By now you have noticed that your baby sucks his fingers and hands a lot. Sucking brings pleasure to a baby. This is a strong need in babies this age. Being able to suck his own fingers and hands means he can make himself feel good all by himself. Sucking helps him feel happy and calm. Sometimes sucking fingers is a sign of hunger.
A baby often sucks his fingers or pacifier while he watches and learns about his world. As something grabs his attention, he may stop sucking for a moment to watch. He will then start to suck again.
Many parents buy pacifiers for their babies. You may have heard that paci-fiers can harm a baby's mouth. You may have heard that pacifiers will keep a baby from developing correctly. A pacifier isn't necessary. But it's OK if your baby uses one.
Never tie or pin a pacifier to your baby's clothes. The ribbon or string could get wrapped around his neck. This could choke him. A pin in your baby's clothes can stick him.
Be sure to buy the kind of pacifier that cannot come apart. Be sure it can be washed in a dishwasher. Clean the pacifier often. You can clean it by boiling it in water or putting it in the dishwasher.
Never dip a pacifier in sweet liquids, honey or syrups to make it tasty. Germs in honey and syrups can make your baby sick. Sweets may cause tooth decay when your baby is older.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Choosing Quality Daycare for Your Child
The right daycare center is important to ensure your child's safety and well-being. While quite a few daycare centers are good, others are not. It is therefore important to select a center where you can be sure that your child will be well looked after.
Here is how you can select a good daycare center for your child:
• Determine your requirements: Decide whether you would prefer a big center where several children are present, or a smaller one with fewer children. Location is another consideration: Decide whether the center should be close to your home or your place of work.
• List centers: Once you know your requirements, make a list of the possible daycare centers that fit the bill. You can do this by looking up the Internet and the yellow pages, or by inquiring with your pediatrician or local hospital. An even better way is to consult friends or family members whose advice you can rely upon.
• Research details: Find out important details about the daycare centers you have listed. For instance, is the center certified by the National Association for the Education for Young Children, or the National Association of Family Child Care? Phone them to get details regarding timings, fees, activities, and policies.
• Visit the centers: Once you have narrowed down the list to a few potential centers, pay these places a visit. Look around the place and talk to the people in charge. Decide whether your child would be happy when left here.
Finally, in the weeks after you pick the perfect day-care center, make a few unannounced visits-just to see what goes on when there aren't any parents around. Your parenting style is likely to impact the way your child grows up. Being responsive to your children, and at the same time, setting clear rules and limits, is crucial for you as a parent.
Here is how you can select a good daycare center for your child:
• Determine your requirements: Decide whether you would prefer a big center where several children are present, or a smaller one with fewer children. Location is another consideration: Decide whether the center should be close to your home or your place of work.
• List centers: Once you know your requirements, make a list of the possible daycare centers that fit the bill. You can do this by looking up the Internet and the yellow pages, or by inquiring with your pediatrician or local hospital. An even better way is to consult friends or family members whose advice you can rely upon.
• Research details: Find out important details about the daycare centers you have listed. For instance, is the center certified by the National Association for the Education for Young Children, or the National Association of Family Child Care? Phone them to get details regarding timings, fees, activities, and policies.
• Visit the centers: Once you have narrowed down the list to a few potential centers, pay these places a visit. Look around the place and talk to the people in charge. Decide whether your child would be happy when left here.
Finally, in the weeks after you pick the perfect day-care center, make a few unannounced visits-just to see what goes on when there aren't any parents around. Your parenting style is likely to impact the way your child grows up. Being responsive to your children, and at the same time, setting clear rules and limits, is crucial for you as a parent.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Time to Show You Care for Your Expectant Spouse
With an expanding waistline and hormones going completely crazy, it is natural for the expectant mom to feel insecure. At a time like this it is up to you, as the partner, to step in and make her feel loved and adored. There are a number of ways to do this.
* Giving her a massage: Pregnancy is often attended by unpleasant sensations, stiff joints, and painful swellings. Giving her a gentle massage is one way you can make her feel better after a particularly hard day.
* Helping with the housework: At this stage in her life, your spouse will really appreciate the opportunity for some rest. Lightening her burden, by taking on some of her chores, will tell her how much you love her.
