THERE'S A TON OF STUFF IN THIS SHOW NOTES.
AFTER THE FUN STUFF AT THE BEGINNING, THERE'S A GREAT IDEA FOR SUMMER TRAVEL, THE INTROVERTED CHILD/ADULT AND HOLDING YOUR CHILD BACK A GRADE.
DON'T MISS A THING!
Fun things! It's spring. Bring on the bunnies!
AFTER THE FUN STUFF AT THE BEGINNING, THERE'S A GREAT IDEA FOR SUMMER TRAVEL, THE INTROVERTED CHILD/ADULT AND HOLDING YOUR CHILD BACK A GRADE.
DON'T MISS A THING!
Fun things! It's spring. Bring on the bunnies!
Photo credit The Insider
I bet that IKEA knew that it wouldn't be able to keep up with the online orders for their bunnies that come ready to assembly in their signature flat pack, so they won't let you buy them online! You've got to get into your local IKEA and get them, but here's what they look like! They're $4.29, so get a warren (no, not Elizabeth!) Muwahahaha.
Sad face...my nearest IKEA is 2 hours away. No flat pack bunnies for Dr. Claudia! WAAAHHHHH!!!!
Sad face...my nearest IKEA is 2 hours away. No flat pack bunnies for Dr. Claudia! WAAAHHHHH!!!!
Photo credit to amazon.com
Where was this product when our family needed it? Ah, progress!
The Toddler Target website is sold out, so they're referring buyers to amazon, so here it is! It's about $30.
It's not just for boy kids! The girls will find it entertaining, too.
As a Mom, the most challenging part of getting The Kid up and into the bathroom was turning on the light and making him even more awake. Ugh. You don't need a bathroom light with this product.
Hmmmm, wondering if it could be put to good use for the older guys.
The Toddler Target website is sold out, so they're referring buyers to amazon, so here it is! It's about $30.
It's not just for boy kids! The girls will find it entertaining, too.
As a Mom, the most challenging part of getting The Kid up and into the bathroom was turning on the light and making him even more awake. Ugh. You don't need a bathroom light with this product.
Hmmmm, wondering if it could be put to good use for the older guys.
Photo credit to simplemost.com
Mother's Day is coming up. Does she just love her dog (or cat?) or snake or gerbil or whatever? Want to do something a bit different? Get matching robes! So adorbs.
This is the link to the article that has links for the robest, but here's the "mother lode" link to the "world of all things" that are pet-related on Etsy" Go crazy! There goes the budget.
This is the link to the article that has links for the robest, but here's the "mother lode" link to the "world of all things" that are pet-related on Etsy" Go crazy! There goes the budget.
Photo credit to amazon.com
Not sure I'm wild about this, but it did cause me to remember that when Mom and Dad took all 5 of us to the beach, she always had a HUUUGE container of baby powder and they wildly sprinkled it all over us to get rid of the sand. Of course, the car had baby powder in it, but that's not as bad as sticky sand!
This thing costs about $14.00 and may be worth it to you, so check it out here.
This thing costs about $14.00 and may be worth it to you, so check it out here.
Photo credit to Popsugar.com
Unreal. So fun. Kraft has produced a number of super fun mac and cheese products and here's the latest. Get them at Target (online link) and they're about $1.30. Makes life as a parent a little more giggly.
Here's the link to amazon.com where I got all of my sand timers when I was in practice as a psychologist. I had kids who just couldn't work for extended periods of time and I would use a 1-minute timer just to ask one question. Then, we were able to build up to 5-minutes without complaint and from then on, to greater periods of time.
There are tons of options online.
However, for the purposes of the Momma who wrote in on DrClaudia.net's "Ask Me" button, we addressed the use of a sand time for her incredibly whiny 4-year old daughter.
Here's my approach...
There are tons of options online.
However, for the purposes of the Momma who wrote in on DrClaudia.net's "Ask Me" button, we addressed the use of a sand time for her incredibly whiny 4-year old daughter.
Here's my approach...
