Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Tis the Season for "Thanks" Giving

With Thanksgiving coming up in a couple of days, some of you may be wondering, "How can I teach my kids about gratitude?" or "How do I ensure that I am raising thankful children?" Every parent wants his/her children to be thankful for the things they have in their life and not take things for granted. Many children know the simple pleases and thank yous, but how do you guarantee that your children truly are grateful?  Here are some great tips on getting your children in the spirit of Thanksgiving by teaching them about gratitude.

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  1. Be a role model. As with many other behaviors children learn best by watching the examples set by parents. Showing children how to be grateful is much more powerful than simply telling children to be grateful. Let your children hear you expressing gratitude to others. 
  2. Tell your children thank you. Ellie, from the Musing Momma blog, writes, "Much like 'give respect to be respected,' children learn to appreciate by being appreciated. Thank your child for clearing the table, for playing nicely with his little sister, for waiting patiently while you finish a phone call. Thank him for just being a downright awesome kid. Show him how it feels to be appreciated and have his effort recognized, what gratitude sounds like, and how easily it can be a part of daily life."
  3. Thank you notes. Writing thank you cards may seem old fashioned, but when children write thank you notes they will understand the importance of recognizing and acknowledging kind acts or gifts they have received. They will also be less likely to take the gift for granted.
  4. Let kids help out. Jenny from the blog, Mamatoga, says, "The more children contribute around the house, the more they realize how much effort it takes to keep a household running. Giving your child age-appropriate chores like setting the table or feeding a pet (or for teenagers, working a part-time job) will help them appreciate that these tasks require effort and don’t just happen automatically. They will also feel the satisfaction of earning what they have and making a valuable contribution to the family."

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  5. Incorporate gratitude into everyday life. When I was going through a particularly rough patch in my life a couple of years ago, my mom suggested we send each other an email every night with 10 things we were grateful for that had happened that day. Surprisingly, it made a huge difference and put me in a much happier mindset than I had been in before; I looked forward to those nightly emails. While Thanksgiving is the most popular day for giving thanks, don't let gratitude only be shown on this one day of the year. Have children keep a gratitude journal or every night at dinner go around the table and have each member of the family share something they are grateful for that day. 
  6. Read Thanksgiving books. Many children learn certain concepts best (such as gratitude) by reading picture books. Read one of these fun Thanksgiving picture books with your children.

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  7. Give back and volunteer. Volunteering is a great way to inspire children to be thankful. When children have the opportunity to experience another's gratitude, they will recognize and be grateful for the things that they have. This can be accomplished in several ways: donating clothes to a local thrift store, buying and donating a toy for children in need, or something as simple as baking cookies and taking them to the neighbors. There are so many fun ways to get your children involved in service. 
  8. Practice saying no. This means not giving your child everything she wants. This can be very hard at times, especially when your child is looking at you with big puppy dog eyes begging for a new toy. Just remember if you do not give her everything she asks for, she will be more appreciative of the things she does receive. 
  9. Thankful Turkey Box. If you are looking for a fun way to show what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving, click here to make this cute turkey box. Everyday have each member of your family write down something they are thankful for. On Thanksgiving, open the box as a family and read everything you're grateful for. 
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What are some ideas you find helpful to teach your children about gratitude?

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Thankful for our Time Together: Fun November Activities

November is a time of thanksgiving and looking back on your life and seeing what you are thankful for.  One of the greatest things I am most thankful for is my family.  Of course we have our fair share of challenges, but when all is said and done they are the most important people in my life. I am thankful for my mom's effort in getting the family together to do things together. She is an elementary school teacher, so many times she would do little games or activities with us that she had done with her school kids. Here are some fun ideas she shared with me:

 Don't Eat the Turkey


Instructions:

Make your own or use one like the image above as your game board.  Put one item (usually something you can eat like marshmallows, M&Ms, raisins, etc.) on each square.  Someone will either leave the room or close their eyes while everyone else chooses one of the turkey pictures.  When the person returns or uncovers their eyes, they start picking up the items from each turkey picture until they go to pick up the one from the picture you had chosen.  When they go to pick that one up you all say, "Don't Eat the Turkey!" and their turn is over.  They get to keep and eat all the ones they had picked up to that point.    



