PG Events

Look For PG on toronto4kids.com

2007-03-05T15:00:00.000-05:00

Keep your eyes open for articles written by Parental Guidance in the parent zone on Toronto4kids.com. This great website is an amazing resource for anybody living in and around the GTA and even for people visiting our great city. It has so much information on what is available to parents and kids. Be sure to check it out!

Parental Guidance featured on Babbling Bananas

2007-01-11T14:43:00.000-05:00

Although we are very tardy in relaying this information, we were a featured expert on the parenting e-newsletter for Babbling Bananas back in June. To read the newsletter just click here or to read the questions and answers in their entirety, keep reading.

Why is it important to reward your child’s good behaviour?

Most children and people in general, thrive on and seek attention. This is why it is so important for parents to make sure that the attention children learn to seek is positive attention. In order for this to develop, parents must reinforce and reward good behaviour. It is important to recognize that rewards can be social approval such as sincere praise for your child (ex. “you did a great job tidying your toys” or “I love how you are playing so nicely with your sister” or “I’m really proud of you for getting dressed all by yourself”) as well as tangible rewards such as stickers or a treat. By rewarding good behaviour, children learn that you notice the positive things they do, and hopefully that they themselves enjoy the feelings they get from cooperating and making good decisions. The ultimate goal of rewarding good behaviour is for children to become intrinsically motivated to behave well and make appropriate choices.

Is there such a thing as too much when it comes to rewarding your child? How so?

It depends on the types of rewards. There can never be too much positive reinforcement, so rewarding your child with praise, compliments and affection cannot be overdone. Praise and positive reinforcement will not only encourage desired behaviours, but will also help to build your child’s self-esteem.

It is possible to use reward systems too much if you use them for just about everything you want your child to do. It is important to save using reward systems for specific behaviours that you want your child to develop or improve. You do not want to create an environment where your child is not willing to do things that don’t involve a pay-off. It is necessary to phase out the tangible reward once your child has started to consistently demonstrate the desired behaviour. By continuing to use positive reinforcement along with tangible rewards, it is less likely that your child will become dependent on the reward.

There seems to be a fine line between bribing a child into good behaviour and rewarding a child for good behaviour. Is the following a bribe or a reward? “If you clean up your toys, I will give you a cookie.” Is that bribery or reward? Why? What is the difference?

This is a bribe since the cookie is being offered because the child has not cleaned up the toys on his/her own. Essentially, the child is eventually being rewarded for not doing what was expected because it forced the parent into a bribery situation. The main difference is that in the case of a bribe, the “treat” is being offered before the desired behaviour has occurred whereas with a reward system, the desired behaviour occurs before being offered or given the reward.

The difference may seem trivial but children will quickly learn that you are noticing and/or rewarding their good behaviours and will try please you more often. Conversely, it won’t take long before they will also notice that they can behave badly at first and then do what is asked only after a bribe is offered.

What are the risks of rewarding or bribing children with sweet treats?

The sweet treat is a common reward that parents use. When used sparingly, it can be effective and is often easy for parents to maintain. The risks of using sweet treats on a consistent basis can be filling up on food void of much nutritional value, dental hygiene issues or increased cavities, modeling unhealthy snacking habits, and the possibility of developing unhealthy emotional links to food and eating which can all have detrimental effects. Now, this isn’t to say that the odd candy or ice-cream for good behaviour is going to have negative long-term effects on your child, just remember to use other types of rewards as well.

What alternative systems of rewards can you recommend?

It is important to find rewards that are meaningful to your child and also match your values. This means you should try to vary the types of rewards you give for desired behaviours. Depending on the age of the child, you can use stickers, charts, coupons, or points to keep track of positive behaviours. The rewards can be family outings, inexpensive toys, special privileges, sweet treats, outside activities, having a friend over, choosing the dinner menu, or alone time with a parent or grandparent. The list is endless; the key is to find out what motivates your child and use those as rewards.

When introducing a reward system try to avoid starting immediately following the undesirable behaviour. By waiting for a calm moment a better system can be set up and the child won’t likely misinterpret the reward for the negative behaviour. It is important that you very clearly discuss the expectations with your child and then together, decide on a pre-determined reward once a set goal is reached.

