Like many other skills that babies have to master, kissing and hugging are partly physical, partly cognitive and partly emotional. Before your child is able to pucker up and give you his wet and sweet kisses, he’s going to go through some exciting changes, and there are lots of loving ways that you can help.

Prelude to a kiss:

You may thought that your baby is finally giving you his first kiss (after smooching him for 6 months) but actually your child is in the stage of curiosity. He’s ability to open his mouth and put it in his daddy’s mustache makes him curious. (At this age, a child likes to put anything in his mouth because he wants to know what kind of toy is he playing with  or does it taste good.) Strictly speaking, your child isn’t really kissing at this point. For now, he’s only able to execute an open-mouth, or suction-cup buss. The ability to pucker up,which requires control of the muscles around the mouth will come after his first birthday. He may even bite you or suck on your face. Nevertheless, chances are you’ll say “Wow! you’ve given mommy a kiss!” . Your thrilled reaction is a crucial part of the learning process. If you express pleasure and kiss your baby back, he gradually comes to a realization that when he puts his mouth on mom’s cheek that’s called a kiss. Expect that pretty soon he’ll be showering you literally with kisses.

Huggy time:

About the only thing your baby savors as much as your kisses are your hugs. Touch is the most highly developed sense at birth, making the need to be held and cuddled an essential one. Believe it or not. embraces contribute to a baby’s ability to better manage her emotions. Remember that before you baby can initiate a hug, he has to achieve a developmental milestone which is reaching. This skill emerges by about 6 months, when he’s able to coordinate what he sees with the movement of his hands. He’ll start reaching and touching your face, and he will continue to do this because of your sweet reaction.  After this stage, he’ll start getting close to you by nestling ingto your comforting embrace.

There’s nothing sweeter than your baby’s hugs and smooches. So try to reach out, let your child express his love in his own little ways.

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This is mine!

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Jewellery for kids are considered acceptable gifts, whether is precious jewellery or trendy accessories. These are great to give out during birthdays, graduations and Christmas. There are, however, a few considerations when planning on gifting jewellery to children.

One of it is to consider how age appropriate the jewellery is. For really younger kids who may still have the tendency to put everything in their mouths, charm bracelets, beaded accessories, or necklaces with lockets are instantly a no-no. There are, however, some baubles and bracelets that should look good and safe on toddlers and smaller children. Kids between the ages of 7-10 may enjoy something very colorful or have the trademark of their favorite characters. Older children may like something really trendy and hip, such as a fashionable childrens necklace made of cool materials, with fancy styles and bright, girly colors.

Take into account the materials used to create the jewellery. Some could be made of nickel and metal, as these are of low cost and, therefore, not much of a loss in case the kids become careless with it. But do consider if the material has lead in it, as this is potentially fatal to them. Kids may also have the tendency to get rashes and allergy from some accessories, so adults are supposed to take note of this. If there is a label, check for content first before buying. Or better yet ask the store about where the piece was made and what materials were used.

If you are giving children fine jewellery, teach them to be responsible for it and also advise them on how to take good care of something precious. Fine jewellery, in fact, must only be worn during special occasions, so do let the child know that this is the deal.

Gifting jewellery and accessories actually teaches these young girls to take care of their personal items better. It’s good training and at the same time a wonderful gift…because what girl doesn’t love jewellery?

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It’s your role as a parent to let your child explore his surroundings. It is proven that the more you allow your child to discover things, the more they learn and it brings out the confidence in them. I remembered how I get so excited when we’re going in a fieldtrip. It felt good when I saw things in real life and not just in pictures. The same thing with your child, they need to see and feel things so that they’ll be able to associate with the words that you’ve taught them.

For example, she learned the word “flower” rather than just showing her pictures, why not go to a nearest flowerhouse greenhouse for her to experience the real thing. Fun should be part of learning, so let your child move around even if she gets dirty (don’t worry I’m sure she’ll learn from it.)The more she sees things, the more she gets enthusiastic.

• You can also try educational games for your child. It also serves as a bonding time for both of you. It’s such a rewarding moment when you witness your child’s “a-ha moments” and find yourself learning too.
• Going in different places like museums, malls, classrooms contributes to your child’s achievement. So a lot of encouragement and enthusiasm will help your child love learning.
• You may also schedule a play date with other kids. Your child will surely enjoy discovering a lot of things with his new playmates. Your little one will learn how to treat others in a nice way and she will also learn the value of sharing.
• You can even ask your child’s help you plant flowers in your backyard or try visiting sites that offers a cheap flowerhouse greenhouses so that you can make your own and let your child enjoy every minute of it.
• You can also team up with your child’s teacher. You can ask them to give you materials that will help your child get motivated in school.
• Try joining different workshops that will bring out your child’s talent. Learning to express herself is also an important thing.
• Buy her toys that will promote learning. Books should also be on your list because love for reading should be develop in an early age.
• Watching educational shows is a big help for young learners. I should know because I teach preschool kids and I’ve seen how these kinds of shows help my entire student in learning new words, actions, etc.
• During her playtime, let your imagination grow. Try making your own museum of your child’s doll and allow her to tour you. You can also make a mini flowerhouse greenhouse (I’m sure your kid will give you a helping hand), or you can create your own fun and active games.

