Fruit & Yogurt Smoothie

Fruit & Yogurt Smoothie

Ingredients:

~Non-Fat Vanilla Yogurt

~Strawberries

~Blueberries

~Raspberries

~Grapes

~Crushed Ice

I combined 2 cups of crushed ice with 1/2 tub of yogurt and all fruit listed above. There is no right or wrong amount of fruit to use. All depends on your taste and what you like. I used 2 cups total of all fruit listed above. Made 3 full 8oz glasses.  Can be refrozen in ice cube trays for later use. ENJOY!

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Fruit & Yogurt Treat!

Fruit & Yogurt in a Waffle Cone

 

Ingredients:

~pack of 12 waffler cones

~1 carton of strawberries

~1carton of blueberies

~1 carton of raspberries

~bag of grapes

~1 tub of non-fat vanilla yogurt

Directions: 

Lay out all products to have easy access. Cut up strawberries into 4 pieces. Put 2-3 spoonfuls of yogurt in waffle cone. Then push down fruit pieces(2 of each kind) 1 at a time. Yogurt will rise around the fruit to the top. Repeat 11 more times. TaaaDaaa your done! Lay them out on a large platter to create a beautiful bouquet effect:-) 

1 in 5 American 4 year olds are overweight

Information that we're raising a generation of overweight and out-of-shape kids is nothing new. But a newly-released report shows just how bad the childhood obesity problem is becoming.

The study, conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, is an analysis of national representative height and weight data on 8,550 preschoolers born in 2001. Children were considered obese if their body-mass index (BMI) was in the 95th percentile or higher based on government growth charts. The results showed that almost 13 percent of Asian children were obese, along with 16 percent of whites, almost 21 percent of blacks, 22 percent of Hispanics, and 31 percent of American Indians. The figures translate to 18 percent of preschoolers classified as obese overall.

The findings had even researchers caught by surprise, especially in seeing the high percentage of childhood obesity at such an early age. The troubling statistics also pointed out racial and ethnic disparities in children's weight.

With studies already showing that obese children are absent from school more than their healthier peers, intervention is a theme being echoed by nutritionists and pediatricians across the country. This young generation will be at high risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, joint diseases and other weight-related illnesses.

Parents and child care providers are encouraged to turn off the TV, encourage physical activity, and reinforce healthy eating habits with their children. Of course, the best example is by making these lifestyle improvements to everyone in the family!

Family Time

Reading Tips for Parents of Preschoolers

Read early and read often. The early years are critical to developing a lifelong love of reading. It's never too early to begin reading to your child! The tips below offer some fun ways you can help your child become a happy and confident reader. Try a new tip each week. See what works best for your child.

Read together every day

Read to your child every day. Make this a warm and loving time when the two of you can cuddle close.

Give everything a name

Build your child's vocabulary by talking about interesting words and objects. For example, "Look at that airplane! Those are the wings of the plane. Why do you think they are called wings?"

Say how much you enjoy reading

Tell your child how much you enjoy reading with him or her. Talk about "story time" as the favorite part of your day.

Read with fun in your voice

Read to your child with humor and expression. Use different voices. Ham it up!

Know when to stop

Put the book away for awhile if your child loses interest or is having trouble paying attention.

Be interactive

Discuss what's happening in the book, point out things on the page, and ask questions.

Read it again and again

Go ahead and read your child's favorite book for the 100th time!

Talk about writing, too

Mention to your child how we read from left to right and how words are separated by spaces.

Point out print everywhere

Talk about the written words you see in the world around you. Ask your child to find a new word on each outing.

Get your child evaluated

Please be sure to see your child's pediatrician or teacher as soon as possible if you have concerns about your child's language development, hearing, or sight.

Free Infant Massage Classes

ATTENTION INFANT PARENTS, we are providing a FREE 5 week course on Infant Massage. First week starts Wednesday January 5th at 5:00pm. Classes will be every Wednesday at 5pm from January 5th to February 2nd.......and don't forget they are ***FREE*** We encourage you to come early on those Wednesdays so you can be involv...ed in this program. Let the office know if you have any questions.

