Time: An afternoon Type of activity: Science/ Arts and Crafts Celebrate the upcoming (and long-awaited) arrival of spring and St. Patrick’s Day by growing your own leprechaun! Materials needed:· Styrofoam cup· Crayons· Potting soil· Plant seeds for a green plant What to do: Step One: First have your child decorate the cup by drawing or painting a face on it. She doesn’t need to color in hair, since that’s what she’ll be growing....
Growing teens are a big bundle of hormones, mood swings, and bodily changes. Read on to find out what changes to expect in your 13-year-old, so you can be prepared as your child enters his teen years. Physical ChangesAlthough the age that a child enters puberty varies greatly, most children have already started maturing by the time they reach this age. You’ve probably noticed many physical changes in your child already, but don’t be surprised to notice a few more this year,including:...
When to Start Weaning The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and the continuation of breastfeeding along with the introduction of solid foods until your child’s first birthday and beyond. However, the decision about when to wean your baby is a personal one, and it’s really up to you. While some women begin to wean right away to prepare to go back to work, others may wait until their children are toddlers before fully weaning....
Habits That Tweens Should Avoid Below are a few everyday habits tweens might need to leave behind. Blaming Others Your tween is old enough to begin taking some responsibility for his actions. If your child tends to blame others (teachers, siblings, friends) for everything that goes wrong, you may need to encourage your tween to spend a little time considering his actions. Don’t allow your tween to scoot away from consequences....
Paper Crayons or markers Nail polish (optional) Sparkles or small beads Glue Directions
Preschoolers can do a lot to help around the house. Your child can now handle such jobs as: Setting or clearing the table Putting dishes in the sink or dishwasher Making her own bed Emptying wastebaskets Putting her dirty clothes in the laundry hamper or basket Sorting laundry into whites and colors Matching socks Bringing in the newspaper or the mail from the mailbox Besides her assigned or chosen chore, let your preschooler do as much to help as she seems interested or willing to do....
Expand on What They Already Like Oftentimes getting a child to accept a new food can be challenging, especially a strong-willed child who has some selective taste preferences. Serving foods that taste good and look familiar can help to reduce battles and increase food acceptance. Providing access and serving healthy foods is the role of the parent, and one of the best ways to get children to explore and expand their delicate palates is to expand on the foods they already enjoy eating....
Age group: 18-40 months Duration of activity: 15 minutes Materials: Red and pink tempera paint Pie tins Kitchen sponges Scissors Clothespins White construction paper or bond paper This activity will help your child develop fine motor skills. You may also want to use this as an opportunity to talk about color and shape identification. You don’t have to limit your child to a simple sheet of paper. Perhaps she can print hearts onto a card or calendar....
Make Connections Why read a book to an infant who does not yet know the meaning of a word – or of words at all? Why sing to a toddler who cannot understand your song? Both activities help children make connections between words and meaning. They also help to create a warm, safe environment for children and lead to a lifelong love of reading and learning. Some parents assume that learning to read starts with memorizing the alphabet and sounding out words, but actually the fundamentals of reading begin much earlier....
Overview Poor school performance can lead to feelings of failure and increased stress, exacerbating the depression. There are steps and strategies that parents can take to help support their child or teen. It is important to understand how depression can affect learning and school achievement to find ways to tweak your approach specifically to your child. To understand how depression can affect learning, it is important to make a quick review of some depression symptoms and how they can impact learning....
It’s the most wonderful time of year — as those festive lyrics state — with memories to cherish forever. The holidays are just around the corner, which means fun, food, family…and finances. When it comes to holiday spending, it can also be a downright stressful time of year. Financial expert and mother Rachel Cruze author of Live Your Life Not Theirs, understands how, and why, parents feel financially burdened around Christmas....
Choosing to refrain from a potentially risky activity during pregnancy, such as hot yoga, is never a bad decision. However, for some women after a discussion with their obstetrical provider and making certain modifications may be able to consider continuing their hot yoga practice. If you have been practicing hot yoga regularly leading up to your pregnancy, it very well may be safe to continue. Understanding potential risks and following expert recommendations can help you make the best decision for yourself and your unborn child....
In addition, everyone age 5 and up is eligible for a bivalent booster, which protects against the Omicron variant, as long as it has been at least two months since their last shot (primary series or booster). And as of December 8, 2022, children between 6 months and 4 years old may also be eligible for a bivalent booster, depending on when and if they have completed their primary series of vaccinations....
Think about it this way: would you be more motivated by a mean boss you didn’t like or by a helpful supervisor whom you respected? If you’re like most people, you’d do your best work when you’re under a great leader. Parents who provide good leadership and who have their child’s respect are also more likely to motivate their children to behave. One of the best ways to do that is by giving your child lots of attention....
Belly Button Pops Out Sometimes during pregnancy, your pregnant belly button will stick out. Even if you’ve been an “innie” all of your life, during pregnancy the expansion of your abdomen can cause you to be an “outie.” There isn’t much you can do about this usually temporary condition, except to cover it with clothing. Some people tape something over their navel, like a bandage, to create a more flat appearance under their clothing....
Although these relationships are sometimes fraught with frustrations, jealousy, and competitiveness, they may also represent the strongest and most loyal people in a person’s life. But, can these sibling relationships prevent bullying? While there is limited research on how much of an impact a strong sibling bond will have on bullying prevention, most scientists theorize that having siblings influences a child’s adjustment and development as much as parenting does. Research also suggests that healthy sibling bonds—ones that are characterized by warmth, closeness, and problem-solving—can be instrumental in helping siblings overcome and heal from bullying experiences....
The fetal fibronectin (fFN) test is a diagnostic tool that healthcare providers use to determine the risk for preterm labor. The test measures levels of the protein fetal fibronectin (FFN). Higher levels of the protein, which is measured by collecting fluid in the vagina or cervical opening, indicate whether or not preterm labor is likely. A positive test result means a greater risk of going into labor, while a negative result makes going into labor early less likely....
Soccer practice might be at the same time as dance. And piano lessons might start before you get out of work. You may need to ask someone to help you shuttle kids from one activity to the next. Or you might find that you need someone to watch the kids for just a couple of hours so you can go to an appointment, clean the house, or do your taxes....
