Monday, March 29, 2010

Letter of the week activities Monday, March 29: Letter G


Gg
It's "G" week.
1. Roll like a grape.
2. Wear green on Wednesday.
3. Give someone you love a big hug.
4. Play a game with mom or dad.
5. Move like a grasshopper.
6. Talk about the things you can grow in a garden.
7. Count the green things you see in nature.
8. Go to the grocery store.
9. Gallop around your backyard or in a park.
10. Make someone giggle.


Becka

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Infantino SlingRider Baby Slings


Product Recalls: Infantino SlingRider Baby Slings1 Million+ recalled
Infantino SlingsInfantino, LLC, of San Diego, CA, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), have recalled their SlingRider & Wendy Bellissimo infant slings. The slings should not be used for children younger than four months of age due to a risk of suffocation. 

These slings were sold from January 2003 through March 2010 at Walmart, Burlington Coat Factory, Target, Babies "R" Us, BJ's Wholesale, various baby and children's stores and other retailers nationwide, and on the web at Amazon.com, for between $25 and $30. Consumers should stop using these slings  immediately and contact Infantino to receive a free replacement product, with a choice of a Wrap & Tie infant carrier, a 2-in-1 Shopping Cart Cover or a 3-in-1 Grow & Play Activity Gym. A Jittery Pals Rattle will also be provided. Click here for more information.



I am the mom of 4 wonderful kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. Looking at them, you know I have had many years working with and enriching the lives of children. I have an Associates (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Management, and a Bachelors in Early childhood Development and Education with a concentration in Child Psychology. I have almost 20 years in the Early Childhood field, and loving every minute of it! You can visit my site here

Monday, March 22, 2010

Letter of the week activities Monday, March 22: Letter F


Ff
I'm thinking of Flowers! It must be "F" week.
1. Tell a funny story to your mom.
2. Draw a picture of your family.
3. Jump up and down fourteen times.
4. Count forward, as far as you can go.
5. Hop like a frog.
6. Read your favorite story with someone in your family.
7. Help fix dinner or lunch.
8. Eat one of your favorite foods.
9. Fly like a bird.
10. Draw five triangles


Becka

Monday, March 15, 2010

My blog is Carbon Neutral!

I came across post and thought is was a GREAT idea!



Here’s how you can participate!

Just write a short blog post about our programme “My blog is carbon neutral” and include one of the buttons below on your site (ideally in the sidebar). Send the link to your blog to CO2-neutral@kaufda.de and we plant a tree for you, neutralizing the carbon dioxide emissions of your blog. The trees will be planted in the spring of 2010 by the Arbor Day Foundation. For more information about how and where the trees are planted, see the NEWS section.
Just a few easy steps to make it green:
  1. Write a blog post about the initiative + insert your favorite button
  2. E-mail the link to your post to CO2-neutral@kaufda.de
  3. We plant a tree for your blog in Plumas’!
Note: We plant a tree for each domain. Please copy the html-code and paste it in your blog. Make sure the carbon-neutral button works, the html-code must not be changed. Use the carbon-neutral-white button for a white background or the carbon-neutral-transparent button for different colored backgrounds. If you need help, please contact CO2-neutral@kaufda.de. We are looking forward to planting your tree!

This is such a great and important idea! It is great that, for every post you make, they plant a tree! I have seen SO many trees mindlessly cut down and then the space has either sat there for years, or buildings have been built, but not used, buildings that have been halted and just standing there unfinished, or spaces abandoned.

I want my blog carbon neutral and want to see MORE trees!!


I am the mom of 4 wonderful kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. Looking at them, you know I have had many years working with and enriching the lives of children. I have an Associates (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Management, and a Bachelors in Early childhood Development and Education with a concentration in Child Psychology. I have almost 20 years in the Early Childhood field, and loving every minute of it! You can visit my site here

Letter of the week activities Monday, March 15: Letter E

Ee
On to the letter "Ee!"
1. Walk and dance like an elephant.
2. Jump up and down eleven times.
3. Eat eight grapes or strawberries.
4. Go outside. What do you hear with your ears?
5. Cut out pictures of eyes and ears from old magazines.
6. Try to touch your elbow to your ear.
7. Use your eyes. What things do you see on the way to school?
8. Empty your glass of milk. (Drink it.)
9. Do some exercises.
10. Let a bowl of water evaporate.





