Why Your Child May Not Talk To You

•Your Child And Sibling Relationships
The arrival of a new baby can be difficult for an older sibling who now has to share his or her parents with another child. You can minimize your child's insecurity by encouraging him or her to help you care for the baby. A child who is 5 or 6 years old can learn to hold, feed, comfort, and play with an infant. As the baby grows and develops, he or she will look to the older child as a model. Whenever a new child enters the family, he or she changes the dynamics of the family and the...

•Easing Your Preschooler s Fear Of Separation
Even children who have been used to being cared for by others may, as they enter school, develop a fear of being apart from their parents. Once again, this reaction is not necessarily a sign of regression but can be due to their increased awareness of the world's dangers. Children who have recently undergone major changes in their lives, such as the birth of a sibling or a move, may become even more clingy as they adjust to the change. Some of the ways you can help your preschool child deal...

•Helping Your Child Resist Cigarettes Alcohol And Other Drugs
Drug use occurs among children of all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. American children are bombarded by messages that subtly and often not-so-subtly encourage the use of cigarettes, alcohol, and other drugs. The most effective way to reduce your child's risk of using drugs is to be a good role model. Children get confused when they are presented with anti drug education and prevention programs in school but witness use of these substances at home. Children whose parents use alcohol...

•Boosting Your Childs Development
As your child's first and most important teacher, you will lay the foundation for all of his or her future learning. The things you can do to improve your child's chances of being happy, smart, and successful are simple and enjoyable-and many parents have always done them instinctively. For example, just talking to your child can increase his or her intelligence and improve his or her ability to learn language, to think, and, eventually, to do well in school. The most important things you can...

•Leaving Your Child At Home Alone
An estimated 5 to 7 million American school-age children go home to an empty house after school and fend for themselves. Some people say that being alone promotes responsibility and independence; others argue that the lack of supervision fosters delinquent behavior and hampers emotional and social growth. It's impossible to make a general statement about when a child can be left home alone safely. Usually children are not mature enough to be considered for self-care until they are 11 or 12....

•Your Child s Temper Tantrums
It's important at this point to remember that defiance generally comes from his feeling powerless over what happens in his world. Often, it helps to say calmly that you can't talk to him or do anything for him when he uses certain words or a certain tone of voice. By helping him see that he will have more control by using different words and tone, you will find his defiance lessening. Destructive behavior Young children cannot be expected to handle others' possessions with great care and...

•Getting Your Child Ready For Preschool
When the time is right for your child to begin a nursery or preschool program, you want him to be ready. How can you help your child prepare? Put away the workbooks-there are no academic skills necessary for entering preschool. But that doesn't mean you can't help your child prepare for this experience in other ways. Being part of a larger group takes some getting used to for children who are accustomed to being the center of your attention. You can help your child learn how to be social by...

•Guiding Your Child Through Teenage Years
Preteens and teens face numerous choices and decisions as they learn to become independent and express their individuality-often by exploring different clothes, hairstyles, friends, music, hobbies, religions, political issues, and social causes. They have an innate need to find things out for themselves-to test their feelings and ideas about life. They may reject their parents' values and challenge their rules, often pushing the limits placed on them by adults and society. Teenagers change...

•Children And Step Families
When a dating relationship turns serious and you make plans for marriage, you also face the prospect of forming a stepfamily. You may also be moving from single parenthood into step parenthood as well if your new spouse has his or her own children. A step- or blended family has its own set of unique advantages and problems and a stepparent enters into a new relationship with a child that is similar to yet greatly different from that of a parent. And, even though blended families are becoming...

•Your Toddler And Sexuality
Children develop their basic attitudes about sexuality during their early years, beginning at birth-from the way they are touched, caressed, cuddled, and cared for. As you hold and touch your baby, you are communicating and expressing love and acceptance and showing your baby how special he or she is. Toddlers are keen observers of how family members show affection for each other-and they quickly learn what is OK to do and what is not OK. Between ages 2 and 3, children become aware of being a...