| Helicopter Parents |
in  Parenting Articles |  April 28th, 2010 at 11:58 am |
We see them all the time at my daycare. We lovingly refer to them as helicopter parents. Helicopter parents are parents who hover. They act on behalf of their child at all times, which hinders their child's independence, the learning of self help skills, and copying skills. Emotionally, children of helicopter parents have a difficult time handling situations. They don't know how to play and they need a lot of reminders or directions when performing tasks.
Parents who hover carry their children into school. They take off their child's coat, hang it up for them and put their backpack away for them in their cubby. When you coddle a child upon entering a place, what kind of message are you sending that child? They need coddling when they fall and scrape their knee, they need coddling when they have a fever, but they do not need coddling when they go to school. Parents should open the car door and let them walk into school carrying their own backpacks. They should tell their child to place his/her coat in their cubby, give them a kiss and wish them a great day!
Here is another example of a helicopter parent. I noticed a parent taking her son to use the bathroom. She pulled down his pants, and then his underwear. She then lifted him on the potty. We have those really small, cute toilets for children. They can easily get on by themselves especially at 3½ years old. When he was done, she lifted him off, pulled up his underwear, pulled up his pants, zipped and then buttoned his pants. Is this type of behavior really helping to make your child independent? It isn't teaching self help skills or independence. You must let your child try, and yes, he/she will make mistakes, but that is all part of growth and development.
Another important factor is the number of caregivers the child is with during the course of the week. He is cared for by a grandmother who is in her 60's two days a week, and he is with us two days a week until just after lunch. After lunch his other grandmother, who is in her 80’s picks him up for the afternoon. Then he is with his parents on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Each caregiver has different rules! Grandparents tend to be softies. My school rules are stricter, and there is there is a lot of structure during the course of the day! Would I put my grandchild in a "Stop and Think?" Probably not! I want them to worship Grammy. I will give them what they want and hand them back to Mom. I can’t blame my student’s grandmothers for doing the same. At pre-school there are routines, there are rules to be followed, listening and self help skills are learned, and independence increases. It takes longer to acquire independence if the child is not taught this at home, and when the child is living with four different sets of rules and expectations during the week it is that much harder to teach.
Parents need to decrease any drama when it comes to their child. If your child falls down, wash off the cut, place a band aid on the wound, give your child a kiss and send him/her on their way. There isn't any need to get grandma involved and too much emphasis on the situation is not good. You want your child to be able to cope emotionally with this minor mishap. My advice is don't dwell, move on!
We had a child start his first day and Mom, Dad and baby brother came along to wish him well. Guess how he did. Not so great! When it was time for Mom, Dad and baby to leave, he wanted to go to. He wanted to go to Grandma's with his baby brother. The next time he came, he cried, partly because his parents were making the morning drop off a family affair – even though they were coming in separate cars and had different destinations! I told Mom and Dad that one person should drop their son off and that they must leave quickly. It is like pulling off a band aid, you’ve got to do it quickly. We then established a morning routine. Put your stuff in your cubby, kiss daddy, and then we wave goodbye from the window. If parents stay, it just prolongs the agony. Once the parent leaves, we can re-direct a child into an activity and move on in our day!
All caregivers of a child need to be on the same page. If there isn't consistency, then it will not work. Set a routine and ask other care givers to follow it. Set rules and ask them to enforce them. If everyone works together, your child will be on the path to independence and acquiring self help skills that will stay with them throughout their lives.
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by  Miss Beth |  Share Article |  Email Article |  Print Article |
| The Adventures of Scuba Jack Announces the Release of Its Latest DVD for Preschoolers: LOBSTERS |
| in Breaking News | April 20th, 2010 at 3:05 am |
The Adventures of Scuba Jack has just released its newest DVD, Lobsters! Scuba Jack's latest adventure is sure to thrill and entertain preschoolers while teaching them the academic skills they need for a successful transition to Kindergarten.
Gloucester, MA (PRWEB) April 15, 2010 -- Lobsters, the newest title in The Adventures of Scuba Jack DVD series, is now available. Join Miss Beth and her preschoolers as Scuba Jack takes them in search of his friend, Captain Joe, a lobster fisherman. Learn all about everyone’s favorite crustaceans – lobsters! Find out where they live, what they eat and how they are caught!