Becka

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Feeding With Love (An API Blog Carnival Entry)

So for this months Attachment Parenting International's Blog Carnival, the subject is Feed With Love and Respect.

When your baby is born, one of the first things you do is hold her, comfort her, and then feed her. Whether you plan to nurse or bottle feed, you always want to let your baby know how much you love her, care for her, and respect this new little person in your life.

Nursing: 

If you are a nursing mother, you know it is important to listen to your baby's cues. Since nursing babies tend to eat more often, at least in the beginning, then formula fed babies, it is important to listen to your baby, and feed her, before she is to the point of crying. Beyond this point, it may be harder for her to latch until she has calmed down.

Remember, breastfeeding has mutual benefits for both her as well as you. She gets antibodies and brain building nutrients, and you get burnt calories, possible prevention against future breast cancer, and, of course, bonding time with your little one. It is also a natural comforting tool for your little one when they are hurt or sick.

Nursing beyond 1 year is also very beneficial. Mom's milk changes with the child's needs and age. It increases during growth spurts, and helps a growing toddler's brain develop during crucial periods of brain development.

Don't listen to those who tell you when you should stop nursing your child. Practice child led weaning. Forced weaning has been shown to cause other problems, such as attachment problems, down the road. Let her be your guide, as to when SHE is ready to stop nursing.

If there is an older sibling who wants to participate, let them, by giving them jobs during a nursing session...like getting a burp cloth, or, depending on the age of the child, getting mom a drink! (You should always drink plenty of water during every nursing session!)

Bottle Time:

No matter how you decide to feed your baby, feeding time is always a great way for mother child bonding. When you bottle feed, remember to NEVER prop a bottle. This may not only cause choking, but inhibits your child's bonding experience.

Hold the bottle as close to the breast as possible. This works for comfort, and it may help your baby to relax so she has a better meal. Always maintain eye contact, and try to switch sides, just as you would for nursing...this also helps to develop eye muscles!! Always talk, sing, and

Just as you would with nursing, feed on cue! Many mothers who are bottle nursing are led to believe their baby NEEDS to be on a schedule. This is NOT true! Just as a nursing baby, a bottle fed baby will let you know when she is hungry. Even if she only drinks a little, she may just need a little extra mommy time!

If you are using a pacifier, hold your baby while she sucks. This is also a great way to calm and comfort your baby. :)

Weaning off the bottle should go just as weaning off the breast. Granted, from experience, you should not let your child ever go to bed with a bottle, or use the bottle for extended periods of time during the day, lest you have a child with dental problems.

If your baby has older siblings, help them feel a part of the baby's feeding by letting them hold the bottle, or even the baby and the bottle, depending on the age of the child.

Introduction Of Solid Foods: 

Just like you should not force the weaning of a breastfeeding child, you should never try to force solids. For the first year of life, a baby only needs breastmilk or formula. Solids are really only for practice, and have no real nutritional value. Always offer the breast or a bottle before offering solids. If your baby does not seem ready, then try again in a week or so. Let your baby be your guide on what they like, how much they want, and if they even want any. Lastly, always start with foods that will not cause an allergy, and always start with single food items.

Leading The Way For Good Nutrition: 


You want your child to eat healthy. We all do!!! When we model proper nutrition, our children will follow.

Make sure you are choosing a variety of healthy fruits, vegetables, and other foods, so that your child will also want to try these foods as well.

Make sure to make one meal, usually dinner, family time. When you do this, your child knows that they are part of the family, and helps them feel connected to you. Studies also show that kids who have families that eat dinner together, do better in school, activities, and sports, and have a higher self esteem, then kids with families who do not share dinner together.

Never use food as a reward or punishment or force foods, or force cleaning their plate,  and if you are afraid of what your child may eat if not restricted, make it a habit to keep only healthy snacks and foods in the house.

Remember, no matter what the age, mealtime should be fun, healthy, and a relaxing time for the whole family!

My older 2 never really nursed, I still get quite upset over it! But luckily, my 3rd, who also did not eat much solid food until over a year, nursed until 2 years!!! I am hoping that the baby nurses that long as well!

