As parents, we do things to make sure discipline is embedded in the family. However, it’s not something that can be taught by words alone. There are other areas where your kids learn discipline. There’s sports, art and music. Music, specifically is one of the easiest and is something you can do as early as your pregnancy stage – you can play songs or classical pieces and let the child in your womb listen to the song.

As it is never too early to introduce children to music, it is also never too easy to get them into it. So here are some tips to get your child interested.

1. Allow them to listen – allow them to listen to songs because this is when they start learning how to sing

2. Introduce them to musical instruments at a young age – be it toys or real one

3. Be a model – if you play an instrument, do it with your children and let them watch you.

I am not asking you to give them  taylor guitars right away. Introducing them to different things while they are young will be beneficial to both you and the child because you will know what his area of interest is early. When this happens, it’s time for you to act.

Sesame Street

Forty-two seasons and still going strong! Sesame Street still remains the absolute ideal educational cable television show moms everywhere approve of. Tackling everything from colors, shapes, numbers, and letters to maintaining healthy psychological inferences, diversity in social behavior, proper mannerisms, and even bullying, Sesame Street has been the ultimate “go-to” show for healthy child development in every aspect. With well-known characters and reliable plots, children from 6 months to 9 years old are able to benefit from the lessons taught throughout every episode.  

LazyTown

Originally filmed in Great Britain, this wonderfully entertaining show was added to the PBS Kids Sprout cable television line-up in September of 2011. Designed for boys and girls alike, between the ages of 2 and 8 years old, this show is packed with action, creativity, and fun ideas for staying physically enthusiastic about staying healthy. LazyTown is an enthusiastic and imaginative world which encourages kids to be active and to make healthy lifestyle decisions. The primary focus is to teach children that exercise and being active are necessary to grow up big and strong.  

Super WHY

Does your child need a little extra help with reading and spelling? This fully-animated educational television series will definitely help your little one become more proficient in understanding the alphabet, forming word structures, components of story-telling and reading comprehension. Although Super WHY is targeted for kids between the ages of 3 and 6 years old, both younger and older age groups will benefit from this educational series, which can only be found on PBS Kids.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Completely revamped, Mickey Mouse is teaching this generation of preschoolers in an entirely new way! Mickey Mouse and the gang have a new clubhouse and your child is invited to learn along with them in an interactive structure. With mathematical skills and different problem solving techniques introduced in each episode, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is one of the best mom approved educational cable television shows found on Disney Junior!

Little Einsteins

If you are looking to add knowledge of nature, world culture and diversity of the arts into your young child’s life, this would be the best show to do so. Every episode contains a mission for the Little Einsteins to complete which is characterized by an expedition. The introduction of classical music, distinctive traditions, and renowned art pieces are what make this an excellent choice for teaching children about cultural diversity on any learning level.

WordGirl

This is another one of the best fully-animated educational cable television shows (mom approved) targeted for kids ages 4 to 11 years old. In every episode, Becky transforms into the superhero WordGirl and fights crime along with her monkey sidekick. All while introducing the viewer with four new vocabulary words that are restated in numerous different ways throughout the entire show. This entertaining vocabulary-building show can be found only on PBS Kids Go!   There are so many options available on cable televisionto keep your little ones entertained on those rainy days. Remember, television programs are not simply a way to entertain they are also a great way to inform and help children learn. But don’t forget about getting your kids outside too!

Which children’s educational program is your favorite? Tell us – in the comments below.

About the author: Vera is a freelance writer, blogger, and social media addict. She’s a stay-at-home mother raising 2 small boys and also owns a small bakery. Follow her on Twitter: @vmosley.

If even after hours of endless horseplay your kids are still bursting with energy, try to focus their attention on a different, but equally fun, activity.   Without saying a word, silently sit down and get those crayons or tubes of poster paint out on the table and paint away.  Sooner or later, your kids’ curiosity alarms will go off and they’ll slowly creep up next to you and join you in your artwork.
Turn on the TV

A good winding down activity to do with your kids would be watching TV.  A few hours of supervised TV viewing each day isn’t all that bad.  With you by their side, you could monitor the shows they watch and save Jay Leno for later in the night.  If you prefer, you could pop in a DVD instead.
Turn to food

After playing for long stretches, your kids will be so hungry they can eat a horse.  Fix them something they love to eat- whether it’s a clubhouse sandwich or cheesy pasta- and they’re sure to come running to the kitchen even before you’ve set the plate down.  Or why not make them a cool, sparkling drink like lemonade with a lemon wedge on the rim of a smoky-colored glass.

If you don’t want to strain your vocal cords when yelling at your kids to quit playing, put your creativity to good use.  As a parent, you are equipped with the knowledge of what things make your kids tick.  Tap into that, and come up with ideas to turn their attention away from play… when it’s time to stop.

Seems that the girls grew even naughtier than last year. I thought when they turn four, I will be able to give them instructions and be able to tell what is right and what is wrong but it is more than just that. Instilling discipline to the kids is not an easy task. It requires a lot of patient and understanding and mine is at the limits already LOL! I sometimes freak out.

I was already thinking of bring them to a child psychiatrist just so that I can be taught about how to deal with different things that the kids are doing and how to cope up with their moods, tantrums and a lot more. I feel like I am at my limits and I could break down one of these days. It isn’t easy being a parent. And it’s even more difficult rearing a child. The parent’s impact on the child’s physical, emotional and spiritual aspects will be very important in the future. The early stages are the most difficult as always but I am looking forward to seeing my daughters with a good paying job, a nice and warm family and a bright future. That is what parents would always dream of.

We let our daughters play with it themselves (with assistance from their aunt and their yaya of course ). We do check on them form time to time and I could say they have adopted to the way the wii was played. They almost request to play it all the time, and most of the time we can’t say “no’.  And this makes me think, am I doing things right? I remember writing a post about not having to say “Yes” to every request and now, I am having this dilemma. I haven’t seen the kids so eager at playing before and it worries me that someday I might have to regret it.

Will this Wii be really good for them?