Pamper You, Baby!

How Wooden Toys Help Children Learn

BabyCare — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:01:40 +0000

Image by tiffanywashko via Flickr

Though they may seem like all fun, toys are more than entertaining playthings that amuse our children. Toys are the tools our children use to learn new skills, as well as understand the world and events around them. Toys, especially quality, long lasting wooden toys, are essential to a child’s proper growth and development. An assortment of various wooden toys can help your child learn and develop skills in every area of development.

Fine and gross motor development are both vital areas of development for a healthy, happy future. Gross motor skills refer to the large muscles your child uses to walk, run, throw, and catch. Much of a child’s gross motor development takes place outside. Outdoor play sets and wooden toys, like ride-on toys, pedal cars, and even doll strollers, are some of the best toys to promote large muscle development.

Fine motor skills involve the small muscles in the fingers and wrists that allow us to write, cut with scissors, and manipulate small objects with our hands. Fine motor development correlates closely with the development of hand and eye coordination. Art toys and supplies, like crayons, paint brushes, and weaving looms, aid in both of these areas of development. There are quite a few wooden toys that enhance fine motor development available as well. Wooden puzzles are excellent toys for a broad range of skill levels. Wooden toys, like blocks and shape sorters, also promote fine motor development.

Cognitive development includes most of the skills we use to learn, to think, and to work creatively. Things like math skills, problem solving, and artistic talent are all parts of cognitive development. There are many, many toys that promote and enhance cognitive development in children. Natural toys, like sand and water activities, encourage children to explore, experiment, and investigate, all important parts of problem solving. Wooden toys, like board games, blocks, and toys that support sorting and classification skills are also helpful in cognitive development.

Children develop language skills in almost everything they do. Books and reading aloud are the leading way to enhance language development in your child. Daily story times are a vital part of healthy growth and development throughout childhood. Aside from reading and books, children expand their language skills through pretend play and interactive play with others. Miniature appliances, doll accessories, and play sets are just a few wooden toys that encourage imaginative play and enhance language development.

Toys are also an essential part of a child’s healthy social development. Children can use their toys to act out situations that have frustrated them, allowing them to work through new emotions in a safe and healthy way. Puppet theaters are great wooden toys that allow young children to express their fears and work out their social problems. Social skills are also learned through cooperative play with others. Many of the wooden toys recommended to aid development in other areas of growth also provide a number of social benefits. Pretend play, board games, and outside play all offer plenty of opportunity for social development.

Gary Clay is an expert on Traditional Wooden Toys and owner of stylish kids store MonkeyShine an approved Traditional Childrens Toys stockist in the UK.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Clay

Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set

Perfect for preschool-age children, this toy not only offers plenty of opportunity for imaginary play, it also helps small kids exercise their motor skills. Our preschool-age tester found it challenging, yet fun, to slice the cookies apart. And while our toy tester enjoyed playing with it independently, this toy makes a great parent-and-child activity, too.

A Guide to Buying Baby Toys
Motor Skill Developmental Toys for Toddlers
Leapfrog Imagination Desk – Infant learning Toy Par Excellence (jaysdad.com)
Holiday Gift Guide- Baby’s Basics Toy Sets (momreviews.net)
E-Beanstalk Toy Testing ♥ Melissa and Doug Puzzle Review (momblognetwork.com)

Wooden Toys at Amazon.com (Baby Care is an affiliate of Amazon).

Technorati Tags: child development, imagination, Motor skill, Problem solving, Toys and Games

Will TV Time Make My Baby Smarter?

BabyCare — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:18:50 +0000

Tuning in: How does this effect baby’s intellectual growth?

Does TV viewing have a powerful impact on your Baby's intelligence?

Many parents believe that quality television is good for their baby’s brain. According to research at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Institute, media exposure jumps from 3 months of age 40 percent of infants are regular viewers to 90 percent of all two year olds. While it may be true that quality television viewing (educational shows) help school-age children learn, will TV time make your baby smarter?

A study of TV habits from birth to age 2 found that watching the boob tube did not improve baby’s language and visual motor skills , no matter how good the programming. What made the most difference in accelerated learning were the mother’s age, education and household income. This was a predictable finding because older moms and those with more means and schooling tend to interact more with their babies.

There has been little research on the effect of televsion on babies, but a previous study found that for each hour of TV babies under 16 months watched daily, they learned six to eight fewer words than those who had no screen time at all.