I am the mom of 4 wonderful kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. Looking at them, you know I have had many years working with and enriching the lives of children. I have an Associates (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Management, and a Bachelors in Early childhood Development and Education with a concentration in Child Psychology. I have almost 20 years in the Early Childhood field, and loving every minute of it! You can visit my site here

Monday, March 8, 2010

Letter of the week activities Monday, March 8: Letter D


Dd
"Dd" Week Activities
1. Have your dad read you a story.
2. Pretend to be a dog.
3. Quack like a duck.
4. Help mom and dad with the dishes.
5. Knock on your front door five times.
6. Dust the furniture.
7. Count a dozen dimes.
8. Draw a colorful picture.
9. Give dad a hug!


Becka

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Product Recalls:



Product Recalls: Britax "Blink" Strollers
Blink StrollerBritax Child Safety, Inc., of Charlotte, N.C., along with the Consumer Product Safety Council (CPSC), have recalled their Britax "Blink" umbrella stroller. The stroller's hinge mechanism poses fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to children when the stroller is being folded/unfolded.

The recall involves ALL Britax "Blink" single umbrella strollers manufactured between May 2009 and Sept. 2009. The strollers were sold nationwide at Buy Buy Baby, amazon.com,babiesrus.com, target.com and diapers.com from July 2009 through Feb. 2010 for about $150. Consumers should stop using the strollers immediately and contact Britax to receive free stroller hinge covers.



I am the mom of 4 wonderful kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. Looking at them, you know I have had many years working with and enriching the lives of children. I have an Associates (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Management, and a Bachelors in Early childhood Development and Education with a concentration in Child Psychology. I have almost 20 years in the Early Childhood field, and loving every minute of it! You can visit my site here

What your child should know before entering Kindergarten

As an early childhood educator, it saddens me to see many 3 and 4 year olds who are not even close to being prepared for Kindergarten. So may parents rely too much on their day care or preschool to teach their children, and, when they don't do an adequate job, the parents get upset.

Problem there is, parents are a child's first teachers, and what is learned at school, should be enforced at home. This is very important for a child's future school career. A 3 and 4 year old child needs to be prepared for the competition ahead of them throughout their schooling.

More importantly, education starts at birth. The moment your baby is born, is when they should start learning about their world...talk to them about colors, textures, smells, and do forth. Signing and reading are both excellent ways to help your child start to understand their world.

By four years of age (or sooner), a typically developing child should be able to:


  • write their full name 
  • count to and write numbers 1-20 and possibly more
  • say, write, and recognize all 26 letters of the alphabet 
  • know their address, phone number, and parents names 
  • drink from a regular cup 
  • go to the bathroom on their own 
  • recite the days of the week 
  • recite the months of the year
  • dress themselves 
  • brush their own teeth 
  • know how to share and take turns without whining or arguments 
  • shapes 
  • colors 
  • reading at least 100 basic sight words (2 and 3 letter words) 
  • do a 100 piece puzzle by themselves
  • know how to follow rules 
  • walk in lines 
  • sit at a desk (unless, of course, you are sending them to Montessori or the like) 
  • understand simple concepts (yesterday, tomorrow, night, day, today) 
  • hold a writing utensil the correct way 
  • color inside the lines 
  • basic letter phonics 
  • retell a story
  • know the main parts to a story and the main characters
That is the basics they should know before kindergarten! PLEASE help your child know these concepts. When a child does not know basic concepts entering Kindergarten, it hinders the teachers ability to teach the rest of the class. It may actually hold the class back, which will not properly prepare them for 1st grade (and so on). This is a highly competitive world, and we want our children to succeed! 





I am the mom of 4 wonderful kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. Looking at them, you know I have had many years working with and enriching the lives of children. I have an Associates (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Management, and a Bachelors in Early childhood Development and Education with a concentration in Child Psychology. I have almost 20 years in the Early Childhood field, and loving every minute of it! You can visit my site here

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Read Across America Day!!! Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!!

Today is Read Across America Day, celebrating the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Today is a great day to volunteer in your child's classroom, at any level, to share a few good books, and talk about the importance of reading to children of all ages.


About NEA's Read Across America

The National Education Association is building a nation of readers through its signature program, NEA's Read Across America. Now in its fourteenth year, this year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources.
NEA's Read Across America Day, NEA's national reading celebration takes place each year on or near March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing together kids, teens, and books, and you can too!

