Category:

Toddler

Back to school! Child is learning to write. Adult woman teaches child the alphabet.

Creative Ways to Help Your Child Learn This Year

by Jennifer Landis January 9, 2020

As parents, we want our children to be knowledgeable and intelligent, amongst a million other good traits. Indeed, even the best students aren’t the best learners, so it’s often necessary to supplement what’s taught at school with at-home education. You don’t have to pull out a whiteboard and show your kids how to do geometry, but there are ways to help them stay on track. Here are a few suggestions to allow you to do just that.

Social Skills

This is a terrific way to teach kids how to follow directions and complete projects. These days, you’ll find printable online resources for every topic, including socialization. Children can improve their social skills as they finish worksheets, which makes it easy to teach and build upon them. Like any subject at school, these need worked on as kids grow older. Usually, students are used to a set of rules they need to follow for each assignment. When they complete worksheets at home, you’re able to encourage them to ask questions and think a little more freely. These lessons then translate directly back to the classroom.

Reading

A child’s literacy skills begin to develop as soon as they’re born. Think about it – the more you talk and make sounds around your baby over the years, the more they’ll retain and understand later on. Therefore, when you read to your kids, you open up a realm of possibilities. Make an effort to get through one story every night before bed. Have them choose the book and read it with them. If it’s one they’ve chosen before, stop to ask them if they remember what happens next. Doing this helps to boost memory. You may also want to create a relaxing reading environment. Turn on a soft light and cuddle up in bed. This way, your child can focus on enjoying the story, instead of any distractions.

Math and Science

Math and science are crucial subjects but sometimes aren’t taught in ways that children can apply to their own lives. Though they may learn how to add and subtract, you as the parent can help them even further. When you’re in the car, ask them to identify the shape of a stop sign. If you take them to the grocery store, prompt them to find the cheapest carton of ice cream. Point out a dog and tell them what breed it is. Allow them to help you take care of your garden. This way, they’re able to apply what they already know to real-world situations. When your child isn’t sure about something, help them work through it, so they understand going forward.

Creative Arts

When children are in touch with their creative side, they gain a host of benefits beyond their standard curriculum. Most schools now require art and music classes, but you can expand upon this at home. Keep your playroom well stocked with paper, markers, crayons and paint. Encourage your kid to make whatever masterpiece they envision. Afterward, hang up their work so they can see it displayed throughout your home. Play music and sing along to it. If your child expresses interest in the piano or guitar, book them a few lessons. Remember to make this a fun experience, not one where they feel the need to impress.

Social Studies

Many people believe that the best way to learn is to do. When it comes to social studies, one of the best ways to do this is to explore. Purchase a map, globe or themed puzzle to help your kid identify and place countries around the world. Visit different parts of your city or head to a museum, where your child can see and hear about local history. If you’re going on a family vacation, try to plan an activity that puts you all in touch with the culture. You may also find it helpful to explore different restaurants to try new cuisines. All of these are ways that will expand your child’s knowledge of the world around them.

Physical Education

In the United States, about one in three children are obese. Thus, your kids should get enough daily exercise to maintain a healthy weight. Encourage them to play outside after school or take them to the park after dinner. Even if they run around in an open space inside, they’re more active than they would be watching television or playing video games. The school your child attends likely has a recess or some form of physical education, but this is still something to incorporate. This is also an excellent opportunity to teach your kids about their health, as well as how the mind and body work. It’s possible that if they know why they should exercise, they’re more likely to do it.

Learning Is All Around Us

School teaches children the basics and then some, but often, it’s up to parents to bridge the gap. There are dozens of ways you can supplement your kid’s education at home, no matter what subject you want to focus on. This way, your child will learn all there is to know about the world.

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How To Get Your Child Ready For The Dentist

by LifeAsMama October 14, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

Children should have their first dental appointment a few months after their first teeth come out. For most children this will be between 6 months and 1 years old. These very early dental appointments will usually just involve a quick check to make sure that the first teeth are coming through without problem, and will be more focussed on instructing parents on how to look after these early teeth.

The most important dental appointments for children occur at around the age of 3 or 4. This is for two reasons. Firstly, children at this age are starting to take responsibility for looking after their own teeth. Getting the right instruction and guidance from a dentist is vital at this point. Secondly, children can start to form meaningful associations, both positive and negative, with going to the dentist at this age.

Early negative experiences with the dentist can cause an avoidant pattern of behavior, as far as dental visits go. Avoiding the dentist in early adulthood is one of the biggest causes of serious dental problems down the line.

Therefore, in order to keep their teeth healthy throughout adulthood it’s absolutely vital that a child has positive early experiences with the dentist. Here are a few ways that you can make sure that this happens.

Make sure that your child knows what to expect at the dentist

The reason why a lot of people dislike going to the dentist is that it’s such an unusual experience. Laying on your back with your mouth open while someone touches your teeth is not something that happens in any other setting.

