Interview with Meg Warren, founder of Key to Kids

This week on The Spectrum, we are talking to Meg Warren - founder of the Australian business Key to Kids. Meg is the sister of Amy Piers, a member of the Kahlon Family Services team. 

(1) What inspired you to create your business, Key to Kids?

The amazing course that I attended as a young Mom, "How to Talk so Kids Listen."  Its facilitator engaged me from the instant it commenced - so much so that when I returned to teaching after maternity leave I kept in contact with her as a educational/behavioral mentor.  She retired from the course in 2013 and supported me in becoming a facilitator in her place.  I feel passionate about these skills and feel the need to share them with anyone who works/lives with kids - it changed my life.

(2) Why did you see a need for adults to communicate differently?

I guess since learning these new skills it's opened my eyes to the fact that as adults we don't listen to our kids - I mean REALLY listen.  Unless we acknowledge their feelings and give them our time - away from iPhones/laptops/TVs - children will carry the burden of their unhappiness and this will get in the way of their learning, socializing and growing up.  We need to free our kids to think for themselves and become independent, confident adults.

(3) How has becoming a parent of school-aged children changed how you teach in the classroom?

It has given me more empathy for parents!!  I think all parents are out there, giving it their best shot.  I try not to judge when I see other parents struggling (we all have bad days!!) but this makes me reflect on how SKILLS give us something to work with - which is better than NOTHING to work with.  I also love being able to share with the parents and teachers that I work with tried and tested ideas - like 'I tried this with my 7 year old, and this happened'.  It's not a perfect world - things don't always have a happy ending - but it's about reflecting on 'how will I handle it next time?'.  I have created a blog that has this at it's essence.... I'm not the perfect parent but I'm willing to try new things and reflect when they don't work for next time.

Meg knows that family life doesn't * always * go to plan. 

(4) How have your children responded to a changed approach in your communication?

Well my kids have been spoken to in this way since they were very young so they don't notice the difference!  But parents who do the course say their kids can sometimes be skeptical about a change in the way their parents handle things!  But often it's for the better - like they notice how they have more a voice with their parents - it's a partnership.

(5) What is one piece of advice you'd like to offer to parents looking for better ways to communicate with their children?

I love Dr Phil's quote 'if you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got'.  I want parents to know that they are not alone and there are different things they can try to make their household a more harmonious one.  It's not about being guilty, admitting defeat or being shamed... it's about improving relationships with your children... and that is the best gift you can give them.

Meg, with her kids Maggie and Joe - dressing up for school safety day in Australia 

To find out more about Key to Kids, visit www.keytokids.com.au

10 Powerful Breakfast They'll Love

(1) Kodiak Power Cakes 
A box of this mix will keep your family powered in many ways. Packed with whey protein, transform this box into tasty muffins, pancakes or waffles. Great for weekends, or make muffins in advance for weekdays.

(2) Scrambled Eggs 
An oldie but a goody. Serve with buttered toast.

(3) Oatmeal 
Oatmeal is a blank canvas! Dress it up with fresh or dried fruits, maple, honey, agave, nuts, nut butters, trail mix and even some chunks of semi-sweet chocolate for a treat.

(4) Greek Yogurt 
The high protein content of Greek Yogurt will keep your child present and focused at school. Watch the sugar, though. Alternatively, buy plain and add your own sweetener.

(5) Smoothie 
You can add anything but the kitchen sink! Try a protein powder like Amazing Grass for a full profile of nutrients.

(6) Toast with Nut Butter 
Whole grain bread with almond butter and agave, peanut butter and jelly or even sun butter and marmalade. It's your toast, so go nuts (get it?!)

(7) Egg Muffins 
Not the English kind - think more like these.

(8) Kashi Go-Lean Cereal 
As much protein as an egg, for those kids who hate eggs.

(9) Toad in a Hole 
Cut a circle out of a buttered piece of bread, put it in the fry pan. Crack an egg in the hole, flip, eat.

(10) Baked Beans on Toast 
Simply open a can of baked beans and heat on the stove. Make some toast. Enjoy 14g of protein and fiber.

