Parenting With Teacher Nancy

Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children's Entertainment's (TRUCE's) guides to media.  These are a bit dated, but still good ideas. Media and Young Children Action Guide More TRUCE Resources on Media Extras: Nancy's children's favorite longest use toys:  Waldorf inspired silk cloths (Playsilks) Student Recommended resource of these toys

It's too easy to say "No" to our children.  In fact, a toddler hears the word no an average of 400 times in one day.  Hearing the word "no"too much can have negative effects. There are other ways to communicate the action you prefer when children are behaving in an undesirable way.   Seven Positive Alternatives to No   Say "Yes" Instead of "No': Set Limits With A Conditional Yes  Words That Help Children Grow Extras: How to Turn Your No Into A Yes

The science of language development in children shows that it's not just about talking to your children, but about responding to them.  A physical response, without a verbal one also can encourage language.  Check out these two articles... The Baby Brain - Language Connection Neuroscience Peeks in on the Beginnings of Speech and Vocabulary 11 Ways To Jumpstart Infant Language Skills Consider This: How can you help your children develop their language BOOK DISCUSSION This coming week, beginning 17, we will conclude our discussion on the book Bringing Up B é b é, by Pamela Druckerman .  Bring your thoughts and questions. CLASS ANNOUNCEMENT October 26, 27 and 31st will be our dress up Halloween Party Potluck days.  Here's your chance to get maximum use out of those costumes, and please bring food to share.

Routines are included in "Four Pillars of Security" for children (the other three are people, places and rituals ).  Routines structure lives, and helps remove the 'unknowns' that can cause stress. It also helps build self-discipline and autonomy in children.  I personally like to think of daily routines not as a 'schedule' but more as a  'rhythm' for the day.  Be careful not to get dogmatic about routines, because often, as parents, you have to go with the flow; things happen and children grow and change.  Make sure you can still be flexible within your routine. The best thing you can do for your children is to manage stress , so do not create a routine that is stress inducing. Why Kids Need Routines Extras: For more inspiration on how to structure a routine that works for your family: Building an evening routine for kids of different ages» Starting a routine» Routines & Structure that Toddlers Can Understand» ...

Here's your chance to process your ideas on your family and parenting purpose.  This article gives twenty questions that you can answer with or without your co-parent, that will help you narrow in on what is most important in your family, or what you would like to make important.  As you read this article, take everything with a grain of salt, and use it as you wish.  I think what's most important is that we process these ideas and not idolize the product (a mission/purpose statement).  Your statement can change over the course of time, but processing these ideas gives you a goal to work towards in the meanwhile.  It's all about the journey. Create a Family Mission Statement Consider This: Take time to answer the twenty questions in the article. Discuss them with your co-parent, partner, spouse or a good friend. BOOK DISCUSSION This semester we are reading  Bringing Up B é b é, by Pamela Druckerman .  This week, the week of September 26, we wi...

We're looking at Scientific America's idea on What Makes a Good Parent.  They refer to the ten competencies and essential parenting skills. What Makes A Good Parent Scientific American Consider This: Which parenting competencies and essential parenting skills surprised you?  Which ones do you excel in?  What are your areas of growth? BOOK DISCUSSION This semester we are reading  Bringing Up B é b é, by Pamela Druckerman .  We will begin our book discussion this week of September 12 and in class we will discuss the Introduction, french children don't throw food , and Chapters 1 and 2.     Each chapter in Druckerman’s book presents different concepts.  Consider these questions as she presents her ideas of the French way of parenting.  These questions will be the basis of our discussion each week: --What were your ideas of the chapter's concepts before you had a child? --What is your reality of this concept, in other wo...

Enhancing brain development is easier than it seems.  It's not about "teaching" your child, it's about responding to your child.  Being warm, physically affectionate and playing with your child helps stimulate the growth that leads to a strong foundation for brain development.  But beware of over stimulation.  Children don't need constant attention from us, they just need to know that we are there when they need us. Keys to Enhancing Brain Development in Young Children Children's brains are different than adults, that is why the way they learn is different-- through love and affection, playing and new experiences.  "Childhood is not a dress rehearsal for adulthood, nor is it a race.  It is a separate, unique and very special phase of life."  According to Rae Pica, who writes this article... Debunking The Belief That Earlier Is Better CONSIDER THIS... What approach will you take to help develop your child's brain? BOOK DISCUSSION Th...

