Here are the activities in your community this month.
The Tour of Utah Bike Race will be heading through Davis County on Friday August 5th. Check your city website for expected time of arrival in your neighborhood.
The Davis County Fair will be held August 16th through the 19th at the County Fairgrounds in Farmington. General Admission is free.
North Salt Lake:
August 4th - Movie in the Park at Hatch Park at 8:30 pm "Sing"
August 9th - Night Out Against Crime and Movie in the Park at Legacy Park from 6:00 to 10:00 pm
August 11th - Movie in the Park at Hatch Park at 8:30 pm "Moana"
August 18th and 19th - Polynesian Cultural Festival at Legacy Park. Activity will be from 4:00 to 10:00 pm on Friday and 9:00 am to 10:00 pm on Saturday.
Woods Cross:
August 14th - Movie in the Park at Hogan Park at dusk. "ET"
Fruit Heights:
August 5th - Founders Day at Nichols Park from 5:30 to 10:00 pm
August 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th - Food Truck Night at 910 South Mountain Road from 5:00 - 9:00 pm
Kaysville:
August 19th - Movie in the Park at Heritage Park at 9:00 pm "Lego Batman"
August 26th - Cool Cars, Cold Cones at Heritage Park from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Layton:
August 5th - Movie in the Park at Kenley Amphitheater at 7:00 pm "The Sword in the Stone"
August 11th - Movie in the Park at Kenley Amphitheater at 7:00 pm "The Many Adventure of Winnie the Pooh"
August 18th - Movie in the Park at Kenley Amphitheater at 7:00 pm "Pollyanna"
August 25th - Movie in the Park at Kenley Amphitheater at 7:00 pm "The Apple Dumpling Gang"
Clinton:
August 25th - Back to School Movie in the Park at Civic Center Park.
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Not Naughty: 10 Ways Kids Appear to be Acting Bad But Aren't
This is a reprint of an article found on www.psychologytoday.com.
Here are 10 ways kids may seem like they’re acting "naughty," but really aren’t. When we recognize kids' unwelcome behaviors as reactions to environmental conditions, developmental phases, or our own actions, it lets us respond proactively, and with much more compassion.
1. Not controlling impulses.
Ever say to your kid, “Don’t throw that!” and they throw it anyway? Research suggests that the brain regions involved in self-control are immature at birth and don’t fully mature until the end of adolescence, which explains why developing self-control is a “long, slow process” (Tarullo, Obradovic, & Gunna, 2009, 31). A recent survey revealed that many parents assume children can do things at earlier ages than child-development experts know to be true. For example, 56 percent of parents felt that children under the age of 3 should be able to resist the desire to do something forbidden, whereas most children don’t master this skill until age three-and-a-half or four (Zero to Three, 2016). Reminding ourselves that kids can't always manage impulses (because their brains aren't fully developed) can inspire gentler reactions to their behavior.
2. Overstimulation.
We take our kids to Target, the park, and their sister’s play in a single morning, and inevitably see meltdowns, hyperactivity, or outright resistance. Jam-packed schedules, overstimulation, and exhaustion are hallmarks of modern family life. Research suggests that 28 percent of Americans “always feel rushed” and 45 percent report having “no excess time” (Robinson, 2013). Kim John Payne, author of Simplicity Parenting, argues that children experience a “cumulative stress reaction” from too much enrichment, activity, choice, and toys. He asserts that kids need tons of “down time” to balance their “up time” (Payne, 2010). When we build in plenty of quiet time, playtime, and rest time, children’s behavior often improves dramatically.
3. Core conditions.
Ever been “hangry” — angry because you’re hungry — or completely out of patience due to sleep deprivation? Little kids are affected tenfold by such “core conditions” of being tired, hungry, thirsty, over-sugared, or sick. Kids' ability to manage emotions and behavior is greatly diminished when they're tired. Many parents also notice a sharp change in children’s behavior about an hour before meals, if they woke up in the night, or if they are coming down with an illness. Kids can’t always communicate or “help themselves” to a snack, a Tylenol, water, or a nap like adults can.
