FAMILY LIVING EVENTS

LEARNING MATH EVERY DAY

Numbers, math concepts and math discussions are a part of our every day activities for people of all ages. Including counting and math words in your child's early years will set the stage for later interest and skills in math and science. <More Info>

2009 PARENTING CLASSES

Parent Resource Place

920 University Ave, Beaver Dam

Call 920.887.7503 to register. No fees, child care available upon request.

TOOLS FOR PARENTING
Four (4) Sessions - March 9, 16, 30 and April 4 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm

Positive parenting tips, techniques and resources to build a respectful and loving envirnoment for your family. If you have every thought of taking a parenting class, give this one a try! Child care will be available, but must be registered for in advance. Call to register by March 3; contact Barb.

LEAPING LEPRECHAUNS
March 17, 2009 from 9:00-10:30 am

Keep your children active while learning to read! There are many ways for children to learn pre-reading skills. Participate and see how easy it is!

BLOCK PARTY
Coming Soon
Call for more information 920.386.3790

For one hour you can forget about the laundry, cleaning and dinner. Come for an opportunity to play with your children and 5 different type of blocks. It's Free! It's fun!

Registration required!

Simple to complex Ideas for creating building with blocks.

QUALITY CHILD CARE

The Department of Children and Families, Bureau of Regulation and Licensing (BRL) or Bureau of Early Care Regulation has launched a new website, Licensed Child Care Search http://www.dcf.wisconsin.gov/childcare/licensed/search.htm.

This website provides consumers with information on the location of licensed child care centers in their area as well as the results of monitoring visits and investigations conducted by the department.  Consumers can search by type of center, county, city, ZIP code and center name.  The website will include information on the almost 6,000 licensed child care centers in Wisconsin.

Being a parent is not an easy job.  Normal children can be a challenge, but if your child is more energetic, intense, persistent or sensitive, the parent-child relationship can become overwhelming.  Children with these “more” traits may be referred to as “Spirited” children.

Learning the clues to children’s behavior is an important first step. While other kids may whimper when they’re hungry or hurt, spirited children are likely to scream. Parents need to know that intense children react with more energy or excitement or pain than other children. They are not doing this on purpose or to embarrass you. Their bodies physiologically react more than those of other children. Parents need to “teach” their children what they are experiencing and better ways to deal with it. 

Parents are advised to avoid damaging labels and relabel the behavior in a positive manner. Realize that intense children do not hide their emotions—they are sensitive, expressive and dramatic.  Throw out labels like loud, impatient, picky, argumentative or demanding.  Parents need to learn the subtle, nonverbal cues that tell you the child’s level of intensity is rising. Then parents can take preventive actions before the child becomes overwhelmed and has a full-blown meltdown.

Here are some strategies that work with intense kids:

1. Intervene early—you can’t teach kids something new when they are losing control.  Wait until they have calmed down. Then point out what you saw and how they might handle it differently.  Try calming activities like baths, quiet time or reading stories.
   
2. Regular exercise is effective in managing intensity in parents and kids, allowing them to “blow off steam.”
   
3. Repetitive motion, especially of the jaw, can be helpful. For young children, this might include sucking a bottle or pacifier, swinging, rocking, riding a rocking horse or in a baby carrier. For older children, try drinking from a straw, chewing gum, swinging, rocking, jumping rope or going for a walk.
   
4. Deep breathing helps calm children who tend to hyperventilate or hold their breath when intensity rises. You can teach them to use deep breathing by blowing bubbles, pretending to blow out candles on a birthday cake or counting to ten.
   
5. Use humor, but avoid sarcasm or ridicule. Try doing the unexpected—give a silly response, use a different voice or use a funny mask or puppet.  Have a family “I had a bad day” party with pizza and ice cream and let kids discuss their day.
   
6. Change the scene in order to disconnect from the source of intensity.  Encourage sensory activities. Use play-doh or silly putty; give back scratches or massage; dim lights in the room; use a sensory bucket filled with water, sand or oatmeal. Other ideas include reading, playing dress up, or water play in the bath or sink.
   
7. Provide a time and space for cooling off. Teach kids ways to calm down. Choose a quiet, comfortable spot.  Teach them that time-out is an opportunity to pull out of the action in order to rest, relax and regain control. Help them feel comfortable taking a break.

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