When Your Child is Left Out

We all remember how it felt the first time we were left out of something. It may have been a birthday party, or not being picked for a game. This article talks about this issue and whether it is intentional or not, that it happens to all children. Click here to read the article.

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Leaving Your Child On The First Day of School

Leaving your child at school for the first time can be as traumatic for a child as it is for a parent. All children react differently, from full blown panic attacks to a matter-of-fact kiss goodbye with no emotion. Here are some tips for handling the first drop-off.

• Keep perspective, remember that this is a natural part of the growth and development of your child. Try to take comfort in the fact that your child is starting out on a new adventure of learning both educationally and socially.

• Trust in the educational professionals at your child’s school. They have had a career of first school days. They know all the tricks of the trade to help a child work through their separation anxiety.

• Set specific expectations with your child. Let them know that you will be back after lunch. Help them understand that this is a normal part of their new schedule.

• Reinforce the fun they will have at school. Tell them how much fun they are going to have doing activities and learning to become a big girl or boy.

• Stick to the plan. Your child’s anxiety and temper tantrums can become worse of you give in to your child’s request not to leave, or if you take them back home on their first day.

• The great disappearing act can backfire. Distracting your child so that you can sneak out may increase their feeling of abandonment. Tell them you are leaving, give them a kiss goodbye and leave the room without lingering.

Rest assured, the drop off will get better and the school year will be a great success.

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Win the Bedtime Battles

With school starting soon and the relaxed summer schedule coming to an end, it may mean bedtime battles in your household. Parenthood.com offers advice on taking the stress out of the bedtime battles. Click here to read the article.


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Back to School Routine

It’s time again for back to school preparations. This time of year is always hectic for parents. The budgets are stretched thin with back to school purchases and everyone is a little sad that summer is ending. Here are a few ways you can make this yearly transition tradition a little easier.
Adjust sleep times
• Start adjusting bedtimes and wake-up times to school year time now
• Make this transition easier by adjusting in 15-minute increments until the desired time is achieved
• Practice getting up, dressing, eating breakfast and brushing teeth, before your normal school departure time to make sure they can make the bus.


Verify summer school work is done
• Check all assignments to make sure they have been completed
• Check the reading list to make sure books have been read
• Sit down with your child to review a few assignments to make sure they maintained levels from the end of last school year


Organize
• Have your children help get the house organized
• Buy bins, folder, flip charts and dry erase boards, anything to help you get and stay organized
• Tell your kids what’s expected during the school year. Coats should be hung up, school bags put away and clothes should be placed in the hamper


Following these simple steps will help you make the transition into the school year a little easier for you and your children.



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Your Preschooler and Hygiene

As your preschool gets older, they can handle more responsibility with their own hygiene. FamilyEducation.com explains how to explain the importance of hygiene to your little one. Click here to read the article.


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Thumb Sucking

Parents worry if it is normal if their toddler is still sucking their thumb. In fact, it is generally considered normal until a child is 2 ½ years old.

Why do kids suck their thumb?
Thumb sucking often begins in the womb, as a natural reflex. For babies, they learn about their bodies and the world around them through sucking. Everything goes in their mouth. They suck on their fingers, clothing, and toys.
Thumb sucking can also be a comfort mechanism for young children. It can induce a child to sleep and it can be a signal to parents that their child is tired.

However, most dentists discourage thumb sucking after a child's permanent teeth come in because it can cause problems with teeth alignment and cause changes to the roof of the mouth.

Here's how you can get your child on track.
Link giving up the habit to growing up
Reinforce that giving up the habit is part of growing up. Point out that they never see big kids sucking their thumb. But don’t embarrass them or scold them as a way to discourage them.
Keep their mind off of the habit
Children often suck their thumbs at around the same time of day every day. Give them something to hold to keep their hands busy. Try to distract them with another bedtime ritual. Let them look through a picture book to help keep their minds and hands busy.

Point out the issue
Sometimes kids aren’t aware of that they are sucking their thumb in public. Develop a verbal signal to help them recognize when they are thumb sucking. This will help not to embarrass them but it will get the point across.

Let nature take it’s course
In most cases, peer pressure will kick in and your child will stop publicly sucking their thumb in school and around friends. If the habit starts to have real dental and medical consequences you can always consult your child’s doctor for advice and guidance.
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Preschool Activities: How Much is Too Much?

As summer starts to wind down, we look towards the start of fall. Fall means new activities for your child to try. As parents, we want to find a balance between allowing our toddlers to try new things and not over doing it because they are so young. The website Education.com has a wonderful article that covers suggestions on how to balance it all. Click here to read the article.



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Protecting Kids From Sun Dangers

With the hot summer, we have been having many of us are heading to the beach, pools or water parks to keep our kids cool, but being outside can pose a big risk to our children.


Protecting your child’s Skin
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, even one or two blistering sunburns can significantly increase a child's risk of developing skin cancer later in life, With that said, you don’t need to hide indoors during daylight hours to protect your kids.


Here are some tips for how to keep your kid's skin healthy:

• Schedule your play times before 10am or after 3pm
• Pay close attention to cheeks, backs of hands, and the tops of feet when applying sunscreen
• Wear hats and t-shirts to protect faces and bodies
• Sit in the shade under a tree or an umbrella
• Choose a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15 or higher
• Remember just because you have sunscreen on doesn’t mean children can’t get burned
• Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before leaving the house
• Reapply after swimming or perspiring even if sunscreen is waterproof, or reapply every 2 hours.
• Apply the appropriate amount of sunscreen. A quarter size dollop will cover one toddler arm.
• Stock up on sunscreen. During the summer months, you will go through a lot to keep the kids protected.
• Teach your kids to apply sunscreen regularly and you will be protecting and teaching them good healthy skin protection habits.

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When Toddlers Hit

It’s not uncommon for a toddler to get physical out of frustration. As parents and caregivers, we need to help them to learn how to deal with their feelings. Here is a great article on how to deal with hitting and biting. Click here to read the article.



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Keeping your Kids Safe in the Heat

With the rising temperatures, we will get this week, you should be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion. Since children are still developing, their bodies aren't able to adapt to temperature changes the way adults do. Listed below are a few signs of heat distress and heat exhaustion. This is not a comprehensive list. If you suspect your child is having difficulty with the heat, call your doctor immediately.

These are signs that your child should take a break, cool their body down, hydrate and get out of the heat:

• Sweating heavily
• Has a bright red face
• Extremely thirsty
• Feels hot to your touch
• Breathing hard
• Heavy sweating

Pay special attention during super-humid days (when sweat doesn't cool the body down the way it does in drier weather) or during a heat wave.

These are more serious signs that could lead to heat exhaustion:
• Has extreme fatigue that forces them to sit down
• Feels weak
• Feel dizzy
• Fainting
• Nausea or vomiting
• A bad headache

If you notice your child is showing any of these symptoms, get them out of the hot weather right away and seek the appropriate medical care.

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