Click through to read the steps and instructions for implementing Jo's Heart Pops Technique …
Read MoreClick through to read the steps and instructions for implementing Jo's Heart Pops Technique …
Read MoreThe Snack Jar Technique- is applied to create consistency for a child’s eating times, choosing mindful, healthier options and encouraging correct proportion sizes to a child’s balanced daily food plan at mealtimes…
The Snack Jar Can be home made or bought and personalized which kids love to do as an Arts activity.
Parents who favor their children grazing throughout the day can sometimes learn fast they start to have trouble with their kids at mealtimes especially eating their balanced daily meals,this can lead to very unhealthy habits that lead a parent to feel rather helpless when it comes to them establishing new foods and encouraging them to eat fruits and veggies. This vicious cycle can become relentless for parents as they power struggle over food being eaten that’s healthy and at the correct times too,which often leads to dinner being thrown away and a child asking for a snack only 30mins later!
If you make snack time about them,your children get to choose from your box of choices their snacks, without over filling themselves up before their main staple meals,Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner. Yes I know, easy right? and then everybody is happy!
It’s not just great in theory, it works successfully as many of you have watched me apply with families over the years so if you’ve just emptied your child’s dinner, untouched, into the bin, I suggest you get Jar making.
Oh and by the way it works great for Parents too,nothing better then leading by example.
How to Make your own Jar
Grab & Go Snack Ideas for Your Jar (For frozen choices place a note in the Jar)
Copywritten by Jo Frost
Read MoreYou’ve heard the old saying ‘some children take to water, like water off a ducks back’ it has no effect on them at all. Well, it’s very true, the earlier the child is introduced to water the earlier they become more confident. The more confident we are around water as parents the more reassuring that is for our young. If you start lessons early our toddlers shrug off memories that weren’t so pleasant because they are used to being around an aquatic environment. If your child is reluctant remember to always keep it fun and relax yourself, you will avoid the poolside battles. Be leave it or not if you are afraid of water, consciously or not you could be conveying that to your kids. Remember, once your child overcomes his reluctance he will be like the rest, splashing around. Who knows, you could have a Michael Phelps on your hands.
Read MoreWe hear it every day, be mindful to stay connected to your family as we are busy being pulled from one direction to another. Feeling overwhelmed at times, and wondering how we will find peace in balancing our schedules and home life. The true reality is it needs to be a reality. Nobody gives you the time you have to make it, and not just as one family member but every family member. Yes, indeed, we can fall on our laurels and the seasonal festivities of coming together with not only our immediate family but our extended. However, true intimacy and emotional connection where we bond on a deep and profound level comes from making the time to have these fun experiences with our loved ones. Sometimes that means doing something that we don’t particularly like but that the other family member likes! No reason why we can’t take turns and enjoy an assortment of different things to do. For many families this becomes challenging as our children become older wanting to spend time with boyfriends/girlfriends, colleagues, school mates, so don’t shy away from why it is important for you to remain connected to your young adults. Let them know how much you care, how you feel, as we all know that the memories we create now are the ones we treasure later.
Read MoreI believe understanding the need to invest in our young so that they thrive in their early childhood development is to encourage a brighter future for them and for their wellness. Early year play, plays a vital role in the development of a child’s brain. When we are consistent in providing early learning experiences through human interaction we help how our children’s brains are built and they function. The effect of this can be very healthy in going onto develop positive mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing s they continue to learn now and later on in life. The more stimuli, the more experiences, the more learning opportunities, the better. Through developmental toys we give our infants the experience of sound, touch, vision, smell, speech and it is this attachment that creates a healthy emotional bond between you and your child. This then leads to much competence and confidence whilst exploring the world around them.
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Just in time for the holidays, we’re giving away a copies of Jo’s books! The winner will receive:
Jo Frost’s Confident Baby Care
Jo Frost’s Toddler Rules
Jo Frost’s Toddler SOS
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This month, we’re revisiting one of Jo’s most popular back-to-school editorials. This piece appeared in the September 2007 edition of Jo’s eNewsletter.
Now you’ve gotten kids off to school, experienced first day jitters (for you, no them) and taken more first day pictures than necessary, you now have the time to think about what you will do now that they are off. There may be a newfound freedom and liberation, but also a thought of “what I will do with myself?” For some moms school will only be a few hours of their day, but for others it will be all day. Now’s the time to concentrate on some key areas of “okay so now the kids have been at school for a few weeks, what can I expect?” Here are a few of my answers to some common concerns that parents may have. Just remember to keep your eye on the BALL:
B bullying. No matter how much you try and protect your child, you can never completely protect them from being bullied or becoming a bully. This is repetitive behavior that is taken out on a child. It doesn’t just happen in the playground, it happens in the classroom, after school, on the cell phones, Internet and email. Who is prone to being bully? It’s not always who you think. A bully could be any kid that’s jealous towards another. They bully (or the child being bullied) can be the most unlikely kid in the classroom – it could even be your own child. Bullying can make kids feel sick, isolated, scared or even embarrassed or humiliated in front of their friends. You will notice a difference in the behavior of your child. Let’s not underestimate bullying because it’s a MAJOR problem. The impact can also affect schoolwork, self esteem, confidence and make safe places (like school) suddenly feel unsafe and threatening.
