ML Interest Tag: self-control

10 Tips to Make Daycare Easier for Everyone (According to Experts)

by Tinybeans Team

Daycare can be daunting for everyone involved, but with a bit of planning, you and your childcare provider can navigate any bumps in the road to a perfect partnership. After all, that bitty babe and tiny tot of yours deserve as much comfort, TLC and security at daycare as they get at home. Read on for tips on making sure the transition to daycare is a smooth one.

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Cover the Basics: Location & Hours of Operation

If you're new to the daycare game, know this: the busiest mornings of your professional career pre-baby were a cakewalk. When you add extras like two sets of clothing, labeled diapers, prepped and labeled bottles and baby food to your list—on top of a routine that's at the mercy of a pre-departure feeding, dressing, soothing and general parenting of your child—mornings take on a whole new meaning. Keep the logistics simple; make sure your daycare is both convenient and open during the hours you expect to need coverage.

Know & Be Aware of Child-to-Adult Ratios

According to ChildCare.gov, "low child-to-adult ratios and small group sizes help ensure that your child gets enough one-on-one attention from an adult who is available to take care of each child’s unique needs. This helps children feel safe and secure and reduces feelings of being overwhelmed—for both children and adults." Since adults are better able to watch and respond to a smaller group, children will be less likely to get injured or sick. Check your state's requirements here. In general, the younger the children, the more trained adults should be present, and the smaller the group size should be.

Accept That It Will Be Stressful at First

The first days and weeks of delivering your child to daycare will be difficult. You'll worry. They'll cry. You might cry. If you accept that you're running a marathon, not a sprint, your difficult mornings will eventually become rare, and you'll find yourself arriving at pick-up to find your child happily engaged and not quite ready to leave.

As you work through the first months of daycare, you'll undoubtedly question your choices. For every article suggesting there could be a negative impact on your child of daycare, there's another one pointing towards a positive outcome for your child from being in a group care setting. Just remember that no matter what the experts say, you are the expert on your child and how he or she is adjusting to childcare.

Communicate

According to Karen Nemeth, EdM, via naeyc.org, parents shouldn't be afraid to share information with a childcare provider, because "the more the teacher knows about your child, the better they can support play, learning, and development. And the more you know about how your child is spending their day, the better you can support learning at home. Remember that you and the teacher both have your child’s wellbeing at heart."

If you find pick-up times to be hectic, try to engage your child's daycare provider via email, text or during drop-off time. The more teachers understand what makes your child unique, the more they can meet his needs, encourage progress and celebrate accomplishments every day.

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Don't Linger

We've been there. Leaving you mini-me can be excruciating, especially if she's having a major meltdown. But for the sake of everyone's sanity, sometimes it's best to kiss-and-run. Remember, the drop-off is about them, not you. Crying in the car—if you need to shed tears—sets your kiddos up for more success than if you do it in front of them.

Establish Routines

"Most children entering preschool are socially and emotionally able to self-regulate their emotions and behaviors, which means that increased expectations of your child around self-care tasks—such as getting dressed, putting on shoes, and getting ready to leave the house using verbal rather than physical 'help' to complete the tasks where possible—can help tremendously as he or she transitions into a new daycare setting," explains Lydia Criss Mays, PhD, Early Childhood and Elementary Educational Consultant.

Translation: Give your child a task that will engage him or her in the process of going to daycare each day. Let them place their diapers in their bags, put on their shoes or pack their snacks. A routine that includes them becomes a routine they can embrace.

Samantha Hurley via Burst

Talk It Out

In Young Exceptional Children, by Hoffman & Hughes, "research shows parents who start preparing their child for school by talking about expectations at school, appropriate school behaviors and regularly engage in 'sit down' listening activities help ease the transition into preschool by exemplifying routine and building self-confidence, curiosity, self-control and more." The more you talk to them about what's going to happen, the less worrisome the transition into daycare is when it actually happens.

Adjust to the Daycare's Schedule

As a parent, you reign supreme in determining the best snack, nap, screen, bath and bed time—even if it sometimes doesn't go like clockwork. However, when your child begins daycare, he becomes used to an entirely different rhythm during the day. To make life easier on you, your child and your daycare provider, find out what schedule your child follows during the week, and try to align with it on the weekend. Just keep in mind—your tot may be more tired on the weekend and may nap longer.

