CF Studio: Braincore Program
Parent/Guardian Modeling
Advocate for Your Kids
SELF-AWARENESS
- Teach your child how to be still. No stimulation, just idle time. It helps them find what they like to do and how to keep their energy to themselves.
- Allow your child to feel sad or angry; let them know it will pass. Make sure to encourage and help them embrace their happiness too.
- Analyze how you treat others; they are watching you.
- Teach your child to check and pay attention to what’s happening on the inside of them.
- Motivate them to draw pictures or write how they feel.
SELF-MANAGEMENT
- Teach them how to breathe. (In the nose and out the mouth.)
- Know when to cool off or count to ten. (This goes for both of you!)
- Create a ritual around bedtime—after homework—that begins the wind-down process and lets their bodies and minds know that they will be going to sleep soon (eg…light a candle, read a book; listen to music; something quiet and soft.)
- Try to have them lie down at the same time every night.
- Say “no,” and stick to it because it equals a hug and means you care about your child.
- Eventually ask your child to draw their own bath or take a shower on their own. Give moderate support at first by shampooing hair, cleaning up the water mess, and handing them a towel; slowly back off so they begin to learn the order and process of it themselves & you’re set free!
- Reinforce hygiene everyday: bathe, brush teeth in the morning and the evening, wear clean underwear and fresh clothes.
- Try not to book so many play dates and constant things to do. It can create a child that’s needy and clingy for attention.
- Teach your child to eat three healthy meals everyday. Keep junk food and soda to a minimum. It makes them crash and burn.
- Encourage your child, even when you know they physically can’t do something. They may not want to do the task at that time, but you will be building their self-confidence for a later time.
SOCIAL AWARENESS
- Never tease or make fun of your child. Ever. You’re being mean. They will be mean.
- Try something new in front of them, especially if you’re trying to convince them to do it!
- Play and interact with your child: catch, puzzles, read books, build legos, ride bikes, cook, play music, jump rope, or shoot hoops. Choose at least one and stick with it.
- Watch your body language; they’ll mimic what they see.
- Try to understand what they’re trying to comprehend at such a young age; they will feel your empathy and send it back into the world.
- Listen to what your child says, so they, in turn, can listen to you.
RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
- Show kindness and respect in as many situations as possible. Try to keep over-reacting to a minimum; walk away, give yourself a time-out if needed.
- Admit when you make a mistake and apologize. It’s important for them to see you feeling vulnerable.
- Respect their little bodies; they trust you.
- Don’t use your children to get what you want or need. It’s very manipulative and confusing for them.
- Watch your reactions so your child will continue to come to you when needed.
- Hug your babies, kiss them on the forehead, and tell them how wonderful they are and that you love them.
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