Aspects of Your Baby’s Health You Need to Watch Out For
Breast milk or infant formula should be the primary source of nutrition until six months when you can start introducing solids into their diets. It is recommended to introduce one type of food at a time to monitor potential allergies and reactions.
As a parent, it’s your job to ensure your baby is healthy and happy. From their diet to their teeth to their growth, there are so many aspects of your baby’s health that you need to watch out for. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the most important things you should know about taking care of your baby’s well-being.
Their Diet
As with any human being, having a balanced diet is essential for babies. Breast milk or infant formula should be the primary source of nutrition until six months when you can start introducing solids into their diets. It is recommended to introduce one type of food at a time to monitor potential allergies and reactions.
While they may start to eat some table food around seven or eight months old, steer clear of items like honey, whole nuts, choking hazards (like popcorn or grapes), and processed foods with added sugar as these can be dangerous for young children.
Their Teeth
Taking care of your baby's teeth starts even before they come through! Before they turn two years old, you should begin brushing their teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and water only. Once they turn two years old, you can introduce toothpaste; just make sure it’s fluoride-free.
You should only use a small amount of toothpaste to clean their teeth. Regular visits with the dentist from an early age are also essential for teaching them proper dental hygiene habits and ensuring that their teeth stay healthy as they grow older.
Their Growth
It is important to monitor your baby’s growth throughout the first year to ensure that they are developing properly. At each well-baby check-up from birth until two years old, your doctor will measure certain indicators such as height and weight to track progress against expected milestones for development. If there are any discrepancies or delays in growth or development, this information will help inform further steps that need to be taken such as additional medical tests or treatments if necessary.
There are so many elements that go into making sure your baby stays healthy and happy – from proper nutrition and dental hygiene habits to monitoring growth patterns – but don’t forget that it takes a village! Make sure you talk with other parents who have gone through similar experiences as well as consult professionals in the fields of nutrition, dentistry, and healthcare if needed to ensure that your little one gets everything he/she needs during this critical period in their life.
Did you enjoy reading this article? Here’s more to read: How to Create Lasting Memories With Your Kids in the Outdoors
What Dietary Components Impact My Child’s Oral Health?
Encouraging your child to eat a diet rich in nutritious foods does more than just affect their overall physical health. Your child's eating habits may be greatly affecting their oral health as well. Here are three primary dietary components that impact the oral health of children.
Fruits and Vegetables
The antioxidant benefits of a diet high in fruits and vegetables also positively affect a person's oral health. While a moderate amount of any fruit is healthy, it should be noted that fruits that are highly acidic can actually damage the tooth enamel. This is why you should never suck on lemons or other fruits that contain high amounts of acids. Meanwhile, fruits such as strawberries act as natural teeth whiteners, making them a good choice. Vegetables that contain a high amount of fiber and water are also especially healthy for teeth.
Sugar
It is no secret that an excess amount of sugar can have detrimental effects on a child's overall oral health. Increased blood sugar levels can lead to an increase of inflammation, which can make it difficult for the body to combat oral diseases such as gingivitis. It is also important to remember that cutting all sugar out of a child's diet is unhealthy. There are a number of fruits that contain naturally occurring fructose. While it is a good idea to watch out for the consumption of too much refined sugar, it is not recommended for fruits to be avoided just because it contains sugar.
Grains
The benefits of whole grains stretch well beyond the protection that they provide against obesity, heart disease, stroke and cancer. A diet that is rich in whole grains has also been shown to reduce the risk of gum disease. The many vitamins and minerals that are present in whole grains serve to keep both the teeth and gums healthy and functioning at optimal levels. Magnesium is a powerful force in encouraging strong enamel while vitamin E works to reduce inflammation and guard against gum disease. It is easy to incorporate whole grains into your diet simply by swapping out some of your favorite foods with their whole-grain counterpart. For example, try substituting brown rice for white rice or whole-grain pasta for white pasta.
Encouraging your child to practice healthy eating habits will pay off big dividends when it comes to oral health. You will never regret making the effort to take special care of your child's teeth and gums.
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How to Ensure Healthy Childhood Development
Parenting is something that thousands of experts have spoken about for centuries. Everyone does it differently–and it also doesn’t help that every child is different.
Parenting is something that thousands of experts have spoken about for centuries. Everyone does it differently–and it also doesn’t help that every child is different.
As intimidating as it may be, there are certain things you can do in order to ensure that your child is getting the minimum for their healthy development.