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Give Yourself a Minute

Adjusting to a job outside of the home—assuming that's the reason you've decided to go the route of a full- or part-time daycare—is no small task. The feeling of being stretched thin and pulled in multiple directions can sometimes be overwhelming. Find a minute before picking your kids from daycare to do something for yourself. Whether it's as simple as finishing your coffee in your car or allowing yourself 15 minutes for a brisk walk, you'll find yourself recharged and ready to put on that Super Parent cape once again.

Show Appreciation

One mom with whom we spoke just finished her first year of full-time childcare and summed this thought up perfectly. "Invest in the caretakers—no matter how busy you are at drop-off or pick-up. Take time to chat with them about your kiddo at the beginning and end of the day. Be friendly and nice no matter how busy you are, because these people are looking after your very best thing! Build them up so that they are in the best possible position to build your child up."

Forbes backs up this line of thought, citing Organizational and Leadership Development Consultant Mary Abbajay. "It doesn’t matter where we sit in the organizational chart, saying thank you to those above, across or below us helps everybody feel appreciated, valued and rewarded. And the gratitude spillover effect is enormous: people who experience gratitude are more likely to feel happier and spread that happiness, increasing trust and collaboration among colleagues."

—Shelley Massey

 

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Why Outdoor Play Is Vital to Your Child’s Development

By Rebecca Wallace

One of the biggest differences in the way children grow up now versus earlier, is the time they spend indoors, looking at screens, or cooped up under extreme guardian surveillance and complicated routines. The trend is particularly disturbing because early childhood is the time when crucial cognitive and physical development takes place. 

For parents concerned about their kids’ exposure to the dangers of the outside world, there are loads of fun, play-at-home ideas, and activities. Also, new advances in technology have made playgrounds safer than ever, and your child can learn many things outside rather than in the traditional classroom, according to an article published in Playground Experts. Researches show that outdoor play has various benefits for young children. Let’s take a look at the key findings from the latest studies on how outdoor play benefits toddlers and infants. 

Provides Healthy Exposure to Sunshine. Playing outdoors for at least an hour can benefit infants and toddlers. Exposure to the sun helps them acquire the required vitamin D levels at six months of age. And vitamin D not only helps in bone development but prevents certain health issues like asthma. Also, sun exposure in moderation at an early age helps keep infections and respiratory tract problems at bay, and lowers the risk of vision problems, says a New York Times article.

Helps Them Grow Healthier. The best form of exercise for infants and toddlers is undoubtedly playing outdoors. This also helps them prevent obesity and heart problems. Kids that play outdoor games have a greater chance of living a healthy, wholesome life as adults, according to a Washington Post article. Playing outside (crawling on the grass or simply being out in the fresh air) promotes better sleep in kids, besides improving their overall health. In fact, in certain parts of the world, infants are encouraged to sleep outdoors under the supervision of adults, according to an article published in The Telegraph. 

Helps Develop Life Skills. We all know that developing life skills (such as planning, decision making, problem-solving, negotiation, and multitasking) in kids is important. This can be achieved by letting kids have unstructured time and socialize with other children, according to a Harvard Health Publishing post. This also helps them to devise their own games to amuse themselves, which is necessary for brain development and creativity.

An outdoor game like peek-a-boo helps the child in building self-control skills and improves their memory. On the other hand, a walk in nature with an elder person helps them improve concentration.   

Helps Appreciate Nature. Being outdoors helps young children learn and recognize sounds, sights, smells and the like, and improves their motor skills since they get to touch and hold objects in nature. In a nutshell, it provides a stimulating sensory environment for young children, says Brenda Cobb in her article The Importance of Taking Infants and Toddlers Outdoors. Playing outdoors and getting up close and personal with nature is also a great way to build character and confidence, according to a post on National Geographic. 

This is because healthy growth also includes the ability to take risks and being free from fear. When they visit the outside world, they can quickly learn how to tackle different situations, how to take risks or work together to achieve a goal. 

Even if your kids get physically hurt or feel humiliated in the process of making friends, you should still encourage them to go out and play. Just keep a watch on them to make sure they remain safe. “In risky play, the adult should interpret the signs of the child, giving the necessary support or space that he or she needs,” say researchers Gabriela Bento and Gisela Dias in an article published in Science Direct. 

