AmyBabyTips.com

Most children can be taught word recognition at a very young age.  How?  It is a similar method to learning to talk – children learn to talk by being exposed to people talking around them.  To learn visual word recognition children need, first of all, exposure to the written word, in print.

Use children books with interesting stories. Picture books with few or no words in them will not teach your child to read.  However, exposure to children’s books with many pages of print and the occasional picture will trigger your child’s curiosity about the story as well as familiarizing him or her with the written word.  If, as you read to your child, you point to the words with your finger, your child will become more familiar with those words.  Eventually he or she will begin to recognize the words when he or she sees them, especially those with a high emotional attachments

Flashcards can also be used to reinforce names of objects in the child’s environment.  To teach your baby to read, on pieces of 10 x 10 inch plain white card, write words, in capital letters, that describe toys that belong to your child, for example “elephant’, and on another card ‘dog” and so on. Play the following game with your child.  Place all the toys on the floor.  As your child picks up a toy, show him the card with the word on it and say the word together.  Repeat it as man times as he or she likes.  Then read to your child a story about an ”elephant” or a “dog” or whatever animal or character you made word cards for.  This will reinforce the word in your child’s mind, building word recognition abilities and increasing vocabulary.  Additionally, invite your child to tell you a story, and you listen, write it down.  When your child has finished, read the story back to him or her and  point to each word as you go.  When your child sees words in the context of her own vocabulary, it will again increase her recognition of the written word.

You should not have a preconceived schedule of success. There is no fixed time frame here.  Your child could learn within days, weeks, or even months.  Each child is different and your child’s ability will not be tested, but yours will.  Your attitude, your patience, your perseverance, all of these will be tried and tested.  You will find yourself having to evolve your own method for making your child love it.

You can use your imagination on your own teaching methods. A teacher friend of mine had her own method of teaching her daughter.  She would hide a card with a word written on it behind her and approach her child playfully saying “What does mommy have for her baby”  The one-year-old would look up and try to reach for the mysterious object.  Then her mother would bring out the card and say with gusto “Cat!” The child’s delightful laughter proved that the game was having the desired effect.  In no time at all, the child could read words.  Soon she went on to short sentences.  Her mother bought various simple books and every one held a treasure trove of knowledge for her young daughter.  By the time she was four, the little girl surprised everybody  with her familiarity with words and sentences.  This mother’s success was due to her belief in her child, her healthy attitude, her patience, and her playfulness, which made her daughter look forward to every “reading game”

In the same way, you too can work out your own method for stimulating your child’s interest in the written word.  It will be a success because of your great love for your child.  And trust me, every second will be worth it.

At Find A Babysitter.com.au, parents often ask us for tips about starting with a new babysitter or nanny.  Here are our 10 simple tips for evening babysitting jobs:           

    1.  House Tour: Conduct a brief tour of the house when the babysitter or nanny arrives.  Include relevant door keys/locks, heating/cooling systems, baby monitor and telephone location.

     2.  Room Tour: Conduct a tour of the child’s room if relevant – including location of pyjamas, bedtime books/toys and nappy changing items (if required).

     3.  Facilities: Show your babysitter the tea, coffee, snacks, TV and bathroom facilities for the evening.  Let her know what is allowed (e.g., rules for phone use, what she can eat) and not allowed (e.g., smoking, boyfriends).

     4.   Phone Numbers: Leave a list of phone numbers (your mobile phone, emergency contacts) and a completed ‘emergency information checklist’ (see resources on www.findababysitter.com.au)

     5.    Routine: Explain the steps of the bedtime routine – include the bed time, story time, tooth brushing, location of bottles, dummies and comfort toys.

     6.   Settling Strategies: Warn the babysitter if your child is likely to wake up during the evening.  Tell her your settling strategies.

     7.    Cancellations: Never leave a sick child with a babysitter.  Try to cancel as early as possible if you need to. 

     8.    Timing: Tell the sitter the approximate time you expect to be home.  If you are running late, call or SMS the sitter to advise her.

     9.    Payment: Prepare the correct change to pay the babysitter. 

    10.   Safety: At the end of the evening, show the babysitter to her car for safety.

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Shyness is a normal response seen in infants to an overwhelming social experience. Such children may or may not retain this behavior for life. Remember that shyness is not abnormal and is a phase of the development process. Ensure that your baby is not experiencing severe discomfort or fear in new situations.

