Appletree Day Care, Inc

Parenting

Traveling with Children

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Traveling with small children is not an activity for the faint of heart, the disorganized, or those who are short on patience. It takes courage, planning, and patience to travel with children safely and even pleasantly.

First, it is wise to recognize the fact that your young child likes his comfort zone. He knows what to expect. There aren’t many unexpected and unpleasant surprises while he is in his own home. When he is taken out of his comfort zone, he does not know what to expect. He is excited, but he is also anxious and even fearful of the unknown. So here are some good ideas about traveling with small children:

  1. Prepare the child for the trip. Kids do hate surprises no matter what they say. A surprise, they quickly learn, can be a good thing, but it is not necessarily a good thing. Kids like sameness. So begin to prepare your child for going on a trip. Read his stories about riding in a car or a train or an airplane. Prepare him as best you can for what he will experience.
  2. Plan for the child’s physical needs. If he usually has juice and a little snack at a certain time, prepare to give him that snack at the usual time. Maintain the child’s eating and sleeping schedule as much as you can, and preparation will help you to do that.
  3. Plan for the child’s intellectual needs. Kids are not going to sit quietly with their little hands folded in their laps. A child’s work is his play. That is the way he is leaning about the world, and he needs his tools (toys) for learning.
  4. Keep the child belted into a restraint system at all times. It does not matter whether you are traveling by car, train, or plane, accidents happen. Provide your child with as much protection as you possibly can, no matter whether he complains or not.

The information that provided on this Site is provided as general information only. For specific information and advice, you should contact a qualified professional.

Copyright Child Care Owner

How to Choose & Use Sunscreen

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With all the sunscreens available these days (organic or mineral? water-resistant or sweat-resistant? lotion or spray?), choosing the right one for your kids can be tricky. But what matters most when picking a sunscreen is how well it protects skin from UV rays.

Learn How to Choose – Listen Below

 

Link to Full Article: KidsHealth – How to Choose & Use Sunscreen http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sunscreen.html#

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SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths

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Approximately 3,500 infants die annually in the United States from sleep-related deaths, including SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, ill-defined deaths, and accidental suffocation and strangulation.  In 2016, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released new guidelines for creating a safe sleep environment.  Below, is an abbreviated list and circumstances that increase the risks of SIDS.

AAP recommendations on creating a safe sleep environment include:

  • Place the baby on his or her back on a firm mattress or safety-approved crib or bassinet with a tight-fitting sheet.
  • Avoid use of soft bedding, including crib bumpers, blankets, pillows and soft toys. The crib should be bare.
  • Room-sharing decreases the risk of SIDS by as much as 50 percent. Share a bedroom with parents, but not the same sleeping surface, preferably until the baby turns one but at least for the first six months.
  • Infants who are brought into the bed for comfort or feeding should be returned to their crib or bassinet when the parent is ready to go to sleep
  • Sitting devices, such as car seats, strollers, swings infant carriers, and infant slings are nor recommended for sleeping, particularly for young infants.
  • Avoid baby’s exposure to smoke, alcohol and illicit drugs.
  • Have skin to skin contact with your baby for at least one hour after birth
  • Supervise your child during awake-only tummy time.  Tummy time helps a baby develop muscle control and avoid
  • Couches and armchairs are very dangerous places for infants.
  • The safest place for an infant to sleep is on a separate sleep surface designed for infants – placed close to the parent’s bed

Circumstances that have been shown to increase the risks of SIDS;

  • Parents or caregivers that smoke.
  • Smoking by mother during pregnancy
  • Preterm infants or low birth weight.
  • Bed sharing of soft surfaces – waterbeds, sofas, or
  • Additional individuals are sharing a bed.
  • Parents have consumed alcohol or sedating drugs.
  • The infant is sharing a bed with someone who is not a parent.

To review the report and complete guidelines, click the following link:

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2016/10/20/peds.2016-2938

 

Zika Virus

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Zika is a disease caused by the Zika virus, which is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. It can also be spread by a man to his male or female sex partners during sex. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. For this reason, many people might not realize they have been infected. However, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly, as well as other severe fetal brain defects. Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections.

Potty Training Tools & Tips

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Using a visual chart to record each time your child uses the potty is a great way to reinforce a child’s potty training progress.  Allow your child to place a mark or sticker on the chart after each successful visit to the bathroom.

Click each image to download a free potty training chart for your child.

Potty Training Tips from folks like you…parents!

