Character Building from KidsDiscuss.com

Parenting: 2 Powerful Thought Strategies for Raising Resilient Kids

Power Thoughts with Power Scripts

If you're a parent who wants to raise resilient kids, use these power thoughts! Our parenting expert and author of The Resilience Formula, is Dr. Donna Volpitta. She is here to share 2 practical ways to help your kids with scripts and triggerscripts. Keep reading and start using these amazing tools today.

 

Definition and Goal of Scripting

"Scripting is the process of providing the exact language we want and having someone repeat it back. The goal of scripting in this book is to provide kids with strategies to handle everyday challenges." (page 77)

Dr. Volpitta describes the process for parents with 2 steps:

1. Create the script or sentence.

2. Tell your child to repeat the script exactly.

Here's an example many parents say and it's not the best because it doesn't get the child to repeat exactly.

"Mom can I have a cookie?"

"What do you say?"

"Please."

The best script that becomes a brain pathway to other requests like a doll or a bike:

"Mom, may I have a cookie please?"

Dr. Donna's Golden Rule for Raising a Polite Kid

Have them say the whole phrase-don't let them separate out the "please!" (page 80)

The Triggerscripts - A Definition:

If you're a parent who repeats positive mottos and quotes often when guiding your kids, then you're halfway there to helping your kids develop strategies for handling the challenges of life.

"A triggerscript is a short script that can trigger a brain pathway to set in motion specific actions." (page 86)

Of course, triggers and triggerscripts need to be explained to kids beforehand so your kids know what you want them to say. These sayings then become power thoughts to help them throughout life.

I remember my mother often repeating, "A stitch in time saves nine."  It was her way of telling me not to put things off.

But Dr. Donna would take that quote one step further. If my mother had said, "A stitch in time..." and had me fill it in either out loud or silently, it would have made an even greater pathway.

Why is this important? Remember, "The goal of a triggerscript is to create a pathway that is automatic, one that triggers a behavior without having to think about it." (page 87)

Dr. Donna's Guidelines for Generating Your Own Triggerscripts:

1. Use words that tell your children what to do.

2. Give any script a rhythmic beat.

3. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

4. Be consistent. (pages 91 - 92)

"The ultimate goal of triggerscripts is self-regulation - teaching kids the tools to control their own behavior. Ideally, we arm them with triggerscripts so that they can act appropriately and safely when we are not around." (pages 92-93)

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I love the ideas of using scripts and triggerscripts when raising children. Having children repeat the exact script of what to say is very important.

There are many great mottos and quotes to use as triggerscripts. If we can't think up our own we can repeat ones that are short and to the point. Ones that rhyme are especially effective like, "A stitch in time saves nine."

Scripts and triggerscripts help children know what to do when we aren't there. They help kids regulate themselves because they become power thoughts with automatic pathways in their brains.

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Let's HONOR Dr. Donna Volpitta for sharing these two brilliant ways of raising kids with power thoughts for guiding them toward a meaningful life.

Dr. Donna Volpitta

Pick up your copy of The Resilience Formula: A Guide to Proactive Not Reactive Parenting.

Available on Amazon.com

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How Kids Help Parents and Adults Be Loving and Creative

Listen and Hear to Wipe Out Fear

Would you like to be more creative with your kids? Our parenting expert, Rick Ackerly, and author of the book The Genius In Every Child, tells us to overcome our fears. He tells us that both parents and teachers can be trapped by fearing for their children's future. We want them to pass tests to get into college and beyond. But there's more to a child's complexity than passing tests. Let's listen to the story of Sofia and how Rick helped her become his ally.

Rick's Question and Answer:

Will I act out of fear or out of love?

Rick, the headmaster of a school, noticed a little girl crying. It was the second day of school. He sat down on a bench beside little Sofia and asked her, "What's wrong?" Sofia wanted her mommy and daddy.

Some of us might feel fearful and want her to stop crying and stay at school. Rick wanted this too but he came at it a different way. He asked, "What's your mommy's name?" She had to stop crying to answer. She told him her mommy's name, her daddy's name, and that she knew Rick's name too. Soon she was showing him how she could climb the play structure and zip down the slide.

How Rick Acted Out of Love:

1. He sat beside her.
2. He asked her what was wrong.
3. He asked her more questions.
4. He got her to talk.
5. He listened well.
6. She showed him what she could do on the play equipment.
7. She stayed at school and after that was happy to be there every day.