Causes

While there is no known cause for shyness in babies, several possible explanations exist that include:

• Some researchers believe shyness may be an inherited behavior. However, at the same time, children are likely to adopt behaviors seen in their parents, biological or not.
• The temporary withdrawal seen in children is a defense mechanism that helps them to gain a sense of control over their surroundings, especially in new situations such as a party with bright lights and many people talking loudly at the same time.
• Nature provides babies with a natural wariness of strangers. Babies start recognizing faces early in life, and feel comfortable with the familiar faces of their parents.
• Some children are naturally shy, and do not enjoy being the center of attention.

Helping the shy baby

Here are some ways to help your shy baby ‘come out’:

• Children learn by example. Appear outgoing and confident when your child is watching.
• Socialize your kids with as many people as possible right from an early age in different situations.
• Use positive association methods. Do not criticize, yell, or shout if your child refuses to play with somebody. Smile when your baby agrees to be held by a trusted person you know well.
• Do not force children to do something they do not like, as it will only reinforce shy behavior.
• Make playtime fun and encourage your baby to play with other kids. Use your children’s favorite toys and objects to lure them into interacting with other people.

If you are expecting a new baby, chances are you are looking forward to decorating a room especially for your newborn.  A baby nursery is great fun to plan and decorate and you don’t have to spend a fortune doing it!  Even if you don’t know if you’re having a baby boy or a baby girl, you can come up with the perfect theme and color combination to really dress up an ordinary space into a delightful baby nursery.

Theme. Begin by selecting your theme.  Many themes are timeless, like the ocean or a jungle or familiar nursery rhymes.  Maybe a children’s character you loved as a child could set the tone.  For boys, trains, trucks, sports and cowboys are popular.  For girls, fairies, princesses and ballerinas are classics.  Gender neutral themes can include tropical fish, sweet birds, bumble bees, farm animals or any of the popular licensed children’s characters.

Paint.  When you are ready, start by picking a pleasant paint color for all or several of the walls.  Paint is relatively inexpensive and can really add interest to the room.  Remember though that you will have to live with it for several years so don’t pick something too dark or dramatic.  A baby’s nursery should be soothing and something they can grow into.

Decorate.  Add wallpaper trim borders for interest or vinyl wall decals sprinkled about.  These inexpensive decorating treatments can be found online.  Or, do it yourself!  Using poster board, cut out stenciled shapes and using complementary colors to your background color, stencil designs around the room.  Remember to let the background color dry first though before painting on top of it.

Consider freehand painting if you’re artistically inclined.  If not, copy an image on overhead projector overlays and project them on the wall, painting over the image.  The finished results will look like you illustrated the images yourself and you’ll have fun doing it!  You may even want to repurpose the image on your Baby Announcements.  Make it a group project with help from friends and family if you want.  On your Baby Shower Invitations, invite guests to stick around for a painting party.

Furnish.  Baby furniture can be found at garage sales, thrift stores or online.  The pieces don’t have to match.  Some of the most charming rooms are a collection of mismatched items.  Add a fresh coat of paint if necessary.    Include a rocking chair if you can and a nightlight in the room for middle of the night diaper changes.

Accessorize.  If you’re a seamstress, sew your own bedding and window treatments.  If not, consider asking a friend or family member to help.  Or, bargain shop and you are sure to find something perfect for your new little one.  The hunt for that something special can be quite fun!

Personalize.  For an extra special touch, personalize the room with the new baby’s name.  Paint it yourself or order online.  Personalized wall decals are uniquely interesting.  And don’t forget to frame a copy of your Baby Birth Announcements for a simple wall decoration.

Surf websites for inspiration on baby nursery decorating tips.  You will amaze yourself at how much you can do on your own so get started early as you will be quite busy once your new baby is born!

When ordering the printed baby shower invitations it is important to get an accurate count of how many guests the Mom-to-Be wants to invite to the Baby Shower. The number will depend on where the baby shower will be held. Usually between 10-50 guests are invited, but this will all depend on the location and what type of shower is being planned, such as a co-ed couples baby shower, or a traditional, women only baby shower.