Preventing Diaper Rash

As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. For all that we may fear the onset of diaper rash in our children, there is no certainty of absolute and total prevention, but there is a lot that can be done to make it far less likely, and it revolves mostly around keeping your baby dry and clean as far as is possible. Your baby will not be shy about letting you know when it is in any discomfort. This can prevent diaper rash from developing, but would obviously not be a way of preventing it before it begins.
The prevention of diaper rash is something that requires no small amount of diligence, as well as some luck. But there are some simple rules which can make the process a lot more straightforward. Firstly, you must change your baby’s diaper as soon as it is obviously soiled. This will prevent the infection from having somewhere to live. In the same spirit, it is important to clean your baby in the affected area after it has become soiled. Allowing the area to dry before putting on a fresh nappy is essential. A thin layer of ointment on the affected area will kill off germs while preventing others from taking hold. And applying the fresh diaper loosely will give room for the skin to breathe. Finally when your baby moves on to solid foods you should take a few days between introducing new items. This will help you determine if the infection is down to a food allergy.

The Right Age For Potty Training

One of the most frequently asked questions by first time parents is “what is the right age for potty training?” The short answer to that is There isn’t one. Regardless of what you may hear from well-meaning friends and relatives, the right age to potty train your child is when your child is ready. Attempting to potty train a child who has not shown any signs of readiness will frustrate both you and the child and very possibly make him resistant to potty training in the future.

Helping Your Child Get Ready

You can help your child get ready for potty training by encouraging his natural curiosity. Let him follow you into the bathroom and explain that you’re going potty. Let him learn how the toilet works. If his natural curiosity leads him to start happily flushing everything in sight, a simple toilet lid lock from the hardware store will save your sanity and your pocketbook.
You can also help him recognize that he goes potty. Ask him if his diaper is wet. When he starts to tell you on his own that he needs to be changed, he’s getting close to being ready for potty training. Switching to cloth diapers at this point will also help since the cloth diapers don’t wick the moisture away from his skin, he will be more able to feel wet.

Be Ready Yourself

Prepare for potty training by having the things you’ll need on hand. If you decide to use a potty seat or potty chair, have it ready. Your child will need training pants or underwear which you can let him choose. He may decide to give it a try if it means he gets to wear his special new Superman underwear.

Get Your Team Ready

Anyone who interacts with your child needs to be prepared to support your potty training efforts and methods. Daycare providers, relatives, friends or anyone who may need to help him needs to know what words he’ll use to tell them he needs to go potty and what do to help him.
He will become frustrated with the process if he tries to tell someone he needs to use the bathroom, and they don’t understand what he means or what routine he’s expecting. If you are using a sticker chart or other reinforcement/reward system, he will be very put out if he uses the potty and doesn’t get a sticker from grandma.

The only one who can tell you when your child is ready for potty training is your child. By being ready yourself, you’ll be able to act quickly and take advantage of the window of opportunity when it presents itself
http://www.pottytrainingtips.us provides articles and information on How to Start Potty Training for new parents.

10 Things Not To Feed Your Baby

1. Cow's milk and egg whites, which can cause tummy upset, eczema and other tummy troubles in kids under 12 months.

2. Food that is either sticky or really hard (popcorn, peanut butter, marshmallows); they can cause your baby to choke.

3. Raw veggies (grapes, carrots) or whole pieces of canned fruit--all choking hazards.

4. Nuts. All kinds present choking hazards in children under 4.

5. Honey. There's an off chance it may contain bacteria that can cause infant botulism (it doesn't typically happen in babies over 1 or adults, however).

6.  Anything caffeinated, such as soda or iced tea. Hey, the kid keeps you up enough as it is!

7. More than 4 ounces of fruit juice per day. It can cause diarrhea in infants.

8. Unpasteurized cheese, which has a slight food poisoning risk in young babies. Most cheeses sold in the U.S. are pasteurized, but just check the label or ask.

9. Fish, especially shellfish like shrimp, lobster, crab, scallops--these can trigger an allergic reaction in babies under 1. If fish allergies run in the family, then avoid fin fish until baby's at least 2 (it gives his immune system time to strengthen).

10. Swordfish, shark, tilefish or king mackerel, which are high in mercury. Even adults shouldn't eat these very often

Dealing With Temper Tantrums

Toddlers throw temper tantrums from time to time and some are really good at it. If you happen to have the knack for parenting you will be able to stop a temper tantrum almost as soon as it has started. Many parents will try to stop the temper tantrum right away by giving in to whatever the child is having the temper tantrum about. However it is best to let the temper tantrum go through the steps it needs to take.

