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Show Schoolers. Home J Dr. Daryl J. McCarty Executive Secretory Utah Education Association Helping your child develop If you're a parent,' you've probably wondered if there's some kind of magic - key for helping your children develop self discipline, self-reliance and self-esteem. self-esteem. Well, there's no such key. But there are some suggestions from teachers. Consider these: 1. Allow the child, when possible, to experience the consequences of actions. ac-tions. A lost baseball glove is not replaced, for instance. 2. As your child grows into adolescence with a greater need for privacy, be there when you're needed but don't push it. 3. Listen to your child. Let the youngster know you're interested in what he or she has to say and consider the child's opinions carefully. 4. Avoid "cutting" your child about his or her weaknesses at any age. Don't use belittling terms, such as "chubby" or "stupid". Instead, talk proudly about strengths and realistically about weaknesses. 5. Don't overschedule your child's day. Help your child to find time that is his or hers alone. Kids need time to think, dream, plan, make decisions and free their minds of problems. 6. Proudly display your child's accomplishments ac-complishments around the house. Don't be afraid to exhibit Jimmy's "A" paper in social studies on the living room wall next to the $800 oil painting you bought in California last summer. 7. If your child is a pre-schooler, try to avoid saying "no" to everything he or she may ask. As an alternative, try saying "do this instead." Substituting a permissible activity takes the child's mind off the forbidden activity and fosters a positive view of life, 8. Don't be reluctant to get excited about an activity your child is doing. If it's something like debate, tell your daughter how proud you are even if in your secret heart you wanted her to be a cheerleader instead. Don't stop there, thought. Come up with some "rules" of your own. After all, the "expert" in child-rearing is the parent who's in charge of rearing a particular unique child. |