Appletree Day Care, Inc

Parenting

Actively Listening to your Child

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Communicating with our children can be a difficult task at times.  We feel like they’re not listening to us; they feel like we’re not listening to them.  Good listening and communications skills are essential to successful parenting.  Your child’s feelings, views, and opinions have worth, and you should make sure you take the time to sit down and listen openly and discuss them honestly.

It seems to be a natural tendency to react rather than to respond.  We pass judgment based on our own feelings and experiences.  However, responding means being receptive to our child’s feelings and emotions and allowing them to express themselves openly and honestly without fear of repercussion from us.  By reacting, we send our child the message that their feelings and opinions are invalid.  However, by responding and asking questions about why the child feels that way, it opens a dialog that allows them to discuss their feelings further and allows you a better understanding of where they’re coming from.  Responding also gives you an opportunity to work out a solution or a plan of action with your child that perhaps they would not have come up with on their own.  Your child will also appreciate the fact that maybe you do indeed understand how they feel. 

It’s crucial in these situations to give your child your full and undivided attention.  Put down your phone, stop doing dishes, or turn off the television so you can hear the full situation and make eye contact with your child.   Keep calm, be inquisitive, and afterward offer potential solutions to the problem. 

Don’t discourage your child from feeling upset, angry, or frustrated.  Our initial instinct may be to say or do something to steer our child away from it, but this can be a detrimental tactic.  Again, listen to your child, ask questions to find out why they are feeling that way, and then offer potential solutions to alleviate the bad feeling.

Just as we do, our children have feelings and experience difficult situations.  By actively listening and participating with our child as they talk about it, it demonstrates to them that we do care, we want to help, and we have similar experiences of our own that they can learn from and provide as a reference.  Remember, respond – don’t react. 

Copyright ChildCareOwner

Positive Parenting

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Let’s face it…parenting is not always easy.  Sometimes it seems a next to impossible task to consistently get your child to be nice to others, share, follow a consistent schedule and adhere to simple requests and instructions.  Losing your temper, resorting to yelling and controlling behaviors can become the all too common norm and fall back parenting behaviors.

There is a better approach.  Positive Parenting (also referred to as positive discipline) means gently, positively guiding your children to help them develop better behaviors.  Positive Parenting is a better approach than the “because I told you to do it” authoritarian approach to parenting.

Positive parenting helps develop positive behaviors, better communication between parent and child, closer relationships, mental health and overall happiness.

Amy McCready, a parenting educator, and positive parenting expert shares many positive parenting solutions parents can use when facing common parenting situations – getting your child to sleep, eliminating swearing, sibling bullying, controlling chaos and many other topics.  Amy McCready shares some great solutions in these videos.

You may also want to visit Amy’s website and YouTube channel for additional tips and resources.

Homepage

https://www.youtube.com/user/AmyMcCready/videos

Planning the Family Vacation – Dream or Disaster

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As sunny days and blue skies replace the cold, dreary days of winter, we often begin to dream of summer and a family vacation.  The options for great family vacations vary from travel far from home to just staying home and enjoying a “staycation.”  Either can be great and enjoyable for everyone in the family or without planning turn into a disaster.  In the webinar recording below, HealthyChildren.org shares ten tips for planning and having a great family escape.

As you view the webinar, make some notes and a To Do list to ensure your family vacation is great!

Enriching Your Children’s Conscience

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All parents want their children to have a life guided by good values. A child’s conscience and value system develop at an early age. As parents, what can you do to help them? Here are five ways you can enrich their conscience and help them to develop a value system that will guide them through life.