Take Your Child to the Doctor
Physical health is the most basic and primary priority. There may be some things you can take care of as a parent–a simple abrasion on your child’s arm, a sunburn, a cold–but you should know when it’s best to take them to the doctor. Pediatricians will have the expertise and experience to be able to help your child whenever something more extreme happens.
Regular appointments will mean that some problems can be caught early on before they become serious. This is why it’s so important to have check-ups even when nothing is obviously wrong.
Pay Attention to Behavior
It’s important to be familiar with the stages of childhood development so that you can be prepared. It also means that you will know what to interpret as normal or as abnormal. This should be done on both a physical and an emotional level. For example, thumb sucking at a young age is perfectly normal, but it can lead to dental issues long-term.
Prepare beforehand how to talk to your child about puberty and the changes that occur in the body (not to mention emotionally). Know how to respond to behavior that you feel is inappropriate. Healthy discipline that teaches your child about responsibility without abuse is critical.
Basic Needs
A child needs to be comfortable to develop in a healthy way. That means that food, water, shelter, clothes, exercise, education, and a clean environment are priorities that shouldn't be compromised in any way. One of the most important needs that a child has is their emotional need for love and support. Communicate with your child. Generational trauma occurs when one parent’s unhealthy style of parenting is unconsciously repeated by their child, and so on–so put in the emotional work to deconstruct your own past difficulties and trauma. The last thing you want to do is unconsciously raise your child in a way that will cause them pain.
A child is not only a responsibility. It is another human being who will grow based on your actions as a parent. It is your responsibility, in turn, to educate yourself before and during your child’s life in order to give them the life that they deserve.
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How to Feel More Confident About Your Children’s Diet
It can be difficult to know what to feed your child. The internet is full of misinformation that thrives off of reactionary articles that get attention for being extreme – not for being accurate.
Not to mention the difficulties that come with navigating the modern food industry.
Follow Their Pediatrician’s Advice
Doctors are going to understand the modern landscape of children’s health better than you will. They also will know how to tell the difference between misinformation and scientifically viable data. They will be able to tell you what is best for your child.
They will also be able to diagnose any potential problems that your child has, as well as prescribe or suggest proper treatments. Ultimately, it is always in your best interest to trust your doctor. Make sure that your child follows the instructions that their doctor gives them.
Look at the Ingredients
Companies are legally required to be honest about what their products contain. You should always check the ingredients to make sure that it doesn’t contain inordinate amounts of unhealthy fats, sugars, or sweeteners. Be on the lookout for corn syrup and high-fructose corn syrup especially.
Learn how much a gram is – since many companies actually put the amount of sugar in grams so that consumers won’t know how much sugar is in their product. Also make sure to check the serving size, since oftentimes the company will be telling you nutrition facts about a fraction of the entire package. Even granola bars often contain a lot of added sugars.
A Healthy Balance
At the end of the day, the best thing you can do is make sure that your child gets a healthy balance of proper nutrients from a variety of sources. Carbohydrates, proteins, fibers, and fresh ingredients need to all be present. That’s not always easy with a picky eater – but don’t be afraid to try new things! Fresh produce is absolutely essential for a growing child. And beyond their diet… you need to make sure that they are getting enough outside activity and exercise. Only then will your child have the proper healthy balance that they need.
Avoid forcing kids to finish everything on their plate. Let your child to tell you when they are full and finished eating. They will naturally regulate the amount they eat.
Be sure to have new foods at the ready. It may take up to 10 or15 times of offering a food before your child will want to eat it. Introduce new foods one at a time and be sure to offer it with foods that your child already enjoys.
Research and education are very important when it comes to preparing and helping your children to eat healthy. Make sure you know what ingredients you’re looking at. Don’t hesitate to search for an ingredient that you aren’t familiar with. Provide the balance that they need, and you’ll both be happy with how they grow.
How to Tell If Your Child Needs Glassesv
Young children are usually unable to tell whether they need glasses — the way they see the world is just the way they see. They don’t know that it could be better. For this reason, it is important for parents to know how to tell if their child is having problems with their eyesight. Here are three ways that you can tell if your child needs glasses.
Know the Signs
Understanding the signs of vision impairment will help you to determine if you should have your child's eyesight evaluated by an eye care professional. Some possible signs of problems include squinting, sitting too close to the television, tilting of the head, and excessive rubbing of the eyes. If your child frequently complains of headaches, it may also mean that they are overexerting the eyes in an effort to see with clarity. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to have your child's vision checked out by an eye doctor.
