One out of ten toddlers and two-year-olds do it and it’s a behavior that must be discouraged from the very first episode.

Good morning, I'm Dr. Laura Johns and this is your Monday Morning Parenting Minute brought to you by Legacy Academy for Children.  If you haven’t guessed, I’m referring to biting.  If your child bites, remain calm and think about what the child experienced just before the incident. Understanding why young children bite can help you deter this behavior and teach them positive ways to handle their feelings.  Never hit or "bite back" a child for biting.  The approach should be calm and educational without reward -- not even the unintended "reward" of negative attention. Try to identify possible reasons for a child's biting and respond accordingly.  Does the child always bite the same individual? Is the biter simply exhausted, or hungry? Be ready to intervene immediately, but carefully.  Patience and consistency can guide you and your child towards self-control and away from biting.

That’s your Legacy Academy Minute!

To learn more about Legacy Academy visit our website at www.legacyacademy.com.

Is it appropriate to have young children say they’re sorry?

Good morning, I'm Dr. Laura Johns and this is your Monday Morning Parenting Minute brought to you by Legacy Academy for Children.  Jean Piaget, a cognitive theorist, provides us with an answer! Young children have a very different sense of reasoning than adults. Forcing a child to say they’re sorry assumes that they understand what they’ve done and that they’re sorry for doing it. Wrong on both counts!  Piaget devised this demonstration to help adults understand how thinking differs based on age and maturity. Take two balls of clay exactly the same amount and size.  Ask a three year old child if they’re the same. The child will typically say yes. Now take the same two balls and flatten one, leaving the other round. Most three year olds will look at the clay and declare the ball as “more” or “bigger.” Adults need to understand that interpreting and comprehending an event are very different for young children.  So...next time don’t focus on apologies, focus on modeling the behaviors you expect.

That’s your Legacy Academy Minute!

To learn more about Legacy Academy visit our website at www.legacyacademy.com.

What should you be looking for when choosing quality child care?

Good morning, I'm Dr. Laura Johns and this is your Monday Morning Parenting Minute brought to you by Legacy Academy for Children. Are you looking for a program that meets your high expectations and supports the overall health and development of your child?  Then, choose a program that is NAEYC Accredited. NAEYC stands for the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Programs that meet NAEYC standards have well trained and committed teachers, low group sizes and teacher to child ratios and access to appropriate teaching materials.  These programs work with a curriculum that supports a child’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical growth and a child’s individual needs. Accredited programs promote positive relationships and good health and nutrition, establish a collaborative relationship with your family and provide a safe and healthy physical environment.  So when looking for child care, narrow your search to a program that has received or is seeking NAEYC accreditation.

That’s your Legacy Academy Minute!

To learn more about Legacy Academy visit our website at www.legacyacademy.com.

What is the most important lesson you can teach your new infant?

Good morning, I'm Dr. Laura Johns and this is your Monday Morning Parenting Minute brought to you by Legacy Academy for Children.

The answer is trust. A babies first task is to develop a sense of trust.  According to renowned psychologist Erik Erickson, trust has two distinct parts. The idea that significant adults will be present to meet the babies needs and the belief in your own power to effect change.  Children who develop a sense of trust during their infant years gain a sense of security that allows them to try new things by themselves in their toddler years.  So how can you help? First of all, hold your baby.  Babies who have close physical contact with adults during the day and especially during feeding time seem to develop a closer bond. Also, respond to your baby right away when they are in distress. Babies in distress need to know that their words are heard and taken seriously.  Your baby needs predictable, loving care, so pick up your baby and build trust! 

That’s your Legacy Academy Minute!

To learn more about Legacy Academy visit our website at www.legacyacademy.com.

Howard Gardner, a professor at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education says this… "It’s not how smart you are, it’s how you are smart!".

Good morning, I'm Dr. Laura Johns and this is your Monday Morning Parenting Minute brought to you by Legacy Academy for Children.