Before selecting your personalized baby shower invitation, you might want to order more invitations than are needed so there will be extras for keepsake and forgotten guests. If sending the baby shower invitationsfor a baby shower by mail, it might be a good idea to ensure they stand out so that guests will not think it is junk mail and toss the baby shower invitations without ever opening it.

With so many choices it is important for the hostess to sit down with the parents to be and discuss what type of event they would like to have. The personalized invitations for the baby shower will need to be a reflection of the theme for the event, and you want to capture the spirit of your baby shower in the invitations. Don’t forget to order the baby shower Thank You cards and Gift Tags at the same time the baby shower invitationsare ordered so that the baby shower thank you cards and gift tagsreflect the baby shower theme.

At poshexpressions.com, there are many styles to choose from, featuring the most trendy and up- to-date styles available.  The different styles can include formal, trendy, or simple, whatever best fits with the theme and personality of the Mom-to-Be. The invitations for the baby shower should be sent out approximately four to six weeks prior to the date of the shower. This will give the guests enough time to purchase the gift and clear their schedule and RSVP.

When ordering the printed baby shower invitations, it is important to rember to include:

• name of the Mom-to-Be, or Parents-to- Be

• what type of baby shower it is, such as a surprise or couples baby shower 

• the date, place and time of the baby shower

• if the Mom-to-Be is registered and where

• if a meal is planned 

• the theme of the shower

• if the guests are to RSVP and by when

• include the gender of the baby if it’s known

As soon as baby takes his first steps, the world suddenly seems a whole lot more accessible to him. Those interesting drapes, those colorful books on the shelf, and grandma’s glass knick knacks on the coffee table are now within his reach. Raising a toddler is much different from raising a baby. Here are ten quick ideas to make a toddler’s environment a safe place for him to learn and explore.

1. Hide all Cords

Exposed electrical cords and pull-strings for blinds are very tempting for toddlers. However, they put them at risk for electrocution or strangulation. Hide electrical cords and use a cord-shortener for your blinds.

2. Remove the Trash Can

Trash bins are treasure troves for small children and often contain items that could harm them. Keep your trash bin in a locked cabinet or in the garage.

3. Cover Electrical Sockets

Electrical socket covers are a necessity with small children. Kids really do stick small objects into sockets and may get shocked.

4. Lock up Medications and Cleaners

Never leave medications, cleaners, bath oils, nail polish remover, or beauty supplies on the counter. They may be poisonous when ingested. Keep these items in a high, locked cabinet.

5. Never Leave Coins or Small Objects on the Counter

When cleaning out your pockets of purse, don’t leave coins, buttons, or other small items on the counter. They are choking hazards. One may be surprised how high little arms can reach to grab interesting objects off counters!

6. Bolt Bookcases to the Wall

Tall and heavy furniture should be bolted to the wall. Book cases and dressers are especially dangerous because children may climb them and they can tip. To prevent accidents, screw heavy furniture to the wall or purchase specifically designed straps to secure them.

7. Keep Knives, Glass, and Appliances up High

Sharp objects, glass, and small appliances should be stored in high, locked cabinets. Be especially wary of the contents of lower cabinets, even if they are latched. Your child may outsmart the latch. Never store cleaning chemicals in a floor-level cupboard.

8. Cushion Sharp Furniture Edges

While your toddler is first learning to walk, it may be wise to cushion sharp furniture edges. Corner guards and soft bumpers protect toddlers from hurting themselves on the pointed edges of low tables.

9. Use Gates and Doorknob Covers

If there are areas of the house that are not thoroughly childproofed, secure the doorway with a baby gate. Door knob covers are excellent ways to keep children out of rooms as well. It is advisable to put doorknob covers on any door leading outside so that little explorers cannot leave without supervision.

10. Install Baby Gates at the Top and Bottom of Stairs

Stairs are extremely dangerous for young toddlers, so install baby gates at the top and bottom. The type that screws into the wall is preferable, because pressure gates may be pushed over. Also, use railing guards if your balusters are more than 3 inches apart.

The hospital bag is packed and waiting next to the door. The nursery is ready, diapers and powders on call near the changing table and tiny outfits neatly folded in the dresser. Baby will be here any day. Yet, it takes more than one sies and bottles to prepare for a newborn. Here are five things a parent should know before bringing baby home.

