Baby and Children Sleep 

 http://www.parents.com/baby/sleep/basics/age-by-age-guide/

Newborn-2 Month Sleep Tips

• Newborns sleep in 2- to 4-hour intervals, waking up to eat.
• Babies this age tend to stir and look restless during sleep. Because of reflexes they can't control, it's common to see them twitch their arms and legs, smile and make sucking noises.
• Newborns aren't born knowing how to soothe themselves to sleep, so you may need to help, with tricks like using a pacifier, swaddling, rocking and breastfeeding. Remember, there's no such thing as spoiling a newborn, so it's OK to cuddle baby to help her doze off.

2-4 Month Sleep Tips

• Babies this age may sleep for six-hour stretches at night, and settle into more of a set nap schedule now.
• To get baby on a good sleep routine, make sure to play and expose her to lots of sunlight during the day and avoid over-stimulating her when it's dark out.
• Starting a pre-bedtime sleep routine -- like bath, feeding, story time -- can help ready baby to sleep through the night for longer stretches.

4-6 Month Sleep Tips

• Babies this age will start to quit nighttime feedings, and are usually ready to sleep through the night now, anywhere from six- to 12-hour stretches.
• Research shows about 60 percent of babies sleep through by 6 months, up to 80 percent do so by 9 months.
• Remember, all babies wake up sometimes during the night, but those who "sleep through" have learned how to nod off on their own.

For more on sleep-training your baby, read this  >>

 

6-12 Month Sleep Tips

• Some babies stop sleeping through the night now because of separation anxiety. Your baby knows you're around even when she can't see you, and may get upset when she wakes up.
• It's OK to go in and check on your crying baby, but keep visits short and try (as hard as it is) not to pick her up or feed her. Try rubbing her back, singing a soothing lullaby and ducking out after a few minutes.

1-2 Year Sleep Tips

• Active toddlers can have trouble relaxing and winding down at night -- causing bedtime battles. Try to keep things as calm as possible in the evenings, sticking to soothing activities like bath and story time.
• Once baby learns to climb out of the crib, she may attempt to snuggle in bed with you. This is a hard-to-break habit, so if you don't want to start a co-sleeping situation, bring her back to her own room.

2-5 Year Sleep Tips

• Toddler and preschooler sleep problems include procrastinating and resisting bedtime, getting out of their big-kid beds when they wake at night, and developing night fears.
• Stick to a bedtime routine and sleep schedule, make sure your kids understand the rules and be consistent about enforcing them.
• Using a nightlight or lovey can comfort kids who tend to get scared of the dark or have nightmares.

5-12 Year Sleep Tips

• Homework, a jam-packed social schedule and computer and TV time tend to push back bedtime.
• Cutting back on soda or other caffeine-packed drinks, as well as reducing TV-watching right before bed can help.
• Children with sleep-friendly bedrooms -- dark, cool and quiet, with no TV or computer -- tend to sleep better than those with lots of distractions.

Sources: Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University; National Sleep Foundation, Baby 411 and Toddler 411 by Denise Fields and Ari Brown, MD
Copyright © 2008 Meredith Corporation.

Kid Clay Arts

So cute ...

A Friend For Life - Navigating The World Of Soft Toys

There's no denying that, when chosen correctly, a soft toy can remain an important part of a child's life right up and throughout their adult years. Some soft toys, in fact, will end up being passed on through families and into new generations. So it makes sense that you spend a little longer choosing which soft toy is right for the person you're buying it for, as it will almost definitely be around for a very long time.

First things first, make sure that the soft toy you choose is safe for small children. You need to look out for a mark of certified quality, as well as check out the workmanship – all eyes, noses and parts must be securely fastened, seams must be sewn tightly shut. It wouldn't do to have your soft toy disintegrating on the first hug now, would it?
 Secondly, think carefully about which soft toy character you want to buy. Is it going to be something as timeless as a teddy-bear, as simple as a sock puppet or something bang up-to-date, such as a Moshi Monster? Whichever you decide to choose, be aware that it'll be sticking around for a good while – do you really think the latest craze will last the sands of time?
 Thirdly, do you want a simple soft toy, or do you want your plush toy to pack some extra punch? Plenty of soft toys available now offer everything from sound effects (everybody loves a chatterbox!) to scent-sations (it isn't a teddy-bear unless it smells like strawberries!), so you can get a hi-tech softy or an old classic.

