I Went To… Recite a long list of items and then add one, alphabetically, for the next player to remember. “I went to the zoo, and I saw an anteater, a bear, a crocodile, a deer, an elephant, and … a ferret!” Sneakily strengthens: Vocabulary Phonics Memory Five ways to tweak it: I Spy Spot something in plain sight and reveal one detail, making the other player guess what it is....
Child Visitation Schedule Options In many states, typical planned parent-child visitation accounts for approximately 20% of the total parenting time (which does not include time spent at school or in day care). Visitation Considerations It’s important to establish a regular visitation schedule that works well for your entire family. Especially if your children are young or your separation is fairly recent, your whole family will benefit from a predictable, consistent routine....
Blanket Astronomy book (optional) Flashlight (optional) Snack (optional) Directions
Make sure you have the following on your kitchen shelf: Try to have the following in your refrigerator: Try to have the following in your freezer: Once you have your kitchen stocked, it is time to turn those ingredients into wholesome, nourishing meals the whole family will love. One large part of your stocked kitchen will probably be meat, poultry, and fish. These foods can contribute a huge part of your fat content for the day, so it is important to choose cuts carefully....
These few exercises will get you started, but don’t stop here. There are several very good books and videos on the market today that will help you plan a healthy prenatal exercise program. Talk about your plans with your doctor and then do yourself and your baby a favor and get to work.
What You Feed Your Baby Matters By now, most of us know that what you feed your baby matters. In fact, there’s been a lot of research done lately on how specifically feeding and how your baby was delivered (either vaginally or by a C-section) impacts exactly what bacteria live in your baby’s digestive tract. In short, babies that are fed only formula have much different bacteria in their stomach and intestines than babies that are breastfed....
Think about your child’s age and choose what types of things you want him to see, learn, and imitate. Look for shows that: Teach your child something, hold his interest, encourage him to listen and question, help him learn more words, make him feel good about himself, and introduce him to new things. Shows such as Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, and Arthur are some you may want to consider....
The Joint Council on Economic Education surveyed a group of high-school students and found that the great majority of them had very little understanding about money-related issues, including profit and loss as they apply to business, investment opportunities, and credit. Some experts feel that parents avoid teaching children about money because they’re uncomfortable with the very topic. While money should be a tool we use in daily living, it often becomes a thorny and emotional issue....
When you begin to let your child cross streets alone, start gradually and work up. Restrict him at first to quiet streets. Only after he’s established a track record of practicing safe pedestrian skills should he be allowed to attempt busier intersections. Long before your child reaches 10, you can be getting her ready for safe street-crossing. Begin as soon as she starts walking. It’s much easier to teach her safe habits from the beginning than to have to break bad ones later....
If your teen is accused of cheating, you need to get her back on track. If a teacher has notified you of the problem, set up an appointment and see if you can learn anything more about the situation. Is this the first time this has happened? (Maybe she just fell asleep while she was supposed to be studying for the quiz.) How will the school handle the situation? (If they’re doling out punishment, that should affect how you handle the situation at home....
Apples While the belief that an apple a day will keep the doctor away might not be listed as fact in medical journals, apples certainly make for a healthy snack. They’re loaded with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C, and they’re a naturally sweet alternative to junk food. Photo Source: Flickr/Kim Siever Oatmeal When it comes to breakfast choices, discard the boxes of sugar for a delicious bowl of oatmeal. Oatmeal stabilizes your blood glucose and improves your mood....
It is important for children with learning difficulties to formulate a plan for studying for major tests. Based on a child’s individual learning style, it may be beneficial for them to study alone or in a social group. Advice to Help a Child Study for Exams Begin studying at least a week prior to a major exam. Before studying for a test, make a study guide of the important concepts learned in that unit....
Newborn Screening Test The newborn screening test, called the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP), is done when your baby turns 24 hours old and is usually performed in the nursery at the hospital. The nurse will swab your baby’s heel, then prick the heel and blot five small blood samples on a testing paper. The samples are sent to your state’s screening facility and tested for more than two dozen different diseases, most of which are very rare....
The most important factor to consider when choosing family holiday pajamas is fit because you want everyone to feel comfortable and sleep safely. Safety regulations, such as flame-resistant material or a snug fit, are in place for children’s sleepwear to protect kids from burns. In addition to safety, keep in mind your family’s budget, as most pajama sets are sold separately, and personalization—while sweet—can be an additional upfront cost. We carefully considered sizing, design, prints, personalization, material, safety concerns, and value when reviewing products....
Little ones learn through play, says Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, who is a pediatrician, author of “The Working Mom Blueprint,” and founder of Modern Mommy Doc. “Sensory play with items like finger paints, sand, or Play-Doh allows them to build their fine motor and proprioception skills.” When you’re deciding what to buy, consider whether the toy is entertaining, if it plays into their interests, and if it will help them practice developmental milestones....
Specific to children, research is examining the benefits of sufficient omega-3 intake and the potential benefits of supplementation. Studies have shown that fish oil supplementation may reduce ADHD symptoms in children. Though more research needs to be done, fish oil supplements may also have positive effects on mood, memory, and brain development, and may reduce symptoms of asthma. Similar to other vitamin and mineral supplements, it is always important to speak to a pediatric health care provider before starting a fish oil supplement....
Baby activity tables are available in different sizes and materials, and have different features, like removable legs or lights. Consider whether you want these additional features, and look for the manufacturer’s age recommendation to ensure your baby plays safely. We carefully considered design, ease of use, additional features, age recommendations, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best baby activity tables on the market. Baby Einstein™ The Baby Einstein Discovering Music Activity Table earns our top spot because this activity table is nothing short of exciting, stimulating, and useful....