* Making her feel special: Your spouse's pregnancy may have completely unsettled the rhythm of her life. As the pregnancy advances, she may be forced to spend more time at home. You can make her feel special by buying her flowers or chocolates. Playing her favorite music or redecorating the bedroom are other ways in which you can lighten her spirits.
* Informing yourself on pregnancy and your new baby: Now is the time for you to show that you're more than just the reason she's pregnant; you're in it for the long haul. Buy or borrow books on pregnancy that you can read together, or read some dad-oriented books yourself, such as Pickles and Ice Cream: A Father's Guide to Pregnancy, or Every Guy's Guide as to What To Expect When She's Expecting, so you can speak intelligently on the subject.
* Complimenting her looks: It is quite natural for a woman to feel insecure about herself during her pregnancy. With her rapidly expanding figure, she may start having serious doubts about whether you, her husband, still love her just as much as before. Telling her that she looks great will reassure her and put her at ease. In fact this phase, when both of you are eagerly awaiting the birth of your child, can be a great time for bonding. Be aware that in her more vulnerable and less mobile condition, you owe her the constant reassurance that you're there for her. Jokes or statements to the contrary may bring tears or worse. Be doubly thankful at this time that you're not carrying a baby in your stomach.
* Taking her out: There are a number of ways in which you can break the routine of her life and her growing claustrophobia. Take her out to a movie or to a concert. Plan a shopping trip or treat her to a romantic dinner. One caveat: make sure you have a getaway plan if she gets uncomfortable and plan for easy bathroom breaks.
To really be a star husband, fathers-to-be can think of unique ways to show pregnancy care, such as purchasing her favorite flavor of ice cream or painting the nursery unprompted.
* Giving her a massage: Pregnancy is often attended by unpleasant sensations, stiff joints, and painful swellings. Giving her a gentle massage is one way you can make her feel better after a particularly hard day.
* Helping with the housework: At this stage in her life, your spouse will really appreciate the opportunity for some rest. Lightening her burden, by taking on some of her chores, will tell her how much you love her.
* Making her feel special: Your spouse's pregnancy may have completely unsettled the rhythm of her life. As the pregnancy advances, she may be forced to spend more time at home. You can make her feel special by buying her flowers or chocolates. Playing her favorite music or redecorating the bedroom are other ways in which you can lighten her spirits.
* Informing yourself on pregnancy and your new baby: Now is the time for you to show that you're more than just the reason she's pregnant; you're in it for the long haul. Buy or borrow books on pregnancy that you can read together, or read some dad-oriented books yourself, such as Pickles and Ice Cream: A Father's Guide to Pregnancy, or Every Guy's Guide as to What To Expect When She's Expecting, so you can speak intelligently on the subject.
* Complimenting her looks: It is quite natural for a woman to feel insecure about herself during her pregnancy. With her rapidly expanding figure, she may start having serious doubts about whether you, her husband, still love her just as much as before. Telling her that she looks great will reassure her and put her at ease. In fact this phase, when both of you are eagerly awaiting the birth of your child, can be a great time for bonding. Be aware that in her more vulnerable and less mobile condition, you owe her the constant reassurance that you're there for her. Jokes or statements to the contrary may bring tears or worse. Be doubly thankful at this time that you're not carrying a baby in your stomach.
* Taking her out: There are a number of ways in which you can break the routine of her life and her growing claustrophobia. Take her out to a movie or to a concert. Plan a shopping trip or treat her to a romantic dinner. One caveat: make sure you have a getaway plan if she gets uncomfortable and plan for easy bathroom breaks.
To really be a star husband, fathers-to-be can think of unique ways to show pregnancy care, such as purchasing her favorite flavor of ice cream or painting the nursery unprompted.
Monday, February 9, 2009
How to Keep Love Alive During Pregnancy
It's never easy to understand women when it comes to sex and they often experience changes in their sexual drives when they're pregnant: some pregnant wives claim to feel sexier than ever while others feel nauseated just thinking about the act. That said, you should know what to do with the desire when it arrives.
Sex opens up many pathways of communication between couples. And don't forget: women love to be reassured and seduced, especially when they are feeling bloated and uneasy about their bodies. It's the fact that you love her in spite of the facts of her appearance which is truly touching for a woman.
