Helping Children Overcome Stress and Fear - By Debbie Milam

? Make time to de-stress yourself: One of the most powerful ways to distress yourself is waking up half hour before your Child s and spending that time in meditation or prayer. Journaling is also another wonderful tool to help release stress. Finally, spend some time nurturing yourself by taking a warm bath with lavender oil and kosher salt, give yourself a massage, exercise, or go for a walk.

? Turn off the news: As negative as the news is for a fully developed person from maturity onward s it is even more fear evoking for a child. If you choose to teach your Kids about world events do so by reading the headlines on the internet or in newspaper together.

? Teach Kids to meditate: Children are perfect candidates for meditation because they have such vivid imaginations. A simple way to begin is to have your child find a quiet spot where they won?t be disturbed. Have them close your eyes and ask them to take a deep breath in through their nose and feel the breath travel down into their belly. Have them hold the breath for several seconds and exhale through their mouth. Repeat this 3 times. This type of breathing is very effective to use whenever you or your Kids are having a stressful moment. Then simply have them think about game ing at the beach or in a park.

? Pray together: Teaching Kids that there is a force beyond themselves that they can turn to when they are stressed or fearful is extremely powerful. Teach your Kids to call upon whatever spiritual force your family believes in.

? Laugh: Laughter is one of the most powerful tools for reducing stress and fear. Read joke books, have a silly face contest, watch a funny movie, find humor in every situation, learn to laugh at yourself and teach your Kids to laugh at themselves also.

? Spend time with your Kids outside in nature: Nature has a wonderfully calming effect on the body, mind, and spirit. Take time when you or your Kids are stressed or fearful to visit the beach, a park, or the mountains.

? Listen to beautiful music together: New Age, Classical, Jazz, or Nature Sounds helps to quiet down fearful and stressful thoughts in both a fully developed person from maturity onward s and Kids .

? Spend time talking about their fears: Sometimes Kids just need to express what is on their mind. Work together to seek solutions for overcoming fear.

? If your Kids ?s fear or stress level is limiting them from enjoying life seek professional help: There are wonderful game therapists that can help Kids relax and let go of fear.

As parents and educators there are so a lot of ways we can encourage our Kids to face their fears and overcome the stress. By empowering them with these strategies they can truly achieve their highest potential.

Jammin` with Your Kids: The Wonderful World of Music - By Francie Kelley

Does music need to be ?dumbed-down? for kids? The answer became quite clear to me and my husband as we observed how our own child responded to complex melodies and varied musical styles in the first months of her life.

When I embarked on the recording of my Kids ?s music CD (?Wake Up & Go To Sleep?, Artsong Music) shortly after my daughter was born, it didn?t occur to me to create a happy little watered down collection of songs made just for young listeners. The songs simply evolved as the experiential narrative of a new mom.

My husband, jazz guitarist and composer Pat Kelley, arranged and produced the CD bringing his rich diverse musical experience into play and giving the CD a broad stylistic range. Our daughter Katie seemed delighted by the whole project, which took four years to complete. She even contributed song writing and vocal performances.

It was only later, when the CD was released and people began to listen, that we discovered how much parents were moved by it. We have received many thanks for creating music that is a pleasure to listen to alone and with Kids .

Children have a more innate ability to absorb music than most adults. At a young age they have minds that are open to everything rather than filled with influences telling them what they should and should not like. Our daughter feels joy listening to Mozart, Hawaiian music, The Beatles, or Glenn Miller. Music only requires an open mind to find enjoyment in its beauty.

The earliest experience of music is in a child?s first cry. Crying has tone and is the earliest sound that expresses emotion. For many infants, the next experience of music is the intimate songs a mother sings as she rocks and soothes her baby to sleep. Indeed this is a mother?s own sound language that is completely unique to her and her baby. These may be some of the most meaningful and bonding moments of the mother/infant relationship.

But where do you go from here? If you begin to expose babies to myriad musical styles, you can witness early responses. Even in the early weeks of life, a baby will respond to complex definitive al works. Our daughter at three weeks old reacted to a Rachmaninoff piano concerto, eyes searching, facial changes pronounced. Clearly these sounds had a dramatic and positive effect. After having been very active kicking and fussing, she became still, seemingly enthralled in the music.

By exposing kids to a variety of musical styles, they begin to develop their response to what moves them to sing and dance, or be calmed, and even what turns them off. Critical listening can start early. And by exposing them to varied music they will develop the ability to appreciate many different styles. Your kids are completely open and ready to absorb anything new. There is no reason to limit what they hear just because you might think they are too young to understand it. Great music does not require understanding to be enjoyed and absorbed on the most organic level.