10 Sensory Activities for Toddlers

(1) Sorting Objects 
"Sorting" is a great activity for building all kinds of tactile, decision making and mathematic skills. Give your kids a bin full of small erasers, figurines, 3D shapes, or any small object - and watch as they use their senses and preferences to put them into groups.

(2) Painting 
Forget the smock, strip your kids down to their diaper/underwear and let painting become a sensory experience. Lay out a large piece of paper on the grass, use non-toxic paint and have a hose and towel ready for the aftermath.

(3) Play Doh 
Make it yourself using this simple recipe . Go ahead and add essential oils, glitter, beads, popsicle sticks and googly eyes. Watch that small pieces don't end up in their mouths, noses, ears...

(4) Feely Boxes 
These work really well for preschoolers, but who is to say your toddler won't get a kick out of a feely box too. Basically, cut a hand sized hole in a box and put a small, textured item in the box. The game is based around guessing what the item is, based on how it feels. Click here for an example.

(5) Olfactory Station 
Set up some safe mystery smells and see how your toddler reacts. Will they screw up their face, or try to eat it? Smelling food can also demystify some tastes for fussy toddlers.

(6) Beans and Rice 
Fill a bin with dry beans and rice, add a cup as a shovel. You have a new toy!

(7) Sand Play 
At home, at the beach, at day care - wherever there is sand - play with it! Some children have a real aversion to the texture of sand, so play with it as much as possible.

(8) Water Play 
We are experiencing a severe drought in California, so think of water play ideas that use less H20 but give maximum enjoyment.

(9) Cooking 
Bake some cookies, whip up some muffins or find a no-bake recipe that your toddler can enjoy with you. Cooking with very young children is best kept simple, fast and 1:1.

(10) Tapioca Beads 
Water beads are great fun to play with, but a hazard for little hands. Tapioca is almost identical, but edible! Check this out.

Finding Quality Day Care

At Kahlon Family Services, our staff have not only previously worked in Day Care Centers, but also regularly observe children and teachers in these environments. We realize that not everyone is able to have these kinds of experiences, so we would like to use our knowledge to help point you in the direction that is right for your child.

Here are some things to look for in a Day Care Center:

Staff 

• Do they like being there? (You CAN find day care teachers who love their job!)
• Do they have a high turnover rate? (Your child will form an attachment with these people)
• How do they talk to the children, and each other? (Is it a generally uplifting place?)
• How do they talk about the children and each other? (If you hear people talking behind someone's back, beware) 
• Do they talk with or at the children? (Barking orders, or having conversation?)
• Are there enough adults to do a reasonable job of taking care of the amount of kids? (Ratio)
• Are the staff performing practical child care tasks well? (Diapering/toileting, feeding, changing clothes when soiled) 
• Do they supervise the children attentively? (Or are they talking to each other constantly?)
• Are they warm? (Young children really need hugs, comfort and affection) 

Behavior Management

• Do they use "good" or "bad" in regular vocabulary? (Teachers should separate behavior from child every time, and avoid saying, "that was bad," "that was naughty" etc. Instead, they should give a reason why certain actions are, or are not, appropriate) 
• Do they punish kids, or give consequences? (One is unrelated to the inappropriate action of the child, one is a direct result of the behavior. Punishment exerts the power of the adult over the powerlessness of the child, whereas consequences steer a child to make a better choice next time and repair the mistake that has been made) 
• Do they have too many rules? (We really only ever need 3 rules; be safe, be respectful, stay where you should be)

Program 

• Do they try to make it more academic than it needs to be? Or, is it not intellectually stimulating enough for the age group? 
• Do they expect them to sit still for too long? Or, do they not practice any kind of attention span/self control activities? 
• Do they have enough toys, materials and equipment? 
• Are the kids being given a variety of experiences every day, or is it the same thing day after day? 
• Is it age appropriate? 

Facilities

• Is it safe for kids? (All day cares should be technically safe, but look at how items are stored, things left around the place, do they shut the gates etc.) 
• Is it clean? (They should sweep and mop the floors at least once a day, they should also expect kids to put things back themselves when they are old enough) 
• Or... is it too clean? (Some baby nurseries require medical grade "booties" over shoes, washed hands and sanitizer to the elbows. If you have an infant there 5 days a week, it's a little too sterile of an environment) 
• Is there enough space for kids as they grow?
• Is there a place for kids to relax in a calm environment, or cool after a meltdown? 