Disguise the Turkey


Instructions:

Find a picture of a turkey or draw one using your hand as an outline (the thumb becomes the head of the turkey and the rest of the fingers are the feathers).  The point of this activity is to disguise the turkey so he won't get eaten on Thanksgiving Day.  You can decorate it together, or each make one yourself.  You can either use crayons or markers to color, or cut out pieces of paper and glue them on. Make it as simple or complex as you'd like. Then you can hang them up on the fridge or around the house as fun reminders of your time together.



"Orange" Pumpkin

This is just a fun healthy little snack to make together.

Ingredients:

Mandarin or clementine oranges
Celery sticks (cut into strips-about 1 1/2-2 inches long)
You'll need as many celery sticks as oranges you have

Directions:

Peel the oranges and then put the celery stick in the middle of the orange to make it look like a pumpkin with a stem.  You can just eat them, use them as little decorations, or even make it into an activity where you have to say something you're grateful for before you can eat each orange slice. 



These are just some fun ideas you can do with your kids. You can alter them as needed. The point is to have fun this Thanksgiving season with quality time spent together that they will remember.  


Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Baby, It's Cold Outside: Keeping Your Child Warm & Safe During Winter




    Brrr…it’s getting cold outside. Although we are only in the middle of November, temperatures have already dropped quite a bit.  It’s easy to want to just stay inside curled up next to the fireplace when it is cold outside. This makes it difficult to keep kids active during the winter months, but don’t let the cold deter you.

    Kids can still go outside and play and have fun, but there are a few things to keep in mind to keep them warm and safe. As one of my sibling's Physical Education teacher always said, "there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!"



1) Dress in layers. Layers are great because they can be adjusted more easily as needed.  There are three types of layers to consider, as offered by Cheryl Butler. They include:

  • Wicking: thermals, turtlenecks, long underwear 
  • Insulating: sweatshirts, sweaters
  • Weather protection: shells, snow pants

Don't forget hats, gloves, and boots as these tend to be places children can lose a lot of heat from. 

2) Wear sunscreen. Although it's easy to forget during the winter, sunburns can be just as likely during the winter (especially when there's snow, as it reflects the sun).  



3) Drink plenty of liquids. Kids can easily get dehydrated as winter tends to be a lot drier and as they breathe, they lose more water.  Keeping them hydrated can also help to prevent those unwanted bloody noses.  Give them water, warm drinks, or even soup to do the trick.

4) Set time-limits: Children tend not to realize they are cold when they're out having fun, so it's important for parents to monitor this.  Depending on the age, keep children out for short periods of time and then have them come in to warm up and take off wet clothing. After they are warm, you can send them back out for more play time.  



Sometimes it's just too cold to be outside, so here are 20 tips for indoor activities to do with your kids. 

What are some fun things you can do with your kids outside or inside during the winter?




Thursday, November 13, 2014

Traveling With Little Ones

With Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner, many of you will be traveling to spend the holidays with your friends and families. Whether you are traveling to your destination by car or airplane, taking an infant or small child with you can be stressful. Here are some helpful tips to keep your stress levels down and help you have a relaxing journey.

Tips for traveling by car

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  • One of the most important things you can do before you leave on your trip is to make sure your baby's car seat is properly installed. Guidelines for Utah can be found here.
  • Plan to leave around the time your child usually takes a nap. This will ensure that your baby gets her sleep. 
  • An extra rear view mirror can give you an extra set of eyes when traveling alone. You can also travel with another adult or an older child who can be an extra set of hands while on the road. 
  • Bring a baby/small child specific first aid kit. A few examples of things that you can put inside include medicines, diaper rash cream, a thermometer, tweezers and a list of your child's doctors, allergies, and medical records. 
  • Pack a cooler full of snacks, baby food or breast milk and pre-filled sippy cups that can be grabbed easily. 
  • When it's time to feed your baby pull over and take him out of the car seat to avoid choking 
  • Avoid medications, drinks or food that might cause you to drive impaired. Don't drive if you are tired.


