Poison Prevention


By Meghan

Blog 5 Extra



The most common childhood injury is poisoning.


Every 8 seconds someone calls a poison center.

"A poison exposure occurs when a person swallows, breathes, touches, or gets splashed in the eye with something that can cause sickness or death. Poisoning is a matter of dosage - too much of almost anything can be dangerous."


Each year during March, health agencies nationwide promote information about the risks of poisoning. Many of the precautions seem like a repetition of things we already know and do. When our children started to walk and explore their environment we probably did the basic things to child proof the house. Still this may not be adequate. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers "in 2007 approximately 1.3 million children under the age of 5 were poisoned." That is almost have the number of poisonings nationwide!  More needs to be done to prevent poisoning in young children. Over time it is easy to grow lacks or overlook situations that in seconds could become extremely dangerous.

Keeping in mind how a toddler or young child might respond to some normal household circumstances, I decided to reexamine some common items that could present opportunities for a young child to be poisoned, and may not have been considered by many parents as much as more familiar poisons.

PLANT DANGERS

Indoor and outdoor plants add to the beauty of our homes and yards. They are selected for many reasons – color, height, to attract butterflies or animals, but few people stop to think if they are safe to be around children. Some parts of many common house and garden plants are poisonous and harmful to humans. I was surprised to learn that certain parts of a plant can be poisonous while other parts are not. Rhubarb stocks are edible, but the leaves are poisonous. When considering plants for your home, check them out first. Label the plants with their names, and keep them out of reach of those little hands. Remember that invisible pesticides and fertilizers may also present risks. The following is an example of the type of informaion available on the website.   

                                                

COMMON NAME: Amaryllis
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Amaryllis belladonna, vittata
TOXIC PARTS: Bulb
The amaryllis is a beautiful flower, but the bulbs are poisonous if ingested. Large quantities of the bulb (although less for a small child) would have to be eaten before symptoms of diarrhea, nausea and/or vomiting would occur.

SUBSTANCE DANGERS 

Purses and brief cases are extremely inviting and interesting to young children. These are usually left around without much concern about the common harmful substances that may be in them. Think about it! Pills that look like candy in easy to open containers, nicotine or aspirin that looks like gum, perfume or cosmetics in bright fruity colors, maybe a tube of diaper or acne cream that looks like fun might be inside. All are real dangers for a child. Even a pack of cigarettes could be harmful to your child. The only thing more interesting than Mommy’s purse is one that belongs to Grandma, and she may be more likely to have dangerous medications. Such substances are some of the most common hazards to children. Find a safe place to keep your purse or brief case, and suggest that any visitors do the same.

CHEMICAL DANGERS

Batteries, especially the small round disks, are very dangerous to Mr. Yuk™small children. If swallowed, they cause a chemical reaction in the body. Immediate help is necessary if a battery is swallowed or pushed up a tiny nose. Cleaning proTducts can look like interesting drinks to a child. Chemicals in the garage should be store in a secure cabinet. Never put a dangerous chemical in an unmarked container. Keep them in their original packaging. One of the best deterrents to an accident involving a child is to mark any type of poison with Mr. Yuk stickers.

"To promote poison prevention and the poison center, the iconic symbol  was created by the Pittsburgh Poison Center and was the first recognized poison prevention/poison center awareness symbol in the U.S. Since then, Mr. Yuk has been used to educate children and adults in the U.S. and internationally about poison prevention and to promote poison center awareness.

Mr. Yuk has raised awareness that poison centers are available 24 hours-a-day, every day of the year to assist in the management of poisoning emergencies and to provide poison information. Every Mr. Yuk sticker contains the name of the nearest poison center and the national toll-free “Poison Help” telephone number: 1-800-222-1222. Regardless of your location in the U.S. or its territories, dialing that number will direct your call to the nearest regional poison center."

Follow the Mr. Yuk link to see the promotion, and get the address to receive a free sheet of Mr. Yuk stickers.

LEAD DANGERS

Most families feel that their children are safe from
Lead poisoning, but this might not be true if you live in a house build before 1980! Although the law prohibits lead in toys for toddlers it is still found from time to time. Carefully check “hand –me-down” toys or toys without packaging. Never allow a young child to put jewelry in her mouth. Children’s jewelry frequently has lead or other dangerous metals in it.

CARBON MONOXIDE DANGERS

Most homes have smoke alarms , but not as many have carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide poisoning causes http://www.the-baby-safety-site.com/carbon-monoxide-poisoning-symptoms.html

flu like symptoms which are much more dangerous to infants and small children than adults. It can also cause lasting effects. Consider getting carbon monoxide detectors for your home, and learn the symptoms and causes of this deadly danger.

Planning for every danger may seem impossible. One of the best way to prevent accidents is to talk to your children. Here are some tips for toddlers and young children.

Tips for Kids


• If you don’t know what something is don’t put it in your mouth. Always ask a trusted grown-up first.

• Never take medicine unless an adult gives it to you.

• Some plants and berries are poisonous. Always ask a grown-up before you put them in your mouth.

• Always let grown-ups use spray cans and bottles. Do not touch them!

• Stay away from things used to clean the house, clothes or car.

Dinner More than Food

The statistics are clear: Kids who dine with the folks are healthier, happier and better students, which is why a dying tradition is coming back. MICHAEL ELINS FOR TIME

Blog 4

By Meghan Scaringi


Even when I was a child having dinner as a family was not the normal thing. My brothers and I had different after school schedules – swimming, dance and music lessons. Sundays were different. On Sundays we had dinner at my Grandmother’s house. Anything we planned on Sunday had to happen before or after dinner. Everyone attend. No excuses. There were times when it seemed like this was terrible, but looking back I see that this was a very special and valuable time – the type of experience I would like my daughter to have.

