Diffendoofer Daycare

Model instead of teach, encourage instead of praise Responsive parenting is a completely child-led approach to parenting. Praise and di...rect teaching go against that intention to be completely child-led. Although usually done with the greatest, purest intentions, both impose our own perceptions about the world and about our child, onto them. Research shows children who are raised with little adult praise and direct teaching tend to be more confident, resilient, creative and divergent thinkers. They tend to believe in their own self-efficacy and tend not to seek the approval of others. It is not just one of the principles of responsive parenting, it is also a cornerstone of early childhood education. Many people don’t know that though. They think children need to be taught ABC’s and 123’s and told what a good job they’re doing all the time but in fact, this approach often has the opposite of the intended effect. Encouragement and modelling can help a parent to feel like they are still actively engaged with teaching their child about the world, without imposing a great influence on their choices. This is not free-range parenting, as protecting the child from harm and supporting their needs is still an expectation. The idea is to try and have as little influence as possible so they can become their authentic selves. #responsiveparenting #gentleparenting #peacefulparenting #attachmentparenting #childdevelopment #momblogger #momlife #childhood #mindfulparenting #motherhood #parenthood #mombloggers #attachmenttheory #parenting #earlychildhood #attachment #childdevelopmentspecialist #parent #earlychildhoodeducation #earlychildhoodeducator #mindfulmama #authenticself #childledlearning #childledplay #childled #letyourchildlead #authenticself #authenticity #encourageyourchild #modelgrace See more

Children operate in our world with limited life experience. That experience is the foundation upon which they build expectations and priorities: what should h...appen. When reality doesn’t meet those expectations, the realization can be earth-shattering. Waves of big strong emotions overtake them and a storm begins to brew. It’s easy to look at that behavior and say: They need to learn to not act that way every time they don’t get what they want. I agree. They do need to learn. My question is: Does sending them off to time-out, threatening screen time, ignoring their emotions help teach them? No. In fact it signals that this feeling, this sensation and situation are not safe. This sensation and situation signal a disconnect with parents, an even greater threat to my sense of security. So how do we teach it regulating through emotions? We regulate ourselves FIRST. We understand how to meet our own needs when we experience a feeling. For example, I tend to hold my breath or breathe shallowly when I get overwhelmed and angry. I also get clenched and fast with my body language. Reminding myself to soften and slow down helps change my body’s response to the feeling. Once we feel more regulated, we can share that confident energy with them AND become attuned to their needs: I’m right here when you need me. You can handle this. I believe in you. This response communicates that this sensation is SAFE. That is how we build emotional safety, a necessary foundation to regulating our response to emotions.

I actually want my children to question me and push back. I want them to know they are safe to show resistance in this relationship. I want them to know their ...voice has power and their own wants, needs, thoughts and feelings are important. Does this make things harder when I want them to put on their shoes? Sometimes, but it’s a small sacrifice I’m willing to make for the development of their autonomy. J. Milburn #responsiveparenting #peacefulparenting #gentleparenting #attachmentparenting #attachment #attachmenttheory #motherhood #parenthood #momblogger #mombloggers #earlychildhoodeducation #earlychildhoodeducator #earlychildhood #childdevelopment #childdevelopmentspecialist #parenting #parent #childhood #momlife #mindfulparenting #childtraining #strongkids #autonomy #bodyautonomy #consentculture #itsoktosayno

When we try to teach our children how to fit in to society, we inadvertently send the message that conformity has a higher value than authenticity. Ineffect,... priming them for a life of mediocrity and unhappiness, as nobody ever feels like they fit in when they are not being their authentic selves. J. Milburn #responsiveparenting #gentleparenting #attachmentparenting #peacefulparenting #childdevelopment #momblogger #mindfulparenting #mombloggers #attachment #parent #earlychildhoodeducator #earlychildhoodeducation #mindfulmama See more