4. Expression of big feelings.
As adults, we’ve been taught to tame and hide our big emotions, often by stuffing them, displacing them, or distracting from them. Kids can’t do that yet. Early childhood educator Janet Lansbury has a great phrase for when kids display powerful feelings such as screaming, yelling, or crying. She suggests that parents “Let feelings be” by not reacting or punishing kids when they express powerful emotions.
5. Developmental need for tons of movement.
“Sit still!" "Stop chasing your brother around the table!" "Stop sword fighting with those pieces of cardboard!" "Stop jumping off the couch!” Kids have a developmental need for tons of movement. They have a tremendous need to spend time outside, ride bikes and scooters, do rough and tumble play, crawl under things, swing from things, jump off things, and race around things. Instead of calling a child "bad" when they’re acting energetic, it may be better to organize a quick trip to the playground or a stroll around the block.
6. Developmentally-wired to resist and become independent.
Every 40- and 50-degree day resulted in an argument at one family’s home. A first-grader insisted that it was warm enough to wear shorts, while mom said the temperature called for pants. Erik Erikson’s (1963) model posits that toddlers try to do things for themselves, and that preschoolers take initiative and carry out their own plans. Even though it’s annoying when a child picks your tomatoes while they’re still green, cuts their own hair, or makes a fort with 8 freshly-washed sheets, they’re doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing—trying to carry out their own plans, separate, make their own decisions, and become their own little independent people.
7. Core strengths that trip them up.
We all have core strengths that can also trip us up. Maybe we’re incredibly focused, but can’t transition very easily. Maybe we’re intuitive and sensitive, but take on other people’s negative moods like a sponge. Kids are similar: They may be driven in school, but have difficulty coping when they mess up (e.g. yelling when they make a mistake). They may be cautious and safe, but resistant to new activities (e.g. refusing to go to baseball practice). They may live in the moment, but aren't that organized (e.g. letting their bedroom floor become covered with toys). Recognizing when a child's unwelcome behaviors are really the flip side of their strengths—just like ours—can help us react with more understanding.
8. Fierce need for play.
Your kid paints her face with yogurt, wants you to chase her and "catch her" when you're trying to brush her teeth, or puts on daddy's shoes instead of her own when you're racing out the door. Some of kids' seemingly "bad" behaviors are what John Gottman calls "bids" for you to play with them. Kids love to be silly and goofy. They delight in the connection that comes from shared laughter and love the elements of novelty, surprise, and excitement. Play often takes extra time and therefore gets in the way of parents' own timelines and agendas, which may look like resistance and naughtiness even when it's not. When parents build lots of playtime into the day, kids don't need to beg for it so hard when you're trying to get them out the door.
9. Reaction to parents’ moods.
Multiple research studies on emotional contagion have found that it only takes milliseconds for emotions like enthusiasm and joy, as well as sadness, fear, and anger, to pass from person to person, and this often occurs without either person realizing it (Goleman, 1991, Hatfield et al., 2014). Kids especially pick up on their parents’ moods. If we are stressed, distracted, down, or always-on-the-verge-of-frustrated, kids emulate these moods. When we are peaceful and grounded, kids model off that instead.
10. Response to inconsistent limits.
At one ball game, you buy your kid M & Ms. At the next, you say, “No, it’ll ruin your dinner,” and your kid screams and whines. One night you read your kids five books, but the next you insist you only have time to read one, and they beg for more. When parents are inconsistent with limits, it naturally sets off kids’ frustration and invites whining, crying, or yelling. Just like adults, kids want (and need) to know what to expect. Any effort toward being 100 percent consistent with boundaries, limits, and routines will seriously improve children’s behavior.
Copyright 2017 Erin Leyba, PhD
Parts of this blog post have been excerpted from the book Joy Fixes for Weary Parents.
Erin Leyba, LCSW, PhD, the author of Joy Fixes for Weary Parents, is a counselor in Chicago's western suburbs www.erinleyba.com Follow Joy Fixes on Facebook.
Monday, July 10, 2017
Do You Ever Wonder What Your Child is Thinking?