Rick's point is, "Seeing your child as your ally, rather than as a problem to be solved, can help you find the right words to say." Rick viewed Sofia's situation as an opportunity to be creative. "As soon as I started enjoying her, she cheered up and went off to play."

Rick's Parenting Advice:

1. Give yourself the freedom to develop a loving interaction.
2. Create the opportunity for your child to respond likewise.
3. Experience the infinite complexity of your child as an ally.
4. Believe in her inner resources.
5. Allow the conditions for your child to make her own creative choices.
6. Act out of love not fear. (From pages 119-123)

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 Sofia gave Rick an opportunity to be loving and creative. Your child gives you the same opportunities in different ways. I suggest following Rick's advice. He is a nationally recognized educator and speaker with forty-five years of experience. He understands how to help kids grow.

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Let's THANK Rick Ackerly for sharing his own genius and experience with us.

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Pick up Rick's book, The Genius In Every Child: Encouraging Character, Curiosity, and Creativity in Children

Available at Amazon.com

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Homework and Angry Parents: 6 Ways to Be "Under Control"

 

Defiance and Independence versus Success

If you're angry because your child is not doing his homework, getting bad grades, and acting defiant, you have problems. Our parenting expert and author of the book, Homework: A Parents Guide, Neil McNernery, is here to share 6 ways to solve them. Let's hear a typical story and Neil's advice.

 

Neil knows you want your kids to be successful. He knows you can't be "in control" too. Why?

Here Are 3 Questions to Think about:

1. Does your attitude reveal your belief that your child doesn't want to succeed?

2. Is your negative relationship with your child coloring his attitude toward your advice?

3. If "yes" is the answer to either question, then try to be "under control" rather than, "in control."

In Neil's chapter 'The Mistakes We Make as Parents,' he tells the story of Jordan and his dad. Jordan earned a "D" in science. In front of Neil, his dad demanded, "What else should I take away from you to get you to get a better grade?" Their argument escalated.

Jordan's dad believed his son didn't want to achieve and his negative relationship with his son increased Jordan's defiance.

Neil's Take on the Problem:

1. Jordan's dad wanted to be "in control" of Jordan's efforts toward good grades.

2. Jordan pushed back because he valued his independence by saying, "The point is that the more you try to control me, the more I will do it my way, even if it means getting worse grades." Jordan treasured independence over his dad's desire for his success.

Neil's Advice for Angry Parents Who Want Their Child to Succeed:

1. Calm down and be "under control" of your attitude, emotions, and behavior.

2. Change your attitude. Believe your child wants to succeed.

3. Create a positive relationship with your child.

4. Speak in conversational tones.

5. Make your goal to get your child to "buy in" by being a consultant.

6. Deliver your message in such a way that it will be heard, accepted, and used. (From pages 72-73 and 109-111)

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I like Neil's advice because it makes sense.

1. I suggest taking a walk by yourself  and think out how you'll calm down and get "under control." Perhaps you'll visualize seeing yourself handling the problem better. You might repeat often while breathing on the inhale, "I'm" and on the exhale "under control."

2. Ask yourself, "How can I get my point across so it can be heard, accepted, and used?" Practice saying your message in conversational tones.

3. Consider asking questions that focus on what your child thinks about his grades and any advice he'd like to give himself. You also might ask, "Is there anything you'd like me to do to help you?"

4. It's important to keep in mind your child wants to be independent and in control of his choices. You can promote that by following Neil's advice.

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Let's THANK Neil McNerney for writing such a helpful book for parents based on his wealth of experiences as a school counselor.

Neil McNerney, M.Ed., LPC

Pick up Homework: A Parents Guide to Helping Out without Freaking Out

Available on Amazon.com

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5 Top Strategies to Help Kids Cope with Divorce

 

Jason's Story, "I Can't Concentrate."

Looking for strategies to help your kids cope with divorce? If so, my brand new kindle book, Character Building: Divorce Stories and Strategies to Help Your Child Heal is yours for

FREE tomorrow Tuesday, June 4, 2013, and Wednesday.

With high divorce rates come numerous children in single parent homes. Research tells us ninety percent of these children experience a decline in school performance. Many children experience physical problems like headaches, stomach aches, sleep problems, and fatigue. Many also go through social problems loosing interest in friends or letting anger infect their lives. Parents grieve over their child's pain. What to do?

