The BEST Children Lessons

Posts Tagged ‘motivation’

Some kids are open and can make new friends quite easily where ever they go. And some are just nothing like that. They stick to their mothers and won’t move away for an inch. Their mothers usually say: “It is such a shy kid.” But in reality only part of this can be attributed to their nature. It’s also the result of their upbringing and circumstances.

Now at the beginning of new school year or going to the kindergarten for the first time, it can be quite challenging for some kids to be comfortable with new people.

Here are few tips how you can help your child to make new friends:

1. Examine your own thoughts, words and actions!

However strange it may sound, it all starts with you. How do you behave with strangers? What are you saying abut other people? How do you describe other kids? Are they adorable little creatures or those awful dirty screaming punks?

When you relate to others with negative words and even frightening your child, he will certainly feel insecure around new people. If they will be nice to him, he might even feel that he is betraying you if he is to return the kindness.

If you act reserved and going away from other people it’s great probability that your kid will act the same way.

2. Take it slow

Sometimes the kids are naturally shy and need some more time, even if you are very outspoken and open. In this case, keep your positive attitude, as it can help a lot. Approach other kids and communicate with them, making sure your kid see that it’s safe and that it’s ok to talk and play with them.

Encourage interactions with other people but don’t push your kid to make friends. He might need some more time. Allow him enough time and space to get comfortable with others. Maybe you can invite some families over your house for some ice-cream or lemonade. It will be much easier for your kid dealing with strangers in  familiar environment.

3. Keep it safe!

Even though most people are nice and friendly, there are some who are not. Let your kid know about dangers and how to react when faced with them. It is important not to scare or even threaten your kid. Explain differnet, possibly hazardous situations in simple and neutral terms.

How do you help your child when meeting new people and making new friends? Please share your thoughts and comme

I was lying the other day on the beach and there were many families with kids around me. As usual I was observing how the parents treat children and how the kids behave.

What really bothered me that day was that some parents were treating their kids as they were little babies even when they were already 4, 6 or even more years old.

Are you doing the same mistake? Do you always stand behind your kid and follow each step? Are you yelling: “Dress up, you will catch cold?” or “Don’t go there, you will fall!” or even “You already ate one ice-cream today, you might get ill if you eat more!”. And then there were parents who were dressing and undressing the kids. Running after them with sandwiches. Going with them to the ice-cream parlor just few steps away. Or have them wear shoes all the time.

By over-protecting your kid you are doing great damage to his self-esteem and his self-worth. You are taking away his power to do the things his way and to learn by doing. And you are depriving him of some great experiences.
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When we have our own kids, we want them to raise into responsible, accountable human beings, but very often parents limit the children’ power to express themselves and to take charge. We tell them what to do and how to do it. Some parents might argue that we are trying to protect them from the dangers of the world, but by doing so we are taking away their control and self-esteem. Parents need to learn to give the kids responsibility for their lives.

Here are few ways how you can do it from early years on.

When the kids are really small they depend on you and your care. But as soon as they can do something by their own, let them do it. Encourage their trying and efforts. Just like we are enthusiastic about walking, speaking and riding a bike, teach them other smaller tasks like dressing up, eating, putting away toys etc. with the same enthusiasm.
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Did you ever heard of Laughter (or Laughing) Yoga?

It is a combination of laughing and yoga breathing and it is based on the assumption that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter, and that their physiological and psychological benefits are thus identical. People get together just to laugh, which is stimulated by eye staring and playfulness.

Ever noticed that the children are naturals for this? They make funny faces, quirky noises and peculiar moves and I’m sure your child would love to laugh along, if you make those.

So, when you have a few minutes, make your child ROFWL (roll on floor with laughter).

Did you like it? Please share your comments below!

You might also like other 49 ideas and activities in the “50 Law of Attraction Games for Children” workbook to help you teaching children while you play.

Picture yourself vividly as winning, and that alone will contribute immeasurably to success.

Harry Emerson Fosdick

I was working in our garden the other day and Tina was jumping and running around. The weeds were overgrowing our grass and I was thinking how our lives are much like the garden. You have to nurture it and constantly removing the weeds (negative thoughts), that are coming from our environment (neighbours, or even from air..lol).

But then when I stretched my back, I got alert to Tina’s playing. She was kicking the ball and trying to hit the goal. After some time watching, I realized she is pretending to be two teams playing against each other. “They” all ran around, hitting and kicking the ball, trying to score the goal. And the result was really tight all the time. But at the end of the game of course that Tina won and she was jumping around doing deep bows. It was really fun to watch.

I realized how kids are confident about themselves and how they think of themselves as invincible. They always win in their games. When do we loose this feeling of being the best? How come that we allow our fears and negative beliefs to overcome our winning attitude? We let the weeds overgrow our flowers?

