Early Learning is an exciting time for children however can be fraught with ‘expert’ input. My son like many boys was a dreamer, I was called into our childcare centre and advised Cristian needed ‘expert assessment’. 'Great' I thought, the centre were on top of things, however the ‘experts’ report stated that Cristian was ‘mildly autistic’ and needed intervention. Thankfully I had a wonderful paediatrician who was a family friend. Dr Pete's diagnosis of the report was that it was a 'gross misuse of words' so we did not commence intervention.
Later at school, in second grade, the teacher called me in and suggested Cristian be prescribed Ritalin and told me he had ADHD, again I consulted with Pete and again declined the advice. Cristian is now in ninth grade, an A-B grade student, happy, confident and thriving.
Certainly there are times when intervention and medication are necessary just as there are times when these options are not, follow your instincts and seek qualified genuine expert advise before medicating or embarking on a journey of intervention.
Early Learning should be a time of discovery for children, not a pressure to perform. Let them enjoy it, there is plenty of pressure ahead for them at high school.
Jane King
Mother to Emily 8, Cristian 14
Founder of Parenting Australia |
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| Janet Cater parental advisor and author of ‘Why won’t my child listen’ has provided the following information on the developmental stages in children aged between two and a half and three and a half. Janet's experience includes consulting to the Early Childhood Industry, developing and presenting professional development on music and movement, protective behaviours, childrens literature, bullying, NSW Curriculum Framework and she has consulted to DOCS as a staff/parent mentor, and lecturer. Janet can be contacted janet@janetbcater.com www.janetbcater.com |
Your child may be a ‘text book’ example of one of the personalities below or display characteristics of more than one category or even all four... |
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Did You Know? |
| Children who watch just two hours of television a day are force fed about 2200 junk food advertisements a year... Get involved in a campaign to ban junk food advertising from TV - Click Here |
10 Tips for Early Learning Success |
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1 - Have realistic expectations of your child.
2 - Use out of home experiences for early learning. e.g. At the shops or park.
3 - Ask questions, 'What colour is that?' etc.
4 - Have uninterrupted time with your child for early learning activities and keep it fun, colouring in, playdoh, blocks etc.
5 - Encourage and praise.
6 - Read to your child on a daily basis. Ask questions, 'What do you think is going to happen?' 'What colour is that?' etc.
7 - Delay the introduction of computers or electronic toys and games, time can quickly accumulate and these items do not encourage social interaction or development.
8 - Develop a good relationship with your centre and don’t be afraid to ask questions, take on all feedback, painful as it can be, it offers you an opportunity to support your child, develop their weaknesses and build on strengths.
9 - Ensure you child is having his/her nutritional needs met - Click here
10 - Trust your instincts. |
Got any tips on early learning? Click Here and let other families know! |
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To find out more visit www.glutenfreefoodshow.com.au.
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Our April Baby of the Month winner has been selected. Click here to see if your 'little pumpkin' won and to enter the May Baby of the Month Competition and win a $200 voucher from Pumpkin Patch. |
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Parenting Australia and Rockpool Publishing are giving our subscribers the chance to win one of five 'Help your child excel at reading' books by Kathy Bates. Click here to enter. |
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Every child has the potential to be a successful learner and startSMART can show you how
to help your child achieve his or her full potential.
startSMART Education is a new and exciting educational organisation for parents, children and childcare workers promoting literacy and numeracy development from birth to 8 years. |
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Current research based information presented by highly experienced educators
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