For example, when toilet training (make sure that the child is showing signs of being ready – rewards won’t work long-term when developmentally the child isn’t ready) you might decide that your 2 ½ year old will get a sticker on a chart each time they use the potty. After accumulating 5 stickers, you might go shopping to pick out new “big girl” or “big boy” underwear. The next time, the child might need to accumulate 10 stickers before getting a new book or toy or go to the Zoo.

It is imperative that you continue to provide social reinforcement in combination with the tangible reward so that eventually, you can phase out the tangible reward and the child will continue to be motivated by the social reinforcements and develop internal controls.

Parental Guidance featured on City TV

2006-04-06T08:25:00.000-04:00

The team from Parental Guidance was interviewed by City TV's Cynthia Mulligan last week. A very happy client volunteered to share her experience on camera after finding PG to be of great assistance to her family. The feature story which aired on Wednesday, April 5th, on the 6:OO news showed Parent Guides Maureen Bailey and Karen Farrell working with 2 1/2 year old Sophia and her mother. To see the story for yourself, check out this link. You can also read the brief print version.

The Roy Green Show Interviews Parental Guidance

2006-03-21T08:57:00.000-05:00

On Monday, March 13th, Parental Guidance was interviewed on the Roy Green Show on CHML 900 out of Hamilton. Roy Green is an award winning journalist with a great reputation for his knowlege of political issues and covering topics relevant to the average Canadian. Andrea Boulden and Erin Hemsworth spoke with Roy Green about the establishment of Parental Guidance and what we do to help parents. You can hear the interview by going to the AM 900 CHMLAM website and visiting the featured interviews from March 13th or by clicking on this link.

Family Found to Work With PG For Free!

2006-03-27T10:10:00.000-05:00

Thanks to those interested families but we've already found a family that has agreed to be taped for City TV. That family will be receiving some free support sessions in exchange for allowing us to tape their session. Thanks again!

Bridging the Gap with Dr. Karyn Gordon on April 16th

2006-03-27T11:25:00.000-05:00

Parental Guidance will be making our radio debut on Dr. Karyn Gordon's radio show. Dr. Karyn is one of Canada's leading experts on teens, helping parents understand and communicate more effectively with their teenagers. Bridging the Gap airs weekly on CFRB Talk Radio from 7-8pm on Sunday evenings. Erin Hemsworth from Parental Guidance will be speaking with Dr. Karyn and providing advice to parents on homework and study habits. Originally we told you the show would air on March 5th, however after some scheduling changes we are finally going to air the show on Sunday April 16th.

Who wants to experience the benefits of PG for free?

2006-03-23T09:13:00.000-05:00

We have been contacted by a local television station, wanting to prepare a story on Parental Guidance and the services we provide. The only catch is, they want to videotape us in action with a family. Since we are aware that parenting is such a sensitive and personal subject, we are not comfortable asking any of our current clients to appear on television. So, here is what we are looking for...

a family who lives in the GTA
a family who has children between the age of 1 month and 13 years
a family experiencing some stress as a result of parenting issues
a family who would like to experience the benefits of in-home parenting advice
a family who is willing to have their sessions taped and then aired on a television news show
a family who wants to experience the benefits of Parental Guidance free of charge

If you are interested in being this family, please contact us immediately at info@parentalguidance.ca or by clicking on the contact us link on our website. Families will be chosen on a first-come-first-serve basis. We look forward to hearing from you.

Children's Circle Homework Workshop

2006-01-18T18:00:00.000-05:00

Having trouble finding the time to get homework completed? Confused by the Ontario curriculum and the expectations of the education system? Need help with strategies to motivate your child to finish their homework? Parental Guidance has the answers.

On Wednesday, January 18, 2006, at 6:00pm, Erin Hemsworth of Parental Guidance will be hosting a homework workshop at the Children's Circle Daycare Centre in Riverdale, Toronto. Topics will include communicating with teachers, how to explain answers, and setting up homework routines. Registration is taking place from December 19 up to the day of the event, either at Children's Circle or by contacting erin@parentalguidance.ca. The cost is $10 per person, and $15/couple.

Erin Hemsworth is a founder of Parental Guidance and a certified teacher currently on a maternity leave from her position with the Durham District School Board. Erin has experience teaching children from age 5 to 14, and has a sound knowledge of the Ontario Curriculum.