Everyday Opportunities for Extraordinary Parenting : Simple Ways to Make a Difference in Your Child's Life

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ISBN: 9781570716256 | 1570716250
Cover: Paperback
Copyright: 2/1/2001

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Every parent can take advantage of everyday opportunities to help a child grow and thrive. Filled with thoughtful advice and easy-to-use ideas, Everyday Opportunities for Extraordinary Parenting gives parents practical tools and creative tips for guiding kids through a happy, healthy childhood. Nationally recognized parenting expert Bobbi Conner helps parents understand the emotional, intellectual, physical and social context of their children's actions, then offers priceless, everyday opportunities for developing the positive skills every parent wants their children to have. From encouraging curiosity and creativity to helping kids discover courage, this book covers many of parents'key concerns, including: --Acquiring problem-solving and decision-making skills --Finding the spirit of hope and optimism --Learning communication skills --Experiencing a sense of responsibility --Appreciating and expressing humor --Learning respect for others --Identifying a unique family identity

Introduction

Part One: The Foundation for Good Growing

Everyday Opportunities for Parenting

(18)

How do we learn to be good parents with no prior experience in parenting?

What can we learn from the experts?

What is parental intuition?

How do feelings help guide us in our role as parents?

This chapter provides an overview of the ingredients of good parenting and serves as a guide to finding the daily real-life opportunities to respond to your child's many needs

Getting to Know Your Child

(10)

Parenting requires a tailor-made response based on the temperament, strengths, and differences of each child. This chapter looks at the process of getting to know your child and helps you apply what you know to your ongoing job of parenting

Nurturing and Establishing Security and Stability

(18)

This chapter provides a look at your child's need to be nurtured from birth through the teen years. How do you transmit a sense of security to your child?

What makes your family stable despite ever-changing circumstances?

Includes a glimpse into the value of predictable daily routines and ordinary family interactions in the life of your growing child

Encouragement and Recognition

(10)

This chapter provides a look at the wonder of encouragement in your child's life. How do your actions and responses help shape your child's self-esteem?

What real-life events and activities set the stage for recognition or rejection?

Guidance and Discipline

(18)

What are the most effective, tried-and-true ways to discipline children?

Which discipline techniques work for young children, middle children, and teens?

Part Two: Thinking and Learning

(60)

Experiencing and Exploring

(12)

Children are learning from the very first moments of life. How do kids learn at different ages and stages, and what can parents do to encourage this natural process?

Includes a look at the child's need to play and explores the everyday world around him or her

Creativity and Curiosity

(16)

Kids are naturally creative and curious. This chapter provides a look at the child's need to create, using his or her imagination, and explains why these ingredients are important life skills. It also includes ideas for incorporating and encouraging creativity throughout all stages of childhood

Learning at School

105

(16)

This chapter provides a look at how to become your child's educational advocate by tailoring your child's education to her or his needs and problem solving along the way

Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Skills

121

(14)

Young children have the ability and desire to make their own decisions. Discover how to find small ways for your child to acquire decision-making and problem-solving skills

Part Three: Inner Strength and Character

135

(40)

Learning to Persevere

137

(8)

All children need to be challenged. This chapter explores how children learn the important skills of perseverance. When is a challenge too overwhelming for your child?

Learn to gauge when to step in to ease your child's frustration and when to hang back and let her or him struggle

Discovering Courage

145

(8)

How do children learn to be courageous?

What tiny steps occur along the way?

How can boys and girls discover their inner strength?

How much is learned from observation and how much from firsthand struggle and experience?

Hope and Optimism

153

(6)

How to find the spirit of hope and optimism in your child's early life and build upon it. How can hope sustain a child during difficulties?

Why are hopes and dreams important to your child's future?

How can children learn to transform a dream into action and realization?

Integrity

159

(8)

Honesty comes naturally to very young children. What is the parents' role in encouraging the continuation of honesty throughout childhood?

Fairness is a learned behavior

Faith

167

(8)

Children possess a natural belief and trust in goodness that is the basis for spiritual development and faith. What is the parents' role in encouraging their child's sense of faith and belonging to a world that recognizes and incorporates decency and goodness?

Part Four: Making Their Way in the World

175

(84)

Learning to Communicate

177

(18)

How do children learn to communicate?

This chapter looks at the communication skills children need to express care for themselves and care for others. How can a shy child learn to communicate his or her desires and needs?

How do parents become good listeners so that even older children continue to talk about what's on their minds?

Independence

195

(12)

The ultimate goal for a parent is to prepare a child for independence. This process begins in baby steps and continues throughout childhood in bits and pieces. What is your role in assisting your chid's solo flight?

This chapter takes a look at what creates confidence in your child

Responsibility

207

(10)

How do small children begin to experience a sense of responsibility?

This chapter points out the day-to-day opportunities to learn and be recognized for responsibility. What chores are appropriate?

Competition

217

(16)

What positive role does competition play in the lives of growing children?

What motivates competition within the family, with others?

What important life skills do boys and girls gain from involvement in organized sports?

This chapter explores the role of parents, coaches, and others

Learning to Cope with Stress

233

(14)

In today's fast-paced world, all children need to learn to cope with stress. What can parents do to minimize stress to their child?

What self-calming skills work for babies, children, and teens?

Humor

247

(12)

An appreciation and expression of amusement and delight are important ingredients of childhood. Humor provides an important emotional bridge between parents and children and brothers and sisters

Part Five: Caring About Others

259

(24)

Learning Respect

261

(10)

How do children learn respect (or disrespect)?

Where do we draw the line between children who are disrespectful to parents and children's need for self-expression?

Learning Kindness and Compassion

271

(12)

How do children learn compassion for others?

What can parents do to pave the way?

This chapter explores the ups and downs of childhood friendships and sibling relationships

Part Six: The Treasures of Family

283

(20)

A Family Identity

285

(14)

This chapter takes a look at what your family can do to honor the individual integrity of your unique family. It also provides ideas on how to create traditions throughout the year that help define and celebrate your family

Hidden Benefits of a Job Well Done

299

(4)

As you parent your child, your child learns what it means to be a good parent. Without ever specifically intending to do so, you have shown your child how to love, nurture, and raise a child with intelligence, perseverence, strength, and feeling. These benefits last a lifetime and beyond

Appendix: Recommended Reading for Parents

303

(10)

The appendix provides a selection of some of the best parenting books available on a broad range of parenting topics, including those by many of the past guests on TPJ

Index

313

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Everyday Opportunities for Extraordinary Parenting : Simple Ways to Make a Difference in Your Child's Life

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials