As you watch your baby develop into a toddler and their personality starts to take shape, you might want to change a few things in their room. Changing a baby’s room to a toddler’s room can be easier than starting afresh. Let your toddler’s personality guide you in choosing a theme and then decorate accordingly.
The number of children presenting with Sensory Integration Difficulties is increasing significantly. It is important that these difficulties are identified early and dealt with timeously as they have a large impact on a child’s functioning in the classroom, at home and in social settings.
Winter is here and so are coughs, colds and flu. Common colds and flu are both caused by viruses and share many of the same symptoms however colds are usually milder and do not cause any serious complications. More than 200 viruses can cause a cold whereas the flu is caused by the Influenza virus. This is why there is no vaccine available for the common cold.
“Core strength” has been a buzz word in the health industry the last few years, but its importance cannot be undermined especially in children. “The core muscles consist of the abdominal, hip and back muscles who work together to stabilize and align the trunk and pelvis during static and dynamic movements,” explains Clamber Club Expert and Biokineticist, Shehnaaz Bhabha.
Process art is all about the experience children have when they are creating. We encourage it at Toptots to enable the child to explore and be exposed to different mediums. Process art needs to be open ended and the child should be left alone to explore and create without any adult interference. Children learn through play and open-ended activities – this gives them the chance to explore and ask questions and see how things work. Process art is all about the actual process and not the end product.
When you are pregnant or have a newborn everyone tells you that time passes by quickly so enjoy it! Then you endure sleepless nights, colic and you think can time please start passing faster so that my child can just get out of this phase and so we wish each difficult milestone away and forget to cherish it. All too soon you wake up one morning and realise your child is now in her final year at school and time really has passed by so quickly. You look back at small handprints and stick figure drawings and you wish you could have that time back, a time when she was just your little girl throwing tantrums and getting dirty in the sandpit. It’s so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind that’s life that we forget about the small things. Take the time to make handprints and foot prints, date them and stick a photo taken on the same day next to it. You forget how small she was when you look back at those tiny prints. Keep a record of milestones achieved and things your little one has done. They will take great delight in reading about themselves when they are teenagers. Keep a record of where you lived, who their friends were and what they loved to play with the most. This becomes a really special keepsake if you keep them all together in a file. Those first drawings that others refer to as scribbles reflect her developing sense of self. Keep samples of these and watch how she learns about her body and how it functions in space. The three year old stick figure she drew is very different from the one she drew at four years of age. Use small photo albums to create books about her favourite things. This is a great way to help with language development and one day she can look back at all her favourite things when she was two, three and four years old. Video those songs and funny things they say and save them on a hard drive. This way you will be able to cherish them forever. Remember these years really do fly by and as they get older there are new memories to be made but keeping and making these mementos from babyhood will allow you to look back and see why she has turned out to be such a stunning young adult. Raising well rounded children takes more than just feeding them, it takes time to be there in body and mind.
Choosing a school for your little one should not be a last minute, hasty decision. Start looking at least three months before you need to enter your child, if you are looking to place a baby. If you want your child to join a good school when they turn three, you should start looking at birth. This may seem ludicrous but the top Pre-Primary schools have waiting lists several years long! The first decision is whether to place your child in a school near home or near your place of work. Small children suffer from many little illnesses and most schools want a sick child to go home as soon as possible. Choose a school that is close enough for someone to fetch them promptly if they fall ill. No matter how loving the care at school, a sick child just wants the comfort of home. Choose a school whose hours suit your schedule. If the school closes at 5.30pm, you must be able to reach it with time to spare, regardless of the traffic. Does the school open early enough for you to get to work? You cannot leave a small child outside the gate and assume that someone will take responsibility! There are so many places of care to choose from at the moment that you may be bewildered by the choice. Take the time to visit the school unannounced. Check the security first, it should not be possible for you just to drive in. Are there cameras at the door and an entrance procedure? Next, how are you greeted and dealt with by the receptionist? This should be efficient, friendly and with an offer to show you the school, either then or by appointment. An appointment does not mean they have anything to hide; good schools have to allocate time and staff to deal with parents effectively. Is the reception clutter free and efficiently run? Are the admittance forms neatly printed