  • Provide good examples. What you say and do every day reflects what you think about the world. If you say good stuff, your children will do the same and see the world in a positive light. Children are great imitators. It is important for you to say and do the right things in all situations – be patient, be kind, show others respect, do the right thing even in difficult circumstances.
  • Listen when your children talk. Sometimes your children ask questions that sound silly to adults, like “Mom, where does the sun sleep when the night comes?” Listen to them and answer seriously, “The sun does not sleep. It shines in other places in the world.” By listening, children will feel that they get respect from their parents. Feeling respected, and being treated respectfully teaches children to treat others with respect.
  • Show happiness. Reflect and share happiness, positive energy and thoughts with your children. If you are happy, they are happy too. By doing this, your children will learn to have a positive attitude and enjoy life.
  • Introduce them to nature. Tell them that all things happen in the world are connected to each other and that there’s a reason for it. For example, water is needed to irrigate plants and plants are a food source for other living creatures. Help them to understand their place and role in the world and how to protect nature and its creatures – animals and humans.
  • Be flexible with your rules. Children need structure and rules. However, as children age and develop, allow them to play a role in setting the rules. Moreover, under your close supervision, they need to be allowed to make some of their own decisions. Discuss possible outcomes of each decision; this helps them to learn reasoning skills which leads to better decision making in various situations.

Again, remember that children are good imitators. They are looking to you for guidance – their attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors will often reflect those illustrated by their parents.  Make sure your actions are what you hope to see in your children.

 

Copyright ChildCareOwner

Tips for Crafting with Children

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Crafting provides a great way to spend time with children while enjoying a fun activity together.   Following some simple tips can make it a fun experience for everyone. We hope you will put some of the following suggestions to use.

  1. Find the craft that children want to make and then make a list of all the supplies you will need to make the craft.
  2. If you do not have everything on hand add the supplies you need to your shopping list so you will not forget them.
  3. Put a plastic tablecloth down where you will be crafting.
  4. Have all supplies laid out before you announce craft time.
  5. Use non-toxic paints and glues.
  6. Have wet wipes and paper towels handy for spills.
  7. Always try to have extra supplies in case something is lost or torn.
  8. Let them wear old clothes so you will not be stressed out over ruining what they are wearing.
  9. Show children how to do the craft but let them do it in their way. If you insist on it being perfect, then you might as well do the craft yourself and forget about having craft time with your children. It also makes the children think that everything has to be perfect and that their best is not good enough. Sometimes little hands need help, but you know you have gone too far when you are the only one left at the craft table.
  10. Have fun! Don’t worry about a little paint on their hands & faces, take pictures instead.

We hope you will try these suggestions for stress-free craft time with your children. Show them how to have fun; they will learn how to be stressed out way too soon anyway.

 

Copyright Child Care Owner

Children, the Flu, and the Flu Vaccine

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Children, especially those younger than 5 years, are at higher risk for serious flu-related complications. The flu vaccine offers the best defense against getting the flu and spreading it to others. Getting vaccinated can reduce flu illnesses, doctor’s visits, missed work and school days, and prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths in children. Information on this page summarizes vaccine recommendations for children. Visit this page to learn more about vaccine benefits.

Influenza is dangerous for children

Influenza (“the flu”) is more dangerous than the common cold for children. Each year, millions of children get sick with seasonal influenza; thousands of children are hospitalized and some children die from flu.

  • Children commonly need medical care because of influenza, especially before they turn 5 years old.
  • Children younger than 5 years and especially those younger than 2 years are at high risk of serious influenza complications.
  • Children of any age with chronic health problems like asthma, diabetes and disorders of the brain or nervous system also are at high risk of serious flu complications.
  • Flu seasons vary in severity:
    • CDC estimates that since 2010, flu-related hospitalizations among children younger than 5 years ranged from 7,000 to 26,000 in the United States.
    • While relatively rare, some children die from flu each year. Since 2004-2005, flu-related deaths in children reported to CDC during regular flu seasons have ranged from 37 deaths to 171 deaths. Information about pediatric deaths since the 2004-2005 flu season is available in the interactive pediatric death web application.

The single best way to protect your children from the flu is to get them vaccinated each year.

The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. Traditional flu vaccines (called “trivalent” vaccines) are made to protect against three flu viruses; an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus. In addition, there are flu vaccines made to protect against four flu viruses (called “quadrivalent” vaccines). These vaccines protect against the same three viruses as the trivalent vaccine and an additional B virus.