Here are a few strategies to make your pregnant wife fall in love with you again:
* Dinner with flowers: Nothing says you love your woman more than an average pizza and apple pie served by a waiter. If you can order out from your pregnant wife's favorite restaurant, that will be bliss itself. Consider this a major part of the foreplay. On the other hand, if eating out is a constant thing for you, actually making her dinner yourself may be the required angle here. Romance is done around the dinner table, so figure out what will be the big mood changer for your pregnant wife.
* Spice it up: In case you're wondering, here's what you do with the flowers. The idea is to lay out your bedroom with petals and flowers, put on some Marvin Gaye, and do a little dance-who knows? Your pregnant wife might appreciate the comical element.
* The main course: Presuming that you have already allayed her fears about sex, you may now proceed with the main course. Lay your pregnant wife on her back gently and caress her with the tip of your fingers. A massage is not a bad idea provided it doesn't put her to sleep.
* The right stuff: Use a love-making position that is comfortable, one that doesn't put pressure on her abdomen. Be gentle and loving.
* Plan B: If your pregnant wife is uncomfortable with regular intercourse (because of fears for the baby or other discomfort), you might hint at oral sex (for her, not you, dummy. You just have to hope an even trade might be part of the bargain.)
Things to avoid
* Don't get hasty. Work up to things slowly. Don't be inconsistent with your responses to her body. This will be a sure turn off for your wife, pregnant or not.
* Don't try too hard. If she's been suffering from cramps and aches, it's best to just give her a massage and tuck her into bed. Believe us when we say you will get no points for being whiny with a pregnant wife about your rotten sex life.
* Don't force her to do anything she doesn't want to do. It's always your pregnant wife's prerogative to say "no."
* Avoid the missionary position when you make love since this can put too much pressure on your pregnant wife's stomach.
Valentine's Day celebrates romance. It is only natural that you celebrate the occasion by giving your spouse a Romantic Valentine's Day gift.
Sex opens up many pathways of communication between couples. And don't forget: women love to be reassured and seduced, especially when they are feeling bloated and uneasy about their bodies. It's the fact that you love her in spite of the facts of her appearance which is truly touching for a woman.
Here are a few strategies to make your pregnant wife fall in love with you again:
* Dinner with flowers: Nothing says you love your woman more than an average pizza and apple pie served by a waiter. If you can order out from your pregnant wife's favorite restaurant, that will be bliss itself. Consider this a major part of the foreplay. On the other hand, if eating out is a constant thing for you, actually making her dinner yourself may be the required angle here. Romance is done around the dinner table, so figure out what will be the big mood changer for your pregnant wife.
* Spice it up: In case you're wondering, here's what you do with the flowers. The idea is to lay out your bedroom with petals and flowers, put on some Marvin Gaye, and do a little dance-who knows? Your pregnant wife might appreciate the comical element.
* The main course: Presuming that you have already allayed her fears about sex, you may now proceed with the main course. Lay your pregnant wife on her back gently and caress her with the tip of your fingers. A massage is not a bad idea provided it doesn't put her to sleep.
* The right stuff: Use a love-making position that is comfortable, one that doesn't put pressure on her abdomen. Be gentle and loving.
* Plan B: If your pregnant wife is uncomfortable with regular intercourse (because of fears for the baby or other discomfort), you might hint at oral sex (for her, not you, dummy. You just have to hope an even trade might be part of the bargain.)
Things to avoid
* Don't get hasty. Work up to things slowly. Don't be inconsistent with your responses to her body. This will be a sure turn off for your wife, pregnant or not.
* Don't try too hard. If she's been suffering from cramps and aches, it's best to just give her a massage and tuck her into bed. Believe us when we say you will get no points for being whiny with a pregnant wife about your rotten sex life.
* Don't force her to do anything she doesn't want to do. It's always your pregnant wife's prerogative to say "no."
* Avoid the missionary position when you make love since this can put too much pressure on your pregnant wife's stomach.
Valentine's Day celebrates romance. It is only natural that you celebrate the occasion by giving your spouse a Romantic Valentine's Day gift.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Making Paper Doll Chain with Your Kids
Making a paper doll chain is a perfect activity for dads and children on a sleepy afternoon. It is simple and does not require either time or money. Most importantly, it will be an exercise in creativity that the children will surely enjoy.