Your child is far more likely to have a positive experience at the dentist if they know what it will actually involve. It’s therefore important that you talk to them about what happens at a dental appointment, and why they do what they do. Have your child touch their own teeth to see what it feels like.

Getting used to the sensation of having their teeth felt will make the experience much less unpleasant when it actually comes to visiting the dentist.

Have your child practice having their mouth open

This may sound strange, but the experience of having your mouth open as wide as possible can be strange and unpleasant to a child. It can work muscles that are not used to being used, and can make the mouth feel dry and scratchy.

The best way to get accustomed to having your mouth open for several minutes is through practice. In the few days that lead up to the dental appointment, have your child keep their mouth open for a minute at a time.

This will both get your child used to the feeling of having their mouth open as wide as possible, but will also make the actual dental appointment run much quicker and smoother.

Plan out what questions you want to ask the dentist

Seeing the dentist is a great opportunity for a child to ask any questions about their mouth and teeth that may be worrying them. This could include questions about baby teeth becoming wobbly or any discomfort that they may be feeling when teeth come out.

In the vast majority of cases issues that your child may be worried about will be perfectly normal, and the dentist will be able to put their mind at ease. This reassurance can help build a positive relationship between the child and the dentist which will lead to a proactive approach to managing and preventing oral health problems as they get older

It’s also well worth thinking about what you want to ask the dentist about your child’s teeth before you go to an appointment.

How to handle suggestions for improvement from the dentist

Perhaps the largest reason why people don’t like going to the dentist is because they associate it with lectures about how they are not looking after their teeth properly. Such criticism can particularly affect a child, leading to feelings of shame around their teeth and promoting a pattern of behaviour where teeth are neglected because of this shame.

Of course, if a dentist is overly critical to a child and their parents, that is poor practice and you should seek out a different dentist.

However, if a dentist sees problems with a child’s teeth, it is their responsibility to suggest ways that these problems can be fixed. Usually these problems will boil down to a “brushing blindspot” namely a part of the mouth (usually at the back) which is being missed during brushing.

You should reassure your child that brushing is a skill that takes practice, and that they should not feel down if their teeth are not perfect. Work with your child to implement any advice from a dentist. When improvement is reported during your child’s next dental visit, praise and reward them for their hard work.

Treat your child after a dental visit

Going to see the dentist is a very healthy and responsible thing to do. It should be rewarded as such. Make sure that you do something fun with your child immediately after the dental appointment.

The more your child associates dental appointment with pleasant experiences (even if they only occur soon after the appointment), the more likely they are to be proactive about seeing the dentist in the future.

About the Author

Ron Baise is a dentist with over 30 years experience. He is currently an Associate Dentist and 92 Dental in London, England.

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Childhood Sleep Apnea: What Parents Need to Know

by LifeAsMama October 14, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, 1 to 4% of children in the United States are diagnosed with sleep apnea and most of them are between ages 2 to 8 years.

What is child sleep apnea?

Child sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where a child takes short pauses in breathing while sleeping.

What causes child sleep apnea?

Pediatric sleep apnea is often caused because the muscles in the upper airway relax while the child sleeps. This makes the muscles susceptible and allowsthe tonsils and adenoids to restrict the airflow in the upper respiratory system. This causes sleep apnea in children.

It can be genetic and can also occur in children who have large adenoids and tonsils. If sleep apnea is untreated or undiagnosed, it can pose behavioral as well as physical problems in children.

What are the sleep apnea symptoms in children you need to watch out for?

A child with sleep apnea may have the following symptoms:

At night,

Regularly snore loudly
Pause, snort or gasp and may actually stop breathing. Their own snorts or gasps may awaken them from their sleep.
Sleep in abnormal positions or be restless throughout the night
Sweat profusely during sleep
Tooth grinding (bruxism)

During the day,

Difficulty in waking up
Wake up with a headache
Get cranky, irritated or agitated
Fall asleep or daydream
Breathe through the mouth and speak with a nasal voice

If you see these signs in your child, talk to your pediatrician or a pediatric dentist. Consulting a pediatric dentist may seem an unlikely suggestion, but it is the right way to go about it because pediatric dentists are probably the first in line to detect sleep disorders.

If a pediatrician or a pediatric dentist thinks you are showing signs of sleep apnea, a sleep study may be conducted.

How is sleep apnea medically diagnosed?

A test called polysomnogram may be conducted to assess whether a child is suffering from sleep apnea. The test is painless and requires you to stay overnight at the sleep clinic along with your child.

During the sleep study, the following is monitored:

Eye movement and muscle activity
Brain waves
Oxygen levels in the blood
Breathing
Gasping and snoring while sleeping

What are the treatment options?

