Did you know that kids can start developing leadership qualities as early as their preschool years? The sooner children learn to use their leadership skills the more opportunities for success they will have.

Consider the follow strategies to help your children take command of their lives and grow up to be more productive and happy.

Understanding the Basic Principles of Leadership

1. Develop emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the basis for sound leadership. Kids can work on accurately identifying specific feelings in themselves and others and managing them constructively. This way they’ll solve emotional issues more easily, get along better with others and avoid destructive behavior.

2. Generate compassion. Keep the focus on caring for others. Let your children know that the purpose of becoming more influential is to have a positive impact on society. Life is full of opportunities to serve others and recognize that we’re all connected.

3. Take charge of your life. Show kids they can take an active role in making things happen. Help them to understand that they create their own outcomes rather than viewing life as something that happens to them.

Leadership Development Strategies for Younger Children

1. Delay gratification. There are valuable life lessons in learning to plan ahead and work for rewards. For example, help your kids to understand that by going to bed on time, they get a longer bedtime story.

2. Learn to read emotions in faces. It’s important to become sensitive to non-verbal cues. Play games with your own facial expressions or you can draw pictures. Discuss how someone may look if they were preparing to eat an ice cream cone versus surprised by a loud noise.

3. Choose your words carefully. Encourage kids to select words that convey their affection for others. Ask them to talk about what they like about their siblings or friends.

4. Practice teamwork. Demonstrate that it’s fun and effective to cooperate with others. Spend time washing dishes or picking up toys together. Sign up for softball or split up into teams for playing charades.

5. Mind your manners. Show kids how to act appropriately in different social situations. Praise your kids for mastering basic table manners and acting as gracious hosts when you have guests in your home.

Leadership Development Strategies for Tweens and Teens

1. Engage in conversation and public speaking. Communication skills play a big part in leadership. Use family dinners as an opportunity for an in-depth discussion of current events. Presenting a report in class is valuable training for their future careers.

2. Set goals. Kids naturally become more motivated and accomplished when they take ownership of their own goals. Present options to your kids but encourage them to choose the objectives they want to pursue.

3. Think like a critic. Support your child’s growing capacity for critical thought. They can evaluate their performance in different situations to identify areas where they want to improve. Even TV shows can be a trigger to discuss peer pressure and making ethical decisions.

4. Take on leadership tasks. Learning to motivate people and delegate tasks requires practice. Talk about taking the initiative at a summer job or internship to play a leadership role. It could be as simple as putting together a potluck family picnic.

5. Develop organizational skills. Young people can hone their management skills by overseeing complex projects. Appoint your teen to take charge of the logistics for a family vacation or college tour. They may even want to start a small business or charity.

Getting your kids off to a good start with leadership skills can create a better life for them and help them to become a positive influence on others. When children learn to manage themselves and get along with others, they’re better prepared for happiness and success.

If you’re struggling with self-care, you might learn something by watching what your kids do. Even if they refuse to eat Brussel sprouts, they know important facts about how to keep our bodies and minds in top shape.

As adults, we sometimes neglect ourselves because we’re overwhelmed by responsibilities or feel like we don’t deserve to be treated with kindness. See how children can remind you to make yourself a priority.

Having Fun:

1. Play games. Self-care offers serious benefits, but the process can be light-hearted. Turn your work into a game and plan fun activities for your leisure time.

2. Enjoy food. You’re more likely to stick to a healthy diet if you like what you’re eating. Think of food as your friend instead of something that sticks to your hips.

3. Sing and dance. Music relieves stress and makes tedious tasks more pleasant. Create a playlist for routine paperwork and household chores. Sing in the shower, so you can start each day with more energy.

4. Tell a joke. Give yourself a reason to laugh. Tell a funny story to your family or friends. Watch cartoons and cat videos. Look for humor in challenging situations.

5. Go barefoot. Do your feet ache by the end of the day? Going barefoot feels liberating and strengthens your muscles. Remove your shoes as often as possible. Treat yourself to a pedicure and foot massage.

Taking Risks:

1. Try new things. What would happen if we gave up because we fell down the first few times that we tried to walk? Give yourself credit for trying and value learning from experience.