And it happens that the same night we watched “Slovenia’s got Talent” (oh, yes, we have that one too). The winner was little 7-year old Lina. She really has beautiful voice and she is a little princess. But what I noticed the most was how easily she performed, not affected by all the buzz and fuzz around the competition. She was cute and sweet but she was doing what she loves doing most and she was also very confident and mature.

And I thought:
That’s what we owe to the children, to keep their confidence, self-esteem and faith untouched.

Think about it! Are you supporting or limiting your child? How do you do it?

I would really love to hear your ideas and opinions, so leave the comment below.

I always tell my daughters to go for their dreams, to reach for the impossible and to always try the unknown.

This last one is especially true for the food. I am really proud that they eat everything – they love vegetables, fruits, even fish and mussels. I met many parents and they were complaining how their children are picky. And then when we discussed it, it turns out that they were picky too. How could they expect from children to eat everything when they are not?

I guess I was lucky because my father was always bringing recipes home from his business trips and my mother was a great cook, so we ate all kind of things. And that’s why I love trying new tastes and foreign cuisines. And so are my daughters. 

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“As simple as it sounds, we all must try to be the best person we can: by making the best choices, by making the most of the talents we’ve been given.” Mary Lou Retton

Do you have any predetermined ideas about your child’s ability and competence? Like he’s no good for math? Or he will never be good at sports?

I must admit when I saw my children grow, I created a picture in my head, that Anja (older daughter) will never be good at sports. She was fleshy. And clumsy. She dropped the ball even when thrown from close range. I was sure she would not even attend any sport.  But then she started swimming and she is good at it. She excels at the school athletic competition, and she loves to run. I was also sure that she would never sacrifice anything of her comfort for the sport. But then she goes to practice every day, sometimes even in the morning at 6 a.m. And her competitions took her all weekends, but she enjoys them.

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“As a kid growing up in the back streets of Dublin I used to pretend I was playing in the World Cup with my mates out on the streets, and now I will be doing it for real.” Robbie Keane

You know me, I’m always looking for ways and opportunities to teach my children some valuable life lessons. These lessons are sometimes big and sometimes small, but they all add up to children’s lives.

And one of the games we play lately is Family Diner. I call it a “reality” game. Let me explain.

We were watching “Hell’s Kitchen” regularly and the kids loved it. I tried to ignore all of the cursing and bad words, but they knew them already:) We discussed the competition and cooperation of the contestants, how they fit together, what was their attitude and motivation.

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Isn’t the start of the Spring more like the start of the new life than New Year?

I always liked the spring more. There is so much fuss around New Year that we easily forget our own goals and visions. Or we got caught in the New Years Resolutions that are made just because they are so much talked about. And we all know how easily we forget all about them.

But the spring represents new growth, bursting and evolving. Look at all the flowers and trees around you.

There are many traditions around the world that celebrate the spring. Starting with the Carnivals in February with different costumes that banishes away the Winter to Valentine’s day and Easter.

But here in Slovenia we have a traditional holiday similar to a Valentine’s day and it is called Gregorjevo (St.Gregory Day). It is the day, when in the Gregorian Calendar the spring begins. On the eve of the day, miniature boats and floating houses with lit candles are released into the river. It is said that all the problems and worries associated with the cold are washed away. 

To see pictures of what I’m talking about, visit my friend’s photoblog.

So let’s release our worries and start to see our new beginnings. What parts of our life we want to grow this year? What do we need to do? Do you need any "fertilizers" – friends, teachers, books or courses to help you get there? It’s perfect time to set our goals and dreams for the future.

Let’s start growing…

“It is you (the athletes) who redefine the possible,” said IPC President Sir Philip Craven. “You succeed by focusing your minds, driving your bodies and achieving what many would consider the impossible.”

The main euphoria around the Winter Olympic Games is long gone, but there are another games going on, that should deserve more attention and even more support. Yes, I’m talking about Paralympic Games, that started yesterday.

I admit, I have almost no experience with handicapped people. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t see and appreciate them or their efforts to run normal lives. I am always amazed how much energy and positivity they have. I admire their attitude toward life, how they are really making every minute count and how they are enjoying one day at the time.

Use this worldly event to teach your child about the limitless dreams they can have. And how the impossible is just a word. It becomes impossible because we made it so. And reaching for the stars is not as easy but as reachable as sitting in front of TV. Yet it gives you so much more joy, pleasure and happiness of fulfilling your dreams.

I praise you all that are willing and prepared to follow your passion.

To learn more about Paralympic Games, visit their official site http://www.vancouver2010.com/paralympic-games/