The best thing for a child being bullied to do is to tell someone (even when the bully tells them not too). Tell a teacher, parents, friend, expose, expose.
A for anxious. Even though a school routine has been developed, children can still feel anxious and stressed. How can you tell the signs? A lack of sleep (resulting in grouchy or tired children). Butterflies in the stomach (or upset stomach) can indicate that maybe your child doesn’t feel prepared or there maybe something wrong at school. Your first step is to find out what’s wrong. Are they not connecting with the teacher? Is the work too hard for them/to easy? Are they being bullied? Not finding the right crowd of friends? A good way to discover answers to these questions is to have your children keep a school journal for the first few months of school. Have them write in it whatever they feel like: what they’ve done in school, about their teachers, friends, etc. and talk to them about it. Communication is key. Ask your kids questions that don’t just require yes or no answers. Engage them; learn the names of your child’s friends and teachers. Who’s the “class clown” the best friend, the “smartest?” Children love to talk about what they’ve discovered as long as you engage them and are interested in what they have to say.
Even if your child is old hat at school, just the change to a new building or moving up from elementary school to middle school or middle school to high school can be a big change. All of this new change needs to be backed up with support at home.
L for learning difficulties. If a child avoids doing their homework, doesn’t want to do it or says they can’t do it, may need the extra help listening or focusing. Give them a quiet and controlled space in which to do their work. Help them when they need it and offer any assistance you can. Make sure there are no distractions in the room and give praise for a job well done or when your child figures out the correct answer to a particularly difficult question. If they get frustrated, be patient with them, keep them focused and continue to give praise. Tell them it is a challenge and that you will help them if they need it. Make sure you set aside an early time to do homework with your child. If it’s too late, your child will be too tired to focus and concentrate on homework or studying. It’s all about finding the balance in your schedule and in how your child’s body clock functions.
Most public schools offer free after school tutoring from older students or teacher run study time and extra help. If you child is having any difficulties in a particular subject, check in to programs like these or see what is available through your school or community.
L for life skills. Teach your children time management and how they can be more self-sufficient. Buy them an alarm clock and teach them how to set it to show them responsibility waking up in the morning. Set up a timetable with them and keep it pinned up in their room or the kitchen. Include school schedule, homework, extra-curricular activities and chores. Have your child participate in checking things off the list or adding to the list (as the case may be). Teach them how to keep a mental checklist: do you have everything for school? Books, lunch, sneakers for PE. Have them start to make or pack their on lunch. This will help them to remember to take it the next morning. Prepare as much as you can the night before so you’re not running around stressed in the morning.
This also contributes to how children remember, listen and their communication skills, as well as taking direction.
Moms what worried you the most while your child was going back to school and what did you do to channel that worry? Other moms might be going through the same thing. Post your stories and suggestions in the forums – you never know when other moms are going through the same thing with their children.
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Lots of news and events happening this month that we wanted to highlight beyond the “Latest News” page.
The second season of Jo Frost’s Extreme Parental Guidance will be airing starting on Wednesday, 6th July at 8:00p on Channel 4 in the U.K.
As Jo would like everyone to participate in the EPG series, we’ve created a page on the website with a episode-by-episode synopsis and, after each show, Jo will be adding her post-show thoughts on the families and whole experience to the web page. All of the photos that appear in the mosaic are a visual diary of Jo’s behind-the-scenes pictures from shooting the series. When you click on the photo, it opens to reveal a larger gallery. Click here to take a look, play around and don’t forget to watch the show!
Also this month, Jo is on the road in the U.K. signing copies of her new book, Jo Frost’s Confident Toddler Care. Pick up a copy at your local bookstore, or pop into a shop near you and say hi to Jo whilst she’s in your town. Click here for her tour schedule.
Additionally, we’re also excited to announce that we will be premiering a new section on the forums this month. This new topic section is specifically for nannies and caretakers to ask questions, give advice, and seek support in dealing with both childcare and parent issues in their jobs. Everyone is welcome to offer posters advice in this new section, so keep checking in as questions are posted.
We hope you're having a great summer! We'll be back to posting fun Chin-Wag topics next month. -The Web Team
A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Christian Stead, illustrated by Erin Stead (ages 4-8)
THE BEST SICK DAY EVER and the animals in the zoo feature in this striking picture book debut …
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