Archive for August 2008
Parental Leadership: The Mary Poppins Metaphor.
August 22, 2008 | 
Author By Brad Van Alstyne
California Institute Of Integral Studies
February 24, 2008
Existing theories on leadership are usually based on efforts we are familiar with in which leaders are easily defined (work, war, sports, etc). Little analysis to date has been placed on the role of parents as leaders outside of the social sciences where the focus of the research is usually an offshoot of psychology or childhood development. The parent as a leader is a unique focus in that there are several qualities of the parent role that are quite different from that of the typical supervisory roles we normally discuss, while at the same time it would be foolish to think of parents as anything but leaders. The disconnect in this idea is evident in the ways western society regards employment as it relates to parenthood, specifically pregnancy and the inequities with which “stay-home” parents are regarded. Few job sites provide adequate pregnancy leave, or childcare opportunities, and western society in general tends to regard stay at home parents with contempt in terms of their contribution to our vocation oriented society in which accolades are usually work achievement oriented. Society in general. The list below attempts to highlight a few significant differences which merit discussion.
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Kids Birthday Parties. Have They Gone Over the Top?
By Janie Kimball
In our, “more is better” society, kids birthday parties have gone over the top. Find out have to create an inexpensive, yet memorable birthday party.
Attention Deficit Disorder: So Much More Than Just a Lack of Focus
By Eric Hale
In this day and age, terms like ADD (attention deficit disorder) and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) are a regularly used part of kids’ vocabulary. In fact, teens these days seem to know more about disorders than I learned in my college level psychology course. These terms are used so frequently that these major behavioral disorders have lost all of their meaning. The term ADD has merely become an excuse for not paying attention. If a student is not listening the common response is “Oh, sorry I have A.D.D.” Since these words have infiltrated young teens’ culture, these serious psychological disorders have lost any legitimate concern or sympathy from our society.
Parents as Teachers Program Once Again Shown to Improve School
By C. Dixon
School readiness predicts later school achievement, and possibly life success, study says….
PARENTS AS TEACHERS TRAINING PROGRAM PROVIDES A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS IN FIGHT AGAINST CHILDHOOD OBESITY
‘High 5 for Kids’ Offers Professionals Tools to Help Improve Eating and Fitness Habits of Preschoolers
By Maya Lunnemann
ST. LOUIS (June 26, 2008) – Despite a reduction in childhood obesity rates recently, early childhood professionals continue to reinforce awareness among parents about their role in encouraging nutrition and fitness of their young children. Parents consistently underestimate the power they have in modeling good nutrition and fitness habits for their children, say early childhood specialists at Parents as Teachers National Center.