Howard Gardner is best known for his theory of multiple intelligence's which goes against previous ideas that there is only one human intelligence as assessed by standardized testing. What does this have to do with your child? A great deal! If we pay close attention to how children learn and how they display their knowledge, then we can teach to the individual. So ask yourself, how is my child smart? Does he or she love music, nature, movement, numbers, letters, or pictures? Is he or she more comfortable learning in a group or on their own? And remember, most people are intelligent in multiple ways. As school begins and grades seem to take on a magical importance, remind yourself—there are multiple ways to be intelligent and test scores show only a piece of the intelligence puzzle.

That’s your Legacy Academy Minute!

To learn more about Legacy Academy visit our website at www.legacyacademy.com.

How do young children learn? A perfect question for every parent and person interested in supporting the development of young children.

Good morning, I’m Dr. Laura Johns and this is your Monday Morning Parenting Minute brought to you by Legacy Academy For Children.  Young children learn through hands-on, meaningful experiences that are age appropriate. They learn through repetition, through the use of all of their senses and most importantly, they learn within the context of a safe relationship.  So how can you support their learning?  It’s as easy as relaxing and playing. That’s right, playing.  The best way for your young child to learn is through play!  So be sure your child’s learning environment is stress free.  Offer your support during challenging activities so that your child has a sense of “I can do this!”  Engage your child’s senses.  Let them explore their surroundings under your watchful supervision,  and follow their lead.  Remember it’s about their learning and interests, not yours.  Help your child reach their potential, go play!

That’s your Legacy Academy Minute!

To learn more about Legacy Academy visit our website at www.legacyacademy.com.

Most Experts recommend that kids get no more than 1 to 2 hours of TV or video games a day and most children spend between 4 and 6 hours in front of a screen!

Good morning, I’m Dr. Laura Johns and this is your Monday Morning Parenting Minute brought to you by Legacy Academy for Children. Most parents recognize that their child needs to watch less TV. but we all dread the screaming, yelling and crying that may follow. Part of a parents job is to set limits. So know matter how painful, try these tips to limit your child’s screen time: Be prepared to offer alternative activities. You might consider family game night, shooting some hoops, walking the dog or exploring a nearby park. Be active with your kids. Experts say that what kids want more than anything else is time with their parents so… go play with them! Don’t position your furniture so the TV is the main focus of the room and Remove televisions from bedrooms. Plan TV watching in advance. Avoid using TV as a reward or punishment, and…Practice what you preach by limiting your TV time. Sounds difficult I know, but you and your children can break that screen watching habit!

That’s your Legacy Academy Minute!

To learn more about Legacy Academy visit our website at www.legacyacademy.com

Did you know that nearly all fatal choking episodes occur in children under the age of 4?

Good morning, I’m Dr. Laura Johns and this is your Monday Morning Parenting Minute brought to you by Legacy Academy for Children. Because children use their mouths to explore new objects parents must be ever vigilant in preventing choking accidents. Here are some basic safety guidelines to support a no choke environment for children: Objects smaller than 1 1/4 inch in diameter or shorter than 2 1/4 inch in length should Never be accessible to children, toys and play equipment should be checked regularly for small parts that may break off. Foods that are round, hard, small, thick and sticky, should not be offered to children younger than 4 (Ask your pediatrician for a list of inappropriate foods), bottles should never be propped for infants, soft bedding and other objects should not be allowed where infants sleep, and children under the age of 4 should not play with latex balloons, plastic bags or Styrofoam objects. As a parent, be sure to look out for possible choking hazards and learn appropriate first aid procedures for choking.

That’s your Legacy Academy Minute!

To learn more about Legacy Academy visit our website at www.legacyacademy.com

Can you believe that Summer is here!

