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Top parenting stories this week
Why Your Baby Needs Toys
Your guide to choosing the best toys for your baby
by: Elizabeth Pantley
Best Baby Toys
- Babies need a variety of toys to encourage learning.
- Toys teach babies new ideas and show them how they can control things in their world.
- You don’t have to spend a fortune to keep your baby happy, interested, and learning.
- Even a crumpled paper or a leaf from a tree can be valuable playthings.
- When buying toys, look for age-appropriateness, versatility and long-term play value.
hen it comes to baby toys, is wood better than plastic? Dora better than Sponge Bob? Turns out toys are important for your child’s development – here's how to choose the best ones.
To view the full story click here.
Is Your Baby on the Right Track?
Check out these major first-year milestones
by: Nancy Ripton
Baby Development
- A newborn can only see things between nine and 14 inches away.
- Between four and six months is a huge time of social growth for your child.
- By six months, your baby shouldn't be sedentary for more than an hour at a time when awake.
- Talking to your baby is one of the best ways to encourage development.
- By one year, your baby will understand simple words, including his name.
oes your baby blow you away with how fast he’s learning to do cool stuff, like hold his head up by himself? Milestones are developmental stages that (usually) happen naturally. Here are the main ones to watch for – and what you can do to help your baby master them. To view the full story click here.
Baby's Developmental Milestones
From crawling to saying his first words, learning when to expect your baby's major developmental milestones can help you adjust to his changing needs.
by: Nancy Ripton
Developmental Milestones
- At birth, a baby can only see things at a distance of between nine and 14 inches.
- Ages four to six months are a huge time of social growth for your child.
- By six months, your baby shouldn't be sedantary for more than an hour at a time when awake. To encourage crawling, try placing interesting objects just out of reach.
- Talking to your baby is one of the best ways to encourage development.
- By one year, your baby will understand simple words, including his name.
e all want our kids to have the brains of Einstein, the coordination of Michael Jordan and the grace of a prima ballerina, but just because your baby reaches a milestone ahead of schedule doesn't mean he's headed for greatness. (If he's a little slower getting there, that's usually no biggie either.) Tracking milestones can be helpful in gauging appropriate playtime, providing a safe environment and exposing potential problems. Here's how to monitor your baby's progress: To view the full story click here.
Is Your Child Afraid of the Water?
Why some children are afraid of water and how parents can help
by: Alyson Schafer
Water Fear
- Fears develop when a well-intentioned parent overreacts to a child's healthy and natural reluctance.
- As children explore, they encounter things that shock or surprise them.
- Don't minimize the reality of your child’s fear–it’s very real to them.
- Have fun! The best way to grow an interest in swimming is to be a swimmer yourself.
ou’ve planned a fun day at the pool; unfortunately, your child won’t go near the water. Here’s why children become fearful and how to help them enjoy splashing around. To view the full story click here.
Help Toddlers Cope with Separation Anxiety
How to avoid tears when you take your child to preschool or daycare
by: Elizabeth Pantley
Separation Anxiety
- If your child is struggling with separation anxiety, try to transition slowly into the daycare or school program an hour at a time.
- Plan play dates: building deeper friendships with other children at the daycare or school can create security for your child.
- Coordinate your trip to school with another family. Having a friend to walk in with can make your child feel more confident.
- Try not to let your own anxiety show during drop off–staying calm and positive will help reassure your child.
eading off to daycare or preschool for the first time is a huge milestone in a child’s life. Some children happily run off to play, but others simply superglue themselves to your leg. If you have a superglue kid, here are some ways to help him loosen his grip so he can enjoy his new experience. To view the full story click here.
