When you first bring your baby home from the hospital you sit in the back seat with them and watch over them. They normally sleep the whole way home, so you are on edge for no reason. You worry about if they are in their seat correctly, if they will cry the whole way home, different things cross your mind. For the first few weeks, or maybe even months, you sit in the back with your baby, just so you can keep an eye on them. Well, have you ever wondered if this is why when you finally move back to the front seat your baby cries the whole time they are in the car? I experienced this for about two months. My son was fine in his car seat when he was first born and even up to about three months old. But, then after four months he just cried every time we went somewhere and I was sitting in the front seat again, instead of in the back with him. He got used to seeing my face and me talking to him on car rides that when I started sitting in the front seat again he got upset. He would sometimes literally cry until (a) we got to where we were going or (b) I got in the backseat with him.
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Do you have old magazines around the house? If so, before you throw them out let your child(ren) have a little fun with them. Gather the children around the kitchen table and let them make a collage out of the old magazines. This is an easy activity and children love it because glue is involved.
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I have been tossing the idea back and forth of trying to teach my soon to be 6 month old sign language. Signs for more, bottle, please, thank you, etc., basic ones like these. While attending the University of Alabama I was fortunate enough to learn some sign language that you can use with your baby. It is a good alternative to communicate with your child when they have yet learned to talk. I don’t want to hinder his learning to talk and telling me what he wants. I think this has been a concern for some parents who have debated teaching their baby sign language. But from what I learned at the university as you teach your baby sign language you say what you are signing so they will learn to do the same. They pick up the signing faster than speaking but eventually they can put the words with the signs.
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This activity can be done inside or outside. All you need is a radio or cd player. Time wise it can last as long as your children are enjoying it.
Directions
1. Following directions helps your child master the mind and body. Walk slowly around the room/yard using music to set the pace.
2. Call out a movement such as forward, backward, sideways, little steps, giant steps, like a cat, like an elephant, etc., and respond as quickly as possible.
One extra note is to try to change up the tempo of the music and come up with some fun movements for your child to try.
Does your child attend a child care center that enforces developmentally appropriate practices? Developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) is a perspective within early childhood education where a teacher/caregiver nurtures a child’s social/emotional, physical, and cognitive development by basing all practices and decisions on (1)theories of child development, (2)individually identified strengths and weaknesses of each child uncovered through authentic assessment, and (3)the child’s cultural background as defined by his community, family history, and family structure. (Source…www.wikipedia.com)
As a parent, you may say, “I don’t know?” How do you find out, easy, ASK! Talk to the director and find out what the center’s mission and goals are for the children. Then, take it one step further and visit your child’s classroom and see if you notice a strive for those goals. By getting involved and investigating these things you are being pro-active in making sure your child is getting what they deserve, the best care/learning environment possible.
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When I was pregnant with my son I found out I was gestational diabetic when I was about 20 weeks along. At first, I was scared because most importantly I didn’t know what this meant for my baby. My doctor talked to me about my diet, as well as sending me to a class to educate me on what was healthy for me to eat and what was not. And, of course, my cravings consisted of all the things that were not healthy for me. You know when you become pregnant people say: you can eat whatever you want because you are eating for two. Well, I don’t think that’s exactly accurate. If you are diagnosed as gestational diabetic you are pretty much on a strict diet to keep your sugar under control. I learned that if not kept under control that I could have a difficult delivery and my son could be affected, not only by being larger in birth weight, but he could have sugar problems after delivery.
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With it becoming warmer outside children are wanting to play outdoors. One activity toddlers enjoy are blowing bubbles and watching them float around. So what happens when all the store bought bubbles have been blown and you have a child crying for more? Well, if you have the following you can make more bubbles for your child.
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How do you know if your baby has asthma? This is a question I am beginning to have. Asthma runs in the family so it’s a logical concern. It’s very difficult to diagnose in young children, especially babies because they can’t exactly verbally tell you what’s going on, such as tightening in the chest. As a parent you can pay attention for some others symptoms, such as breathing patterns, responses to food, or allergy triggers. The doctor can do tests, such as blood tests, allergy tests, and x-rays to gather more information, but they still give their best judgment as a diagnosis. Some times your child’s symptoms are similar to asthma but they have a viral infection of some sort. Their bronchial tubes are really small so even having a small blockage can cause symptoms similar to asthma. While doing some research I found the following:
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Even as a mom we all have our days when we are sick, feel under the weather, or are just plain worn out. Have you ever noticed on those days your baby or child doesn’t want to take a nap, or if he/she does it’s those ten and twenty minute cat naps. It seems just as you get them to sleep and lay them down and then you yourself get layed back in the recliner, or even in the bed, your child goes to crying for one reason or another. So, then you are back up and you are either a)giving them back their passy so they will go back to sleep, or b)getting them up and kissing your little window of rest goodbye. Read more …
This activity is really easy and a lot of fun. It does require tempera paint, but you can pick this up at any craft store and it’s pretty inexpensive.
Materials Needed:
paper towels
Paper: easel, butcher, construction, or manila (any paper with thickness will work)
Paint: tempera mixed to medium consistency
Bowls (to put the paint in)
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