1. The Crib

Crib bedding sets often come with a fluffy comforter and matching bumper. Yet babies under the age of one can easily be suffocated by blankets, thick bumpers, and even plush toys. All baby needs is a tight-fitting sheet, a warm outfit, and a swaddling blanket. Some pediatricians recommend avoiding a bumper altogether since it is merely decorative. Also be sure that the crib bars are no more than 2 1/8 inches apart and that the mattress fits snugly inside the crib. When baby comes home, remember to always put him to sleep on his back.

2. The Changing Table

Invest in a changing table with protective railings at least several inches taller than the changing pad. The pad should have sturdy straps. Be sure to always strap baby onto the table while changing him. Keep a well stocked supply of diapers and wipes nearby so you won’t have to step away for even a moment. Baby should never be left unattended on the table, as even the youngest infant can inadvertently and unexpectedly roll off.

3. Bottles

Purchase bottles that are BPA free. BPA is a chemical that may be linked to human growth and reproductive issues. Never microwave a bottle of formula, as microwaving bottles can lead to uneven heating and possibly burn baby’s mouth. Wash bottles and nipples thoroughly after use and never use a bottle of formula that has been left out longer than 2 hours.

4. Bath

Infant seats are helpful when bathing baby, but don’t be fooled into thinking it is a safety measure that will prevent all accidents. A baby must never be farther than arms reach while bathing and must be constantly supervised. Set your house’s water heater to 120 degrees or less to prevent scalding, or install an anti-scald device. It is a good idea to get your towels, diapers, and other supplies ready before bath time.

5. Used Baby Equipment

Second-hand baby equipment is less expensive or even free, but it can also be dangerous. Check the Consumer Product Safety Commission to be sure your used car seat, stroller, crib, or toys have not been recalled. Toys that are several decades old may contain lead paint and should be avoided. When it comes to car seats, never buy a used seat if you don’t know its history. It may be unreliable if it has been in a crash. Don’t by a seat that is more than 6 years old, doesn’t have an instruction manual, or is missing parts. Although they can be expensive, a car seat is one baby item you should consider buying new.

Raising a ‘Green Baby’ means considering your options and making changes where you can to reduce the environmental footprint of your baby.

Make it a personal goal to use one less diaper today by discovering some new ideas and making a few changes…

Did you know, that in North America alone, the diaper industry is worth an estimated 7 BILLION dollars a year? That’s a lot of diaper changing, that’s a lot of manufacturing, packaging, transportation, advertising, storage and disposal - and that’s a lot of waste!

3 Ways to Raise Your Green Baby When Considering Your Diaper Options:

1. Use Some Modern Cloth Diapers.

They actually only take an estimated 5 minutes more to use each day, once you factor in the travel, standing in queues, racing out late at night, transportation, storage, clean up, associated washing and then time to wrap and dispose of the disposables. Golly! 5 minutes to invest for a greener future? Start with just one green diaper. Feel good each time your baby wears it, then wash it and reuse it again!

2. Favor ECO Disposables That Can Be Composted or Flushed.

These environmentally friendly options can be composted, worm farmed away or simply buried to disappear in a couple of months. The urea and other waste matter helps condition the soil (Apparently even IMPROVING the rate of bio-degrading!) ECO disposables give you great eco-karma as well - I feel great when I use them!

3. Begin to Dabble in Baby Pottying.

Elimination Communication is something you start at home. You ease into the practice part time with your baby leading the way, using diapers as full-time backup at first. You offer a potty break at diaper changes, particularly if your baby has a dry diaper when you happen to check it, and then, Hooray! You ‘catch’ your first wee, start skipping the odd diaper, and begin doing your little bit for the environment your baby will grow up to live in help protect in the future. You can learn to use diapers more casually by developing your confidence in practicing EC, at Part Time Diaper Free.

The Ultimate Green Baby Is The One Who Isn’t ‘Using’ The Diaper They Are Wearing!

Even a generation ago, the majority of toddlers were beginning to move out of diapers at eighteen months. Now, the majority of children don’t even begin this process until they are nearly three. Children are now in diapers longer than ever before in history in the ‘developed’ countries, while children in the rest of the world are largely out of diapers around their first birthdays, and using them in a casual way, rather than 24 hours a day!

