Parent Resource Library
Our Parent Resource Library is an excellent source of information and support for parents and caregivers. Borrow books, videos or kits and get information on a wide variety of parenting topics. Free of charge. For more information contact our Parent Educator at 905- 632- 4011 or parented@rockonline.ca

Parenting Tipsheets (pdf)
Tips for Tantrums
Tips for Toddlers
Tips for Toilet Training
Tips for Separation Anxiety
Tips for Bedtime Routines
Tips for Play
Tips for Preschoolers
Tips for Problem Solving
Tips for Tips for Good Sleep Habits
Tips for Tips for Speech

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Parenting Q&A — This month’s question and answer.

Question:  Every time I get on the phone my 3-year-old daughter becomes very demanding and will scream and end up in a temper tantrum until I get off the phone. What can I do?
 
Answer: This is a very common problem that I hear from many parents. Whenever you are on the phone you are not providing your child with attention so she is seeking it. There are a few ways to avoid the melt downs.  

First — have ready a "telephone box". This box full of goodies can include things such as new books, markers, paper, crafts, toys — whatever interests your child. There doesn't need to be a lot in it, but it is important to only make your “telephone box” available for your child when you are on the phone. Your child can sit beside you or at the kitchen table with you. This will keep her occupied for a short time.

Second — you may need to consider what your expectations are for your child. Children have limited attention spans, especially young children. Three-year-old children are not capable of staying patient while you are on the phone for a long period of time. It is important to consider of the length of your child’s attention span. She may be able to wait five minutes or 15 minutes, but it probably won't be much longer than this.  Be aware that if you carry on your telephone conversation past that time limit, there may be a problem. If you want or need to have a longer conversation, you should be sure to have this conversation when your child is sleeping or has the attention of another adult.

Many times problems such as these can be avoided by parents planning ahead. Children can learn how to behave when you are on the phone. To teach your child how to behave while you are on the phone, you might want to try some role playing. Pretend you are expecting a call. Talk to your child and have her decide what she will do while you are on the phone and have her pretend to do it. Try talking it through and acting it out a few times. Once you have role played it, ask a friend to call the house a few times just so you and your child can practice. When the phone rings you remind your child how to behave while you are on the phone, keep the conversation very short (less than a minute) and then praise the child once you are off the phone for their patience.

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Do you have a question about family, parenting, or child development? Send your question to parented@rockonline.ca

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Early Literacy
“You May Have Tangible Wealth Untold
Caskets of Jewels and Coffins of Gold,
Richer Than I You Can Never Be
I Had a Parent Who Read to Me.”
The Reading Mother, by Gillian Strickland

Sharing Books with Babies
Parents often ask: When should I start reading to my children? The answer is that early literacy should begin at birth, just like any other parenting responsibility. Sharing books, stories, songs, and rhymes from an early age has enormous benefits.

Reading to your children:
- Stimulates their brains and helps them develop.
- Gives both of you quality time to bond and have fun together.
- Encourages them to speak and read by introducing them to the pleasure of stories and the sounds and rhythms of language.

The most important thing you can do to help your children become readers for life is to teach them to love books. The best way to teach children to love books is by participating actively in stories, songs and rhymes. Play point and say, imitate animal sounds, use actions, make it a guessing game, ask questions about the story etc. A few minutes of reading activities everyday in your daily routine can be beneficial. Select a place that is cozy, quiet and away from distractions. Then cuddle up together, laugh, be silly, relax and enjoy.

Suggestions on How to Select Appropriate Books for Children

For Babies pick:
- Simple language — books with few or no words are best
- Choose books with simple, bold and colourful pictures
- Sturdy books with cardboard or plastic pages
- Books that will stand up to being chewed and dropped.
- Books that are durable and washable
- Lift-the-flap, touch–and-feel or peek-through books are fun at this age
- Paper books are best used with an adult
- Books with familiar things e.g. cup, ball, cat, dog, baby, Mommy, Daddy etc.
- Lots of repetition of sounds and words
- Books sized to fit a baby’s hands. Small, lightweight books that are easy for a child to look at, touch and hold. Pages that are easily manipulated.

For Toddlers pick:
- Topics that deal with familiar situations e.g. getting dressed, playing, eating, going to the potty, going to bed
- Books that tell a simple story
- Stories or books that expand your child’s knowledge
- Stories that enhance your child’s vocabulary e.g. farm of zoo animals
- Stories that encourage your child to have fun with works and make sounds e.g. clocks, telephones, animals
- Stories that have repetitive bits for joining in

For Preschoolers pick:
- Stories that both confirm and expand your child’s understanding of the world
- Stories that have an intriguing plot and interesting characters
- Stories that suggest the great themes of literature: sorrow, struggle, love, anger and so on
- Stories that expand your child’s vocabulary
- Themes that appeal to your child
- Books with detailed imaginative illustrations
- Books of poetry and rhyme
- Books with two to four sentences per page
- Stories that use rhythm, rhyme or logic to help the child read

For some great books to read to infants, toddlers and preschoolers, download pdf.

Tips for Reading to Young Children
Learning begins at birth. Sing songs, tell nursery rhymes and read to your child. Begin as soon as your baby is born.

Set aside special times each day to read to your child, such as naptime, bedtime, or after meals.

Select a place that is cozy, quiet and away from distractions. Then cuddle up together laugh, be silly, relax and enjoy! Read with expression and enthusiasm. What children need most is a feeling of comfort about books and reading.

Read children’s favourites as often as they want to hear them! Children are comforted by and learn best from repetition.

Choose books that interest your child or relate to what’s happening in the child’s life at the time, whether it’s a family trip or a new experience such as starting school.

Allow your child to touch books, point to words and pictures and turn the pages.

Read to and with children…don’t expect them to read. If they want to chime in on a word now and then, it’s a bonus, but don’t create any pressure around the time you spend reading together. Read at a leisurely pace with pauses here and there. This gives children time to take in what they hear.

Model all kinds of reading with your children. Let them see you read the newspaper, the TV Guide, recipes etc. Comment on what you are reading so that they see that reading has many purposes.

Children treasure books they own. Affordable books can be found at yard sales, thrift shops, second-hand bookstores, as well as at public library book sales. Provide your child with a bookshelf or drawer for his or her own books. A subscription to a children’s magazine would make a wonderful present for a child.

Take advantage of the local library. Find out when story hours are for young children. Build a regular trip to the library into your schedule. A library card is a free way of investing in your child’s future.

Prepared by the Halton Literacy Advisory Committee representing the Ontario Early Years Centres, Halton Social Planning Council, Halton Public Libraries, Halton District School Board, Halton Catholic District School Board, Region of Halton –Children’s Services, Literacy Council of Burlington, Children’s Assessment and Treatment Centre and Ontario Works.


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