As the parent of a toddler, your big adult mind is always trying to make
sense of what’s going through their tiny kid one. “Why are you flopping
on the ground?” “Why are you biting me for no particular reason?” “Why
are you peeing yourself while maintaining eye contact?” The biggest issue
is that you don’t know what they’re thinking, and they can’t tell you yet. But
science can.
sense of what’s going through their tiny kid one. “Why are you flopping
on the ground?” “Why are you biting me for no particular reason?” “Why
are you peeing yourself while maintaining eye contact?” The biggest issue
is that you don’t know what they’re thinking, and they can’t tell you yet. But
science can.
Dr. Dean Burnett, a neuroscientist (and author of the Idiot Brain, and
Guardian columnist who moonlights as a stand-up comic), says that the
early days of brain development are fascinating because all of the connections
needed throughout life are forming and coming together. Dr. Burnett is also
father to a 4-year-old son and a one-year-old daughter, so this is basically
applied science. Here’s why your kid’s still-forming gray matter makes their
behavior anything but black and white.
Guardian columnist who moonlights as a stand-up comic), says that the
early days of brain development are fascinating because all of the connections
needed throughout life are forming and coming together. Dr. Burnett is also
father to a 4-year-old son and a one-year-old daughter, so this is basically
applied science. Here’s why your kid’s still-forming gray matter makes their
behavior anything but black and white.
Your Kid Is Dory From Finding Nemo
Adults have mental models based on experience and the memory of how
things should work. These are schemas to organize situations. Young children
don’t. “Everything for toddlers is new and exciting; they don’t have a wealth of
experience on how to judge things,” says Dr. Burnett. In fact, kids younger than
7 are basically hardwired to not store many memories. Since they’re not Arnold
Schwarzenegger, you can’t assume a child will have total, or even partial, recall.
things should work. These are schemas to organize situations. Young children
don’t. “Everything for toddlers is new and exciting; they don’t have a wealth of
experience on how to judge things,” says Dr. Burnett. In fact, kids younger than
7 are basically hardwired to not store many memories. Since they’re not Arnold
Schwarzenegger, you can’t assume a child will have total, or even partial, recall.
Repetition Vs. Comprehension
The brain doesn’t grow in the exact same way as the rest of the body. A kid can
master crawling through repetition, but that doesn’t mean they will grasp the
concept of why they need to put on shoes. What toddlers do understand is that
when something is different than the day before, it sets them off. “All the
connections in their brains aren’t made yet,” says Dr. Burnett. “When their
expectations aren’t met, toddlers have lost control. They don’t know how to react,
so they get distressed and sound the alarm bells because you’ve given them a red
sippy cup instead of the green one.” (To be fair, that red sippy cup is superior.)
master crawling through repetition, but that doesn’t mean they will grasp the
concept of why they need to put on shoes. What toddlers do understand is that
when something is different than the day before, it sets them off. “All the
connections in their brains aren’t made yet,” says Dr. Burnett. “When their
expectations aren’t met, toddlers have lost control. They don’t know how to react,
so they get distressed and sound the alarm bells because you’ve given them a red
sippy cup instead of the green one.” (To be fair, that red sippy cup is superior.)
Small Brains Work Twice As Hard
“There’s actually a lot more connections in a child’s brain than in adult one,” says
Dr. Burnett. “It isn’t until adolescence that the process of pruning begins, whereby
the brain starts losing memories that aren’t ever activated to be more efficient.”
Yes, your toddler is processing too much, not too little, which should blow both
your minds. Conversely, teens are doing a ton of pruning, which is why they’re
always sleeping instead of mowing the lawn.
Dr. Burnett. “It isn’t until adolescence that the process of pruning begins, whereby
the brain starts losing memories that aren’t ever activated to be more efficient.”
Yes, your toddler is processing too much, not too little, which should blow both
your minds. Conversely, teens are doing a ton of pruning, which is why they’re
always sleeping instead of mowing the lawn.
It’s All Fight Or Flight
There’s a safety detection system that resides deep within the brain, right around
the hippocampus, which triggers the “fight or flight” response to high-stress situations.
Some of the potentially-lethal things to avoid are part of the evolutionary process (spiders,
snakes), while others are learned human behaviors (roller coasters, Phish concerts).