Things you will need:
• Some cardboard or hard paper
• A pair of scissors
• Pen, crayons, markers, and color pencils
• Glue
• Colorful paper or fabric scraps, buttons, beads, ribbons, sequins, and stickers to decorate the dolls
Steps to make the doll chain:
• Cut out a broad strip of the cardboard or paper. This could be about 10 cm high and as long as you want to make your doll chain.
• Fold about 6 cm of one end of the strip. At the point where the folded end overlaps, fold the strip again, but in the other direction. Go on making similar, alternating folds, so that the entire strip is folded into accordion style panels.
• Hold the folded panels bunched up tightly, with the top panel facing you. Help your children to draw the outline of a doll on this top panel, with the hands and legs spread out so that these extend to the panel borders.
• Carefully cut around the doll, taking care to retain the folds where the hands and legs touch the borders.
• Now unfold the strip to see your chain of dolls, joined by their hands and legs.
• Let your children decorate the dolls using the crayons, markers, color pencils, pieces of fabric, beads, ribbons, etc.
• You can even help your kids cut out little shapes from fabric scraps that they can use to create colorful dresses for the dolls.
You can use this chain to decorate the walls of your living room. You could even stick it around a lampshade, hang it as a mobile, or use it to decorate your child's door.
Things you will need:
• Some cardboard or hard paper
• A pair of scissors
• Pen, crayons, markers, and color pencils
• Glue
• Colorful paper or fabric scraps, buttons, beads, ribbons, sequins, and stickers to decorate the dolls
Steps to make the doll chain:
• Cut out a broad strip of the cardboard or paper. This could be about 10 cm high and as long as you want to make your doll chain.
• Fold about 6 cm of one end of the strip. At the point where the folded end overlaps, fold the strip again, but in the other direction. Go on making similar, alternating folds, so that the entire strip is folded into accordion style panels.
• Hold the folded panels bunched up tightly, with the top panel facing you. Help your children to draw the outline of a doll on this top panel, with the hands and legs spread out so that these extend to the panel borders.
• Carefully cut around the doll, taking care to retain the folds where the hands and legs touch the borders.
• Now unfold the strip to see your chain of dolls, joined by their hands and legs.
• Let your children decorate the dolls using the crayons, markers, color pencils, pieces of fabric, beads, ribbons, etc.
• You can even help your kids cut out little shapes from fabric scraps that they can use to create colorful dresses for the dolls.
You can use this chain to decorate the walls of your living room. You could even stick it around a lampshade, hang it as a mobile, or use it to decorate your child's door.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Valentines Day Roses - Symbol of Love
Valentine day celebrations are incomplete without roses. Rose, also known as the flower of love, is one of the oldest flowers known to man. The word rose has a Latin origin, 'rosa' meaning red. A legend lies behind the origin of this flower. Rose was created by Chloris, the Greek goddess of flowers who created this flower by adding beauty, nectar, and scent to a dead nymph lying in the woods.
There is a lot of thought behind giving roses on Valentine's Day. Valentine Day roses are an ideal gift since each rose type and color is associated with a special meaning pertaining to love. Hence it is unusual that it is one on the most dominant of all Valentine flowers. Discover the meanings of different roses in the following list before you decide on the appropriate one for your beloved.
* Red roses denote romance and love. A red rosebud also means purity whereas a thorn less rose means love at first sight.
* Apart from red ones, popular Valentine roses are purple, coral, and orange. Purple again signifies love at first sight. Coral and orange roses indicate want.
* Yellow roses symbolize friendship and the joys associated with it.
* Pink roses are the right choice if you want to express gratitude and appreciation. A lighter shade signifies sympathy.
* White roses denote peace, purity, admiration, humility, and deep respect.
* Peach may signify either sympathy or appreciation.
* Black roses, though not suitable as a Valentine rose, have a positive as well as a negative interpretation. While some believe it to be a symbol of death and vengeance, others suggest it signifies the death of old habits, thus indicating a new beginning.
There is a lot of thought behind giving roses on Valentine's Day. Valentine Day roses are an ideal gift since each rose type and color is associated with a special meaning pertaining to love. Hence it is unusual that it is one on the most dominant of all Valentine flowers. Discover the meanings of different roses in the following list before you decide on the appropriate one for your beloved.
* Red roses denote romance and love. A red rosebud also means purity whereas a thorn less rose means love at first sight.