2. Make friends. Schedule your own playdates. Invite a recently hired colleague out for lunch. Introduce yourself to another student in your barre class.

3. Speak up. Let others know what you really think. Have deep conversations with your loved ones and contribute to business meetings.

4. Be creative. Experiment with different art forms. You may rediscover your love for finger painting or move on to metal crafting. Maybe you’ll prefer writing a novel or performing stand-up comedy.

5. Express enthusiasm. Do you feel awkward about showing your appreciation? Brighten someone’s day by paying them a sincere compliment. Give yourself a round of applause for cleaning out the garage or throwing a dinner party.

Other Things Your Kids Can Teach You About Self Care:

1. Stay active. If you’re trying to push yourself to exercise, think about how children keep moving throughout the day. Working out will get easier if you make it a regular habit.

2. Say no. A toddler’s favorite word can help you to honor your limits. Set boundaries and enforce them. Let others know how you expect to be treated. Turn down projects that would interfere with pursuing your main goals.

3. Ask for help. You can accomplish more when you’re willing to accept assistance from others. Encourage teamwork at the office. Tell your family and friends what kind of support you need to manage health conditions or recover from a breakup.

4. Take breaks. Adults need recess too. Use your vacation days and pause between tasks. Allowing yourself adequate downtime reduces stress and increases your productivity.

5. Share your toys. Serving others is one of the most effective ways to enhance your happiness and wellbeing. Use your strengths and resources generously. Volunteer in your community and donate to worthy causes. Feed birds, pick up litter, and help your neighbors with yard work.

Children may lose their socks, but they usually remember to take care of themselves. Allocating some regular me time in your busy schedule will help you to feel more connected to yourself and others.

What are mornings like at your house? Maybe you’re running late and the kids are cranky. It seems like the more you nag, the slower they move. Do you feel like you’ve put in a full day’s work before you even sit down at your desk?

Imagine how different your life would be if you could stay on schedule and start the day in a happier mood.

Make mornings easier by following this simple checklist.

Steps to Take Yourself:

1. Assess sleep needs. If you and the rest of your family are tired each morning, you’re probably not getting enough sleep. Try an earlier bedtime.

2. Prepare the night before. Accomplish as much as you can the night before so you’re less rushed in the morning. Pack lunches and confirm that homework assignments are completed. Lay out your children’s clothes and shoes.

3. Set priorities. Shorten your to-do list. Focus on the essentials and be flexible about the details. Let your kids style their hair their way as long as it’s clean.

4. Stay organized. Create systems that keep things running smoothly. Post a central calendar. Put out bins where your kids can deposit backpacks and bike helmets when they come in the door.

5. Budget extra time. Plan for delays. Give yourself 15 more minutes than you need so you’ll arrive at work on time even if you have to look for a missing toy.

6. Get up first. Enjoy a few minutes of peace before the rest of the family gets up. Taking care of yourself first will make it easier to deal with anything that comes up.

7. Stay calm. Your children will follow the example you set. Take a deep breath and keep smiling.

Steps to Take with Your Children:

1. Focus on connecting. Transitions are especially challenging for children. Pay attention to their feelings so you can be encouraging and supportive. Be patient guiding them through tying shoe laces and pouring milk. Hug them and thank them for their efforts.

2. Offer choices. Being presented with options is more pleasant than taking orders. Ask your son which shirt he wants to wear. Discuss whether your daughter would rather brush her teeth or comb her hair first.

3. Share responsibility. Give each family member a chance to weigh in. Assign tasks based on their age and abilities.

4. Create incentives. Show your kids that good behavior pays off. If you manage to leave the house earlier than planned, stop for hot chocolate on the way to school.

5. Rehearse your roles. On the other hand, if your system still needs some tweaking, practice your moves at a time when you’re feeling less pressured. Schedule a drill on Saturday afternoon.

6. Eat breakfast. A nutritious breakfast gives you energy and helps you to think more clearly. If possible, sit down together to share your meal. If that doesn’t work out, prepare something you can eat in the car, like smoothies or bean burritos.

7. Turn off the TV. Minimize distractions. Keep the TV off and check phones or computers only for necessities like urgent emails or the weather report.