What To Do About A Toddler Biting And Kicking

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While it can be embarrassing, frustrating, and sometimes frightening, for the most part, this type of behavior by toddlers is a normal phase that they all pass through. It is a part of their growth and development and usually results from frustration at not being able to express themselves, whether he wants a toy, or wanting your attention.

The phase can begin anywhere from 14 months and up, but tends to be more noticeable when the child is exposed to others, which could mean in a child care center or social setting. Even children who are linguistically advanced for their ages, are still children, and will be prone to the same frustrations as others.

The first rule of thumb is not to overreact. While there are different schools of thought on spanking, this is not a situation where it is appropriate, and can only add fuel to the fire. A time-out is in order, generally about two minutes worth in a chair where they cannot stomp on the floor, or kick anything. This also gives you a chance to calm down. During the time-out, do not speak to them, but do explain when you sit them down, that this time-out is because they have bit/hit/kicked someone and that is not allowed.

When the time is up, explain to them again, that the behavior is not acceptable, because it hurts other people. It is not of much use to ask them how they would feel if someone bit them since a toddler is unlikely to be able to relate cause and effect, then apply it to themselves. However, a non-confrontational “punishment”, and explanation, tells them what they did wrong, and what will happen if they do it again.

If they repeat the action, take them back for another time-out. Depending on the age of the child, you can explain the concept of apologies, and why they should make one. Use positive reinforcement by praising them for an apology (even if it comes as a kiss), or for giving their toy to the child they kicked.

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Increasing Your Child’s Self-Esteem

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Many people have a strong opinion on the importance of self-esteem in children.  Some people think too much emphasis is placed on self-esteem today. However, most believe strongly that self-esteem development is crucial in children.

The truth is that both opinions are correct.  There is probably too much emphasis on self-esteem today, and self-esteem development is crucial.  However, there is a middle ground.  The emphasis should not be on building self-esteem but rather helping children learn and grow, so they naturally develop a feeling of worth and value.

Self-esteem is a major key to success in life.  The development of a positive self-concept or healthy self-esteem is extremely important to the happiness and success of children.

Self-esteem is how we feel about ourselves, and our behavior clearly reflects those feelings. If you child has high self-esteem, she is likely to act independently, assumes responsibility, takes pride in her accomplishments, deals with frustration, attempts new tasks and challenges, handles positive and negative emotions, and offer assistance to others.  If your child has low self-esteem, he will avoid trying new things, feel unloved and unwanted, blame others for his shortcomings, feel (or pretend to feel) emotionally indifferent, be unable to tolerate a normal level of frustration, put down his talents and abilities, and may be easily influenced.

Parents have the most influence on their child’s self-esteem.  Most parents do not realize how great an impact their words and actions have on their child.  Below are five ways to help build your child’s self-esteem.

Be Quick With Praise

When you feel good about your child, tell him.  Parents are often quick to express negative feelings to children but often don’t get around to describing positive feelings.  A child does not know when you are feeling good about him unless you tell him. He needs to hear you tell him that you like having him in the family.  Children remember positive statements we say to them.  They store them up and “replay” these statements to themselves.  Make a point of giving your child words of encouragement throughout each day.  Look for situations in which your child is doing a good job, working hard, trying a new challenge, overcoming a difficulty or displaying a talent.

Be Generous with Your Praise

Use what is called descriptive praise rather than the general, such as “good job.”  For example, during a recent swimming lesson my son was expected to swim the length of the pool.  He was frightened and didn’t think he could make it.  When he accomplished the goal, I told him I was proud of him for two things.  One for trying even though he was afraid and two for pushing himself to reach his goal.

Make Them Talk the Talk

Teach your child to practice making positive self-statements.  Psychologists have found that negative self-talk is frequently the cause of depression and anxiety.  What we think determines how we feel about ourselves and those feelings determine how we behave.  This is the reason it is important to teach children to talk to themselves in a positive manner.  You can start them off by asking directed questions.

Avoid Name Calling

While it is often important for parents to be critical, the focus should be on the action you would like to see rather than the child.  Rather than calling a child a slob for keeping a messy room, focus on the desired action – sorting clothes and toys into their proper places.  Encourage the child by saying something like “I know you can get this place ship shape by dinner” and reward them with specific praise “You did a great job cleaning up your room.”