* Apart from red ones, popular Valentine roses are purple, coral, and orange. Purple again signifies love at first sight. Coral and orange roses indicate want.
* Yellow roses symbolize friendship and the joys associated with it.
* Pink roses are the right choice if you want to express gratitude and appreciation. A lighter shade signifies sympathy.
* White roses denote peace, purity, admiration, humility, and deep respect.
* Peach may signify either sympathy or appreciation.
* Black roses, though not suitable as a Valentine rose, have a positive as well as a negative interpretation. While some believe it to be a symbol of death and vengeance, others suggest it signifies the death of old habits, thus indicating a new beginning.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Tips on How to Write a Valentine's Day Poem
It is not every day that you celebrate love and affection St. Valentine's way. There are many rituals associated with Valentine's Day celebrations, including expressing your love through poetry. Nothing overwhelms a woman like a poem, whether simple, sappy, or intense. Poems give you a medium to express your deepest emotions in a brand new way.
Give mom a personalized poem this year and celebrate the love you share for her and your family. It will touch her in a way normal presents can't, though you might complement your poem with the gift of roses, hearts, and candles.
You can print out your poem and leave it on her pillow or, if you are blessed with eloquence, you can recite the poem aloud and in front of the whole family. This effort on your part will be greatly appreciated by your beloved.
Valentine Day poems are usually based on the theme of love and beauty. Roses and hearts form an integral part of Valentine poems. Great poets like Shakespeare, Shelly, Byron, and Keats have written beautiful love poems, such as this one by Percy Shelly:
"The fountains mingle with the river
And the rivers with the ocean,
The winds of Heaven mix forever
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single;
All things by a law divine
In one spirit meet and mingle.
Why not I with thine? -"
Valentine poems written by Joanna Fuchs and John Masefield are also very popular. They not only write soulful poetry but also short catchy verses for every situation and every aspect of love.
If you don't have a lot of experience writing poetry, you can always start with an old standard:
"Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Sugar is sweet,
And so are you."
From there, either rewrite the last two lines or use the same rhyme scheme to make up your own verse.
More adventurous rhymers might want to try longer poems that use a repeated rhyme scheme (ABAB or ABAC) and carry forward over a longer piece.
Another easy and popular poetic form is haiku. Haiku usually only has three short lines. The first line usually contains five syllables, the second line seven syllables, and the third line contains five syllables. Haiku doesn't rhyme. A Haiku paints a picture in the reader's mind.
Poetry is a challenge and takes some work to put together, but it will be appreciated by your Valentine, especially since it is increasingly rare as a Valentine's Day tribute, unless seen on the inside of a greeting card.
This Valentine's Day, pen your innermost thoughts; weave it into a touching poem which will bring a smile on your Valentine's face.
Give mom a personalized poem this year and celebrate the love you share for her and your family. It will touch her in a way normal presents can't, though you might complement your poem with the gift of roses, hearts, and candles.
You can print out your poem and leave it on her pillow or, if you are blessed with eloquence, you can recite the poem aloud and in front of the whole family. This effort on your part will be greatly appreciated by your beloved.
Valentine Day poems are usually based on the theme of love and beauty. Roses and hearts form an integral part of Valentine poems. Great poets like Shakespeare, Shelly, Byron, and Keats have written beautiful love poems, such as this one by Percy Shelly:
"The fountains mingle with the river
And the rivers with the ocean,
The winds of Heaven mix forever
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single;
All things by a law divine
In one spirit meet and mingle.
Why not I with thine? -"
Valentine poems written by Joanna Fuchs and John Masefield are also very popular. They not only write soulful poetry but also short catchy verses for every situation and every aspect of love.
If you don't have a lot of experience writing poetry, you can always start with an old standard:
"Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Sugar is sweet,
And so are you."
From there, either rewrite the last two lines or use the same rhyme scheme to make up your own verse.
More adventurous rhymers might want to try longer poems that use a repeated rhyme scheme (ABAB or ABAC) and carry forward over a longer piece.
Another easy and popular poetic form is haiku. Haiku usually only has three short lines. The first line usually contains five syllables, the second line seven syllables, and the third line contains five syllables. Haiku doesn't rhyme. A Haiku paints a picture in the reader's mind.