8. Have fun. While you’re juggling so many different responsibilities, remember to enjoy any hours you spend together as a family. Find something to laugh about or race each other to the car.

Put an end to morning madness. The way your family spends the early hours sets the tone for the rest of the day. Look for ways to simplify your morning routine and let your children know you appreciate their cooperation in getting up and out the door as smoothly as possible.

Give your kids a head start by teaching them self-motivation. While children have a natural sense of curiosity, intrinsic motivation is a capacity that can fade away unless it’s encouraged and developed. Learn how to help your children love learning and growing more than grades or privileges.

Developing Emotional Intelligence

For years, experts thought cognitive intelligence was the deciding factor in academic success and other achievement, but now greater importance is being given to emotional intelligence. Kids with an inner drive to work hard have the edge. Studies suggest students fueled by intrinsic motivation think more logically and apply their knowledge and skills more effectively.

1. Focus on character. Help your children acquire traits like patience, resilience, and persistence. Communicate your values by putting them into action.

2. Provide context. Discuss what you believe and why. When your children understand the purpose behind cleaning their room and completing their homework, they’ll be more likely to cooperate.

3. Set goals. Age-appropriate challenges give kids something to strive for. Be specific and put their objectives in writing. Celebrate their progress and keep looking ahead.

4. Boost confidence. Empower your kids with a strong sense of self-worth and optimism. Let them know that they are capable and worthy of amazing things.

5. Strengthen relationships. Feeling connected can inspire anyone to contribute to their family and community. For some kids, social activities may increase their interest in household tasks and school subjects that they used to find boring.

6. Offer choices. Show your sons and daughters that they have options. Deciding whether to spend their allowance money on comics or save up for a bicycle will introduce them to the advantages of delayed gratification.

7. Take risks. Kids who feel secure are more likely to seize promising opportunities. Praise your kids for initiative and effort regardless of the immediate outcomes. That way they’ll learn from setbacks instead of holding themselves back.

8. Stimulate curiosity. Granted, teaching self-motivation is a big job, but kids make a great audience. They’re already inquisitive and adventurous. Guide their energy in a positive direction.

More Tips

You have a powerful influence on your kids. Create a home environment that guides them towards satisfying their own expectations.

1. Start early. When you think about it, it’s impressive how determined kids are to start talking and walking. Your support can reinforce that inner fire and help them hang on when life becomes more complicated.

2. Limit rewards. Studies show that external rewards can actually dampen our enthusiasm, even for tasks we like. Save them for special situations only.

3. Find a hobby. On the other hand, devoting leisure time to enriching activities is a great teaching tool. Observe your child’s talents and interests. Suggest outings and projects that will capitalize on their strengths. Maybe they shine at racquet sports or playing the piano.

4. Share feedback. Open and ongoing communications build trust. Ask probing questions and listen closely to what your child thinks. Maybe they’re pleased with how they’re doing in school or maybe they need additional resources like tutoring so they can catch up and remain engaged.

5. Be a role model. The more self-motivated you are, the more likely you will be to pass those qualities on to your kids. Whether you’re returning to school to pick up a second degree or spending your weekends volunteering at an animal shelter, your children will pick up on your example.

Raise your children to be hungry to learn and eager to work hard. Building up their self-motivation will prepare them to accomplish more and experience greater fulfillment.

Do you have picky eaters who dread sitting down at the table for a meal? Make mealtime fun for your children and encourage them to eat healthy at the same time. You’ll instill nutritious eating habits for a lifetime of health benefits!

Try these ideas to add some fun to your healthy meals:

1. Incorporate many colors into each meal. Children are fascinated by the rainbow and are more likely to pay attention to their food if it’s colorful.

* Try a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. Yellow squashes, green beans, purple eggplants, red tomatoes and others can make your table stand out and shine.

* You can also add color with your table settings. Entertain your kids with plates or placemats showing fun scenes.

2. Use a variety of shapes. Children may enjoy having their food cut up into different shapes.

* Use cookie cutters or try your knife skills to make fun shapes out of food. From stars to circles, your kids will love them.

* You may also want to try letting your children use the cookie cutters to make shapes.

