About Me

Australia
I'm a Mum who has struggled with weight since having my daughter 24 years ago. Forever trying to find that one thing that helps to make weight loss easier.
Mind Power Series

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Developing Stages Of Children

Children’s behaviour can be very difficult to understand at times and there are so many different opinions out there to tell us what we should be doing.
Children develop and learn through experiences, through others around them, from the environment and from inner needs.
Little monsters can appear and cause chaos, especially during the “terrible two” stage as everyone calls it. Most parents have a hard time with the behaviours that their children display, not knowing what to do or say to calm their mood.

There are many theories about how children develop and learn and why children behave
in the way they do.
The five major child development theories are
1. Behaviourist- Pavlov, Watson and Skinner- stimulus-response reinforcements. Particular behaviours can be reinforced not only from adults but also can be chemical or physical.

2. Maturationist- Gesell- Biological factors from within and environmental factors that ensure children develop to their potential. Children need to be maturely ready before they are able to develop and learn.

3. Psychodynamic- Freud- Biological needs and instincts driven from within for development. The need is satisfied. Behaviour is developed because of a need being eased, usually the easiest and fastest way.

4. Cognitive-interactionist- Piaget- internal devices and external environmental factors motivate children’s development.

5. Social constructivist- Vygotsky- social interaction between children and adults. Children’s development and learning comes from the experiences and the internal drive they have within. Adults need to provide challenging experiences and opportunities for social communication. (Working with children. Guidelines for good practice, 2nd edition. Joan Faragher, Glenda MacNaughton)

It is also suggested that there are four behavioural developing stages of children:
The baby- 0 to 1 years
The younger toddler- 1 to 2.5 years
The pre-school toddler- 2.5 to 4.5 years
The early school age child- 4.5 to 8 years
During the first stage, children learn to bond with their carer’s, build a trusting relationship, begin to feel secure and when developing, a regular routine is necessary. Freud believed that the first stages of life are those most important to develop emotional and social development.
Stage 2 is when toddlers begin to explore. Everything that comes into contact with him/her from touching, tasting, grabbing and moving is imbedded in his brain. Muscles are developing and should be encouraged by providing a safe and large area for children to explore and experience these new beginnings.
Stage 3 is the thinking stage. The brain is developing, taking in every little bit of information that can be stored. Having one idea and leaving it to try another. Language becomes more important to his/her development.
Stage 4 can solve problems and understands rules. Is able to communicate what he is thinking. He uses language to work things out. Understands others feelings and thoughts, realises that these may be different to their own.

So with all this in mind, think about how developed your child is. When you ask
if they can turn off the television, pack the toys in the box and get their shoes all at once. Do you think that they are mentally capable of handling all this information?
Most likely, taking in one task and completing it, is probably all they could handle.

Children will undoubtedly pick up on the vibes. Watching body language and listening to an adult’s tone of voice. He/she feels the tension in the air, becoming upset and angry by the reaction that is given by the parent or carer.

Preparing for change and giving plenty of time to children before deciding on going shopping or packing toys away before tea is one way to avoid an argument.
Children need time to adjust to the change, to take in what has been asked of them.
Giving reminders of how long they have left to play, “we will be leaving in five minutes.” Again remind them “Four minutes until we go.” Ask how they are moving along and then remind them that there is only three minutes left and so on. By doing this procedure they have been given plenty of warning and time to absorb what will be happening in five minutes.
Children love routine and organisation, by keeping up with this routine, children know what to expect after five minutes and there should be no arguments.

Children can and will at times run your home, needing attention nearly 24/7. Parents will try and work around them; everyone tries to keep the peace by giving into their wants and needs. As you see this is reinforcing the behaviours.
Be a positive and confident parent, communicating with confidence can make for a very powerful parent.
Don’t have to high expectations and set by example, children will watch and learn from those in their environment.
Also be consistent, what one rule is today will still be there tomorrow and from that day on.

Understanding the developing stages of children will undoubtedly help with your parenting and make for a much happier environment.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Cooked Playdough Recipes

Children love playing with playdough and this cooked playdough recipe is great for creating and using one's imagination.
Children develop their physical and cognitive skills when being creative with playdough. Learning how to interact with others while exploring and modelling the playdough will also develop social development.
Great for children aged 2 years+. You can have the children help make this cooked playdough.

So try out this Cooked Playdough Recipe for your children:

WHAT YOU WILL NEED
1 Cup plain flour
1 Cup water
1 Tblsp cooking oil
Food Colouring
1/2 Cup cooking salt
1 Tblsp cream of tartar

HOW TO MAKE
Place all dry ingredients into a saucepan, add water and mix with wooden spoon over medium heat. When mixture has thickened let it cool down, then add cooking oil and knead it well on a floured board until combined thoroughly.
Now you can divide the cooked playdough into different bowls and add a different food colouring to each. Knead in the colour until mixed through the playdough.
Keep in an airtight container.

Great for a rainy day activity, use different cookie cutters for shapes, plastic knives, rolling pin and bottle caps or buttons for a little creativity to develop.