A young child’s brain doesn’t recognize the difference. What’s benign to grown-
ups isn’t necessarily to toddlers. “They don’t know when a thing is harmless, they
just know it’s unfamiliar, which can set them off,” says Dr. Burnett.
the hippocampus, which triggers the “fight or flight” response to high-stress situations.
Some of the potentially-lethal things to avoid are part of the evolutionary process (spiders,
snakes), while others are learned human behaviors (roller coasters, Phish concerts).
A young child’s brain doesn’t recognize the difference. What’s benign to grown-
ups isn’t necessarily to toddlers. “They don’t know when a thing is harmless, they
just know it’s unfamiliar, which can set them off,” says Dr. Burnett.
The Evolution Of Screaming
Your toddler’s freak-out over anything (everything?) is to be expected. It’s a form of
self-preservation. “From an evolutionary standpoint, part of the reason a child cries
and throws a tantrum is to get the most possible attention from an adult within a
group or community,” says Dr. Burnett. Flailing and wailing can both scare off
predators and call an adult, which makes screaming fits a biological imperative. You
can share this exciting scientific discovery the next time you bring your kid on a
plane.
self-preservation. “From an evolutionary standpoint, part of the reason a child cries
and throws a tantrum is to get the most possible attention from an adult within a
group or community,” says Dr. Burnett. Flailing and wailing can both scare off
predators and call an adult, which makes screaming fits a biological imperative. You
can share this exciting scientific discovery the next time you bring your kid on a
plane.
They’re Not Tasting Broccoli The Same Way
We all want to teach our kids to be good eaters. But, there’s a cerebral reason
children prefer birthday cake over, say, broccoli cake. “Toddlers have different taste
sensations, foods can be more vivid for them, so spinach and broccoli may be
more bitter or sharp, says Dr. Burnett. “As opposed to ice cream, which is full of
sugar. The brain likes it because it’s high energy, so treats will be sought out.” Well,
if nature says you should eat this doughnut …
children prefer birthday cake over, say, broccoli cake. “Toddlers have different taste
sensations, foods can be more vivid for them, so spinach and broccoli may be
more bitter or sharp, says Dr. Burnett. “As opposed to ice cream, which is full of
sugar. The brain likes it because it’s high energy, so treats will be sought out.” Well,
if nature says you should eat this doughnut …
Doomed to Repeat the Past, Only Louder
You thought that, as kids move out of the toddler years, things get more mature.
Wrong. As their brains form more permanent memories, kids can be even harder to
handle. “At, say 5 years old, children have a base level of understanding, which
can make crying fits worse because they have a sense of how things should go,”
says Burnett. Tantrums may be infrequent, but they can be doozies because kids,
like adults, have to work through their anger. It’s the difference between a toddler
melting down for a minute before being distracted by a shiny object, versus a
kindergartener’s entire world collapsing when you turn off Doc McStuffins.
Wrong. As their brains form more permanent memories, kids can be even harder to
handle. “At, say 5 years old, children have a base level of understanding, which
can make crying fits worse because they have a sense of how things should go,”
says Burnett. Tantrums may be infrequent, but they can be doozies because kids,
like adults, have to work through their anger. It’s the difference between a toddler
melting down for a minute before being distracted by a shiny object, versus a
kindergartener’s entire world collapsing when you turn off Doc McStuffins.
The Good Will Hunting Takeaway
A toddler’s head is a complex place. But think about how chaotic your fully-formed
brain can be — and you’ve had 30 to 40 years operating it. Dr. Burnett says parents
should always remember, it’s not their fault. “They don’t mean it,” he says. “They
don’t want to keep you up all night, ruin your schedule, or make your life actively
harder.” Or maybe science just hasn’t discovered your kid’s long con, yet.
brain can be — and you’ve had 30 to 40 years operating it. Dr. Burnett says parents
should always remember, it’s not their fault. “They don’t mean it,” he says. “They
don’t want to keep you up all night, ruin your schedule, or make your life actively
harder.” Or maybe science just hasn’t discovered your kid’s long con, yet.
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Massage to Relax a Crying or Fussy Baby
This is an article from sharably.co. Have you tried reflexology to soothe your little one?