My daughter is at the stage where she insists on feeding herself. Sometimes this is messing and time consuming. Eating chickpeas with a spoon can take a while. The extra mess makes me wish I could wrap the kitchen in plastic wrap before she eats. She is determined to use her own fork and spoon, and I need to let her try until she learns. Sitting at the table as a family seems to be the place to begin. My daughter wants to do what she sees, and I would like her to have a good example.

Recently, I heard a NPR broadcast of the California Club interview with Laurie David, one of the authors of The Family Dinner:  A Great Way to Connect with  your Kids One Meal at a Time by Laurie David with recipes by Kirstin Uhrenholdt. Basically, this is a cookbook of 75 recipes, conversation starters, tips on teaching green values, and games to play at the table. This seemed like an idea I would like to try, especially where there seems to be so much to gain.

Table manners are not the only thing that can be learned by taking part in family dinner.

• Language Arts –expand vocabulary, storytelling, conversation, listening

• Interpersonal Skills – consideration, respect for others tastes and opinions, cooperation, express thoughts and feelings

• Healthy Eating – balanced meals, portion control, new foods, cooking

• Green Values – use of food, elimination of waste, recycling.

Besides all of this family dinner can build self-esteem, be relaxing and fun!

The list can go on and on. The dinner table is the center for the teaching and practicing not just of table manners but of conversation, consideration, tolerance, family feeling and just about all the other accomplishments of polite society except the minuet. Judith Martin (Miss Manners) writer and etiquette authority

Family dinner with everyone seated at a beautifully set table, eating nutritious food, using proper table manners, while enjoying wonderful conversation sounds very much like a fairy tale from an enchanted life! Still, the advantages are there, and some families are doing it today. There are strategies, as suggested in Laurie David’s book, to create the family dinner that may not happen naturally.

1. Everyone must be present. No excuses. Everyone in the family eats together.

2. No electronic devices. The means television, cellphone, games for children and adults.

3. Involve the children in the preparations. If the children help cook, they are more likely to taste a food. Select simple recipes since adults are role models they should also try to eat verities of food. This is also a chance to use good portion control. With the rise of childhood obesity this is something to consider.

4. Set a pleasant and fun table. China and silver may be unrealistic, but setting the table with proper knife, fork and spoon is a good place to start. A decoration can make it more festive.

5. Don’t make this a time to teach manners. This can only become an unpleasant ordeal. Make some positive suggestions, and let the skills develop over time.

6. Create a positive atmosphere with music. No lyrics, just music as background. This can be an opportunity to sample the taste of other family members.

7. Planning conversation starters until things are more natural is a good idea. Don’t put anyone on the spot!    This should not turn into an inquisition. Share positive accomplishments and achievements.

8. Go green, clean-up

9. Fun Games

Family dinner is a way to de-stress and –if managed correctly- a time to have fun. By that I mean don’t use it as a period of  iinquisition or a recounting of shortcomings. Keep it light, keep it fun, and make it the highlight of the day. Peggy Drexler, PhD, assistant professor of psychology Weill Cornell Medical College.

Family’s that are interested in trying to reinvent the family dinner are able to find ideas and suggestions from the Family Dinner Project.

This sites offers many resources for getting started – checklists, recipes, conversation starters. It is possible to start very simply and build into something special. There is so much to gain from a family dinner; that any effort is worth it.

Professional advice about tantrums

As a mother, a student, and an employee, my life often gets crazy and hectic. After doing this interview and writing this blog, I am afraid to say, for fear of sounding like a bad parent,that I have lost track of what really matters as a mom. I love my children with all of my heart and make sure that they know it, but I have unrealizingly forgot that my actions now, shape my childrens’ lives. How I teach them and react to situations is the example that they will follow. Thinking back, I can recall shopping for my daughter’s birthday party, and they didn’t have the banner I wanted. I stomped my foot and grunted, my husband turned to me that moment and said “I see where Madi gets her temper from.” I guess it was one of those things that never really clicks until it is pointed out. I hope that this interview helps you, as much as it has helped me and opened my eyes to what really matters.



1. What, in your professional opinion, is the cause of tantrums?
"Tantrums are basically a tool used by children to get what they want. In most cases it could be described as a learned behavior that has gotten the results they wanted in the past, so why not try it again? The candy bar at the checkout, getting to leave a place that is uncomfortable or not preferred are possible examples.
There are also children however who lack the resources to control their emotions. Children with autism or developmental issues have a difficult time with changes in routine or unpleasant sensations. The approach with those kids requires a treatment/learning type of intervention that gives the parent the ability to provide the security a child might need to avoid a tantrum."


2. Children tend to act out more in public, what is an acceptable “punishment” for children? At home and in public?
"The work in dealing with inappropriate behavior, including tantrums must take place from the very beginning of child’s life. Parents must understand that they are the first models for positive behavior; it’s tough to tell a child to be under control when the parents lack discipline themselves. Kids will watch and repeat your behavior, so let’s strive to show them a better way to behave.
In training a child to become a good citizen a parent needs to be consistent in what the rules are. Besides what the parent displays, do you correct clearly or explain the behavior that you would prefer? You should try to apply consequences for behavior as quickly and fairly as possible to reinforce what you are trying to teach them. Catch them being good and tell them as fast as you would punish bad behavior.
With that being said, what do you do when your child is spread eagle on the floor in a grocery store screaming because they want something? First, try and acknowledge the situation, without ranting yourself, remain calm and remind them of potential consequences for the behavior and what you expect them to do. Do this with firmness. Don’t get yourself out of control. Secondly, if they don’t respond the way you want, you’ve confronted them firmly, tried to ignore the behavior, then be willing to leave the store with your child. You’ll be embarrassed but most people would completely understand and sympathize with your situation. I have done this. I have taken the child to the car and dealt with them outside of the public. I’ve left the cart with an attendant in the store to keep until or if I return. Again, give your clear explanation of the behavior, even expressing disappointment (it’s ok to make them feel badly for hurting you). Make the car a place for a ‘time out’ and remind them of other consequences if they continue to misbehave.
If they settle, return to the store, if they can’t demonstrate that they won’t act up again, leave and live to fight another day. The key is to either get the child settled or remove them from the situation quickly because it is tough to have this unfold for an extended period in public, you need to be firm and feel as confident as possible."


