’t”.
• Make sure that your child has regular health exams and receives all appropriate immunizations (shots). www.ci.austin.tx.us/health/downloads/vacregen.pdf
• Seek help from specialists if you have concerns about your child’s development or need extra help during times of family stress.
• Demonstrate in ways she can understand that she is unique and special to you.
  

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Remain calm and discipline with love and consistency.

• Understand that discipline should teach, not punish; it is setting limits with both firmness and kindness.
• Show respect for your child so that he will learn respect for others.
• Learn about stages of child development so that you will know what behavior you can expect at different ages.
• Prepare your child for new situations, so that he will know what you expect and feel confident and secure.
• Create dependable, predictable routines for your child.
• Encourage exploration and curiosity in safe surroundings.
• Remember that infants and toddlers test limits because of their curiosity and eagerness to learn, not to make you angry.
• Distract and redirect your child’s attention when his behavior is unacceptable.
• Encourage positive behavior by using positive guidance techniques.
• If necessary, short time outs (no longer than 1 minute per year of the age of the child) can help you and your child regain self-control.
• Remember that spanking, hitting or shouting may stop behavior immediately but may teach that violence is the way to settle issues.
  

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Talk, sing, play, and read with your child every day.

• Talk and sing with your child, as this is a first step in language development.
• Understand that singing and listening to music is good for your child’s development.
• Provide a safe place for your baby or toddler to roll, crawl, and explore. If possible, “child-proof” the entire home.
• Sit and play on the floor with your child daily, knowing that children learn through play with simple toys and household items such as pots, pans, bowls, and wooden spoons.
• Recognize that daily supervised outdoor play, including running, climbing, swinging and sliding helps children develop strong bodies and minds.
• Realize that when you and your child play “pretend” together, she is learning to use her imagination and understand her world.
• Spend time each day reading to your young child, watching for her cues to continue or quit.
• Look at books, talk about the pictures and the story; this will teach language and new words.
• Try different voices for the characters in a book and encourage your child to act out the story.
• Play rhyming games, recite nursery rhymes and do fingerplays to help your child notice the sounds of words.
• Help your child notice words and other print in the world around you.
• Understand that sharing a favorite book with a caring adult can provide comfort to a child, as well as a love of books and reading.
• Limit TV watching and when you allow your child to watch, sit with him and talk about what you see, remembering that young children should not watch the news or adult programs.
• Get a free library card so that you can visit the library often and check out a variety of books.
  

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Ask lots of questions before choosing child-care.

Selecting a child care provider is one of the most important decisions you will make. The Collaborative for Children Resource and Referral line at 2-1-1, www.collabforchildren.org, can help you locate and evaluate child care. In addition to asking about hours and fees, take time to visit and observe child care centers or homes that you are considering for your child.

Health and Safety

• Check child care licensing compliance history on TDFPS* website, www.txchildcaresearch.org or ask director about compliance history
• Observe cleanliness of center and diaper changing and hand washing procedures.
• Ask about security of medicines and chemicals in the facility.
• Ask if the caregivers are certified in CPR and First Aid.
• Ask about the meal and nap time routines.
• Ask about transportation procedures if children are taken on field trips.
• Ask about discipline procedures when children act out or break classroom rules and how positive behavior is encouraged.
• Observe indoor and outdoor play areas and safety precautions used by staff.

Activities

• Ask about planned activities and observe equipment, toys, and materials.
• Ask if the children are read to daily and look for the quality and quantity of books in each room.
• Ask about the amount of time spent each day on the playground. (30-45 minutes morning and afternoon recommended.)
• Ask about the use of technology (TV, VCR, computers) in the facility, recognizing that limited use is recommended for young children.

Quality Factors

• Remember that consistent, positive relationships with caring adults will allow your child to grow, develop and learn.
• Observe if the caregivers are warm, caring and enjoy their work.
• Ask if the program is accredited or certified by a recognized respectable agency, such as NAEYC* www.naeyc.org, with higher requirements than minimum child care licensing standards.
• Ask about the experience, education and regular training of the caregivers.
• Ask about the number of children assigned to each caregiver and the number of children in each room in order to understand the opportunities for individual attention.

Parent Involvement

• Ask if parents are welcome to visit and how they are encouraged to participate.
• Ask how and how often caregivers will communicate with you about your child’s progress.

*Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (state organization that licenses and monitors child care facilities)

*National Association for the Education of Young Children

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Taking care of yourself when you are pregnant is taking care of your baby.

• One hundred billion brain cells are created in your baby during pregnancy; so when you take care of yourself, you are helping your baby’s growth.
• Eat only healthy foods, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and protein.
• Understand that drugs, alcohol, and smoke can seriously harm your unborn baby.
• Rest and light exercise are important for your health.
• Visit your doctor or nurse-midwife monthly, beginning as soon as you think you are pregnant.
• Take prenatal vitamins and folic acid throughout your pregnancy.
• Drink plenty of water and fewer drinks with caffeine.
• Have your teeth checked by a dentist.
• Stay away from people who are sick.
• Ask questions and read to make sure you understand what you need to do to have a healthy baby and how to care for him after he is born.

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