Reflexology is the ancient art of using pressure points throughout the body to relieve pain, and it can be a natural alternative for those looking to alleviate pain. People are looking to help their little children through reflexology, especially when it comes to little babies that are still adjusting to being in their new world.
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Source: Rollercoaster.ie
We’ve listed six ways to help your young children with pain below. Reflexology experts also note that before starting the massage, the baby should be relaxed and encourage blood flow with a foot rub or with a warm bath.
1) Head and Teeth Ache
Babies will often have head and teeth pain. If you notice your child having these pains, massage the tips of their toes! This can be done while they are sleeping as well.
2) Sinus Pain
Sinus pain can be annoying as an adult, but for babies that have never experienced it before, it can be pure agony. For relief, massage the center underside of your baby’s toes.Apply a gentle pressure to provide pain relief!
3) Chest
When your child is going through congestion in the chest, relief can be found on the pads of the feet, just under the toes and above the arch. Apply gentle pressure and massage in a circular motion to relieve congestion and coughing problems.
4) Stomach Pain (solar plexus)
For the children suffering from upset tummies, spasms, tightness and trouble breathing, massage the center of the foot below the pads of the feet where the arch begins to get relief. This area is connected to the Solar Plexus, a collection of nerves between the stomach and lungs
5) Abdomen Pain (Upper and Lower)
For constipation, heartburn, and indigestion, massage the space between the middle of your child’s foot and the pads of their feet. If the baby is having pains from gas and bloating in the lower intestine, massage between the middle of their feet and heel.
6) Pelvis
Babies can sometimes grow faster than certain parts of their body is ready for, and pain in the hips can be a common issue for young ones. Rub the heel to help with this problem! The heel can be helpful for constipation and upset stomachs as well!
While serious issues should always be consulted with a medical doctor, little everyday issues can be helped with reflexology. Try these out to help your little ones throughout their day!
Thursday, June 29, 2017
July Community Activities
There is a lot going on in July! I hope you can find something great for your family to enjoy!
North Salt Lake:
July 3 - Food, music, entertainment and games at the golf course beginning at 5:00 pm with fireworks at approximately 10:00 pm.
Woods Cross:
July 10 - Movie in the Park - Moana. Starts at dusk.
West Bountiful:
July 3 - Celebration at City Park. Food trucks will be available.
6:00 pm - Safety Fair
7:00 pm - Concert
10:00 pm - Fireworks
July 4 - Independence Day Parade beginning at 10:30 am. The parade goes from the corner of 800 West and 400 North, north to Pages Lane and east to 600 West then north to City Park. Following the parade there will be park events for the kids to enjoy. Food trucks will be available.
Bountiful:
July 21 - Parade on Main Street from 1500 South to 400 North then west to 100 West beginning at 6:00 pm.
Noon to 9:30 pm - Food, rides and games in Bountiful City Park.
10:00 pm - Fireworks at Mueller Park Junior High.
July 22 - Rides, games and entertainment at Bountiful City Park from 8:45 am to 5:00 pm.
Centerville:
July 3 - Founders Park Outdoor Festival from 5:00 pm to dusk. Food, booths and games.
6:40 pm - Children's Parade - line up in the church parking lot at 160 South 200 East
9:45 pm - Fireworks at Founders Park.
July 4 - Centerville Parade at 9:00 am. From Pages Lane and Main Street north to 1400 North.
9:00 am to 2:00 pm - Outdoor Festival with games and activities at Founder's Park.
Farmington:
July 5 - Kids' Bike Parade at 7:30 pm at Forbush Park.
Dusk - Movie Night at Forbush Park - "Fly Me To The Moon".
July 8 - Farmington Festival Days Parade at 10:00 am. From 500 north Main to 200 South 200 West.
11:00 am to 10:00 pm - Festival Booths and Entertainment at Forbush Park.
6:00 pm - Free ice cream in the park.
10:00 pm - Fireworks at Forbush Park.
Kaysville:
July 4 - Kaysville Parade begins at 11:00 am. Regular parade is followed by the water parade.
5:00 pm - Family Festival in the DATC Basin.
