Category: Well-Being

You’ve just finished cleaning your home. But within a few minutes, blocks are scattered everywhere, food spilt on the floor, clothes strewn haphazardly – everything is messy. Couple this with fights among siblings, disrespect for parents, and unnecessary tantrums, and you can only wish that your little kids behave responsibly.

There’s hope. You can certainly veer away from punishing and controlling your kids all the time. Cultivating kindness, resilience, and responsibility in young minds is of the essence. It takes the right approach to achieve positive results.

Above all, shower love on your child in the love language they understand.  Every child is different and not every child responds to affirmation in the same way.

1. Building a foundation for growth

When it comes to nurturing positive behaviour in kids, know that a solid foundation has long-term positive effects.

• Understand the roots

Children naturally behave differently at different stages of development. Knowing these growth phases helps you understand why kids act in a certain way. For instance, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) usually starts before they hit eight years, but no later than about 12 years. It makes kids aggressive, angry, and defiant around adults.

With this knowledge, you won’t castigate them for the seemingly silly things they do. Instead, you’ll understand the unseen forces influencing them and find prudent ways to positively direct their energies and emotions.

Emotions are a significant determinant of conduct. Thus, training young ones to master their emotional intelligence is crucial. Not just for everyday behaviour but also for academic prowess. Studies reveal that kids with higher emotional intelligence tend to get higher grades than those who’ve not mastered their emotions.

Encourage them to express their feelings without throwing tantrums. Teach them how to solve problems whenever they arise. Strengthen their empathy through role-playing and stories. And likewise, listen to their concerns empathetically.

• Create a fertile ground

A supportive environment helps shape your kid’s behavior. Strive to cultivate trust in their hearts. They shouldn’t view you as an inconsiderate person who’s hard to please. Celebrate the little achievements they make. A simple verbal praise could go a long way to building confidence. Your kid stays motivated and realizes the significance of their actions beyond mere compliance.

Avoid punishing them excessively. In most countries, more than 67% of children are subjected to violent discipline by caregivers. This is a violation of children’s rights. It’s hurtful to kids and they may not understand why they’re being beaten physically or psychologically tortured.

• Nourish from within

Ensure your kids have essential life skills, which help establish desirable traits. A kid with problem-solving and conflict resolution skills can handle challenges constructively and calmly without heated emotions. Self-awareness helps kids master their emotions, leading to rational exchanges and self-control.

Moreover, engage them in confidence building activities like drama classes, public speaking, and team sports. This helps them overcome fears and believe in themselves. Positive self-talk can also help. Encourage them to make affirmations like, ‘I’m more than able to do this.’

In essence, understanding the root of kids’ behaviours helps you embrace your kids’ shortcomings and shape their character.

2. Cultivate specific values

Be objective when it comes to teaching kids. Know the specific traits you want them to have.

• Kindness and compassion

Teach your kids how to treat others with kindness. For instance, they can help their friends with homework, share toys when playing, or write thank you notes to their teachers. Furthermore, nurture a sense of belonging in your family and neighborhood. Feeling as an integral member of a supportive community helps inculcate empathy in their young minds.

• Responsibility and integrity

Kids should be taught to be accountable. Assign them tasks matching their age. The younger ones can pack toys and tidy up their playroom or water plants. School goers can set the table or feed pets. And teens should be able to do laundry and shop for groceries. Hold them accountable for their actions. But don’t focus too much on punishment. Prioritize guidance. The integrity skills they acquire at this tender age will stick for the rest of their lives.

• Resilience and growth

While growing, kids will make a multitude of mistakes and face myriad challenges. But this shouldn’t deter them from pressing on. Show them how to bounce back from such pitfalls and forge ahead. Instill the never-give-up attitude in them. And let them know that quitting isn’t an option.

These values are fundamental to positive behaviour in children. Kids who master them thrive not just in their childhood but also in their teenage and adult life.

Conclusion

Nurturing good behaviour in young minds starts with an out-and-out understanding of what shapes their behaviour at different developmental stages. Knowing their emotions and desires lets you gently deal with the bad habits while inculcating essential life skills.

You may want to integrate technology to promote acquisition of positive practices. Expose them to educational apps and digital citizenship lessons. Just make sure to guard their innocence while online.

Also, don’t do it alone. Engage the wider community. Teachers and childcare providers can help you towards this goal as they spend a significant amount of time with the children. The healthy traits kids acquire at a tender age stick with them for decades.

Anxiety, especially in children, can be as bewildering as a maze with invisible walls. The puzzling world of a child’s mind is completely different from what you know as an adult. So, let’s uncover the signs and signals of anxiety that hide behind the facade of normal childhood fears.