Trust Your Doctors
Particularly if you have a history of eye problems in your family, you should plan on making regular checks with the eye doctor. Although some schools will provide complimentary vision screening, these are not always comprehensive tests and should not take the place of a professional eye exam. A thorough eye exam will test for visual acuity as well as a host of other potential problems such as depth perception and the overall health of the eye. Committing to regular checks will also give you a useful baseline and allow you to see any patterns in eye health and is extremely important for a child who is predisposed to bad eyesight because of family history.
Talk to the Teacher
Many vision problems are initially detected by a child's teacher. A teacher sees the child daily in a variety of situations in which poor eyesight may be exposed. If you suspect that your child may be having difficulty seeing, it is a good idea to express your concerns to their teacher to get their opinion. Sometimes what may appear to be poor academic performance or lack of effort may actually be a child simply having difficulty seeing the board or textbooks. Teachers are trained to recognize vision problems in students and should always be one of the first people that you consult with.
Poor eyesight is a health issue like any other in that it needs treatment and shouldn’t be ignored. Look for the telltale signs of a problem with your child's eyesight, and if you see them, take your child to an eye doctor for verification. Giving your child the gift of full eyesight will ensure that they have the tools that they need to live to their fullest potential.
It used to be that kids were teased a lot if they wore glasses. But in recent years, as a teacher, I noticed this was happening less. In my Child Couture sessions, I make sure to ask how a child feels about their glasses. Usually, I will take images with and without them so they can pick an image they feel suits them best.
I create showpiece images for modern moms to remember everything they love about their kids, forever. Book a session today!
Fun Ways to Teach Your Children Responsibility
Children long to be treated like adults, but they can be rather reluctant to embrace responsibility. While your children may be too young to run errands or make their own meals, they can definitely learn the basics of responsibility. These are some entertaining ways to show your kids how to be responsible.
Assign Jobs With a Reward System
When your kids are old enough to start helping around the house, you need to figure out which chores they're able to handle at their given age, according to Cozi. Suitable chores for younger children could be replacing the trash bag, while preteens and above could be responsible for running and emptying the dishwasher. Some form of compensation is good as well, such as a weekly allowance based on successful completion of chores or having certain privileges tied into whether or not chores are accomplished. You should also set out certain parameters for what it means to do a task successfully and when it needs to be done by. Your kids need to learn the importance of doing chores in a timely fashion, correctly.
Get a Dog
Owning a dog gives your family a new member to dote over and your kids a great opportunity to learn responsibility. If your kids want to call the dog theirs, they need to take part in the caring and training. When helping your kids train your dog, they will likely be giving the dog several treats, so it’s important to pay attention to what’s in them. According to VitaLife, you should make sure to mind the ingredients and consider the size and calorie count in order to keep your dog healthy. Even though your kids won't be able to fulfill every bit that comes with taking care of the dog, they can absolutely learn about responsibility as they and their dog grow up.
Let Them Call the Shots
Your kids might feel like you're pestering them with your reminders to do things like getting their schoolwork in order and brushing their teeth, so you can let them give you a taste of your own medicine. Ask them to remind you to do things like going to the grocery store and even when it's time for you to brush your teeth. Getting to feel like they're in charge can do a lot for a child's self-esteem. It can also help them to become responsible leaders in the future.
Being responsible involves understanding what you need to do and when you need to do it. Children can learn to see the beauty of responsibility by being cognizant of its positive results and realizing that being responsible means being mature. These methods take the stodginess out of responsibility and allow your children to make a far smoother transition into adulthood.
Want to preserve the memories of your kids’ magical childhood before they grow up too fast? Book a child couture portrait session with us!
Developmental Issues to Watch for in Your Child's First Months of Life
Every parent wants the best for their baby. As the days turn into weeks and the weeks into months, you will be eagerly awaiting the milestones. Baby's first smile, baby's first laugh and baby's first time cooing are unlike anything else for parents. But there are certain developmental issues to keep an eye out for during your little one's first months of life to ensure everything is on track.
Muscle Stiffness or Softness
Babies' bodies tend to be soft and fragile at the beginning of their lives, and that isn't worrisome to start. As the baby grows older though, it is important that she is able to lift her head and later her shoulders. If you notice that your baby is having a difficult time lifting her head during tummy time or that her muscles seem rigid during the small moments of playtime you incorporate in the beginning, you'll want to let your pediatrician know as it could be a symptom of cerebral palsy.
