Communicate

One of the most important things you can do is communicate with your child. Have they told you what they might be interested in trying out? Have you had a conversation with them and asked them what they would like to do? Sometimes it’s as easy as communicating with your child first.

Make it Fun

Children will pick up on whether or not you want them to simply enjoy themselves, or compete and win every time. This can often stop children from wanting to participate because they feel like there is too much pressure. If you think that your child may be reluctant to participate in activities for this reason, then take a step back and let them know it’s all just for fun, and not about winning or losing.

Try Outs

Many sporting teams and extracurricular activities have evenings or afternoons where the kids can try out or ‘sample’ if you will, the different activities to see if they like it or not, or sometimes even to get an idea if it is something they may have a natural ability for. These sessions are usually free and a great way to give your child a chance to sample a number of activities and choose what they like best.

What Do Their Friends Do?

If your child is shy and you get the feeling they don’t want to participate in after school activities because they might not know anyone, why not find out what activities their friends enjoy, or speak to one of their friends mums about putting them into a sport or afternoon activity together? This will certainly make them more eager to participate and get involved.

What Does Your Child Enjoy?

Children will often show signs of talent or enjoyment for particular activities. Look out for these signs. For instance, they might be really good at swimming and enjoy the pool, or they might be really good at music and are constantly asking you to buy them online toys and things to make music with in order to help them develop and harness their talent. These are often glimpses into the activities that they are best suited to and generally would most likely enjoy.

The main thing is not to lock your child into a particular activity by paying a full term’s fee without them having the chance to try it out and give it a go first. With the right amount of patience and communication you will be able to help guide your child into choosing a wonderful extracurricular activity for them, that will hopefully be enjoyed for many years to come.

Set up a designated work space for them

We all know if can be hard to work at the dining table with the television going and younger siblings playing. Invest in setting up a work area for your child with a desk and comfortable chair. The area should be peaceful without distractions so they can get on with what they need to do.

Purchase a large wall calendar

By purchasing a large wall calendar you can mark the dates for when large assignments are due. There’s nothing more stressful than having to rush an assignment because it was forgotten and by having a large calendar up clearly marked with when things are due, this won’t happen.

Regular breaks

Depending on how old your child is, they will need to take regular breaks from studying and homework. Younger children may only last 20 minutes on one task whereas as a teenager can last over an hour. Give your child the freedom to do this as a reward each time they’ve finished a section of work or read a certain number of pages of their text book.

Routine

Help your child get into the routine of doing their homework. If they can get themselves into this routine early, when it comes to high school and big exams, they will be used to putting the time in each night to study. Good habits start in primary school.

Helping your child with homework

There’s nothing wrong with helping your child through their homework by checking over math equations they’ve worked out or looking at their list of spelling words. It only becomes a problem when the parent feels that their child is constantly asking, when the know what they are doing.

Rewards for good effort and concentration

If your child has been good for the last week and completed all of their homework on time then it’s a good idea to reward them for this. Give them a treat or let them choose from a selection of online toys for an assignment well done they worked really hard on. We all want acknowledgement when we do a good job and kids are no different.

Helping your kids with their homework is all about making sure that they have the right environment to work in and are able to focus on the task at hand. If you are there to guide them and assist them when necessary, this is also important. By helping your child learn how to focus on doing their homework each night, you are helping them to gain the necessary skills required as they head towards examinations and end of high school exams so they find concentrating and studying a relatively easy task.

The right utensils- Fun spoons and bowls with their favourite character on them can instantly make meal times more fun for kids.

Get creative- Just like adults kids love food that is presented in a fun and interesting way. Think of different ways to arrange food on the plate to make it more enticing.

Change it up- Think of new and different ways to spruce up meal times. Why not pack a picnic on the weekend and spend a few hours outside together while you enjoy a meal. Or perhaps you want to start up the barbecue at home and eat on the patio instead of always at the dining table.

Have themed meal times- A great way to get kids excited about meal times is to create a series of themes to explore. For instance, one night you can ask them to help you make Mexican dishes and you can play some Mexican music. Cook recipes from locations around the world or unique dishes that originated from your family’s favourite holiday destination. Team these themed nights with fun games the whole family can play together after meal times.