"One last note, DO NOT use a bribe to get the child to behave. They need to learn that proper behavior is expected and not to be subject to bargaining. When you give in, you only give the child another experience that tells them tantrums work!"


3. How can a parent prevent this unacceptable behavior?
"As I said before the real work needs to be done beforehand. Your prevention is in the willingness to teach and train your children as often as possible. Let them know the rules and reward when they do well as you would if they misbehave.
I recall a ‘look’ that my mother could give me to show me that I was getting into trouble. That look was both a warning and a punishment together and it could stop me in my tracks across a room. My spine is melting right now remembering that glare!"


4. They call this stage of a child’s life “terrible two’s”, but as most parents find out this stage lasts longer then 2 How can we shorten this length of time?
"Again, be willing to put the time in throughout your child’s life. The 2’s set the standard for things to follow but it doesn’t end there. It’s about demonstrating your love for the child in that you are willing to take the time to focus on them, engage, teach and encourage them to get the best out of life. Parent out of love, parent to teach goodness and give your child the best of what you have to offer.
But remember, mistakes will probably be made, don’t get overwhelmed. Kids and parents are resilient. If you have made a mistake, be willing to apologize, even to your kids. You don’t lose face but in fact, you demonstrate another example of how people should be with others and how you are willing to learn, just like they should be."

I hope you enjoyed the interview!


Check out my next blog on April 8th,where I will cover sibling rivalry .


Special thanks to:

John Dittmar, who has his masters in education, is a licensed therapist, and is a PhD Candidate.

Alisha O.

TEENAGERS AND PEER PRESSURE

By:  Tina  

“Do your homework.”  “Clean your room.”  “Take out the garbage.”  Sound familiar?  These parental urgings echo in most teenager's ears and many times, receive little if any response.  Now suppose your teenager’s friends are encouraging him or her by saying “Come on, take a drink.”  “Let’s skip school today.”  “Let’s have some fun and paint graffiti on the high school.”  I wonder how your teenager would react.

What exactly is peer pressure?  When a teenager’s friends influence their thoughts and behavior, that is peer pressure.  This influence can be verbal, nonverbal, and even unconscious.  This pressure can negatively or positively impact your teen’s behavior.  Peer pressure is a powerful influence, one that all parents need to understand. 

Why is peer pressure so powerful?  Research suggests that a teenager’s task is to make a break from their parent’s influence and identify with the value of their peers.  Let’s face it, teenagers spend many more waking hours with their peers as opposed to family members.  Friends seem to become the utmost important thing in a teenager’s life and fitting into that group of friends is a crucial task.  Teenagers seem to “try on” different thoughts, ideas and lifestyles that their friends can offer.  They try to break away from the values and standards that parents have instilled in them in an effort to discover themselves.

The fact is that an adolescent brain is a work in progress.  It constantly seeks new experiences but it does not have the ability to say, “This could be harmful to my health.”  Additionally, the teen brain seems to have a higher need for new, exciting and intense stimulation.  However, new, exciting and intense experiences may translate into “risky” behavior.  Because a teenager’s brain is seeking this new stimulation and can not always put the brakes on a bad idea, a friend’s suggestion to partake in a risky behavior is tempting regardless of the consequences. 

What can teenagers do to get a handle on all of this pressure?  Here are a few suggestions from teenhelp.com.  You can read the entire article at: http://www.teenhelp.com/teen-issues/peer-pressure.html

• Decide what your values and standards are before you get into a situation.
• Choose good friends who share your values.
• Avoid situations where people are doing things you do not want to do.
• Think about your reasons and the consequences of your decisions and actions.
• Practice ways to say no.
• Talk to your parents or a trusted adult about the kinds of peer pressure you face and listen to their  advice.
• With you parents or another trusted adult, come up with a code word you can use to let the adult know that you need help getting out of a bad situation but can’t talk about it.                         

What can parents do to deal with peer pressure?  Here are a few suggestions:

• Remember that you are one of the biggest influences on your teen.
• Remember that it may seem like your teen is not listening to you, but they truly are listening.
• When parents stay involved in their teen’s lives, the teen tends to make better choices for themselves.
• Stay interested and involved in what your teen is doing and be aware of what he or she is up to.
• Be consistent with your message about expectations.  If you expect that your teen will not drink, smoke, do drugs or have sex, chances are he or she will be less likely to do so.  It really is as simple as that.

Source:

Herman, Judith W. “The Teen Brain as a Work in Progress: Implications for Pediatric Nurses.” Pediatric Nursing. 2005 31(2): 144-148.

Dinner Bell!!!!!

By:  Christina C

There are some days that I spend all day thinking, “What am I going to make for dinner tonight?” The easiest choice is to make a phone call and order pizza or go to the nearest restaurant. These two choices are not only the more expensive choice but also sometimes not the most nutritious. Dinnertime in our house is the family meal; this is the time that we sit down together. We share about our day, what our plans are for the next day and enjoy each other’s company. My family is always on the go, setting aside time to sit down and talk is hard in hectic schedules. I want the food to not only be delicious but nutritious. Nutrition is something I strive for with every meal but dinner is a special meal. I believe that breakfast is the most important to start your day off right and dinner is important to complete your day.

Dinner is defined in the dictionary as the chief meal of the day, eaten in the evening or at midday. It is said that most toddlers received 85% of their needed nutrition through out the day therefore they are less likely to eat a full meal at dinnertime. It is hard to decide what to make for dinner that you know your toddler will eat as well.