As a former teacher and family counselor, I've looked for good ways to help children cope with divorce. These stories can help children heal.

 

Adapting to divorce takes time plus opportunity. Stories can offer that opportunity. Children relate to stories, especially cartoon stories. In this book the characters present a typical problem to solve with strategies that heal.

 

 

You'll find 23 stories with themes like:

. Tina, who's upset over her mother's dating

. Jesse, who worries over his mother's money problems

. Bethany, who's trying to adjust to different rules in each household

. Danny, who's been waiting at the window for his dad to pick him up for a visit.

. Molly, whose parents still fight and many more story dilemmas.

5 Top Strategies to Help Your Child Heal

1. The Story

The cartoon stories bring each dilemma out in the open making it easier for your child to talk about his or her own feelings. Besides the regular format, embedded in each tale is a special healing technique to guide your child.

Within Each Story You'll Find ~

2. Choosing the Best Statement

For instance in the story entitled, "I Can't Concentrate," (about Jason who daydreams in school), your child is given 3 statements and is asked to choose the best:

. Will dad ever come back?

. I can't stop worrying about dad.

. My thoughts are clear and I am here.

These statements can turn into a conversation to relieve your child's worries.

3. Discussion Time

Each story includes four key questions to jumpstart thoughts, feelings, and actions. Your child is encouraged to give the cartoon character his best advice.

4. Saying

To help the character's thoughts and feelings, your child is asked to create a positive self-talk saying that rhymes. (Of course, your youngster can use the saying to repeat often too.) There is a suggested rhyme in each story for convenience.

5. The Binder Drawings

Each story suggests your child draw a picture of the problem scene and then the solution scene. Their drawings can be saved in a 3-hole binder. They become a keepsake for your child on how he solved each of the divorce story's dilemmas.

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You'll find a bonus collection of all 23 special healing strategies for you to download at the end of the book. Use them whenever you need them.

Pick up Character Building: Divorce Stories and Strategies to Help Your Child Heal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available at Amazon.com

As you probably know, many people look at the reviews on Amazon before they decide to purchase a book.

If you liked this kindle book, would you please take a minute to leave a review? Don't forget to give it 'stars' and a 'like.' 

PS You don't need to own a kindle to enjoy kindle books. Just download the app below.

Kindle App

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Jean Tracy, MSS

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Solve Conflicts between Kids: A Top Strategy for Parents

 

Parents Can Teach Kids How to Solve Conflicts!

If your kids never have conflicts, don't bother reading about this excellent strategy. Our parenting expert and author, Dr. Michele Borba, who wrote The Big Book of Parenting Solutions, is here to share a top way for helping kids stand up for themselves and resolve fights. She'll use the acronym, STAND.

 

Helping Kids Solve Conflicts with STAND

Each letter of STAND has special meanings. If we aid kids in making this method a habit, they'll be wiser now and in the future, lessen their arguments, and enhance their chances for success.

S = Stop and Calm Down

   1. Call for a time out.

   2. Take a deep breath.

   3.  Get a drink of water.

   4. Leave for a minute and then come back.

When everyone has calmed down, then it's time for the next step. 

T = Take Turns Telling What the Problem Is

    Rules

    . No put-downs or criticisms

    . No interrupting

    1. Ask each child, "What happened?"

    2. Tell the children to summarize each other's view and to begin with the word "I" rather than "You."

    3. The goal is to help each child understand what it feels like to be in each other's shoes.

A = Alternatives, list different ways for resolving the conflict

    1. Brainstorm the first thing that comes to your mind.

    2. Avoid putting each other's ideas down.

    3. Try to come up with ideas that work for both sides.

  N = Narrow the Choices

    Rules

    1. Eliminate solutions that are unacceptable to either side.

    2. Eliminate solutions that aren't safe or wise.

D = Decide on the Best Choice and Do It!

    1. Think about the consequences for each possible choice by asking, "What might happen if you tried that?"

    2. What are the pros and cons of each choice?

    3. What is one last change that would make your choice even better?

    4. Once they agree on a choice, each child shakes hands and says, "I agree."

Dr. Michele cites research that says "children who were skilled in problem solving were less likely to be impulsive and aggressive when things don't go their way: tended to be more caring and less insensitive; were better able to make friends; and tended to achieve more academically." (From pages 51-52)

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Dr. Michele gives us this top problem solving strategy. It has such enormous benefits for our children. I especially like it because it's so simple. I suggest copying her method to keep handy when you need it. Then help your kids STAND up for themselves and make it a habit.

