Have you heard of the term “Well Rounded Child”?

I learnt this term from a parenting book. Here is my understanding on the term.

In today society, we need to nurture our child to be able to carry themselves well and taking good care of themselves when they growth up one day.

In oldest time, some of the parents are so proud if their child receives all “A” in their report card and exam. But, that doesn’t means a total success.

The growth in technology and internet, challenging lifestyle and competitive opportunity are all awaiting them in front of their growth journey. Thus, today child must equip themselves not only strong in academic but emotional, ethical and self-carry.

A well rounded child should be giving opportunity to learn:

1. Mathematical Logical (numeracy, logic, patterns, science)
2. Linguistic (speaking, reading, writing)
3. Bodily Physical (dance, exercise, movement)
4. Musical (singing, playing, poetry)
5. Memory (concentration, visualization, attention & focus)
6. Thinking Skills (creativity, common sense, scientific, logic)
7. Values (honesty, self-control, respect, courage)
8. Intrapersonal (Goal-setting, spirituality, intuition, sensitivity)
9. Interpersonal (co-operation, teamwork, sharing, helping, mixing with others)
10. Self Esteem (sense of identity/belonging/purpose, confidence, self-worth)
11. Visual / Spatial (Color sense, visual arts)

I am wishing all the parents to have a great success in nurture a well-rounded child. Your hard-work & effort will contributes to the success of a child in our society tomorrow.

Do you have anything to share on this topic?

They are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself.

They come through you but not from you,

And though they are with you,

Yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love

But not your thoughts

For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies

But not their souls, for their souls dwell in the House of Tomorrow.

Which you cannot visit,

Not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them,

But seek not to make them like you.

For life goes not backward

Nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children, as living arrows, are sent forth.

-Kahih Gibran in The Prophet-

I read about this from a Parenting article:

A mobile experiment tested by Rovee-Collier’s on child memory development. This is how the experiment goes:

“In this experiment Rovee-Collier hangs a mobile in a crib and watches to see if the baby responds to this mobile by either kicking his legs or other attention responses. After 3 minutes of observing the baby with the static mobile, she then attaches a string to the baby’s leg and to the mobile. The purpose being that when the baby kicks, the mobile will move.

Days later, if the baby kicks upon sight of the mobile, we know that the baby has remembered that kicking produces the desired effect. The infant has already learned the bahavior; now he has just proven his memory of this behaviour.

The study goes on to say that:

a) A two month old can remember this for a day;

b) A three month old, over a week;

c) A six month old can remember the desired behaviour without having done it for over two weeks.”

Interesting observation and experiment to test on child’s memory and behaviour. You can try this experiment on your little baby and see what his/her response. 

I have try this on my 3 months old nephew, and he is very smart. Whenever we placed an objects nearby his legs, he will sure raise his legs up and kick upon the object. Guess, he knew when he kick, the object response back to him and kinda playing with him. Interesting!

 

“This is mine…mine…mine…!!!”  ; 

“Me first, I want to be number one…” ;

The starts of this “sister rivalry” began when my 2^nd niece born. It continues as they grow and both seeking for attention and fighting over the same toys. In particularly, the 2^nd niece always picking the same toy that my 1^st niece chosen.

It is indeed stressful and frustrating to see this routine sibling rivalry occurred in the household. How to put an end to this? This may be easier said than done as it is common for each household to give more attention to one child than the others.

 Below are some tips and advices we have tries in dealing with sibling rivalry.

 1. Understand the reasons for the rivalry.

Jealousy? Competition? Unfair treatment from adults? You need to find the “right medicine to cure the disease”.

Firstly, ask yourself honestly if you are the caused of the problem due to the unfair treatment to each child? Then, decide how to change what you are doing so both children feel special.

Secondly, we have to recognize that each child has their own growth changing needs, anxieties, personalities and individual temperaments. Thus, parents need to use different methods to treat each child differently.

2. Do:  

• Put in lots of patience when handling sibling rivalry. You cannot expect to overcome this overnight.
• Spend quality time with each child individually. This allows them to know that they are not in competition with each other and also create a special bond with each child. Example: Allow your child to setup a solo date with you to participate in certain activity.
• Separate the kids until they are calm. Listen to both sides of the story and involves all child in the issues discussion. Make them listen to their siblings’ side of the story, take turn to speak and share their own opinion and feelings.
• Reward your children when they work well together and encourage them to respect and appreciate each other accompany.
• Set ground rules for acceptable behavior. Clearly explain to the kids that there is no cursing, no name-calling, no door slamming, no body attacking and no yelling. Set up consequences when they break them. If both fighting for the same toys, setup a schedule showing which child “owns” that item for that particular days. If they keep fighting about it, take the “prize” away altogether.  

3. Don’t:

• Do not compare you children. This will make your children the other child is better than they are. Each child in the family should be given his own levels of expectation that relate only to him (the individual uniqueness).
• Do not put too much focus on figuring out which child is to blame. Remember, it takes two to fight and anyone who is involved is partly responsible.
• Don’t treat them equally; treat them uniquely and according to their needs. Help them to discover and develop their unique talents and strengths. Make them understand that each different needs at different time.
• Don’t be bad role models. Your children will observe their parents behavior and react accordingly. Example: If your children see you routinely shout, slam doors, and loudly argue when addressing problems, this increase the chances that they will adopt those tactics when they run into problems with one another.
• Don’t used negative messages, labeling and nicknames. Example: Fatty, Ugly, Stupid. This will lower their self-esteem and wouldn’t resolve the problems.

What is your opinion on this? Do you have any great suggestion and tips to share with? Thanks for your comments.