Tips for traveling by airplane


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  • Schedule your flight around your baby's sleeping schedule. It is likely that he will sleep through the flight and you might be able to catch up on some rest.
  • Know your airline's rules about car seats and strollers. Most likely you will have to leave the stroller at the gate and some airlines require you to keep your child in your lap rather than his/her own seat (depending on age).
  • Pick an aisle seat. If your baby is fussy or needs to be changed you can get in and out at your convenience. If you are traveling with another adult consider sitting across the aisle from each other rather than next to each other. 
  • Keep your ID readily available. If flying internationally make sure your baby has a passport.
  • Diaper bag:
    • Be armed with an arsenal of activities for your child. these can include coloring books, toys, stickers, a tablet with games or movies, picture books, etc. Keep items that you will need often at your feet. Sometimes turbulence will keep you in your seat the entire flight and having items readily accessible will be helpful,
  • Giving your child a pacifier or something to eat at the beginning of the flight can combat the pressure that may build in your baby's ears.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening requirements for babies and children can be found here


Bonus Tip: pack your little ones clothing in gallon sized Ziploc bags. You can bag by outfit and have everything your little one needs right in one place. No more digging around your bag or forgetting things at home

What tips do you have for traveling with infants or small children?


Tuesday, November 11, 2014

November Craft Ideas for Children

Looking for some fun Thanksgiving themed craft ideas for your children? There are many educational and fun ways to make fall and Thanksgiving a memorial time for you and your child. Here are a few different turkey crafts that are quick, easy and kid friendly.


Leaf Turkey

Do you and your kids like to take nature walks? If so, this is the perfect opportunity to gather some leaves for the first craft.

Supplies needed
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  • various leaves
  • different colors of construction paper
  • glue
  • scissors
  • googly eyes (optional)
Cut out a turkey body out of brown construction paper. Have your child make feet, a beak and giblet and then glue them to the body. Create a colorful tail using the leaves you collected together and glue them to the paper. Next glue the body on top of the tail and you are all done.


Toilet Roll Turkey

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Are you looking for ways to reuse household items? This toilet roll turkey is a perfect way to reuse an item that normally just gets thrown away. 

Supplies needed
  • empty toilet paper rolls
  • construction paper
  • colored markers
  • scissors
  • tape or glue
Using the colored markers or construction paper, help your child make eyes, beak and other facial features for their turkey. Attach them to the empty toilet paper roll with glue or tape. Cut out 4-5 feathers for your turkeys tail out of different colors of construction paper. Ask your child a few things they are thankful for and write the answers on the tail feathers. Attach with glue or tape and use them as decoration or a center piece for your table. 


Easy Leaf Wreath

Do you have leftover leaves from making those leaf turkeys? Here is a fun idea to make a wreath to decorate your door.
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Supplies needed
  • paper plate
  • Elmer's glue or a hot glue gun
  • leaves
  • scissors
  • ribbon or string to hang the wreath with
Cut out a 4-5 inch circle out of the middle of your paper plate and discard. Using the Elmer's glue or hot glue gun, help your child glue the leaves around the paper plate to create a wreath. Continue to glue until the plate is covered. Let dry and attach a ribbon or string and hang your child's creation on the door.


What are some ways that you teach your kids about Thanksgiving?


Thursday, November 6, 2014

Why Exploration Matters

Exploration is important in helping your child learn about the things around them and how to relate to others. Simple things like a baby putting toys into and taking out of a container is an example of exploration. Children learn by testing the world around them. Here are a few suggestions from Parenting Counts on how you can help your child develop a life-long pattern for learning.

Think about safety first

Always pay attention, and be ready to warn your child about danger.

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Think about your child's view of the world

Be patient. Children of all ages learn through exploration, so do your best to remain patient if your child seems to take their time discovering the world around them.