If your child is diagnosed with sleep apnea, there are a number of treatment options available. The doctor may choose the treatment option that is best suited for your child’s condition.

Surgery: A widely accepted treatment for childhood sleep apnea is the surgical removal of tonsils and adenoids. This procedure is known as adenotonsillectomy.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): This therapy requires wearing a mask while sleeping. A tube connects the mask to a portable unit, which then applies pressure to open the throat muscles and prevent them from blocking the air passage, thus allowing regular breathing.

Diet and Medication:Some children may suffer from sleep apnea due to obesity. Doctors may recommend diet and weight loss programs to correct the sleep problem.Medication may be prescribed, which may include antibiotics (if surgery was done) or topical intranasal application of corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory medication.

Oral Appliance Therapy: This therapy has emerged as an alternative to surgery and CPAP therapy. This therapy makes use of a dental device that works as a mouthpiece moving the bottom jaw and tongue forward to keep the upper airway open for the child to breathe normally. The oral appliance therapy can be worked out under the supervision of a pediatric dentist.

Bottom Line

Dentists can detect the early signs of sleep apnea. Therefore, you must involve your family dentist in your child’s healthcare program. Get a regular dental check-up done to ensure that your child receives the right treatment at the right time.

About the Author

Shen Chao is part of Dr. Joshua Hong’s Smile Clinic. While working for the Smile Clinic, he’s gained first hand experiences into the questions and concerns that dental patients have. He has been writing to inform people about various dental topics to help his readers improve their oral health. When he’s not working, you can find him on a hiking trail with his dog or having a Sunday cook-out with friends.

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Teach Them Right: The Benefits Of Having Pets For Kids

by LifeAsMama October 11, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

All pet owners know how much our furry little friends make our lives better. A pet near us means we will be healthier, happier, stronger, and more open to people and to life. Namely, a dog, a cat, a bird, a hamster, all of these are companions that give us unconditional love.

We all want the best for our children, we want them to grow up strong and healthy, adventurous and stable, curious and imaginative. We strive towards preserving that childlike wonder and innocence in the modern world, while still teaching them how to actually survive in it, how to not be lead astray by their own wonder and curiosity. The article below notes the benefits pets have for our children, both in terms of their physical and their mental health, their responsibility, and their empathy.

There are tangible, biological benefits to health and stress reduction

There are two very important ways a pet improves your child’s health. First of all, it reduces the stress your child feels throughout the day. Remember, just because your kid doesn’t have your obligations doesn’t mean he or she doesn’t have any stress. School, preschool, it can all be difficult for your child. With a pet, they get some comfort. Petting an animal lowers cortisol levels, the stress hormone.

The second way pets help is through lowering said stress hormone. Cortisol messes with our immune systems, it puts a strain on them, making us more susceptible to diseases and just getting sick. Furthermore, being exposed to a dog’s or cat’s germs form a young age means you are building up their immune system from an early age. You are essentially toughening them up through exposure.

Finally, they will just get a lot more exercise since they are going to walk them regularly, as well as playing and roughhousing. Anything that pries them, and you, away from a computer or smartphone screen.

Responsibility and confidence

Many parents get their children a pet as a way to teach them how to be more responsible, surer of themselves. Namely, getting a pet means they have very strong, important motivation to actually learn how to be responsible. You can bury them in chores, bribe them, threaten them with curfews and lower their pocket money, but you can get much better, more organic results with a pet.

Namely, a pet is a living, breathing thing they love and care about. There is no better way to motivate them to learn how to be responsible then to care about their favorite member of their family.

On a practical level, this means they will get up at the same time every day (or most days) to walk the dog, or to feed the cat. They will clean up after their pets, taking care of bird cages, litter boxes, and hamster wheels. You can even send them to the pets store if they’re old enough.

On your part, you need to teach them properly, instead of them getting the animal, or themselves, into trouble. Talk to your veterinarian, and give very clear instructions when it comes to diet. Read articles from good websites, like, Totally Goldens, or maybe pick up a magazine recommended by your vet. Your child will most likely want to feed your pets as much as possible, just because they see that they like it. You have to explain to them why this doesn’t work. Or, they may not understand why walking your dog is so important, or why you can’t feed xyz to your pet.

Help children develop empathy

A pet gives unconditional love – they do not judge, they don’t care who you are, where you come from, who your parents are – a pet will love you and your child unconditionally. They give comfort, support, they listen intently… You, your kids, your family are the number one thing in their lives. They are the best, most loyal friends anyone can hope for.

This showing of unconditional love can teach your children how to be loving back, they help them build empathy. Furthermore, caring for a dog or a cat or whatever pet you have teaches them to be empathic, to put the needs of someone, or something, else in front of their own needs.

They also get the opportunity to practice their verbal skills even when they are not in the company of other people. Young children will get to talk a lot more, they will communicate to their pets, explain things to them, in general, keep their minds occupied.