Sometimes music helps Kids express what they aren?t able to articulate. In the earliest days, it is often simply the sheer joy of singing and using the voice that enables a child to begin to develop a love of music. Singing just feels good, both emotionally and physically to a child. Dancing or moving to music is a natural expression of rhythm, which is part of life. Encourage your Kids to sing and dance and they will be more free and expressive.

As you explore the world of Kids ?s music, also introduce the music you like to your kids. This can be a time for both of you to explore new musical styles such as jazz, definitive al, bluegrass, blues, funk, and a variety of world and ethnic music. If you aren?t sure what to buy, visit your local library. Most libraries have a very good section of CDs in a broad range of styles. Ask the librarian for suggestions. Try checking out a different style CD each week. Of course you can browse the Internet and visit your favorite on-line music stores. Many sites offer downloadable music samples.

Music is at the heart of a child?s spirit. In our CD ?Wake Up & Go To Sleep? we celebrate that spirit and the preciousness of childhood. We make music for fun and for interaction. Music should inspire little souls to think outside the box!

As your Kids develop a musical vocabulary, let them take you along for the ride.

Attend outdoor concerts where kids can dance and run around to the music. Many venues offer free concerts in the summer, in a variety of styles. Get Jammin? with your kids. It?s a blast!

Let music fill your Kids ?s hearts with joy, and in return it will do the same for you.

Children articles catalog

• Brains on Fire: The Multimodality of Gifted Thinkers - By Brock Eide
• laying Baby Computer Games ? The New Parent-Child Tradition? - By Emma
• Book Excerpt: Einstein Never Used Flash Cards - By Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Ph
• Putting Fun Into Parenting - By David Stoepker, Psy.D., & Erin Brown Con
• Preparing Your Child for a High-Tech Future - By Sue Sato
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Predominantly Inattentive
• Abandonment - By Sonya Green
• Explaining Suicide to Children - by Tracy Pierson
• Our Children`s Needs - by Robert Elias Najemy
• How to Develop Self-Esteem in Children - By J. Bailey Molineux, Ph.D.
• Helping Children Overcome Stress and Fear - By Debbie Milam
• Do you Shout at YOUR children? - By James Middleton
• Book Excerpt: Helping Children with Autism Learn - By Bryna Siegel,
• SPEED SPELLING: Another way to use speed reading skills for "schoolwork&q
• Children and Stress - By Laura Silva Quesada
• Boundaries- Why Are They Needed? - by Derek Randel & Gail Randel M.D.
• Juggling Home
• Explaining World tragedy to Children - By Chick Moorman and Thomas Ha
• Children and Pessimism - By Carol Tuttle
• Loving Yourself, Loving Your Children - By Margaret Paul, Ph.D.
• Social Manners for Children - By Susan Dunn, The EQ Coach
• The Sexual Abuse of Children - By J. Bailey Molineux
• A Few Simple Truths About ADHD and Stimulant Drugs - By Steve Edelman1,
• DYSLEXICS and A.D.D. KIDS BECOME GIFTED SPEED READERS - by George Stanc
• Using Feng Shui for Better Behaved Children - By Kathryn Weber
• Book Excerpt: Helping Children with Autism Learn - By Bryna Siegel,
• Five Keys to Raising Nonviolent Children - By Tammy Cox, LMSW
• The Best Way to Reduce Stress: Start Young - By Zach Brull
• Your Child?s Self-Esteem is in The Cards - By Susan Howson
• Calming Tips for Hyperactive Children - By Jeannine Virtue
• What is ADHD? - By Jeannine Virtue
• Talking to Your Children About Sex - By Jan Andersen
• How Our Children Really Learn And Why They Need To Play More And Memo
• HOW DO WE PROTECT OUR CHILDREN FROM PREDATORS? - By Linda J Alexander,
• Teach Children Positive Self-Image Through Fitness - By Lynn Bode
• No Invitation Needed -- Part 3 of 3 Sacred Children Series - By Skye T
• Helping Our Children Feel Good About Themselves - By Dr.Barbara Becker Hol
• Unidentified Stepfamily Zones - Discoveries Made at a Stepfamily Confer
• Divorce and Children: Things To Consider When You`re Staying Married
• Six facts you should know to empower your teaching. - By Emmanuel
• Are You in an Abusive Situation? - by Colin Gabriel Hatcher & Randall
• The Divorce Revolution Has Failed - By J. Bailey Molineux
• Is Your Child Well-Mannered? - By Mary Jesse
• Jesus` Birthday -- Part 2 of 3 Sacred Children Series - By Skye T
• Empty Nesters: What Should You Do Once the Children Leave? - By Mary Guar
• We should celebrate the diversity of children and adults - By Robyn M
• How to Cope with Back to School Stress - By Debbie Mandel
• HIS KIDS: BECOMING A W.O.W. STEPMOTHER - by Julie Donner Andersen
• ADD / ADHD Children : Being Your Child`s Best Friend - By Kate Hufst