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2 paper plates Colored yarn Crayons, paints, felt markers Paper punch or sharp nail Bobby pin

What to do: 1. Ask your child to point to words and numbers on the box and guess what they say. 2. Read aloud some of the words and numbers. Talk about the different kinds of information they convey. For example, words tell the name of the cereal, what’s in it, and how it tastes. Numbers tell the price and how much the box weighs. 3. Make up a new cereal together....

Jewelry crafts are fun activity to do with one kid or a large group. They allow kids to express themselves creatively, plus they walk away with an accessory to wear — or gift — that they designed themselves. Here are five simple projects you can make with the special young ones in your life. Make a statement, and have fun! Beaded Safety Pin Bracelet Materials: Little glass beads Safety pins Elastic that stretches...

Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia When your iron levels are low, it’s not uncommon to experience a variety of signs and symptoms including, but not limited to: FatigueCold hands and feetDizzinessWeaknessChest painBrittle nails pale skinIrregular heartbeatHeadachesLow body temperatureShortness of breath In general, a low intake of iron is usually the cause of iron-deficiency anemia. This can happen as a result of not getting enough iron in your diet or through supplements, from blood loss, and certain health conditions like celiac or Crohn’s disease that make it difficult for your body to absorb iron from food....

Start with a physical exam by your veterinarian. Be sure she knows about the aggression problem. Have a full thyroid panel run (not just a thyroid screening), as low thyroid sometimes causes aggressive behavior. Ask your vet about other tests you may want to have run. Be aware that even if a physical cause is found, it may be difficult or impossible to control your dog’s aggressive behavior reliably enough to make him a safe pet....

How Popular Is the Name Mary? Mary was the most popular baby name for girls in America for over sixty years, from the 1880s until the year 1946. It dropped to No. 2 in the late 1940s and early 50s, as Linda took the No. 1 slot, but Mary rose to the top spot again from 1953 to 1961. The name Mary remained in the top 10 throughout the 1960s but dropped in popularity from the 1970s to the present....

Respect the other person’s right to privacy and their boundaries. Make a concerted, conscious effort to listen objectively and understand thoroughly. Try to partake in an equal exchange; a conversation is a dialogue not a monologue. Do not interrupt and allow the other person to finish speaking. Do not use words that are accusatory, threatening, demanding, critical, or full of blame. Be aware of how your mother or daughter listens and adjust your style....

Month Nine Checklist Make sure that your other children’s teachers and care providers are aware of your impending hospital stay. Pack your bag and compile a call list for your partner. Line up postpartum assistance. Stock up the freezer with heat-and-eat meals or recruit postpartum kitchen help. Make a plan, and a back-up plan, for getting to the hospital. Put your feet up, relax, and take a deep breath. The rest is up to your baby!...

These breaks can be as simple as doing a set of jumping jacks or high knees before diving back into schoolwork—at home or at school. Let’s take a look at why children may benefit from including brain breaks in their own homework routine. Why Brain Breaks Work Taking a pause for the mind while activating the body enhances learning. Research shows that periodic brain breaks can vastly improve kids’ ability to stay engaged during more focused work....

Plus, there are some exciting changes that occur in their diets at this age as well. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), babies can start to eat solid foods around 6 months old. While this age is a general guideline, there are also some developmental markers—like being able to sit up well without support—that should be met before introducing solids. Of course, when introducing solids for the first time, you want to start small and be responsive to your baby....

But you’re creative! You’re going to change the game to keep it interesting for everyone. Every time you go down one number (such as ninety-nine, ninety-eight, ninety-seven, and so on), think of a different beverage or liquid! For example, start with ninety-nine bottles of beer, then ninety-eight bottles of Coke, on down to twenty bottles of Johnson’s Baby Shampoo on the wall. Take turns thinking of a new item, until everyone runs out of ideas....

Most of the time, when a rhyme is completed, the counting begins. The rope can be swung at regular speed or cranked up to “hot pepper” (where you start swinging the rope overhead). Continue the counting and jumping until the person makes a misstep or wants to stop. Try out the different options below and/or experiment to come up with your family’s own routine of jump rope moves and personalized rhymes....

The Norton Online Living report states that 76% of U.S. teens ages 13-17 “constantly” or “frequently” visit social networking sites. When used correctly, social networking sites provide a great online area where children and teens can interact with friends and family members. However, these sites often create the illusion of being a safe haven for sharing personal information and stories with strangers. According to the Norton Online Living report, 4 in 10 teens, ages 13-17, have received an online request for personal information....

These milk ‘additives’ are used to help cows produce more milk and can include antibiotics, pesticides (used on the feed the cows eat), and synthetic growth hormones. However, organic milk is free of these extras. Organic milk is also supposed to be better for the cows, since they have access to pasture, instead of being stuck in a feedlot. So why wouldn’t you want to give your kids organic milk which is made without antibiotics, pesticides, and synthetic growth hormones?...

Questions About the School Day It’s always a good idea to have a grasp of the school curriculum and learn how the teacher approaches teaching in general, if this hasn’t already been made clear to you. Some questions you might consider asking include: Could you outline the schedule of a typical day or classroom period? What skills are being addressed in class right now, and how do they tie into the overall goals of the school year?...

Modeling Modeling is the basis of learning through observation. By learning more about modeling, you will be able to use this tool to teach your child how you expect him to behave. By definition, this means you will have to take a look at your own behavior. Modeling is part of the reason our children truly do make us better people. Communication There are many different types of communication tools available to parents, but the most important thing to remember is to communicate!...

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is one such issue. The condition, which usually strikes during or right after pregnancy, can have serious consequences for the functionality of your heart, as well as your lungs and other organs. However, while a very serious condition, there are many effective ways to treat peripartum cardiomyopathy, and most mothers are able to lead normal, healthy lives after a timely diagnosis and care plan. What Is Peripartum Cardiomyopathy?...

The role of physical therapy in post-op recovery has been studied before, but the examined time period tends to be only the first few days or weeks postpartum. New research from University of Missouri Health Care, published in Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy, found that physical therapy may be the key to more successful, long-term C-section recovery. “Myself and my colleagues had noticed that individuals with a history of Cesarean section have a higher incidence of low back pain and are at least as likely to have incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse as those who vaginally deliver," says study author Jennifer Stone, PT, DPT, a board-certified clinical specialist, orthopedic physical therapy, and pelvic health physical therapist....

Directions Help your child bend pipe cleaners into different shapes. Join some together and make more complex shapes. You can make people, animals, trucks, or anything you’d like. Join them together and hold them in the air, moving them back and forth. This is a fun family activity as you can make the sculpture as large as you’d like, with each person creating a mini-sculpture link at their own artistic ability....