With these 3 simple ideas your infant can be raised to be a green baby, starting life with a smaller carbon footprint. Whether you start with a few modern cloth diapers, use some compostable diapers or begin practicing some elimination communication, you are making a difference and setting an eco-friendly example to your friends and family.

The Ultimate Green Baby Is The One Who Isn’t ‘Using’ The Diaper They Are Wearing!

Elimination Communication is a fun way to connect with your baby each day, to gradually reduce the number of diapers they use as your family becomes more environmentally friendly!

By offering potty breaks you can reduce the waste produced by your baby, or your washing load (or both!), minimizing the environmental footprint of your baby.

 Families all over the world and throughout time have used this gentle way of helping baby to stay clean and dry as much as they can (yes, not all the time), and more importantly, they enjoy the communication with their pre-verbal little baby, the insight into their world this window can open up - it is why people get hooked when they take the plunge and have a go!

3 Key Ideas About Infant Potty Training. These Tips Will Help You to Understand EC:

1. Being part time nappy or diaper free is about the communication with your baby, NOT about early toilet training. Again - it is NOT about early toilet training - that is something different. EC is about the bond between parents and baby / toddler, developing your relationship into new areas of understanding.

2. Yes, practicing EC can mean your toddler achieves earlier independence, but it is not a given, as EC is about their personal journey - and many things in life can ‘happen’ and fluff around with that journey. Around two is general average for when EC toddlers achieve good communication, though few diapers are used daily often long before then.

3. Meanwhile you will likely use far less nappies / diapers than if you were using diapers full time, which is great for your budget, the environment and your washing load. Think of it as about reducing any sort of waste or washing related to your baby, that’s a sensible thought, whether it is one less diaper or many, you can consider yourself ‘Part Time Diaper Free‘.

Like any option, of course, if it doesn’t interest you - don’t do it! People practicing EC see it as a bond with their babies, not a competition to independence, not a way of being better - it is simply better for them.

Perhaps it will be a wonderful discovery for your family? It’s pretty easy to give it a go as your baby wears diapers between potty visits. There is no concern about ‘mess’ everywhere. Your baby will go in their diaper as usual when you miss their needs or are otherwise busy at the time.

EC is a flexible option, you need to have some daily consistency, a regular time you give your babe the ‘opportunity’ to use a baby potty to help them stay aware and familiar with a potty. Your ‘default’ is the diaper, so no loss when you are busy, like all Mamas are!

Let’s face it, many of us know that omega 3 fish oil for baby health is good, but did you realize just how important it can be in significantly improving many areas of a baby’s development?

Omega 3’s most important fatty acids are DHA and EPA, with DHA now proven to provide most of the benefits. When a baby is born, around 70% of its brain and nervous system is made up of DHA and EPA fats, and over a third of adult brains are composed of DHA, showing how important quality fish oil for baby health can be.

It  is well documented how important it is when you are pregnant to take a fish oil supplement and this includes breast feeding too as this is the baby’s sole source of food. The reason why it is essential is that we cannot make it ourselves so it must be included in our diets.

Research has proven that DHA omega 3 oil can help improve a baby’s IQ, hand-eye coordination and speech as well as leading to better eyesight and less behavioral problems. Quite an achievement for a natural oil!

Omega 3’s are also exceptionally valuable to adults helping to prevent heart attacks and strokes and lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol, helping to save thousands of lives each year. In fact one of the world’s leading health experts says that consuming more omega-3 fats is probably the single most important dietary change that most people could ever make to improve their health, with 9 out of 10 of us not receiving enough.

When it comes to choosing a fish oil for baby to have, make sure it is pharmaceutical grade, having gone through the process of molecular distillation to remove all the harmful impurities. Toxins like mercury and lead are picked up in the fishes flesh and can carry over into poor quality supplements if they haven’t gone through this process.

While most have higher EPA levels, look for one than has greater DHA levels (Hoki and Tuna are good for this) for the maximum benefits and that comes from a clean sustainable source like the pristine Southern Ocean of New Zealand.

With more discoveries being made all the time, such as recent studies showing how DHA omega 3 can help with Autism and ADHD, the benefits of fish oil for baby health are seemingly unlimited.

If you would like to learn more about the high quality fish oil supplements I personally take daily, visit my website today.