Early Childhood Matters

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Do you have a threenager? A fournado? Early Childhood Matters' 7-week Positive Discipline for Preschoolers virtual classes might be a great fit for you! You'll also get our Your Willful Preschooler intro recording FREE when you sign up. More info here: http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/new-page-1... Each class will be recorded for playback if you can't make the live class. Positive Discipline is for parents who are looking for long-term parenting skills that encourage their children to become more responsible, independent, and life-long problem solvers. Positive Discipline is an evidence based model that help parents get to the core of their child’s behavior. Based on mutual respect, parents are encouraged to be both kind and firm, not either/or. Based on the work of Jane Nelsen, Alfred Adler and Rudolf Dreikurs, this seven-week workshop will utilize weekly assigned readings, journaling, and group discussions as we discuss ways we can: - Engage children in the problem-solving process - Find alternatives to relying on rewards and punishments, and "time-out" to motivate your child’s behavior - Create more peace and harmony at home with simple solutions for routines, chores, transitions, and more! - Put your child on the path to independence and self-confidence

Read our statement denouncing the white supremacist attacks on our Asian communities #StopAsianHate

TODDLER AND PRESCHOOLER PARENTS! Sharpen your parenting tools for Spring with Early Childhood Matters! Do You Wonder: - How to respond to tantrums and meltdowns?... - What are some alternatives to then you’ll loose your dessert or then you’ll loose your screen time to motivate behavior? - What is the so called critical period of brain development and how you can optimize brain development and self confidence in the early years? FREE Parenting Through the Toddler Years workshop recording available until 3/23. Workshop for parents/caregivers with children 12-36 months http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/parenting-your-toddler Or email [email protected] for more info. Our five-week toddler series starts on Tuesday, March 23, with more in-depth techniques focusing on challenging behaviors, potty training, toddler sleep, and sensory/art activities. http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/new-page-2 We also have an upcoming Your Willful Preschooler workshop for parents of 3-5 year olds on Zoom April 8 - http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/your-willfully-prescho And, our Positive Discipline for Preschoolers (3-5year olds) 7 wk Zoom series starts May 6 - http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/new-page-1 Second and Third Time Mamas groups are also forming now! 2nd time: http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/second-time-moms-eight 3rd time: http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/new-page-32 We hope to see you soon!

Early Childhood Matters' 7wk Positive Discipline for Preschoolers starts this Thursday evening, Jan 28 @7:30pm via Zoom. Positive Discipline for Preschoolers (also applies to early elementary) 7-wk series starts this Thursday evening via Zoom. Recordings are available if you can't make the listed times. If you sign up for either of these series, we'll offer our recorded intro workshops as a bonus for either free of charge. Email [email protected] for more details. http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/new-page-1

Early Childhood Matters has a new partnership with ParentPlay.org you can sign up for a weeks worth of our tips delivered via text on a variety of our topics! These bite sized reminders are great ways to add a little daily inspiration to your life! www.parentplay.org

As we press on with even more pandemic parenting, we are starting our self-care and parenting tips back up again! Monday will be a self-care intention and Friday will be a parenting tip to start the weekend on the right foot! http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org//intention-1-self-com

A great way to help support your elementary aged children. Another great program by Practice San Francisco

Fly Little Dragon has a great, free printable to help your older children learn more about the legacy of Dr. King. https://flylittledragon.com/free-printable-of-the-month/

Expecting your second or know a mama who is? Check out our Second Time Moms groups. New dates were just posted for the remainder of 2021 for mamas with babies 0-1 year! http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/second-time-moms-eigh/

http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org///honoring-juneteenth I wrote this article over the summer, during the height of the Black Lives Matter protests, and is written from the perspective of my own journey as a white woman to raise anti-racist children and move from talking about race to talking about racism with my own children. One thing I emphasize in the article is that talking about race should begin early, even with newborns!

Martin Luther King Jr. Activity Make Peace Signs! Step One: Talk to your children about MLK Jr, and how his birthday is coming up. Explain how he was a very important person who changed the world for all of us. Here are some further examples of things you might include in your discussion. Martin Luther King Jr. helped to change laws so that all people could be treated fairly. He had a dream that people could play together, work together, eat and live together and that all... people would be treated equally no matter the color of their skin. (If you haven’t read it in a while, here is the transcript to Dr. King’s speech which brings me to tears every time).https://www.naacp.org/i-have-a-dream-speech-full-march-on-/ Some of his dreams have come true, and there are others that we are still working towards. People all over the world have been inspired by and are still working on Dr. Kings dreams. The special thing about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was that no matter how angry people got at him, no matter what they did to him, he told people to not hate, but to use love and peace to overcome. Sometimes when people do mean things to us, it hard not to hate and want to hurt them back. Dr. King taught us to always choose love and peace. Step Two: Create a sign: What does Peace and Love mean to you? Children will often say things like Peace means not fighting No hitting Love means Mommy Write their words on a sign. You might also include words like Black Lives Matter and talk about how this movement is continuing the work of Dr. Martin Luther King and his dreams. Step Three: Hang your signs in your windows, or march around your backyard or neighborhood on Monday. Feel free to post photos of your signs or march here! See more