Lack of Hearing
Normally, hearing problems are diagnosed in the hospital. However, sometimes hearing issues show up later in a baby's life. According to Black Hills ENT, hearing loss is the No. 1 birth defect in America and many studies have shown that early diagnosis of hearing loss is crucial to the development of speech, language, cognitive, and psychosocial abilities. It is important to talk to your baby regularly and be sure she is responding appropriately. If you notice something seems off, do not delay in contacting your baby's doctor.
Eye Problems
Some eye problems are detectable at birth, such as eye shape deformities. Other eye problems develop later, though. These eye problems can range from visual impairment to total blindness. According to All About Vision, your baby should be able to track movements by two to three months old. If they aren’t tracking movements, you should get that checked out. Catching visual impairments early leads to earlier intervention, which can help prevent an array of problems from arising later in the future, such as chronic headaches.
You are already vigilant about your baby's health. Being aware of these developmental issues will add another layer of protection to your bundle of joy. Many developmental disorders and complications can be treated or even cured if caught at an early age, so be sure to keep your doctor informed about any potential problems you are noticing.
More Developmental Delay Facts
Believe it or not, most developmental delays do not have a known cause. Most people are aware of the dangers of smoking or drinking alcohol while pregnant. But infections during pregnancy tend to increase the risk of developmental issues in babies. While you are expecting, pay close attention to changes that seem “not quite right” and, of course, check in with your doctor immediately.
Little ones are a precious gift. Let us help you preserve those memories!
Meet Los Angeles Lactation Specialist Julie Matheney.
In my work, I meet many new moms who are breastfeeding their child. Many are aware or have had some education about lactation and what to expect. But in my experience, there are many moms who do not begin their first Motherhood experience with these tools. Knowing where to go for instruction on breastfeeding is important. For this blog, I interviewed one lactation specialist in the Los Angeles area who is available to provide support and training for new moms. You can find her on Instagram
Q: Let’s start with your name. What is your name? Tell us
3 or 4 things about you.
A: My name is Julie Matheney. I started my career as a speech pathologist feeding preemie babies in the hospital NICU but fell in love with working with breastfeeding mamas and now do that in private practice. I’m a mom to two little girls. My husband and I love to travel and now enjoy taking our girls on adventures with us.
Q: For those who may not know, what exactly is a
lactation consultation? Can you take us through a
typical consult?
A: There are several types of lactation consultant certifications, kind of like there are different kinds of nursing degrees, types of doctors, or fields in engineering. The gold standard for lactation consultants is an IBCLC. it means they have taken significant college level courses, spent hundreds of hours being mentored in breastfeeding and have sat for a four hour board exam. An IBCLC lactation consultant works with any and all issues related to breastfeeding, including helping people who have never been pregnant to induce milk supply for adoption, relieving breast infections, increasing milk supply, teaching you how to position your baby and helping your baby to latch properly at the breast. Lactation consultants can teach you about breastfeeding while you’re still pregnant and help work with you for the entire length of time your baby feeds from the breast. In a typical consultation, we review your relevant medical and labor/delivery history, see a feeding, and develop a plan for improving breastfeeding. We typically will weigh the baby before and after a feeding to get an approximation for how much baby is taking each time they breastfeed. An average consultation is an hour and a half.
Q: I know from being a newborn photographer, that
breastfeeding can be really difficult. In your view,
what are the most common issues that moms face
that you can help with?
A: Breastfeeding is natural but it takes practice. You’ve never done it before and neither has your baby. The most common issue is position and latch. So many people have never held a baby, let alone a newborn, and it can be intimidating to try to position them at the breast. So many moms worry they’ll hurt the baby when moving them. Babies are actually really sturdy! If you get a baby in the right position, the latch is quite easy. The second most common issue I see in my practice is tongue tie: when there is a small piece of connective tissue under the tongue preventing it from moving fully. Tongue tie can cause damage to moms nipples and limits the baby’s ability to remove milk from the breast. When less milk is emptied, less milk is made, so many moms think they have no milk supply and blame themselves instead of the baby’s inability to effectively feed.
Q: Breastfeeding is a huge issue.
Not only is there the issue about moms learning how to breastfeed and
or the baby to learn too, but there are also political
issues it seems. Are you involved in any political or
social activities to promote women in this work? Can
you tell us about it?
A: I’m not in any organized groups currently but try to spread the positives of breastfeeding through prenatal breastfeeding classes, awareness through social media, and working alongside individual mothers in their homes.