Find ways to stay interested as your child explores

Research tells us that a parent's reaction to a baby's explorations will help determine whether or not he will continue a particular activity. In most situations parents become bored with an exploration activity long before the child does. So try to keep your facial expressions and body language showing interest and excitement.

Include your interests in your child's exploration

Toddlers in particular love to be included. For example, if you love gardening, give your child a small shovel and invite her to work alongside you.


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Be Creative

Give your child new experiences to try. For example, if he loves putting sand in a bucket, encourage him to use water instead. This helps him develop creativity and feel good about trying new things.

Expect some frustration

Remember that your child or baby is testing to see how the world works; the testing is not an attempt to drive you crazy.

Slow Down

See the world through your child's eyes and at his pace-you will both enjoy it.


What are some of your child's favorite things to explore? Do you have any recommendations on tips for allowing your child to explore?

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Developmental Leaps


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Has your baby been driving you crazy the past couple of weeks? Have you noticed that no matter what you do, you can't seem to make her happy or comfort her? Or maybe he has suddenly begun not eating very well or waking up in the middle of the night? With all of this stress and based on your child's erratic behavior, you might be thinking, "Is there something wrong with my parenting skills?"

GOOD NEWS PARENTS!! We might not be doing anything wrong and there might not be anything wrong with our baby. Child development researchers have described these fussy phases as a signal of great and drastic changes in a baby’s mental development. "During these times, his brain is giving him new possibilities. So many possibilities, in fact, that the world around him seems totally different and new. No wonder he is fussy! He needs to get a grip on this ‘new world’ suddenly in front of him. As a result, he acts out and becomes more Clingy, Cranky and Cries more" (The Wonder Weeks).
  
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Many professionals call these changes in a baby's mental development "Developmental Leaps." Other professionals might call them "Touchpoints." Either way the definition for both is the same:
Predictable periods of time during a child’s development where a child will “leap” from one skill (e.g. motor, cognitive, or emotional skills) to a more difficult skill. During this “leap,” or period of rapid growth, a child’s behavior falls apart, they go into a state of neurological disorganization, and the previous skills they had achieved can be shelved for a while as they are focusing keenly on achieving the new and more difficult skill. “Every time a baby goes through a leap they perceive things they couldn't do before. It’s like the whole world around them changes” (Ask the experts: Baby leaps).

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One example of a Developmental Leap can be seen in a four month old baby as he or she goes through a burst in cognitive awareness of his or her environment. "The baby will be difficult to feed. He will stop eating to look around and to listen to every stimulus in the environment. To parents’ dismay, he will begin to awaken again at night. His awareness of his surroundings will be enhanced by a burst in visual development. Yet, [as parents], when [we] understand the disorganization of this period as a natural precursor to the rapid and exciting development that follows, [we] will not need to feel as if it represents failure" (Touchpoints, 2003). 

Understanding that Developmental Leaps could be a possible reason for our child's behavior or development can help us navigate through these predictable spurts and the issues that these spurts may raise in our families. Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., the author of Touchpoints: The Essential Reference--Your Child's Emotional and Behavioral Development , pointed out in his book that "Each [leap] accomplished leads to a new sense of autonomy. When seen as normal and predictable, these periods of regressive behavior are opportunities to understand the child more deeply and to support his or her growth, rather than to become locked into a struggle. A child’s particular strengths and vulnerabilities, as well as temperament and coping style, all come to the surface at such a time. What a chance for understanding the child as an individual!” (p. xvii-xviii).

Some common signs that your child might be going through a Developmental Leap include:

  • eating less
  • sleeping less or waking up a lot of the time
  • digressing in his/her development instead of forward
  • crying more
  • being cranky
  • clinging to you all the time
  • being ill more often
  • not being satisfied no matter what you do
Recognizing Developmental Leap periods is a great resource of knowledge that can help us navigate through our child's development. Raising a child is hard, but equipping ourselves with the knowledge that will better help us understand our child's development may save us from many unneeded hardships.

Have you noticed any Developmental Leap periods your child has gone through or maybe is going through?