Rebecca Wallace is a mother of a 3 year old girl. Rebecca likes to share her experience and write on topics that would help other parents.

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5 Basic Strategies to Control Toddler Temper Tantrums

By Maria Fernandez

Some children find it difficult to accept their frustrations and resort to expressing their discomfort in the form of a temper tantrum. Take note of how you can keep calm and keep them under control with the following guidelines.

From the moment they are born, children begin to show their frustrations, angers or disappointments. At first they will do so by crying, but as they grow, some can do it through screaming, crying or tantrumsing (that’s a word, right lol?), which is more commonly known as a toddler tantrum.

This is because at certain ages, emotions and feelings are a little complicated to control. There are children who tend to only get angry occasionally and who are able to control their feelings. I personally haven’t seen them in my family but I’m sure they exist!

Knowing how to manage these tantrums is a difficult job for both children and parents, and it is here that the parental patience will have a fundamental role in getting these skills to be successfully developed.

How to teach children to express their emotions
It Is important that we know more or less how to interpret the cause of these tantrums. I say “more or less” because it is not an exact science and many times, as humans, we are mistaken for the mere fact that these patterns of behavior are not easy to identify.

Sometimes, these tantrums can be the result of a delay in the development of the language, even if this is minimal, that is, that our son or daughter, don’t fully command a language yet  so they don’t know how to fully express themselves. There is also a cause-effect and/or repetition pattern with tantrums. For example, if at any time after a tantrum a child was rewarded, they learn to repeat it because he knows that through these tantrums, he/she will manage to get their way. Alternatively, tantrums can merely be the result of fatigue. A tired child is a restless child. Hell, a tired adult is no good either!

Consider five basic keys to be able to control the tantrums of our little ones.

1. Set clear boundaries and limits. Objectivity is essential for the application of these limits, meaning that you should mark them in a concrete way with clear and specific orders.

Another way to limit our children while granting the power of decision so that they feel somewhat in control and that their voices have been is to give them the opportunity to choose between two options. For example: “You Have to wear a coat, do you prefer brown or red?” And of course, the firmness, which can be demonstrated through a sure tone of voice with a serious facial gesture to make them understand that this is no time to joke.

2. It Is very important to earn the confidence of our children and this is only possible through the truth. Telling them the truth will create a bond that strengthen bonds between parents and children over time.

3. It Is essential to pay as little attention as possible to the child when he is enraged, even ignoring It. At this time, our child is demanding our attention and here our role will be to divert it and the most effective way to do so is to ignore them so that they understand that this is not the right attitude and method to go about things.

4. When The tantrum lasts too long or the child begins to exhibit overly aggressive behaviors, we can isolate him in a place where he feels safe, such as his room, so that he can calm down and, after a few minutes, we can try speaking to him again in order to fully understand the motives behind his frustration. Again, not responding, rewarding, or acquiescing to a child’s rants will re-enforce the fact that this behavior is not ok.

5. The last recommendation, would be not to punish the child for every tantrum, because as we discussed above, they are sometimes the result of a child’s inability to express themself properly and are a natural part of growing up.

Look, it’s normal for children (and parents) to suffer through temper tantrums when kids are young. It is part of the maturing process and the development of their self-control. The key is knowing how to respond and of course…patience…lots and lots of patience!

Im a new Hispanic mother in the United States here to offer tips for new parents about the best products for their little ones.

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Structured Playtime Makes Your Toddler a Self-Control Master, Study Says

by Erica Loop

Recent research from the University of Otago, New Zealand may have found why structured play is important for toddlers. The study, which was published in Scientific Reports, looked at the effects of a play-based intervention program on preschoolers’ self-regulatory skills.

Self-regulation doesn’t come naturally for most kiddos. But it’s a necessity for school readiness and later success. While lacking self-control to some degree is normal for a young child, when it becomes a problem the experts often need to step in. Enter the University of Otago study.

photo: FeeLoona via Pixabay

The study looked at 60 families with children ages three to four, assigning each participant group to one of two behavioral management methods. One group participated in the proposed experimental play intervention, Enhancing Neurobehavioural Gains with the Aid of Games and Exercise—a.k.a. ENGAGE. The ENGAGE method included learning self-regulation skills by playing games such as puzzles, hop scotch, musical statues and blocks. The other group received treatment with the current gold standard for pre-k kiddo behavior management in New Zealand, the Positive Parenting Programme or Triple P.