Q: In my work, I have seen moms seemingly torn about
breastfeeding...one the one hand, they know they
should, but on the other they are embarrassed or
feel awkward. Are these feelings common? Can
women find support for these feelings?
A: In my experience, 100% of mothers feel inadequate in some part of their motherhood journey. We take our responsibility seriously and with breastfeeding so often feel like a failure when it doesn’t go 100% perfect 100% of the time. Even when breastfeeding is going really well most mothers will find something they are unsure about. It is very very common to feel inadequate. You are not alone. The best place to find reassurance in your abilities is in a local breastfeeding support group where you can find other moms going through the same thing.
Q: What is the number one question you get from new
moms?
A: I get asked all the time if moms need to wait for the breast to fill before feeding their baby. This is not needed. In fact, the beast works opposite of that: the more it is emptied, the faster it actually fills. The breast works on demand. The more it’s emptied the more it will make. There is no need to wait to feed your baby. If you are concerned about your milk supply, it is best to schedule an appointment with an IBCLC to help you get back on track.
There is a lot to know about breastfeeding. This short interview is just the tip of the iceberg. Start today by visiting LALACTATION and schedule your consultation.
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Ultimate Lemonade Stand Guide For Families
Your ultimate guide to lemonade stands for every budget, age and level of energy.
Have you ever seen headlines that read, “Effortless Lemonade Stands”, or “2001 Easy DIY Lemonade Stands”? It seems like a terrific idea until you start to do it. Then, the reality sets in that probably no lemonade stand is easy or effortless No summer is complete without the Lemonade Stand Experience. Here is a guide to 7 different ways to create a stand for your kids. Pick one that will work for your budget, time and energy. For more advanced builds, don’t forget safety goggles for everyone. And don’t forget that my age suggestions are just that, suggestions. Never leave kids unattended with tools and building materials.
Lemonade Stand Types
Lumber Cost: $100 to $350 Good For Adults and Teens Time: 6 to 8 hours
Lowe’s has a nice set of plans to build a wooden lemonade stand from plywood. Assuming you already own a cordless drill, circular saw etc., this project should be under $350. Essentially, this is a project for an adult or older teen to build for younger kids. It requires intermediate handyman skills.
Kids can join in the making more towards the end when the stand is painted and the banner and signage is created. When completed, this can be used as a puppet theatre too
Fence Pickets Cost: $25 to $50 Good For Aged 12+ Time: 1 to 2 hours
This project uses fence pickets which are screwed together to make a big rustic looking crate. There do not appear to be wheels or casters on this design, and I would add some just to make life easier when putting it in use. Because this project requires cutting with a circular saw or hand saw, it is really a project to be built by adults with help from older kids.
Wooden Crate Cost: $100-$125 Good For: Younger kids with parent Time: 1 to 2 hours
This idea uses wooden crates already made. You can find wooden crates at craft stores, Target and Walmart. It is pretty easy and requires only a small hammer and some wire nails. The fun part comes in painting the crates and making the sign or rustic banner to drape between the two poles on the sides.
Recycled Pallets Cost: $10 to $70 Good For: Older Kids with parent Time: 1 to 2 hours.
The toughest part of this project is getting the pallets themselves. If you have time and are diligent, you can likely get used wooden pallets for free from local establishments like pet stores and other businesses. Los Angeles residents may wish to contact A and I Pallets to purchase new and used pallets for their lemonade stand project.
This way of making a lemonade stand is similar to the crate version above. But pallets are larger so you are starting with bigger chunks that are already connected together. Personally, I like the super rustic and used feel that pallets bring to the table.
Table with skirt Cost: $10 to $130 Good For: Anyone Time: 15 minutes
This streamlined and simple way to have a lemonade stand is perfect for people who do not have an area to build in. Creativity can come in the making of the table skirt. Use a tablecloth or upcycled sheets and decorate with felt letters.
Antsy Pants Cost: $70 to $100 Good For: Anyone Time: 30 minutes
This is a set of pieces and connectors. Kids can build different things. These snap and click so it is easy for younger kids to build with just a little help. The cover for the lemonade stand is sold separately. So, be sure to buy both the cover and the building set. The good thing about this option is that the connectors and rods can be used over and over again to build many things like tents, trucks and more.
Upcycle old Furniture Cost: $10 to $75 Good For: Anyone Time: 2 to 3 hours
If you or your extended family have old furniture in their garage, there may be a lemonade stand just waiting to be born. Old chests of drawers, tables, carts, tv stands, small entertainment centers are all candidates. Otherwise, you can have fun shopping at flea markets or local Los Angeles gems such as Foothill Trading Company or Ocean View Thrift. You never know what great old piece you can find.