Making a meal for the adults and a meal for your toddler can be nerve-racking. If you know what you have eating for dinner your toddler will not eat, try mixing up something that they just may try. An example would be, cutting chicken off of your baked chicken and serving to your toddler as nuggets. If you are having hamburgers, mash the ground meat and mix with noodles and a small amount of beef broth for flavor.

Some toddlers just will not eat their meals. Jessica Seinfeld has written a book called “Deceptively Delicious” is about how to get your child to eat nutritiously without the battle at dinnertime. She describes how to “hide” vegetables into their favorite meal so they still get the nutrition from vegetables but without the stress of fighting over it. There is also another book that does not go down the hiding route but is a lot of easy nutritious meals that the whole family can eat. It is called “The Big Book of Recipes for Babies, Toddlers & Children: 365 Quick, Easy, and Healthy Dishes” by Bridget Wardley. This book I personally have just purchased and so far have no complaints.

A typical dinner in our house normally consists of a protein, a vegetable and a grain. The food pyramid for toddlers suggests that a toddler should consume three ounces of grain, one cup of vegetable and two ounces of a protein. By following this it will occasionally make my choosing what is for dinner job easier. Some days my toddler will eat the vegetables and not the protein and some days it is the opposite. Now if only I could get my toddler sit still long enough at the dinner table to enjoy her meal. That is a discussion for another day!

Work Cited:

1. "Dinner." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language,
     Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. Answers.com 19 Mar.  2011.     http://www.answers.com/topic/dinner

. Seinfeld, Jessica. Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your
    Kids Eating Good Food. Collins; 1st edition 5, October 2007

3. Wardley, Bridget. The Big Book of Recipes for Babies, Toddlers & Children:
    365 Quick, Easy, and Healthy Dishes. Duncan Baird. 28, July 2006

4. Wholesome Toddler Foods
     http://www.wholesometoddlerfood.com/toddlerdinners.htm
     Cited: March 30, 2009 Retrieved: March 19, 2011

5. Wholesome Toddler Foods
     http://www.wholesometoddlerfood.com/pyramid.htm
     Cited: March 30, 2009 Retrieved: March 19, 2011

Children and Values

Like most parents I want my children to grow-up to be good people. They don’t grow-up to be nice just because we want them to, they have to be taught. It is easier to teach good values to children at a young age. I feel it is the parent’s responsibility to instill these in their children. I think that teachers and other family members also play a role in teaching them as well. Children learn and observe a lot from their environment and we have to teach them what is right and wrong. Here are a few values I feel should be taught to every child.


Honesty
When children are young they always speak the truth and don’t know you can hide the truth. As they get older they are influenced by peers, adults and fears. It is very important for parents to make the child understand that speaking the truth is always better and that’s how you build trust.


Love
Children need to be taught to give love that is unconditional. Learning to forgive and forget and love someone despite their faults will help them to be a much happier adult.


Manners
Good manners are important to have. Children need to be polite by saying “Please” and “Thank you” and apologizing when they do something wrong.


Respect
Children learn to respect parents, teachers, rules and laws. It’s important that children learn that everyone has their own opinion and their own likes and dislikes.


Responsibility
Children can be taught to have responsibility by giving them chores to be done on a daily basis and also taking responsibility for their actions. This teaches a child to value things that are done for them and to be held accountable for their behavior.

Sharing
Children need to be around other children so that they learn to be caring and share. Learning to share helps children mature and may eliminate selfishness even when they are an only child. I feel these are some of the most important values a child can be taught.


These values help shape them into a good, kind person. Most children learn best by watching and imitating others and if the parents set a good example for their child then these values will be easier for the child to learn. As I always tell my children, it’s important to treat others the way you would like to be treated.


For more information on teaching values visit: www.parents.com/kids/responsibility/values/



Melissa K

TEXTING AND TEENAGERS

TEXTING AND TEENS               

By: Tina

No matter what generation you come from teens seem to be constantly on the phone.  However, teens of today are doing much more texting than talking.  According to a study conducted by Pew Internet and American Life Project, one-third of teens in the United States text more than 100 times per day.  Text messaging is by far the most common way that teens between the ages of 12 and 17 communicate with each other.  On average, girls send about 60% more text messages per day than boys.  Cell phone texting has become the preferred channel of basic communication between teens and their friends, with cell calling coming in at a close second.  Among all teens, the frequency or use of texting has now overtaken the frequency of every other common form of interaction with their friends.  

Texting has become a centerpiece in teen social life.  Not only do teens use cell phones for calling or texting, but also to access the internet and to take and share photos and videos.  Parents and teachers have grown increasingly concerned about the role of cell phones in the lives of teens and young adults.  So why do parents permit their teenagers to have cell phones?  Most parents say the use of cell phones will allow them to stay in touch with their teen no matter where they are.  That may be true but parents also need to consider and exercise some control over the use of those phones.  I recently conducted a survey of 50 family members, friends, and co-workers asking them three basic questions about parental control over their teen’s cell phone.  Take a look at the graph below for the results. 

I was very pleased to learn that almost half of the people surveyed said that they check the contents of their teen’s cell phone regularly.  It is a good habit for parents to be aware of who your teenager is communicating with and what they are talking about.  As mentioned earlier, teens also use cell phones to send pictures and videos to each other creating another concern for parents called sexting.  I was shocked to learn that this is the newest “crave” among teens.  Sexting is sending sexually nude, or nearly nude, images or videos of yourself to someone else via text messaging.  A new survey from the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project found that 4% of teens admitted that they have sent sexually suggestive text messages, and 15% of teens admitted to receiving such messages. 

