Babies & Toddlers

I bet you're thinking this doesn't  pertain to you. So you can skip and read on. Wait...school readiness starts at birth.

Language and Literacy skills

Communication through grunts, motions, sounds and words, increases interest, which helps with later understanding of books and reading. Talking, reading aloud and singing all stimulate understanding of language. Talk about the world around your baby and explore books.

Thinking Skills

Children are learning about how the world around them works. Cause and effect: I cry and someone comes. In addition they are developing the complex skills of counting, sorting and problem solving. Ideas: Play with the same toy in a different way. Empty and fill containers. Play with blocks.

Self-control

The ability to express and manage emotions in appropriate ways. This allows children to cooperate with others, cope with frustration and resolve conflicts. It is learned through interactions with others and parental guidance such as rocking, hugs or room time.

Self-Confidence

When children are sure about themselves, they are more willing to take on new challenges. This is crucial for getting along with others, working out problems, sharing, competition and making friends. Practice new skills again and again. Comfort your child when he or she is upset. Have a schedule so your child knows what will happen next: After lunch we have a nap, etc.

Teens

There is a debate about setting high expectation for your teens. What happens when the expectation is not met? Is the teen crushed?

A recent study at the Harvard Family Research Project suggests that high expectations in school lead to high performance in school.

• High expectations move children forward, even if they don't always succeed. As a parent you get to explain the importance of trying to achieve the best and the process in learned.

• Be clear in describing expectations. Talk about finding subjects, activities, jobs that your teen can excel in. Celebrate your teen, when a task has been accomplished to a higher level than before.

• Shoot for long term but focus on short term. If our expectation is for a college education, it is good to talk about it regularly. But if we neglect this week's quiz in history, we send the wrong message.

• Recognize successes. When those small steps happen well (like an A on that history quiz), it is important to celebrate the victories. As your teen makes progress toward an expectation, let them know you are pleased.

•  Learn from setbacks. Yes setback & failure feel awful yet humans learn the most from these situations. Learning how to handle setbacks in a positive light helps us learn from the mistake and not make the same ones again. Setbacks give your teen a critical skill to get through life.

• Be willing to adjust to changing circumstances. Sometimes, what start out as realistic expectations become unrealistic. Things change along the way: start of a sport, job, change in school load, etc. As this happens, be willing to adjust the expectation to one that is achievable with effort. Holding doggedly to an expectation when circumstances change is a formula for frustration. Teens need to decompress as well as meet expectations; give them the room to do so. 

Lending Library Spotlight

In each newsletter we will feature resources that can be checked out from the Parent Place. 

•  Yardsticks by Chip Wood: describes characteristics of children and how they learn.
•  Learning to Learn by Carolyn Oliver & Rosemary F. Bowler: for students with learning challenges.
•  The Bully, the Bullied and the Bystander by Barbara Coloroso: explains the difference in bullies, step to take if your child is the bully and more.

School age  

This age groups sees enormous growth and development and can be a whirlwind to observe. Here are some things to think about.

•  It's a big world. The first few years of school are exciting and stressful. Learning how to listen to adults besides mom and dad and being on their own for several hours each day is a tremendous leap forward. As a parent, keep in mind this transition your child is moving through; be patient and understanding.

• Give them your confidence. A child often will doubt their abilities. Sometimes they will verbalize this lack of self-confidence; sometimes it stays their little secret. You can help them by sharing your own confidence in their abilities with your child. Be matter-of-fact about their talents and express your utter confidence in them, even if you have your own set of concerns.

• Friendships count. This is the time to figure out what works and what doesn't. Children are learning that families operate differently; what is a vital rule in your own family may not matter at all in another family. Learning that people do things differently is an important lesson.

• Talk values. Solidify what values are important to your family with your child. Ideas such as: We are kind. Why is this important? Or We are fair, even when others are not. Or We tell the truth, even when it may get us into trouble.

• Don't overload. It's easy to pile on too much. A child's main 'job' is school, so allow adequate time, space and support to homework. Allow free playtime as kids spend several hours a day sitting at a desk and being quiet.

• Family time is a priority. Dinnertime together often, a weekly game night, chores done as a team, etc. Make together-time a priority.

• Have a family "thing". Find a fun hobby the whole family can enjoy and jump right in. You can bike, go camping, build model trains, raise bunnies, volunteer in your community, etc, You will draw on these memories for a lifetime.

• Personal responsibility. Chores, homework and learning new skills like musical instruments or sports activities are excellent ways to show responsibility for self and possessions.

Ages and stages were adapted from:

http://barackoli.com/10-parenting-tips-for-elementary-age-children/

 http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/

http://fatherhood.about.com/od/succeeding

We would like to say THANK YOU! To the Belgrade High School woodshop class! They have built us an amazing new bookshelf for the Bozeman Parent Place.

Baby Fair

Bozeman Public Library

September 17th from

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

The Greater Gallatin School Readiness Team will be hosting a Baby Fair giving families the opportunity to explore resources, findfamily activities based on age of child and try them out. The event will be held in the Community Room on the main floor and refreshments will be served.

Please join us at the library for

a fun and information filled morning. Complimentary baby board books will be given to all who attend! The entire family

is welcome to attend.

Child Development Days

September 30, 8am-4pm

Hope Luthern Church

2152 W. Graf  

Is your child (0-5 yrs) on track developmentally? Find out!

Please call Emma at 587-2194 

for an appointment or

more information.

Thrive needs your help!

We have a $50,000 Challenge Gift!

This means that we will receive $50K from a donor, if we raise $50K to match that gift by October 1^st.

Have you benefited from the Parent Place Programs? Please help us meet this goal!

All gifts help, and are doubled!