Show them how fun cooking can be- If they are old enough to help you out in the kitchen, have fun with them preparing the food. If they are still a little too small, let them see what you are doing and ask them to mimic your actions of pouring and stirring with their own set of cooking utensils. There are heaps of online toys you can find on the internet that encourage cooking as a fun activity.

Don’t stress out too much if they refuse to eat- Children who refuse to eat are generally simply not hungry. Healthy children will eat only when they are hungry so you may want to try slightly varying the time you have meals if you are having troubles getting your child to eat. Also children may not feel as hungry if they are drinking too much during the day. Look at how much cordial, juice and milk your little one is consuming.

Parents can often struggle getting their child to eat. The key is to not stress and implement strategies to make the whole experience of eating an enjoyable one. By getting your kids involved with the meal preparation and creating excitement at the dinner table you are sure to find that meal times will become an effortlessly fun event that all members of the family will enjoy together.

This article was written by Sonja Walker B.A.Dip.Ed

Spring has sprung and according to children’s Occupational Therapist, Dagney Hopp, the time has never been better for your kids to get outside and play.

“Outdoor play is a vital part of kids’ learning,’ says Dagney.

“We all know that outdoor exercise is good for our children’s health, but outdoor play also helps kids to build social skills.”

Dagney says that when children’s bodies are busy climbing, swinging and exploring active outdoor fun, their minds are developing too.

“Many a friendship has been forged over a game of chasing, handball and park play, so it’s important that children learn to swing, climb, run and balance so that they can interact successfully with their peers,” she said.

Dagney advises parents to choose safe but challenging activities for children and says that kids between the ages of 2 and 10 usually enjoy outdoor play environments that contain swings, slides, climbers, playhouses, sandboxes and sprinklers.

“It’s great to have fixed play structures at home, but if your backyard doesn’t lend itself to these options, try different places like parks, beaches,  zoos, museums, playgroups and swimming pools. These outdoor locations all provide children with new experiences that help them to learn.”

Dagney says that outside play doesn’t always need to include bikes, scooters and swings and she encourages parents to be creative in setting up outdoor games.

“Most children love it when activities they usually enjoy inside are taken outside, so don’t be afraid to painting, music and construction games into the backyard.  Kids love it and at this time of year, the fresh air is good for them.”

Dagney says that outdoor play activities that encourage children to cooperate with other kids are among the best ways to help them learn.

So now that winter is over, get your kids off the couch and out into the sunshine. Their minds and bodies will grow stronger when you give them the chance to play.

Dagney’s top tips for outdoor play fun include:

• Trampolines
• Traditional  games like tag, hide and seek
• Obstacle courses
• Swings
• Playground equipment
• Planks, low fences to walk along
• Cubby house
• Construction toys, building blocks
• Bikes, scooters and skateboards
• Painting
• Tricycle
• Music and movement tames
• Light bats with large balls
• Sports, dancing, gymnastics etc.
• Gardening
• Imaginary play like ‘shops’ and ‘schools’
• Water play with buckets, sprinklers, sponges

© Sonja Walker 2010
This article was written by Sonja Walker, a qualified teacher and busy mum. Sonja leads a team of highly experienced, specialist teachers and children’s health professionals at Kids First Children’s Services a unique integrated children’s education and health centre in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Kids First offers a variety of programs for children aged 3 to 15, including its ‘Confident Little Kids’ program for pre-schoolers and after school skills and tuition programs for primary and high school students. Kids First Children’s Services also offers professional Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Educational Psychology, Clinical Nutrition and Dietary advice, Parenting Support and Counselling at its Brookvale centre.
Contact Kids First Children’s Services on 9938 5419 or visit www.kids-first.com.au

This article was written by Sonja Walker B.A.Dip.Ed

As the saying goes, ‘play is a child’s work’.

Research has shown that, with the exception of children who are very disadvantaged or severely disabled, between 3% and 20% of children’s time and energy is typically spent in play.

That’s a big part of your child’s day.

Pretend play is what kids do to learn about their world and understand how to interact with the people and things that are in it.

While it might look simple, there’s actually quite a lot happening when children use their imaginations to engage in their fantasy world.

Problem solving, skill building, language development, overcoming physical and mental challenges, it’s all going on behind the scenes when kids engage in pretend play.

