1. Parenting School Social Worker Psycho-Educational Consultant
Parminder Singh Monica Murray
School Social Worker Psycho-Educational Consultant

2. Parenting is Difficult and it can be Stressful!!!
Ice breaker activity

3. Topics
ROUTINES – how to establish routines within the home and why they are important
POSITIVE DISCIPLINE – strategies to address behaviour

4. What are routines? Routine in your home
Are different due to work schedule
Family composition
Family size
What works for your family
Establishing routines and being consistent

5. Routines Just like adults, kids also need routines in their lives
Routines are very important for kids
Routines create predictability; they help kids to know what to expect during the day

6. Routines
Morning Routine – wake your child depending on age to have breakfast, get dressed and brush teeth. DO NOT SKIP BREAKFAST!
Meals – try to keep meal times consistent. If children are hungry they are cranky and non- compliant. Avoid unhealthy food choices such as pop and sugary snacks/meals
Prepare for the next morning the night before. For example, have backpacks, lunches, clothes ready for the next day.
Support your child to be independent and to begin making decisions - Let kids choose their clothes or give them two choices

7. Bed Time Routines A regular bedtime is VERY important
Children need approx hours sleep per night
Children need enough sleep to rest their bodies and minds to be prepared for the next day
Begin bedtime routine at least minutes before lights are out – begin with tidying up
TURN OFF ALL ELECTRONICS – INCLUDING the TV

8. Electronics How much time do your kids spend on electronics?
How much time should kids spend on electronics?
Should children have TV, computer, and/or iPad/tablet in their room?
Recommended usage?

9. Guidelines for time limits
Children under the age of 2 should not spend ANY time on electronic devices
Children 2-4 should be limited to 1 hour maximum per day
Children over 4/5 should be limited to 1 to 2 hours maximum per day

10. When is it a problem??
Time spent on electronics should be balanced, just like any other activity. You know it is a problem when…
- a child is staying up past their bed time
- a child is tired and cranky in the morning
- a child has reduced or no interest in playing outside, taking part in hobbies, or interacting with friends/siblings in person
activities such as reading, exercising, and homework are being neglected
bouts of anger and aggression are seen. These behaviours can sometimes be triggered by violence on videogames, movies, and other forms of media.

11. Minimize screen time
To promote social interaction and quality family time as well, access to screen time should be avoided as follows:
At the dinner table
When visiting with family and friends
At restaurants or other public places
In the car

12. Importance of Discipline
The goal is to teach children about rules and values, guide and help children to develop self-discipline, independence and respect for others
We need to help our children with developing life skills

13. Discipline Scenarios: Kids fighting
If you ask a child to clean-up and he/she says “No”, what would you do as a parent?
Sometimes it is easy to just clean up ourselves; but, we want kids to learn for themselves
Natural consequences

14. Consequences
Consequences need to be Reasonable, Simple, Valuable and Practical (R.S.V.P.)
Consequences should be natural whenever possible and be connected to the behaviour
Example 1: If the child refuses to put gloves on to go outside, instead of a battle, let him/her feel how cold it is on their hands
Example 2: If the child drops or breaks something, let him/her clean it up or work towards replacing it (considering it is safe for them to do so)

15. ”CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY SEE”!
I will treat my child the way I want to be treated” If we want respect – WE NEED TO MODEL RESPECT
Be a positive role model
”CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY SEE”!

16. What to do if your child says “No”
Try to understand children’s feelings – they are not trying to make things difficult for you! It is a part of their development
Children say “No” as a way of testing the limits, to feel a sense of control over what happens to them and to declare independence
Give them a choice (limited)
Offer to help them
Can you turn it into a “yes” later?

17. Age Appropriate Chores for Children
Ages 2-3
Ages 4-5
Ages 6-7
Ages 8-9
Ages 10-11
Help put away toys
Put away toys on their own
Help in the kitchen
Help with dusting and mopping
Vacuum carpet
Put dishes in the sink
Get dressed with some assistance
Take a bath
Do the dishes
Shovel the snow
Put dirty clothes in the hamper
Help clean their room
Empty dishwasher
Load and unload the dishwasher
Help with dinner
Help sort laundry
Put away the washed clothes
Fold and put away laundry
Help put groceries away
Put out garbage
Help with setting the table
Prepare simple snacks
Make the bed
Pack lunch and school bag
Bring in the mail

18. Questions/Concerns?