2002 Parent to Parent of Vermont Spring Newletter

Spring 2002 Newsletter | to Bottom of page Links

Parent Evenings with the Family, Infant and Toddler Project
of Chittenden County

The Family, Infant & Toddler Project is Vermont's Part C of IDEA.
Parent to Parent is the Host Agency for the Chittenden County Family Infant & Toddler Project.

On March 29th, a group of parents, Family Resource Coordinators, and speakers gathered to discuss positive strategies for addressing challenging behaviors. Parents came with concerns about sibling relationships, behavior during car rides and mealtimes, morning routines, aggression, and tantrums.

Speakers, Nicole Williams and Daniela Caserta, shared some background information and then facilitated an open discussion. They suggested the following practices to parents: Know yourself as a parent. What are your values and goals? Think about your approach to parenting; it may be more democratic, authoritarian, or permissive.

Draw on your understanding of child development. During their first five years, children are developing trust, a desire to do things on their own, and the ability to get along with others. When your patience runs dry, your understanding of what your child is learning, and his/her particular needs at that stage of development, can guide you.

Let children know what to do rather than what not to do.
Say, "Keep your feet on the floor," instead of "Don't climb."
Give consequences, not punishment. Help your child clean up a spill rather than sending him/her to his/her room or giving a lecture about being careful.
Use humor and games. Redirect children and lighten your own mood by being playful and surprising everyone with fun!

Ann Dillenbeck and Carol Lowe-Clay, Family Resource Coordinators, enjoyed this opportunity to focus on parents' needs and participate in the discussion of creative solutions! ©

Nicole Williams, M.A., Baird School Social Worker, working out of Essex Junction EEE, (802) 860-3550 ext. 133-3602 and Headstart Family Educator at Trinity Childhood Center (802) 863-1326.

Daniela Caserta, Clinic Coordinator at Pine Forest Williams' Center (802) 652-2192.

Our Next Parent Evening:
"Transition at Age 3"
takes place on May 16th,
at Parent to Parent, from 7-9pm
A facilitated discussion will follow information
sharing by a panel of parents and early
interventionists. Carol Lowe Clay will host
the evening.
R.S.V.P. to Karen Searles at
764-5294 ext 14

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