So what can parents do to encourage the development of their child’s play skills?

Encourage Imaginative Play
Children begin ‘pretend play’ at around the age of two. It’s at this point that they are learning that one thing can symbolise another. For example, a box can become a cubby house or a couple of pots and pans can become a drum set. Imaginative play also involves taking on new roles, for example a superhero, teacher or even a mummy or daddy.

Pretend play builds your child’s understanding of his or her world. For example, you may witness a lot of nurturing play behaviour using dolls if your child is getting used to having a new sibling and mimics your interactions with a new brother or sister. Another favourite is to play ‘schools’, where children enjoy taking on the part of the teacher with their teddy bears in the roles of their ‘students’.

Imaginative play is important because gives your child a sense of control as he or she interprets everyday life around them. It helps your child to practice behaviours and develop the language needed for different situations.

You can encourage your child’s imagination by providing an easily accessible a box of everyday items and practical toys for your child to use during pretend play.

Tea sets, plastic food and fruit collections, dolls houses and building toys all help to facilitate role-playing. Costumes, masks and kiddie versions of everyday tools like hammers, kitchen utensils and telephones are also good for engaging your child’s creative mind.

Objects that can have more than one use, such as coloured blocks, will also stretch your child’s imagination with unlimited possibilities.

Encourage Social Play
As toddlers, children play side by side without obvious communication. This is called ‘parallel play’ and is typical of children aged between two and four. During their preschool years, however, children start to interact with each other by joining forces to create complex story lines together. This developing skill is one that wise parents nurture.

Creating stories through play is important for the development of both social and language skills.

Through this kind of pretend play, children learn to negotiate, cooperate and share. When children disagree about who gets to be the teacher or who will wear the red hat, they’re actually developing important problem solving skills. When they combine their ideas to develop the events of their play, they are creating their own narrative. The research shows that a child who has these skills is typically more able to reproduce them when they reach the more formal learning environment of a structured pre-school or school.

You can encourage your child’s storytelling and social play by helping your child to develop relationships with neighbours, pre-school classmates and other friends.

But when organising co-operative play activities for your children, remember that kids do not simply learn the conventions of play by osmosis when you throw them out into the backyard or park together!

Sometimes, in order to play successfully, kids will need to learn the skills and behaviours required for the game from you first.

This might mean that you model the role of ‘shopkeeper’ selling a variety of imaginary vegies and fruit to your ‘customers’, or ‘doctor’ to your ‘patients’ who bring their dolls and teddies to you for a check up. Once your children have learned the play behaviours that are expected, you can withdraw gently and observe unobtrusively until they are bored and need to move on to another activity. Eventually, your child will develop their own ‘script’ for this kind of pretend play and will be able to initiate this kind of activity with peers without your involvement.

Encourage language development
We often tell children to ‘use their words’ when they are upset, frustrated or tired.

Long before children can express their feelings in words, they express them through pretend play, storytelling, art, and other activities. This means that your child’s play might sometimes give you an indication of experiences that have been hurtful or hard for your child to understand.

In this kind of situation, pretend play not only benefits the child by providing an opportunity to talk through feelings, emotions and reactions, it can also offer insights to you as a parent.

You can help your child to develop the language needed to cope with situations by following your child’s lead during pretend play.

This technique, used by child psychologists, speech pathologists and teachers all over the world is one that parents can easily master. All you need to do is listen to your child, show you accept his or her make believe world and wait for an invitation to join in.

Remember, the stories a child tells in their make believe world gives him or her complete control – and this is important for learning.

So, next time your son or daughter wants to play make believe – bolster his or her self-esteem and join in the fun.

The benefits of pretend play are huge, and by sharing your child’s interests and enjoyment, you are not only strengthening their trust in you, but also enhancing their understanding of the world around them.

© Sonja Walker 2010
This article was written by Sonja Walker, a qualified teacher and busy mum. Sonja leads a team of highly experienced, specialist teachers and children’s health professionals at Kids First Children’s Services a unique integrated children’s education and health centre in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Kids First offers a variety of programs for children aged 3 to 15, including its ‘Confident Little Kids’ program for pre-schoolers and after school skills and tuition programs for primary and high school students. Kids First Children’s Services also offers professional Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Educational Psychology, Clinical Nutrition and Dietary advice, Parenting Support and Counselling at its Brookvale centre.
Contact Kids First Children’s Services on 9938 5419 or visit www.kids-first.com.au

This article was written by Sonja Walker B.A.Dip.Ed

“Rain, rain, go away, come again another day!”

