Learning Activities For Your Baby
September 23, 2008
Books and Babies - For babies from age 6 weeks to 1 year Sharing books is a way to have fun with your baby and to start him on the road to becoming a reader. What You Need Cardboard or cloth books with large, simple pictures of things with which babies are familiar Lift-the-flap, touch- and-feel, or peek-through play books (For suggestions, see Resources for Children,
What to Do?
Read to your baby for short periods several times a day. Bedtime is always a good time, but you can read at other times as well–while you’re in the park, on the bus, or even at the breakfast table (without the food!).
As you read, point out things in the pictures. Name them as you point to them. Give your baby sturdy books to look at, touch, and hold. Allow him to peek through the holes or lift the flaps to discover surprises. Babies soon recognize the faces and voices of those who care for them. As you read to your baby, he will begin to connect books with what he loves most–your voice and closeness.
Teach Your Baby To Read English
September 17, 2008
If your child’s first language is not English, he or she can still become an excellent English reader and writer. Your baby is on the way to successful English reading if she is beginning to learn many words and is interested in learning to read in her first language. You can help by supporting her in her first language as she learns English. Talk with her, read with her, encourage her to draw and write.
In other words, do the same kinds of activities just discussed, but do them in your child’s first language.
When your child first enters school, talk with her teacher. Teachers welcome such talks. They even have sign-up times early in the year, though usually you may ask for a meeting at any time. If you feel that you need some support in meeting with the teacher, ask a relative, neighbor, or someone else in your community to go with you.
When you do meet, tell the teacher the things that you are doing at home to strengthen your child’s speaking and reading in her own language. Let the teacher know how important you child’s reading is to you and ask for support for your efforts. Children who can switch back and forth between languages have accomplished something special. They should be praised and encouraged as they work for this achievement.
Show Your Baby That You Read
September 12, 2008
When you take your child to the library, check out a book for yourself. Then set a good example by letting your child see you reading for yourself. Ask your child to get one of her books and sit with you as you read your book, magazine, or newspaper. Don’t worry if you feel uncomfortable with your own reading ability. It’s the reading that counts.When your child sees that reading is important to you, she may decide that it is important to him or her, too
How Does a Book Work?
Children are fascinated by how books look and feel. They see how easily you handle and read books, and they want to do the same. When your toddler watches you handle books, she begins to learn that a book is for reading, not tearing or tossing around. Before she is 3, she may even pick one up and pretend to read, an important sign that she is beginning to know what a book is for. As your child becomes a preschooler, she is learning that ??
A book has a front cover.
A book has a beginning and an end.
A book has pages.
How To Look For Baby Books
September 6, 2008
Look for Books! The books that you pick to read with your child is very important. If you aren’t sure of what books are right for your child, ask a librarian to help you choose titles.
Introduce your child to books when she or he is a baby. Let her/him hold and play with books made just for babies: board books with study cardboard covers and thick pages; cloth books that are soft and washable, touch-and-feel books, or lift-the-flap books that contain surprises for your baby to discover. Choose books with covers that have big, simple pictures of things that she/he sees every day. Don’t be upset if at first your child chews or throws a book. Be patient. Cuddling with the child as you point to and talk with great excitement about the book’s pictures will soon capture her interest. When your baby becomes a toddler, she will enjoy helping to choose books for you to read to her.
Basic Guide To Choosing Toys For Babies
September 1, 2008
A baby’s only activities until the age of two months are sleeping and eating. He is not interested in anything else. After two months, the baby starts being more curious about the world around him. At first, he just watches the activity in the room. At the age of 4-5 months, he is already moving his arms and legs with a lot of energy.
At this point, as a parent you should stimulate the baby to continue this rhythm. The best way to do this is through play. And since play is unconceivable without toys, you should consider getting some for your baby.
Researches made in the last few years revealed that babies too can have an assortment of toys. Babies respond to sight, sound and touch. Toys that stimulate these senses can help your baby learn about the world around him, how things work and so on.
To help you find best baby toys, I’ve made here two age groups, birth to 6 months and 6 to 12 months. The difference between these age groups is huge because a baby grows very fast and so his needs differ from month to month.
Are You Spending Too Much Money on Baby Gear?
August 26, 2008
Did you waste $57 today? I hope not. Unfortunately, so many new parents pay much more than they have to for baby products, because they don’t know the secrets the insiders know.
Remember, just because you shop at so-called discount stores doesn’t mean you’ll get the lowest prices. The same is true for warehouse stores and online auction sites.
Even coupons that seem like great deals aren’t always a bargain. For example, one online retailer recently offered a promotion where you could buy one board game and get one free. But the games cost twice what they cost at a competitor. So it wasn’t really a deal at all.