When a child is between the ages of two to five years old, temper tantrums will start. Prior to putting a halt on temper tantrums you will first need to figure out why they have started. First and foremost you should keep in mind that your toddler might be hungry, toddlers eat less and more frequently then an adult. You need to show by modeling that temper tantrums are not productive. It is also a good thing to let your toddler have some different options to let them feel as thought they have the control this should prevent some temper tantrums.

If a temper tantrum erupts for no good reason it is best to ignore the child as much as possible, as long as they are not harming themselves or anybody around them. When you are doing this it will make you feel as though you are not a great parent but it will have your child feel as though they are not getting anywhere with their tantrum. If you keep this up the temper tantrums will soon get shorter every time until eventually they will stop completely. If you react to the temper tantrum by giving in every time your toddler will feel as though this is what they need to do to get what they want. You need to be the boss, not your child.
Over time your child’s temper tantrums should stop. If not you and your child should see a doctor about your child’s behavior. There might be some medical reason why your child is acting this way.

Tantrums can be annoying. However, they need to be handled with patience.

101 Ways To Praise Kids

                                   101 Ways To Praise Kids

That’s Incredible* How Extraordinary * Outstanding Performance * Far Out * Great * Marvelous * I can’t get over it * Wonderful * You Should Be Proud* Amazing Effort * Unbelievable Work * Phenomenal * You’ve Got It * Superb You’re Special  * Cool * Excellent * You’ve Outdone Yourself * Your Project is First Rate* Way to Go * Thumbs Up * What a great Listener * Your Help Counts * You Came Through* Terrific* You Tried Hard * Fabulous * The Time You Put in Really Shows * You Make It Happen * You’re a Real Trooper * It Couldn’t Be Better * Bravo * You’re Unique * Exceptional * You’re a Great Example to Others * Fantastic Work * Breathtaking * Keep Up the Good Work * Awesome * I Knew You Had It In You * You’ve Made Progress * Your work is Out of Sight * What an Organizer * It’s Everything I hoped For * Stupendous * Sensational * Very Good * You Make The Difference *Good For You * A+ Work * Take a Bow * Super Job * How Thoughtful of You * Nice Going * Class Act * Well Done * You’re Inspiring * How Artistic * You Go The Extra Mile *Hooray For You * You’re a Joy * You’re a Shining Star * You’re Amazing * What a Great Idea * Great Answer * Extra Special Work * You Deserve a Hug *You’re Getting Better * You’re Tops * You’re Catching On * You’re Neat * You’ve Got What It Takes * Spectacular  Work*  You’re a Winner * You’re #1 * Remarkable * Beautiful * Great Discovery * Clever * You’re So Kind * Wow * Magnificent * You’re Sharp * You’re Very Responsible * Brilliant *Thanks For Helping * Thanks For Caring  * You’re A-ok * You’ve Earned My Respect *You’re a Pleasure to Know * You’re Very Talented *How Original * What a Genius * Very Brave * Congratulations * You’re a Champ * You Figured it Out * You’re Super * Right On * You’re the Greatest * You Make Me Smile * What a Genius *

AMAZING GRACE: Tips for teaching child manners

The holidays aren't the only time a kid should demonstrate good child manners--but special occasions, parties or family gatherings are when parents most want their children to be acting their best. For children to exhibit respect, tolerance, and social graces at these special times, however, means those important lessons must have already been learned. Teachers and senior adults agree that today's children demonstrate less child manners than in previous generations, which is not a compliment for today's youth.

Children who grow up without learning respect and tolerance, as well as how to act in social settings, are at greater risk of not being successful as adults in work settings and at social events. Parents, teachers and providers can team together to start teaching and reinforcing appropriate child manners now and in time to impress even Great-Grandpa at the next family dinner. How?

Here are some tips for teaching kids social graces.

