Parenting With Teacher Nancy

Discussion for Thursday (9/24) and  Monday (9/28) A child's brain is amazing.  It is a learning machine where development depends on the loving responses they receive.  There's a good chunk in the article on Language Development and how children learn sooner than we think. The First Year: A baby's brain needs love to develop. National Geographic Magazine   A well timed loving caress promotes language development.  Responding to your child's babbling with a touch or caress is a way to "Serve and Return."  Po Bronson's and Ashley Merryman's book,  Nurture Shock , has an incredible chapter on Language Development called "Why Hannah Talks and Alyssa Doesn't".  This is not to be missed, see the hand out in class. Talking Toddlers:  Seven Tips to Help Develop Language Skills By Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman (Every semester I post these articles, it's worth the read.) Consider This: What can you do begin to do to help yo

Discussion for Thursday (9/17) and  Monday (9/21) Now that you've made a family mission statement , it's time to anchor your mission into family rituals.  Put what you believe into practice.  These practices that have meaning, are symbolic of your family values, and help form your child's identity.  The research continually shows that kids who practice family rituals are more resilient in times of trauma and can be more emotionally stable .  Rituals can be practiced daily, weekly, monthly, seasonally and annually.  And while you're at it, think about your family narrative, as discussed in the article below. The Stories That Bind Us Why Do Families Need Rituals? Consider This: What  family rituals did you practice in your family growing up that you want to incorporate in your life with your child? What are new rituals you would like to begin? All Joy and No Fun, by Jennifer Senior Book Discussion This week we will discuss Chapter 1, at 9:40 in the morn