Fourthly, think about the person you are buying the soft toy for. Is it a new-born baby, looking for a simple comforter? Then you'll be better off with a traditional bear. Is it an older baby, learning to walk and talk? Then try an interactive soft toy to help stimulate their learning and help them through their development. Older children will probably have a strong idea of what they want for themselves, whereas adults usually prefer a soft toy with sentimental value – think retro and think simple.
 When chosen correctly, soft toys can have a hugely beneficial effect. Hugging a plush toy releases the "attachment hormone" oxytocin, which helps to slow the heart rate, soothe breathing, lower blood pressure and reduce the effects of stress. Result! That makes the cuddly creation a bona fide soothing agent. What could be better than that?

http://www.articlesbase.com/babies-articles/a-friend-for-life-navigating-the-world-of-soft-toys-6123756.html

Warning Signs of Abuse

Warning Signs of Abuse

Abuse can be inflicted in many ways, in many places, and by a range of people who have power over their victim for a variety of reasons. This can make abuse difficult to identify, but this article tells some warning signs of abuse you can be aware of. Abuse can range from out-of-bounds demands on a worker by an employer to verbal, physical, psychological, or sexual mistreatment in venues that range from home to work to school.

Abuse can be inflicted by family members, so-called friends, teachers, employers, bullies, and romantic partners. Because abuse is so varied in its type, perpetrator, locale, and effects, the signs can be very different in different case, making abuse difficult to identify. Here is some information that may help you to pick up on warning signs of abuse. It's good to be aware that a single sign may have explanations other than abuse, so while being careful not to jump to conclusions, if you notice these signs, you should seriously consider the best course of action.

Talking About It . . . or Not In cases of abuse in which the abusive conduct is not criminal but definitely out of bounds, (for instance, a boss expecting an employee to do personal errands for him or her or a person making unreasonable demands on a spouse, child, or other family member), the person who is subject to the abuse is likely to complain about the situation.

Even though the mistreated person may not confront the abuser, he or she may be quite vocal with friends and family or even with colleagues. So complaining can be a sign of abuse.

This type of abuse can grow insidiously and slowly take over the victim's life. Because the encroachment is slow, the victim of this type of abuse may need a reminder from outside to recognize how outrageous the situation has become. When the situation is more dire, victims may speak out at either the first instance of abuse or if something changes in a way that makes things insupportable.

For example, a woman may put up with an abusive husband, but leave if she perceives her child to be in danger from him. However, in many cases, abuse is not discussed. Often, the person being abused is the victim of criminal acts, ranging from assault and battery to rape, and is too afraid, embarrassed, guilty, or ashamed to tell. An abuser may threaten a victim, making him or her afraid to tell. In addition, a victim may feel that the abuse reflects poorly on him or her, making the victim ashamed or embarrassed to tell. If the victim was warned against the abuser, then he or she may feel guilty for having gotten involved with him or her.

When this approach is taken, warning signs may include secretiveness, rather than complaints.

Now You See It; Now You Don't

Physical injuries occurring with no reasonable explanation or occurring frequently may be another sign of abuse. The victim may try to cover these up with long-sleeved clothing, make-up, scarves, or other means.

Another thing you may not see in cases of abuse is the victim. Especially if they live in the same household, the abuser may want to control the victim to the extent that the victim is rarely allowed to leave the house, no longer allowed to be in contact with friends and family, etc.

 If someone you know is not only out of touch, but either doesn't answer the phone or has to end calls suddenly, as if fearful that innocent conversations are unacceptable, the source could be abuse.

Children Who Are Being Abused

The signs of child abuse may be more obvious because children are likely not to be as skilled at covering them up, but many of them may not point directly to abuse, but could be the product of a variety of issues or even, in some cases, just one of those moments in normal development.