• R-E-S-P-E-C-T is Class Manners 101. Aretha Franklin sings about respect, and it is a fundamental skill needed for learning about child manners overall. Children must first be taught about respect--for their parents, for their friends and family, and for themselves. Here is where the issue of respect and manners gets sticky. The "old school" still believes in teaching kids the basic rules of never calling an adult by a first name, always responding with either "Yes Sir" or a "Yes, Mrs. Smith," and never, ever talking back or questioning an adult's directive. With that said, many individuals today believe some of the more traditional social rules to be too formal and too restrictive for today's kids. It is okay to agree to disagree with some of the recommended social rules. The key is to determine what rules are appropriate for child manners in your family or at your school or day care, and then to enforce them. These rules can be applied to sharing, asking to borrow a crayon, lining up in a hallway, and what actions cause a consequence and why. And, by doing so, adults teach respect along the way.
• Appropriate mealtime child manners should be taught as soon as a child begins eating at the table. Amazingly enough, many kids have never been formally told that they should not have their elbows on the table or where to leave their napkin. Kids don't automatically know what is expect or now, what is considered right or wrong, and without adult guidance, some kids grow into adults who also don't know basic rules at mealtimes. Many a potential job offer has ended over lunch when a hiring individual observed poor manners of an applicant, and too many dates end without a connection because of boorish behavior at dinner. Why not get kids on the right track now? This does not mean all kids need to know fancy table arrangements and eat from fine china. However, holidays or special evenings out can be a great time to promote these practices. Start kids young with learning how to set the table appropriately, and then talk to them about general etiquette rules. One family has a weekly "family night out" at the dining room table, in which the better tableware and glassware are used and the table is set with candles and other arrangements. Each week, a different child in the family makes the plans. On some weeks, the meal may consist simply of hamburgers, but the family uses the special meal to teach manners, social graces, and according to the mother, "hopefully foster an enjoyment and respect of table conversation and of the dining experience in general." Some schools have programs such as cotillions for children, and some child care settings feature play meal settings or dress up teas or parties. All of these are stepping stones for teaching appropriate child manners.
• Work on one social skill at a time. Don't overburden a child with too many lessons at once. Child care providers and teachers could work with parents to promote one child manner of the month, to be reinforced both during the day and at home. A general theme of respect, table manners, phone etiquette, addressing adults, social interaction with peers, etc., could be used and then scenarios and games coordinated to help teach the general message. Parents could help a kid's understanding of child manners by asking their child's care provider how mealtimes or share times are handled and then instilling those same processes at other times for consistency. Care providers will be glad you've asked and that you care enough to want to reinforce those teachings.

The Importance of Physical Affection

Showing affection comes easily with small children. We smother our babies in kisses and hugs but once children reach the age where they are always on the go, parents can find themselves going whole days without touching their kids. Indeed, research shows that while 90% of parents hug their small children (under 3 years) every day, this drops to as low as 50% for older children.1 Yet older children need affection just as much as small children.

Yet this resistance to affection is often nothing more than self-consciousness and a sensitivity to anything that might be embarrassing. Older kids still need the reassurance and affirmation that comes from receiving affection. The trick is to show affection in ways that won’t trigger their ‘mushiness’ radar. So, while one child might accept a hug from dad at home, he would be horrified if Dad attempted it at the soccer field! Another child might reject kisses altogether but still enjoy the rough and tumble affection that comes with a wrestle or game of footy. Don’t give up on trying to show affection – just change your tactics.