3. Create fun scenes and pictures. Have you tried to add smiling faces to pancakes or turn waffles into little homes?

* Mealtime can also be more fun if you arrange the food on the plate into a picture or scene.

* Funny faces and figures are popular among children. However, you can also make outdoor scenes with salads as the grass and orange slices as the sun. Try turning the food into cute animals from time to time.

4. Dress up the meals with condiments. Condiments can add color and spice to the meal and encourage your children to try new foods. Have plenty of ketchup, mustard, mayo, salad dressing, barbecue sauce, hot sauce, and other items handy before you sit down to eat.

* Your children may enjoy using the squeeze bottles to make fun words or shapes. The ketchup can be used to make a heart, and the salad dressing can help you create a little lake on their plate.

5. Make up appealing names. The names of certain vegetables and fruits can make picky eaters squirm. However, you can fight back by using unique names for common food items. Children respond to cute vegetable names and are attracted to them.

* For example, children respond better to broccoli being called “little green trees.”

* A study, titled “Attractive names sustain increased vegetable intake in schools,” found that changing the name of carrots to “X-ray vision carrots” encouraged more children to eat them.

6. Cut up food into small bites. Children often prefer to eat food that is in small pieces. It’s easier for them to grab, chew, and swallow.

* If your picky eaters are refusing to finish their sandwiches or burgers, consider cutting these items up into smaller pieces. Bite-sized pieces can encourage them to finish their meals.

* You may also want to try miniature food items that are more fun for children to eat.

7. Encourage children to participate. From helping you cook to setting the table, children who participate during mealtimes are more likely to finish their food.

Mealtime can be a fun experience for your children, and you can help fussy eaters enjoy it. These steps are easy to follow and adjust to your family’s needs.

One of the greatest responsibilities of a parent is to ensure your children feel loved and happy.

While every parent knows that kids don’t always listen, most parents don’t realize the kids are always watching. You can use this fact to help increase your child’s happiness by remembering that what you do is often more important than what you say.

Kids are especially sensitive to noticing when a parent chooses a person or activity over the child. As they grow and learn about the world around them, children naturally assign meaning to what they see. When you’re too busy for them, they can easily begin to feel that they’re not worthy of being one of your priorities.

Apply these ideas in your household to help your child feel secure, loved, and happy:

1. Let them know you’re genuinely excited to see them. When you see them for the first time in the morning and after school, ensure they know just how happy you are to see them. Use their name (everybody likes that) and show genuine pleasure.

* Think about how happy you would be if the person you love the most did the same for you.

2. Make sure they know that your work is less important than they are. Most kids are constantly being put off because of work or some other task. Avoid scheduling your kids around your tasks. Take care of the kids first and schedule work around them. This technique shows them how important they are.

3. Teach your kids at home. Don’t assume that everything they need to learn they are learning sufficiently outside the home. When it comes to school, just like every other profession, some teachers simply aren’t very good. Help your child with their schoolwork.

* Many of the most important things children learn have nothing to do with academics. That’s your responsibility. If you don’t do it, who else will?

* Consider all the things you wish you had known when you were a young adult heading out into the world. Those things would be a great start.

4. Model good behavior. Children assume that the appropriate way to handle a situation is the same way their parents handle it. Are you behaving like a strong, patient, persistent person? How successful and happy will your children be if they handle challenges the same way that you do? Remember, they’re always watching and copying.

5. Let the kids make a few of the rules around the house. People naturally resist and rebel when they feel like they don’t have any control. It can be something small. Perhaps they can choose which days to clean their room each week. Or they can choose what’s for dinner (from choices that you give them). Simple things like this really help.

6. Limit the amount of media / technology exposure. It’s easy to let the TV entertain the kids when you’re busy or frustrated. But most parents instinctively know that their kids watch too much TV. As kids get older, cell phones, the Internet, and iPods become an issue. Technology is hypnotic, but it doesn’t make people happy.

* Many studies have shown that people that use technology the most tend to suffer from loneliness at a greater rate than those that use it less.

Have fun with your kids. Teach them everything you think they need to know and be a good example. Ensure they feel special and loved. Simply doing your very best is a great place to start.

