Because I get to teach children everyday, I get to see the wonderful things that they learn, try, and accomplish. It is AMAZING to watch each child grow and succeed through milestones; they are all so different and individualistic! That being said, I get so many chances to praise them for their accomplishments. After 3 years of hearing myself say the same things over and over again, I realized that I needed to change things up.

Since I was getting tired of hearing my own voice, I can’t even imagine what the kids were thinking! I would respond to their accomplishments with a flippant, “That is awesome!”, “Way to go”, “Oh my goodness, you are so smart” without really thinking about the effect it had on them. I started researching this topic and low and behold we also started to dabble in this area in my studies at ASU: How to encourage children effectively! … Perfect!

I read this article, which I posted for you here:
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=8475074, “Why Praising Children Can Hurt Them” as an aid to bring in a different perspective on the subject. If you have time I would really encourage you to take a took at it. If not, I pulled two interesting quotes that highlight some of the points made in the article.

I found this quote particularly interesting,

“A decade of groundbreaking research suggests that constant praise can lead kids to lose self-confidence, not gain it, and make them actually perform worse, not better.” – Cynthia McFaddan and/or Debroah Apton

I totally see that! If we highlight a child’s accomplishments over and over again, the child will start to build a faulty foundation of self-confidence in the subjective views of others. But if we are to support them in the process of achieving their outcomes, they can build a strong foundation of self-confidence in the objectiveness of their hard work, lessening the need to gain praise from others.

So, I altered my praises. I try (it is really hard to change this!) to no longer praise the final outcome by saying, “oh that is super cool,” or “wow, you are the greatest” or “that is amazing!”, but try to preempt that kind of situation by involving myself in the process of achieving the final outcome. For example, if one of my students is sitting nicely, working really hard on her project I might go up to her and say, “Chloe, you are working so hard on cutting that out! I am so proud of you!” Now I am highlighting Chloe in her hard work vs. her final product. And also, I am doing it without her asking me for praise.  It was definitely hard for me to stop responding to children with consistant and calloused praises, but I am starting to see the effectiveness of praising them versus their achievements.

In conclusion, Po Bronson, a contributor to the article I posted for you, states,

“”I stopped at home telling my children they were so smart, they were so great. But we’d go out to these school events, and I would hear all of these other parents praising their children. I would fall off the wagon around other parents. I became a social praiser,” Bronson said. “And I started to feel like — that it wasn’t my child. My child was doing great at the new praise regimen [keeping praises to a minimum of 25% of the time]. It was I who was suffering. The praise junkie wasn’t my child; it was me.” Copyright © 2011 ABC News Internet Ventures

What are your thoughts on praising children? Are you a “praise junkie” or do you see the value of praising during the process?

Happy Praising!!!

With the hustle and bustle of the holidays — not to mention the day-to-day busyness of balancing work and family — it is easy to prioritize our ‘need-to’s’ before our ‘want-to’s’. For example, our ‘need-to’s’ can be work schedules, deadlines, and obligations, while are ‘want-to’s’ may be a dinner out, a picnic with the kids, or just some peace and quiet! Balancing these obligations and activities in our families is such a necessary step to take so that our children feel they are a priority in our busy lives!

Spending fun, quality time with your child can be easy, but does take a bit of planning. Below are a myriad of family-fun events, things happening in the valley, and fun ‘want-to’s’ you can share with your little one to start 2012 with intentional time spent!

• Teddy Bear Picnic — Even though it is technically winter, we know that January inPhoenix can bring spring-like weather! This is a perfect time to share a picnic with your kiddo and a couple of his/her favorite stuffed friends. Co-hosting a picnic in the park with your child is a great way to spend time together, promote dramatic play, and get to see your little one’s imagination!

• A Night at the Theater...the puppet theater that is! – Great Arizona Puppet Theater is showing The Princess, the Unicorn, and the Smelly Foot Trolluntil January 15th and Cinderella from January 18th – February 12th.Also, The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is showing ZooZoo, a “family-friendly production is a fun-filled cross between a circus, vaudeville and zoo” on January 28th (azcentral.com).