Katie is a retired teacher. She now is a maternity, baby and child photographer in Los Angeles. She specializes in Mother Child Imagery. Expecting moms to moms with adult kids are encouraged to get in touch.
3 Reasons Why Microfiber Sheets Might Be a Mom's Best Friend
When you consider the fact that humans spend around one-third of their lives sleeping, you soon realize that finding ways to increase the quality of your sleep is very important. Sleeping sufficiently and well is essential to moms who are caring for their families. One of the best ways a busy mother can help herself sleep better is to invest in a quality set of microfiber sheets.
Affordable High Quality
Microfiber sheets are made from polyester, nylon or other synthetic materials. The fiber is composed of very thin threads, and this makes them extremely soft to the touch. According to Super Comfy Sleep, compared with cotton bed linens, microfiber sheets are quite affordable. Another benefit is the fact that microfiber fabrics hold their color even through many washings, so you don't have to worry about fading. When deciding on the best microfiber sheets, you should consider the thread count, denier of the fiber and any pretreatments that might have been used on the sheets during manufacturing.
Stain-Resistant
Simply Sheets Fundraising says that microfiber products are naturally stain-resistant, promising easy cleanup after messes are made. This feature is especially helpful if you're a mom and you have little ones climbing into bed. These sheets allow for easy removal of some of the most common stains like food, spit-up, and other fluids. On many occasions, a high-quality microfiber sheet set can be washed under normal conditions without the requirement of a specialized stain removal formula. This feature is helpful because you may not notice the stain before you throw your sheets into the washer.
Long-Lasting
Microfiber sheets are made of materials that can maintain their color, texture, and integrity through many cycles of washing and drying. These sheets are easy to care for, and they can be washed and dried in your standard machines at home. They are also wrinkle-free so you won't have to spend time ironing or worry if you leave them in the dryer overnight. Due to the tight weave of the fabric in microfiber sheets, they are durable and won't tear or fray after many washes.
Microfiber sheets come in various color options and have a comfortable feel that can be enjoyed year-round. These sheets are stain-resistant and easy to care for. Consequently, they can help busy moms save time. Of course, they also promote better sleep throughout the night. High-quality microfiber sheets are ideal for any mother seeking comfortable bed linen that is low-maintenance and designed to last.
Despite the ups and downs, maternity and motherhood are such a special time of life. We create showpiece images for modern moms who want to remember everything they love about their kids, forever. Contact us with any questions you have about getting a photography session.
Children's Songs Your Kids Will Love
Today, kids are all about media. Between videos and pics on cell phones, it is almost impossible to grab their attention in any different way. Today, I want to let you know about an album of children’s songs that can keep up with the contant competition for attention.
Tumble Bee by Laura Veirs: The Bottom Line For Children’s Songs
This is a great album that has 13 tracks and offers a substantial variety of meters, tones and sounds. Two of the tracks “Down in the Medder” and “Prairie Dream” are instrumentals. This is an attractive feature, especially if you are looking to introduce toddlers to music without any words.
Songs That Are Playful
Tumble Bee has at least three children’s songs that are “catchy”. The tune is fairly easy to pick up, “The Fox”, “Why Oh Why”, and “Little Lap Dog Lullaby” are the ones I might use in a classroom setting, or at a party to break the ice.
The Fox is a super fun song and is sure to cheer up a pouting person. It would also be a great way to start a play date if you felt your kids were shy. The song is easy to learn, is similar to Old McDonald in some ways, and catchy. Your kids will be humming to themselves in no time. This tune would also make a great song to play as you head out on a road trip.
“Why Oh Why” is set to a beat of three; a fast three, and it is fun to sing. Why can a bird eat an elephant? Why can a mouse it a streetcar? Why does a horn make music? These are a few things your kids will find out in this delightful song.
“Little Lap Dog Lullaby” is a bit of a misnomer, if you ask me. It is fun and addictive. Not something that would make most kids sleepy. Though does resemble famous lullaby lines like “Papa’s gonna buy you a mockingbird“, the pace and lyrical elements make this tune too fun to fall asleep to.
Songs That Are Fast
“Jack Can I Ride” showcases a Scott Joplin like piano accompaniment. The words are fast paced and may take a few times around to learn so your toddler can sing along. About midway through the song sports a square dance feel with fiddles and all. Be careful or you will find yourself saying “Do Si Do”.
