Babies & Toddler

Archive for the ‘Toddler’ Category

If you are the parent of a toddler but want to include him or her in making the decorations this Halloween season and are looking for suitable Halloween crafts that you can make with your toddler, there are a number of crafts that are easy and fun and can help you bond with your little one. In addition, these crafts will also teach the toddler valuable skills that they will need when they finally go to school.

The handprint spiders are perhaps one of the most popular toddler Halloween crafts this season. All you need is black paint that is water soluble and a paper plate. Pour the paint onto another plate or in a pan. Place your toddlers hands flat into the pan of paint. All kids love this part. Ensure that the paint has covered the entire hand but do not let it get too gloppy. Then, place the child’s hand firmly onto the paper plate a little above the plate’s center. Make sure that all the fingers are splayed outwards. Now turn the plate upside down so that the print is at the bottom. Reapply paint on the toddlers hands and press down onto the plate in the same manner as before. Take care that the heels of the palms of both the prints match up with each other. After the paint dries up, paste some googly eyes. Pull a string through a hole punched at the top and hang it wherever you like.

The pumpkin seed wreath is another great Halloween craft that you can make with your toddler. Once you have your pumpkin carved, wash all the seeds and save them up. You can roast these seeds in your oven, sprinkle them with salt and eat them as a yummy treat. Apart from these, once the pumpkin seeds are dry, cut out a round in some orange construction paper and let your little one glue all the pumpkin seeds around the outer rim of the circle with all the pointed ends facing out. Once the outer row is finished, make another row inside it. Use any Halloween decoration to fill in the middle. You can glue candy corn, a witch from fun foam or just about anything that you can creatively come up with.

Search the internet inside out to find other toddler Halloween crafts that will be safe and fun to make with your toddler. Include your toddler in the decorations and let him or her know that there is always an excuse for making a fun craft.

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Bad breath (halitosis) in toddlers tends to surprise parents as it is generally thought to occur only in grown-ups. Leftover food particles could cause breath odor in a healthy child. Food particles can be stuck between the teeth, at the gum line, on the tongue, or on the surface of the tonsils. The resulting bacterial build-up will react with saliva and cause bad breath.

Here are some causes of bad breath in toddlers:

Tartar build-up Tooth infections Pacifier use Dehydration Pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx) Tonsillitis (inflammation of tonsils)

There is no need for parents to worry of course! Regular dental hygiene can easily take care of the problem.Here are some common solutions to help you deal with your toddlers’ bad breath:

Make sure your toddlers are getting adequate fluid intake. This will take care of dehydration, if any exists. Make sure your toddlers are brushing correctly. If not, teach them the correct techniques. Use a timer for brushing time to make sure your toddlers brush for the correct length of time. Talk with your dentist and get your toddlers a routine check up. Make sure the pacifiers that your toddlers may be using are regularly sterilized.

Of course, bad breath in some instances can simply be caused by recently consumed foods or beverages such as garlic or onions or spicy foods like pepperoni.

There are other serious cases, however, where your children’s breath may smell toxic. In these circumstances, immediately check if your toddlers have consumed any chemical or medicine accidentally kept within reach.

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Although it is very common, watching toddlers holding their breath can be a frightful thing for a parent to experience. Some call it the ‘nuclear option’ in a child’s weaponry. About 20 percent of toddlers use this technique to express their discontent or to get what they want – and considering the effect, they often do.

These spells are usually part of a child’s temper tantrums. Here are a few common signs to look out for:

• Breathing out forcefully followed by holding breath for a long time

• Turning pale or blue

Soon after one of the above signs show up, chances are your toddlers will pass out and collapse to the ground. In some cases, your toddler’s legs and arms may twitch and the body may suffer mild convolutions. This situation usually lasts for under a minute and is not a medical condition over which you should be worried.

Even though this is a common tantrum it should be stringently discouraged. Here are a few tips on how to avoid a breath-holding tantrum in your toddler:

• Do not pay overmuch attention to such tantrums.

• Find out the possible cause behind such behavior and eliminate the cause.

• Try to divert your toddler’s attention to a pleasant situation making the toddler forget the whole idea of breath holding.

If your toddler succumbs to this tantrum, remember:

• Do not panic—toddlers may take advantage of the fact that you are scared and resort to tantrums more often to get what they want.

• Make your toddler lie down to increase the flow of blood to the brain and within seconds it will be alright.

• The first time this happens, you may consider taking your toddler to the doctor to ensure it is a breath-holding tantrum indeed.

When children transition from a being fed by parents to feeding themselves, many toddlers find this is the right time to start exploring their newly found independence. Before, the toddlers had little choice about what they ate. They ate what was provided through the bottle or breast and then from the spoon mom or dad held. The only recourse they had if they didn’t like something was to spit it out. As children gain the ability to feed themselves, many toddlers start refusing to eat some foods, which can cause a lot of frustration for parents.

