Our kids typically don’t move as fast as we would like them to.  In episode 54, we discuss how we can speed up our kids.  Their slowness definitely happens with preschool and kindergarten age children.  Often in the morning when going to school, we just can’t get them out the door fast enough.  However the reality is that it can happen at anytime.  They sometimes can do it for control and attention but mostly it seems they just get distracted easily.  You want to appreciate that they don’t stress, but it’s hard to. So first we discuss what not to do: Don’t tell your child to hurry up – it will only be nagging and not be effective Don’t get angry or threatening to punish Don’t bribe We then dive into the meat of the subject.  Here are some tips for speeding up your kids 1) Keep a positive tone 2) Maintain a consistent routine.  They know what is coming next.  Make a sign. 3) Provide warnings – 5 minutes left for breakfast 4) Turn tasks into games – make it a race, singing about what your doing 5) Allowing natural consequences – if not dressed, they go to school in what they have on.  I’ve hear a little more strict where the mom left without the child. 6) Don’t label them as a slowpoke or use other negative words. Labels shape behavior 7) Get them a watch or teach how to read the clocks 8) Practice patience, what is the worst thing that could happen?  So what if we are late.…

The topic for episode 53 is gender bias and how we can raise our children to not have it.  We need to show our children that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.  Little girls and little boys should see open and endless possibilities in front of them Here are some steps from a Modernmom article we review:  Step 1 – Have a strong bond with your child Step 2 – Stop passing on gender bias to your kids Step 3 – Provide your child non-traditional toys Step 4 – Allow your children to participate in sports and activities that defy the gender bias. Step 5 – Give your kids responsibilities at home to teach them non-traditional roles We then go on to discuss various ways that we can begin to teach our kids not to have bias.  This information was from an article in the OC Register. 1. Teach your kid to ask “Are the men doing it, too?” Questions like: Are the men wearing skimpy costumes? Are the men’s professional achievements prefaced by a note of their gender? Are the men being asked who they’re wearing at entertainment award shows? Are the men asked “How do you balance your work and personal life? 2. Point out gender bias when you see it Pink toys versus blue toys.  Who cares.  The kids don’t unless we make them care 3. Expose them to the world Let them see women police officers, male ballet dancers or gymnasts, woman firefighters, male cheerleaders, nanny = manny 4. Have discussions about sexism in books, movies and life in general Bring up topics where you see they may have encountered these kind of issues and discuss them.  At school when they learn about something, there may be an opportunity to bring in …

For Episode 52, we discuss how noise can effect how children learn.  This article has some very interesting points of discussions. Noise is more distracting to a child’s brain than an adult. Research now shows that noise can hinder how children learn.  Children hear different things than adults do in a noisy environment. They are less equipped to deal with speech yet have a greater need to understand it.  Their ability to understand and process speech against competing background noise doesn’t mature until adolescence.  Brief sudden noises like a cough or horn can drown out part of a sentence. For an adult, we automatically substitute a choice so we usually don’t notice.  Children’s brains don’t fill in the gaps.  The guys also discuss how children shouldn’t even watch TV until after 2. Here are some tips to reduce noise and help children learn: Don’t leave TV, Radio, or other electronics on in the backgound. While it’s not clear whether soft music is distracting, lyrics are. Speak clearly and make eye contact When it is noisy, make sure toddlers see your face. They can pick up on mouth movements If the child doesn’t understand, use simpler words. One or two words is often only what is needed. If the child is having behavior problems in school, make sure being unable to hear in class isn’t the problem. …

Stereotypes are rooted from some truth.  However many of them can be hurtful or demeaning.  In episode 51, we discuss some stereotypes of dads to explore whether these are true what we can do as fathers to change them.  Here are 8 common dad stereotypes: Dad’s care more about having fun than parenting Dad’s Can’t Cook Dad’s can’t express their feelings Dad’s who stay at home are weak Dads don’t like to spend quality time with their kids Dad’s are messy and unorganized Dad’s don’t like housework Dad’s can’t take care of kids by themselves After discussing these 8 common stereotypes of dads, we discuss  5 Ways Men Can Change Stereotypes About Fatherhood.  This article makes suggestions on what dads can do to show the world that they are not part of the stereotype: 1. Change Your Child’s diapers 2. Take Parental Leave 3. Challenge Gender Sterotypes – help daughters do things thought of as boy activities 4. Leave work to help with childcare 5. Clean the house …