These warning signs that may not prove abuse, but may point to other issues that should be followed up) include:

trouble sleeping, whether difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep or nightmares or not wanting to go to bed or fear of the dark mood swings or depression and withdrawal loss of appetite on the one hand or food addiction on the other seeming inattentiveness or daydreaming regressive behavior that would be within the normal range for a younger child anxiety injuries that do not have reasonable explanations substance abuse change in behaviors like hugging or kissing parents goodnight truancy running away self-injury suicide attempts or ideation secretive behavior
Changes in toileting behavior, including pain, knowledge of sexual activity or vocabulary that is not age-appropriate, or sudden strong negative reaction to be touched are signs that are less equivocal.

If you suspect someone may be being abused, but the signs are not clear, seek the advice of a trusted professional, either a licensed health care worker, a social worker, or a minister, priest, or rabbi. If you are afraid there is serious abuse taking place now or a crisis, it may be wise to call a crisis hotline or the police.

http://www.troubledteen101.com/articles69.html

Colorful Frogs

Creative Play for children

Creative Play is what children do when they are just being children, and there are plenty of things you can do to encourage creative play in your home. Whether it is drawing, painting, cutting, pasting, modelling or making, all children love being creative if they are given the chance, and the act of being creative brings with it so many benefits.

What skills will my child develop through Creative Play?

While it’s tempting to leave all the ‘messy’ creative activities for your child to do at school or day care in NZ, there are so many skills they can learn by having the freedom to do them at home, and developing a love of creative process will set your child up as a creative thinker in all walks of life.
Some of the benefits and skills your child will gain through creative play include:

Intellectual Benefits

Even at a young age, creative activities help to develop basic maths skills such as geometry (size and shape), measuring, and sorting. There is also a great deal of problem solving and concentration which happens as children learn to take what is in their head, and put it onto paper. In the early years they need to ask themselves basic questions like will this glue be strong enough, if I cut here will it fit, or how can I stop the paint from dripping? In solving these problems they learn about the creative thinking process.
As children get older, different arts and crafts require more complex thinking skills, and many activities need an understanding of basic science concepts for them to make sense. Things like mixing specific colours or creating a mosaic pattern may seem like creative activities, but without an intellectual component the creativity falls apart. As your child learns these skills in a creative area, they can transfer them to other areas of their life as well.

Physical Benefits

Painting, drawing, cutting and pasting all help to develop fine motors skills in young children, which in turn helps them to be writing-ready as they near school age. Children are not born with a pencil in their hand, so it takes time to develop the skills required to make one work. Creative play helps to develop those skills.
With that in mind, it’s important to recognise that your child’s scribbles represent a huge milestone in their physical development. Remember in the space of a year or so, your child has gone from the stage of not even knowing they have hands, to being able to pick up a crayon, move it over the paper, and apply enough pressure for it to actually leave a mark. That’s incredible!
To put it in perspective, trying drawing a picture with a crayon held between your toes. The strength and co-ordination required to make that happen, is less than that required of toddlers learning to draw. Just making a mark is a milestone.
As children get older, creative activities will help further develop their fine motor skills, as well as their hand-eye coordination.

Emotional and Social Benefits

It’s no secret that creative activities provide a positive outlet for children (and adults) to express their emotions, and this starts at a very young age. Making a range of equipment and materials accessible for your child, means that creative expression becomes as normal as brushing their teeth.
As children get older, arts and crafts can provide a safe and positive way for children to socialize with others. Instead of just ‘hanging out’, children can get together to make and create.

What equipment does my child need for Creative Play?

Encouraging creativity in your child doesn’t need to be expensive, but it is important that they have some basic equipment available to use when the creative bug bites. Things like crayons, paints, coloured paper, scissors, and glue should be basics in your creative play box, but there are literally hundreds of other things you can include as well.
Good stationery stores, emporiums, and educational toy stores can all provide you with a variety of art supplies, and it’s amazing what children can create using everyday materials from around the house. Some good materials and equipment to introduce through the years are:

• Crayons – wax, plastic and oil
• Paints – water, acrylic, tempera
• Dyes
• Coloured Pencils and Felt Pens
• Brushes and Sponges
• Modelling Clays and Doughs
• Printmaking Equipment
• Scissors
• Stamps and Punches
• Paper and cardboard
• Collage Materials
• Glues and Adhesives
• Craft Kits
• Moulds and Templates
• Easels and Activity Tables
• Aprons and Accessories

http://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/articles/benefits-of-creative-play/