Strategies for Increasing Affection in the Home

1. Implement affectionate daily rituals of affection. By introducing rituals like good morning and goodnight kisses or hugs, you immediately increase opportunities for displaying affection.
2. Have a weekly family games night. A regular games night is a ritual that allows the family to have fun together and connect emotionally. There are games that even the smallest child can participate in (which are often a secret pleasure for the whole family). Twister, for instance, gives you a chance to connect physically and laugh.
3. Implement a family hour every night. This is a time when the family comes together, preferably with the TV off. This creates a sense of family unity as well as providing opportunities to be physically close. Listen to music, play backgammon, give foot rubs – there are many things you can do to connect when you are all together in the same room.
4. Eat at the table every night. This important family ritual creates opportunities for laughter, affectionate teasing and connection. Don’t be afraid to tease your children – if it is done in a loving and affectionate way, it is a great way of showing affection. I know my kids love to give as good as they get over dinner. Dinner usually goes for twice as long as it needs to, just because we are having so much fun.
5. Allocate one day of the weekend for family outings. Family outings provide many opportunities for physical affection and fun as everyone is more relaxed and enjoying themselves. Plan your weekends in advance. The weekend can go by in a flash without any time spent together, if you do not plan ahead. Once a month, get the whole family together to toss around ideas about what you want to do on the weekends.
6. Take a child or the whole family for neighborhood walks regularly. This ritual of walking the dog or just exploring the neighborhood allows opportunities for personal conversation and intimacy which often leads naturally to physical affection. While my 13 year old usually resists my hugs, I find she is happy to let me drape my arm around her shoulders while we are walking the dog and talking.
7. Have family sports time. Games like soccer or tennis and bowling provide opportunities for physical affection and bonding without the mushiness that older children tend to dread. Even Wii Sports can be a chance to connect and laugh with your kids. The sight of their parents trying to ‘snowboard’ down a virtual hill usually reduces my kids to hysterics.
8. Build night-time routines. Read a book together in a chair, sit on their bed for a few minutes at bedtime, tickle their backs – there are many routines you can create which only take a few minutes but allow you to connect physically and emotionally.
9. Develop a secret code that only the two of you know. With my children, I share a special gesture which they know means ‘I Love You’. I use it when I am dropping them off at school so that I don’t embarrass them with an affectionate display. They roll their eyes but it also makes them grin, so I know they secretly like it!
10. Come home early at least once a week just to have fun with your kids. Take them swimming, play a game of ball – develop a regular weekly routine which they can look forward to.
11. Cook in bulk so you don’t have to cook every night. Instead, relax for a while when you get home and then spend some time with your kids.
12. Put a reminder up on the fridge - ‘Have I hugged my kids today?’ Don’t let the hectic daily schedule make you overlook physically connecting with your kids. Show affection whenever there is an opportunity. Squeeze their shoulder as you go past, ruffle their hair, tickle them, challenge them to a finger wrestle...there are many ways to show your child affection without embarrassing them.
13. Set time aside each month to have an outing or activity with just one of your kids. You need to develop a special relationship with each child individually. The one on one time creates the opportunity to be close, whether it is a walk, sharing a milkshake or going on a shopping expedition.

By continuing to show affection as children grow up, you make it more likely that they will grow into adults who can show affection easily. So hang in there and one day you will be pleasantly surprised when your child turns around and give YOU a hug!

The Impact of "Imagination"

Remember the original Mastercard commercial that took us on a parent's journey of buying that special toy for their child.  We witnessed the late-night wrapping and the precise placement under the holiday tree.  Yet, once the present was opened, it was the experience with the packaging box that was ‘priceless'.
Children see the world without limitations.  With every new endeavor, their minds begin to spin and their imaginations run wild.  Soon enough, they will turn in their creative juices and imaginative thoughts for assigned desks, pencil boxes, word families and art class only once a week.  So why not foster an environment of expressive creativity while we still have the chance?
Sparking a child's imagination is quite easy once the perceptions that expensive, store purchased toys are superior to any that are self-constructed.
To begin, gather an array of simple materials.  Sort the supplies according to similar attributes (such as color) and place each group in a small container.  Next, throw away all your preconceived ideas of what is ‘right' and ‘wrong'.  Present the containers, and, finally, HAVE FUN YOURSELF!
Children may choose to only open one container or only play with the items that they consider ‘soft'.  They may pick items of only one color or decide on a similar object that is offered in various colors.  The possibilities are endless! 
Introduce an idea, theme or feeling such as a tower, the beach or happiness.  Each child's interpretation of this particular suggestion will be original and extraordinary.  You will find that each child internalizes your invitation and will portray your idea according to the pictures in his or her imagination.   
Allowing children to freely create has multiple advantages to their development.  Through creative and imaginative play, children will have the opportunity to explore self-expression, cooperation, balance, trial and error, abstract thinking, sorting, communicative skills and literacy, fine and gross motor skills, among many others.  When ready for clean-up, simply ask the children to sort the items back into the containers.  Toddlers should be prompted to sort according to color or specific attribute to reinforce color recognition or attribute and literacy descriptive awareness.  Preschoolers will typically choose their own characteristic.  This activity has just as much importance in clean-up as it does during play.
Attached is a list of household, inexpensive supplies you can start with.  Now it's time to have some fun and let your imagination run wild!!!
The following is a list of items that can be included in your ‘Imagination ‘Station'.

• Toilet Paper or Paper Towel rolls
• Scraps of material
• Wood pieces*
• Ribbon / Twine
• Tissue Paper
• Cotton Balls
• Q-Tips
• Index Cards
• Straws
• Pipe Cleaners
• Buttons*
• Pom-poms
• Clothespins
• Marbles / Stones*
• Seashells*
• Styrofoam Peanuts
• Construction Paper
• Crazy cardboard pieces from various packaging (electronics, etc)
• Shower Curtain Rings
• Silk Flowers
• Shower Caps*
• Sponges

Any item can be added.  Think ‘outside the box'!  Once you have a good amount of supplies, present the boxes to your child(ren).  Invite them to freely construct whatever they can imagine out of the objects.  Set the example, of course, by playing and unlocking your imaginative juices too!  Presenting a theme or idea will enhance the experience.  Be sure to ask your child to tell you about their creation.  You never know-that clothespin with the pink tissue paper wrapped around it could be YOU from the beach last year!!