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Let's APPLAUD Dr. Michele for her expert advice in giving us a process for helping our children resolve their fights and standing up for themselves. If all children were taught this strategy, the outlook for world peace would be very bright.

Dr. Michele Borba

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Pick up The Big Book of Parenting Solutions to find the answers you need.

Available at Amazon.com

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Sympathy: Are First Graders Too Young to Feel Compassion?

Youngsters Discuss Compassion

Compassion is sympathy for someone's suffering, so says parenting expert, Michael Sabbath, author of the book, The Good, The Bad, and the Difference. Today he'll share a clever experiment exposing first graders to suffering. No, he didn't use violence or blood but he did help kids to choose between obedience and compassion. Let's find out what he did.

 Michael, a lawyer, routinely visited classrooms to prompt discussions about values. One day he went to the first grade classroom at Cherry Hills Village Elementary School.

The Compassion Experiment

He asked the teacher, Sandy, to instruct the children to "stay in their seats while she and I went to the principal's office."

Once outside the room he slammed a nearby door and yelled, "Help, help, help!" Right away half the students ran to his rescue. He told the students that he slipped and fell against the door. Some believed him.

This experiment grew into a great classroom conversation.

The Compassion Discussion

Stacey was one of the first students to run to help. Michael asked the class if Stacey was 'good' even though she got out of her seat. Here is what some of the kids said:

1. Katie said, "Stacey was both good and bad. She was bad when she disoberyed and got out of her seat but good when she tried to help you."

Michael interpreted Katie's answer as high level thinking. "Helping is more important than disobeying about sitting in a seat."

2. Little Stacey defended her disobedience by saying, "If you're dead, you can't come back to life."

Michael viewed Stacey's comment as valuing life over obedience.

3. Joan used her creative imagination by holding her chair to her bottom and opened the door to see if help was needed.

Michael viewed her actions as ingenious. She didn't disobey and she did go to help.

4. Other first graders who ran to help made comments like:

   . "I'd want someone to help me."

   . I'd feel bad if I didn't help the person."

   . "I'm happy when people helped me when I needed it so I wanted to help you."

Michael said Compassion posters hang on school walls. (Do kids always pay attention to them?)

By this experiment, Michael showed that first graders aren't too young to feel compassion. Even better, they chose compassion over obedience because of their moral judgments. (From pages 211-212.)

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Michael is ingenious with creating marvelous discussions that make kids think. If I were still a teacher, it would an honor to have him discuss ethics with my class. Whether you are a teacher or a parent, you too can have impressive discussions with your children.

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Pick up The Good The Bad & The Difference: How To Talk With Children About Values. You'll find discussions on courage, integrity, wisdom, justice, compassion, reason and more.

Let's CONGRATULATE Michael Sabbath for his creative ways to get kids to think on higher levels and express their values.

Michael Sabbath

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Teenagers: Our Blaming Mistakes and 4 Ways to Solve Them

 

"No matter what, I love you."

It's easy to blame an out-of-control teen. Our parenting experts are sharing an excerpt from their book, The Whipped Parent. Marney Studaker-Cordner and her co-author Kimberly Abraham are social workers who have helped many teens.  They'll share advice on how we blame and how to change.

 

How We Blame Our Teens:

We keep mental tabs on their past wrongs like:

. The temper tantrums when she was young

. The time she stole money from my purse

. The time she set the house on fire from her cigarettes

. The times she stayed out past her curfew

. The times she got drunk when I was out

. The times she's called me the "B-word."

When we think about the mental list, it's easy to feel angry, resentful, and hurt. Our authors tell us that keeping a tab is like a credit card. "You're the one who ends up paying - with lots of interest tacked on." What's even worse, our kids learn to keep tabs on our mistakes too.

When we keep tabs, it's like lifting the back of a chair while our arms and back ache but we won't put it down. Try it and see how long it takes for your arms and back to tire. So how do we stop the credit card or put down the chair?

Marney and Kimberly tell us to accept our child unconditionally by:

1. Forgiving through letting go of the past (Get rid of the credit card.)

2. Loving your child as only a parent can.

3. Telling your child you love her.

4. Avoiding withdrawing yourself and your love from your child.

"Some of the saddest adolescents are those who feel hopeless because they believe their behavior has led to the loss of a parent's love."