Now is the best time to begin looking for a quality summer program for your child! Good morning, I’m Dr. Laura Johns and this is your Monday Morning Parenting Minute brought to you by Legacy Academy for Children. Summer Camp should be full of fun and learning. But, how do you choose the right program? Go to the source and interview counselors and directors and ask for camper references. As a counselor, my priority is the safety and well-being of each child. So parents should ask me about counselor to camper ratios, health and safety procedures, and I would be happy to tell them about my training and background. The best camps are the ones that include field trips and activities that aren’t boring.

Parents should look for a summer program that puts safety first, has policies that support the health and well-being of children, has plenty of qualified staff and a low camper to staff ratio and has planned activities and themes that interest their child!

That’s your Legacy Academy Minute! To learn more about Legacy Academy visit our website at www.legacyacademy.com

The elections are Coming! Did you think about the welfare of your child when casting your vote?

Good morning, I'm Dr. Laura Johns and this is your parenting minute brought to you by Legacy Academy for Children. An advocate is "someone who speaks for another person or cause." Are you aware that many services provided to children are supported by government funding. Quality initiatives and policies around child care services are often regulated by the state and you have the right to have input into issues related to children and their care. Advocacy begins with acquiring knowledge, asking questions and participating in the process. Remember they are not Georgia’s children, their yours! So become an advocate for children! Go to parent conferences, attend your PTA meetings, and ask as many questions as you need to so that you can be informed.

That’s your Legacy Academy Minute! Join the Legacy Academy family of schools—and give your legacy an opportunity of a lifetime.

For more information about Legacy Academy visit our website at www.legacyacademy.com.

Are you worried that your baby is not developing at the same rate as other children?

Good morning, I’m Dr. Laura Johns and this is your parenting minute brought to you by Legacy Academy for Children. Very young children grow and change at a very fast rate. The first three years of a child’s life are an especially important period of growth and development. During this time babies are acquiring skills that allow them to communicate, learn, and play. But, some babies need extra help developing to their full potential. If you have observed differences between your child’s rate of development and the rates between their peers, talk to your child’s pediatrician. They can assess your child’s development and if necessary refer you to support agencies who can offer assistance. Research indicates that supports provided to families early in a child’s life are more likely to maximize the child’s development. There is never any harm in asking questions about your child’s development. Each child will grow at their individual rate, but if you feel your child may need some additional support, do not hesitate to ask your doctor, child care provider, or your local health department for support. Your child is worth it!

That’s your Legacy Academy Minute! Join the Legacy Academy family of schools—and give your legacy an opportunity of a lifetime.

For more information about Legacy Academy visit our website at www.legacyacademy.com.

Supporting Language Development in a child’s first 5 years is one of a parents most important tasks. Children who learn to be effective communicators are more likely to be successful in all areas of their later schooling.

Good morning, I am Dr. Laura Johns and this is your parenting minute brought to you by Legacy Academy for Children. Because children seem to so naturally learn language we often assume that language just happens. Children actually learn to talk from direct and indirect interactions with more competent speakers and their environment. Here are some ways you can build your child’s language capacity. Talk to your child during all daily routines, Provide words to go along with your actions and with things that your child is noticing in the environment. don’t correct speech, elaborate and extend on it. Read books daily, showing your child the pictures and pointing to words that go along with them. help them see the connection between the symbols we call letters and the words coming out of your mouth. Model good listening, and seek out meaningful conversations with children of every age.

That’s your Legacy Academy minute! Join the Legacy Academy family of schools—and give your legacy an opportunity of a lifetime.

For more information about Legacy Academy visit our website at www.legacyacademy.com.

Are you getting tired of counting to ten in an effort to change your child’s behavior?

Good morning, I’m Dr. Laura Johns and this is your parenting minute brought to you by Legacy Academy for Children. In it’s simplest of forms the word discipline means to teach.