Welcome to those that are new to the class, and welcome back to everyone else!  You may be familiar with Ages and Stages of your child or seen this handout before, but check it out again.  Your child is growing, so s/he could be at a different stage now compared to when you last looked. Here are resources with a quick overview on your child's development, common issues and what you can do at this stage. Zero to Three Age Based Handouts (0-36 months) Three to Four Year Olds Four to Five Year Olds Consider This: Did anything surprise you about your child's development? Is there any suggestions on the list you want to try? Book Discussion  This semester we will be reading Bringing Up Beb é, by Pamela Druckerman .  We will not look at this as a How-To book, but use it a starting point to reflect on our own parenting ideas and practices that we will discuss in class.  The public library has many copies, as well as electronic versions.  Please ...

Come build a cardboard world at the Asian Art Museum!  Sunday, June 5 at 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Asian Art Museum 200 Larkin St, San Francisco, California 94102 The Box Project returns! Developed by artist Eliza Gregory, parents and children alter and play with reused cardboard boxes as they would at home, but on an unusually grand scale. Stick around for the Moment of Destruction — a chance to summon your inner beast and destroy the projects that were built during the day. Professional parenting educator Nancy Gapasin Gnass curates information about parenting and creativity for participants to take home, and, along with Gregory, is on hand to answer questions and provide an intellectual framework for the experience. The Box Project celebrates acts of creativity that take place in the home by temporarily placi ng them in a museum context to catalyze a conversation about creativity, parenting and the gallery space as a creative hub. The pro...

Now that summer is on the horizon, and since I've been learning to surf, I found this article intriguing: How Parenting Is Like Surfing Parenting young children can feel a lot like surfing: One moment we’re in calm waters, enjoying a harmonious moment with our kids; the next we’re in a riptide, where a preschooler’s meltdown pulls the whole family momentarily out to sea. We have to be nimble, keep our knees bent, and expect the unexpected as we shift between our many roles of monitoring, teaching, enforcing, comforting, playing... More to consider this summer: When Do Children Develop Their Gender Identity  So, how do children come to understand gender ? ... Around that time , they become motivated to relate to other members of their group and ... Enjoy your summer!  See you in the fall! 

Play is essential for a flourishing child.   It develops the brain's executive function , social and emotional skills,  language and physical development, and their ability to have fun. The Importance of Play in Early Childhood Development Why are parents afraid to let kids play?  And why are some parents overprotective?  This article tackles these questions.   I post this article every semester.  For those who haven't read it, please do. The Overprotected Kid

Surprisingly, toddlers understand more about their learning than we think.  They are intuitive about what is right and wrong, and their metacognition helps them analyze their understanding.  They are smart little ones. Studies Show Infants Know More Than We Think  Also surprising, "parents’ sensitivity to justice" play a role in how babies respond to what is good and bad.  As do parents' ability to empathize.  Nature, or nurture, or both? How Parents Influence Early Moral Development

Try these tips.  Your child could increase his vocabulary quickly if you do. Talking Toddlers:  Seven Tips to Help Develop Language Skills By Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman Are you considering introducing a second language with your child.? It's a good option if you can. The Neural Advantage of Speaking Two Languages Extra: The Bilingual Brain As scientists unlock more of the neurological secrets of the bilingual brain, they're learning that speaking more than one language May have cognitive benefits that extend from childhood into old age.

Talking to and with your child can make a difference in their academic success.  Do it often, but don't exhaust yourself.  The Power of Talking to Your Baby Next week we will discuss language development in more depth. Book Discussion No Drama Discipline by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryso n We will discuss Chapter 6: Addressing Behavior: As Simple as R-E-D-I-R-E-C-T , this week of April 11.

