When children can’t tell the difference between a want and a need

Jim Fay, co-author of From Innocence to Entitlement: A love and logic cure for the tragedy of entitlement has major concerns about the rapid growth of entitlement in our young people and its threat to the American way of life. He cites the examples below as ways “entitlement beliefs” are debilitating our youth:

High need for goods and services

Low pressure to succeed or hold down jobs

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High amount of time to party

Low amount of time to devote to effort toward accomplishment

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High expectations of others

Low ambition

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High resentment for those who would require them to achieve through study and effort

Low appreciation for the opportunity for an education

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High demand for entertainment and excitement

Low awareness of the sacrifices made by their parents

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High willingness to defy society’s traditional rules and values

Low respect for adults and leaders

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High inclination to find substitute “highs” such as alcohol and drugs

Low respect for society’s traditional rules

The foundation for these beliefs start early in life and parent who fail to set reasonable limits for behavior (including character traits) start this problem. Today’s kids can’t distinguish between a “want” and a “need.”

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY MUST BE REINFORCED!

Kids need to learn how to get what they want through effort and struggle. Parents must set and enforce limits and boundaries. Early education is the key!

Developing innovative minds

For children we call it creativity, but when it comes to an employee, we call creative minds - “innovative.” Businesses will not make it in today’s global society without a competitive edge and that comes from innovative people on their team.

Follow these sure-fire tips to begin developing your child’s “innovative” mind today:

1. Model creativity in the projects you do – does the grass really ALWAYS have to be colored green?

2. Let go of perfectionism and just enjoy your own creative process. Your children will notice and feel more comfortable trying new things

3. Give your children many opportunities to be creative without concern for the product.

4. Look for process-oriented toys and projects for your children. Finger paints, Lego’s, blocks or play dough can be great fun and develop skills without making your child feel that a certain result is expected.

5. When helping your children make a specific object, like a painting or a puppet, keep things open-ended and leave room for their own creative touches.

6. Give children time to use their imagination in what seems to you to be non-productive ways. Children need to spend hours pretending.

7. Be sure to enjoy being creative alongside of your children.

Early education is the key!

Develop your child’s innovative mind

For children we call it creativity, but when it comes to an employee, we call creative minds - “innovative.” Businesses will not make it in today’s global society without a competitive edge and that comes from innovative people on their team.

Follow these sure-fire tips to begin developing your child’s “innovative” mind today:

1. Model creativity in the projects you do – does the grass really ALWAYS have to be colored green?

2. Let go of perfectionism and just enjoy your own creative process. Your children will notice and feel more comfortable trying new things

3. Give your children many opportunities to be creative without concern for the product.

4. Look for process-oriented toys and projects for your children. Finger paints, Lego’s, blocks or play dough can be great fun and develop skills without making your child feel that a certain result is expected.

5. When helping your children make a specific object, like a painting or a puppet, keep things open-ended and leave room for their own creative touches.

6. Give children time to use their imagination in what seems to you to be non-productive ways. Children need to spend hours pretending.

7. Be sure to enjoy being creative alongside of your children.

Early education is the key!

Preschool - how is your state doing?

Check out the State of Preschool 2007 to see how your state measures up to other states’ when it comes to funding preschool for three and four year olds. 

Not surprising to me… the report notes that 22% of all four year olds in America are sent to preschools paid for by state government or federal government funds.  And some politicians say we will fund how many three and four year olds if elected?  Coughing wildly over here… 100%!  Yes - it goes something like this… “if I am elected we will have preschool not just for SOME of our children but for ALL of our children.”  Read the report and you tell me - am I missing something?  How could this be possible?    

Don’t get your hopes up folks!  Remember this old saying… “if you want it done right… you better do it yourself.”  Children have the ability to learn the most between birth and age five and we (parents) have the obligation to make sure they are given the opportunities to do just that… no matter the sacrifice.  You are your child’s first teacher and favorite toy - early education is the key!

Link-Ed is a great website for connecting parents with education

Their mission: 

LinkEducation connects children with education opportunities by making it possible for parents, educators, and organizations to find programs and resources in their communities.

You can find all kinds of resources and events in your local, state and national area.   This website was one of the finalists for the IDEA BLOB - $10,000.00 idea of the month competition. 

Go on over to their website and see what you can learn and if you have anything to add!  Early education is the key to success in school and life!