1. Sit her down.
2. Explain to her that 4 year old kids do not whine, they talk.
3. Show her the difference in the sound of a whine and of talking.
4. Avoid accusing her of anything or mimic her in any way. It’s shaming and not instructive.
5. Help her to learn to talk instead of singing her language. My Mother called whining “talk singing”.
6. Keep your sentences short and have her repeat after you several times.
7. If she is able to repeat after you and speak correctly, you’ll know that the whining is behaviorally- and emotionally-based.
8. Let her know that when she whines, you’ll help her practice talking.
9. Then, you will turn a 2-minute sand clock timer upside down and she’s to return when the sand runs out and make her request.
10. While she waits, she is to practice.
11. Use a sand clock time which is like an hour glass. You can get them in 1, 2, 3 minutes…all ranges of time.
12. Now, the practice begins.
13. You MUST MUST MUST MUST be consistent or you’ll have to start over.
14. She will learn how to think before she speaks.
15. When she performs competently, say, “You sound like a 4-year old!”’
16. She’ll slip repeatedly, but continue to practice until she achieves mastery.
She’ll resort to whining when she’s tired or not feeling well. I know I do….
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay
I was in Walgreens at the pharmacy and overheard a conversation with a Momma who had a toddler with a cold. I was intrigued by the information I heard and set about finding an article that I could refer you to so that you have the facts. It's a brief article and in a format that let's you get to the info you need right away.
The bottom line is that there isn't much at all we can do for our kids' congestion and misery. A fever, yeah, but beyond that, there's not much. We can use a bulb syringe to get out some of the goo, but until they learn how to blow their noses competently, it's pretty much a waste of time. And, there are serious consequences for giving kids medications.
Soon enough, your little one will be able to manage their own goo, so wait it out. It's really tough to watch them suffer, but do your best not to make it worse.
The bottom line is that there isn't much at all we can do for our kids' congestion and misery. A fever, yeah, but beyond that, there's not much. We can use a bulb syringe to get out some of the goo, but until they learn how to blow their noses competently, it's pretty much a waste of time. And, there are serious consequences for giving kids medications.
Soon enough, your little one will be able to manage their own goo, so wait it out. It's really tough to watch them suffer, but do your best not to make it worse.
Photo credit to pinterest
Want to go glamping and have a much better time than the settlers had on the Oregon Trail? Yosemite Pines RV Resort and Family Lodging offers amazing experiences for you and your family this summer. Check it out. This looks so great that you probably should get on it right away before the dates you want are gone! Oh, I'd LOVE to do this!!
A young woman wrote in about her sister who she finds to be a "marshmallow". Actually, this woman was disgusted by her sister's passivity and I explained a few reasons for this.
Maybe she's the one who's dominated her sister all of her life, so she's just quiet around her. There were other factors, but I suggested that perhaps her sister is an introvert and asked her to check out this book.
If you have an introvert child or family member, the insight of this book will knock your socks off. It's actually a fun read, but then, again, I'm always up for learning something new.
Maybe she's the one who's dominated her sister all of her life, so she's just quiet around her. There were other factors, but I suggested that perhaps her sister is an introvert and asked her to check out this book.
If you have an introvert child or family member, the insight of this book will knock your socks off. It's actually a fun read, but then, again, I'm always up for learning something new.
Over the past few weeks, I've received a few questions over the DrClaudia's "Ask Me" button about kids struggling in school at this time of the year and holding kids back a grade.
I strongly believe that kids who are being considered for "retention" (failing a grade) should be evaluated, but it's getting a bit late in the year for schools to start assessments since they have 90 days to complete them. Believe me, I've worked in schools long enough to know that district personnel have that "drop dead date" circled on their calendars and are likely to make the recommendation for retention after that day. That leaves you in a lurch.
So, what happens? You might just get bullied or "worried" into retention.
Sometimes, kids are retained because they're "immature". I've never had an "immature" come into my practice who didn't have some kind of difficulty. And, what about holding immature kids back only to put them in a class with younger kids will make them more mature??? Really?
