Author Archives: Joan Morgenstern
- Celebrating Hanukkah, The Festival of Lights
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Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and nights. It starts on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, which usually occurs sometime in December on the secular calendar, when the days are the shortest and the nights are the darkest.
- The Spirit of Generosity
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We’ve all heard the statement “it’s far better to give than receive,” but how can we make this relevant to our children? How can we help our children experience the rewards of giving, as well as understand that helping others is a priceless emotional gift we give to ourselves?
- Helping Children Manage Their Fears at Halloween
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Halloween is fast approaching and for some youngsters this holiday is more frightful than fun. Learn seven ways to help manage these fears.
- Supporting Young Children’s Friendships
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Bette Midler sings, “You’ve gotta have friends.” Woody in “Toy Story” sings, “You’ve got a friend in me.” Dionne Warwick sings, “That’s what friends are for.” Collectively, these songs represent what it means to need a friend, be a friend …
- Making Mistakes
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Everyone makes mistakes, and children are certainly no exception. As a parent, it’s likely you’ve anticipated, avoided or amended the mistakes your young children have made. While no parent relishes the idea of their children making mistakes it’s also important …
- Supporting Children’s Upsets
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Children Meltdowns, Outburst, Tantrums – Oh Boy! If your child is having a “meltdown” you’re probably not referring to a messy ice cream cone. You are most likely referring to your child’s big, overwhelming feelings that are being expressed through …
- Parent-Child Communication: Words Are Powerful Tools
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Parenting may well be the hardest, most demanding and certainly the most emotional job a person may ever have. And, all of you in the trenches know that parenting young children is much more of an “art” and much less …
- The Superhero Dilemma
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To be or not to be … a superhero, that is the question. Intrigued by their extraordinary strength and superhuman powers, children are naturally drawn to these “larger than life figures.” And because these characters morph into different beings, fly …
- Part Six: Potty Training – What Should One Avoid?
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Mistakes That Commonly Occur Common mistakes happen, so give careful attention to the following “faux pas” which often “derail” the mastery process. Avoid emphasizing the child is a “Big Boy or Big Girl;” Children between two and three years of …
- Part Five: Potty Training – What Does One Do to Get Ready?
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Preparing the Environment Preparing both the child and the environment for “potty training” gives clarity to the new expectation. Start reading books that introduce the child to the topic of “potty mastery.” Have the child accompany the adult on a …