• A Day at the Zoo — Phoenix Zoo is hosting Farm Tots on January 20th for children 18 months – 2 years. Children can get up close and personal with sheep and other animals!

• Disney on Ice – US Airways is inviting all of the Toy Story characters for a fast-paced night of entertainment and fun.

• Weekend Matinee — Thanks to Angela at Scottsdale MomsBlog for sharing this idea! Studio Movie Grill has $2 Kidtoon matinees every weekend at 11:00am. Enjoy lunch and a movie together as a family!

• Eyes on the Sky — Enjoy watching hot air balloons float and glow in the dark acrobats fly in the annual Carefree/Cave Creek Balloon Festival. Check out cavecreekballoonfestival.com for more info!
  
• SLC’s Annual Valentine’s Party — Designate the afternoon on Friday, February 10th to making Valentines with your child at our school! We will provide all of the materials for you to make super creative, messy, and fantastic Valentine cards and notes for the big day. This will also be a great opportunity to meet your child’s friends and friends’ parents! Check out our Facebook event page for more details!
  

  If you know of any events or activities to add to this list, please let us know! We’d love to hear how YOU are spending intentional time with your family!

What is the educational focus of your daycare center?

Phoenix child learning centers are entrusted with your precious one, and the educational philosophy of our Phoenix child day care center is that we believe   “the PROCESS/NOT THE PRODUCT,” to be the most significant aspect of how children learn. From infancy to kindergarten age, our day care learning center staff will focus on the creative learning center’s policy of instilling confidence and self worth with our daycare programs. At our hands-on day care learning center we focus on teaching creative expression through structured learning, discovery learning, and social play. Since 1990, our business has been a provider of care and love for little ones at our Phoenix child learning centers.

For 17 years, our child day care center and day care learning center has successfully offered age appropriate learning programs in:

• Writing
• Reading
• Vocabulary
• Art
• Music
• Math
• Science

Choosing a creative learning center that offers the best daycare programs can be worrisome for parents, and we have developed a proven, hands-on teaching method for your child’s educational progression. You will be able to approach your hectic business day knowing that our child learning center is a nurturing, safe place for your child. Well-trained and dedicated employees provide our child day care center and day care learning center the focus on intellectual development your children need.

Phoenix child learning center locations are offered throughout the area, and if you’re looking for a trusted child day care center, we sincerely believe we are the answer. Day care learning centers should provide the creative learning center features that offer your children educational opportunities, and a safe place to develop skills for life. Our business isn’t just about providing a place for your child to stay. We pride ourselves on a strong focus on hands-on education, and in teaching a solid traditional curriculum in all daycare programs  .

Some of the cities we serve include:

• Scottsdale
• Phoenix
• Cave Creek
• Carefree
• Paradise Valley
• Anthem
• Tempe
• Fountain Hills

Does your child care center enroll babies?

Phoenix child care options for infants are available at all of our Phoenix child day care facilities.  Babies require special child care services, and based on your written instructions, our well-trained staff will provide the caring environment your baby needs.  Infant’s needs are always changing, and we ask that you provide current feeding schedules and premixed bottles, and ask that you label special blankets or pacifiers with first and last names.  As your child grows, our child care center has unique programs and resources to begin teaching your toddler as your little one progresses from toddler through kindergarten.

At our Phoenix child care facility we offer child care services for infants, toddlers, pre-k and private kindergarten programs. Our Phoenix child day care programs are designed to offer your children a daily atmosphere of caring, sharing, and intellectual development. If you are looking for a proven child care program for your baby, allow us to offer you our 17 years of experience in child care services.

Phoenix child care and Phoenix child day care teaching programs at our child care center provide the best options for your child’s intellectual development. Our child care services offer you a place near your home, job or school to safely educate your baby or toddler while you handle your business matters. Our teaching providers are a great resource. Come find out more about our facility today!

• Games
• Reading
• Writing
• Play
• Literacy
• Disability
• Structured learning
• Vocabulary
• Discover learning
• Social play
• Math & science
• Art
• Music
• Summer program
• Infants
• One year old
• Two year old
• Three year old
• Pre-k
• Private kindergarten

What type of child learning development programs do you have at your learning center?

