As parents, we have many roles: cook, driver, coach, motivator. However, the best role we have as parents is being a teacher to our child. My daughter now is 17 months, and I have introduced to her many things since birth.
Even during my pregnancy, I would talk, read and sing to my daughter. I often played loud music while cleaning or cooking, and she would kick like crazy.
Today, my daughter enjoys reading, writing, drawing, playing, singing and dancing. Her favourite song is "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", she often requests me to sing it to her at night before she sleeps.
As parents, we often intentionally and unintentionally teach our children different things. There are behaviours we try to establish early on, such as: washing hands, sleeping early, brushing teeth, reading, and sharing. There are certain behaviours that your child may see and act on: such as watching a show on television that involves profanity, watching others hit, and demanding things. As a parent, your child will always be involved in something that you may not like; however, there are certain ways to deal with it:
- Talk to your child and have him/her understand that behaviour is not acceptable
- Give your child reasons as to why the behaviour is unacceptable
- Inform your child of the outcomes of their behaviour
- Allow your child to decide on his actions
As parents, it may be difficult to see your child engaging in certain behaviours such as: your toddler hitting you, or demanding things.
- Stop your toddler from hitting you by gently holding his/her hands
- Look directly at the child, and firmly tell him/her that it is not acceptable
- Put him/her in time-out for a few minutes until he/she calms down
There are high-risk activities that your child may encounter. Adolescents tend to engage in activities that may affect their well-being:
- Alcohol Use
- Drug Use
- Sex
- Running Away
- Gambling
- Stealing
- Fighting
- Gang Activity
These activities tend to be difficult to deal with, because adolescents feel the need to be involved in these activities due to peer pressure. Peer pressure is difficult to address, because your child needs to feel that they are allowed to make their own decisions. However, there are ways you can deal with such high-risk activity:
- Speak to a counsellor
- Speak to your child's teachers and principal
- Seek support through family, friends, or groups
I grew up in many communities across the North. I've lived in the Northwest Territories, all three regions of Nunavut, and Alberta; therefore, I know a lot of people. I participated in many activities such as sports, cadets, markmanship and student exchanges. I have a lot of great friends that I met in these groups, whom I still keep in touch with today. Many of them are parents (single and coupled) and I enjoy sharing our thoughts around our child's growth. Here is what they had to say:
- My classmate and friend Nadia said that it would be best for your child to learn to sleep alone independently. Rather than having to sleep with your child ALL the time, because her son constantly wants to sleep with her. Here is her comment "DONT let your baby get used to sleeping with you, no matter how tired you are. (I used to bring Kian into my bed after his feedings beause I would just be so tired.. and now hes 4, and Im still fighting for my bed back lol)"
- My friend Skye stated that reading to your child at an early age establishes a great connection with your child, and allows your child to learn. Here is what she said "read early to your babies..it really helps..", and "I read to Lee at 6 months old, he has loved books ever since, & he is one grade ahead - he should be in grade nine, he's in ten..."
- My mentor Meeka stated that reading and staying home with your child is important. Staying home with your child allows you to and your child to feel comfortable in your own setting. Here is what she had to say "Yes, read n singing. And staying home with your baby.."
- My friend Becky agreed with Skye and Meeka about reading. She also brought up serving milk to toddlers at an early age. Here is her comment: "I second the reading and singing... singing to Aiden really helped him to learn new words and to love singing all sorts of songs.", and "And introduce milk early on! I started giving him 3% milk after he turned one and he loves it."
- My friend Pitsiulala said "Take as many photos as you can! I love all my photos of my kids :) From birth to date
- A wonderful lady who I met recently named Ida added in her own comment: "1 tip - don't have another child? LOL! (but thats my tip)". I found her comment to be very funny, because I feel the same way. I do not want another child, one is good enough for me.
- A former instructor who's name is Kim; who is not a parent, but is a great instructor said: "am not a parent but explaining why very important, I completely wholeheartedly agree with the reading with your child - first it gives them love - snuggling with mom or dad to read, second it helps with literacy... let them be creative, rem...ember that they are human too so they are ALLOWED being angry and like adults how you act in your angry is what gets punished not the anger itself, don't let them rule the roost - NO is NO no matter how much they cry and beg (depending on what you are saying NO to), singing is important... make sure they get vegetables early on... watch a movie with them...".
- Another wonderful lady named Lily added in her own comment: "speak your mother tongue at home, not speak English all the time. I love hearing small children speak their language".
I would like to thank the ladies who shared their tips with me on my facebook site. Most of the ladies who shared their comments are parents, with the exception of Kim. Many of the ladies have been parents for years, some single, and some coupled. Kim has been working as an educator for years, she has a lot of experience working with kids. I thought sharing information from mother's around Nunavut would be beneficial for others because sometime's as parents we forget information.
No comments:
Post a Comment