On March 2, the National Education Association calls for every child to be reading in the company of a caring adult.




I am the mom of 4 wonderful kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. Looking at them, you know I have had many years working with and enriching the lives of children. I have an Associates (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Management, and a Bachelors in Early childhood Development and Education with a concentration in Child Psychology. I have almost 20 years in the Early Childhood field, and loving every minute of it! You can visit my site here

Monday, March 1, 2010

Letter of the week activities Monday, March 1: Letter C

Cc 
It's "Cc" week! A Counting Questionnaire! Just for fun! Help your child count these things:
1. Count the toothbrushes in your house.
2. How many bed in your home?
3. How many windows in your bedroom?
4. Count the trees in your yard.
5. Count the bathtubs in your house. 
6. How many stuffed animals on your bed?
7. Count your toes.
8. How many clocks in your house?
9. Count the televisions in your home.
10. How many flashlights do you have in your home? 
11. Check the smoke detectors in your house, and check the batteries.





Becka

Tips for how to choose books by age

Here are some suggestions for choosing the best books according to your child’s age:

birth – 1 year
Look for small, brightly colored books with photos of babies and familiar objects like balls and bottles. Draw attention to the objects by saying things like, “Look at the ball,” or point to pictures and ask, “What’s that?”

1 – 2 years
Look for sturdier books that can be handled and carried; few words on the pages or simple rhyming themes. Talk about the pictures — you don’t necessarily have to read the book to tell the story.

2 – 3 years
Look for silly or funny books with subjects like food, animals, or making friends. Simple word books are good choices. Keep stories short and read them with few interruptions. Then, re-read them.

3 – 4 years
Look for books that tell simple stories with a beginning, a middle, and end; stories that relate to life, like overcoming fear; information books about children’s interests. As you read ask your child questions about the story: “What do you think will happen next? Why?” Keep them engaged.

5 – 6 years
Look for stories and information books that evoke children’s lively imagination and interests; books about space, machines, time, and other cultures. Ask your child to tell you what interests her most about the story. Use open-ended questions to encourage her to relate her ideas. Allow her to ask questions as you read.



I am the mom of 4 wonderful kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. Looking at them, you know I have had many years working with and enriching the lives of children. I have an Associates (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Management, and a Bachelors in Early childhood Development and Education with a concentration in Child Psychology. I have almost 20 years in the Early Childhood field, and loving every minute of it! You can visit my site here

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!  
 Dr. Seuss
Celebrate the 106th anniversary of Dr. Seuss' birthday on March 2nd! Print a fun coloring page, play in the virtual land of "Seussville," or try one of the recipes or craft below:

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Prepare red and blue Jello according to package directions and pour each flavor into a shallow pan. Allow to set. Once set, use a fish shaped cookie cutter to cut the Jello into fish shapes or use a knife to cut the shapes out freehand if you don't have a fish shaped cutter.

Green Eggs & Ham
Super easy and fun to make-- beat egg(s) in a small bowl with a couple of drops of green food coloring. Scramble and serve with ham slices (add a green hue to the ham by brushing it with food coloring).

The Cat in the Hat's HatCat in the Hat's Hat
You'll need...
Empty, clean oatmeal canister
Red and white paper
Glue
Ribbon
Scissors
Measuring tape
1-hole punch

To make...

Cut out 4" thick red and white strips from your paper; use the measuring tape to measure the circumference of the oatmeal canister to see how long to make the strips. Glue each strip in a red and white pattern, with red being the bottom color (closest to the open of the canister).

On the open end of the canister, use the 1-hole punch to make holes through either side about an inch up from the opening. Tie a few feet of ribbon to each hole.

Create a rim for the hat by cutting out a circle from white paper. Make sure the circle is larger than the opening of the hat and then cut out its center (like a donut) so that it will fit on the canister like a hat's rim. Glue the white rim into the open end of canister. Let dry.

After the hat is dry, try on, tying ribbon under chin. Trim any excess ribbon.



I am the mom of 4 wonderful kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. Looking at them, you know I have had many years working with and enriching the lives of children. I have an Associates (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Management, and a Bachelors in Early childhood Development and Education with a concentration in Child Psychology. I have almost 20 years in the Early Childhood field, and loving every minute of it! You can visit my site here