and requesting sufficient background detail on your child? When you look around, watch the children. Under-fives should be playing freely and busily with clean, unbroken toys that are well displayed to enable choice, or engaged in activities that are stimulating creativity or enhancing number or literacy skills. There should be no worksheets or cloned art work. Is the classroom clean and attractive, with good natural light and ventilation? Is there sufficient space for the children? Crowded rooms lead to fights and stress. Has the teacher (who should be SACE registered) an assistant to manage bathroom visits, messes and to support play? Is there evidence of an overall theme that the children are investigating? Are there good quality books in a comfy spot for reading? Are the carpets and floors clean? Beware of schools that are too tidy and immaculate as this could mean that the equipment is for display, not the children’s use. Children should be aware of your presence but not clamouring for your attention. What is your language policy for your child? If they are to attend Primary school in a specific language, they will be at an advantage if their early years are spent in the same language. This does not mean that you should forsake your home language. Bi-lingual children have a cognitive advantage, but do not confuse your child by subjecting him/her to a constant mixture of languages. Choose a school that will help your child enter grade 1 with a strong vocabulary and comprehension, as well as an ability to engage in their intellectual education with understanding. What do you require in the way of meals? Not all schools serve breakfast, lunch and snacks and the price should reflect what is provided. Check out the kitchen, the kitchen staff and the certificates from the local authority indicating that the school is licenced to provide meals. Look at the menus. Is there sufficient variety and fresh fruit and vegetables? Ask about who feeds the little ones and how meals are conducted for the older ones. Are the children forced to eat their meals? Can the school cater for genuine allergies, (Not fussy eaters!) If your child is still a baby, check the policies on formulas, nappies, wet wipes etc. If the school supplies everything, it may be a little more expensive but well worth your while in terms of convenience. Look at the nappy changing areas, where everything should be neatly labelled and the area safe and well ventilated, with proper disposal facilities. Potty training areas should be bright and welcoming, with small toilets for children aged two plus. Are the baby rooms warm enough for the babies to play and crawl on the floor and not be kept in a cot all day. Who provides the cot linen and how often is it washed? There should be a nursing sister available for very young babies, as well as well-trained carers who will talk to and stimulate your child. The outdoor area should have grass, sand, water, shade and wheeled toys, as well as safe climbing and swinging equipment, appropriate for the different age groups. Children are stimulated by their environment so the garden should be attractive, bright and well supervised. Gross motor development underlies all other development at this age so there should be a minimum of an hour per morning and afternoon set aside for active, outdoor play. Last but not least, the atmosphere of the school should be welcoming and child friendly. Do not be swayed by the latest technological devices and lessons if the staff seem aloof and uncaring. With proper research your child should be happy and well stimulated in the chosen environment until it is time for Big School. Written By: Barbara Eaton (Academic Development Co-ordinator of ADvTECH Pre-Primary Schools)
I had a call from a concerned parent yesterday and I realised again how hard it is to bring up a baby in today’s world. As first-time parents you are so afraid of doing the wrong thing and not getting it right that we forget to trust our instincts when raising our children. Remember milestones are an indication that all is well developmentally. It’s not a list to be rushed through. A child must spend time in each phase in order to develop all areas of his intellect. The less time he spends playing with gadgets, the better for him. So, ask yourself the following question: Is someone or something allowing him to be able to do this? (Sit/ walk/jump/ draw etc.) If you get a YES, then you know it might hinder him developmentally. Support seats, walkers and jolly jumpers are all allowing him to be in a position that he should not be able to be in at this stage. If he could sit/ walk/ jump he would be able to do it on his own. Help him strengthen his muscles to be able to do just that. Put your baby on the floor and less time in constraints or in mom’s arms. Your child needs to be working on those large muscles so that he can control the small muscles later on. Yes, we are living in a world where you have to be technologically savvy and our children are exposed to IPads and other electronic devices, but at what expense? It’s now even more important than ever before that we limit the use of electronic devices in the early toddler years. Toddlers need to spend most of their day playing, using their imagination, running, jumping and drawing. All these experiences help them to sit still later at school. His “job” is to strengthen his gross motor muscles so that the fine muscle control (to hold my pen and read across a page) will work optimally later. Pushing a child to perform is not the answer. A child that can use the IPad/ computer / cell phone at three is not a genius. He is a child who might have problems later on at school with midline crossing/ fine motor control/ reading etc. Limit devices/ gadgets to 30 min a day and let him be a child. It is the only time he has to be carefree.