Being stuck inside because of wet winter weather is a challenge for active, curious kids.

While computer games, the Wii and DVDs are a good standby on a rainy day, sometimes they are more trouble than they are worth, especially when they cause sibling squabbles and petty arguments.

So what can you do this winter to keep your kids engaged and entertained when they can’t go outside?

Here are three great toy tips to help you survive the winter blues.

1. Choose toys and games that your children can play with independently

Teachers and children’s health professionals recommend that children need to learn to play happily on their own. Kids who need parents to play with them, or to be their referee when arguments start, miss out on the opportunity to develop self reliance.

Puzzles are a great way to develop independent play.

Whether it comes with five pieces or five hundred pieces, a puzzle can also while away a few hours no matter what the weather.

When choosing a puzzle, make sure you select one that is appropriate for your child’s age and level of skill.

Younger children have more success when their puzzles:

• Contain large objects and distinct colours
• Are based on a photograph with clear lines between objects
• Are based on an educational theme or current favourite character.
• Have obvious border pieces that can be connected first.

Older children might enjoy a more challenging puzzle that will take several days to complete – but don’t forget to set this expectation up at the start so that your child knows that the puzzle will take time to complete. Also, make sure the unfinished puzzle is stored in a safe place where younger siblings can’t spoil your older child’s efforts.

2. Choose games that have clear rules

Cooperative play is a skill that kids need to learn. It requires communication, collaboration and compromise – things that some adults even find difficult!

Board games are a great way to develop cooperative play skills. An added benefit is that they can also develop children’s thinking and learning competencies.

There are hundreds of board games on the market and many have ‘junior’ versions suitable for children under the age of 10. Just make sure that you choose board games that are appropriate for your child’s age and interest.

Some games that encourage maths, problem solving and counting skills include:

• Snakes and Ladders
• Monopoly
• Chess
• Trouble
• Battleships
• Mastermind

Games that encourage creative thinking, story telling and literacy include:

• Scrabble
• Pictionary
• Boggle
• Hilarious Headlines
• Celebrity Head

Card games are another great standby for wet weather. They also have the advantage of being super portable and so come in very handy in airports, waiting rooms or the homes of friends and relatives who don’t have children and have no toys around to keep kids occupied.

A regular pack of cards can be used for games like:

• Memory/Concentration
• Go Fish
• Rummy
• Blackjack (without the gambling, of course!!)

Other card games that are associated with superheroes like Pokeman and Bakugans are also engaging for imaginative boys, while old favourites like Uno can be played by the whole family.

3. Encourage your kids’ creativity

Wet winter days are a perfect time to develop your child’s imaginative and creative skills. Boys and girls love to have extended opportunities to build a world of their own and there are many ways that you can facilitate this.

Dress ups provide children of all ages with creative fun. You can purchase costumes representing fairies, princesses, superheroes and cowboys, or just have a box of shirts, ties, hats and jewellery that kids can experiment with. Add a mirror and your child’s role playing will hit new heights.

Construction toys like Lego, Meccano and Connex also help kids to become resourceful and inventive. In addition, these toys develop children’s fine motor skills, making them a great choice for kids of all ages.

Art and craft activities are another winner for a wet winter day. A simple easel combined with paints, textas, crayons and coloured pencils can provide children with hours of fun. Play Doh is another tried and true favourite, as are sticker and colouring books. For older children, craft packs that contain everything a child needs to make jewellery, scrapbooks or models are also a good way to spend a rainy day, while the ever popular Beados have a novelty factor that appeals to kids of all ages.

So this winter – give your children an alternative to the TV and save your sanity.

With a bit of planning and some well chosen toys and games, you and your children can survive the wet winter weather!