Could all of this texting be harmful to your teen’s health?  According to WebMD Health News, teens that are considered “hyper-texters”, defined as texting 120 or more messages in a school day, run a greater risk of trying cigarettes, engaging in underage drinking and fighting, and experimenting with illegal drugs and sex.  Research also reveals that too much texting and social networking are also linked to obesity, eating disorders, school absenteeism, lack of adequate sleep, and feelings of being unsafe at school.  These are actual facts from a recent study conducted by researchers at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine 

http://case.edu/think/breakingnews/hypertexting.html.  It is apparent that if left unsupervised, texting can have dangerous health effects on teenagers. 

Please allow this information to serve as a wake-up call for all parents to not only help their teenagers stay safe, but also to discourage excessive use of cell phones and texting in general.

It was suppose to be a normal day

By: Christina C

It started off as a normal day. The baby and I had a wonderful day of playing and enjoying the end of winter sunshine. I dropped Ann off at her day care center and continued on to work. The day continued with normal laughing, playing, enjoying our patients that came in for their appointments and then the phone rang. A coworker told me that there was a family emergency on line one. On the other line was my mother in law, Ann had a seizure. She had one before due to a high fever and it happened again. I met the ambulance and rode with them to transport Ann to Children’s Hospital. Many tests were run and it had been determined Ann had another febrile seizure. Her being infected with the flu was the cause of the fever. Her father and I were told to take her home, monitor her diapers, give her plenty of fluids and feed her the BRAT diet.

I have not had to pay so much attention to my daughter’s diapers since her first week of life. We were told that dehydration is one of the biggest concerns of the flu. If she did not have a wet diaper every 6 hours or was refusing to drink she had to come back to the hospital to have intravenous fluids given again. Any one who has ever had to help hold down their child so that someone can place an ivcath into their screaming, crying child knows that this was a threat not a promise. Ann had cups all through out the house full of fluid. My husband and I offered her many different things to drink; chicken broth, Pedialyte and diluted apple juice in all different cup sizes and shapes. We went to the grocery store a few times in one day to either purchase Popsicles or more Pedialyte. There also seemed to be a chicken noodle soup contest between her grandmothers to see which soup Ann would choose. The winner was actually the great grandmother, where at one point Ann was asking for more of her soup. We found out that Ann loves Popsicles until she can see the stick then she asks for a new one.

The BRAT diet was a different story. BRAT stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. These bland, low-fiber foods are easy to digest and may help with diarrhea, but they lack nutrition that help children to grow. The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that kids resume eating a normal, well-balanced diet appropriate for their age within 24 hours of getting sick. That diet should include a mix of fruits, vegetables, meat, yogurt, and complex carbohydrates. Trying to get a child to eat when they do not feel well is not an easy task. Every meal seemed like a buffet of bland food. Four days have gone by with many wet dipaers and without a fever.

Ann’s diet has been slowly getting back to her regular diet, we no longer have to stress about her fluid intake and she has been begging for pizza. So tonight her father and I will be treating Ann to her favorite food of pizza and enjoying the fact that we once a again have a healhy child. Whom we have to watch like a hawk because of her febrile seizure history but is once again a toddler who is playing and pushing the toddler limits of life.





www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/brat-diet

Selecting a Toddler School

Preschool Planning
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Madam Montessori
A doctor before she became an educator, Maria Montessori developed strategies and materials that, a century later, are being adopted by more and more classrooms (such as this one in Landover, Maryland).


Blog 3: Selecting a Toddler Preschool 

By Meghan

It is only March, but deposits are due at the preschools. There isn’t much time left for planning or research. I would like my daughter to have a school experience this year. Having her be with other children is probably the biggest advantage to a toddler program, but of course I would like her to gain the other things an organized program can give her – independence, group activities and learning – all necessary for first grade readiness and success.

I am looking for some help in selecting preschools, especially toddler programs that will be good for her. I continue my search for the best program for her and my family. There are many checklists to assist in selecting a good preschool for a four year old. I feel the same guidelines should apply for a younger preschool child. One of the lists I found that looks at things I feel are important is on the Wondertime website.

Tina Grotzer, an assistant professor of education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, principle investigator for Harvard Project Zero, a mom of twins, and member of Wondertime's advisory board, provides this comprehensive checklist to guide the process of touring schools, interviewing administrators, and observing in the classroom.

Types of programs:

• Child Care can be in a home or a center. These provide for the physical and emotional needs of the child. Their success depends on the ability of the care givers. Statistics show that a large percentage of toddlers in the United States receive this type of care.


• Educational Child Care is usually provided in a center. Some these programs have their own curriculum, and other use nationally developed and approved curriculum. Almost all have some educational component, but that is not their main purpose. Care of the child is still there main reason for existence. This is the reason most toddlers are there. Some of the more well-known are:

http://www.kindercare.com/


http://www.kiddieacademy.com/


http://www.goddardschool.com/


• Educational Programs provide care only as the child needs it during the time there. As is implied instruction is the main purpose for this type of program. Finding an educational program for a toddler is harder. The Montessori Schools seem to offer this type of a program.

No matter how wonderful the program there is still practical things to consider. The main one is location. Before I can make personal visits I need to find programs that are actually available. There are many church and home day care programs in the area, but this is not at all what I need for my daughter.

The educational daycare offered by the Kiddie Academy and the Goddard School might be good, but there are none within easy traveling distance. There are KIndercare programs, five within 15 miles, but I don’t think this is the best choice for our family.

I really just want my daughter to be in an educational, not a day care program. In our area there is a Montessori School with a program for two year olds. The class is two mornings a week for two and a half hours each day.

For our family it is decision time! So what type of preschool is best? Larry Schweinhart, president of the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation, and a researcher on the study says, “Early childhood educators contribute to children’s development when they emphasize child-initiated activities, limit the use of whole-group instruction, and provide abundant materials in the classroom.”