So what did the study find? The children who participated in ENGAGE did just as well, in terms of self-regulation development, as those who were in the Triple P group. Lead author Dr. Dione Healey, of the Department of Psychology said, “Our results indicate that parents spending regular one-on-one time playing with their young children has the same positive effect on children’s behavior as using behavior management techniques which have a long history of being effective in managing child behavior.”

Healey also added, “With ENGAGE, we now have an additional treatment option for young, at-risk children that is enjoyable, low cost, easily accessible and associated with long-term maintenance of treatment gains. It’s good to have a choice of equally effective options as what works well for one family may not work as well for another.”

—Erica Loop

 

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Physical Play Isn’t Just Fun—It’s Good for Kids’ Brains, Too

By Jacquelyn Oldham

Photo: Courtesy of The Little Gym

With everything going digital, remembering to incorporate physical activity into your child’s daily life can be easily forgotten or overlooked. There used to be a time when children would spend their days outdoors, riding bikes and playing catch. But in recent years, concerns for children’s safety and the rising popularity of technology and video games have led to a decline in physical activity.

We already know that physical activity provides countless health benefits such as muscle and bone development. But did you know that it is crucial for a child’s developing brain as well? According to research, physical activity helps improve a child’s emotional intelligence.

As the current Director of Curriculum & Training at The Little Gym, I’m charged with developing a curriculum that gets kids moving in our program while living it at home by encouraging physical activity with my own children. Below are a few ways that you can get your own child moving and grooving.

Get Moving

This doesn’t mean that you need to go to the park to run sprints. Simply get their bodies moving! Walk the dog together and use the time to connect with your child and talk about their day. Or get your child involved in an enrichment class like The Little Gym where they can learn through play.

Big Body Play

Outdoor games like Red Rover and Freeze Tag are great for big body play. This kind of physical activity engages the child’s senses and helps develop the sensory and social skills they will need as they grow older.

Organized Sports

Get your kids involved! Recess or team sports can be a great way to get your child moving. Sports can also teach important life skills like taking risks or overcoming failures.

Reduce Time-Outs

Redirection is a great way to diffuse a temper tantrum. This is especially true for younger children who can’t yet be reasoned with. Instead, get them moving to redirect their energy and their attention. Encourage physical tasks such as throwing a ball to the dog several times as an alternative to time-outs. This will help re-direct the child to move instead of dwelling on the situation.

There are tons of physical activities that you can introduce to get your children involved and help raise a well-rounded child. In addition to some of the tips for exercise that I listed above, emotional well-being, brain function, confidence and self- control are among some of the other important benefits that physical activity can enhance.

Play Provides Emotional Well-Being

Physical activity has a direct impact on a child’s emotional well-being, so make it a priority. Engaging in physical activity releases endorphins that tend to make you happier and healthier.

For example, positive contact plays a key role and some experts state that children need a minimum of 12 hugs a day to feel loved and to grow. When you hug your child, fully embrace them. The longer you hold the hug, the better your child can process what it means.

Play Boosts Brain Function

When kids are physically active, their brains operate at a higher level. This often allows them to explain things more clearly than when they’re sitting still. This is a great developmental skill to learn. Physical activity also helps the brain shift and balance emotions, which in turn helps with self-control.

Play Encourages Emotional Control & Self-Regulation

When children play, they engage in social situations that help develop emotional intelligence. This is a great way to help your child practice social skills such as sharing or taking turns.

Since physical activity plays such a key role in the overall development of children, it’s important to make it a priority. According to some experts, children should be engaged in about three hours of physical activity each day.

One of the best ways to help children develop an appreciation for an active lifest‌yle is to show them how you have made healthy habits a part of your own life. When children see you choose healthy behaviors, they’ll be more willing to choose them for themselves, too!

Experienced Director in Curriculum and Training with a demonstrated history of working in the entertainment, education, health wellness and fitness industry. Skilled in nonprofit organizations, event planning, customer service, franchising, entrepreneurship, coaching and sales. 