“Soldier’s Joy” does feel like your little ones could square dance to it. While slower than the traditional square dance version, it takes pretty intense verbal skill to say the words as fast as Laura Veirs does. There is also a male voice on this song so your kids can hear both singing together.
Jamaica Farewell is included in the songs that are fast paced. In reality, it is slower than the others in this section. But I included it here because the lyrics are sung fairly quickly and may take little ones a while to learn. The calypso sway and imagery of the words makes this children’s song the right thing to do for almost any occasion.
Katie is a baby and child photographer in Los Angeles. Contact her today to book your child’s portrait session.
Got Boxes? How to Turn a Spare Box into a New Toy for Your Kids
Spare boxes can be so much more than a pile of cardboard to go out to the recycling bin. With a bit of creativity, you can create all sorts of new toys for your kids. What you make with a cardboard box may be their new favorite toy.
Shape Sorter
You can get creative by using a small box as a shape sorting toy. There are a number of benefits for toddlers to play with these toys, including teaching cause-and-effect and establishing motor skills. Simply create a bunch of shapes all over the box, such as stars, hearts, and triangles. Then, cut them out using a sharp knife. Your kids can, then, work on getting the shapes into the correct cutouts over the box. If you want to get fancy, consider coloring the different cutouts. This way, you can add some more learning by having them name the colors as well as the shapes.
Puppet Theater
Think about how much fun it would be to give sock puppets, string puppets, or even dolls their own theater to perform in. Old moving boxes are great for this project because they tend to be larger than your average Amazon box. Appliance boxes can work well for this, too. You can go as fancy as you want, cutting out certain aspects of the box out to create a stage. Then, you can hang fabric at the openings in order to form a curtain. It will make it a fun place for your kids to exercise their imagination. Plus, it can be used over and over again.
Robots
Robots have always been cool because of what they promise to be able to do for you. While you won’t be able to create the electronic components, cardboard box robots can provide fun for hours on end. Whether you create a cereal box robot or you use shoeboxes or other robots, you can decide what they’ll look like. Stack multiple boxes on top of each other and glue or tape them together. Use other household items like cups to create arms and legs. Then, let your kids go wild by adding some personalization using markers.
Roll up your sleeves and get a little creative. Find as many boxes as you can, in various sizes, so that you have more to work with. It can create hours of fun for you and your kids.
Your kids won’t be kids forever, so it’s important to get photos of them while you can. Book a session with Panos Productions Photography today!
Family Fun at the Huntington Library
The Huntington Library in San Marino, CA is a fantastic place to take your kids. The trick is to become a member. Members gain entrance to the facilities free. This place is truly amazing. It has several themed gardens, including a children’s garden. There will be a lot of walking, so if you have kids who are not in a stroller anymore, it is a great way to get exercise in a safe environment. There are several lakes and ponds, wildlife to enjoy and wonderful statues and architecture everywhere you look.
OVERALL PROS
Beautiful, clean, safe, full of learning opportunities, kid friendly high tea service
OVERALL CONS
No picnics allowed, pricey if you are not a member.
When I visited recently, I kept in mind activities that families could do while they visit the grounds.
“Book” a Garden: There are 16 gardens to choose from. Each is spectacular. For toddlers, you may want to give special preference to the Children’s Garden, The Chinese Garden and the Jungle Garden. Bring a book that you read to your child often and matches a garden theme. Then, as you visit, you can look in the book and try to find examples of some of the plants. Kids can imagine dinosaurs or other characters as they amble along.
Count Your Steps: It is very easy to trek over 2 miles in a leisurely walk around one garden. This is a great way to help kids get generate healthy habits. I recommend using the Chinese Garden for this. You can walk around a stunning lake, look at Koi fish and other wildlife. The architecture there transports you into another world. It is so rich and vibrant, no one will realize they have walked 2 miles! There is also a Chinese food place there to grab a bite. It’s convenient and has outside seating.
Portrait Extravaganza: The collection of portraits in the museum is mesmerizing. There are so many to see, it probably can’t be done in one or even two days. The collection has several portraits of older kids, so that makes it more relevant and easy to start a discussion with your own kids about what they see in the painting.
Find a Hobby: One of the best things a parent can do for kids is to help them find a hobby; something they can do throughout their schooling years. This teaches coping strategies and skills that so many of us lack. The Japanese Garden has the most extensive Bonsai display around. These are world class examples of how beautiful they are and how it is possible to make a 50 foot Oak tree grow into a 1 foot miniature.