Being a parent of an eighteen-year-old that has just started university, I again realise how important it is for us as parents to set them up for success but also allowing them to fail along the way. Now I am sure you are saying – why set them up for failure? To be able to function in an adult world one day we need to have learnt that life in general has consequences. If as an adult, you don’t meet deadlines etc. you will ultimately be fired! We all want what’s best for our children but sometimes we lose the plot a little and forget that we are training them to be independent, well-functioning adults one day. At 18 months we can start to teach them about life. It’s very easy to start giving your child the incorrect message very early in life – Its fine – mom will do it if you can’t cope! But remember mom won’t always be there and can’t go into the workplace to sort out her child’s life for her. I am sure we have all heard parents praise their children excessively. Mia picks up her toys and is such a clever girl! Mia was not “clever” when she put away her toys, she did what you would expect her to do and the more appropriate praise is to thank her for putting away her toys. Do you do the hoopla when your husband puts his coffee mug into the kitchen sink? Teach your children about choices very early on in life. Do you want an egg, or do you want cereal for breakfast? Be careful of not saying what would you like for breakfast …? as the answer might be chocolate! Giving them the opportunity helps them to be able to make choices one day when they are older. Don’t fret when she wants to wear the pink dress over orange pants. Everyone will know you did not dress her. More importantly does it matter. She feels great and confident in her choice. Life has consequences. If you don’t pick up your toys I will, but they will go into a black bag not to be seen for at least a few weeks. If you choose the summer dress and it’s raining you will get cold. I can guarantee next time she will take your advice and take a jersey and NO she will not get sick, you get ill from viruses not just a few goose bumps. Consequences learnt! Lack of discipline can impact on a child reaching his full potential and will most probably contribute to a lower self-esteem, as he thinks he can’t do this without help. Raising a confident, well-adjusted child takes guts from you as a parent to allow them to face the consequences of their choices. It’s too late to start at 13 you have by then lost the window of opportunity. How can you expect a teen to make the right choices if she has never been allowed to make any choices in her life? She has to be confident that she can choose and cope with the consequences of a wrong choice. It’s not easy but I know you can do it! After all you want what’s best for your child.
The LEGO Foundation and Sesame Workshop Highlights the Importance of Learning through Play in Parent-Child Relationships in South Africa in Celebration of World Play Day The ‘Play Every Day’ program empowered caregivers to effectively guide children in learning through play in South Africa In celebration of World Play Day, the LEGO Foundation and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organisation behind Takalani Sesame, announced the results of a multi-country research evaluation of Play Every Day, a program designed to shift parent and caregiver perceptions about the educational value of play and to encourage play that contributes to children’s early development and learning outcomes. The impact evaluation, conducted by an external evaluator, found significant changes in parents and caregivers’ perceptions of play and play-related behaviour, as well as improved confidence of parents and caregivers as play mentors for their children. Over the course of a 12-week intervention in low-resource communities in South Africa, India and Mexico, Sesame Workshop conducted weekly in-person play workshops or home visits, in addition to reminders utilising WhatsApp and other digital platforms and community events. The research in South Africa was conducted in IsiZulu, IsiXhosa and Sesotho in the communities of Orange Farm, Alexandra, Diepsloot and Braamfontein. Caregivers participating in the Play Every Day program in South Africa reported: Increased frequency of play by 15% Increased confidence as “play mentors” for their children through quality play time, with an increase of 18% Increased confidence using recycled materials such as plastic bottles, cans, and cardboard rolls as play objects, with an increase of 19% in South Africa An increase of 19% in the ability to make everyday activities playful An 11% increase in the link between pretend play as a foundation for academic learning The research findings will inform the upcoming Takalani Sesame ‘Learning Through Play’ Initiative, which will reach millions of children and caregivers across South Africa through television, digital media, and targeted community engagement. The findings will also inform a USD $100 Million Humanitarian Play Programto support children affected by the Rohingya and Syrian refugee crises. The Play Every Day program empowered caregivers and children to learn together, rather than in parallel, providing valuable insights for the development of caregiver-child programming. “With such a large portion of the South African population being in low-resource settings, this research is invaluable and will guide Takalani Sesame programs in South Africa. We continue to educate caregivers and teachers on the benefits that Learning through Play provides, as one of the most powerful ways for children to learn, develop and overcome setbacks,” said Innocent Nkata, Managing Director of Sesame Workshop South Africa. The facilitated workshops, implemented through local community partners, provided primary caregivers with content that is easy to replicate at home to improve caregiver confidence in playful learning techniques and provide new ideas for engagement with children, such as building toys with recycled materials and playing pretend using everyday household items. To ensure culturally relevant and effective interventions, the 12-week intervention was preceded by three pilot phases between November 2016 and May 2018 that tested a variety of play activities, materials, and methods of facilitation for each country. “The LEGO Foundation is working to build a future in which learning through play helps all children grow into creative, engaged, life-long learners. Parents and other primary caregivers are fundamental to this aim as they are children’s first teachers and playmates. We are excited about the positive results from the Play Every Day program. We hope that these insights will inspire and empower primary caregivers in in South Africa to harness the power of learning through play,” said Kerry Kassen, LEGO Foundation Initiatives Lead for South Africa. The findings have been announced as we celebrate World Play Day on 28 May. To mark this important day, Sesame Workshop and the LEGO Foundation are partnering with Cotlands and Kagiso Trust to host an event at the Multipurpose Centre in Sasolburg on 1 June 2019. Takalani Sesame Muppets Zuzu and Kami will join over 300 children to highlight this year’s World Play Day theme, “Play is a right.” The event will feature songs, dancing, and play activities for children. “We’re deeply committed to bringing learning experiences to children across South Africa through Takalani Sesame, and we too believe that play is a right for all children,” adds Mr. Nkata. “This World Play Day, we have a lot to celebrate; with the new research findings, we will be able to build upon our work to ensure that every child has access to positive, playful experiences.” Additional highlights from the Play Every Day impact evaluation can be found online here.