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Namaste, Little One: Chicago’s Top Yoga Spots for Yogis of All Ages

by rtlisasnart

Whether your little is yet to make an appearance, is no longer so little, or anywhere in between, there’s a yoga studio in Chicago that will leave them feeling a bit more zen. Read on to plan your yogi-in-training’s next date with the mat.

photo: courtesy of freestocks.org via flickr

For Expecting Mamas
You’re probably already familiar with the benefits of prenatal yoga, but head to Sweet Pea’s Studio, Chicago’s first family yoga center, where moms are treated to so much more than a yoga class.  Whether you choose to attend childbirth classes, book a massage or drop-in on a breastfeeding clinic, this studio is sure to help you find a tribe and be the best mama you can be!

Sweet Pea’s Studio
3717 N. Ravenswood Ave. #214
Lakeview
773-248-9642
Online: sweetpeasstudio.com

For Bouncing Babies
If you’re looking for an activity that will benefit you and your baby, head to Cocoon Care for their Baby and Me Yoga Class or any other post-natal class, because your little is welcome to join! In the Baby and Me Yoga Class, not only will you build your own strength, but you’ll also build a bond with your bundle of joy.

Cocoon Care
409 W. Huron, Suite 100
Near North Side
312-265 0615
Online:cocooncare.com

For Terrific Toddlers
You might think your toddler can’t do yoga because sitting still is just so difficult, but check out the schedule from Buddha Belly Kid’s Yoga for classes to keep toddler’s entertained and grounded. These classes nurture toddler’s natural desire to move and play, while focusing on poses that help them relax. Private lessons are available for kids of all ages.

Buddha Belly Kid’s Yoga
Online: buddhabellykidsyoga.com/

photo: Tula Yoga

For a Crowd
If you want to give yoga a whirl with the whole family in tow, head to Tula’s Family Yoga on Sundays at 3:30 p.m. Families up to 4 people can participate in the class that includes breathing exercises, dancing, story time and relaxation for only $12.

Tula Yoga
2827 W. Belden Ave.
Logan Square
773-620-9945
Online: tulayoga.net

Gratitude Yoga also offers a family class that welcomes young and less young.  On Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. the all-ages class introduces your crew to relaxation techniques like meditation and journaling, while having fun!

Gratitude Yoga
510 W. North Avenue
Old Town
630-803-7157
Online: gratitudeyogachicago.com

For School Age Kiddos
By the time your littles are in school, they can make decisions on their own regarding health and well being. Encourage them to check out Yogakids at Ahimsa Yoga Studio on Oak Park where they’ll learn techniques that encourage self-control, maturity and well-being, while maintaining a focus on good times!

Ahimsa Yoga Studio
441 South Blvd.
Oak Park
844-295-0922
Online: Ahimsayogastudios.com

photo: Bloom Yoga

For Everyone
At the accessible Bloom Yoga Studio, they make it their mission to have something for all ages and stages of yoga practice.  From prenatal yoga to story time yoga to teen yoga, Bloom Yoga Studio can support your family through all of life’s stages.  Check out their programs to help your kids develop lifelong healthy habits.

Bloom Yoga Studio
4663 N. Rockwell
Ravenswood
773-463-9642
Online: bloomyogastudio.com

Share your favorite place to practice yoga with your littles in the Comments below.

— Lisa Snart

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3 Ways to Stop Beating Yourself Up and Be a Better Parent

By Michelle Gale

Most parents struggle with feelings of guilt over thoughts they are not doing a good enough job for their kids. One study from the UK found parents feel guilty at least 23 times a week!

From feeling guilty for putting our work before our kids to feeling guilty for giving in too easily to their demands because we’re exhausted, these feelings are hard to escape. When they boil over and we yell at our kids, we end up feeling even more guilty.

Yelling at my children makes me feel like the worst mom on the planet. Energy builds. I snap, raise my voice, and immediately I feel ashamed. Our connection to each other is lost and I pine to find my way back to myself and to them.

That’s why I enlisted my little guy’s help.

At the tender age of 4, Tyler had a far greater ability to see when I was about to lose her cool than I did! So I asked him if he would let me know whenever he noticed me becoming upset, suggesting he tell me I needed to stop and take a breath.

We made an agreement that whenever he uttered the words “Breathe, Momma” I would immediately stop. There would be no overriding what he was asking, no matter how powerfully the tide of emotion rose within me.