In other words, allowing preschoolers to choose freely, for as much of the day as possible, rather than corraling them into too much circle time, is the best way to create successful first graders.

After reading this article, Studies Show the RIght Preschool Leads to Later Success, by Danielle Wood, it seems that this description of a successful program matches the Montessori philosophy. This quote is taken from the Keystone Montessori website.


MONTESSORI education is a highly hands-on educational Private School program that incorporates independent and active learning for children of all abilities. Montessori educators "follow the child", adjusting their strategies and timelines to "fit" the development of each child, as all children learn at their own individual pace. All in a calm, supportive and relaxing environment where the children "choose" their work and build their skills at their own pace.

I have decided to visit the Keystone Montessori school before making my final choice. Observations about the school and my decision will be in my next post – March 28.

Terrible Two's or Terrible Toddlers?

Before I became a mom no one ever warned me that the terrible two’s went all the way through toddler hood. Just last week I took my 3 year old daughter and 1 year old son shopping for my sister’s baby shower. As I tried to pick through the adorable little Carter’s outfits, my children ran wildly through Bon-Ton destroying everything in their paths. I flashbacked to 3 years and 7 months before, an incident that I can recall like it was yesterday…I was standing in Wal-mart, my hand on my pregnant belly. I was watching a mother try to calm her screaming son, bribing him with toys and trying to negotiate with him to behave. I thought to myself “tell him to knock it off, you’re the parent…my baby will never act like that.”  Boy was I wrong!!! As I tried to check out with a few purchases, my son was in one arm flinging himself violently while my daughter was on the floor bawling about a toy that she wanted that I said she couldn’t have.  I checked out as quickly as possible and had to literally drag both kids out of the store kicking and screaming. Nerves frazzled and frustrated we went home and didn’t finish our errands, the day was a blotch.

This was not the first incident, nor will it be the last. After my very embarrassing trip that day I began looking to see what other moms do in that situation and I found some helpful tips. I went to www.parenting.com, a magazine that I subscribe to, and found that I’m not alone. Most, if not all, parents have gone through this and have shared what they do to keep their hellasious heathens in check while in public.

Suzanne Schlosberg of parenting.com stated “The truth is, toddlers and preschoolers are supposed to be rebellious. Saying no, testing limits, and tearing through the house like Tasmanian devils is their job. It’s part of how they learn about themselves and their place in the world. The good news: Most of their naughty behavior is stuff they’ll outgrow. While your discipline efforts now may seem in vain, you’re teaching your child important lessons for the future.”

Noel Janis-Norton, the director of the Calmer, Easier, Happier Parenting Program states that “A child is extremely impulsive, and wants what he wants.” When a child misbehaves and won’t take a time out, or has too many time outs in a day they can become desensitized to them, and will no longer be effective. “He may just need a break-let him look at books or play with a toy in his room until he’s calmed down enough for you to at least talk to him”.

I compiled the advice and narrowed it down to this:

• Plot your course, wherever you may be going know what you need, get in and get out.

• Give your child a special treat, like a snack, that they only get when you go to the store. When they get this “treat” they like to go there because they get something too.

• Discuss ahead of time that getting out of the cart is not allowed, and if going to a toy store let the child know that they are not getting anything or they may get one thing if they behave.

• Make a game to play. “I spy”, “Raise your hand if…”, or give the child a magazine and tell them to look for something specific (like the Waldo books).

• The Radio Flyer wagon is a good investment, they may be big and a little hard to maneuver but the kids can play and see everything around them, rather than being cooped up in a stroller.

• Leave the house when the child is tired and ready for a nap. When you get to your destination leave the child sleeping and transfer them into a reclining stroller.

• If your destination has a play area, let the child play for a bit and burn off some energy. Then put them in the stroller with a snack and juice box so they have some chill time.

• Sometimes when your child is acting out it is easier to just take a deep breath, prepare yourself for the ugly glares that are bound to be shot your way, and let the child throw the tantrum. Then when you have left or the child is calmed down, very calmly explain that their behavior was unacceptable and in the end they still did not get what they wanted.

For more tips, advice, and stories from other parents go to www.parenting.com

In my next blog, which will be posted on March 25, I will have another interview with child psychiatrist John Dittmar to find out his take on tantrums and acceptable punishments.

Alisha O.

OUTDATED VERSUS UPBEAT DATING

By Tina

I thought it may be interesting to compare dating norms of today’s teenagers to the norms of when I was a teenager. Whenever I think back to the time that I began to date, about 16 years old, I remember waiting by the phone for a boy to call and ask me to a school dance or football game. If my parents permitted the date, the date had to come to my house to pick me up. In doing that, he also had to meet my parents and answer the questions, “Where are you going?” and “Who will be going with you?” and my father would always throw in that line about curfew being 10 PM. Now, as I am faced with a teenager of my own, I realize how teen dating is different. The entire concept of dating has changed. The “old-fashioned” way of dating is totally outdated.


He wants to go out!

Teens of today make dates using cell phones. Chances are you will not hear the phone ring or have a chance to talk to your teen’s friends. My friend Chris, a mother of two teens, said she remembered when a boy came to pick up her 15 year old daughter and called from the driveway. Chris said, “He pulled in and got on his cell phone to call my daughter. I guess he expected her to go right out to his car.” She added, “I told my daughter to tell him that he needs to come in the house so we can meet him.”

Teens are also using internet sites such as myspace.com and facebook.com to make dates and trade pictures and messages. Parents can and should require their teens to have private settings on such sites and parents should be a part of deciding who has access and who does not.

It seems as though there is more concern than ever as our children are faced with peer pressure and electronic devices that give them access to the entire world. Teens congregate in groups and most teens have a circle of close friends. Those close friends can cause the most peer pressure. If some of the kids from the circle are doing something questionable, the few who feel it is wrong may have trouble speaking up. This is an example of why it is so important to keep the lines of communication open with your teenager. Ask your teen to think about what they would do when not in a group. Ask questions like, “If nobody is drinking a beer, would you?” “If nobody your age was having sex, would you?”