*Be sure to check ALL materials for age-appropriateness and safety.

Halloween Tips

Halloween is always a child’s favorite day-long celebration and has all the ingredients for building special family memories. Of course, we all know that although children dream and plan for Halloween throughout the year, parents worry about their child’s safety and physical well being.
Here are some helpful hints that will hopefully make your Halloween safer, less stressful and more enjoyable for your family:

When picking out a costume:

* Keep in mind the weather. Bulky costumes can be difficult for children to walk in. Make sure costumes are light and are made of material that allows children’s skin to breathe.

* Make sure materials are strong and sturdy. Children’s costumes see a lot of use during the day between school, parties and trick-or-treating. Make sure the costume cannot tear apart easily or get caught on anything.

* Check masks for breathing capabilities. This sounds like a no-brainer, but even if the mask has air holes, it does not mean holes are large enough or in the correct locations for your children to see clearly and get enough air. Make sure to test masks before buying them.

* Check make-up for skin allergies. If you are considering a costume that requires face or body painting, remember to test it on a small portion of your child’s hand to check for allergies.

When Trick-or-Treating:

* Younger children should always go with an adult and older children should never travel alone.

* Make sure children only visit houses with lights on.

* Bring a flashlight for areas that are not well lit or for emergency situations.

* Avoid dark-colored costumes and wear reflectors if crossing streets is necessary.

* Stay on sidewalks and only walk across streets at crosswalk locations, if possible.

* Never let children eat treats until packages are checked by an adult for suspicious alterations to a candy’s packaging.

When Decorating for Halloween:

* Children should never be allowed to use a knife to carve a pumpkin.

* Never let a child light a pumpkin or play with matches.

* If you leave lit pumpkins outside, make sure to extinguish them when they are not being observed. Also, keep lit pumpkins away from other decorations that are flammable, such as garland, fake cob webs or festive paper signs.

While Halloween is fun and brings neighborhoods together, it is important to remind your children that talking to strangers and taking candy from them without their parent’s or guardian’s knowledge is never okay. Remind them that it is never alright to talk or take candy from a stranger when you are not there and that it is NEVER permissible to travel with a stranger. Make sure to explain to your child that what you are explaining is for safety reasons and not to frighten him or her.
I hope that these tips help make Halloween more safe for your little princess or superhero, filling this Halloween with memories to last a lifetime.

Happy Halloween!

Winter Weather

With the temperatures quickly falling, this is the time of the year when parents are in an all-out war against the common cold. Children are coming home from childcare or school with the sneezes and the sniffles; parents need to know when it is appropriate for their children to stay home.
It is certainly a constant struggle balancing an ill child’s needs with job responsibilities and other daily commitments that adults must deal with. Of course, it is important to note, that sick children should be seen by a pediatrician. Below are some suggestions that should be used simply as a guide to help answer the age-old question: “My child is sick. What do I do?”

• Listen if your child says he does not feel well enough to go to school, especially if he is always eager to attend.
• If your child is sick at school and needs to come home, develop a back-up plan if you can’t pick her up within an hour.
• Stockpile a couple of sick days or vacation days in case you need to stay home with your child.
• When your child needs to be home, and you need to be at work, see if a friend or relative can be relied upon to watch the little one.
• Make sure your child has enough sleep, as it helps ward off illness and speeds recuperation.
• Dress your children adequately. Several thin layers will keep them dry and warm. Clothing for children should consist of thermal long johns, turtlenecks, one or two shirts, pants, sweater, coat, warm socks, boots, gloves or mittens, and a hat.
• Follow proper hygiene, such as frequent and thorough hand washing, sanitizing toys and doorknobs, etc.
• Inform your child’s teacher if you gave her any medication before school.
• Tell your child’s teacher if he is on a new diet or had eaten food that could cause stomach problems.