Hearing his little voice remind me to “Breathe, Momma” was precisely what I needed to hear.  This simple practice of getting Tyler to help me check in with myself became a powerful tool for change. By stopping me in my tracks before I raised my voice, Tyler enabled me to begin to notice what was happening inside me that triggered my outbursts.

This is an example of how mindfulness can help us become more self-aware and increase our self-control and connection with our families.

The word mindfulness is often misused in popular culture, so I think it’s important to understand what it does not mean. Being mindful does not mean that you are calm all the time. It’s just as easy to be aware of your anxiety, anger or fear as it is to be all Zen-like and relaxed.

I define mindfulness as simply compassionate, non-judgmental awareness of our inner and outer moment-to-moment experience. As such, mindfulness encompasses all of our experiences — the good and the bad, the anxious moments as well as the calm ones.

Here are some steps you can take to help you become more mindful in those messy moments of parental angst:

1. Pay Attention to Your Body: When you feel under stress, take a deep breath, exhale slowly and focus on what your body is feeling. You might notice how you clench your jaw, or how your throat or muscles feel tight, or feel your heart pounding. Noticing and naming the tension you feel may not make it go away, but it puts you back in control and allows you to:

2. Interrupt Your Pattern: Staying aware of your feelings can be hard. Maybe, like me, you need to enlist the help of your child or your spouse to gently tell you when you need to take a breather. It helps if you start taking intentional breaths on a regular basis throughout your day. Repetition is the key. Focus as you inhale, as well as when you exhale. Another idea: join me in welcoming frustration. Next time you are annoyed, smile if you can and say, “Oh, there you are again frustration! What are you here to teach me today?” I’ve developed quite a relationship with my anger and frustration, however, I have learned to avoid letting them lead whenever possible.

3. You Still Blow It. Now What? Have some compassion for yourself. Instead of feeling forever horrible about needing to apologize over and over again, I took the step of accepting myself as someone who yelled sometimes. In this acceptance of reality, real change began.

For me, acceptance meant that whenever I yelled, I did my best to pause and take a breath as soon as possible while also getting a grip on my tendency to feel awful about myself. I practiced not thinking of myself as a “bad mother.”

I don’t wish to imply that I let myself off the hook when my energy manifested itself in bad behavior. Accepting myself, including my crummy behavior, meant that these things were no longer moral issues, but a chance for me to learn to respond more productively.

When you do this, you may be surprised by how your family responds. It takes courage and daring to embrace your icky parts. One awesome side effect is your children will learn to do the same. For a child to grow up in a household where everyone is willing to embrace these baffling parts of themselves is an incredible gift.

Mindful Parenting Educator Michelle Gale, MA, is a former head of learning and leadership development for Twitter who teaches parents to better connect with their kids by first connecting with themselves. She is the author of the new book “Mindful Parenting in a Messy World.” 

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The Correct Age for Starting Kindergarten, According to Research

by Shahrzad Warkentin

Your tot may know his ABCs, but unless he’s reached a certain age, he might not be ready to start school. According to a Stanford study, the age that kids start Kindergarten can have a big impact on their ability to learn. So what is the right age? Six years old might be the magic number for some kids. Read on to find out what researchers found out about kids who started earlier than six.

The recent study conducted by researchers at Stanford University analyzed the Danish National Birth Cohort, a survey of over 54,000 parents. Using data collected on their kids at age 7 and again at 11, the study found that starting kindergarten just one year later than the standard, age 5, resulted in significantly better (what they refer to as) “executive function” four years later.

In other words, kids that started kindergarten at six had better self-control and were able to stay focused on tasks better than kids who started at 5. The older kids were able to manage their time more effectively and not only recall rules and learned information, but to understand how to apply that information independently.

While the age difference didn’t have a major impact on academic success in later years, it did improve the kids ability to regulate their own behavior even into older age. Researchers suggested that if kids have trouble with sitting still and staying focused, holding them back a year might be beneficial.

Would you hold your child back a year from starting school? Share your own experience in the comments.