The most effective thing you can do to improve your infant’s cognition is to use lots of gestures, read books aloud and talk, talk, talk. A Guideline to Buying Baby’s Toys will help parents interested in finding appropriate toys for their infants to aid in age appropriate developement. TV time for your infant will not make your baby smarter. Your deliberate interaction with your child will have a great impact on the emotional and intellectual growth of your infant.

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar

My daughter got this book from a family friend for her 1st birthday. It instantly became her favorite book. We would have to read it over and over again.

Over the two years between her birthday and her younger brother becoming interested in books, this book was shot (the binding finally came apart). We got another one to replace it because my son also wants this book read to him every time you turn around.

We have since purchased this book many times over for different friends and family gift occasions, and their kids all love it too!

When do Babies Start Teething?

BabyCare — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:29:00 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Understanding when your baby could start teething will help you to provide comfort and relief to your infant. Unlike colic, which your baby may not even encounter, you are 100% sure to hit some rocky times when the teeth begin to shoot through the gums. Never fear, help is near!

According to studies, most of the babies start teething when they are about five or six months old. But some do experience teething much earlier which is considered normal as well. What are the symptoms of babies teething? Below are some of the common signs of teething:

Infant Teething Symptoms:

When your infant’s’ gum become red, swollen and sore
When your baby cries without any significant reasons
When there is increased drooling
Chewing on things and putting things in the mouth

Less common symptoms of baby teething:

Eventually an increase in body temperature (with red cheeks and listlessness) or even fever
Diarrhea, diaper rash

What the best ways to relieve the pain arising from babies teething? Some may suggest that children Tylenol and topical medications be used in order to alleviate the symptoms. But that would only be effective for a short period of time. Moreover, it should not be used on a repeated basis.

Other ways to help babies going through the teething process is to let them chew on teething rings, frozen waffles or carrot sticks which can help alleviate the discomfort caused by teething.

These simple things will not only assist in getting rid of the discomfort which arises from teething, but it will also help the baby’s tooth to cut through their gum line. Regardless of when your baby starts to teeth, you are now prepared to help provide comfort and relief.

Infant Essential Oil – Teething Relief Wellness Oil – 2 Ounces – Certified Organic – Made in USA

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Contains Lavender and Chamomile essential oils

As a parent, there is nothing more difficult than dealing with your child in pain and feeling like there is nothing you can do to. Our oil is completely natural unlike most ointments that are traditionally placed in a baby’s mouth to treat a baby’s teething issue. Lavender and chamomile safely go to work to relieve pain on contact, in addition, it offers a calming aromatherapy scent to soothe both baby and parent.

Price: $ 22.49

Little Teethers for Infants & Children Oral Pain Relief Gel, Cherry, .333-Ounce Tubes (Pack of 4)

Free teething ring inside box. Fast relief for teething pain. Safe & effective. Use day or night. works on contact. Natural cherry flavor. Pediatrician recommended. Free of sugar, saccharin, alcohol & dyes. Soothes and relieves sore gums without unnecessary additives. Safety sealed tube. Made in U.S.A. Teething ring made in China.

Rating: (out of 2 reviews)

List Price: $ 16.67

Price: $ 64.80

Hyland’s Homeopathic Teething Gel- .5 oz

All-natural relief for teething discomfort
100% natural, no side effects
Sugar-free, benzocaine-free gel

Calms pain and irritability due to teething.
100% Natural
contains Chamomile
free of artificial flavors and parabens
Homeopathic
recommended by trusted Pediatrician Dr. Jim Sears
Active Ingredients: Calcarea Phosphorica 12X HPUS (supports dentition), Chamomilla 6X HPUS (irritability, restlessness), Coffea Cruda 6X HPUS (wakefulness, dieresis), Belladonna 6X HPUS Alkaloids 0.0003% (redness and inflammation, pain)
Questions? 1-800-624-9659

List Price: $ 6.97

Price: $ 3.80

Technorati Tags: pain relief, teething

Cloth Diapers vs Disposable: How to best keep your baby clean, dry and happy

BabyCare — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:23:34 +0000

There is a quite fierce debate between parents – both long-term ones and new ones – over which type of diaper is better for babies. The two main types of diaper are disposable ones and cloth ones, and both types inevitably have their plus sides and their minus sides. In truth, neither kind is better per se than the other. But depending on your personal outlook on such things, you are likely to lean one way or the other, and make your decision based on that instinct. It then comes down to whether you feel comfortable with your choice after a month or two of putting it into practice.

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Disposable diapers have in their favor that they are disposable (obviously). On changing the diaper, you will simply have to put it in the trash and say no more about it. However, as any parent will tell you, children are very productive sources of waste matter, so keeping them in clean diapers can add up to a lot of expense. Cloth diapers are invariably cheaper – although clearly you need to have quite a few if you don’t want to be washing them almost constantly. They also mess up the environment a lot less.