If you have trouble feeling unconditional love for your child, "Fake it until you make it," advise our authors. If something happened to your child, you'd want the last words she heard from you to be, "I love you."

One telling question Marney and Kimberly ask is, "If a stranger asked your adolescent, 'Does your parent love you?'" what would she say? (From pages 122-126)

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You might respond, "This is tough to do." Our authors would heartily agree. They understand. I appreciate their view on unconditional love. It's important to focus on what is truly important even when we're hurt and angry.

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Let's HONOR our authors, Marney and Kimberly, for sharing their knowledge from working with difficult teenagers.

Marney Studaker-Cordner, MSW, CSW

Kimberly Abraham, MSW, CSW

You can order their book The Whipped Parent: Hope for Parents Raising an Out-of-Control Teen

 

Available at Amazon.com

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5 Parenting Tips: TV Time for Your Teenager

 

Is Your Teenager Living His Life Through TV?

Does your teenager spend too much time watching TV? If you'd like some easy parenting tips about TV time in your house, consider the expert advice from our parenting author, Dr. Parnell Donahue. The following excerpt is from his book about adolescents, Messengers in Denim.

 

Dr. Parnell loves to tell stories, like the one about Darrel and his dad. Darrel's dad, an UPS driver, brought his boy into see Dr. Parnell, a pediatrician, for a check-up. They began arguing about who watched more TV. It turns out the father watched 3-4 hours a night when he could have spent more time enjoying his family.

Dr. Parnell sees TV as an addiction because many children, as well as, adults spend too much time watching and not enough time living their own lives. He researched the American Academy of Pediatrics and presented their recommendations:

Here are 5 of 9 suggestions you can start today:

1. Keep TV sets out of your child's bedroom.

2. Record high quality TV programs to watch after homework is completed.

3. View programs with your child and discuss their thoughts during the commercials.

4. Allow no more than 1-2 hours of TV per day.

5. Encourage children to play, read, practice sports, and develop hobbies. (From page 184)

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I appreciate the wisdom Dr. Parnell offers. His stories are real and insightful. You almost feel like you're sitting in on his conversations with teens. He also backs up his advice with research which gives you confidence that his ideas are valuable.

Let's THANK Dr. Parnell Donahue for his tireless work in helping parents understand their teenagers and his practical parenting advise.

Dr. Parnell Donahue

Pick up Messengers in Denim

Available at Amazon.com  

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What Are SAT Results Telling Us About Our Kids?

Passing SAT and Doing Well

It’s become a rite of passage for high school seniors— gathering together in big groups on a Saturday morning and taking the SAT test. For students who wish to go on to college, how they score can often have a big impact on which schools will accept them.

Unfortunately, as CBS News reported, the scores that were released by the College Board for the class of 2012 were not particularly outstanding. In fact, last year’s high school graduates had the lowest SAT reading scores since 1972, as well as the poorest scoring ever for the essay portion, which was introduced in 1996.

The Facts

According to the College Board, the average reading score was 496, math was 514 and writing was 488. These were all out of a possible 800 points. Since the College Board estimates that 1,550 points total is the average amount needed to be ready for college, it seems like current high school seniors have a bit of work to do to help boost these numbers.

As for why these numbers are so low, an article from the Marietta Daily Journal included several theories from educators. For example, a record number of students (1.66 million) took the test in 2012. Of these, 27 percent reported being from low-income families, and 28 percent indicated that English was not their first language. In addition, around 33 percent of the high school seniors were from parents who had not gone to college.

The Reasons

Of these proposed reasons, household income seemed to correlate the most to low SAT scores. In general, students from households with an average income of $20,000 or less had the lowest scores. Interestingly, as the income amounts rise, so do the scores. Once the average income reached close to $100,000, students were more likely to achieve the magic number of 1,550.

Of course, there are exceptions to these rules. Some high school students from lower-income families probably achieved high scores on the SAT, just like seniors from wealthier families may have scored quite low. Plenty of students do well in school, but perform poorly on exams due to test anxiety or other issues.

Although students will often say “when am I even going to use this stuff?” in relation to their schoolwork, the fact remains that basic literacy skills are extremely important. Everyone— from the mechanic who consults a manual to fix an engine, the accountant who is reading up on tax laws and the attorney who needs to read a law brief— needs to be able to read well. The same goes for basic mathematical skills.