The Rose Garden, when in bloom, is a great way to introduce kids to the art of rose care and development. There must be 100 different rose varieties there.
The Rose Garden Tea room offers an experience in high tea. Older kids can see how food can be taken to an art form in detail and presentation. Finger sandwiches and small baked sweets are things kids can learn to make at home.
Geocaches: If you geocache as a family, there may be one or two that are hidden around with the permission of the owners. That can add to your days of fun too.
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Why Isn't My Child Talking Yet?
As a parent, it can be frustrating and scary to realize that your child is not hitting their speech development milestones. Before you start to panic, it is important to understand some of the reasons why your child is not talking yet and what you can do to encourage this development. Here are three of the most common reasons why your child might not be talking yet:
Not Being Talked to Enough
This source recommends, “although many parents might feel silly constantly talking to a person who cannot yet talk back, the regular and persistent verbal communication that you share with your infant is imperative to their speech development. Infants respond to any kind of verbal communication, regardless of whether it is baby talk or more adult vocabulary and inflections.” Young impressionable brains are wired to soak up all of the sounds, tones, and words so that they are able to process those into a vocabulary. By being intentional about speaking with your infant from its first days of life, you will be encouraging it to develop its own language skills when the time comes.
Hearing Issues
This source explains, “one baby in a thousand is born profoundly deaf. Another two to three are born with partial hearing loss. Hearing loss is the No. 1 birth defect in America. Many studies have shown that early diagnosis of hearing loss is crucial to the development of speech, language, cognitive, and psychosocial abilities. Treatment is most successful if hearing loss is identified early, preferably within the first month of life. That's why 39 states require some type of hearing test before the baby leaves the hospital.” Common hearing problems can be negated with proper intervention, making it important to ensure that your child is tested.
Older Siblings
Oftentimes, children with older siblings are delayed in their speech capabilities. This source reports, “babies and toddlers with siblings are more likely to let the older kids speak for them, rather than talking for themselves. After a while, they will start to become dependent on the sibling to speak for them out of habit.” If your baby appears to be delayed in speech acquisition, it is a good idea to instruct any older siblings to encourage their younger brother or sister to speak up for themselves.
Take care to remove any obstacles out of your child's way when it comes to language development. By doing so, you can do your part to encourage normal patterns of speech development from a young age.
Life with children just seems to go by so fast. They may be dealing with these challenges now, but it could feel like this is only a passing second. That’s why it’s so important to take photos of your children, especially in their first couple years of life!
4 Biggest Hidden Dangers to a Child's Health
As a parent, you want your child to have the best possible upbringing. This means protecting your son or daughter from hazards that your son or daughter might encounter both at home and in the outside world. Let's take a look at a few of these potential hazards and the steps that you can take to mitigate them.
Peanuts and Seafood
Many children develop allergies at a young age, and you don’t find out until they are exposed to the allergens and they get sick. In some cases, your child could suffer negative health consequences from merely touching a surface that is contaminated by peanuts. The same could be true if your child eats, smells or touches fish or other seafood. If your child shows any signs of an allergy, take your son or daughter to the doctor immediately. It can also be a good idea to have medication handy in case of an emergency.
Mold
According to Behind the S, mold most often affects children, pregnant women, and people with breathing problems. The most common kinds of mold form in damp conditions usually present in a basement, attic or bathroom. If you see black mold, be sure to call a professional right away. It can have an adverse impact on your child's life, and it can also put your own life in danger.
Falling Objects
A blow to the head can cause significant injury to a small child because its skull and brain are not fully developed. This can be true even if the object falls from a relatively low height. To prevent your child from being hit by a falling object at home, keep items on shelves secured with zip ties or similar objects. You can also keep potentially dangerous objects in a shed or other space the child won't occupy.
The Family Pet
You should never leave your child unsupervised when feeding, playing with or otherwise interacting with a cat or dog. This is because even a friendly animal can get scared or angry in an instant, and it could lead to your child being bitten or experiencing other injuries in an attack. According to American Family Physician, dog bites account for 1% of all injury-related emergency department visits in the United States and more than $50 million in inpatient costs per year. Immediate treatment will be necessary to stop the spread of bacteria throughout the child's body.
Children are often curious about the world around them and can be oblivious to the potential consequences of their actions. Therefore, it is important that they are properly supervised to ensure that they don't get hurt. Taking proactive steps to mitigate hazards can also make it easier to keep your kids safe when you can't watch them.
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