Don’t send your child to school if he has severe pain or a temperature above 100.5 degrees, or has any flu-like symptoms, such as vomiting, a sore throat and severe coughing. Other ailments, such as acute diarrhea, yellow eyes with discharge, infected, untreated skin patches, rapid breathing, skin lesions that are weeping or bleeding, and blood in the urine, calls for an immediate visit to a pediatrician.
And, never, ever send your child to school with over-the-counter medication without a doctor’s prescription and or prescription medication that has not been prescribed for the current illness. Staff will not be able to administer any medicine without up-to-date/current authorization.
Whether this winter brings severe storms, light dustings or just cold temperatures, I hope these tips will help keep your child safe, warm and healthy. And, perhaps, give you a little peace of mind.

**Reminder: it is important to note, that sick children should be seen by a pediatrician.

 

Kids in the Kitchen

Kid's In The Kitchen

When we think of kid's in the kitchen, the first thing that comes to mind is a big mess!
Believe it or not, kids and cooking go hand in hand and to them it's an edible craft project. Being able to prepare their own food builds a child's self esteem and will also get them to try different foods.  I always tell them "when you make it, it tastes better!"
First, always review safety, you must set boundaries in the kitchen. Second, review cleanliness including hand washing and covering their mouth when coughing or sneezing.

Try this at home!

Recipe of the month- Pizza-dillas
1 8 inch flour tortilla
3 tablespoons of your favorite pizza sauce
4 tablespoons of shredded mozzerella
Spread, sprinkle and fold. Place tortilla on hot griddle for 3 minutes and flip.
Then serve for a yummy tasty treat:-)

Scribbles and Giggles Child Care: Referral Program

Scribbles and Giggles Child Care: Referral Program: "ATTENTION PARENTS: Don't forget about our referral program. For every parent that you refer to us for a tour your child and their child ge..."

Referral Program

ATTENTION PARENTS:


Don't forget about our referral program. For every parent that you refer to us for a tour your child and their child get special gifts. If the family enrolls their child you will receive a $50.00 gift card to a store or restaurant of your choice. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising.


Thank you for being a loyal Scribbles & Giggles Fan!

What is play and why is it so important?

WHAT IS PLAY AND WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?

At dinnertime, your 6-month-old prefers grabbing the spoon to eating. When you unload the dishwasher, your 20-month-old wants to put the silverware away. In both situations, your child is pursuing what he does best: playing. Play is monumentally important to all aspects of child development -- it's how children of all ages learn. "I always tell parents, if you could see inside your child's brain you'd notice that every time he plays, connections are being made," says Roni Leiderman, PhD, coauthor of Gymboree Play and Learn: 1001 Fun Activities for Your Baby and Child.

As babies approach their first birthday, brain development and advances in motor skills (especially with their hands) fuel the next level of play. The senses are still important, of course. But instead of just wanting to know How does it feel, sound, and taste? they also want to know What happens if I drop it? What reaction will I get? If I do the same thing twice, will the exact same thing happen again? As your baby experiments with banging, throwing, and dropping, she's absorbing lessons in cause and effect. When she does something like knock over a tower of blocks she's just built, this is an important "aha!" moment. She realizes she can make things happen, and that delivers a strong message of empowerment and independence. For a child who has spent most of her life being carried around and told where she's going to sit and when she's going to nap, this is incredibly exciting. Suddenly, she has some control over her environment. She can choose where things will go. And she will conduct the same experiments over and over again. "Repetition gives children an opportunity to practice, and every time they do something they get better at it," says Betty Bordner, early childhood educator at the Strong National Museum of Play, in Rochester, New York.

Play Activities: Birth to 6 Months

• Rub baby's arms and legs with different fabrics such as satin and flannel.

• Faces fascinate babies. Place a mirror near baby's changing table, or draw faces on paper plates for baby.

Play Activities: 7 to 12 Months

• Create a crawling obstacle course out of different-size pillows.

• Place a favorite toy under a blanket, and encourage your baby to find it.

• Give baby a spoon and a pot, and let him bang away.

Play Activities: 1 to 2 Years

• Take your toddler on a nature walk. Let him fill a pail with the leaves, twigs, and pinecones he sees along the way.

• Create a photo album with portraits of people he loves or different animals, vehicles, or foods. Then encourage him to name each one.

Play Activities: 2 to 3 Years

• Children this age love to jump, climb, throw, run, dance, and do somersaults.

• Building block towers -- the taller the better -- is a favorite pursuit.

• Pretend play becomes a very important and common activity.

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