Giving your child a healthy start is fundamental. As a parent, you play a major role in their early development. You can help them to adopt habits that will enhance the quality of their life for years to come.

Make smart choices while your child is still an infant and reinforce them as they grow. While you’re keeping them strong and fit, you’ll also be nurturing a close and loving relationship.

Try these tips for raising a healthy kid.

Encouraging Your Child’s Physical Wellbeing:

1. Breastfeed if possible. Breast milk is easily digested and protects your baby from infections and diseases. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least the first 6 months.

2. Eat whole foods. When you introduce solid foods, steer away from processed products. Offer lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

3. Limit sugar. The American Heart Association recommends no sugar for kids under 2, and less than 6 teaspoons a day from 2 to 18. Cutting back on soda and sweets reduces the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions.

4. Exercise regularly. Excessive screen time makes kids too sedentary. CDC guidelines call for at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity each day.

5. Enforce bedtimes. Bodies and brains need more sleep when they’re still developing. That ranges from a minimum of 14 hours for newborns to 9 hours for school-aged children.

6. Wash your hands. Cleanliness protects your kids and your community from germs. Show your children how to wash hands correctly with soap and running water.

7. Brush your teeth. Cavities in baby teeth can contribute to dental issues later in life. Introduce your child to a dentist before their first birthday and teach them how to make oral hygiene part of their daily life.

8. Apply sunblock. Childhood sunburns increase the risk for skin cancer. Keep babies under 6 months in the shade and buy broad spectrum sunscreens with an SPF of 30 or higher for the rest of the family.

9. Use safety gear. Take advantage of products that protect your child from accidents and injuries. Stay up to date with car seats, bicycle helmets, and other safety aids.

10. See your pediatrician. Schedule regular wellness visits and learn about symptoms that require urgent care. Ask your pediatrician any questions you have.

Encouraging Your Child’s Mental and Social Wellbeing:

1. Listen closely. Pay attention to what your children have to say. Encourage them to talk openly about their feelings. You’ll earn their trust and make it easier for them to turn to you if they’re in trouble.

2. Praise generously. Discipline is more about education than punishment. Let your child know when you’re proud of their behavior.

3. Manage stress. Kids feel pressured too. Exercise together. Show them how to use arts and crafts to express emotions that they may be unable to put into words.

4. Play for fun. Take a break from competitive sports and academics. Join them for unstructured play. Stage a puppet show or run through the sprinklers in your backyard.

5. Spend time together. Make family time a top priority. Plan weekend outings and one-on-one activities. Share family meals at least once a day.

6. Visit your library. Help your children to develop a love for books. Stock up on reading materials at home and check the calendar at your local library for story times and other events.

Help your child to build a strong foundation for their overall health and wellbeing. Remember that you’re their primary teacher and role model. Your guidance and example increase their chances for a long and happy life.

School is important in many ways. Children not only develop academically and intellectually, but they also develop socially as they learn to deal with challenging situations. Kids that do well in all aspects of school tend to be more successful. Children that struggle often lack the same skills and opportunities later in life.

As a parent, there is a tremendous responsibility to ensure that your child is successful.

Help your child academically with these strategies:

1. Stress the importance of school and schoolwork. Require that homework be completed before other activities are permitted. Set expectations and help your child to meet them. Teach them how to study for tests. Consider giving rewards for high performance.

2. Create a good environment for studying. Today, even kindergarteners have homework. Help them complete their work by eliminating clutter and chaos.

* By providing a good place to work, you’re showing that homework and school are important.

3. Be encouraging. Children love to impress their parents. Be encouraging and show your pride. When children are obviously underperforming, get to the root cause.

4. Be involved. Know your child’s teachers. Be aware of their grades and progress in school. Ensure that your kids know that you know. Just making the effort to stay informed will make a difference.

* If your children think you don’t care, they are less likely to care themselves.

5. Get special services if you think your child requires them. School systems have professionals available to test your child if you have any concerns. Your child may be entitled to extra assistance. You’re paying taxes for a reason. Take full advantage of the available resources in your school district.

Help your child socially in these ways:

1. Help them with their social skills. The ability to relate and successfully deal with others is perhaps the most important of all life skills. Give them advice and support along the way.

