Families with young children

In class on tuesday we talked about how we should encourage children to do their own thing and give them appropriate praise. When giving the child choices and allowing them to do what they want with those choices makes them feel like they are the quote un quote parent like in play. I feel that the more choices that they are given within reason that you set for them, the child will learn to make good choices and want to know what is going on. Another thing mentioned was whether it was a matter of preference or principal. Don't be so rigid and not allowing of their preferences, so don't use principal. If the child doesn't like the ones made that you set aside be willing in some way to negotiate and compromise with the child. Now the other thing that we talked about was giving praise to the child where needed. I work at a daycare and day after day I give praise to those children when they have done something. If a child comes up to me and says "hey I just drew a picture of a dinosaur" I will say nice job it is so good. Or if the children just start picking up the toys and balls in the gym without being asked I will do the same. If when I babysit the children help me clean up after supper I too give them praise for helping. You can tell that the child appreciates being appreciated and loves the praise. I also agree that children need love and affection. If the child has none then what does the child have but negative around them. I hope to also use the five steps to guide behavior also with my family and see if I could try it with the kids at daycare also, to see if it will help with some of the behaviors. I hope to be the authoritative parent and give praise and affection day after day to my child. I feel that if I do give praise and affection and love and all that goes with this type of parenting I will have a very happy life and family.