If your toddler is beginning to be fussy about foods, don’t worry too much. Yes, you need to be concerned about your child’s eating habits. No, your child should not eat doughnuts and ice cream every meal of the day, but if your child doesn’t like spinach, it really is not a problem.

What parents of toddlers need to realize is that their child will usually eat a balanced diet over the course of each week. Instead of focusing on each meal of each day, you need to look at what your toddler has eaten over the entire week. You will likely find that he eats a very balanced diet.

Parents of fussy eaters need to offer new foods, even if they are certain the child will reject the food. You can offer a new food a few times a week and eventually the child will taste it. Studies indicate that you may have to introduce the food as many as 15 times before the child will try it. You will waste food, but that is a normal part of life with a toddler.

Toddlers sometimes go on binges where they eat only one food constantly. This is often distressing for parents because they wonder if their child is getting enough nutrition. What can also be frustrating is that parents stock up on this particular food, only to find that after a couple of days the child will not eat it. While this behavior is frustrating, it is important to realize that it is completely normal. This is part of the way your toddler is showing that he is developing some independence.

One thing you can do if you are concerned about the nutrition your child is receiving is to give him a vitamin every day. Talk to your pediatrician before you start this. Many children do not need to have vitamins.

A good indication of whether or not your child is eating enough is his development. If he is developing properly and growing as he should, he is likely getting enough to eat. Unlike infancy, during the toddler months your child does not need a huge caloric intake because his growth has slowed down tremendously.

Finally, even though it is difficult, you need to limit the amount of snacking that you allow. He will be tempted to refuse to eat what you offer him for dinner only to fill up on cheerios and crackers later. You need to limit snacking to specific times, usually two snacks per day. This will encourage your toddler to eat when it is dinnertime. Remember, he will not starve if he skips a meal or two. Teaching him while he is young to eat the food you prepare for the family is crucial to having good eating habits later on.

When you hear the word “toddler” what does it bring to mind? Certainly not neat, tidy and clean – toddlers and mess seem to go hand in hand! But there are ways of keeping the havoc a toddler can create under control, without tears from either of you.

Let’s face it, it’s possible to clean up after a toddler all day long and still be faced with a mess at the end of the day. But consider this – isn’t it much more practical to let mess happen where it will during the day and wait until the evening before you start to pick up the pieces. That compromise will give your toddler important freedom in her play; she can pick and choose between her games without worrying that they’re going to be cleaned up behind her.

Try to be flexible about clearing up. If your toddler’s in the middle of constructing a brick city or setting up a teddy bear’s tea party, then don’t insist that he has to put all his toys away just because it’s the end of the day. Gently move the work-in-progress out of everyone’s way and let him carry on where he left off in the morning. If he’s finished the project, but isn’t ready to dismantle it yet, then respect his wish to keep it all together for a while.

When it does come to clean up time, remember you’re the one who wants everywhere to be tidy – your toddler isn’t that bothered. It’s only fair that you take on some of the work. But make the cleaning up process a team effort. Try not to be overwhelmed by the mess, and take one room or area at a time. Tackling a huge task in small pieces makes it less daunting and frustrating for you both. When your toddler’s helping you, give her specific tasks one at a time, eg “Put teddy on the shelf, then put your cuddly puppy next to him” rather than “pick up all your cuddly toys and put them on the shelf.

Try to make the cleaning up process fun – instead of snapping at your todder – “Put your toys away now!” why not “suggest it’s time for the toys to go to sleep in their beds now?” Challenging your child to a race that he can win is another way to make clearing up fun, eg “Let’s see who can put the most bricks in the tub by the time I count to ten!” Singing along to the work also makes it go more smoothly. You can also make tidying into a learning experience – try teaching colours by saying, “You put away all the red toys, and I’ll put away the blue ones”.

Don’t make work for yourselves – invest in some easy-to-reach child-friendly storage – low and open shelves, shallow bins and boxes, pegs that aren’t out of arms reach. Avoid using one big toy chest as toys will sink to the depths and get broken which will result in tears and frustration when your toddler can’t find what she’s looking for.

Finally – don’t insist on perfection. If your toddler seems to thrive on mess and muddle (and most do!) don’t insist she keeps her own room absolutely immaculate. Make sure the rest of the house is tidy, but allow a little flexibility in her own area. And once the job is done, why not sit down with a good book from Scruffy’s Bookshop – the ideal place to find a great selection of kids e-books – instant downloads to read together after an exhausting session of clearing up!

Deciding on which book to buy for your toddler or baby can feel tremendous when standing in the children’s area of your local book store. If you find yourself looking and just not knowing which books to buy or where to begin the helpful children’s book buying tips below will make short work of your shopping.

Where to Find Books for Babies and Toddlers

Your local library and garage sales are great places to find used books for children. Most libraries hold a used book sale each year where you can buy great children’s books at rock bottom prices. Libraries also have books available to borrow for babies and toddlers. This can be a great way to introduce new books to your children.