Conclusion

A pet can do wonders for your children’s development. It teaches them what unconditional love is, what it looks like. You can also help your kids develop empathy, as well as work towards improving their verbal skills and communicative skills. They will become more confident and responsible by taking care of the pets, and they will also be healthier due to lower stress and regular exposure to their furry best friends.

About the Author

Kimberly Anderson is a simple girl that has a weak spot for dogs, cappuccino and sleep. She’s also a writer and everlasting enthusiast who believes that there is nothing better starting your day with a hot cup of coffee.

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Best Backyard Add-ons for Your Kids

by LifeAsMama October 4, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

For a family with kids, younger or older, no backyard can truly feel like part of home unless it is adjusted to children’s needs and interests. If you want your child to fall in love with the outdoors and the endless variety of activities it offers, start by transforming your yard into a children’s fantasy world. Though the options are many, we can elaborate on a few favorites that certainly won’t let you down.

1 – Outdoor chalkboards and easels

Have you noticed that your child enjoys the magic that a paintbrush or a simple colored pencil can create? Don’t hesitate to get a couple of chalkboards for your yard so your son or daughter can continue to nurture their talent. Outdoor chalkboards (or canvas on an easel) are a highly convenient solution for parents who wish to keep their children entertained while also avoiding having a big mess inside the house. If you want to do something even more interesting, you can turn part of the fencing into a big chalkboard wall.

2 – Yard sandbox

If you think back to your own childhood, you are more than likely to reminisce of your own little sand haven you loved to play in. Not only do sandboxes help develop an outdoorsy spirit in kids, but they also have multiple other benefits. Set one in your own backyard and your children will get a chance to further learn and improve their social, motor, and practical skills, grow genuine curiosity and eagerness to explore their environment through direct physical contact, and also stimulate and enrich their own imagination. These add-ons are physically beneficial as well, as they help kids strengthen different groups of muscles, especially those in the arms and hands.

3 – Child-friendly swimming pool

Okay, this one probably should be the first item here—undoubtedly, almost every child wants to have a pool at home. Funwise and healthwise, it goes without saying that swimming pools are an absolutely fantastic add-on for a backyard. They are an endless source of entertainment, not only for children, but for adults, too.

It needs to be emphasized, though, that they do require a higher level of supervision and caution on behalf of parents, so children should not be left alone during their fun time in the water. Preferably, for extra safety, you could also add a fence around the swimming pool to prevent children from accidentally falling in if they do spend part of their time in the backyard unsupervised. Whenever we are talking safety measures, the best thing is to consult specialists and professionals. Exterior are a really wise choice if you want the perfect combination of adventure and safety in your children’s swimming pool.

4 – Swings

Swings sound like a great option for backyards with limited space and if you prefer to keep your child engaged in a single activity for a longer period of time. Even in a smaller area where there isn’t much room for running or playing sports, a nice swing can give your child a sense of freedom, movement, and spaciousness thanks to its dynamic nature. Even on a cold and rainy day, your little one will probably ask to go and play on the swing rather than stay indoors.

5 – Hammocks and silly spinners

If you have bigger trees in your backyard, you could also consider getting a sturdy hammock and/or a silly spinner. They are both excellent alternatives for standard swings, not to mention that they are just as much fun. If you are in a creative mood, you also have the option of making a silly spinner yourself instead of buying one. What is more, you can ask your child to contribute to the process of making the spinner, for example to paint it. This will only make your son or daughter enjoy it even more since they will know they helped bring this creation into existence.

6 – Slides

Slides are also a truly convenient add-on, being that both younger and older children find them a lot of fun. They also come in different shapes, sizes, and are made from different materials, so it is easy to find a slide which will be suitable to your child’s age and physical characteristics.

7 – Climbing tires

If you have some old tires lying about in the garage, here’s a great way to recycle them. Turn these eyesores into an attraction by transforming them into climbing tires. What makes them such an excellent addition to your backyard is that little kids in particular seem to find them irresistible when learning to walk and establish balance, while also strengthening their muscles at the same time. Climbing tires are budget-friendly and even more fun when painted in bright colors kids will easily fall in love with!

In conclusion…

For any parent who wants to inspire in their child an affinity and respect towards the great outdoors, smartly chosen backyard add-ons are the right call. Allow your little one to explore and grasp the world through a thought-provoking, inspiring, exciting corner of their own home where they will feel safe and taken care of.

About the Author

Ron Wolf is a freelance writer, hobby designer and DIY enthusiast.

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Easy Ways to Boost Your Kids’ Immune System

by LifeAsMama September 30, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

As a parent, one of your biggest concerns is your children’s health. If you could, you would wave a magic wand to ensure they never got sick – but sadly, you can’t. The good news is, there are still things you can do to boost their immune systems – and most of them are easy!