Always Speak Of Your Child As If They Were Listening

Many parents do a wonderful job of building up their child’s self-esteem while spending time with the child.  Then later they undo all their good work and let the child overhear some negative comments. It is difficult to explain away or undo this damage as you may well not even know when it occurs. Obviously, parents need to communicate with each other about their children and adults often need to vent their frustrations. Just make sure when you do so that your child is not able to overhear.  Even a child who is apparently concentrating on playing will perk his ears when he hears his name.

If you follow these five methods then your child’s self-esteem will grow.

Copyright – Child Care Owner – All Rights Reserved.

Protecting Your Child – Vaccines for Children

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Vaccination is one of the best ways a parent can protect their children from harmful diseases.  The following graphs provide information about what vaccines your children need from birth to age six. (Click to enlarge image.)

Compliments of The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in conjunction with the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Download Schedule

 

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Dads Helping Make Kindergarten Great

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In the traditional family structure, the role of the father is clearly unique.  Perhaps it is because dad goes off to work and comes home with that big booming voice or maybe it is that he is a soft touch for ice cream or an extra ride on the Ferris Wheel at the State Fair but dad has a special place in the hearts of the kids.  He is both the voice of authority and sometimes the voice of wise counsel when children need someone to guide them and direct them.

On the other hand, it is the mom who is there every day, guiding every event, making sure the children are safe and receive needed care.  Both jobs are crucial and beloved by the kids, even if they do not know it or say so.  So when the time comes to get your little one ready for kindergarten, it may be that both parents can have a big role in this transition as well.

There is no doubt that regarding the physical preparations for kindergarten; mom is a big decision maker.  The clothing that your new student will wear, buying the right school supplies and even buying the extra things that will be needed in the classroom are all good jobs for the primary shopper in the family which is often mom.  However, if you can get dad in on the act particularly in the mental and emotional preparations for kindergarten, which can be a huge help because he can use his mentoring role to give the child permission to begin to accept this big change.

This is especially true in the case of dad’s little man.  A young boy often idolizes his father and admires him as a hero because dad is brave and able to go out and conquer the world each day.  When the family goes on the trip, it is a dad who is leading the way, slaying the dragons along the way, saving the fair maiden (mom or sis) and hunting food for dinner (paying at the restaurant).  In the child’s imaginary world, dad is a combination of mighty warrior, master hunter, and mighty wizard.  These are some powerful images that you can tap to help that little guy see himself as ready to the big adventure of going off to kindergarten on his own for the first time.

If you can get dad to be the one to drive that slightly frightened little one to school, he often knows just what to say to change fear into excitement and to motivate his son or daughter to want to go in there and do great to make dad proud.  That is the nature of the father’s role in the lives of his children.  So why not use it to help your child through this very important day in his or her early childhood development?

Very often dads have a special bond and a special language they speak to their sons.  To an outsider when dad says, “Get in there and be a man” to his little boy, that may sound harsh and not nurturing.  However, what the little guy hears is, “I know you can do it.  When you go to kindergarten like a man, you are a brave like daddy.”  Moreover, that is just the right language to motivate that little guy to face his fears and go to that first day of kindergarten and be a big success to live up to that strong affirmation and high expectation of daddy.

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Dealing with Separation and Loss

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Children do not deal with separation and loss in the same way as adults. Adults, for example, recognize the difference between a friend moving out of town and a friend dying. Young children, on the other hand, simply view both situations as a loss.

Here are some important points to consider when you are helping a child deal with separation and/or loss:

  1. Children have three questions that they want to be answered ASAP when loss or separation occur: Is what happened my fault? Will it happen to me? How will what happened affect me? All three questions need to be answered in terms that the child can understand.
  2. Don’t use words that make death or separation more palatable to adults. Children are literal. Don’t say words like “sleeping” or “resting.” You might make the child afraid to go to sleep. Explain the situation in literal terms to children.
  3. Give the child an opportunity for closure if it is possible. If his friend is moving away, take him to visit and give him the opportunity to say goodbye. The same thing is true for death. Prepare the child for what is to be.
  4. Listen to what the child has to say about the separation or loss. He has an opinion, and it is important that the opinion be given validation.
  5. Remember that from the child’s point of view, stability and continuity are of the utmost importance. Children do not like major changes to their worlds. Changes make a child feel threatened. Point out that you are there and that you love him. Tell him how his world has not changed and lists the ways that his world will remain unchanged.

Children, particularly young children, need to be guided through separation and loss situations with patience and love.

©Copyright Child Care Owner

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