* Many smaller children don’t have the slightest idea how to approach someone new and start a conversation. Teach your child how to make friends.

2. Be understanding. Teenagers are stressed and very concerned with their reputation amongst their peers. Of course, it seems silly to you now. But was it silly to you back in the day? Keep that in mind.

3. Allow them to pick out their clothes. Children of all ages can be concerned with their appearance. Take them shopping. Then, let them choose what they want to wear each day (within reason).

* You might be unaware of how a cool 14-year old dresses these days. If they’re not dressed appropriately, you can bet they’ll hear about it at school.

Use these techniques to help your child with extracurricular activities:

1. Encourage participation. Clubs, sports, plays, and music are all great ways to pad the transcript while getting involved in safe, supervised activities. We all are unaware of our hidden strengths and talents without a little exploration. Encourage your children to discover themselves.

2. Volunteer. Depending on your child’s age, they’ll either love or hate the idea of you volunteering at their school. There are many opportunities to volunteer for classroom activities, field trips, dances, and other activities.

* Ask the school about volunteer opportunities for parents.

Helping your child excel in all aspects of an academic setting is an important part of being a parent. Success in school is helpful later in life. Good academic performance provides a great range of options in the future. Social success ensures that your child is able to make friends and work with others successfully.

Success tends to breed success. Make the effort to support your child’s schooling. Let them know that it’s important and you care. This is one way to have a huge impact on the quality of their lives now and forever.

As children mature, they’ll experience all kinds of emotions. Like all humans, they’ll also have reactions to those feelings. Because of their natural responses, they’ll find it helpful to learn to manage their emotions as early in life as possible. You can do a lot to help them with this!

These tips can help you teach your kids about their emotions:

1. Be open and honest about your feelings in your kids’ presence. It’s important for your children to see you as a healthy, active adult who appropriately expresses their feelings.

* How you manage your own feelings provides your young child’s first lesson in how to express his feelings.

* Modeling is one of the most powerful forms of teaching behaviors to children.

2. Show respect. Verbally express your feelings in ways that are helpful and that show respect for others. When you and your spouse appropriately talk about your emotions and share them with each other, kids learn how to do it just by observing.

* Use “I” statements followed by “feeling” words when you share your emotions in front of your children.

* For example, “I feel really annoyed when you play with your friends on the way home from school and get here 30 minutes late.”

3. Be mindful of your tone of voice. If you use appropriate tones of voice when expressing feelings, your kids will learn to use them as well. For example, instead of raising your voice when you’re upset, make an effort to keep your voice calm.

4. Identify your young children’s emotions with them. For very young children, two or three years old, it’s beneficial to label and clarify the children’s feelings in their presence. Especially at six years and under, children usually have little understanding of how their emotions function.

* For example, if a three-year-old gets angry and stamps his feet because he wants candy, get down to his eye level and say something like, “You’re angry at mommy right now because you can’t have candy.”

* Use names of feelings, like angry, mad, sad, happy, pleased, frustrated, and others. You convey a great deal of emotional learning when you teach a child about feelings by using the names of emotions.

* Sometimes, you may find it helpful to tell a youngster, “It’s okay if you’re mad.” Giving the child permission to feel and express his feelings can be very validating for them, even if they don’t respond that way at the time.

* On the other hand, if a young child gets frustrated or angry and throws a toy that could hurt someone, it’s advisable to state, “No, don’t throw your toys. It’s not okay to throw your toys.” Separate the actions from their emotions and from them as people.

* Remember, it’s futile for adults to get frustrated or angry with young children who have a lot to learn about their emotions. Your patience will show them, by modeling, how to keep their cool, even in a frustrating situation.

5. Reward them. When your child manages their feelings appropriately, providing immediate positive reinforcement makes a big difference in how a child learns to express emotions. Emotional management will often manifest in appropriate behavior.

* Smile and say something like, “Billy, I like the way you sat so still in the grocery cart. You did a great job!”

* When offering positive comments, state your child’s name and obtain eye contact with him. This will help reinforce the positive behavior.

As a parent, one of the most important lessons you’ll ever teach your children is how to identify and appropriately express their feelings. Apply the tips above to help ensure that your children grow into mature, healthy adults.