Raising Children With a Global Appreciation
Families today tell many different stories. Each is comprised of different cultures, ancestry and heritage and because of this, many parents today want their children to celebrate their heritage and to grow up with a natural appreciation for different cultures. But for an infant or toddler, how does a parent open the door to understanding how groups of people who are different, are also very much alike in many very important ways?
According to Dr. Karen Hill Scott, renowned child dev... Read more...
Top tips to help your child read at any age
A child's natural "learning window" is between the ages of birth and 4 to 5 years, research has shown. But the typical American school doesn't start teaching children to read until kindergarten. For parents, it may seem challenging to compete with television and video games, but helping your child learn to read is not only rewarding, but can prepare them for educational success.
Reading can be easier for kids to pick up and a more enjoyable activity when parents start early, as early as the day t... Read more...
Keeping Your Child Safe in the Sun
Sunny days are great and with a little precaution you can be sure everyone stays safe from the sun’s dangerous rays. You can protect your entire family and develop safe habits that can last a lifetime - just by learning more about sun safety.
The sun is the major cause of skin cancer which is the most common form of cancer. There will be a million more cases this year. Most of our sun exposure happens before the age of 18. Research has shown that 2 or more blistering sunburns as a child or teen i...
Read more...Healthy Toddler Teeth
Did you ever think something as simple as brushing teeth could ever be so challenging? It is when you’re trying to brush a willful toddler’s teeth! There has to be some way to make this easier! There is!
Here’s how to make brushing fun and easy:
1. Start early
– From the time the first tooth erupts, clean it! Use a wash rag at bath time, or the "finger brush". Even start before the teeth erupt, just to wipe the milk out. Also, massaging the gums feels good to teething babies.
2. Teach by example –
A...
Are We There Yet? Surviving Car Trips with Little Ones
Heading out on the open road on your next vacation? A cranky toddler trapped in a car seat for 6 ours can make for a very unpleasant trip! So how do you keep an active 2 year old occupied and preserve your sanity?
Planning is crucial! Pull out the map and use the web to research potential rest stops such as historic parks, visitor’s centers or even a list of your favorite fast food joints along the route. Plan 10 to 15 minute rest stops every 2-3 hours. Make a list of interactive games and activi...
Read more...10 Strategies for Behavior Intervention
1. If you choose to use “time-out” make it brief. A two year old has a very short memory and will quickly forget the reason they received a “time-out” in the first place; this can escalate into a power struggle.
2. Remember that the “time-out’s” most useful purpose is to remove the child from a troubled situation, not to instruct the child. With this in mind, a “time-out” can be any place. It does not have to be in a corner or a chair; again you can avoid a power struggle.
3. “Time-out” should not...
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