What kinds of flu vaccines are available for children?

Influenza vaccine options for the 2017-2018 season are listed in “TABLE: Influenza vaccines — United States, 2017–2018 influenza season. Different products are approved for different age groups, including children as young as 6 months of age.

Note that while there is a quadrivalent nasal spray vaccine that is FDA approved for the U.S. market, ACIP and CDC recommend that nasal spray vaccine not be used during the 2017-2018 season because of concerns about how well it works.

Your child’s health care provider will know which vaccines are right for your child.

  • CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine.
    Keep in mind that vaccination is especially important for certain people who are high risk or who are in close contact with high risk persons. This includes children at high risk for developing complications from influenza illness, and adults who are close contacts of those children.

For the complete list of those at high risk, visit People at High Risk of Developing Flu–Related Complications.

There are special vaccination instructions for children aged 6 months through 8 years of age

Some children 6 months through 8 years of age require two doses of influenza vaccine. Children 6 months through 8 years getting vaccinated for the first time, and those who have only previously gotten one dose of vaccine, should get two doses of vaccine this season. All children who have previously gotten two doses of vaccine (at any time) only need one dose of vaccine this season. The first dose should be given as soon as vaccine becomes available.

The second dose should be given at least 28 days after the first dose. The first dose “primes” the immune system; the second dose provides immune protection. Children who only get one dose but need two doses can have reduced or no protection from a single dose of flu vaccine.

If your child needs the two doses, begin the process early. This will ensure that your child is protected before influenza starts circulating in your community.

Be sure to get your child a second dose if he or she needs one. It usually takes about two weeks after the second dose for protection to begin.

Recommendations on the control and prevention of influenza are published annually, in late summer or early fall. Existing recommendations are available at Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Resources for Health Professionals.

Some children are at especially high risk

Children at greatest risk of serious flu-related complications include the following:

  1. Children younger than 6 months old
    These children are too young to be vaccinated. The best way to protect them is to make sure people around them are vaccinated.
  2. Children aged 6 months up to their 5th birthday
    Since 2010, CDC estimates that flu-related hospitalizations among children younger than 5 years ranged from 7,000 to 26,000 in the United States. Even children in this age group who are otherwise healthy are at risk simply because of their age. Additionally, children 2 years of age up to their 5th birthday are more likely than healthy older children to be taken to a doctor, an urgent care center, or the emergency room because of flu1,2,3. To protect their health, all children 6 months and older should be vaccinated against the flu each year. Vaccinating young children, their families, and other caregivers can also help protect them from getting sick.
    1CDC Influenza Vaccine Program Impact Report 2015-2016
    2Bourgeois F, Valim C, Wei J, et al. Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus–Related Emergency Department Visits Among Young Children. Pediatrics 2006; Volume 118 /Issue 1
    3Poehling K, Edwards K, Weinberg G, et al. The Underrecognized Burden of Influenza in Young Children. The New England Journal of Medicine 2006; 355:31-4
  3. American Indian and Alaskan Native children
    These children are more likely to have severe flu illness that results in hospitalization or death.4,5
    4CDC. Deaths Related to 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Among American Indian/Alaskan Natives — 12 States, 2009. MMWR. 2009;58(48);1341-1344.
    5CDC. Prevention and Control of Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2010. MMWR. 2010; 59(No.RR-8).
  4. Children aged 6 months through 18 years with chronic health problems, including:
    • Asthma
    • Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions [including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability (mental retardation), moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury].
    • Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)
    • Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)
    • Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
    • Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)
    • Kidney disorders
    • Liver disorders
    • Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
    • Weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or cancer, or those on chronic steroids); and
    • Children who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy

Children should be vaccinated every flu season

Children should be vaccinated every flu season for the best protection against flu. For children who will need two doses of flu vaccine, the first dose should be given as early in the season as possible. For other children, it is good practice to get them vaccinated by the end of October, if possible. However, getting vaccinated later can still be protective, as long as flu viruses are circulating. While seasonal influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks between December and February. Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus infection, it is best that people get vaccinated so they are protected before influenza begins spreading in their community.

