The holidays are a time for family, friends, and togetherness. This often means lots of hugs and kisses! But what do you do when grandma wants a hug and your little one isn't feeling affectionate? It's important to ensure your children are able to create and maintain healthy boundaries that help them feel safe in their bodies. As parents, friends, and family of these special kids, there are ways you can help!
It is a caregiver's responsibility to ensure their children are educated on the importance of consent and healthy boundaries. Teaching children to recognize and respect their own boundaries, as well as those of other people, can help them create and maintain a sense of safety in their bodies. This is especially important for younger children, as they may not yet be aware of what type of touch is appropriate or not. It is essential for parents to provide clear guidance and support to make sure their children understand the importance of consent in all aspects of life. Isn't Consent an Adult Topic? We often hear about consent in adult relationships, but consent isn't just for grown up moments behind closed doors. Consent and bodily autonomy are always important. Think about being on a busy train or in a store. If someone touches you on the shoulder or arm to get your attention and you don't know them, that can feel very stressful - for adults and kids! Asking permission to touch your child instills in them that they deserve this respect just like an adult does. This is why teaching consent and bodily autonomy to kids is such an important part of their development. How to Teach Consent to Kids It’s important for parents to start talking to their children about consent at a young age, so they can learn the basics of what it means and how to respect it. Teaching kids the importance of consent can help foster healthy relationships and ensure that everyone’s boundaries are respected. It also helps them with the boundaries of their friends and classmates too! Even if they want to hug, tickle, or wrestle, they are learning to respect that their friends don't always want to. Teaching about consent helps us all set healthy boundaries. Parents can begin by introducing the concept of consent in simple terms and then provide examples of how it applies to everyday activities. You don't have to use those words exactly. Many parents teach the phrase "No means no" or "I'm in charge of my body" as ways to encourage their children to name their boundaries. It is also essential to emphasize that all people, regardless of age or gender, have the right to say no to touch that isn't comfortable for them. With early education, parents can help create an environment where their kids understand the importance of consent and learn how to practice it in all interactions. Start by asking before and during touch activities. Ask if you can pick your toddler up, or if they want to snuggle during their bedtime story. Teaching them from an early age that they get to say yes or no to physical contact is a huge lesson that will be built up over a lifetime. It builds trust with you as their caregiver, and also builds their trust and connection with their own bodies. Consent can also be taught during physical games like tickling. The Intentional Nanny has a great blog about this topic and says: Tickling can be really fun. In fact, it’s one of my own child’s most requested games. It goes like this: My child says, “Tickle me!” I say, “Ok!” And I tickle. My child says, “Stop!” or “All done!” or “That’s too much!” I say, “Ok!” And I stop. Immediately. I don’t ask, “Are you sure?” and keep tickling. I don’t ignore it and tickle harder. I stop. If I am tickling and tickling and my child doesn’t ask me to stop, I stop after a few moments anyway so he can catch his breath. Chances are in either situation, my child will ask me to tickle him again. And I do. And the moment he asks me to stop, I stop. Because I know that if he’s asking me to stop, he’s asking if he can trust me. Can I trust that I am still in control of this game? Can I trust that I am still in control of my body? Can I trust that if I say stop, my voice will be heard and respected? You can see how this conversation starts out with tickling and can keep our children safe as they grow. When someone doesn’t stop when our child say no, it should be a major red flag for them. We as parents and care providers are responsible for teaching children that this is how a body should be respected. Their own body and others. So when our children inevitably hit, pinch, kick, or poke us without our consent, our response of, “I won’t let you hit me,” or, “Please stop, I don’t like that,” will be another layer of the conversation around consent. I am not consenting to this behavior, I will not let you do that to me. We want our children to respect our bodies, and in return, we must offer the same respect to their bodies. If we push the limit with tickling, we are teaching that “no”/“all done”/“stop” doesn’t really mean no, and pushing the limit is an acceptable practice. And that seems like a dangerous message. What About Being Polite? Of course we want our children to be polite and not rude to guests, family members, and friends. But it's important to teach them how to be polite without touching. If your child doesn't want to hug or kiss, encourage them to say hello, or offer a different greeting like a high five or fist bump. Most importantly, back them up if family members insist on a hug or kiss after your child says no. Your child is learning to stand firm in their boundaries, and you're their safe person. At the end of the day, pressuring a child (or anyone, for that matter) into physical touch under the guise of politeness is very confusing as they figure out their boundaries and what's appropriate. What About Hygiene and Safety? Sometimes kids don't want to take a bath or wear a warm coat, but as their caregivers we have to help keep them clean and safe! When it comes to keeping their bodies clean, warm, and safe, it's still important to ask first. Sometimes offering your child a choice can help them feel a sense of autonomy in the decision. Try asking questions like:
Even if it takes a few extra moments, allowing kids to get in and out of the car by themselves or put on their own shoes helps them develop motor skills and their bodily autonomy. (We know those moments can be agony, but it'll pay off when they're strong, independent kids later!) This holiday season, you may want to have something prepared to say to relatives if you anticipate any issues. Let us know if you need any support making these plans or about how to help teach consent and boundaries to your kids. Our team is here to support you and your children!
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In October, the local Fire Department visited Heights Cooperative Preschool for National Fire Prevention Week. Learning about fire safety is so important to start early, so kids know from a young age how to handle the dangers of fire. This year also marks 100 years since Fire Prevention Week was made official!
Here's what we learned when the fire department visited our school. 1: Create a Family Fire Safety Plan Create an emergency fire plan with your family and friends, including where you would go if you had to evacuate. Be prepared for an emergency by having a disaster plan in place, having enough supplies on hand, and practicing evacuation drills with your family. Everyone in your home should know the fire safety plan, and children should be taught how to use the fire alarm and exit safely. Set up emergency contacts in case of an emergency so your kids know who to call for help. Make your home fire escape plan and safety action plan using these guides from the National Fire Prevention Association. 2: Teach Your Kids Age-Appropriate Fire Safety Talk to your kids about fire safety as often as possible, including when you use the stove or if you are making a fire outside. Make sure they know what to do if they see a fire, and be sure they know the locations of the exits in their home. Make sure your kids know how to respond to a fire alarm and how to use the fire escape routes. As your kids grow older, teach them how to use a fire extinguisher and involve them in replacing the batteries in smoke alarms every year so they are more engaged with your fire safety practices. Visit Sparky.org for lots of online games and resources for your kids to learn about fire safety! 3: Store and Use Household Items Properly Make sure all materials that could create a fire are stored in a safe place, such as candles out of reach of children and cigarettes out of sight. Store flammable materials in cool, dry places and away from heat sources. Follow these simple tips for safe fire safety:
4: Install Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Fire safety is not only about knowing the fire safety rules - it's also about having the proper tools to detect fires and emergencies. Install smoke detectors in each room of your home, and install a carbon monoxide detector in case of an emergency. Make sure your smoke alarms are working properly by testing them monthly and replacing the batteries every year. Smoke from any kind of fire can be dangerous, especially when it's dense or contains chemicals. Make sure your kids know the dangers of smoke, and keep them away from any fires that are burning. As the National Fire Prevention Association says, "Fire is dark!" Though the flames start off bright, soon fires become very dark and smoky. It's important to stay low to the ground so that you aren't breathing or trying to see through the dark smoke. How many smoke alarms do you need? According to the NFPA, "Smoke alarms need to be in every bedroom, outside of the sleeping areas (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of your home. Do not put smoke alarms in your kitchen or bathrooms." 5: Know the School's Fire Safety Plan In addition to knowing your home's fire safety rules, it's important to know the school's fire safety plan. Our classrooms have plans in place to evacuate students in case of a fire. Make sure you know where your child is in case of an emergency, and be sure to talk to your child's teacher about their fire safety plan. Fire safety is not a one-time event - it's something that needs to be practiced regularly so your family is prepared in case of an emergency. Make sure you and your family members are familiar with fire safety tips, and practice evacuation drills on a regular basis. Our students love to do yoga! It's a great part of our weekly routine at Heights Cooperative Preschool and the kids have a great time practicing yoga poses in imaginative and fun ways. Yoga has many benefits for children, helping them develop their bodies and minds, improve their concentration and focus, and even relieve stress. In this article we're exploring our favorite benefits of yoga for kids.