From stomach aches with no clear cause to sudden shyness in once bubbly kids, understanding these markers is the first step in painting a clearer picture and plotting the course for support and care.

What is Anxiety, and How Does it Manifest in Kids?

In simpler terms, anxiety is like an alarm that goes off inside us when we’re worried about something that might happen. It’s a normal feeling, but sometimes it can get really loud, especially for kids.

Even more, kids don’t usually have the words to explain how they feel. Instead, they act out or choose a different way to show they’re anxious.

Some children will show an overwhelming amount of worry about their family or school. Others may say their tummy or head hurts a lot, even though there’s no clear reason for it. Kids who are usually independent might suddenly not want to leave your side or may not want to go to school at all.

Since worry doesn’t take a break just because it’s dark and time for sleep, bedtime can become increasingly more difficult. Plus, it will affect the quality of sleep because anxiety is the enemy of nice dreams and good rest.

Another sign that your child may be suffering from anxiety is when they freeze up in public situations, but they are usually outgoing and extroverted. They may also have difficulties making friends or hanging out with others.

If your chatty kid becomes quiet and keeps to themselves more, this is a sign you should be paying attention to. Once you know something is the matter, you can start looking for ways to help them handle these tough feelings in ways that work specifically for them.

How to Seek Treatment

When your child is struggling with anxiety, it’s easy to feel helpless as a parent. However, the only way to help them get better and continue to have a happy childhood is to find the treatment that best suits their needs.

Start by talking with your child’s pediatrician. They are already familiar with your family history and are aware of any health issues your child may have. Bring up your concerns, and don’t leave out any details – every little observation could be crucial.

The paediatrician may recommend seeing a specialist in children’s mental health, such as a teen & children’s psychologist. Consider these professionals as experts who speak ‘child language’ fluently and unravel the mysteries of anxious thoughts.

Getting Therapy for Anxiety

Depending on the level of seriousness, the pediatrician may recommend a psychologist or a psychiatrist specializing in working with children. While these are both professionals who diagnose and treat mental illnesses, it’s a good idea to learn the differences between what a psychiatrist does and what a psychologist does.

For instance, only a psychiatrist can prescribe medication should they deem it necessary. Both professionals are licensed to provide therapy for their patients, and both can make recommendations regarding treatment.

Helping Your Child at Home

If your child’s pediatrician considers the anxiety can be managed at home, they will teach you a few calming strategies and methods.

Here are a few examples of such methods:

• Practice the art of conversation – make room for daily moments for open talks where your child can unload their fears without judgment.

• Encourage problem-solving – it’s like giving your child a superhero cape to face their battles. When they come to you with worries, resist the urge to swoop in and fix it all. Instead, ask guiding questions: “What can we do together when that worry pops up?” This method puts power back into their hands.

• Introduce them to deep breathing techniques – it’s akin to teaching them how to steady a rocking boat amidst stormy seas. Make it fun by pretending you’re blowing up balloons or cooling down hot soup with each breath.

• Visualization is key – ask them to picture their happy place, be it imagining sunshine in a favorite park or thinking about cuddling with a pet. It’s like creating an internal escape hatch from anxious thoughts.

Wrap Up

Navigating your child’s anxiety is far from a straightforward journey, but with the right map in hand, you’re well-equipped to guide them through the twists and turns.

Whether it’s through therapy, heartfelt discussions, or soothing visualization exercises, there are tools at your disposal. Recognizing the signs and seeking appropriate treatment arms your child with the courage to face their fears and embrace a happier, less anxious life.

Crafting is an interesting way to kill time and overcome boredom among adults, children, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners. They also create treasured family time and encourages a break from their phone screens.  There are plenty of easy crafts ideas you can do at home with no special materials required.

Here is our list of 10 fun crafts with step-by-step instructions that uses simple and cheap products you may already have in the house. This type of creative crafting also presents the opportunity to reuse things that typically end up as waste and convert them into valuable artifacts.

Creative and Fun DIY Crafts Ideas

From colorful paper projects to unique recycled art, these kid-friendly DIY ideas are sure to inspire hours of creative fun.  So let’s begin!

1. Retro Photo Frame

Collect the following materials:  cardboard or thick paper, scissors, craft glue or glue stick, markers or crayons, decorative materials (stickers, sequins, or buttons), and printed photo that should fit the frame you create.