Philosophy 

• Does the practical day-to-day running of the day care center match the philosophy on which it was built? 
• Does the philosophy cause programming to be too stifling, or too loose? 
• Does the philosophy prevent the adults from giving comfort to very young children? (Programs that ask very young children to be very independent can have detrimental effects on a child's trust for their adults) 

Lastly, the biggest indicator of whether or not you have your child in a suitable placement, is the child themselves. Before they can talk, a baby can not tell you if they like day care or if their diaper is being changed enough. You need to rely on your intuition, even when you know they will go through stages of separation anxiety. If you feel like something isn't right with your placement, take the time to try and figure out why. If it seems like a problem with the center itself, it might be worth pursuing other options - maybe even trying a nanny, or nanny share situation.  

6 Best Kids' Shoes without Laces

Converse
Fantastic for just about everything, Converse All Stars will last your child for months. They come in every color of the rainbow, and are really easy to replace when they wear out or become too small. One drawback is that there isn't a lot of cushiony support for impact during sports - otherwise - these are shoes are amazing.

Vans
Like Converse, these shoes are kid standards. With simple elastic sides, they come in every color and pattern you can think of. They provide more foot support than converse and are a little more sturdy, too.

Tsukihoshi
These shoes are excellently made for growing feet, providing a stable base for running, climbing and general childhood mischief. A favorite in San Francisco, Tsukihoshi shoes are a sensible choice for those concerned about arch support and shoes for sports.

Keens 
With an added benefit of being waterproof, Keens are comfort and support rolled into one. They provide spaces for the foot to breathe, helping feet to stay cool, dry and comfortable.

Puma Whirlwind
Let's face it - these shoes look cool. Very easy to put on, supportive for all kinds of sport and activity - they are perfect kid shoes.

Toms for Kids 
Not the best for PE or sports, Toms are a great everyday shoe nonetheless. They boast patterns, sparkles and super easy on/off - all with a promise of giving pairs of shoes to people in need.

Or, just use regular shoes with these lace replacements: 

- Lock Laces
- Hickies
- Kiwi "No Tie" laces

Lunch Boxes for Learning

(Picture c/o fortefitness.com)

Now that school is back in full swing, you might be looking for some healthy, convenient and creative lunch box items. This week we have some tips for packing lunches that meet your standards for healthy eating, as well as food that is delicious enough for your kids to devour.

Here are a few of our suggestions on what to pack, and how to pack it. We hope you're inspired by these ideas!

(1) Ziplock Bentos 
For an inexpensive and unassuming lunchbox, $13.95 is an excellent price to pay for four of these guys. Dishwasher safe, with compartments for a main item and two snacks, these boxes are an all-in-one lunch station. Considering how often kids lose their lunch boxes, these might be the way to go. (For a more expensive, but sturdier version, check out the Planet Box)

What to pack in a Bento Box: 
(look above at the picture!)
- sandwiches (e.g. Deli meat, sunbutter and jam, grilled cheese)
- bagels with cream cheese
- wraps
- sides; grapes, dried strawberries, blueberries, cucumber pieces, baby carrots, goldfish, granola chunks etc.

(2) Thermos Food Jars
In order to send your kids to school with something other than a sandwich, Thermos food jars open up new possibilities. Make sure you wash your Thermos thoroughly, and as soon as possible, to avoid it getting nasty.

What to pack in a Thermos: 
- soup
- mac and cheese
- spaghetti and meatballs
- fried rice
- risotto

(3) French Bull Freezable Lunch Box
Ziplock Bento Boxes will work excellently with a French Bull Freezable. Most lunch items will taste better when chilled, and lunch bags like this will instantly turn a boring lunch into something a little more appetizing.

They are especially good for: 
- yogurt
- fruit
- dips (e.g. Hummus, ranch)
- drinks

If you have any suggestions to add, comment below!