There are many ways to go about potty training.  Here's a couple articles with overviews: Potty Training Techniques The Five Potty Training Methods Time Magazine offered this advice for parents in their potty training article : Your kid will be O.K. Positive and consistent potty-training is unlikely to cause long-term harm. Existing evidence suggests that potty problems typically don’t last: in one study by Brazelton, only 1.4% of children had dysfunctional behaviors — problems like withholding their stool, hiding while defecating or refusing to use the toilet — after age 5. There’s no right or wrong way. “Accepted norms of toilet training relate more to cultural differences than scientific evidence,” Kiddoo writes. Make sure you’re ready too. Potty training should begin only when the child — and the parent — are emotionally ready, willing and able to participate. In summary:  Which ever method you try, your child willbe fine.  Just do it, when you, th...

by Nancy Gapasin Gnass If you want your child to eat well, you should do it together as a family.  Create space for family meals where you sit together at the same time. Serve healthy food so you can model healthy eating. Family rituals around meals can help your children establish a healthy and happy view of eating through this bonding time together.  Rituals at family meals can create enjoyable expectations for your child and everyone else at the table that provides structure to help dining go smoothly.  The research on benefits of family meals together abound.  Studies shows that kids who have frequent family meals have a less likely chance that they will not use drugs in the future , higher academic achievement and self confidence. Part of the reason is there is time at the table to share your stories with your child. When children take time to listen your stories of growing up and life with your own parents and family, they get a sense of their Inter-Gen...

As they say, put your oxygen mask on first before you help with your child's.  Take care of yourself so you can care for your partner relationship, to help you be a better parent.  Since better partners make better parents .  This list of Happiness Habits, from the Greater Good Science Center out of Berkeley, has research to back it up.  Six Habits of Happiness Worth Cultivating Lastly, on the topic of relationships for the month of February, practice John Gottman's "Magic Five Hours" habits to improve your partnership relationship.  These five habits should enhance your emotional connection to keep your relationship alive.  They are: 1.  Partings -- Find one thing out about what your partner is going to do that day. 2. Reunions -- Find out how your partner's day went 3.  Admiration/Appreciation -- Find one thing to admire or appreciate about your partner each day and share this with him or her 4. Affection -- Kissing, touching, playfu...

...Can affect your child for better or for worst. In keeping with February's theme of working on your partnership to be a better parent, this week's article is on fighting. Believe it or not, there is a way you can fight with your partner that can have a positive effect on your child.  It's not easy, but it's worth trying. What Happens To Kids When Parents Fight Consider This: What "Conflict Tip" from the article will you try in your next fight? No Drama Discipline Book Discussion Discussion of Chapter 1 will begin at 9:40 in the morning classes, and 1:00 in the afternoon classes.

It's about your baby Daddy or Mommy too! If you are parenting with a partner, it is vital that you try your best to keep that relationship healthy in the midst of raising your child together.  There is research in article presented in Scientific American, What Makes A Good Parent , that shows one of the top three "parenting competencies" include Relatonship skills : You maintain a healthy relationship with your spouse, significant other and/or co-parent and model effective relationship skills with other people.  Good parenting doesn't just mean working on your relationship with your child, it also includes your relationships with those around you. This is something to think about, considering Valentine's Day is this Sunday. Healthy Relationships: Parents and Partners Keeping Romance Alive as Parents Extras: Hate Your Husband (or Your Wife)? A Mom's Funny Perspective on Sex (that went viral last week) Consider This: What will you do this week...

Research methods of the brain have improved  tremendously over the last couple of decades, which can explain much more about child and human development than ever before.  Here are some basics about the fascinating brain. Understanding Brain Development in Young Children Also, some short videos for better understanding from Harvard's Center on the Developing Child: Three Core Concepts in Early Development Book Discussion This semester we will be reading No Drama Discipline by Daniel Siegel .  Please read the introduction by February 17, when we will begin our weekly discussion of each chapter.  Make sure you pick up a copy of the book if you haven't already Class Announcements There is NO CLASS on Monday, February 15, due to the President's Holiday. We are taking donations of clean-up wipes, and paper towels.

Welcome to those that are new to the class, and welcome back to everyone else!  I hope 2016 is off to a good start for you and your family. This week we'll be reading and discussing "Typical Behavior and Development," as listed as one of the Student Learning Outcomes for this class.  It's important for parents to understand what is developmentally normal in order to feel like a normal parent.  Born Learning has put out "Ages and Stages" handouts to highlight what's happening at this stage of your child's development: Zero To Three's Developmental Ages and Stages Another helpful handout for parents: Five Key Ideas For New Parents In class, we will be taking time to do Quiet Observation of our children.  This is an ideal way to learn about child development, watching our children in action.  The principals used in class are taken from Magda Gerber's ideas of the RIE Approach.  Here is one mom's experience with it: ...