10:00 pm Fireworks Spectacular at DATC.
Layton:
July 4 - Liberty Days Activities.
10:15 am - Kids Bike Parade at Layton Commons Park.
10:30 am - Parade begins at Layton Commons Park.
12:30 pm to 10:00 pm - Children's Carnival at Layton Commons Park.
Syracuse:
July 1 - Parade begins at 9:00 am.
All Day - Carnival at Founder's Park.
Dusk - Fireworks at Founder's Park.
Clearfield:
July 4 - Parade on Clearfield's State Street begins at 9:30 am.
5:00 pm - Festival at Fisher Park.
10:00 pm - Fireworks.
Clinton:
July 12 - July 15 - Clinton Heritage Days
July 15 - Parade begins at 9:00 am followed by the Fire Department's Spray and Play on the Tennis Courts at Civic Center Park.
10:00 pm - Fireworks at Civic Center Park.
Sunset:
July 28 - July 29 - Sunset Fun Days Activities
July 29 - Fun Days Parade begins at 10:00 am.
South Weber:
July 29 - August 4 - Country Fair Days Activities.
North Salt Lake:
July 3 - Food, music, entertainment and games at the golf course beginning at 5:00 pm with fireworks at approximately 10:00 pm.
Woods Cross:
July 10 - Movie in the Park - Moana. Starts at dusk.
July 3 - Celebration at City Park. Food trucks will be available.
6:00 pm - Safety Fair
7:00 pm - Concert
10:00 pm - Fireworks
July 4 - Independence Day Parade beginning at 10:30 am. The parade goes from the corner of 800 West and 400 North, north to Pages Lane and east to 600 West then north to City Park. Following the parade there will be park events for the kids to enjoy. Food trucks will be available.
Bountiful:
July 21 - Parade on Main Street from 1500 South to 400 North then west to 100 West beginning at 6:00 pm.
Noon to 9:30 pm - Food, rides and games in Bountiful City Park.
10:00 pm - Fireworks at Mueller Park Junior High.
July 22 - Rides, games and entertainment at Bountiful City Park from 8:45 am to 5:00 pm.
Centerville:
July 3 - Founders Park Outdoor Festival from 5:00 pm to dusk. Food, booths and games.
6:40 pm - Children's Parade - line up in the church parking lot at 160 South 200 East
9:45 pm - Fireworks at Founders Park.
July 4 - Centerville Parade at 9:00 am. From Pages Lane and Main Street north to 1400 North.
9:00 am to 2:00 pm - Outdoor Festival with games and activities at Founder's Park.
Farmington:
July 5 - Kids' Bike Parade at 7:30 pm at Forbush Park.
Dusk - Movie Night at Forbush Park - "Fly Me To The Moon".
July 8 - Farmington Festival Days Parade at 10:00 am. From 500 north Main to 200 South 200 West.
11:00 am to 10:00 pm - Festival Booths and Entertainment at Forbush Park.
6:00 pm - Free ice cream in the park.
10:00 pm - Fireworks at Forbush Park.
Kaysville:
July 4 - Kaysville Parade begins at 11:00 am. Regular parade is followed by the water parade.
5:00 pm - Family Festival in the DATC Basin.
10:00 pm Fireworks Spectacular at DATC.
Layton:
July 4 - Liberty Days Activities.
10:15 am - Kids Bike Parade at Layton Commons Park.
10:30 am - Parade begins at Layton Commons Park.
12:30 pm to 10:00 pm - Children's Carnival at Layton Commons Park.
Syracuse:
July 1 - Parade begins at 9:00 am.
All Day - Carnival at Founder's Park.
Dusk - Fireworks at Founder's Park.
Clearfield:
July 4 - Parade on Clearfield's State Street begins at 9:30 am.
5:00 pm - Festival at Fisher Park.
10:00 pm - Fireworks.
Clinton:
July 12 - July 15 - Clinton Heritage Days
July 15 - Parade begins at 9:00 am followed by the Fire Department's Spray and Play on the Tennis Courts at Civic Center Park.
10:00 pm - Fireworks at Civic Center Park.