Two delightful new characters, Carl the crab and Larry the lobster share the story of how they met and became friends. After introducing themselves, they help children learn how to count to the number 10 with their collection of sea shells.
While recognition of each letter of the alphabet is practiced, the letter “L” is emphasized in this episode. Words that begin with the letter “L” are magically drawn and colored on the screen, delighting children of all ages.
The DVD is supported by lobster themed learning activities, worksheets and crafts that are available for download at www.adventuresofscubajack.com
The Adventures of Scuba Jack is a series of exciting, educational, interactive DVDs for preschool aged children. Each episode features an engaging them that stimulates the natural curiosity found in every child. Throughout each DVD, basic skills and concepts (letter and number recognition, shape and color recognition, counting) are introduced ad reinforced making The Adventures of Scuba Jack an invaluable resource for parents and caregivers looking to prepare their children for a successful transition into Kindergarten. Through The Adventures of Scuba Jack, children learn and explore concepts age appropriate concepts in the areas of math, science, social studies, reading/language arts and even history, laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning.
The Adventures of Scuba Jack series is complimented by a line of coloring books, workbooks and storybooks making it an excellent learning system for families and childcare providers alike.
In anticipation of the release of Lobsters, The Adventures of Scuba Jack website has been redesigned and has an exciting new look. To see the new site or to purchase The Adventures of Scuba Jack for the preschooler in your life, visit www.adventuresofscubajack.com.
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| by Miss Beth | Share Article | Email Article | Print Article |
| It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year |
| in Breaking News | December 9th, 2009 at 1:55 am |
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Andy Williams happily sings this beloved Holiday classic. Yes, it can be a wonderful time, but why are so many finding themselves feeling overwhelmed, stressed and anxious about too many Holiday parties, gift buying, cooking, cleaning, decorating, wrapping, and spending time with family members? And there are just a few of the demands that you may be experiencing this holiday season.
Children are preparing their lists and checking them twice. Because of the economy, many parents are feeling guilty because they can't fulfill the wishes contained in their children's elaborate lists. One might ask if this is a bad thing or a good thing.
Take a deep breath and stop the madness! Keep in mind, the true meaning of the holidays - they are about spending time with family and friends. It doesn't have to break the bank, it doesn't have to be perfect, it just needs to be fun and meaningful. What do I mean by meaningful? Well, here are some tips to make this holiday more joyful and bring more meaning to the season for you and yours.
- In order to have a memorable holiday season, we need to make time to have some peaceful moments with family. My family is going to New Hampshire and going on a sleigh ride. We will visit with Santa and delve into the beauty of the snow, the mountains and scenery around us.
- We usually have family night on Friday. We order Mexican food and sit and chat with each other. This doesn't require a lot of money, but a way to reconnect at the end of a busy week full of cheering, basketball games, school, and engagements that we must attend.
- Shop early and online. I started early this year. By the end of November my shopping was in full swing (although I know there are some lucky people who were actually done by the end of November!). I went on-line nightly until I got it done. I went to dollar stores for gift bags, wrapping paper and bows. I tried to save money wherever I could.
- Honor family traditions like baking cookies, special dinners, buying a tree, hanging the Christmas lights, or helping grandma with her famous punch. Whatever it is, continue it. Traditions celebrate family uniqueness and allow each member a chance to embrace it. They bond generations and help us to teach our children about where they came from. Passing on these traditions connects past generations to future generations.
- Watch old Christmas movies together. We have It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle of 34th Street, and the Bells of St. Mary. They all have a special message that should be shared with the entire family.
- Learn to say “No”. Cut back on all the activities. Your family needs down time to regroup. They need a Saturday morning to sleep in, or an evening to just kick back. During the holidays, take time to be thankful and think about the New Year that is just around the corner.
- Bid farewell to 2009! Look forward to 2010 with hope and anticipation. It is a time to reflect on the changes we want or need to make and follow through with those changes in the up coming year.
- Resolve to enjoy life more! Create a happier, healthier you!
- Remember toddlers don't require a lot of presents to make them happy. Just a few quality presents will do.
- For older children, limit the dollar amount and number of gifts.
Most importantly, the holidays are about giving! It is about your family giving of themselves, giving of their time, giving of their love. This shouldn't be just during the holidays, but all year long. Teach your family to give their time. The benefits are something your children will remember forever. Doing a chore for an elderly neighbor, buying a gift for a needy child, or volunteering their time at a local agency that helps people in need can make them feel fantastic about themselves and give someone in need that message that someone cares about them. Make an effort to include elderly family members in your festivities.