We are offering FREE previously recorded intro workshops until Jan 20. Please email me if you are interested in receiving the audio and handouts for the following workshops (normally $40 each) Parenting Through the Toddler Years intro workshop - More info here: http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/parenting-your-toddler Your Willful Preschooler - More info here: http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/your-willful-preschool is also available!

FREE PRE-RECORDED Early Childhood Matters TODDLER AND PRESCHOOLER RECORDED WORKSHOPS - ONE WEEK ONLY! For the New Year, Early Childhood Matters' gift to parents are going to be a free recorded intro workshops (normally $40 each) for both toddler and preschooler parents. Parenting Through the Toddler Years intro workshop - More info here: http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/parenting-your-toddler... Your Willful Preschooler - More info here: http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/your-willful-preschool These recordings will be available to listen to for free until January 20. Please email [email protected] to receive the workshop recordings and handouts, and please let your friends who may benefit from these workshops know too! Please continue to tell your friends, coworkers, neighbors and OUT OF TOWN friends about our classes. It makes the world of difference to us and we appreciate your support in spreading the word and helping us to support more families who are need of extra support this year.

FREE, virtual offering for preschooler parents! As Early Childhood Matters' gift to you, leading up to our Jan 19 Positive Discipline for Preschoolers series, you can receive a FREE recording of our Your Willful Preschooler workshop. Email [email protected] to receive this recording (normally $40)! It's our way of saying thank you and getting your New Year parenting off to the best start possible!... http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/your-willful-preschoo/

Looking for a fun, free activity today? Check out these holiday printables from Fly Little Dragon. Free Printable with 8 activities (30 pages) available!! https://flylittledragon.com/free-printable-of-the-month/

It's not too late to sign up for Early Childhood Matters' 7-wk Positive Discipline for Preschoolers series! Seven-week series for parents/caregivers of children ages 3-5 Parenting can be exhausting. Crisis parenting during a pandemic is even more exhausting. We are juggling more than ever, with heightened stress and even fewer breaks. If you find you are being triggered more often, you're not alone!... Whining? Selective hearing? Uncooperative attitude? Sneaking or lying? Willfulness and Stubbornness? Positive Discipline is for parents who are looking for long-term parenting skills that encourage their children to become more responsible, independent, and life-long problem solvers. Positive Discipline is an evidence based model that help parents get to the core of their child’s behavior. Based on mutual respect, parents are encouraged to be both kind and firm, not either/or. 7-wk Zoom series (will be recorded for playback if you can't make the times). Parents may be facing more challenges than ever as they balance wearing the two hats of parent and teacher. Based on the work of Jane Nelsen, Alfred Adler and Rudolf Dreikurs, this seven-week workshop will utilize weekly assigned readings, journaling, and group discussions as we discuss ways we can: Engage children in the problem-solving process Find alternatives to relying on rewards and punishments, and "time-out" to motivate your child’s behavior Create more peace and harmony at home with simple solutions for routines, chores, transitions, and more! Put your child on the path to independence and self-confidence http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/new-page-1 Recordings of class one are available for those who sign up and missed the first class!

In lieu of trick-or-treating my kids and I are trying scavenger hunt trick or treating after getting in our costumes, we will walk around and try to find things on their scavenger hunt list, eg. black cat, witch’s broomstick, jack-o-lateen. For every item they find, they’ll earn a piece of candy!l You can customize to special decorations in your neighborhood or use this one.

Reminder of tonight's FREE preschooler parenting class. If you haven't registered: FREE WORKSHOP - GUIDING YOUR PRESCHOOLER - TONIGHT!... For Guiding Your Preschooler 10/21, 7:30-9pm You can register by contacting the Kaiser Health Education Department at 415-833-3450 or emailing [email protected]. If you have any issues registering, please let me know. The class is called "Guiding Your Preschooler" at Kaiser and is virtual on Wednesday, October 21, 7:30-9pm through Kaiser Permanente’s Health Education Department. Kaiser members and non-members also welcome. Note: Kaiser Health Education classes are currently meeting virtually and are not recorded for playback. The Kaiser health ed department has asked that if you aren't a Kaiser member you provide them with the following info: Name Address Phone Email DOB If you have any questions or issues registering with Kaiser, please email [email protected].