Additional Information:

 

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Key Facts About Influenza (FLU)

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What is Influenza (also called Flu)?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.

Signs and Symptoms of Flu

People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms that usually start suddenly, not gradually:

  • Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue (very tired)
  • Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in young children than in adults.

*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

How Flu Spreads

Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

Period of Contagiousness

You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Although people with the flu are most contagious in the first 3-4 days after their illness begins,  some otherwise healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others with flu viruses for an even longer time.

Onset of Symptoms

The time from when a person is exposed to flu virus and infected to when symptoms begin is about 1 to 4 days, with an average of about 2 days.

Complications of Flu

Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.

People at High Risk from Flu

Preventing Seasonal Flu

The first and most important step in preventing flu is to get a flu vaccination each year. CDC also recommends everyday preventive actions (like staying away from people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes and frequent handwashing) to help slow the spread of germs that cause respiratory (nose, throat, and lungs) illnesses, like flu.

Diagnosing Flu

It is very difficult to distinguish the flu from other viral or bacterial causes of respiratory illnesses on the basis of symptoms alone. There are tests available to diagnose flu. More information is available: Diagnosing Flu.

Treating Flu

 

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Children and Stress – Avoiding a Holiday Meltdown

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The holidays are a stressful time for even the best-adjusted adult. The holiday season for young children is almost a certain situation to cause the toddler meltdown. Think about the way your child sees the holiday season. First of all, the stores where he is used to going with Mommy look entirely different. Everybody keeps asking what he wants Santa to bring him. Mommy and Daddy are running around cooking, shopping, wrapping gifts, making plans, and stressed out. The little one is excited — overly excited — and the excitement continues day after day after day. How do you NOT expect a meltdown?

There are certain things, however, that parents can do to help their young children cope with the holiday season and all that it brings.

  1. Maintain the child’s normal schedule as nearly as possible. Disrupted schedules are an invitation for stress. Try to maintain normal get-up and go-to-bed times. Try to maintain normal meal times and other day-to-day schedule items.
  2. Limit sugar consumption. There is sugar everywhere during the holiday season. Sugar is a stimulant. Limit your child’s consumption of sugar to help him maintain control.
  3. Limit television and video viewing. It seems that the airwaves are overloaded with excitement during the holiday season, and the child “picks up on” that added excitement.
  4. Allow ample “time outs” from the excitement. Sometimes the season is overwhelming for adults, and it is doubly overwhelming for small children. Just take a break — and take a break as often as necessary.
  5. Don’t forget cuddle time. Yes, you are busy but don’t get so busy that you forget to take your little one on your lap and read a story. Include humor in story time. A good laugh can prevent an almost certain meltdown!

Good luck, and remember that the holidays do not last forever.

 

Copyright – Child Care Owner

Home Fire Escape Plan

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An important safety event that takes place on a regular basis in every child care business is a “fire drill.”   Each childcare center must have an evaluation plan for all children and staff. Each year when fire or smoke requires a child care facility or school be evaluated – hundreds if not thousands of children and employees are saved.

To protect your children and all family members, you should also have a home fire escape plan and have your own “fire drill” at least twice each year to make sure everyone knows what to do and where to meet outside the home after evacuating.  The National Fire Protection Association provides many great resources to help parents design fire escape plan for their home.  We have provided a link to the NFPA’s – Home Fire Escape Plan below.

Turn this into a family activity having all adults and children contribute to the development of your home fire escape plan, schedule escape drills and make suggestions for improvement.  A small amount of time spent each year can ensure your entire family gets out safely.

How to Make a Fire Escape Plan

Childhood Obesity

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Obesity is children continues to increase. The following infographic illustrates the magnitude of the problem, the long-term health impact and things you can do to prevent obesity in children.

Childhood Obesity Awareness by Wheels For Wishes