We’ve compiled a list of some of the best and easiest ways to give your kids a boost in the health department without losing all your money – or your sanity.

Let them get dirty! This may seem counterproductive, but hundreds of studies show that letting your kids be exposed to bacteria in things such as mud, dirt, and even on other kids will do wonders for their immune systems later on. While they may get sick at first, exposing them to the germs of everyday life will help train their bodies’ immune systems to fight off bacteria faster and more efficiently in the future. This isn’t to say you should purposefully expose your kids to dangerous illnesses, but when it comes to eating dirt or touching toys at daycare, relax and let your kid do what kids do!

Supplement with vitamins and probiotics. This is another cheap, easy way to keep your kids’ health in check with a simple pill or gummy each day. There are hundreds of different vitamins and mineral supplements for kids and teens, as well as probiotics that help keep their body systems operating as they should be by replenishing good bacteria that keep them healthy. Bonus: many vitamins come in fun flavors and shapes and taste more like candy than a health supplement, so you may find that your kids actually look forward to taking their vitamins each night. (Just be sure they don’t have access to them while unsupervised to prevent them from eating too many at once!)

Make it a point to enforce a bedtime. Let’s face it: a tired child gets sick much easier than a well-rested child. This is because when their little bodies are run down, they are more susceptible to everyday germs, viruses, and bacteria. By enforcing an appropriately early bedtime, you can ensure that your kids will wake up in a better mood, more alert, and also in a better position to fight off sickness – and it will give you more quiet time at night!

Take antibiotics the right way. The rise of superbugs (infections that are resistant to antibiotics) are caused by 1) taking antibiotics when they aren’t necessary and 2) not finishing a dose completely. Antibiotics will not help a cold or sore throat unless there is an active infection such as a sinus infection or strep. Giving your child antibiotics they don’t need will not only not help them get better, but destroy the good bacteria in their systems and weaken their immune system’s ability to fight of what they do have now and in the future. In addition, if a doctor does prescribe your child antibiotics, be sure he or she takes the entire dose (even if she starts to feel better.) Often, children can start feeling better before the bacteria is completely dead. If the antibiotics are stopped, the bacteria can grow back stronger and even immune to said antibiotic – a scary position no one wants to put their child in.

Encourage exercise. It’s no surprise that the immune system benefits from regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle. Exercise not only produces changes in white blood cells that fight disease, but the temporary increase in body temperature following a sweat session can help kill bacteria! You don’t have to take your kids on ten-mile runs to reap the benefits of exercise – simple games of kickball or jumprope with friends, or participation in sports can check this box for you and ensure your child’s heart and muscles are healthy, too!

Don’t slack on fruit. Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins when it comes to the immune system – there is a reason people take vitamin C drops when they are starting to feel sick! Not only does vitamin C help kill microbes, but boosts the immune system as a whole. The best part is, vitamin C is found in nearly every fruit, with high concentrations in oranges, cherries, kiwi, apples, and more. Fruit is a classic kid favorite because of its sweet and juicy taste, so chances are, you won’t hear any complaints from your tot when incorporating more fruits into his diet!

If they are sick, let them rest. While no parent wants to see their child sick in bed, encouraging her to get up and continue daily life when she’s still feeling down or just starting to feel better may open a door for the same illness (or another) to come back. Rest is the most important thing for the immune system while it is hard at work, so letting your daughter take that extra sick day from school and watch cartoons may be your best bet. Only send them back to school when they are feeling better and no longer contagious – you don’t want to make someone else’s baby sick!

Employ basic hygiene practices like hand washing. Hand washing, while being the best way to prevent the flu, is also a champ at preventing other diseases, as well. Most germs end up on our hands, and then in our mouths, nose or eyes, which is where they infect us. Keeping clean by hand washing, taking regular baths or showers, and brushing teeth are a great way to keep germs off and prevent illness. Be sure to teach your kids how to do all these things properly, and you’ll have a much healthier, happier family!

There you have it! These are doubtlessly the best, most efficient ways to boost your kids’ immune systems without breaking the bank. The best part is, most of these tips are beneficial for other reasons, too, contributing to healthier child in every way. Comment down below with your go-to tips for keeping your kids healthy, along with which of these tips you’re excited to try!

Dani Fogel. is a Communication Coordinator at Brandable, based in Los Angeles, CA. She works on the Queen V brand within the company’s Digital and Ecommerce department.

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How to Get Outside With Your Kids This Fall

by Jennifer Landis September 17, 2019

written by Jennifer Landis

During the summer, it’s easy to get the kids outside. As soon as that fall air rolls in, though — and brings with it cold temps and rainy days — it can seem much harder to do so.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this colorful season with your children, both inside and out. If you need fresh air but don’t know how to get it, read on. We have five ideas for getting your brood outdoors this autumn and beyond.