• Choose one of the cardboard shapes to be the front of the frame.
• Measure and mark an opening slightly smaller than your printed photo in the center of this shape.
• Decorate the front of the frame using markers, crayons or decorative materials.
• Place the printed photo behind the window on the decorated cardboard shape. Adjust it until it’s positioned correctly.
• Secure the photo in place using craft glue or a glue stick. Make sure the photo is centered within the window.
• Apply glue along the edges of the decorated cardboard shape (front of the frame).
• Carefully place the second cardboard shape (back of the frame) on top, aligning it with the front piece.

Before you begin, decide if your frame will be a rectangle or square. It will depend on what works with your picture. To create the retro appearance for your photo, convert image to black and white.

2.  Origami Frogs

Begin with a square piece of paper, colored or plain.

• Fold the paper diagonally to create a triangle, then unfold it.
• Fold the top edge to meet the center crease, forming a smaller triangle.
• Fold the two upper corners towards the center, shaping the frog’s head.
• Fold the bottom edge up, ensuring the frog’s legs remain aligned.
• Fold the legs downward, creating a 90-degree angle.

Flip it over, and your origami frog is complete. Pressing down on its back will make it hop.

3.  Rocket Craft for Kids

For this craft your need materials like empty toilet paper rolls, colored paper, glue, scissors, and markers.

• Cut the colored paper to wrap around the toilet paper roll.
• Decorating the roll as desired.
• Attach a paper cone to the top for the rocket’s nose and fins at the bottom for stability.
• Add details like windows and flames using markers.
• Kids can personalize their rockets with paint, stickers, or glitter.

Whether or not they play with the rocket of put it on display in their bedroom, it’s ideas like this that help kids to dream big!

4.  Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars

Gather two empty toilet paper rolls, colored paper, glue, scissors, and string.

• Cover the rolls with colored paper.
• Decorate them as desired.
• Join the rolls side by side, leaving a small gap in between.
• Attach a piece of string to both ends for a neck strap.
• Decorate binoculars with stickers, paint, or markers.

This is a fun craft idea that show kids how easy it is to make things they can also play with. It’s activities like these that enhance child development.

5.  Patriotic Tin Can Windsock

Begin by gathering a clean, empty tin can, paint (choose colors), paintbrushes, a hole punch, ribbons, and string.

• Paint the tin can in patriotic colors and allow it to dry.
• Punch holes around the bottom rim of the can.
• Attach ribbons of varying lengths to these holes.
• Thread a string through the top for hanging.

This windsock not only showcases your patriotism but also adds a touch of charm to your outdoor decor. It’s a simple, eco-friendly craft for celebrating national holidays and occasions.

6.  Yarn Wall Hang

Gather a wooden dowel or a tree branch, yarn in your chosen colors, scissors, and a ruler.

• Start by cutting yarn pieces to your desired length; they will form the hang’s fringe.
• Fold each piece in half and loop it around the dowel, pulling the ends through the loop to secure it.
• Repeat this process with various yarn colors and lengths until you achieve your desired look.
• Trim the fringe evenly and add extra yarn for hanging.

Transforming yarn into a vibrant tapestry adds warmth and character to any space, intertwining creativity with décor.

7.  Quilled Art

Creating quilled art is a captivating craft. You’ll need quilling paper strips, a quilling tool, glue, and a quilling board or template.

• Start by rolling a paper strip tightly around the quilling tool to create a coil.
• Slide it off and allow it to loosen slightly, forming a circle.
• Use the quilling tool to shape and manipulate the coils into various designs like flowers, animals, or abstract patterns.
• Secure the shapes with a dab of glue.
• Arrange and layer them on a quilling board or template to craft your design.

This delicate and versatile art form lets you explore endless possibilities for unique, handmade creations.

8.  Snow Globe

For this craft you’ll need a clean, empty glass jar with a tight-sealing lid, distilled water, glycerin, a waterproof figurine or decoration, and glitter.

• Begin by securing the chosen figurine to the inside of the jar lid using waterproof glue.
• Fill the jar almost to the top with distilled water, leaving a small gap.
• Add a few drops of glycerin to the water; this helps the glitter fall slowly.
• Sprinkle in the desired amount of glitter and stir gently.
• Seal the lid tightly, ensuring there are no leaks.

Turn your jar upside down, and voilà, you have a magical snow globe!

9.  Folding Popsicle Stick Fan

Gather popsicle sticks, paint or markers, glue, and a piece of ribbon or string.

• First, paint or decorate the popsicle sticks in your preferred colors and let them dry.
• Once dry, line up the sticks side by side, ensuring they’re close together.
• Glue a ribbon or string across the bottom of the sticks to hold them in place.
• Next, flip the sticks over and apply glue to the top of each stick.
• Place another ribbon or string on top, then fold the fan in half.

When it’s dry, you’ll have a charming, functional fan perfect for hot days.

