Sixteenth Annual Parenting Awareness Michigan Conferences

A Parenting Awareness Michigan (PAM) conference is being held on October 22nd in Marquette and on November 3rd in Lansing.  For details, visit www.preventionnetwork.org.

Mobile Dentist Scheduled Return

The Mobile Dentists are scheduled to return to MCE on November 3rd & 4th.  Please watch for forms to come home with your child in September.  Mobile Dentists is a preventive dental care program for students pre-school through 8th grade.  Services provided include dental examinations, cleanings, flouride treatments, x-rays, and sealants for children who return the forms.  Grants are readily available to parents for this service to cover financial need.  For more information about the Mobile Dentists, visit the website at www.mobiledentists.com or contact Joan Bellinger at #757-3733 ext. 1116.

Nine Ways to Make Waiting Fun

Parents often find themselves in situations where they are waiting with their children.  The following suggestions can make this wait fun and you may have great interaction with your child.  This document is produced by the International Network for Children and Families and the 350 instructors of the “Redirecting Children’s Behavior” course.  It is included in Positive Approaches for Challenging Behaviors developed and compiled by Mack/Vitto 2008. 

Nine Ways to Make Waiting Fun

• Ask your child to make up a silly, outrageous story about why the waitress is taking so long to deliver the meal, or what caused the traffic jam.
• Hold up an ordinary item such as a pencil or spoon.  Have the child suggest unusual uses for the object.
• Take turns singing as many songs as you know that have a color in the song.  Example: Rudolf the RED Nose Reindeer, the Yellow Rose of Texas, Blue Suede Shoes, etc. 
• Ask your child to close their eyes and describe what you are wearing
• Ask your child to list 10 things found in a dentist office, car repair shop, or bakery.
• Thumb wrestle with your child.
• Hum a song and have your child guess the title.
• Give your child the name of a character in a book.  They have to identify the book title.
• Tell your child three unrelated items such as, a dirty sock, watermelon and a swing set.  Ask them to tell you a story incorporating those items.