1. Color Walks

As we know, fall has plenty of colorful foliage to stare at for hours on end. So, grab your kids and take them outside to check out the leaves and all the other eye-catching plants that grow during this time. Don’t just call it a nature walk — consider this stroll to be a color walk. Choose a particular hue, or let your child choose the shade they like best. Then, as you walk around, have them point out everything they find that’s that color. If you have a digital camera and trust your little one enough to use it, then they can take pictures of everything they see for even more color-walk fun.

2. Leaf Jumping

This one’s a classic, but it’s so much fun that it’s worth mentioning. Have your kids help you gather up the leaves in your yard. Not only will they burn off some energy doing so, but they’ll also help get the job done quicker. Having a few helpers will make the task simpler on you.

Once they’ve built a giant pile of foliage, let them go wild. Jumping in and out of the leaves just never gets old — join them for a few leaps and see. You can mix things up by fashioning your leaf pile into another interesting activity. For instance, some have built a leaf slide. They place their foliage mound at the base of a slide and zoom into it. You can also use your leaves to outline a small backyard maze. Regardless of how you play with the leaves, one thing’s for sure — your kids will love it, and they’ll never forget it.

3. Playground Games

When you play outside in summer, it’s often too hot to do anything but splash in the pool or run through the sprinkler. In the cool fall air, though, you can have your kids play and run in the yard. So, take advantage of the cooler temps and set up a group game. You might want to rely on some of your playground favorites. Something as simple as tag, kickball or red rover can do the trick.

There are so many benefits to organizing a playground-style game for your kids. Little ones who spend all their time indoors may be more susceptible to obesity, which remains an epidemic across the country. On the other hand, if they play outside, your kids will develop healthy behaviors that push them to exercise throughout their lives. Plus, such playground games give them the chance to build teamwork and social skills.

4. Orchard Visits

Fall brings us gorgeous foliage, but it also brings a slew of new fruits and veggies to be harvested. In some cases, farmers will open up their fields for the public to pick their own produce to bring home and enjoy.

For instance, a local orchard might allow people to come in and pick apples directly from their trees. You might hop onto the back of a tractor or pickup truck to visit a pumpkin patch. There, you and your kiddos can select the perfect gourd for your front stoop. All the while, your kids can run around and explore the farmland around them. At the same time, you’ll all be taking in some much needed fresh fall air.

5. Scavenger Hunts

What bits of nature can you find in your backyard or at the local park? Let your kids answer that question. Start by drawing up a list of common fall finds, such as pinecones, acorns and leaves — one in each color. See how many items your kids can knock off the roster.

If you don’t have enough variety in natural elements, then combine your scavenger hunt with a walk through the neighborhood. Make sure to add other autumn finds to your list. Some fall scavenger hunt lists for kids will include pumpkins, scarecrows, bales of hay and other decor. They may not come from nature, but your kids will have a blast scoping out their neighbors’ homes in search of the must-sees on their scavenger hunt list.

Fall in Love With the Outdoors

It’s cooler outside, and you might not be able to get out there every day. However, the above five activities will make your outdoor pursuits even more fun for both you and your kids. In fact, such memorable moments will remain with you for years to come — and we bet your kids will beg to do the same activities every year. You and your family will fall in love with the season and the time you spend outside together.

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5 Tips to Help Kids Sleep Through the Night

by Guest Contributor June 10, 2019

written by Guest Contributor

Sleeping through the night can feel like such a milestone, especially if you’ve been getting fragmented sleep for months on end. Unfortunately, night waking doesn’t always disappear with infancy. Instead, sleep patterns and behaviors respond to routines, schedules, and healthy sleep habits, which gives you, as the parent, some ability to influence your child’s ability to sleep through the night. Keep reading to get our top five sleep improvement tips.

1. Consistency is Your Friend

The human body relies on predictable patterns of behavior to time the sleep cycle. A consistent bedtime uses that fact to your advantage. The key is that those patterns have to be repeated every day, sometimes for weeks, before the brain fully adjusts and responds. The consistency of a bedtime can translate to less nighttime wakings because it means your child’s sleep hormone levels are where they should be both at the start, middle, and end of the night.

2. Schedules Save Bedtime

To fully support that bedtime, you absolutely need a bedtime routine. Many children have a hard time transitioning from an alert state to asleep. A routine gives them a chance to bring their energy levels down in preparation for sleep. That process also provides time for their sleep hormone levels to regulate and release at the same time every day. The routine can be simple, like changing into pajamas, brushing teeth, and listening to a story. It can also be more complex with picking up toys and taking a warm bath before crawling into bed. You have the flexibility to decide what works for you and your child’s schedule.