© Sonja Walker 2010
This article was written by Sonja Walker, a qualified teacher and busy mum. Sonja leads a team of highly experienced, specialist teachers and children’s health professionals at Kids First Children’s Services a unique integrated children’s education and health centre in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Kids First offers a variety of programs for children aged 3 to 15, including its ‘Confident Little Kids’ program for pre-schoolers and after school skills and tuition programs for primary and high school students. Kids First Children’s Services also offers professional Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Educational Psychology, Clinical Nutrition and Dietary advice, Parenting Support and Counselling at its Brookvale centre.
Contact Kids First Children’s Services on 9938 5419 or visit www.kids-first.com.au

Yogee Toys recommends:

MELISSA & DOUG Jumbo ABC Alphabet Chunky Puzzle	MELISSA & DOUG Large Farm Jumbo Wooden Knob Puzzle	RAVENSBURGER The Solar System 200pc Puzzle	RAVENSBURGER Disney Pixar Cars Auto, Auto! 100pc Puzzle
THINKFUN Zingo - Bingo With A Zing	Super Scrabble By Tinderbox Games	HASBRO Monopoly City	TREND ENTERPRISES Dinosaurs Match Me Game

Games and toys are the most important tools in Lenora Delaney’s professional toolkit.

This article was written by Sonja Walker B.A.Dip.Ed

Lenora, who is a children’s Occupational Therapist, says that kids who struggle with poor handwriting and other fine motor challenges benefit greatly from the use of wisely selected toys and puzzles.

“The muscles in a child’s hand are very small and they tire quite easily,” she said.

“Children’s handwriting can be improved, but to do this we need to strengthen their hand muscles so that they can control their pencil better.”

“One of the best ways to achieve this improvement is through fun and functional activities”

Lenora suggests that approximately five minutes of play per day is all a child needs to develop sound fine motor skills.

‘Colouring books are popular with children and while they are getting enjoyment from trying to stay within the lines, they may not even realise that they are learning about control, pressure and posture,” she said.

‘Dot to dots books, tracing templates and activities like Aqua Doodle also encourage kids to draw different types of straight, vertical, diagonal, circular and curvy lines. All of this is very important for helping kids to cross their mid-line and to develop visual discrimination skills.’

MOOSE Aquadoodle Draw N Doodle Mat

Lenora also recommends art and craft activities that encourage kids to fold paper use scissors and manipulate Play-Doh or Silly Putty.

“Kids really enjoy cutting different types and textures of paper and making things like paper aeroplanes and birds.”

“Parents can also encourage the development of their child’s pincer grip by teaching their child to roll Play-Doh into a snake or snowman and then tear it into pieces.”

“Another fun thing to do is to hide a small item like a coin or bead in a ball of Play-Doh and have the child find it by tearing the ball apart. All of these activities give hand muscles a work out and help kids to develop the dexterity they need to write more neatly.”

When it comes to games, Lenora says that toys that have small parts are best for developing fine motor coordination.

“Of course, mums and dads need to ensure that kids don’t put small objects in their mouths, but marbles, Pick-Up Sticks, Lego and stringing beads are all good choices , while puzzles of varying complexity,  design and size also keep kids interested and engaged.”

Lenora advises parents to seek the support of an Occupational Therapist if play time activities do not seem to be helping the development o f their child’s fine motor skills.

“An Occupational Therapist is a professionally trained expert who can assess your child’s needs and help your child to overcome their physical challenges.”

“A good Occupational Therapist will also give you advice about how you can use the toys in your home to your child’s best advantage.”

© Sonja Walker 2010
This article was written by Sonja Walker, a qualified teacher and busy mum. Sonja leads a team of highly experienced, specialist teachers and children’s health professionals at Kids First Children’s Services a unique integrated children’s education and health centre in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Kids First offers a variety of programs for children aged 3 to 15, including its ‘Confident Little Kids’ program for pre-schoolers and after school skills and tuition programs for primary and high school students. Kids First Children’s Services also offers professional Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Educational Psychology, Clinical Nutrition and Dietary advice, Parenting Support and Counselling at its Brookvale centre.
Contact Kids First Children’s Services on 9938 5419 or visit www.kids-first.com.au

Yogee Toys recommends:

LEGO 6161 Brick Box / Bucket	PLAN TOYS Plan Preschool 5527 Creative Blocks 46pc	MOOSE Aquadoodle Draw N Doodle Mat	MEGA BLOKS Mini Micro 100-Piece 7110 Minibloks Tub Pink
PLAY-DOH Spaghetti Factory Playset	MELISSA & DOUG Stringing Beads Wooden Bead Set	MELISSA & DOUG Jumbo Multi-Theme Colouring Pad Pink	MOOSE Beados Super Studio

The answer is a certain yes…but it is worth remembering that educational toys aren’t all about ABC and 123.

