5 COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES: WAYS THAT SHOW YOUR CHILD YOU CARE

February, the month of "Love", is a great time to think about the most effective ways to say "I care" to your child.

One of the best gifts you can give your child is the gift of excellent communication. Good communication skills are not inborn. They are developed and they can be improved. Here are five basic things to consider when communicating with your child.

1. Practice good nonverbal communication. Do you relax your face and smile when talking with your child? When you listen, do you lean forward, meet his/her eyes, and give your full attention?
2. Keep corrective communication short and simple. Focus on the main issue at hand.
3. Encourage your child to keep talking to you. Do you ask open-ended questions such as "How?" or "Would you explain?" or do you mainly ask questions that can be answered with a "yes" or "no"?
4. Ask yourself, "What is my child feeling?" By trying to understand the emotions your child is experiencing, you can help him clarify his feelings so that he can solve his own problems.
5. Practice reflective, active listening. Do you describe what you notice about your child's efforts and the progress he is making toward her goals? Or do you continually praise your child, which can foster undue dependence on the external judgment of others? 

Magna Gerber, a well-respected expert in infant/toddler care said,

"When we help a child feel secure, feel appreciated, feel that somebody is deeply, truly interested in him by the way we look, the way we listen, we influence a child's whole personality, the way that a child sees life."

Honest, non-manipulative communication is based on the belief that children can be trusted. It makes them feel competent and valued. Enjoy your communications with your child this month while honing your own communication skills!

STAR GUY WINTER ACTIVITIES

February in Minnesota usually means we need some fresh ideas for indoor activities. Here are a couple ideas to help keep children and parents active on those cold days:

INDOOR BOWLING Using small, empty water bottles and a rubber ball, you can transform your family room into a bowling alley.  If the bottles fall over too easily, fill them up with a little water or dry pasta for some extra weight.   INDOOR SKATING Use paper plates as skates. Take turns racing down a hallway or in a large room.  Use a timer to record each person's results.

COOKING WITH STAR GUY! 

BERRY SORBET PIE

2 C vanilla or strawberry nonfat sorbet, softened

8 oz. container Cool Whip, divided

¾ C frozen strawberries or raspberries, chopped

9-inch low-fat graham cracker pie crust

1 ¼ C cold skim milk

2 (4 serving) packages vanilla or banana instant pudding mix

Combine sorbet and ½ C Cool Whip in medium bowl; fold in strawberries or raspberries and mix until completely blended.  Spoon sorbet mixture into pie crust.  Place in freezer 15 to 20 minutes or until hardened. 

Pour skim milk into large bowl; add pudding mix and beat vigorously with wire whisk until blended and smooth.  Fold in ½ C Cool Whip just until mixed.  Spoon pudding mixture over sorbet; cover and freeze overnight.

Remove pie from freezer 10 to 15 minutes before serving.  Serve with additional whipped topping if desired.  Enjoy!