Newsletter Page 2
The Child Who Hits and Pushes
Young children are much more likely to communicate their needs and feelings through behavior than through language. One of the biggest challenges facing parents and caregivers is learning to understand the language of behavior and responding in a helpful way. Sometimes doing both is hard. Responding appropriately can be especially hard when we are responsible for the well-being of others and a child’s aggressive behavior, such as hitting, pushing, scratching, biting, hurts or frightens them. The three most important things that can be done is these situations is
·
solicit this child’s feelings· help him/her find words to explain his/her feelings and engage him/her in problem solving with the other children involved in the argument
· listen with a "third ear."
If weeks and weeks of consistently doing these things don’t work, try to find out if there are important behind-the-scenes issues going on in the child’s life that cause him/her to act out so often.
Offer Support and Suggestions
In situations like this, in which a certain child tends to strike out, caregivers should try to stay near him/her as much as possible. Remind him/her of appropriate behavior using such phrases as "We don’t hurt people. Tell them what you want." (It might be something he/she’s playing with, something he/she wants to continue using on his/her own and not give him/her a turn just yet, and so on.) Or try "You don’t like what someone said to you? Tell him. Say, ‘I don’t like it when you say I’m a stinky stupid.’"
At the same time try to help him/her work through the incident to a conclusion that satisfies both parties.
Children’s Nutrition
Children must be offered a wide variety of foods, from all of the food groups. A caregivers is responsible for 50% of the child’s daily nutrition. This is achieved by offering a changing selection of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy and protein. Try introducing new and unusual foods for children to try. Start with a new type of fruit and then vegetables. Children must be able to try and then chose what they like from the choices available. Understand there will be definite likes and dislikes, but attempts to try should be encouraged.
Kiddie Kare is a family oriented child care service. We believe that good quality child care is the most important service to offer families.
Free newsletter for the parents and caregivers of Kiddie Kare Day Care Services Incorporated