The HRC Blog

Blog Kathie Sarles

Toileting: What’s the Fuss?

Toileting: What’s all the fuss….

There are many good parenting articles, blogs and DVDs that address this very natural and routine milestone,( look for these in our resource center). There are also many sage and “helpful” relatives and friends that offer advice on this issue. When it comes right down to it there are only 2 people who matter in this specific skill development: the child and the caregiver (s). It is up to you and your child to decide when you are ready and what method to use.

Blog Kathie Sarles

The Calming Force of the Daily Routine

By Kathie Sarles, M.Ed.

As an early childhood educator, I have often discussed the need for routines with many parents. Some parents tell me that they used to have daily routines but once their first child came along their routines were gone. Children, they claim, change the trajectory of the day. Other parents have never seen a reason for routine and often feel it is wrong to impose a structure on a toddler. Although I understand that each family must find their own system to cope with daily life, structure is not just a good idea, it is necessary. It is a fact that children who understand what is coming next in their day are more secure and calm and therefore ready to learn and develop, than those who are unsure and therefore anxious about what is coming next. “Consistent routines, activities that happen at about the same time and in about the same way each day, provide comfort and a sense of safety to young children.” (Zero to Three: www.zerotothree.com). This is especially true for children who are already experiencing a challenge with development.

Blog Kathie Sarles

Sensational Play

As an adult looking at a child painting at an easel, you see the physical attributes of the child standing at that space putting color onto paper. You may also note other specifics, like the color being used, whether the strokes are circular or straight or how much of the paper the child is using. Adults often also “see” a representation, something you think the child might have created. It is the perspective of someone who has experienced this activity many times.

Blog Myron Chai

Introducing Myself

My name is Myron Chai. I am 27 years old. I was born in Torrance, CA, and began the first few years of my life in Hawthorne, CA. In 1993, we moved to Manhattan Beach, CA where I have been living with my parents and my two younger brothers since then.

I am currently working for my B.A. degree on Mass Communications at California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, CA. a requirement for my final semester is to complete an internship

Blog Kathie Sarles

Why Doesn’t My Child Listen To Me?

Whenever I ask a parent if their child responds to their simple requests, I often get the answer, “Oh she/he has selective hearing.” We all know what that means; your child does not want to respond to you because they are having too much fun doing what THEY want to do. It is important however to teach your to respond to a request even if it is to negotiate for more time. Ignoring us is not an option. Of course if we expect this of our children, we need to reciprocate and respond to our children’s requests. Communication is a two way system: speaking, ( or gesturing) and listening,( acknowledging what has been communicated). This does not mean that we will respond in the way the child wants; it just means we will listen and acknowledge their request.

Blog Kathie Sarles

IPads for babies?

What do you think of the products out there such as the IPad bouncy seat? Developmental specialists are worried about the effects of products such as this one:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/03/ipad-bouncy-seat_n_4374308.html

Blog Rebecca Edgecumbe

Behavior Services Parent Newsletter

Click below to download the Behavior Services Parent Newsletter

Blog Nancy Spiegel

Earthquake Tips For People with Disabilities

The Great Shakeout helps all of us to be prepared for an earthquake. Here are some recommendations for everyone, including some special tips for people with disabilities and their caregivers.

Blog Kathie Sarles

You Are the Expert

How many of us take the time to think about parenting? We are parents, we love our children, but the “how to” and the “what to do” get lost in the” just getting it done.” Who has time to think about parenting, while you are in the midst of parenting!

Blog Kathie Sarles

Postive Parenting the Young Child

New class for parents of HRC clients ages 1-5 years.

Create a positive atmosphere while setting limits that allow your child to develop internal controls. Using the STEP (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) curriculum our early childhood educator will present research tested, effective strategies that you can use immediately in your home with your child.

These five session classes will be offered four times a year alternating between HRC’s Torrance and Long Beach locations.

Blog Nancy Spiegel

Down Syndrome Parent to Parent: Noah’s Birth Story

Posted by Nancy Spiegel. Written by Jennifer Bronwell.
Jeff and I were newlyweds in our mid to late 30s and we had decided that we wanted to start trying to have a family right away. We were blessed with conception almost immediately. We were working with a midwife, planning home delivery. We had taken Bradley child birthing classes and we had declined genetic prenatal testing. Our beliefs are that we wouldn’t alter the pregnancy. We had done everything “right”-no caffeine, no alcohol, acrylic nails removed, no fast food, tons of prenatal vitamins….

Blog Nancy Spiegel

Down Syndrome Parent To Parent: Good Friday

Posted by Nancy Spiegel. Written by Kerry Ryerson.
A brand new world opened up to me that early spring day in Augusta, Georgia. It was Friday, March 28, 1986 – Good Friday and Sean’s actual due date!!! The dogwood trees were starting to bloom and it was a beautiful day! Sean had been born two weeks early on Friday, March 14. He had been home for one week after having spent his first week of life under the bilirubin lights in the hospital. Every morning of his first week at home I had taken Sean to the hospital to have his heel pricked to check his bilirubin count, followed by a quick trip to the pediatrician, Dr. Hansen. My mom and my 22 month-old daughter Ajda had accompanied me each time.

Blog Nancy Spiegel

Update on Restoration of Early Start

The phone calls, emails, letters and tireless efforts of many to restore early start services, which had been reduced in past years, succeeded in getting the attention and support of legislators,

Unfortunately, the budget compromise between the legislature and the Governor did not include the funding to restore this program to earlier levels.

Blog

Bullying: What it is, How to Recognize it, and What to Do About it

What is bullying?

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior towards a person that often happens again and again. Bullying includes teasing, name calling, written and verbal abuse, threats, physical assault, and other hurtful behavior. Bullying is meant to threaten or intimidate the victim.
Take a look at the article here to learn more about how to prevent bullying.

Blog Kathie Sarles

What to say instead of saying NO!

Parents: Below is an article I wrote to begin this Early Childhood Blog. Those of us working with the 0-3 population are often asked questions about early childhood development and behavior. We would love to answer your questions. Please feel free to ask questions here or comment on what is written in this blog. We can all learn from each other. 
Kathie Sarles, Early Childhood Specialist