10.  Treasure Jewel Magnets

It is both fun and simple to make. All you need for this craft are some basic supplies:

• wooden circles
• acrylic paint in jewel tones
• a paint tray
• sponge or paint brushes
• craft jewels
• Jewel-It glue
• small circle magnets
• a hot glue gun

Once these items are gathered, it is easy to paint the wooden circles with beautiful jewel colors and affix the craft jewels. Finally, attach the magnets to the back of the processes with the hot glue gun to create your jewel magnets.

We hope you found this list of DIY craft ideas helpful to inspire creative while having fun. They get adults and kids alike off their screens and engage their minds to stretch their imagination.

There has been much study and acknowledgement about how much animals benefit us as humans. They bring joy into our lives and offer unconditional love. Animals process a mysterious and spiritual nature to calm anxiety and soothe our need for companionship. They have a sixth sense of knowing when we need at little extra love.

These things and more have been explored in-depth, but what about what animals can teach us? We have cognitive skills far beyond them, yet much like children, we can learn so much from smaller creatures whose power is in “being”, not necessarily “knowing”.

Lessons We Can Learn from Animals

There are many things happening all around every single day that teach us about ourselves and our world. But are we learning?

Your pet has life lessons for you. You may live on a farm with animals or have a myriad of birds in your back yard. These animals are part of our lives. However, what they can teach us is proportional to how much we are paying attention to them.

How Animals Inspire and Educate Humans

Animals Live in the Moment

We can learn a lot about enjoying each moment that comes our way. Animals don’t live in the past, nor do they worry about the future. We can’t change the past or future by holding on to anxiety about it, so why waste precious time within in each moment that is ours to enjoy?

This is easier said than done for us humans. But we can learn a lot about seizing the day for our own well-being.

Animals are Not Hubris

Humans that are hubris are conceited, arrogant, vain, and self-important. They look down their noses at others. While it’s true there is a pecking order within the animal kingdom, this comes from their need for survival in the wild.

A single dog within your family will view themselves as ranked at a certain level within their ‘family pack,’ even if it is a human pack. But it does not come from a pompous heart. Animals can teach us humility.

Animals Play Everyday

One aspect of living in the moment and enjoying everything it has to offer is taking time to play. We all know pets love to play. But we see it in farm animals and creatures in the wild as well.

Whether they are playing by themselves with an object with other within their species or humans, animals love to wrestle, nudge up to others, play a game of chase or hide and seek. For us humans, this daily mindset and activity benefits our well-being in so many ways.

Animals Exercise Everyday

Animals innately understand the need to burn off energy. Even if you don’t wake your dog for a walk, you may find them running around the house or in the back yard.  In the home, the back yard and through all of nature, you see movement.

Sometimes it’s slow, sometimes it’s quick. We humans need this as well for better health and longer life. The key is to make it part of your life, whether it’s periodic regular exercise that gets your heart pumping, yoga, or a daily walk.

Animals Value Sleep

Some people like staying up late even when they are tired. Others crawl into bed but spend time on their phones, which only wakes them up. In North America especially, we humans are overworked and too busy in our personal time to get proper sleep. Sleep depravation is a problem and affecting the health of too many humans.

Do you know who doesn’t have a problem getting enough sleep?  Animals. Wild animals need it to survive in the wild. Domestic animals take naps when they are tired. Every animal naturally gets the sleep they need. They do it by putting distractions out of their minds. We can learn a lot from that.

Animals are Patient

When you think about it. Animals have very little control over the world around them. So, it’s no wonder that they learn patience from the moment they are born.  Food is not always in the fridge ready to be eaten. At home, animals can’t go outside until we open the door for them. They are confined to their immediate surroundings, sometimes even in a cage for travel, training, or their own safety.

In the wild, the most an animal can do is move to a different area if they want or need a change. For everything else related to their survival, animals must work for it. Even so, the time to eat or sleep may have to wait. Humans who are attuned to mindful living understand that the more you try to control, the more anxiety you will have. The more we let go of, the more we are at content, at peace, and patient.

Conclusion

How will you spend your day? You week? How will you live your life with a focus on your health and well-being. Even animals who depend fully on humans for survival still take care of themselves to a certain extent. Animals innately understand that a balanced life is a healthy one.

Down time, play, sufficient hours asleep, and taking time for oneself is never wasted time. It’s a life well spent and will even lead to a longer life with continual stress.

There is also one thing else we can spend time doing that has proven to benefit us as a human life. And is spending time in nature. And spending time caring for animals that give use back so much more than we give.

Read about the 3 life enhancing benefits of pet ownership.
Learn how to teach kids responsibility through dog ownership.