These are just few insights that I know that can help you enjoy learning with your child. But still there are tons of fun things that you can do to help your little one. Discover new things and have fun.

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I love kids. They are sweet and fun, but they can also be impulsive and wild, especially when they’re not in the mood. They easily get upset when things don’t go their way. Sometimes, their tantrums provoke us to get mad at them. So how should you handle this kind of situation? If you learn to speak your toddler’s language, you’ll be able to resolve his flare-up with love and respect.

If they’re in a good mood, it’s fine to speak to them in a normal way. But when your child is upset, angry, frustrated, or sad, words mean less to him. His ways to communicate by that time are whining, shrieking or grunting. So here are the few things that you can do to talk your child out of a tantrum.

• Long sentences are hard for stressed-out toddlers to understand.  Try using very short phrases that will catch their attention.
• Repeat those phrases over and over to maintain your toddler’s attention.
• Finally, to show your little one that you strongly understand how he feels, match your tone of voice, facial expression, and body gestures to him.

It is important that you connect with your child. It helps him to mature emotionally when you’re there to guide him. Getting mad at him when he’s upset would only worsen the scenario. So learn to listen and understand because that means a lot to your precious little one.  It’s also an opportunity for you to bond with your child.  A parent’s job is truly an ordeal, but it is truly the best job in the world.

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The Sony Reader

I hang with writers, editors, and even a few publishers, and I hear it over and over. The market for traditional books is dwindling, and the market for alternatively published books is growing.

For writers, this sometimes means seeking publishing sources like self-publishing, if they are dead set on holding that book in their hands.  And we readers don’t care that much who published a book or how, as long as we can curl up with it at the end of a long day or sneak in a few pages over our lunch break. 

Kids are no different from adults that way.  I know a lot of kids who like to read, boys and girls, and I think the flap about kids not reading is no more true now than it ever was–in all times and places, some people are readers and some aren’t.  The difference in kids now and kids in any other cultural era is that kids now are much more electronically savvy.  They do not require a CD in order to have music, and they might not require a book in order to have text. 

In addition, kids just have so many devices in their hands already.  If they already have a cell phone in which they can read a book, it’s not that big a leap to an iphone or even a Kindle.  There are dozens of ebook libraries out there for kids to borrow books from, and many places from which you can buy them, or even get them free. 

We’re only partically wired at my house, and we all love to hold a book in our hand.  But it was recently brought home to us that having a familiarity with ebooks might not be such a bad thing.  My daughter went on a week-long mission trip with a group of teens, and brought a bag stuffed with a dozen books she couldn’t bear to leave home.  She got through them all, too.  But how much easier would it have been in terms of space and the things she had to haul around if she’d just had a phone or a PS2 with her favorite books downloaded right in?  It certainly would have been one less heavy bag to carry!

I don’t think traditional books will ever go away, but I think that like with so many things, we have to keep our eyes and minds open to new things.  And as parents, we have a responsibility to do that, so that we still have some oversight over what goes into our kids’ minds.

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Image courtesy of US Magazine

This story has been going on for quite a while, but it seems to be drawing to close.  A Malawi Supreme Court Judge has approved Madonna’s application to adopt 3-year-old Chifundo “Mercy” James. 

The problem had to do with a residency law that said that to adopt a Malawian child, you have to live in Malawi for 18-24 months.  The Malawian government didn’t enforce that law with Madonna’s other Malawian child, David, but for some reason in this case it decided to crack down.  The case went to the Supreme Court, where the judge ruled that it was an “old law,” and that Mercy should be with Madonna.

Apparently things will move pretty fast now.  The little girl’s papers and passport will be prepared over the weekend, and Madonna should be able to take her home by the middle of next week.

Madonna released a statement through her rep, saying, “I am extremely grateful for the Supreme Court’s ruling on my application to adopt Mercy James.”

I’m glad they approved this.  I’m not a fan of Madonnna, but if I had her kind of money, I’d adopt more kids.  I like to see people with virtually unlimited resources like Madonna and the Jolie-Pitts using them to increase love and nurture in the world.

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“Learning to tell time can be fun. It won’t be long until we’re done,” beckons the narrator in the colorful new children’s book, “It’s About Time” (published by AuthorHouse), by Danielle Kovanchak, which teaches children how to tell time while telling the story of a little girl and her dog, Tess.

Combining lively, full-color illustrations with simple rhymes, “It’s About Time” provides a great tool for teachers and parents seeking to educate children about time. Over the course of one day, readers follow the little girl as she wakes at 8 a.m., is at school by 9 a.m., breaks for recess at 10 a.m., and leaves school by 3 p.m. to enjoy many other after-school activities throughout her day.

After school, the little girl and her best friend, her dog Tess, fall in love with clocks and agree that the little girl must go to school to learn new things. By learning new things, the little girl can teach Tess. By 7 p.m., it’s getting dark and the little girl and Tess must go to bed. Each activity is marked by a clock showing the associated time, making learning fast and easy for children.

