A common concern these days is that children are used to having so much “stuff” in their lives that they are not as grateful as we would wish them to be. It’s not just something that affects individual children or families; our society as a whole is just very focused on material things and possessing many of them. Around Thanksgiving and Christmas time, our mailboxes overflow with brochures that try to lure us into buying more toys, electronic devices, and other ‘stuff’ that would be nice to have. Most of us have to work hard in order to obtain these things. So when our child does not seem happy to receive the things we give them, it comes as a real disappointment!
In October's Aspire Parent Group, we had a great time learning and discussing with parents ideas to strengthen the development of children. We discussed the changes in technology, and the positive ways parents can use technology or the internet with their children.
The countdown to Christmas has begun. It’s likely we all remember the memories associated with Christmas more than we remember the actual gifts we received. Help the season be magical by giving gifts of spending time together and creating memories throughout the year. Here are a few gift “presence” ideas I love:
As our world changes and new technology is introduced into our lives, more and more children are becoming tech savvy at a younger age and the reality is technology has found its place in our busy lives, and like all things, should be used in moderation. Too much technology in the early years can have adverse effects on a child’s development and may not become known until later in life. The majority of technology is a singular experience as the user interfaces with a screen, thus taking away the opportunity to interact with another human being. The downside to this is critical social skills, such as problem solving and interpersonal communication, are sacrificed.
Preparing for a newborn involves an array of emotions. There are about nine months to anticipate the day that the baby will come, and then, when delivery day arrives, a new set of emotions fills the air for parents and for close family and friends. Everyone wants to know: What's his name? Does she have hair? Who does she most look like? When can I come over and hold him?
The countdown to Christmas has begun. It’s likely we all remember the memories associated with Christmas more than we remember the actual gifts we received. Help the season be magical by giving gifts of spending time together and creating memories throughout the year. Here are a few gift “presence” ideas I love:
As our world changes and new technology is introduced into our lives, more and more children are becoming tech savvy at a younger age and the reality is technology has found its place in our busy lives, and like all things, should be used in moderation. Too much technology in the early years can have adverse effects on a child’s development and may not become known until later in life. The majority of technology is a singular experience as the user interfaces with a screen, thus taking away the opportunity to interact with another human being. The downside to this is critical social skills, such as problem solving and interpersonal communication, are sacrificed. 