101 Things Parents Can Do... Things 11 - 20

101 Things Parents Can Do to Help Children by Barbara Hacker(Montessori teacher and Ed. M)

Next 11-20

11. Read together daily. With younger children stick to books with realistic themes.
    
12. See that your child gets to school on time.
    
13. Allow sufficient time for your child to dress himself/herself.
    
14. Allow your child to collaborate with food preparation.
    
15. If possible, allow your child a plot of land or a flower pot in which to experience growing things.
    
16. Take walks together at the child's pace, pausing to notice things and talk about them.
    
17. Help your child be in a calm mood to experience school rather than over stimulated and carrying toys or food.
    
18. Eliminate or strictly limit TV watching and replace with activity oriented things that involve the child rather than his/her being a passive observer. When the child does watch TV, watch it with him/her and discuss what is being seen.
    
19. From the earliest age, give your child the responsibility to pick up after himself/herself. i.e. return toys to place, put dirty clothes in laundry basket, clear dishes to appropriate place, clean off sink after use, etc. This necessitates preparing the environment so children know where things go.
    
20. Hug regularly but don't impose affection. Recognize the difference.
    

21….more next week!