Consequences for Kids Who Keep Losing Their Retainers!
We teach our children that there is a place for everything€"pencils, book bags, clothing, toys. Why not also teach them that there is a place for their dental retainer when it is not in their mouth? Teach them that it needs to be hooked onto a retainer clip. Let them decide whether it is better to attach the retainer clip to their belt, shirt, book bag, purse, or pocket. Having them participate in the decision-making will help them remember to use the retainer clip.
This is also a great lesson in personal responsibility. A €teaching moment,€ so to speak.
Our children need to understand that their retainer is important. It has a purpose for their own health, as well as keeping their smile in line. It also has value for their parents. If our children carelessly lose their retainer, they need to understand that it costs money to replace the retainer, and that means fewer toys and fun activities for them.
One way to impress this on your child is to make a two-column chart with a picture of the retainer and the amount it costs in the left column, and pictures of toys, video games, sports equipment, privileges, and other things that your child feels he or she cannot live without in the right column. Write prices next to each item and have the total at the bottom of the €toy€ column match that of the retainer column.
Then read this out loud and have your child repeat after you:€My retainer costs as much as all these fun things added together. It is worth the same as ____, and ____, and ____, (etc).€ Have him or her list all the items in the right column. €It costs lots of money. If I lose my retainer, I might not be able to get some of the things I want later because the money will have to pay for a new retainer instead.€
If your child does lose his retainer, follow up by going over the chart with him and having him cross off the toys one by one. Your child will grasp the value of what he has lost and probably be more careful with his retainer from then on.
Using the retainer clip is a convenient way for your child to keep track of his retainer. Plus, seeing it in plain sight, attached to his book bag or clothing, will be a constant reminder to your child of what his new responsibility is.
This is also a great lesson in personal responsibility. A €teaching moment,€ so to speak.
Our children need to understand that their retainer is important. It has a purpose for their own health, as well as keeping their smile in line. It also has value for their parents. If our children carelessly lose their retainer, they need to understand that it costs money to replace the retainer, and that means fewer toys and fun activities for them.
One way to impress this on your child is to make a two-column chart with a picture of the retainer and the amount it costs in the left column, and pictures of toys, video games, sports equipment, privileges, and other things that your child feels he or she cannot live without in the right column. Write prices next to each item and have the total at the bottom of the €toy€ column match that of the retainer column.
Then read this out loud and have your child repeat after you:€My retainer costs as much as all these fun things added together. It is worth the same as ____, and ____, and ____, (etc).€ Have him or her list all the items in the right column. €It costs lots of money. If I lose my retainer, I might not be able to get some of the things I want later because the money will have to pay for a new retainer instead.€
If your child does lose his retainer, follow up by going over the chart with him and having him cross off the toys one by one. Your child will grasp the value of what he has lost and probably be more careful with his retainer from then on.
Using the retainer clip is a convenient way for your child to keep track of his retainer. Plus, seeing it in plain sight, attached to his book bag or clothing, will be a constant reminder to your child of what his new responsibility is.
Source...