Phoenix child learning development programs are the focus of our Phoenix child-learning center. Our creative learning daycare programs are based on structured learning and creative expression, where “the process/not the product” is the most significant learning element. Trained employees use a hands-on approach, and the policy of our business is to inspire confidence and good attitudes in children and little ones with a disability. When you’re looking for a childcare provider, or for childcare assistance with educational and emotional balance, allow us to demonstrate the 17-year dedication to education we offer in our Phoenix child-learning centers.

Our child day care learning center encourages your child to explore and discover the wonders of art, music, vocabulary development, social play, and math and science.  For a child with a disability, the same caring methods are applied, and every child is given the opportunity to expand powers of observation, problem solving, and social interaction.

With a maximum of 20 students per class, our low student/teacher ratio offers the best possible child learning experience. At our child day care learning centers, you’ll find a Phoenix child learning center staff that will develop, love, and care for your precious one. Our daycare programs for children with a disability offer creative learning opportunities to instill self-reliance and knowledge for life skills. We are hands-on providers, and the primary concern of our business is giving you and your child the caring assistance you need.

Phoenix child learning and child day care learning centers are available throughout the area, but we truly believe the hands-on daycare programs at our Phoenix child learning center are unsurpassed.

Do you provide learning programs?

Phoenix child day care is a special responsibility, and our Arizona child day care services provide learning programs for infants through kindergarten age. Our unique childcare centers have a low student/teacher ratio, and ensures that meaningful learning time is spent with each child. Since 1990, our policy has been to serve local families by offering safe and enriching Arizona child day care services.

Child day care and childcare centers should provide educational development for children, and it is our belief that “the PROCESS/NOT THE PRODUCT” is the significant part of learning. Our childcare center and child day care services include age appropriate learning programs including:

• Math and Science
• Reading
• Writing
• Play and games
• Vocabulary
• Discovery learning

The services we offer as a child day care provider will give you the peace of mind you need, and are available in Scottsdale and various Phoenix locations.

Phoenix child day care is our business, and we take the care and education of your child seriously. For the finest in Arizona child day care services for your family, allow our childcare centers to provide assistance in the development of you precious one’s skills for life.

What makes your child care services different?

Phoenix child day care services should be affordable, educational and caring. Our Arizona child care services offers a child day care center with experienced, professional child care providers. Each employee of our business has undergone vigorous training and licensing programs. Our learning programs offer a unique structured learning curriculum, and your precious child will be cared for in a loving and respectful environment, and will be provided with nourishing breakfasts, lunches, and healthy snacks in the morning and afternoon.

Learning programs at our child day care center feature essential elements for structured learning including the following proven schooling methods:

• Games and activities to strengthen vocabulary
• Reading and writing exercises to increase comprehension
• Group play to build good social attitudes
• Literacy
• “Discovery Learning” techniques for children with a disability

Child day care providers all have philosophies on how to be the best professional child care providers for your family. Our child care services business licensing program ensures that each childcare professional at our school is highly skilled and will strive to share unique educational learning programs with your children.

Our child day care centers are here to serve you and your children, and as a parent, you are welcome to share your skills and talents during our “parent share week” offered twice each year. You are also encouraged to participate in special activities, holiday parties, and field days. Learning programs also include private conferences scheduled twice per year, at your convenience, for parents of children aged 4 and up. The private conferences are invaluable opportunities to discuss your child’s progress in school.

We feel that we offer the finest in Arizona child care services. For families new to Arizona, or for families with a new child, selecting Phoenix child day care services among so many child care providers can be a difficult process. Please allow us to outline our special learning programs, and we sincerely believe you will agree that no other business in Arizona can surpass our child day care centers. Vigorous licensing programs, professional caring staff, safe and convenient locations, and reasonable prices are trademarks of our business. Our enthusiastic Phoenix child day care services employees are looking forward to the special privilege of serving your family in the following cities:

Some of the cities we serve include:

• Phoenix
• Cave Creek
• Carefree
• Paradise Valley
• Anthem
• Tempe
• Fountain Hills