What Can We Do?

Parents who wish to help their children succeed at the SATs can try some different approaches. Some have had great success hiring SAT tutors to work with their high school student. Others have purchased practice testing booklets or downloaded tests online that can give seniors the chance to take sample tests at home. Sometimes, just knowing in advance what the test will be like can make taking the real thing a bit easier. And of course, the age-old advice about getting enough rest and eating a good breakfast on test day is still as true as ever.

Another way that high schoolers can do well on their SAT scores is to be enrolled in a school that uses the Common Core curriculum. As an article on EducationNews.org pointed out, the College Board noted a strong link between this intensive.

Let's THANK Susan Moore for this instructive article. Susan is a teacher and freelance writer who lives in California.

Please support today's author and share your opinions about this blog post. Just click on the COMMENTS link below. It will open up for you. We want to hear from you.

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3 Simple Rituals to Help Your Child Conquer Fear & Love the Water

Parents, Help Your Child Love the Water! 

If your child is afraid of the water and you want to help, here are 3 easy rituals you can start today. Our expert today, Michelle Ziskovicz, is a swim instructor and author of the Little Duckie Swim Program. Let's find out her advice.

Helping your child overcome their fear and love the water starts during bath time. We
will help your child learn that water can be fun with this easy bathing ritual.

Make the water fun: Is bath time an enjoyable experience for
both you and your child? Most families have a variety of bath time experiences
with their children. To help your child have more fun in the bath try these
three simple bath activities:

1. Sing, read or tell stories to your child during bath time.

2. Ask your child what toys they would like to bring to the bath. (You
can do this for your swimming lessons too.)

3. Bathe younger and older siblings together. This way, a fearful
child can see that big brothers or sisters enjoy the water.

Reward good bath time behavior with favorites, like watermelon lollipops or princess
stickers. Before you know it, your child will start looking forward to bath
time. They are on their way to loving the water!

Bath Time: Be comfortable in the water

You can help your child overcome their fear of water using squirt toys and a “rain
bucket” in the bath tub. To help your child feel comfortable in and around
water, we will gradually help them feel at ease during a full submersion.

First, use squirt toys (in non-soapy water) to squirt other toys during bath time.
Show your child it is alright for the toys to be splashed with water. Help your
child squirt his or her favorite toys with water.

Next, find a “rain bucket” (a bucket or cup with holes in the bottom). Scoop some
non-soapy water and sing “rain, rain go away” while you drip water on your
child’s hands and feet. Eventually, your child will be comfortable enough to
let you drip water the back of their neck and top of the head.

This is a big step towards helping your child overcome fear of water in the water
for swimming lessons. Once your child feels comfortable with this
routine, bring the same toys and rain bucket to the pool to warm up for your
swim lessons.

For children who are extremely uncomfortable around water, do these same steps in
an empty bath tub. Start with squirting other toys, and move on to the “rain
bucket” only when your child is ready. Eventually you will be able to fill the
tub with more and water.

Use pool toys to keep swim lessons fun!

Swim Lesson: Relax and have fun in the pool

Start each swim lesson or pool time with a welcome song. Sing any favorite song you
would like to your child. Just make sure to repeat that same song at the start
of each swim lesson. This helps your child become familiar with the water
quicker. End pool time with a goodbye song and a yummy lollipop or stickers.

Swim Lesson Guidelines

Be Patient. The best way to help children enjoy the water and learn swimming is “going at the child’s pace”. Children learn best when they are physically, emotionally and mentally ready to lean. This is why your swim lessons should slowly introduce new water skills to your child when they are ready. We use our “Swim Routine” to get your child familiar with basic swim skills before adding more advanced swim skills. So be patient and let your child learn to swim at their own pace. They will learn faster and enjoy the water more.

Have Fun. Learning to swim is a brand new experience for a child. They must learn to move their bodies in new ways in water. Many children find it challenging in the beginning of the swim lessons. If you want to keep your child engaged during the lessons, make each lesson feel like play time by including songs, fun toys and taking breaks whenever needed.

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Let's HONOR Michelle for sharing her expertise in helping your children love the water. She is happy to answers your questions at How to Teach Your Child to Swim You'll find her swim program there too.

 

Michelle Ziskovicz

 

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