Take a peek at what’s happening this Summer. Be one of the first to register for fun favorites like ArtSmart and Kid’s Nutrition Corner as well as new activities such as Nature Adventure and Cowboy & Cowgirl Round Up! Please consider a contribution to our “Friends of the Family” Campaign (see page 2 for our form or donate by clicking HERE).  Your support helps “build strong families and strong communities”.   We can’t do it without you!

As always, you can register via: online registration form, email, or phone (920) 892-6706.  Get your copy today! Download a copy here or pick up a copy at the Family Resource Center at 1500 Douglas Drive, Suite B in Plymouth.

Even three-year-olds understand this humorous, tongue-in-cheek tale, which enumerates in detail all the atrocious behaviors that will surely rid them of all their friends. The simple instructions are hilariously illustrated, from not smiling, not sharing, throwing tantrums, bullying, being a poor sport, and tattling. You and your kids will enjoy the story and get the message. After all, laughing is better than nagging any day. The social development of the first several years of life means children move slowly from being totally egocentric to learning how to be a friend. And this, parents, is something that kids just have to discover all by them-selves. No amount of parental intervention can make children liked by other children, no matter how many play dates you arrange or how many great parties you plan. Instead, children have to develop likable behaviors, including being able to cooperate, being flexible, being aware of others’ needs, and being a pleasure to spend time with. Children don’t develop these characteristics and skills by merely being told about them. They learn them in two important ways.

The first method of learning these attributes is by watching parents and older siblings in action, by noticing how they interact with others, by hearing the friendly words they use, by watching them make prosocial choices in their lives. So much of what children adopt for their own lives comes from the modeling of people important in their lives, and learning to be a friend comes as they see Mom being kind to a neighbor and Dad speaking happily with the teachers at the preschool, as well as big brother Sam enjoying playing with his friends. The second method of learning about friendship comes from actually being with other children their own age, playing freely in the backyard sandbox or in the block corner. It is kid-to-kid contact, unadulterated and often painfully frank, that allows children to get direct feedback on how their words and actions are received by peers. Then, as clever children will, they perceive what makes others want to be with them and what turns other kids off. And since friendship is important to young children, they will see firsthand what they need to do to receive happier answers to the question that preschoolers ask most frequently: “Will you be my friend?” Adults really play a very minor role in this aspect of learning. In fact, when adults try to intervene directly, trying to solve problems or force everyone to be friends, they prevent the direct interaction and kid feedback that is an essential part of this process. Instead of direct intervention, the most useful adult role is helping kids process what has just happened, why Sally said she didn’t want to play, for instance. Even though it may be very obvious to adults why Sally said she didn’t want to play with Maria who is insisting on bossing everyone, Maria may need to hear the descriptive words, “I think Sally isn’t happy playing when she can’t have a turn to cook”, or Sally may need encouragement to be specific about what she needs. Learning how to be a friend is hard work for youngsters, and this funny book may give them food for thought.

© Growing Child 2012 Please feel free to forward this article to a friend.

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Here’s how it works:

• SIGN UP at www.Scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, click the “Don’t have a User Name and Password?” link, and then register for your own username and password. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code (GKJ8Q). This code ensures that your order is sent to the Family Resource Center
• SELECT the books you’d like to order from over 500 titles available online…and take advantage of online-only specials and discounts.
• SUBMIT your order online by the due date. Books will be delivered to the Family Resource Center for distribution.

Of course, you can still order using the form from the printed flyer. But why not experience for yourself how convenient it is to order online? Ordering online is fast, easy, and secure. Plus the Family Resource Center benefits thanks to the FREE books we’ll earn with every parent online order. Go to www.Scholastic.com/bookclubs now to get started.

The alcohol industry always reminds consumers to “Drink Responsibly” with no guidelines. Let’s start the conversation on “Responsible Drinking” and begin to define what is responsible drinking. For adults who choose to consume alcohol, moderation—as defined by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005—means drinking up to one drink per day for women or two drinks per day for men.  The recommended limits for number of drinks: On any day, never more than 3 for women or 4 for men.  In a typical week, no more than 7 for women or 14 for men.  For more information contact Phil Duket, Drug Free Communities Support Project, pduket@excel.net.