As you work to help your child learn appropriate behaviors or how to make good choices remember your job is to teach them right from wrong, good choice from bad choice and to help them learn to be self disciplined. Non-violent child discipline has grown in popularity, but continues to be controversial. It is generally time-intensive but the Results are often a deep understanding for the child about what is right. Most parents want children to do the right thing because it is the right thing, not out of fear of punishment. Discipline is about teaching core values not about teaching children how to “get away with something”. If you are interested in moving away from threats and towards true discipline, begin by communicating with your child on an age appropriate level about good choices and bad choices, role model appropriate behaviors, be consistent with natural consequences around behaviors and reinforce positive behaviors.

That’s your Legacy Academy Minute! Join the Legacy Academy family of schools—and give your legacy an opportunity of a lifetime.

For more information about Legacy Academy visit our website at www.legacyacademy.com.

Yuck, I don’t want to try the broccoli? Does this sound familiar to you? Is your child becoming a picky eater and is there a chance they learned that behavior from you?

Good morning, I am Dr. Laura Johns and this is your parenting minute brought to you by Legacy Academy for Children. Although it is true that children develop their own tastes in food, it is also true that positive role modeling and appropriate food presentation can support a child’s healthy diet. One of the best ways to stay healthy and to feel good is to eat nutritious foods. Here are some quick tips to support healthy eating: Learn the principles of good nutrition. Most meals should always contain a fruit, vegetable, a source of protein, bread and milk. Snacks should contain at least two of these components, Eat on a schedule, be consistent with meal and snack times and avoid constant eating. Be enthusiastic about the food you are serving, make it look good on the plate by offering a variety of colors shapes, textures and temperatures, role model good eating habits for your child and Let them help prepare food. Make your mealtimes free from stress, a time for social interaction and learning! That’s your Legacy Academy Minute! Join the Legacy Academy family of schools — and give your legacy an opportunity of a lifetime.

For more information about Legacy Academy visit our website at www.legacyacademy.com

Potty Learning

"My child is 2, shouldn’t they start using the potty?" Maybe yes and maybe no.

Good morning, I am Dr. Laura Johns and this is your parenting minute brought to you by Legacy Academy for Children. It is amazing the amount of attention that is given to the developmental milestone of toilet learning. So many parents are anxious to have their child out of diapers. How will you know when your child is ready?

When your child shows interest in the toilet, when their body is mature enough to recognize the signs of needing to use the toilet and when they successfully stay dry for longer periods of time and indicate to you that they would like to be changed. When children are ready to learn they are much quicker to use the toilet independently, when we rush the process we often frustrate the child causing the process to be stressful for everyone involved.

If your child is ready, here are some tips:

• Start with easy take off clothes, Be prepared to show your child what to do, use books about potty learning to reinforce the process.
• Make sure the potty chair you have chosen is just the right size, and relax.
• Be supportive, consistent and patient. Remember, Potty Learning is just one part of growing up.

That’s your Legacy Academy minute! Join the Legacy Academy family of schools—and give your legacy an opportunity of a lifetime.

For more information about Legacy Academy visit our website at www.legacyacademy.com.

As part of their summer camp program, the Legacy Academy is talking about and educating their students about the community where they live.  They are conducting three to four field trips a week.  The visit to Sugar Hill City Hall in Georgia brought camp counselors Tiffany Brown, Caitlin George, Leah Jacobs, Delphine Moore and 38 students to the City Hall Annex where our Mayor and Council meet.  City Manager Bob Hail explained what the functions of a city are, and the services we provide to the community.  The inquisitive minds of the children bombarded Mr. Hail with questions about the City, and zoning maps on display.  Their attendance was rewarded with Sugar Hill pins and bracelets.  In turn the Academy brought cookies (that the children baked) and posters for the enjoyment of the City Hall staff.  

The Legacy Academy is located in Sugar Hill at 4540 Nelson Brogdon Blvd. Sugar Hill, Georgia 30518 

http://www.cityofsugarhill.com/controls/eventview.aspx?MODE=SINGLE&ID=168