Teachers and children’s health specialists believe that toys that encourage the development of social and emotional maturity as well as physical and language skills are among the most valuable gifts you can give to a child under the age of seven.

So before you rush to the mall and spend hours searching for that elusive educational toy, consider your child’s developmental age.

With a bit of thought and planning, it is possible to find the perfect gift for a child you love this Christmas.

Babies

Littlies aged between three and twelve months need toys that are safe and stimulating.

To develop your little one’s visual perception, look for toys that have bright and contrasting colours, unusual textures and interesting sounds.

Toys that make a noise or light up in response to the baby’s actions are a great choice. They engage a child’s attention and teach them about cause and effect.

Because they are all about actions and reactions, these kinds of toys offer lovely opportunities for adults to play and bond with young babies.

Toddlers

Youngsters aged between 18 months and three years are ready to get active and to learn about the world around them.

Look for lively toys that will develop your child’s language and motor skills.

Outdoor toys like balls, tricycles, scooters and mini sport sets are great for your child’s co-ordination and confidence, while indoor toys like puzzles, blocks, dolls and musical instruments will promote communication and imaginative skills.

When choosing educational toys for children aged three and four, it’s important to remember that young toddlers often prefer to play alongside other children rather than with them.

This is called ‘parallel play’ and is completely age appropriate.

It’s unlikely that children in this age group will want, or be emotionally mature enough, to share a precious new toy, so if you are buying for siblings, make sure each child receives a toy of their own.

Pre-schoolers

Children aged between three and five are consolidating their social and cooperative skills as well as their thinking and learning capacity.

Toys that encourage your child to share with other children are important for this age group. Simple board games like Ludo, Snakes and Ladders and dominoes will develop your child’s understanding of turn taking while also introducing early literacy and numeracy.

Activities that promote role playing make wonderful gifts for children in this age group. Imaginative play using dolls houses, car garages, train sets and dress ups develop children’s social and language skills and are good educational choices.

The development of fine motor skills is also a priority for pre-schoolers and valuable learning experiences can be had when you choose a toy that will expose children to art, craft and construction.

In order to learn to write properly at school, kids need to develop strength in their hands and also determine which side, left or right, will be dominant.

Old favourite like Lego and Meccano are terrific for this purpose, as are pencils, textas, scissors and Play Doh. Even the most reluctant young artists can be coaxed to enjoy colouring books containing their favourite characters and these simple gifts are a great way to engage children in fine motor skill development.

Primary schoolers

Kids aged between six and ten have a vast range of interests, and as their literacy develops, the scope for activities that encourage them to read widens.

A child’s interests will often determine the choices adults make for them, but one can rarely go wrong with activities that encourage children’s creativity.
Models, jewellery making kits, science experiments and ever popular dinosaur sets are usually just as well received as the latest super hero or fashion doll and an added benefit is that children will be consolidating their reading and comprehension as they follow the instructions on the pack.

While it’s easy to buy an electronic toy that will no doubt keep your child quiet, kids need active, imaginative activities that help their minds and bodies to grow.

This Christmas, go for a toy that will teach your child something.

When learning is cleverly disguised as fun, everyone is a winner.

© Sonja Walker 2010
This article was written by Sonja Walker, a qualified teacher and busy mum. Sonja leads a team of highly experienced, specialist teachers and children’s health professionals at Kids First Children’s Services a unique integrated children’s education and health centre in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Kids First offers a variety of programs for children aged 3 to 15, including its ‘Confident Little Kids’ program for pre-schoolers and after school skills and tuition programs for primary and high school students. Kids First Children’s Services also offers professional Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Educational Psychology, Clinical Nutrition and Dietary advice, Parenting Support and Counselling at its Brookvale centre.
Contact Kids First Children’s Services on 9938 5419 or visit www.kids-first.com.au