3. Kids Need Comfort

Now that you’re past the falling asleep part, you have to decide what to do during nighttime wake-ups. Putting yourself back to sleep at night is a learned skill, and some children struggle with it. One way to help is to address physical and emotional comfort issues.

The easiest issues to take on are physical. Check the mattress to make sure it’s supportive. Children, with their low body weights, can sometimes be uncomfortable on a mattress that’s too firm, or your child could be waking because she’s getting poked by a mattress tag or sticker all night long. The room should also be cool, somewhere between 60 to 68 degrees usually does the trick, and try to make it as dark as possible. Night lights are fine, but opt for a motion-activated model that won’t wake your child during the night.

4. Remove Screens from the Bedroom

Televisions, tablets, or phones in the bedroom can disrupt your child’s sleep in two ways. First of all, electronic devices emit light on the blue spectrum which can suppress sleep hormones. Using any of these devices before bed can delay the start of the sleep cycle. Second, having these devices in the bedroom can not only be a source of blue spectrum light, but also cause a temptation that can be hard to ignore. Your child may be too young to turn on the television, but it’s still a distraction that can lead to wakefulness.

5. Teach Them to Fall Asleep on Their Own

You can start to teach your child to fall asleep on her own while she’s still in infancy. Lay your baby down when she’s almost asleep rather than fully asleep. Or lay her down in her crib while you sing softly or read a book to her until her eyelids close. If she can learn to quiet herself at bedtime, she can learn to self soothe herself back to sleep during the night too.

For older children, this can be a bit trickier. If your child comes out of her room, quietly take her back without making a fuss. Keep nighttime wakings quiet and boring. It’s not playtime or special cuddle time because who wants to go to sleep when that’s the reward? Every time your child comes out of her room, take her back. Don’t give in, or you’ll be going through the whole process over and over again.

Conclusion

Sleeping through the night is more of a challenge for some children than others. But with consistency in effort and technique, you can help your child learn to handle nighttime waking in a stride. Before you know it, you’ll all be getting better sleep.

Crafts DIY Holiday Toddler

15 Spooktacular Halloween Crafts For Kids

by Mary Mulroney October 1, 2018

written by Mary Mulroney

Some of the best activities for kids to do are crafts. Not only are they entertained while making something, but they get to keep the finished result and show it off to all their friends and family. It helps develop fine motor skills, enhances their imagination, and, of course, lets them have some fun. With Halloween fast approaching, there are lots of spooktacular crafts for your kiddos to make. They’ll love making all the monsters, ghosts, witches, pumpkins, skeletons and so much more! Here are 12 great Halloween crafts for your kids to make this year.

Source: thrivinghomeblog.com

1. Puffy Ghosts

These ghosts are not only really easy for a child to make, but they look really cool, too, because they’re three dimensional. They would also be inexpensive to make since cotton balls are cheap and come in such large quantities. Once they’re done gluing on all the cotton balls, you could hang these on walls, from the ceiling, or put them on the refrigerator so your child can show them off.

(Head over to Thriving Home for other fun kid crafts, family friendly recipes, parenting tips, and more).

Source: blogs.babycenter.com

2. Witch Halloween Countdown

There’s something about counting down to a special day or even that kids love. Your kids would love having this paper chain countdown to Halloween. This is so clever. I’ve always seen them for Christmas, but never for Halloween. This witch themed one is adorable and so perfect for the holiday. They’ll be so excited to make this so that every day they can cut off one link and get closer and closer to the big day.

(Check out BabyCenter Blog for pregnancy advice, parenting tips, kid activities and so much more).

Source: thrivinghomeblog.com

3. Handprint Spiders

If you need an incredibly easy craft for a younger child, these handprint spiders are perfect. All you have to do is trace your child’s hand, cut them out, then glue them onto a black circle. Of course you can have your child help you with the cutting and gluing, and they’ll probably love putting the finishing touch of the spider’s eyes on. It doesn’t get much easier that this when it comes to crafts.

(Head over to Thriving Home for other fun kid crafts, family friendly recipes, parenting tips, and more).

Little Kid Toddler

The Top 10 Mom Tricks for Getting Your Kids to Sleep Earlier

by Guest Post November 9, 2017

written by Guest Post

It’s that time of year again — daylight saving time is over, and everyone’s sleep schedules are thrown out of whack as we get used to the extra hour of daylight in the morning and the earlier sunset. For adults, it usually means a few days of broken sleep, but for kids, it can be a total game-changer.

“I don’t want to go to bed yet, it’s too early!”

To avoid the inevitable “fall-back” fights, here are some tried-and-true tips and tricks to get your kids to sleep earlier.

1. Wake up on Time

Set up a household wake-up time instead of allowing everyone to wake up on their own time. Not only will this get your kids used to the idea of waking up for school every morning, you’ll have an easier time sticking to an overall sleep/wake routine.

