Today’s Parenting Tip:DECIDE: Your child needs to learn to DO things. PRACTICE: Today, ask your child if there is something he wishes he could do. Make sure he understands that you are asking about something he can do as a real person at his real age – not as an imaginary person with super powers. If he comes up with something appropriate for his age, plan to begin teaching him that skill. Break the skill down into parts and teach one part at a time. For example, tying shoes means putting the shoes on the correct feet, pulling the laces tight, and tying a bow. For a young child, have him do just one part for a few days. When it is done well most days, move to the next part. When he does a part many times in a row, celebrate that part. Today’s Parenting Tip was inspired by our featured picture book, THE THINGS I CAN DO. Read the book to a child in your life each day as a reminder of what you are deciding and practicing that day. Come back each day for another good parenting decision and how to practice it. (Each day’s activity will also be posted on the Daily Parenting Tips page for easy access.) Read the whole story at Kids Need to DO Things, Part 1.