Kindergarten through 5th grade are the 6 most important academic years of a child's life. It's all about FUNDAMENTALS, FUNDAMENTALS, FUNDAMENTALS!!!
Those hot shots at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory are still using concepts they learned in elementary school, so don't underestimate the role of those early years in establishing solid academic and social-emotional foundations.
Here are links to critical information that will help you to make a decision. Remember, if you have a follow-up question, call me at 833-400-5050 or send me your comments here.
1. The Special Education Referral...how to get an assessment in the school setting.
2. The Special Education Assessment...it's pros and cons.
3. Holding your child back a grade.
4. The lifelong result of holding your child back a grade.
5. Learn more about 504 Plans here. This resource will help you to understand the differences between a Section 504 Plan (from the Rehabilitation Act) and Special Education. If your child cannot be evaluated before the end of the school year, ask for a Section 504 plan to address the issues. Services can begin immediately. In fact, ask for a 504 plan for interim services before special education begins if your child qualifies for it.
6. Consider engaging an educational therapist. Learn all there is to know about an educational therapist here. They are allowed to administer academic tests that will give you a better sense of how well your child's "functional" skills are developed.
When I say "functional skills", I am talking about those skills that are required in the classroom. If your child is in the 5th grade, their ability to recognize a wide variety of words (sight words), read with effective speed (reading fluency) and understand the material (reading comprehension) are functional skills that determine their success. They are no longer focusing on learning sight words which was important in K-2.
You simply CANNOT CANNOT CANNOT wait for the next school year to begin and there are about 2 months of school left, to get busy!
Just do your best.
Claudia
Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch.
At DrClaudia.net, click on the "Ask Me" button and send me a question.
Sign up for the Sunday newsletter. Don't miss a thing!
I strongly believe that kids who are being considered for "retention" (failing a grade) should be evaluated, but it's getting a bit late in the year for schools to start assessments since they have 90 days to complete them. Believe me, I've worked in schools long enough to know that district personnel have that "drop dead date" circled on their calendars and are likely to make the recommendation for retention after that day. That leaves you in a lurch.
So, what happens? You might just get bullied or "worried" into retention.
Sometimes, kids are retained because they're "immature". I've never had an "immature" come into my practice who didn't have some kind of difficulty. And, what about holding immature kids back only to put them in a class with younger kids will make them more mature??? Really?
Kindergarten through 5th grade are the 6 most important academic years of a child's life. It's all about FUNDAMENTALS, FUNDAMENTALS, FUNDAMENTALS!!!
Those hot shots at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory are still using concepts they learned in elementary school, so don't underestimate the role of those early years in establishing solid academic and social-emotional foundations.
Here are links to critical information that will help you to make a decision. Remember, if you have a follow-up question, call me at 833-400-5050 or send me your comments here.
1. The Special Education Referral...how to get an assessment in the school setting.
2. The Special Education Assessment...it's pros and cons.
3. Holding your child back a grade.
4. The lifelong result of holding your child back a grade.
5. Learn more about 504 Plans here. This resource will help you to understand the differences between a Section 504 Plan (from the Rehabilitation Act) and Special Education. If your child cannot be evaluated before the end of the school year, ask for a Section 504 plan to address the issues. Services can begin immediately. In fact, ask for a 504 plan for interim services before special education begins if your child qualifies for it.
6. Consider engaging an educational therapist. Learn all there is to know about an educational therapist here. They are allowed to administer academic tests that will give you a better sense of how well your child's "functional" skills are developed.
When I say "functional skills", I am talking about those skills that are required in the classroom. If your child is in the 5th grade, their ability to recognize a wide variety of words (sight words), read with effective speed (reading fluency) and understand the material (reading comprehension) are functional skills that determine their success. They are no longer focusing on learning sight words which was important in K-2.
You simply CANNOT CANNOT CANNOT wait for the next school year to begin and there are about 2 months of school left, to get busy!
Just do your best.
Claudia
Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch.
At DrClaudia.net, click on the "Ask Me" button and send me a question.
Sign up for the Sunday newsletter. Don't miss a thing!
