Parenting Tips

Children of every size and shape can benefit from increased physical activity. Through exercise, your child can gain the health benefits of stronger bones and muscles and lower blood cholesterol levels, as well as a decrease in blood pressure and in the possibility of developing type 2 diabetes. Children can enjoy other benefits as well: better sleep, better concentration and the ability to better handle life's emotional challenges. Of course, getting kids to exercise can sometimes be a challenge. Making it a fun, natural part of the day is the key to success.

Many kids naturally hit an independent stage, but some children hold back in certain situations, preferring to stay near a parent instead of tackling the situation solo. An independent child feels confident in his ability to tackle a task, is self-motivated and knows how to make decisions, according to "Psychology Today." The way you treat your child and encourage his independence affects how comfortable he feels when he doesn't have mom and dad to do something for him.

Reading is a learned skill that grows better with practice. To get your child to read more, and become a better reader, engage his imagination and natural curiosity. Associate reading with doing something fun. Even children who prefer energetic, outdoor activities will enjoy reading books about their favorite things to do. Present your child with a good mix of subject matter and don't underestimate the power of pictures. Graphic novels and audio books can help engage interest in reading.

The more children read, the more they want to read because it becomes easy and fun. However, some children get in the opposing habit of not reading and not wanting to read. With lack of practice, their skills stagnate and reading becomes work, not fun. As a parent, you have a unique opportunity to motivate your child to read more and read better.

Kids often leave behind a messy trail from dirty laundry to broken crayons. Getting your child to clean up that mess or help out with other household tasks isn't always easy. A little motivation can help get your child moving on her duties around the house. Getting her to help out teaches her responsibility and takes part of the workload off your plate, leaving more family time for everyone. With a little effort, you can find the combination of motivators that works best for your child.

Everyone needs a little motivation to do unwanted tasks from time to time, but inspiring kids can be especially challenging. Bribing a child to clean his room or do homework with sweets or toys may seem like a good idea, but all it will ultimately motivate him to do is expect a reward in exchange for doing the task. If you want to foster a sense of drive, responsibility and accountability in a child, you need to tap into rewards such as pride, self-esteem and the satisfaction derived from reaching for and achieving a difficult goal.

In a perfect world, you wouldn't need to worry about discipline, but all parents face situations that require intervention. The goal of discipline is to decrease the undesirable behaviors and increase the positive choices your child makes. Both reinforcement and punishment are ways to achieve that goal, but the methods have subtle differences that may make one better suited for your child.