Parenting Tips

It is completely normal for both young children and parents to have series of emotions on the first few days to kindergarten.

Let’s see how good they are on their 1^st week.

At Noddy by Elizabeth, we truly understand that this is one of the big step changes in life for family. So, our staff are dedicated to make this experience a smooth transition. Your trust and confidence that they’re in good hands is very important as this feeling can pass on to your children.

School days might not be as exciting as holidays. However, we can help our children have fun to get back to school.

For example, ask them to talk about their favourite teachers, friends they love or activities they enjoy to do at school. For those who are the first time to school, parents may engage them in packing the bags, preparing the dress or choosing their favourite breakfast. The more responsibility they take, the more ownership they feel and the easier they can establish the new routines.

Children can pick up on parents’ attitudes towards things. So, make positive conversation and emphasise the cool things or freedom they will experience at school.

Do you know that the 24^th of August is the INTERNATIONAL STRANGE MUSIC DAY?.

The spirit of it is to encourage people to listen to a type of music they don’t usually listen to. It promotes seeing things from a different perspective or “listening without prejudice.”

Studies prove that different types of music affect the mind and body in different ways. For example, smooth jazz for relaxation, pop music for endurance improvement, classical music for fighting depression, sparking creativity and supercharging brainpower.

This is a great day to celebrate with your children. It is a good opportunity to share the music you listened to when you were young with them and dance with them to exercise together to create a happy family time.

Source: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/international-strange-music-day-august-24/

Motivation and rewarding are important to help young children get into their routines or schedule.

They like to have choices and be involved in the decision-making of their schedule. Always explain the reason why to do things, make it playful and don’t rush them. Be strict with the agreed condition of the reward, but also help them to achieve it.

Remember to praise their efforts, not just the end-result.

Like…thank you for tidying up your toys after playing. It really makes our house nice and clean.

The reward can simply be your kind words that are specific to their good behaviours, your big smile or a big hug.

Every parent can create Summer Camp at home for young children. Just observe what they like and engage them to plan together.

An important thing is to have a good balance between activities to use up their energy and activities to help them focus, be with themselves or cool down. Sometimes they just need someone to be around, observe and admire what they can do 😍

You can also engage them to HELP ON SIMPLE HOUSEWORK!. They will be very proud and learn best through own experience in the process 👍👏👏👏

Remember that the more children get involved, the more ownership they feel and confidence they gain.

Swimming is a lifeskill. Once you are able to swim, you will never forget how to!

Children can start to learn swimming at a very young age. The biggest milestone is not to be afraid of water. At Noddy by Elizabeth Playgroup, we start from letting children get used to water, like paddling and playing with floating toys. Once they are familiar with water, the next step is to allowing themselves in the water, blowing water so that they won’t suffocate and finally holding their breath under water for a short period of time. These practice should be strictly under supervision of parents or swimming instructors.

Once they conquer these steps, learning to swim will be very easy and fun. Finally, no matter how shallow the water is, never leave your children unattended.

Children learn best when they are happy. And they will be very happy when they can do things by themselves. You will be amazed that some of the behaviours that you worry about or try to fix can simply be solved by getting them involved in the process.

For example, if they hate eating vegetables, get them involved in the process from planting to cooking preparation. By the time they wait for the vegetables to grow, cut, wash and cook, they will eventually be eager to try eating them.

So, the role of parents is to get them involved along the process of the activities that they enjoy, feel valued and have a sense of ownership. It can simply be any activities in the house.

Spending quality time with your children is not just about the quantity, but also the quality of the time that you spend together even for just 5 or 10 minutes. Sometimes they just need you to sit nearby and listen to what they have gone through each day without judging them or sometimes they really would like you to participate or play with them for a moment.

Remember that children learn best when they are happy. That’s why playing with them is the simpliest, but the most precious time that you can observe their feelings, problem-solving skills and decision making. Don’t forget to say ‘well-done’ or give them high-5 when they achieve even little things to build their self-confidence. So, to create quality time, it’s the process that matter, not just the end result.

Please remember that every child in this world is unique in his or her own way.

Some may grow up to be a doctor or engineer, famous artist, rock star or the job that we might have never dreamt of at our childhood. We should give them free space to explore, develop and find out their own talents.

One of the techniques is to allow them to learn through playing.  While you observe your child playing, you might be surprised that they are very good at some particular skills. The world is evolving, and also many new careers have emerged.

So, I would like to emphasise the importance of children’s freedom to play while you spend quality time to observe and support them at your best.

Early childhood is the golden years of life. It’s a critical period as children absorb a lot of knowledge and go through optimum growth & development. Which is why we should allow them to explore things as they learn, and best through playing. The caregivers’ job is not to tell them what to do, but to observe and listen to what they need, and provide support from a distance to ensure their safety while they learn by themselves.

During the pandemic, children have become more attached to their electronic devices and captured at home rather than going out. Therefore, now it is time to revive their childhood and bring them closer to nature and learn from a healthier environment, which will turn them into compassionate children.