Disposable Diapers or Cloth?

It is up to you to decide which kind of diaper is the best for your purposes and for your purse. Either way, there is work involved and there is expense to take into account. The health of your baby’s skin plays a major part in considerations as well, but at the final analysis you and your baby will be fine as long as you keep on top of things – and if you go with cloth diapers, it is worth still having some disposables around in case of emergencies or when you are on the go.

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With our children we mostly went for the disposable diapers. Essentially, though, had we known that we were to have five children, it would have been way cheaper to go with cloth. Today’s cloth diapers are also very accommodating. Here is a video I found on YouTube showing you how easy cloth diapers can be:

The diapers mentioned in the video can be bought comfortably on amazon and delivered to your door: BumGenius, cloth diapers.

You may also purchase disposable diapers from amazon as well which will naturally be delivered to your doorstep: Disposable Diapers at Amazon

Technorati Tags: cloth diapers, disposable diapers, nappies

How to Survive Baby Not Sleeping Through the Night: Nap Time for Mommy

BabyCare — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 05:34:01 +0000

It is often said regarding newborn babies that a parent can say goodbye to getting a good night’s sleep ever again. Although this is an exaggeration, it is true to say that things change literally overnight when a baby is born. Babies do not lie down to sleep for eight hours like adults are supposed to, but wake at least every three hours in order to feed. As the keen-eyed among us will have noticed, this means that a parent’s sleeping pattern will be disturbed at least twice, on average, by a new baby and, even if parents take it in turns to get up and feed the baby there will still be no little disruption.

Add to this the fact that the mother probably has not been sleeping well with her large belly before the baby is born, and you might find yourself in a very stressful situation.

The lack of sleep can get to parents.

Frayed nerves are an almost inevitable effect of having a new baby in the house, and anyone living with a new parent will be well-advised to learn how to tread carefully so that they do not aggravate an already emotional person. Sleep is important, and there are ways that a sleeping pattern can be protected to an extent if not completely in the early days of having a new child. As anyone who has tried to wake someone else up will know, there are stages of awakeness. It is possible to feed a baby while still half-awake, although this is easier for the mother. With a baby bottle warmer it is, however, not impossible for a father or other family member to do the same – it just requires collaboration.

How to survive baby sleep patterns: Tip 1

Nap time for Mommy

With our five children we have experienced a few different challenges with our infants and thier nightly sleep patterns. Over time, I look forward to sharing with you some of our struggles and triumphs. My main tip for you today is to take your chances to sleep when you get them. Is the baby napping during the day? Consider taking a nap yourself. A rested mother is a more relaxed mother and more prepared to engage with her young baby.

Technorati Tags: napping, sleep patterns

How to take care of your baby: Breast or bottle feeding

BabyCare — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 05:10:14 +0000

In the early days with a new baby, a new mother will often feel a bit daunted by the idea of breast feeding, and may struggle with the decision over when to use the bottle and when to use the breast. As the saying goes, “breast is best”. This is true in that there are more natural nutrients in breast milk than will ever be found in bottled formula, and it enables the baby to grow up in better health than would otherwise be possible. There is, it goes without saying, some drawback to this. But there are drawbacks to everything, and it is how you address them that is really important.

A baby will require feeding at regular intervals, and for a mother who is breast feeding this can present a few interesting challenges. For one, there is always the concern of whether the baby will need to be fed while you are out for one reason or another. Breast feeding in public is still frowned upon by many, and in some places you will be asked to leave if you do it. This limits where you can go and what you can do, and although you can express breast milk to be served from a bottle, this affects the temperature.

Additionally, some mothers feel that breast feeding causes unreasonable pain in the nipples. Expressing milk is a partial answer to this, but achieving the right temperature is only part of the problem there. Some people feel that feeding directly from the breast is the only way to establish the closeness that a mother and baby should have – anything less and you will have to deal with people asking you why you are not doing it, and regardless of your reasons they will keep doing so.

With my five children I have had the pleasure of breast feeding all, however one little guy was weaned after about two weeks of age. To be honest, my relationship, the bonding credited to breast feeding, is just as strong with my bottled baby as with the nursed babies. Regardless of which you choose, a mother will always be keen on bonding, learning from and reacting to her newborn. The intimate relationship which started in the womb should continue whether you bottle or breast feed your baby.

Technorati Tags: bonding, bottle feeding, breast feeding, formula feeding, nursing