Poetry is a challenge and takes some work to put together, but it will be appreciated by your Valentine, especially since it is increasingly rare as a Valentine's Day tribute, unless seen on the inside of a greeting card.
This Valentine's Day, pen your innermost thoughts; weave it into a touching poem which will bring a smile on your Valentine's face.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Valentines Day Crafts Ideas for Kids
A small gift, a favor, an out-of-your-way effort-there are many ways to express your heart on Valentine day. Hand-made crafts are an instant hit when it comes to gifts-they not only are beautiful but also appreciated more because of the effort put into creating them.
Introduce Valentine's Day craft ideas in your family and convert your home into an activity center--the kids will love making these interesting crafts and giving them to people who mean a lot to them. Here are some Valentine's Day craft ideas listed below:
* Wrap a Styrofoam wreath with red ribbon. Glue candy all around and make them overlap each other. Attach a small ribbon loop at on one end so you can hang the wreath. The sweetheart candy wreath is ready.
* Cut two similar-sized hearts from a grocery bag and paste the edges together. Fill the heart with cotton and close the hole. Paint the heart red and spray pink paint over it after the red paint dries. Write a message across the heart with a dark-colored marker. Use buttons, ribbons, etc. to add a few more effects to the heart. Make a loop at one end with a ribbon so the recipient can hang it up.
* This Valentine's Day craft idea is very easy. Take some Styrofoam cups, paint them red and add glitter. Then, write a message on the cup. Fill your Valentine vase with lots of lollipops or flowers, depending on who you want to give it to.
* Take a small mirror and attach it on the inside of a card decorated with cut-outs of flowers and leaves. Make a crown or tiara with silver or golden paper and place it at the top of the mirror. On the outside, write a message complimenting the person who will open the card to see her own reflection wearing the tiara.
* Cut out a heart from a thick cardboard sheet and cut it into pieces so they can be easily rearranged like a jigsaw puzzle. Decorate the pieces and attach messages to some of them.
Introduce Valentine's Day craft ideas in your family and convert your home into an activity center--the kids will love making these interesting crafts and giving them to people who mean a lot to them. Here are some Valentine's Day craft ideas listed below:
* Wrap a Styrofoam wreath with red ribbon. Glue candy all around and make them overlap each other. Attach a small ribbon loop at on one end so you can hang the wreath. The sweetheart candy wreath is ready.
* Cut two similar-sized hearts from a grocery bag and paste the edges together. Fill the heart with cotton and close the hole. Paint the heart red and spray pink paint over it after the red paint dries. Write a message across the heart with a dark-colored marker. Use buttons, ribbons, etc. to add a few more effects to the heart. Make a loop at one end with a ribbon so the recipient can hang it up.
* This Valentine's Day craft idea is very easy. Take some Styrofoam cups, paint them red and add glitter. Then, write a message on the cup. Fill your Valentine vase with lots of lollipops or flowers, depending on who you want to give it to.
* Take a small mirror and attach it on the inside of a card decorated with cut-outs of flowers and leaves. Make a crown or tiara with silver or golden paper and place it at the top of the mirror. On the outside, write a message complimenting the person who will open the card to see her own reflection wearing the tiara.
* Cut out a heart from a thick cardboard sheet and cut it into pieces so they can be easily rearranged like a jigsaw puzzle. Decorate the pieces and attach messages to some of them.
Take to Lessen Lead Poisoning Risk in Kids
There is a lot of talk about lead in the news. Here are some questions you should ask yourself. If you answer yes to any of them, you should dig deeper to learn more about how to control the risk of lead poisoning:
1. Does your child like to put things in his or her mouth?
2. Does your home have peeling paint?
3. Was your home built before 1978?
4. Does your child play in the dirt near your home?
5. Do you live near an industrial facility, especially anything related to treatment of iron ore or steel?
6. Do any neighboring families have instances of lead poisoning (if your child plays in their homes)?
7. Do you or anyone in your family work with lead (jewelry makers, stain glass, plumbers, x-ray, auto mechanics)?
8. Does your child go to a daycare facility built before 1978?
If you have any of the risk factors, which might indicate exposure to lead poisoning for your kids, here are some proactive steps you can take.
1. Test your child. The American Academy of Pediatric recommends testing kids at 12 and 24 months, but if you have some of these risk factors, you may want to test every year through age 6.