Ring in the New Year on a positive note. Look forward to the promise it will bring! Celebrate life and the people around you! You will only know their true worth and how much you really love them when they are gone. Say, I love you as much as you can. Sometimes, a kind word can change a person’s entire day. Small acts of kindness are always appreciated. Don't underestimate their value.
Remember, life is what you make it, so make it a really good one. My best piece of advice is to eat chocolate daily! It calms the psyche, rejuvenates the soul and it tastes so good! Happy New Year!
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| by Miss Beth | Share Article | Email Article | Print Article |
| New Strides for Scuba Jack - The Gloucester Daily Times |
| in Breaking News | March 17th, 2009 at 10:09 am |
Local pre-school operator extends reach of education project
By Quinn Allen-Wardell
Correspondent
March 17, 2009 - A local pre-school teacher from Gloucester who's developed a product line aimed at educating young children at home has taken new strides, with her star character in tow.
Beth Costanzo, owner of Majestic Harbor Community School, provides children with the opportunity to learn pre-school concepts through "The Adventures of Scuba Jack," a compilation of short films, and a state-of-the-art Web site. Although originally conceived as an educational alternative for home-schooled children, Costanzo said she became aware her product reach extends beyond that.
"Because of the hardships that so many families are experiencing in today's world," Costanzo said, "many are tuning to our products as alternatives to expensive day-care programs and pre-schools. Some families are even using 'The Adventures of Scuba Jack' as a supplement to their children's educational experiences, further honing both their thought processes and ability to interact with other children in a positive way."
When asked about her pre-school program, Costanzo recalled the local teachers who have told her how Majestic Harbor students are "quickly and easily recognized in kindergarten classrooms because they are so advanced academically."
Costanzo began to realize that her strategy toward early education would greatly benefit children beyond her local reach as well. This led to the creation of www.scubajack.tv.
The "Adventures of Scuba Jack" site offers helpful articles for parents, seminars for teachers, and assessment tools for both teachers and parents for monitoring the skill level of their children. Other activities, such as games and crafts, can be found on its ever changing site.
Costanzo noted that scubajack.tv offers videos of actual classroom lessons enforcing all of the concepts a child would learn in preschool.
"I noticed a shortage in quality pre-school education and curriculum," she said, "so I decided to do something about it." She hopes her concept will one day help to reform the pre-school educational system as we know it.
The Scuba Jack movie series, the other side of her business, Costanzo said allows her shows off her creative side. With the help of Melanie Giacalone, a elementary school teacher, and Theresa Gallo, owner of Gallo Productions, Costanzo drew up the idea for the series. From there, the project sprung to life.
The series is set in a New England fishing village that is inhabited by exciting and colorful characters. Using real underwater footage, the cast helps young viewers learn everything from Spanish to science, while embarking on fun-filled adventures with the character Scuba Jack.
Many of the scenes from the Scuba Jack series are shot locally. Costanzo's latest video, "Tide Pools," was largely shot on Gloucester's Wingaersheek Beach.
Costanzo currently sits in third place in a national entrepreneurial competition. The winner, decided solely by the public's opinion through casting votes, will be awarded $350,000 in capital funding to be used toward furthering his or her business in the marketing world.
"Right now the sky's the limit," she said. "This product is revolutionizing both the way our children learn, and how their instructors teach. It's hard to say where this vision will take me next.
"Bookstores, aquariums, and even stores like Target are catching Scuba Jack fever," she said. "It's quite possible that in a few years, Scuba Jack will become a household name. That's all I can hope for."
For more information on Scuba Jack, visit: www.adventuresofscubajack.com or www.scubajack.tv
HELP SCUBA JACK
What: Beth Costanzo, founder of "Adventures of Scuba Jack," an interactive video curriculum for pre-schoolers, is competing in StartupNation's Elevator Pitch Contest, to win $350,000 in venture capitol funding. The "Adventures of Scuba Jack" video was produced and filmed locally in Cape Ann.
How: To vote for Costanzo's video pitch, copy the link http://www.startupnation.com/elevator-pitch-2009/contestant/4745/index.php and paste into your browser and click on the stars.
You can vote once a day through Friday, March 20.
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| by Miss Beth | Share Article | Email Article | Print Article |
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