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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It Is Effective to Teach Kids About Respect at an Early Age

Having respect within the home is a great thing for a family. Learning how to get respect could be easy of could be hard. However, respect between a parent and a child had to go both ways. One of the vital essences of smart parenting is to show how to give respect to elders by the younger ones, but it is also best that parents should understand that they too should know how to treat their children with the same respect that they wanted. In most cases, respect is earned not forced.

These are some basic rules of gaining respect.

Treat with courtesy. Being polite to others, elders or peers promotes the positive aspect of relationship. This is a way to show other people that you understand good values. There is no place for anyone who is rude to others. Politeness could eventually give you better chances of obtaining what you wanted. Good behavioral changes helps and good manners are normally passed on to the next generation, and parents should make sure this happens.

Avoid domestic violence. There is nothing more sad and depressing than an unhappy home. Resolving disagreements with the use of violence is a big no-no. Corporal punishment is not necessary once you have established a good communication between you as a parent and your children. This is a good way to get involved in child development too. Make sure you can manage your anger well so you would not instigate spanking. Conversing and negotiating with your children is much better way to fix things in the home.

Living the Golden Rule. You have to treat others the way you wanted to be treated. When talking at home, it is best to avoid communicating by shouting, use of sarcasm, offending body language, making faces, and yelling to each other. Take time to listen to one another. Sharing your thoughts to your children will help them open up and share theirs too. Young as they are, they will feel safe to open up and talk to you.

These are simple ways to show children how to give and gain respect. Parents should also know to that simple praises goes a long way. Giving your child some praises with boost their self-esteem and will show respect for elders too. it will become a normal habit for them to show respect and would grow up having that value as part of their personal character.

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

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