                                                               
Another thing to consider is that teens hang out with friends right after school. Many families of today have both parents working and not getting home until after 5 PM. Teens take advantage of the fact that they have about 2 hours of unsupervised time to themselves. Researchers at the RAND Corporation have found that teens are more likely to experiment with things such as drugs, alcohol, and sex, when there is less after school supervision. So if your teen is home when you are not, show up unexpectedly on occasion.

Finally, as parents we all want our teens to grow up happy, so remember that happiness in life is found in the journey. While the topic of teenagers and dating can make the most confident parent nervous, you should do your best not to project those anxious feelings when discussing dating and the rules and limits of dating. Try to relax and have informative conversations about dating that will strengthen your relationship and make your teen feel confident when considering going out on a date.

Source:
http://www.rand.org/topics/children-and-families.html

Preschool Planning

                                                                     Your Baby Can Read 
By Meghan

Blog Extra 1: Are DVD’s a good way to help my baby or toddler learn reading and language skills?

March 8, 2011


It is impossible to open a parenting magazine or watch children’s television without seeing ads for DVD’s to improve your baby’s intelligence, teaches your baby to read, or teach language skills. When you are a new parent and want to do the very best for your baby they are hard to ignore! Do these materials really work? Or could they actually be harmful? Are they worth the time and money? Are there other methods to teach these skills that just as good? Or is it just as effective to wait until a child is at least 4 year old to teach reading? All for these questions came up when my daughter was a new born.

Sometime between the ages of three and four, before I attended preschool, I learned to read. Reading was something my family just did. I wanted to read, too. Books were read to me, and I read the books to my parents. I want this skill to become an important part of my daughter’s life. The big question was and is how best to accomplish this.

We purchased many of the Baby Einstein DVD’s and the Your Baby Can Read materials. They were relatively expensive. I hope they are beneficial, or at least not harmful. I decided to see what the experts have to say.

In an article for Time Magzine, Baby Einstein’s: Not So Smart After All, by Alice Park,  a spokesperson for The American Academy of Pediatrics expresses the view that no child under two should watch television. "Babies require face-to-face interaction to learn," continues Dr. Vic Strasburger, professor of pediatrics at the University Of New Mexico School Of Medicine. "They don't get that interaction from watching TV or videos. In fact, the watching probably interferes with the crucial wiring being laid down in their brains during early development."


This makes sense in many ways. Babies need to relate to people. A baby’s vision is not good for watching a television or DVD’s. Repetition is something a baby enjoys. So it is probably necessary to view a program repeatedly. Watching regular, even educational television programming or DVD’s alone, is probably not an advantage for a baby under two years of age.

What about the Baby Einstein and Your Baby Can Read DVD’s that are made especially for babies? These are two widely advertised programs. So I decided to research them. They are also the materials I purchased for my daughter.

One of the most advertised DVD’s is Baby Einstein Series. Recent studies have shown that these materials do not increase the intelligence of a baby. However many physiologist believe that the music of Mozart does benefit a baby. The Baby Einstein DVD’s do present music, including the music of Mozart, with lovely and rhythmic visuals that I enjoy watching. The nonverbal puppet skits are funny. Art is shown in some of the DVD’s, as well as other babies, children’s songs and finger plays. This does not seem harmful.

This is taken from the Baby Einstein website. The Baby Einstein Company believes along with the child development experts with whom we have consulted, that parent-child interaction is one of the most critical elements to the development of a healthy and happy baby during the first three years of life. Baby Einstein products are not designed to make babies smarter. Rather, Baby Einstein products are specifically designed to engage babies and provide parents with tools to help expose their little ones to the world around them in playful and engaging ways — inspiring a baby's natural curiosity.



That being said, The Baby Einstein Company is aware of the ongoing discussions regarding children and television viewing, particularly as it pertains to infants under the age of two years old. And, while we respect the American Academy of Pediatrics, we do not believe that their recommendation of no television for children under the age of two reflects the reality of today's parents, families and households – for example, a recent Kaiser Family Foundation study found that 68% of all babies under two years old watch screen media on any given day. The Baby Einstein Company believes that when used properly, developmentally-appropriate video content can be a useful tool for parents and little ones to enjoy together.

Baby Einstein describes their products as an interactive developmental entertainment program of infant DVDs, CDs, books, toys and activity products designed engage and entertain babies and toddlers. In my opinion they have many ideas for parents to use to interact with their babies.

The other DVD’s that I purchased for my daughter, and want to research is Your Baby Can Read. Unlike some other materials this basic set must be purchased all at once. This is an investment of over $100.00. Spending this much takes some thought about how effective it will be, but the Your Baby Can Read website points out that parents spend 90% of their time and money on a child’s education after the brain is 90% developed.  A baby’s brain is a sponge for knowledge, thriving on stimulation and develops at a phenomenal pace: nearly 90% during the first five years of life! The best and easiest time to learn a language is during the infant and toddler years, when the brain is creating thousands of synapses every second – allowing a child to learn both the written word and spoken word simultaneously, and with great ease.

The material does use all methods to teach a child to read. First they emphases the shape of the word, then context and phonics are used. Results are slow. One DVD is to be shown once or twice a day for a month before progressing to the next one. Parent involvement is necessary. There are books and word cards. It is usually not possible to see much progress until the child is talking.


This brings us back to the American Academy of Pediatrics study that says a child that watches more than one hour of video a day will know fewer words than a child that does not. That is probably why the company suggests that this is the only DVD or television that the baby watches. Since babies vary at the age they learn to talk. (National Center on Birth Defects and Develoopmental Disabilities says an 18 month old baby should know between 5 and 20 words.) It seems that many factor influence when a baby begins to learn to talk. It is difficult to make comparisons.