What’s a bargain-hunting parent to do? It helps if you can find someone who’s done some research for you.
The Shopping Mom to the Rescue!
In an attempt to do a scientific, apples-to-apples comparison, I recently conducted a price test of six popular baby product web sites. I purchased a basket of common baby products from each site.
All of the sites I chose were well-established businesses, with reliable customer service, and a good selection of products. Many offered extra services, like reader reviews, shopping checklists and helpful tips. The sites were:
Baby Safety Checklist - Protecting Your Baby
August 20, 2008
When bringing home your new baby, there are so many things to do in order to get ready. Making your home a safe haven for your new little one is one of the most important things you will do to get ready. Each room contains its own set of dangers. Below is a baby safety checklist to ensure that every room in your house is baby friendly.
General Safety Tips:
___ Place child-resistant covers on all electrical outlets. ___ Install safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs. ___ Don’t use baby walkers because they have been known to have caused serious injuries to babies. Use stationary exercisers instead. ___ Keep all dangerous chemicals out of the reach of children. ___ Shorten curtain and blind cords. ___ Install smoke detectors on each floor of your home, especially near sleeping areas. * Be sure to change the batteries each year. ___ Keep all small objects away from young children. (This includes tiny toys and balloons.) ___ Use corner bumpers on furniture and fireplace-hearth edges. ___ Know the names of all plants in case a child eats one of them. ___ Be sure that furnaces, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, space heaters, and all gas appliances are vented properly. ___ Place screened barriers around fireplaces, radiators, and portable space heaters. ___ Keep firearms and ammunition safely locked away. ___ Secure unsteady furnishings. ___ Check your house for lead and asbestos. If you detect either of these substances, contact a professional. Any house built before 1978 is at risk for lead paint.
Wasp and Bee Stings to Babies
August 14, 2008
Are you expecting a baby? Are you planning on having a baby soon? Want to know how to make a baby? No, I’m only kidding. The thing is, if you have, or will have a baby some time soon, you may just like to consider what to do to treat and to prevent wasp and bee stings. I will also cover houseflies.
Wasp stings should be treated by rubbing vinegar onto the affected area of the skin. Alternatively, there are many lotions available that will treat wasp stings.
Bee stings are a little more troublesome as the bees leaves its stinger in the victim’s skin. If you try to pinch the sting out of the skin, you may actually pump more venom into the body. The best thing to do is to scrape horizontally across the skin in order to knock the sting out (try using a credit card). Apply the appropriate lotion or use baking soda mixed with water (this should reduce irritation).
Baby Name Trends: From Classic to Hip
August 9, 2008
Goodbye Bertha, Hello Kaitlyn! The top baby names of today break with tradition and follow-up on new trends. Because choosing the perfect name can be a daunting task, many informative web sites have been launched with parents in mind.
A name is central to a child’s earliest sense of identity. It’s often the first word he or she learns to read and write. Naming trends of today are defined by celebrities, literary classics, and even name brands. Look no further than your favorite book, car, or brand for baby name ideas. Names like “Armani”, “Del Monte”, “Infiniti”, “Celica”, “Chevy”, and “Lexus” are increasing in popularity.
Unisex names are another trend that is gaining steam. Parents are using names such as Jordan, Madison, Devon, Bailey, Parker, and Logan on boys and girls. However, when naming a baby, parents must consider if it invites potential teasing. Boys are often targeted more heavily than girls.
Want to add a twist to your baby’s name? Another naming trend includes spelling classical names untraditionally. There are usually at least five different ways to spell any name. This way, you can add variety to a classical favorite.
To Develop Your Childs Genius - Start with Your Unborn Baby
August 4, 2008
Research has shown that babies in their mom’s womb can hear sounds from the environment, and it is widely believed that the baby is sensitive to their environment - inside and outside of their mother’s womb. It is a known fact that the mother’s moods and activities can affect the unborn baby (I use the term baby instead of fetus, it is my personal preference.)
It is a good idea for an expectant mother to arrange for a peaceful and happy environment. Luckily, it is quite common for this time of a woman’s life to be the most happy time in life. By no means do I want to convey that I recommend for the mother to be inactive. Activity is great (as long as there is no physical condition that dictates otherwise). However, I definitely recommend engaging in activities that bring joy and enjoyment.
I have heard stories from mothers who noticed a significant change in the amount of movement they have felt when a very loud and fast music was played. My mother told me this funny story about the time when she was pregnant with my sister and myself (we are twins). She went to the movies, and a very loud, active music was played. We have become so active in her belly, that she had to get up and leave the theater, it was impossible for her to sit and watch the movie.