1: Yoga Can Help Develop Their Bodies Yoga is great for overall fitness and can help kids build muscle and bones. In fact, studies have shown that kids who do yoga regularly are more likely to stay healthy and fit throughout their lives. Yoga can also help with posture and balance, which can be beneficial for both their physical health and mental well-being. 2: Yoga Can Improve Their Concentration And Focus Yoga is a great way to focus and concentrate. It helps improve short-term memory recall and reaction time, BrainHQ reports. Additionally, asanas (yoga poses) are specifically designed to promote deep breathing, which is known to improve brain function and concentration. 3: Yoga Can Relieve Stress Many kids deal with a lot of stress in their everyday lives, and yoga can be a great way to release that stress and tension in a relaxing way. A lot of stress arises from everyday life situations, especially when children are going through big changes like a new baby at home or the loss of a pet. By practicing yoga regularly, kids can learn to relax and de-stress. This can lead to a more positive outlook on life and improved mental health overall. 4: Yoga Can Increase Flexibility And Strength It's important to stretch, especially for active children who may not be thinking about the impact of activities on their lower back like we adults do! Yoga can help to improve muscle tightness by stretching and strengthening the muscles in the body. Our yoga classes have poses and exercises are gentle enough for children, but still challenging enough to make them feel their muscles working. In addition, yoga can increase joint mobility, which can be beneficial for maintaining good health throughout the years. Starting early helps children build an appreciation for their wellness. 5: Yoga Can Improve Posture And Balance Poor posture can lead to health problems in the future, including back pain, neck pain, and headaches. By practicing yoga regularly, kids can improve their posture and develop better balance. This can help to prevent injuries in the future and improve overall health. 6: Yoga Can Improve Sleep Quality Kids who practice yoga regularly may sleep better. In fact, research has shown that yoga can improve sleep quality for people of all ages. This is because yoga helps to calm the mind and body, which can lead to a more restful sleep. 7: Yoga Can Teach Children Mindfulness Skills One of the benefits of yoga for children is that it can teach them mindfulness skills by practicing deep breath and relaxing poses. When practiced regularly, yoga can help kids develop stress management and communication skills. This can be beneficial for their development overall. 8: Yoga Can Help Them Connect With Nature Yoga also has many benefits for children when it comes to connecting with nature. In fact, research has shown that kids who practice yoga are more likely to enjoy spending time outdoors and be more physically active. This is because yoga helps promote a healthy mind-body connection. 9: Yoga Is Fun For Kids To Do! Yoga is a lot of fun for kids, which is one of the main reasons why they enjoy practicing it. Kids love the feeling of relaxation and peace that yoga can provide. Additionally, yoga helps children develop flexibility and balance, which are important skills for later in life. 10: There Are Many Styles Of Yoga That Are Great For Kids. Our weekly yoga classes are taught by a certified yoga instructor and are age-appropriate. And like our everyday curriculum, even our yoga is taught through play! Children learn different poses in fun and creative ways, like pretending to be animals in a zoo or jungle. They use their imaginations to travel different places, acting out stories by moving their bodies in different poses as they go along. The class ends with a quiet reflection period. Yoga is a great way to promote a healthy mind-body connection in children. It helps them develop flexibility and balance, as well as deep relaxation and peace. There are many styles of yoga that are perfect for kids, and yoga can be done in a fun, creative way that kids will love! |