Welcome to the Being Present web site!
On this page you will find links to documents and other web sites that will help you be present with the children in your care as well as provide you with information about talking with parents about being present with their children.
Being present with children means paying attention to the moment and trying to not be distracted by worries of the day or your mobile devices. Additionally, because the weight of the day and your mobile device can be distracting, remember to be patient with yourself as you move through the day and work and play with your children. When your mind wanders away from the little ones, acknowledge the wandering and bring it back!
Helpful resources!
- What is mindfulness and mindful parenting? [article coming soon]
- “Technoference” when using technology (mobile devices) gets in the way of caring for children, behavior problems can occur. Article from research in the United Kingdom.
- What is emotional coaching?
- Exercise to get off your phone.
- Video: Children in Hamburg, Germany hold protest to get parents off of their cell phones.
- We know that reading together is a great way to connect with children.
- Here is a list of books that fit the being present theme: Sharing Books book list.
- Children’s book author and educator, Mem Fox, provides parents with tips for reading with their children.
- Reading tips from Reach Out and Read, a national program of pediatricians promoting reading to children.
- The web site, Zero to Three, offers information about early literacy including a short video on the loss of development for children who do not have early literacy engagement in their young lives.
- Here is a flyer to share with caregivers on being present with their children.
- Taking time for being present with your child
- La importancia de tomar el tiempo para estar presente con sus hijos
- Siv Sij Hawm Los Nrog Koj Tus Me Nyuam Nyob [coming soon]
- Hmong audio recording [coming soon]
- Links to organizations that address mindfulness
- Center for Healthy Minds: The Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin – Madison focuses on advancing breakthrough research, developing tools aimed at cultivating well-being and telling the story that well-being can be learned
- Greater Good: Through articles, videos, quizzes, and podcasts, Greater Good from the University of California, Berkeley bridges the gap between scientific journals and people’s daily lives, particularly for parents, educators, business leaders, and health care professionals.
- Mindful: Offers personal stories, news-you-can-use, practical advice, and insights that speak to anyone – from novice mediators looking for guidance to corporate managers exploring new ways to cultivate workplace engagement and fulfillment. Learn from leaders in the field about effective techniques for mindful living, and the science that points to their benefits.
- Community of Mindful Parenting: The Community of Mindful Parenting aspires to empower parents to become more effective, mindful, and compassionate. Serving expectant moms, parents, grandparents, extended families and friends with the goal to nurture powerful relationships between adults and children.
Funding for the Being Present project was provided in part by the Ira and Ineva Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment.
Content for this page was created by Allison G. Kaplan, Ed.D., Faculty Associate, Information School with contributions by Roxanne Etta, Doctoral Candidate, Human Development and Family Studies, School of Human Ecology, and Emmi Lohrentz, Associate Instructional Specialist, Child Development Lab, all at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and from Libby Bestul, outreach consultant. Acknowledgement is also given to Dr. Larissa Duncan, Elizabeth C. Davies Chair in Child & Family Well-Being and Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies in the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, for her advising on mindful parenting. Graphics design by Michael E. Moriarty, Graphic Designer – Covering Wisconsin, Graphic Designer – School of Human Ecology. Translations by the office of UW Cooperative Extension, Dominic J. Ledesma, Language Access Coordinator & Bilingual Editor, University of Wisconsin – Madison.
Permission is granted to use Flyers and Sharing Books book list in whole for non-commercial use. All other components of this web site require permission for use from original creators. Graphics on this site may not be used without permission. Contact Allison G. Kaplan with questions about use of information on this site. Copyright © 2018 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System.