CAPPY Fun Days Calendar

The ADAMHS Board is pleased to release the first of 12 monthly fun day calendars. These printable calendar pages, complete with an original picture of CAPPY celebrating the joys of the month along with helpful animal care tips, will feature several fun activities to share with kids of all ages. Click below to download the month of your choice as they become available. New pages will be added monthly.

If you would like to receive notification about new calendar pages when they become available, please sign up for eNotify, if you haven't already done so, by clicking here.

Using "reverse psychology" to get children to do what you want them to do may work in the short-term but it has the potential to create a much bigger problem later. For example, if you say things like "Don't you eat that!" to get your child to finish his dinner, or "Don't put that toy in the toybox!" to get her to pick up her things, you are actually encouraging defiant behaviors. In the long-term using such strategies may send a message that doing the opposite of what a parent wants is acceptable.

Empathy is an important strategy for parents to utilize with their children. A child needs to know you understand what he or she is experiencing or feeling. Saying "I would feel angry too if my brother didn't want to share with me!" can send the message of support, understanding and acceptance. Emphatic statements can also lead to opportunities for parents to teach your child skills necessary to effectively express and cope with emotions.

Going to public places with children can be a real challenge. Top make the trip as successful as possible, plan ahead. Prepare your child by telling them where you will be going, what is the goal or point of the trip, what you expect of them, and what will happen if they misbehave. Once you have prepared your child, stick to what you told her. Also, avoiding trips when you child is tired or hungry will help decrease irritability and frustrations.

Electronic media such as TV, video games, and the internet have become a regular part of most families' lives. These outlets can be incredibly beneficial for education and entertainment. However, they can also contribute to family difficulties. Parents must be aware of what their children are viewing, as what children see can affect their behaviors. For example, media access without limits can decrease a child's motivation to engage in other activities or encourage them to engage in undesirable or aggressive behaviors.

Parents often try to fix or solve problems their children experience. However, parents need to teach their children to problem-solve by engaging them in the process. When your child has experienced a dissappointment such as accidentally breaking a favorite toy, you can say, "I see you are disappointed. What can you do to feel better?" You may be surprised by the honest, creative and positive solutions she may suggest.

Say "I Love You" daily in a variety of ways to your child. Put a note in herlunch bag. Ruffle his hair as you walk past him. Give her a smile and a wink in a crowd. Make his favorite meal. Show your love in ways that say "I am glad you are a part of my life." When parents take the time to do small gestures, children often reciprocate.

To decrease frustration for both parent and child, be sure you are giving clear and specific commands to children. Avoid saying things like, "Behave!" or "Knock it off!" Instead, say say, "Sit on the couch. Do not jump." When youa re specific, you are helping children learn your expectations for them as well as effective communication skills.