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12 months At your baby’s first annual check-up, she may receive her MMR—a combined vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles)—and an immunization against varicella (chicken pox). 15 months If she did not receive an MMR at 12 months, your child will get this shot now. She may also be given her fourth HiB immunization—a vaccine against Hemophilus Influenza B (a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and other illnesses) and her fourth DPT or DTaP immunization—a combined vaccine against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus (lockjaw)....

Kids aren’t able to write well until they have developed good fine-motor skills. Fortunately, these skills improve easily with lots of practice. Use the following activities to help your young child develop the precision, balance, and hand-eye coordination that are needed to perform the fine-motor skills used in handwriting: Give your child clay or play-dough to play with to strengthen the major muscles used in handwriting. Encourage her to play with Legos, miniature cars, small blocks, action figures, and other small toys....

When it comes to masks, what’s best for adults isn’t always safe for kids. Because there is still a lot we don’t know about how safe N95 and KN95 masks are for kids, it’s best to leave those masks for the adults. Are N95 or KN95 Masks Safe for Kids? While N95 masks are ideal for adults, the FDA does not recommend them for children. The data on N95 use in children is inconsistent thus far....

Drawing supplies Sometimes, the only way to really explain something is to draw a how-to picture, or even a series of pictures. And there’s no better person to draw them than your child, the budding junior technical illustrator! Discuss with your child which household appliances (the toaster, microwave oven, etc.) could use a set of clear, simple instructions, and select one with which your child is especially familiar. You and your child first review together how to use the appliance effectively and safely....

While researchers are still exploring the cause of dyscalculia, it is believed to be a brain-based condition. What Is Dyscalculia? Children and teens with dyscalculia struggle to understand numbers and how to do math. Their struggles may lead them to avoid math and develop math anxiety. Math is included in many parts of life, even for young children. However, with proper identification and educational strategies, people who experience dyscalculia can go on to be successful in school and in their personal lives....

First of all, ask your child to walk around in her normal, everyday walk. Now try walking very high, very low, very wide, very narrow, very fast, and very slowly. Think of other ways people walk and try them out. Now ask your child to create her own special walk and make it as silly as possible. Can you do your silly walk backwards? Sideways? Turning? Finally, slow down your silly walk until it stops in an unusual shape....

Social Stressors Many kids experience some level of stress or anxiety in social situations they encounter in school. While some of these issues provide important opportunities for growth, they must be handled with care and can cause anxiety that must be dealt with. Teachers A good experience with a caring teacher can cause a lasting impression on a child’s life—so can a bad experience. While most teachers do their best to provide students with a positive educational experience, some students are better suited for certain teaching styles and classroom types than others....

Researchers out of Seaver College at Pepperdine University studied the interaction between stress and social media mom groups. The researchers focused on evidence of cortisol in moms’ saliva after interacting with social media parenting groups. The results were staggering. The more time moms spent on these sites, the higher their cortisol levels were, suggesting an increase in stress. The Stressful Side of Social Media Parent Groups This study, led by researchers Lauren Amaro, Nataria T....

How Popular Is the Name Sophia? To say Sophia is a popular name is probably an understatement. It has consistently ranked in the top 10 U.S. names since 2006. Sophia enjoyed a three-year run as the No. 1 name in the United States from 2011 to 2013, with the latter being its most popular year. Since then, it has remained a top-five name. Gender: Sophia is commonly used for girls, whereas the masculine variant Sophus is used for boys....

Skills Being Practiced Sight/spelling word recognition Vocabulary retention General word knowledge What You Need Index cards or cardstock Pencil Set of markers Pen Computer with Comic Sans 12-point font How to Play: Handwritten Flash Cards Give your child index cards, a pencil, and his list of spelling words. Ask him to write one spelling word apiece on an index card. 2. This will help him recognize the words in his own handwriting and help him to start forming a visual memory of how each word looks when he writes it....

Benefits of Well-Folded Baby Clothes A tidy baby dresser is a boon for your stress levels. “Keeping baby clothes neat and organized can be particularly helpful in two scenarios: when you are tight on space, and for those middle of the night, in the dark diaper changes,” says June Doran, a parenting and decluttering expert at This Simple Balance. “When you’re standing there, bleary-eyed and exhausted, with the mother of all blowouts on your hands, knowing exactly where you put the zippered pajamas filed neatly in the drawer might just save you from a complete and total meltdown....

Cooking Strategies If foods have to be added sequentially, one part of the recipe always represents the bulk of the cooking time. You can do that part one day (or in the morning), then finish the dish the next day (or in the evening). Reheat the first day’s cooked foods on the stove or in a microwave before continuing with the rest of the recipe. Layering the Toppings The Greeks are famous for making casseroles with custard toppings....

Fitness and Health Benefits of Strength Training Personal training is a very popular method of strength training. Trainers should be well qualified to design a program for you, listen to your needs and accommodate for the way your body performs, and guide you through a safe exercise program. It is recommended that you have a trainer who is certified, although there are different qualities and requirements for certification. The highest recommended certification types are through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), American Council on Exercise (ACE), and National Council of Strength and Fitness (NCSF)....

Although it is difficult to define creativity, creativity is often associated with the ability to engage in “divergent” thinking. Divergent thinking describes the thought process used when exploring many possible solutions to a single problem or concept. Convergent thinking is the opposite — it is the ability to give a single answer based on logical and conventional thought. Since a hallmark characteristic of ADHD is a lack of restraint, both behaviorally and intellectually, it’s long been believed that individuals with this disorder tend towards divergent, or creative, thinking....

Infants and children younger than age 10 are at an increased risk for retinal sunlight injury because their eyes permit greater amounts of damaging UV light to enter, but a quality pair of sunglasses can protect your child’s eyes from damaging rays. When reviewing products, we looked carefully at lens and frame types, material, age recommendations, and UV protection. Here are the best sunglasses for kids based on your child’s style and activity level....

Sled options have changed a ton since the days of wooden planks and cafeteria trays. Modern sleds are more comfortable, safer, and designed for certain ages and skill levels. From inflatable sled options to comfy foam sleds to plastic snow tubes and multi-seaters, there are more winter sport gear choices than ever. Ready for some fun in the snow? Below you will find the 15 best sleds for kids in 2021 and 2022 that are not only fun but safe and durable, too!...

Your gift will depend not only on your relationship with her, but what she values. You can give her something useful, or something pretty, and sometimes even something that’s both. We looked carefully over design, usefulness, material, ingredients, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best gifts for new moms that will make her feel like a million bucks. The sweet lace-trimmed sleeves add a delicate touch to this soft pink ensemble, while the clip-down top allows easy nursing access....