Raise Confident Kids: Teach Them Problem Solving

We all want to raise confident kids. Kids who can handle the challenges of life and come out stronger. We want our kids to have a strong positive image so that they will be able to withstand the classroom bully, the tough teacher and a disappointing team loss.

There are many ways we can build confidence in our kids. Here are 4 simple ways to do just that:

1. Ask their opinion:

Children like to be asked for their point of view. It helps them to develop their critical thinking skills.

For example:

Do you think we should go to the grocery store or the butcher first?
Should we have strawberries or apples for dessert today?
Sara is not feeling well. Do you think we should give her the fleece blanket or the fuzzy blanket?

2. Promote problem solving skills:

When we give kids some practice in solving the little problems of life, they may have an easier time solving the big ones.

We as parents can ask:

What can we do to make sure that your homework is in your backpack everyday?
There has been some fighting over the TV. What can we do to remedy this?
The table is not being cleared efficiently. How can we make sure that everyone is doing their jobs?

3. Let them know they can solve their own problems:

Kids also like to have a say in what will help them overcome the little challenges that they face everyday. To teach them that they have the ability to help themselves with a little thought, you can ask:

Your team had some trouble on the soccer field. What could you do to help your team?
Sam was mean to you today. That hurts. What can you do to prepare yourself if he does it again?
What could you do to help you manage Ms. M's criticism?

4. Reinforce confident behavior:

Finally, as parents we want to praise thinking that is solution oriented. Any time they come up with a solution that helps the household parents want to acknowledge it. Any attempts by children to come up with a solution to any of their problems should be noted as well.

• "I like that idea, let's try it and see if it works."
• "That is an interesting perspective. You were thinking out of the box."

Raising confident kids is possible. Asking our kids opinions, promoting problem skills, letting them know they are capable of solving their own problems and reinforcing their confident behavior are all great ways to increase our kids competence in the world.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adina_Soclof

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Five Easy Ways to Teach Kids About Money

One of the things they don't teach at school happens to be one of the most important things adults need to know: how to manage money. Any conscientious parent should take over the responsibility of teaching their kids about money. There are many money games that you can play with your kids at any age to teach them about earning money, spending money, learning the value of money, and saving money. Buying a coin bank for children or making a money jar can be the first step. Personalized piggy banks or sports piggy banks lend some decorative flair to kids' rooms and can be used as a tool in learning about savings, as well.

1. Start with the game of letting them drop coins in their coin or belly banks. From a young age, we love seeing our names on our possessions. A personalized piggy bank with their name stamped on it will encourage kids to take pride in saving money.

2. When they are old enough to like sports, you can buy them a piggy bank with their favorite team logo, which encourages them just to save or to save up for tickets for sporting events.

3. Is there a particular college you have in mind for your kids? Some subtle persuasion never hurts. They'll grow up and choose their own college, but in the meantime, order a coin bank with your favorite college logo and encourage them to save for whichever college they choose.

4. When they are old enough to want shiny gadgets, make them understand that they can save for it and you'll match whatever they have saved, so they can reach their goal quicker. They'll learn about goals and the value of money.

5. As early as the age of three, you can give them allowances (usually one dollar per their age) and explain to them that they can spend some, as long as they save, and it's a good idea to teach them to give to some type of charity. You can buy them a piggy bank with different slots. Or, if you can afford it, buy two or three piggy banks, a large piggy bank for the high priority goal, and smaller piggy banks for savings and charity. Then they learn to give away 10%, save 20% and spend the rest on a goal.

Learning about the value of money and savings is a must. Next step after savings will be opening a bank account for them.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Grace_T_Thompson

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