Ideal for children ages 4 – 7 and parents who wish to take an active role in teaching their children basic life skills, “It’s About Time” provides an easy-to-read, whimsical story that will surely prove timeless. Focusing on retention techniques such as rhyming and the use of instructive, playful images, Kovanchak presents a children’s book that is as entertaining as it is educational.

Danielle Kovanchak received her bachelor’s degree in English and Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She worked in downtown Toronto as the vice president of a financial firm for 10 years. “It’s About Time” is her first published book, and she has three more in the works. She currently resides in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Press

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There is a wealth of information both online and in journals about the effects of advertizing on children.  Really, it’s too much to put into a blog post; you could have a whole blog with daily posts dedicated to the topic of children and advertizing. 

But we do know that children absorb messages from the wider culture, and advertizers are the ones who put those messages into the wider culture.  Now, this isn’t all bad; how will consumers know what’s available if we don’t see it advertized?  People need to sell stuff and people need to buy stuff, and advertizing facilitates that relationship.

The scare stuff is when that relationship is built on exploitation of any group of people, but especially kids.  There are ads that exploit kids’ need to fit in, to feel secure, or to get positive attention.  There are ads that exploit gender or racial sterotypes, and kids just assume that anything they see on TV or in print is reliable.  Now, we adults know that’s not true, but kids accept the authority of what they see. 

Among the overwhelming amount of information and opinion on this topic, here are a few facts, gathered chiefly from the Love Your Body Day website.

•  
  • For children ages 6-17, the number one after-school activity is watching TV.

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  • Students spend about 900 hours in the classroom and 1,500 hours in front of the TV each year.

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  • Children who watch four or more hours of TV a day are less likely to read at grade level or play well with friend. Children who watch four or more hours of TV a day are more likely to believe claims made by advertisers.

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  • Saturday morning commercial TV advertisers bombard children with ads for sugary cereal, salty snacks, fast food and junk food.

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  • Before teens reach the legal drinking age they have watched 100,000 alcohol commercials.

Those are only a few of the alarming statistics you can find about kids and ads.  We don’t have to wrap our kids in cotton wool or lock them away from the world.  But we should take the time to talk to them about what they see and hear, so that they will learn to think critically about the advertizing that they abosrb. 

Remember, advertizers’ job is to sell stuff.  They are not interested in our children’s well-being…that’s our job.

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I’m writing this post with the assumption that you are planning this pregnancy with a committed partner.  I know that’s not always the case; a mature single woman can plan a pregnancy all on her own, and most of what I’ve wrtten so far would apply to this woman, too.  But a pregnancy and a baby will change your most intimate relationships, and for most people, that includes a partner.  I’m also assuming a woman/man relationship, since they are the most common parenting relationships, but if yours looks different, I think you will still find the information applicable.

Here are some things to think about concerning your couple relationship.

1. Give your partner space.  Different people process things differently. You might be perfectly content with something, and he might be bothered by it.  You might wish he would react differently to your talk of cycles and basal temperatures, but you’ve got to let him be who he is, and let him prepare himself for parenting in his own way.
2. Lean on him.  The non-pregnant partner sometimes feels useless and left out.  Also, the mom-in-training often feels like she has to do and know everything.  It doesn’t have to be that way.  He can research things, he can make some of the decisions–it doesn’t always have to be you.
3. Keep it sexy.  There’s no doubt that pregnancy can put a kink in your sex life.  So, before pregnancy, live it up, get in all the uninhibited love you can.  But study up, too, because there are books and websites that will help you anticipate what your sex life might be like when you’re pregnant, and help you get some creative ideas.  It’s not all bad news, though;  your breasts will enlarge and your hormones will surge, so who wouldn’t like that?  And some couples find that the creativity that is forced on them during pregnancy results in some of the most enjoyable sex of their couple life.
4. Keep it honest.  It almost goes without saying that honesty and open communication are a must…but I think I’d better say it anyway.  You’re both going to be acting and feeling different, so don’t assume that things are the same for him, and he shouldn’t assume that they are the same for you.  Share your hopes,  fears, insecurities and joys…and as they say, your burdens will be halved and your joys will be doubled. 
5. Commit to your couplehood.  This should be something you talk about now, in your planning stages.  The best child-rearing situations are the ones where the parents love and respect each other, and the children are welcomed into an already strong, already loving relationship.  There can only be one primary relationship in a home; the primary relationship should be between you and your partner.  Otherwise kids have both too much control and too much insecurity, neither of which are good for them.
6. Date night.  You should be doing date nights, anyway, but make a plan to have at least one a month from the time you get pregnant until… forever.  Work it into the budget, including babysitter pay. 
7. Keep your mind open.  Obviously your projected baby will become the center of your couple-world.  But that doesn’t mean you should stop being your own person.  Read, watch interesting movies, discuss economic policies…do the things that made you fall in love with each other.  Don’t get so involved inyour new parenting role that you forget to be the people you each fell in love with.

Pregnancy can be a challenging time for a couple, but it’s also a time that can draw you closer together.  Now, in your planning stage,  make sure that keeping your couple relationship strong is a central part of the plan.

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