2. Don't do home renovations involving removing lead paint unless you've been trained to do so.
3. Have an expert check to assess lead exposure in your house. Go to epa.gov/lead for pros in your area. There has been controversy about the reliability of over-the-counter tests sold at drugstores and hardware stores.
4. If you work with lead, change your clothes and shower before you play with your kids. Wash your clothes separately.
5. Inventory your kids' toys to remove any that have been recalled for lead poisoning.
6. Remove your shoes before walking through your house, especially if you have babies crawling around on the floors who could be exposed to lead poisoning.
7. Run tap water for 30 seconds or use water filters. Remember that lead leeches more into hot water, so never use the hot water tap to fill bottles of formula. You can call the EPA's safe water hotline at 800-426-4791 for more information.
Read more about compilation of all the great parenting advice that help to raise child safe and healthy.
1. Does your child like to put things in his or her mouth?
2. Does your home have peeling paint?
3. Was your home built before 1978?
4. Does your child play in the dirt near your home?
5. Do you live near an industrial facility, especially anything related to treatment of iron ore or steel?
6. Do any neighboring families have instances of lead poisoning (if your child plays in their homes)?
7. Do you or anyone in your family work with lead (jewelry makers, stain glass, plumbers, x-ray, auto mechanics)?
8. Does your child go to a daycare facility built before 1978?
If you have any of the risk factors, which might indicate exposure to lead poisoning for your kids, here are some proactive steps you can take.
1. Test your child. The American Academy of Pediatric recommends testing kids at 12 and 24 months, but if you have some of these risk factors, you may want to test every year through age 6.
2. Don't do home renovations involving removing lead paint unless you've been trained to do so.
3. Have an expert check to assess lead exposure in your house. Go to epa.gov/lead for pros in your area. There has been controversy about the reliability of over-the-counter tests sold at drugstores and hardware stores.
4. If you work with lead, change your clothes and shower before you play with your kids. Wash your clothes separately.
5. Inventory your kids' toys to remove any that have been recalled for lead poisoning.
6. Remove your shoes before walking through your house, especially if you have babies crawling around on the floors who could be exposed to lead poisoning.
7. Run tap water for 30 seconds or use water filters. Remember that lead leeches more into hot water, so never use the hot water tap to fill bottles of formula. You can call the EPA's safe water hotline at 800-426-4791 for more information.
Read more about compilation of all the great parenting advice that help to raise child safe and healthy.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Ages to Start a Musical Instrument With a Child
Here's a bonding idea for you: learn to play a musical instrument along with your child.
I'm not saying it's a good idea, but it might work in your house. In our case, I put off beginning piano lessons until my daughter turned five, now a year ago. Apparently, five is the age when kids should start piano, unless they have exhibited Mozart-like tendencies to play Schubert by ear on the local baby grand. In a recent unofficial poll, 47% of people who play musical instruments started playing between the ages of four and ten.
The BBCsite has a good guide on ages to start playing different instruments based on the size of the instrument, and the lung or body strength required, in brief:
• Recorder - often recommended as a starter instrument, can be played as soon as child can get fingers over the holes
• Violin - could start at 4, but 6 is more realistic
• Wind and brass - not before second set of teeth are in
• Guitar - comes in smaller sizes and can be played as of age eight, depending on size and stretch of hands
• Singing - formal lessons not advised until teens, after voices are more developed
Ideally, in all of these cases, the child should be able to recognize numbers and know letters through G, for obvious reasons.
I found a teacher who bought into my idea of learning along with my daughter, or who at least humored me in my plan. At our first lesson, she met my daughter and me, let us plunk around on the keys, and ordered us beginner books. I did not get the one with zoo animals playing in a band, I got the more austere-looking AdultPiano Adventures. (Note: I'd recommend this book for beginners or older students getting back to the piano. It's not a 'piano for dummies' style primer, but it does teach the basics with arrangements of the type of classical and pop songs you'll likely recognize and enjoy playing).