Now, this isn’t always going to work. Sick days always get a pass, of course, as do days where you were up late the night before, but in general, you should always try to get everyone up at the same time every morning.

2. Invest in Blackout Curtains

The end of daylight saving time sucks, especially if you’re trying to keep your little ones in bed in the morning and suddenly the sun is coming up at 6:30 a.m. Invest in some good-quality blackout curtains to help keep the sunlight out of the kid’s sleeping area. This purchase also makes sense if you live somewhere that has bright streetlights or other exterior lights that could interfere with your kid’s sleep schedule. Cities have begun investing in LED street lamps, and while they might help the city save money, they’re horrible if they’re shining in your window at night.

3. Stick to a Bedtime Routine

You need a good bedtime routine that focuses on relaxing your child and slowly easing them to sleep. It should start with a nice relaxing bath and changing into comfortable pajamas. Next, have your children brush and floss their teeth — this is an important habit to get into — then wind down with a story or some other relaxing activity that eventually ends with your kids sleeping in their own bed.

A relaxing routine in the evening helps facilitate sleep and makes it easier to stick to your morning wake-up schedule, as well.

4. Don’t Neglect Nap Time

As an adult, I fully regret all the naps I refused to take as a child. For your kids — especially if they’re still little — don’t neglect nap time. Not only do naps help your kids get the extra sleep their growing body needs, but they also help make bedtime easier by keeping your kids from being overtired when nighttime rolls around. You want your kids to be tired, but if they’re overtired because of a lack of naps during the day, they’ll fight sleep and turn bedtime into WWIII.

5. Pick Age-Appropriate Bedtimes

Instead of forcing all your kids to go to bed at the same time, try to set their bedtime routines around a more age-appropriate bedtime. Newborns sleep for approximately 15 to 18 hours a day, and don’t follow a traditional circadian rhythm. Older toddlers need a bit less sleep — between 12 and 15 hours a night, starting between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. for bedtime.

Between ages 3 and 6, kids require between 11 and 13 hours of sleep, and most pediatricians recommend they go to bed between 6 and 8 p.m.

Elementary school-aged kids require 10 to 11 hours of sleep, and go to bed best between 7:30 and 9 p.m. If you haven’t already established a morning routine by the time your kids reach elementary school, this is a good age range to get one started.

Teenagers do well with nine or so hours of sleep, and can go to bed at any point that will allow them to sleep at least nine hours a night.

6. Turn Down the Thermostat

No matter how hot it is outside, we all sleep better when it’s cool indoors. As we get tired, we lose some of our core heat, which helps make us feel sleepier. According to research, we sleep best when our bedrooms are between 60 and 67 degrees. Anything warmer than 75 degrees is too warm to sleep well, and temps under 54 degrees have us turning into ice cubes between the sheets.

Make sure you turn the thermostat down at bedtime to ensure the best sleep.

7. Reduce Stimulation

We live in a constantly stimulated world — even as adults, we tend to check our email and social media before we even get out of bed. For kids, the additional stimulation of things like television shows and video games can keep their brains engaged so it becomes difficult to fall asleep.

Make it a point to turn off anything with a screen at least a couple of hours before bed. Spend the time winding down, focusing on reading physical books or just relaxing together.

8. No Water Before Bed

There’s nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night to a child with a wet bed. You’ve got to do laundry at 3 a.m., find clean, dry clothes and then try to get your little ones settled back into bed after that whole debacle.

Start reducing drinks before bed, and don’t keep water within reach at night to discourage nighttime accidents.

If someone does happen to wet the bed, don’t make a big deal of it. Stay as calm as possible to keep your kids relaxed so they’ll hopefully go back to sleep without too much trouble.

9. Mix up the Monster Spray

Kids get scared of the weirdest things. Thankfully, especially with little kids, it can be easy to put those fears to rest. If they’re scared of monsters, set them up with a stuffed animal to protect them, or a can of “monster spray” — which can be Febreze or water and essential oils with a custom label — to scare away the monsters under the bed or in the closet.

Don’t just scoff at their fears and tell them there’s nothing to be afraid of. Instead, give them the tools to fight their fears themselves. However, make sure you’re always there for them if they’re not quite ready to fight on their own yet.

10. Be Firm, But Kind

The biggest trick to getting your kids to go to bed early is to be firm. Don’t let the whining get to you —stick to your guns and your routine. If they get up after you’ve tucked them in, lead them back to bed and firmly but kindly remind them it is bedtime.

It might take some practice, but repetition is the only thing that will make your bedtime routine work. A few sleepless nights are worth it for a well-established routine!

Author Bio

Jennifer Landis is a 27-year-old healthy living blogger who loves yoga, running, and dancing it out with her toddler! You can find more from Jennifer at her blog, Mindfulness Mama, or by following her on Twitter: @jenniferelandis.

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