Sunset:
July 28 - July 29 - Sunset Fun Days Activities
July 29 - Fun Days Parade begins at 10:00 am.
South Weber:
July 29 - August 4 - Country Fair Days Activities.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
The Value of Make-Believe
This is an excerpt from Toddler 411 by Denise Fields and Ari Brown, M.D.
Do you remember playing dress up or cops and robbers as a little kid? Of course, you do. Kids love to pretend, if given the opportunity. Why the heck do kids do this? And why is it important that we give them the opportunity?
Kids like to pretend because it gives them the chance to work out situations they experience in real life. This is part of normal development. And it's a red flag if a child doesn't pretend, imitate, or have "symbolic" play.
Psychologists think pretend play helps kids develop critical thinking skills and something called "self-regulation." A self-regulated child controls his behavior and emotion. Self-regulated kids not only do better in school, with lower dropout rates, but they succeed on all levels of development.
Some researches feel that the changes in the way children have played over the past 60 years has taken its toll on children's emotional and intellectual development. As kids play more with structured toys and less with just their imaginations, self-regulation has declined. Translation: lots of expensive "developmental" toys aren't necessarily a good thing.
When kids play independently and pretend, they make up their own rules and follow them. They talk to themselves about what they are doing. That inner voice equates to self-regulation. As a child gets older, he has more elaborate pretend play with other kids. He has to act out his role, remember what the other actors are doing, and improvise on the plot twists. That requires self-control.
As one developmental researcher, Dr. Adele Diamond, points out, we might have fewer kids diagnosed with ADHD if more kids learned self-regulation as toddlers and preschoolers.
The message: just let your kid keep on pretending. . . and give him the free time to do it.
Do you remember playing dress up or cops and robbers as a little kid? Of course, you do. Kids love to pretend, if given the opportunity. Why the heck do kids do this? And why is it important that we give them the opportunity?
Kids like to pretend because it gives them the chance to work out situations they experience in real life. This is part of normal development. And it's a red flag if a child doesn't pretend, imitate, or have "symbolic" play.
Psychologists think pretend play helps kids develop critical thinking skills and something called "self-regulation." A self-regulated child controls his behavior and emotion. Self-regulated kids not only do better in school, with lower dropout rates, but they succeed on all levels of development.
Some researches feel that the changes in the way children have played over the past 60 years has taken its toll on children's emotional and intellectual development. As kids play more with structured toys and less with just their imaginations, self-regulation has declined. Translation: lots of expensive "developmental" toys aren't necessarily a good thing.
When kids play independently and pretend, they make up their own rules and follow them. They talk to themselves about what they are doing. That inner voice equates to self-regulation. As a child gets older, he has more elaborate pretend play with other kids. He has to act out his role, remember what the other actors are doing, and improvise on the plot twists. That requires self-control.
As one developmental researcher, Dr. Adele Diamond, points out, we might have fewer kids diagnosed with ADHD if more kids learned self-regulation as toddlers and preschoolers.
The message: just let your kid keep on pretending. . . and give him the free time to do it.
Monday, June 5, 2017
June Community Activities
School is out! Finally, we have outside weather! Here are some activities to enjoy in your community this month.
West Bountiful - Free day at the Rec Center on June 17th beginning at 8:00 am for residents of West Bountiful. The day ends with a free movie night on the outdoor pool deck. Family activities begin at 8:30 pm with the movie starting around 9:00 (The Jungle Book). Proof of address is required.
Bountiful - Coats for Kids Car Show on June 16th from 6:00 to 9:00 pm and June 17th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Syracuse - Heritage Days are June 24th through July 1st.
Remember the Library Story Times and Movies in the Park.
West Bountiful - Free day at the Rec Center on June 17th beginning at 8:00 am for residents of West Bountiful. The day ends with a free movie night on the outdoor pool deck. Family activities begin at 8:30 pm with the movie starting around 9:00 (The Jungle Book). Proof of address is required.
Bountiful - Coats for Kids Car Show on June 16th from 6:00 to 9:00 pm and June 17th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Syracuse - Heritage Days are June 24th through July 1st.
Remember the Library Story Times and Movies in the Park.
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