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Got “EQ”? Boost Kids Emotional Intelligence With This Fun App

by Melissa Heckscher

Sure, you want your kids to learn their numbers, letters, and shapes, but what about the things they can’t learn from a workbook—what about things like patience? Self-control? Kindness? Those intangibles can be hard to teach. Sofia Dickens, an LA mama determined to help kids up their emotional intelligence (EQ), founded the new company, EQtainment, which is a games-based way to learn empathy and kindness through fun.

photo: EQtainment

Book Smart and Heart Smart
This local mother-of-three is on a mission to make emotional intelligence take a front seat, and after a politically fraught and emotionally charged 2016, her timing couldn’t be better. “What we have to work with is everything outside of traditional academics,” said Dickens, who first became interested in emotional intelligence as a student at Harvard (yeah, she’s that smart).  “When I became a mom, I realized, I don’t want my kids leaving the house at 18 having just memorized a bunch of stuff.”

What she wanted was something that would teach little kids about big feelings. She started with a board game and coloring book. Then this fall, EQtainment released the Q Wunder app, a subscription-based program which features a variety of EQ-boosting games, videos and songs, plus a parent portal that includes an original podcast and a host of parenting tips. So much better than Pokemon Go, when you’re on the go.

photo: EQtainment

What Is EQ, Anyway?
Where a person’s IQ points to their overall intelligence; EQ points to how they handle their feelings and impulses. For example, there’s this famous experiment: If your child was handed a marshmallow and was told she could have another marshmallow if she would just leave the first untouched for a few minutes, could she do it? That’s a test of her EQ. If you’re on the phone and your kids want to get your attention, do they whine or scream—or do they wait patiently until you’re done? That’s a test, too. (One our kids fail!)

It’s important stuff, especially since research suggests emotional intelligence is linked to greater school readiness and overall life success.

“Everything you want for your kids — healthy relationships, character, and a fulfilling career—comes from how well you can develop abilities like impulse control, social awareness, empathy, grit, and problem solving,” said Dickens. “Now is our chance to make small adjustments in their behavior that will have a huge impact in school and later in life.”

photo: EQtainment

All About the App
The star of the new Q Wunder app is a smiling monkey named Q. Q’s still got a lot to learn about his own feelings, and it’s your kiddo’s job to help him learn. If you want your kids to learn a little about patience and impulse control, watch Q’s cute little video short in which New York Giant alum Michael Strahan challenges a preschooler to a “Don’t eat the marshmallow” duel. If you’d like your kids to understand the importance of eye contact, hand them Q’s quick on-screen staring game that teaches just that.

The app features 24 episodes of the interactive Q Wunder kids show, featuring guest celebrities and appearances by Dickens herself (she’s a former Jeopardy! video correspondent and former host of the kid news show, Channel 1 News). There’s also a slew of original pop songs, music videos, and games, all of which promise to help little ones navigate the rocky road of their own emotions.

Want to hear a song? Listen to a sample here.

You can play along.  Parents can access the grown-up section of the app to hear podcasts and browse through a variety of resources relating to child development and emotional intelligence. You can also choose to receive regular report cards to track your kids’ progress.

photo:EQtainment

Non-Screen Stuff
If you don’t like the idea of handing over a smartphone to your kids, EQtainment also has a line of old-fashioned EQ-boosting products, the most fun of which is the “Q’s Race to the Top” board game. The game, designed for kids age 3-7, gives kids an easy way to express their feelings, and gives parents an eye-opening look into what’s going on in their kids’ little heads.

Players pick YOU cards to answer simple questions about themselves; DO cards to perform small physical challenges like jumping Jacks or air-punches (the theory is that kids can’t properly control their emotions until they can properly control their bodies); or Q cards, which give kids sample scenarios and ask them how Q should handle himself. The goal in a nutshell: The more kids understand their emotions, the better they’ll be able to control and express them.

“Our vision is really to make learning social and emotional skills fun and accessible for every kid,” Dickens said. “The more entertaining we make it, the more kids will take in.”

So maybe this will help get your little one to be more patient when you’re on the phone and she wants your attention.  Or to get bickering siblings to stop fighting and share a toy every once in a while. In any case, your kids (and, hopefully, you, too) will have fun learning, together.

The new Q Wunder App costs $7.99 per month or $64.99 per year. Available on iTunes or Google Play. 

EQtainment is offering all Red Tricycle readers 20% off all products on shop.eqtainment.com when you enter the code: RedTri20

Online: Eqtainment.com

What’s your favorite way (app, book or just talking) to tech your kids about EQ?

—Melissa Heckscher

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