Getting dressed & ready in the morning can feel overwhelming to a lot of children. Preparing a plan to help them be successful can really make a difference for the whole family!

5 TIPS TO HELP KIDS GET READY
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1.) PREPARE clothes and items needed the night before
2.) ENCOURAGE your child to participate in the process as much as possible
3.) OFFER choices for clothing, accessories and other key items
4.) EXPLAIN the new process and expectations you have of them
5.) Lend a HELPING HAND if they need it

Kids really enjoy exporing, playing and even....making a mess! This is great for development and many other needed skills however, it can be a nightmare for most parents and teachers! Here are some tips that can help make this daily concept more successful.

4 CLEAN UP TIME TIPS 

1.)     DISCUSS - talk to kids ahead of time to let them know the new expectations (give them a demo)
2.)     FUN - Sing a special ‘clean-up’ song, show visual cues, use a bell or chime to signify clean up time 
3.)     COUNTDOWN - give a five minute warning before the clean-up time begins 
4.)     TEAMWORK - offer to help as cleaning the whole mess can be daunting

Sitting at the table for mealtimes can be very challenging for children and even more challenging for their Parents! There can be a lot of undesirable behaviour that crops up during this time. Be clear on WHAT the expectations are and WHAT will happen if children choose not to follow them.

TIPS FOR TABLE MANNERS

1.) DISCUSS what you expect from them
2.) DEMONSTRATE how to do it
3.) MODEL the same, appropriate manner
4.) Use VISUALS as a positive reminder
5.) Be clear on what the CHOICES are
6.) FOLLOW THROUGH with appropriate changes or options if needed

 Contact or learn more about Julie Romanowski - Mother, Coach, Leader, Educator, Author, Speaker & founder of Miss Behaviour: parenting coach & consultant services.

www.missbehaviour.ca
778-996-6535

The secret behind using Routines & Schedules is that it helps children to 'predict' what is going to happen next. Knowing what to expect  can give kids the security they require to strengthen their emotional development.....an area of development often over-looked.

TIPS FOR CREATING A ROUTINE
1.) Write down what you expect your child do accomplish 
2.) Post the routine where child can refer to it
3.) Discuss with the child what you expect of them and how to follow the routine
4.) Demonstrate or do the routine with them - modelling
5.) Refer to the routine daily and be consistent with it

Many Parents have asked “What’s the point of a routine?” or “Why do we have to be so consistent?” and "What’s with all the ‘visuals and schedules’?" The secret is that CONSISTENCY can build TRUST and deepen the CONNECTION.

​It's the CONNECTION that Parents build with their child can determine how kids interact back with their Parents - listening, communication, etc..... Being consistent and following through coincides with being AUTHENTIC. Children know when an adult is being authentic or not.....and when they are not, it sends signals of insecurity. If Parents DO what they SAY they are going to DO, then they become someone of their word….a trustworthy person. If Parents do the opposite and say everything but only do some of the things or totally change your mind over and over, to a child - they become someone NOT of their word and potentially untrustworthy on some level. When kids are insecure & unsure, they don’t feel safe. Feelings of being safe & secure is fundamental in developing healthy self-esteem which creates confidence.

​Visuals, charts & schedules are all excellent ways of making the expectations clear as well as great tools for teaching what is expected of the child. You can adapt the visuals & directions according to the child’s age but the concept remains the same. When expectations are clear, kids can feel more secure. When kids feel secure, they are more confident. When kids are confident, they can achieve so much more and be more successful with a healthier self-esteem.

Children develop their independence as they grow. Most children enjoy 'being in charge' and try to find ways to take the power of being the leader, even it it may not be in the most appropriate ways. Giving appropriate choices can really help children have a sense of power, feel in control and like a 'leader', all in positive ways.

HOW TO GIVE EFFECTIVE CHOICES
- offer 2-3 OPTIONS as choices
-give choices WITH IN a desired outcome
-AVOID questions with a 'YES or NO' answer
-offer HELP making the choice if they are not able to
-Give POSITIVE acknowledgment when they've made a good choice