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Family Focus
IN THIS ISSUE
May 2014
  • Think twice b4 grabbing your device (read)  
  • "When Tempers Flare" ... and other May parenting classes (read
  • Parenting Tip of the Month: Building Respect and Cooperation (read)
  • Try This: Painting with Objects (read)  
  • Useful Links: $1 Children's Museum admission with EBT cards ... Healthy Relationships discussion at New Heights (read
Article1Think Twice b4 Grabbing Your Device

kid and smartphones How often are you "glued" to your smart phone instead of paying attention to your child? Just as kids need limits on screen time, adults should be aware of how much time they spend interacting with their device - especially when with their kids. Face-to-face interactions are the primary way children learn, says pediatrician Jenny Radesky, who conducted a study of smartphone use by parents. "They learn language, they learn about their own emotions, they learn how to regulate them," she says. "They learn by watching us how to have a conversation, how to read other people's facial expressions. And if that's not happening, children are missing out on important development milestones." Learn more 

Feature2Come to Our Free Parenting Classes

Free parenting classes at Families First in May include:
  • "When Tempers Flare," a four-week series with strategies you can use at home. Presented by Families First parent educator Bob Pavlik; behavioral health counselor Peter Fifield; and nurse practitioner Jill Capobianco, who will offer stress-reduction tips.
  • Toilet Learning Made Easier, with Parkie Boley, coordinator of children's services at Families First.
  • Making Home Healthy, with nutritionist Sharon Dubois-Carney.
  • Talking Safety, with Portsmouth Police Detective Duane Jacques.
Click for details and signup for programs and child care.   
Anchor1BParenting Tip of the Month
Modeling Respect and Cooperation

Are you looking for respect and cooperation in your family? Remember to first model the behavior you would like to see. Use "I" statements to describe how you feel, and describe what you see. Give information, perhaps in a written note. For example: "I see a wet towel on the bed that is getting the sheets wet. I don't like extra laundry, and the towel dries when it is on the rack." Using humor can be another good tool for your parenting toolbox.... Get more tools at our free parenting classes and groups.  

Article2Try This
Painting with Objects

Collect a variety of objects: matchbox cars, cut potatoes, sponges, Lego pieces, etc. Then select paint colors that are on the same part of the color spectrum (i.e. red/orange/yellow or yellow/green/blue) so that mixing colors creates a lovely result rather than mud brown. Let your kids experiment with painting with their hands and with objects of various textures to help prepare for the outdoor sensory play that spring brings.
 UsefulLinkUseful Links
Children's Museum & New Heights

  • New Heights offers "Healthy Relationships in a Hyper-Sexualized Culture," a free panel discussion on May 8. More info
  • Children's Museum offers $1 admission for EBT Cardholders. More info   
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