Book of the month clubs offer an opportunity to build up your own personal library in your home. There are a wide selection of children’s book of the month clubs available where you can select books from a catalog and order them from home. Your child will get excited about selecting a new book each month and then have great anticipation waiting for his or her new book to arrive in the mail.

Choosing Storage for Children’s Books

Books should always be accessible to young children. By storing books on low book shelves or in low drawers children will be encouraged to pick up books and read.

You may find that children feel a connection to books if they help make a storage container for their books. Try getting an old cardboard box or storage container and having your child decorate the box. When the decorating is finished your child can load the box with his or her favorite books and keep it down low where they can reach in and get a book any time.

Which Book is Best for Babies and Toddlers?

Young babies like to look at colorful board books that are easy to hold and easy to handle. Thick cardboard like books or books with soft sides and vinyl covers allow babies to chew without getting hurt.

Toddlers like to read books with easy to follow story lines and simple rhyming books. Toddlers also like books that relate to their life. Such as stories about potty training or going to school, something the toddler is doing in his life.

Picture books are great for both babies and toddlers. Babies like to look at the colorful pictures and toddlers like to make up story lines to go with the pictures.

Selecting a Time to Read to Children

Babies and toddlers just love to be read to. Any time of day will work for most children when it comes to reading. A nice routine of reading at bed time or after bath time is recommended by many child development specialists.

Just remember that children love to read and if your toddler brings you a book and asks you to read, you should take the time to do so. Reading will build a love of books and foster great memories of quiet time spent together.

Is your toddler eager to play the piano, but you are unsure of how to start?

Through my experience with working with toddlers, I have found that they are usually not able to cope with sitting at the piano for long periods of time. They tend to show tones of curiosity in the anticipation of playing and then it disappears quickly when it’s time for a turn. It is quite normal at this age to have less than two minutes playing the piano, before you move on to something else. If your toddler doesn’t play for long, it is not an indication that they are not enjoying the activity or music, it’s just being a toddler!

Here are two playing ideas and tips for the first sessions together with your child.

You may not need all the activities that I have written down in the exact order, so feel free to use the ones that suit you best in any order that suits your children and change and adapt the ideas as you need.

Idea 1. Little Bear, Big Bear and Mummy Bear.

This activity will encourage a toddler to get started with their playing. This idea lets a toddler do that, but in a controlled way so that they understand some boundaries about playing the instrument.

Step 1: Sit on the piano seat closely together as if you are about to read a book together, and just have a little tinkle, positively reinforcing all of the sounds that your child makes. Loads of children are naturally worried to hear themselves make a sound on the piano at first until they know its alright. If your child gets too heavy, just show them how to play a note gently and just say “gently” as you show him/her.

Step 2: Once you know that your child is playing gently, you may enjoy making up a little story. You could call all the high top notes “Little Bear” all the bottom notes “Big Bear” and all the middle notes “Mummy Bear”. (Calling all the top notes “High Notes”, all the bottom notes “Low notes” and all the middle ones”Middle Notes” also works well.)

Step 3: Children love their independence. Sometimes they will make a gesture to move off the seat or will tell you. Just move aside and either stand or sit away a little bit, but still be close so that you can positively reinforce gentle playing. If you want to keep your child playing for longer, just sing along a favorite song as they play. Something like “5 Little Ducks” or “Baa Baa” should work well and just sing along to whatever notes are coming out.

Toddler can enjoy this activity on the piano for many sessions. In fact encouraging this as part of a regular routine can really build their confidence and self esteem.

Idea 2. The Wheels on the Bus

This song lends itself to being a great first song on the piano and children usually already know the words and actions, which makes it easier for them to play.

Follow these easy steps to help your child succeed quickly at playing it.

Step 1. Do the actions to the music. You probably already know how the song starts. It’s like this:

Verse 1 The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round, The wheels on the bus go round and round all day long

Verse 2 The horn on the bus goes Beep Beep Beep, Beep Beep Beep, Beep Beep Beep, The horn on the bus goes Beep Beep Beep all day long

I’ve included only two verses because these are the most important ones use in order to play the piece. Verse 2 is the is best suited to use in order to help children to play it. The children play on the beeps.

You could practice playing at the right time by singing the verses and clapping your hands or use an instrument like a maraca or drum to play on the beeps. This helps children achieve the rhythm and timing without the distraction all those keys on the piano.

Step 2. Getting your fingers ready. The fingers you need to use for the song are your pointer finger and middle finger of your right hand and you play them at the same time. When you play my recorded version, you’ll hear the beeps played on the piano. This confirms to a toddler when to play and gets them used to hearing the sound.

Practice first together with your toddler on the floor playing with the correct fingers at the appropriate time and without any sound. Toddlers get overwhelmed if they go up to the piano too quickly and make a mistake.

Step 3.Finding the notes and playing along on the piano. You’ll see groups of 2 black notes together and then groups of 3 black notes together. For this song, you’ll need to play the two black notes closest to the center of the piano.Help your child find the notes and sing along and play together.