In conclusion I feel that if this type of material is available in your home it should be used as just one part of a baby’s introduction to language and reading. I personally intend to limit the DVD viewing, and to spend an equal or greater amount of time reading to and interacting with my daughter. Still. The DVD’s are entertaining and offer an opportunity for a happy time with my baby.

Snack Time!!!!

Children love to snack between meals. Some snacks can be nutritious and some snacks should just be left on the shelf at the store. Children are given snacks between meals, to be kept busy and occasionally as a reward for doing something good. The toddler years are the best time to introduce healthy food to children. This can be done by nutritious meals and snacks. There are a wide variety of healthy snacks you can offer your toddler.


Three of the major categories you should choose from are dairy, grains, fruits and vegetables.

Dairy: Whole and low-fat milk products provide a portion of that fat while also giving toddlers the calcium, protein and vitamins they need for bone and tooth growth, muscle contraction and regulation of body fat and blood sugar. Snacks that provide healthy dairy calories include fruit yogurt and cubes of any kind of cheese. String cheese is available in a variety of flavors and provides a fun way to get kids to eat healthy snacks. They are very easy to grab for a quick snack. Yogurt marketed for children usually contains added sugar and flavorings and typically is more expensive than plain yogurt sold in large containers, which is just as nutritious for kids. You can add fruit such as applesauce and peaches to plain yogurt for a nutritious snack.



Grains: Toddlers still can be at risk for choking, so you should avoid snacks consisting of small grains such as popcorn, peanuts and seeds. Whole grain crackers, muffins, bread and bagels are effective snack foods to get your child to eat the recommended six servings of grains she needs each day. Creamy peanut butter on crackers or a half bagel is a popular snack food with toddlers. Cream cheese or jelly can also be spread. Combine other healthy foods with whole grains such as spreading cream cheese on crackers, adding fruit to 1/2 cup of oatmeal for a nutritious snack and giving toddlers whole grain snack bars with a glass of milk.



Fruits and Vegetables: Parents serve as role models for children. Adults who snack on a bag of chips or a candy bar set a poor example for easily influenced toddlers who need about four servings of fruit and vegetables per day. Instead, influence your kids by sharing an apple, pear or cantaloupe with them. Serve a small helping of yogurt with the fruit for a well-balanced snack. Cut up vegetables such as carrots, broccoli and green peppers for snacks kids can easily grab on the run. These vegetables can be cut up ahead of time and left in the refrigerator for a quick grab on the run. Snacks can be effective ways of providing nutrition that you have trouble forcing your kids to eat at mealtimes.

Two recipes for on the go snacks are:



TODDLER TRAIL MIX**

granola

peanuts

raisins

dried fruits

cereal rings (Cheerios, Gorilla Munch, Barbara's Puffins etc.)

Carob or yogurt chips

roasted soy "nuts"

** Mix only those food items that you find appropriate for your Toddler**



ANTS ON A LOG - An Old Favorite



Celery sticks filled with either

peanut butter, cream cheese or hummus

and topped with raisins, apple dices, seeds, nuts, banana dices etc.



These are great snacks for Toddlers! Many toddlers will just eat the "filling" and the raisins, which is just fine! Ensure what you add is appropriate for your Toddler

Change That Attitude

 Change That Attitude

As I am attempting to prepare a meal for my family out of the corner of my eye I see my 6 year old son trying to sneak some candy. I ask him what he is doing and he replies “Don’t even worry about it Mom” and runs into the living room with a candy bar hidden behind his back. I tell him to please put the candy bar back because dinner is almost ready and he yells, “No, you‘re not my boss” as he eats the candy as fast as he can before I can steal it away. I tell him go to his bedroom and not to come out until he is told. I have to tell him multiple times until I have to raise my voice so loudly that he finally listens to me. It makes me so frustrated that I have to get that angry for my son to listen to what I ask of him. This seems to be an ongoing battle between my son and I. So over the past few weeks I have been experimenting with some different parenting techniques to see how I can change that bad attitude and behavior.

The first technique I tried was timeout. I had my father-in-law make a wooden bench with the words TIMEOUT written across it and then sat it in the hallway of our home. When my son would backtalk or misbehave I would sit him on the bench for six minutes and tell him why he was going to timeout. As long as he sat for the six minutes quietly he was allowed to get up, but if not then he had to sit there until he did. At the end of each timeout he had to apologize nicely and was given a hug. After a few visits to the bench he realized it was easier to sit quietly than it was to put up a fight. I felt this technique worked well as long as I was consistent.


Next, I tried taking things away or grounding my son from the things he enjoyed. I would take away video games or his favorite toys when he would get mouthy or do something he shouldn’t. I would also do things such as, not allowing him to stay overnight at his grandma or grandpas house or not let him have a toy on our next shopping trip. This technique seemed not to work as well because I would lose track of what all I had taken away and for how long because he would continue to misbehave. This may work on an older child but I don’t feel it was effective at this time with my son.


The last thing I tried was a reward chart. Together we made a chart out of construction paper and listed all the things he was expected to do each day, especially the ones that seemed to be the hardest for him to complete. We put things on the chart such as, being nice, no lying, brushing his teeth, being helpful, etc. Each day we would go through the list before bed and he would get a sticker on each thing he did that day. Then, after he received so many stickers he would get a special prize, which he gets to choose such as, going to Chuck E. Cheese, buying a new toy or something else he would enjoy. I felt this worked best for my son. I think that he responded better to being rewarded for the good behavior, which made him want to keep being good.


In the end, I realized I need to be firm and clear about what I expect from my child. Consistency and follow through is also important. I also feel that rewarding him for the good things he does instead of always punishing him for the bad behavior helps him to understand that it much better to be a good, kind person.

Submitted By: Melissa K