What do you have on hand to make today fun? Set up an ‘invitation’ for your child to use their imaginations. Some seasonal ideas for younger and older children pictured here.

Play dough pumpkins! 1 cup flour 1/2 cup salt 2 teaspoons cream of tartar... Combine in saucepan. Stir in gradually 1 cup water mixed with 2 tablespoons oil and 1 teaspoon food coloring. Cook over medium heat until a ball forms, stirring constantly. Just when you think you did something wrong, it will start to stick together and smell like playdough should. Knead until smooth. Add google eyes!

Parents of Preschoolers! Early Childhood Matters has a FREE virtual Guiding Your Preschooler workshop this Wednesday, October 21, 7:30-9pm. Click for more details on this free workshop - http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/your-willful-preschoo/ Workshop topics for Guiding Your Preschooler include: engaging your child in problem-solving; strategies for transitions (mealtimes, bedtimes, etc.), and ways to support your child's growing independence while creating more peace an...d harmony at home. - How can I encourage independent play so I can work/get things done? - What are some sample routines and schedules for this age group? - What do preschoolers/toddlers need to be learning during this time? - How can I provide a play based preschool model at home? Preschoolers are full of imagination, with budding social skills, and no-holds-barred disobedience! Join Early Childhood Matters to find out why the preschool years can be more difficult than toddlerhood from a developmental perspective, and learn helpful positive discipline strategies to meet these challenging years heart open and head-on.

FREE virtual toddler and preschooler parenting workshops! If you've ever wanted to take one of our classes, now's the time! Guiding Your Toddler - TOMORROW - Saturday, October 17, 2-3:30pm http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/parenting-your-toddler Guiding Your Preschooler - Wednesday, October 21, 7:30-9pm... http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/your-willful-preschool See more

What’s more fun than painting pumpkins with squirt bottles? 1:3 paint to water and be sure to have a cookie sheet on hand to catch the drips!

Head over to Main Street Mamas to enter our Positive Discipline for Preschoolers series giveaway! https://www.facebook.com//main/permalink/3918206878192889/

Check out our latest newsletter about making the most of Halloween this year! https://mailchi.mp//hey-moms-your-more-amazing-than-ever-3

Toddlers can be entertained for some time by painting, then washing then painting again! The end result my surprise you!

Do you know a recent second time mama in need of a community? Early Childhood Matters' Fall/Winter Second Time Moms Zoom group starts this Wednesday (10/7). Let the mamas in your life know about this group! There are two spots left. Now more than ever it’s so important to connect with other moms in our community. New mothers, regardless of whether it’s their first, second or third child, need the support of other women facing the same challenges. This group has provided me ...with much needed emotional support during this time as well as tactical strategies for managing two children under the age of two. I look forward to our Wednesday zoom calls and hope that in the future we will be able to connect in person! Stephanie Joining Early Childhood Matters’ Second Time Moms group with Evelyn was one of the best things I did for self care this round (and my kiddos). I struggled with postpartum depression and anxiety after my first kid and really wanted to prepare for a different outcome this time. Social support is key and I found an incredible group of thoughtful, intelligent and open moms in this group. She shares so many insights from research and her personal experience as a mom of three. I felt I didn’t have to overdue it with reading and preparing because this group provided key things to think about and a wealth of knowledge. Our group is still in touch over group text and it has been a huge source of support during covid19 and navigating work and childcare stressors. Evelyn’s teaching style and balance of topics and discussion made this a really unique experience of both a support/social group and a class. My kids and me (and my husband) are better from it! Early 2021 series dates also coming soon! Click here to read more testimonials and for more info: http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/second-time-moms-eigh/

Parents of preschoolers! Early Childhood Matters has a FREE Guiding Your Preschooler workshop through Kaiser on Wednesday, October 21, 7:30-9pm. Preschoolers are full of imagination, with budding social skills, and no-holds-barred disobedience! Join Early Childhood Matters to find out why the preschool years can be more difficult than toddlerhood from a developmental perspective, and learn helpful positive discipline strategies to meet these challenging years heart open and ...head-on. Topics include engaging your child in problem-solving; strategies for transitions (mealtimes, bedtimes, etc.), and ways to support your child's growing independence while creating more peace and harmony at home For more information, please visit: http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/your-willful-preschoo/ This intro workshop leads to our 7-week Positive Discipline for Preschoolers series - http://www.earlychildhoodmatters.org/new-page-1

A reminder that puff balls and muffin tins are a great indoor activity.