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
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, March 11, 2011
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
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.
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
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 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
Monday, March 7, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, March 4, 2011
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
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
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