On our second lesson, it was clear there was something wrong with my plan. My daughter banished me to the waiting area and conducted her part of the lesson in private. I was allowed five minutes at the end to show what I learned. This continued on for weeks on end, until we finally broke up our "lesson." I went on to take 45-minute bi-weekly lessons and she changed teachers for a more convenient, and private, at-school lesson. Which leads me to several things I found out about kids and learning music:
1. Wait until they are ready to learn. Unless your child appears to be a prodigy, and you're likely to see this right away, wait until at least age five to begin lessons. Some even recommend six or seven depending on the facility reading and counting.
2. At the beginning, remove any pressure to play and practice. You'll have plenty of time to spoil the love of music later when you force her or him to play four hours a day. For now, let your child play when he or she wants to. As time progresses, start with putting the child at the piano for five minutes per day and advancing from that as lessons start to take hold. Try to make music as fun as possible, and that means stopping your playing to let them in. If they want to play, let them at it.
3. Make sure your child really likes the teacher. If not, run, don't walk, to another instructor.
4. Create occasions for your child to play in front of people, with the proper warning. Our child, while not usually a performer, was relaxed playing for family when she knew and bought into the concert idea several months in advance.
5. Don't expect you'll be able to play with your child or help teach them, or you may be disappointed. I always let my daughter join me if she wants to play while I'm practicing, but I've failed miserably several times to show her how to play "her" music.
6. If possible, find easy one finger arrangements of songs your child likes. While a certain amount of instruction in the building blocks is key, there is nothing as motivating in music, to both adults and children, as playing a song that they know and love.
I'm not saying it's a good idea, but it might work in your house. In our case, I put off beginning piano lessons until my daughter turned five, now a year ago. Apparently, five is the age when kids should start piano, unless they have exhibited Mozart-like tendencies to play Schubert by ear on the local baby grand. In a recent unofficial poll, 47% of people who play musical instruments started playing between the ages of four and ten.
The BBCsite has a good guide on ages to start playing different instruments based on the size of the instrument, and the lung or body strength required, in brief:
• Recorder - often recommended as a starter instrument, can be played as soon as child can get fingers over the holes
• Violin - could start at 4, but 6 is more realistic
• Wind and brass - not before second set of teeth are in
• Guitar - comes in smaller sizes and can be played as of age eight, depending on size and stretch of hands
• Singing - formal lessons not advised until teens, after voices are more developed
Ideally, in all of these cases, the child should be able to recognize numbers and know letters through G, for obvious reasons.
I found a teacher who bought into my idea of learning along with my daughter, or who at least humored me in my plan. At our first lesson, she met my daughter and me, let us plunk around on the keys, and ordered us beginner books. I did not get the one with zoo animals playing in a band, I got the more austere-looking AdultPiano Adventures. (Note: I'd recommend this book for beginners or older students getting back to the piano. It's not a 'piano for dummies' style primer, but it does teach the basics with arrangements of the type of classical and pop songs you'll likely recognize and enjoy playing).
On our second lesson, it was clear there was something wrong with my plan. My daughter banished me to the waiting area and conducted her part of the lesson in private. I was allowed five minutes at the end to show what I learned. This continued on for weeks on end, until we finally broke up our "lesson." I went on to take 45-minute bi-weekly lessons and she changed teachers for a more convenient, and private, at-school lesson. Which leads me to several things I found out about kids and learning music:
1. Wait until they are ready to learn. Unless your child appears to be a prodigy, and you're likely to see this right away, wait until at least age five to begin lessons. Some even recommend six or seven depending on the facility reading and counting.
2. At the beginning, remove any pressure to play and practice. You'll have plenty of time to spoil the love of music later when you force her or him to play four hours a day. For now, let your child play when he or she wants to. As time progresses, start with putting the child at the piano for five minutes per day and advancing from that as lessons start to take hold. Try to make music as fun as possible, and that means stopping your playing to let them in. If they want to play, let them at it.
3. Make sure your child really likes the teacher. If not, run, don't walk, to another instructor.
4. Create occasions for your child to play in front of people, with the proper warning. Our child, while not usually a performer, was relaxed playing for family when she knew and bought into the concert idea several months in advance.
5. Don't expect you'll be able to play with your child or help teach them, or you may be disappointed. I always let my daughter join me if she wants to play while I'm practicing, but I've failed miserably several times to show her how to play "her" music.
6. If possible, find easy one finger arrangements of songs your child likes. While a certain amount of instruction in the building blocks is key, there is nothing as motivating in music, to both adults and children, as playing a song that they know and love.
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