The Importance of Reading to Your Children
Reading is very important to a child’s development. From recognition skills as they look at a picture book to learning the words to read, developing imagination, increasing vocabulary, learning better communication skills, doing better academically, the list goes on and on. Infants are just learning about the world. They only know what you teach them. As they become more alert they are learning and absorbing … Continue reading The Importance of Reading to Your Children
Inter-generational Activities
My children are blessed to have 5 great- grandparents, 8 grandparents, and Aunt and Uncles, and this doesn’t include the suto-Aunts and Uncles. But sometimes the generation gap can cause families to not spend time with each other out of having nothing in common. Below are some classic activities that know no age and everyone can enjoy. Reading and telling stories: Let your older generation … Continue reading Inter-generational Activities
Growing up Italian or Not Fitting in.
I’m Italian. And from the city. Philadelphia, that is. I grew up in an Italian neighborhood. If you’re from New York, you understand. When I meet someone from Brooklyn or someone brought up in an Italian household, it’s understood. How we grew up, our experiences, how we operate in the world. No explanations needed. When you grow up in the city, you have an edge. You … Continue reading Growing up Italian or Not Fitting in.
Picture Making Topics
There are times when your child comes up and asks you what they can draw/paint/color for you. Below are a few suggestions: Family Where you live Your Neighborhood What Games they play Favorite activities Favorite animal Holiday Different Seasons Favorite story Favorite TV character Shapes Colors Love Happiness Do you have any other suggestions for children to create? Please share with us! Ashley Continue reading Picture Making Topics
Ways Children Learn
Each child is wired differently and learn differently. There are many ways a child learns. Here are a few: By doing Through Play Through their senses By imitation By making mistakes By communicating By repetition When they are ready When their basic needs are met Reference: How do you incorporate some of these different ways to teach children? Ashley Continue reading Ways Children Learn
Punishment: What to do Instead
Last week we found out what punishments really teach children. So what are we suppose to do instead? Below is the same list with alternatives to parent positively. If your child hits another child, do not hit them as punishment. This only teaches them that it is ok if you are bigger than they are. Instead, use your words and inquire about the incident. Most children hit … Continue reading Punishment: What to do Instead
There is No Right Answer
As a child I always wanted to be out on my own. I wanted to be able to make my own decisions and do what I want. But as I have gotten older, I’ve learned that being it is harder than it looks! Not for the obvious reasons like paying bills and working, but for the fact that there is no right answer when making … Continue reading There is No Right Answer
Why I Decided on Cloth Diapers
As some of you know, I have 2 children under the age of two, which means 2 in diapers. If you have children, then you know having 1 in diapers can get expensive….just multiply that with 2. My daughters diapers we didn’t have to buy because we had them left over from my son, but my son was another story. Between diapers for him and … Continue reading Why I Decided on Cloth Diapers
Punishments: What They Really Teach Children
Positive parenting is the belief that a child can be disciplined in a positive encouraging way without punishments. Punishments, like time-out, spanking, only show children unnatural consequences to their behavior, it does not tell them why it is wrong, nor does it allow them to figure it out themselves. Punishments only stop the immediate behavior, they do not teach what behavior you want. Below are some … Continue reading Punishments: What They Really Teach Children
Repurpose Children’s Artwork
I can only imagine how many different pieces of artwork each child does in their life time. For me, I think where am I going to store it all? Here are some ideas to repurpose them without throwing them away! Use it for wrapping paper. Frame it- You can even change the picture from time to time. Turn them into greeting cards. Turn them all … Continue reading Repurpose Children’s Artwork
ART with Angela DiCicco, The Italian Grandmama's Guide 