An innovative way of encouraging young children to eat healthily This product is the brain child of Claire McHugh a Paediatric Dietician who has written a colourful story book that teaches your child about the roles of the different food groups in your child’s diet. The plate encourages them further by putting healthy eating into practice. Book and plate are part of the set.
Play time is so important for our children as a foundation for learning: Here are some tips to encourage meaningful and purposeful play, to maximise your child’s learning opportunities through play: LET YOUR CHILD HAVE SOME UNSTRUCTURED PLAY TIME EVERY DAY – don’t make their days so full of activities that they don’t have any time to create, explore and experiment. Give them free time to play! (And don’t let them choose to watch TV in this time). DON’T INTERFERE IN THEIR PLAY – don’t criticise, plan, direct or correct the way they are planning. Let them guide their own learning. Research tells us that the more motivated we are to do something, the more meaningful the experience. DON’T SOLVE ALL THEIR PROBLEMS FOR THEM IMMEDIATELY – if they want to do something in a certain way, but have difficulty with it when they are playing, give them the time and opportunity to try and solve the problem for themselves; if they can’t, give them some clues and guidance, but don’t do it for them. The more they learn to solve minor problems, the more able they will be to cope with larger, more complex challenges. GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITIES FOR PLAY DATES – playing with peers is important for emotional and social development. Arrange regular play dates with some of your child’s friends. If they have disagreements, give them some space to work it out, don’t step-in unless you see it’s necessary. These are great opportunities for learning to compromise and resolve conflict. SCREEN ACTIVITIES ARE NOT PLAY – TV games, computers games and games on an iPad or phone have been proven to often hinder development of social-emotional and language skills, rather than stimulate it. You don’t need to cut these out completely, but researched guidelines suggest that the developing brain should not be exposed to more than about 30 minutes a day (for children under 4) and not more than 45 minutes a day for children under 7. Follow the principle that when it comes to screen time – Less is more! BASIC TOYS/ ITEMS ARE OFTEN MORE BENEFICIAL THAN EXPENSIVE TOYS – some of the toys that children love the most are very basic things e.g. cardboard boxes, bicycles, Tupperware, blocks, balls, spades, old tyres etc. These provide for so many different play options, rather than an expensive toy that can often only be used in one way. TAKE YOUR CHILDREN OUT AND ABOUT WITH YOU – give your children the chance to explore different environments and experiences as these all offer different learning opportunities e.g. playing on the beach versus playing in a park versus playing in a fun play centre with other children. Talk to them about what they are seeing, touching and hearing. Let them organise their own picnics when you go to a park or let them organise campouts in the garden. PLAY WITH YOUR CHILDREN – follow their lead, encourage their ideas, build on their themes and just enjoy spending this precious time with your children. Not only are you the perfect person for them to practice their skills on but playing together will make them feel much closer to you and it opens doors for communication. ENCOURAGE IMAGINARY PLAY BY BUYING OPEN-ENDED TOYS e.g. arts and crafts supplies (which could be toilet rolls, cardboard, tinfoil, paint, glue, scissors, leaves, flowers, ice cream sticks etc); items for dressing up; things like farm yards and soldiers and dolls and cars etc. Also, when they are younger encourage symbolic play by buying toys like pretend lawnmowers, brooms, cooking utensils or gardening tools. HAVE AN ORGANISED, FREE SPACE IN WHICH YOUR CHILD CAN PLAY – your child should be able to find the toys they need and should have space to spread them out and go “wild” for a little while. A disorganised, chaotic play space is often over-stimulating and limiting. LET YOUR CHILDREN GET DIRTY – it’s normal for children to get dirty and its part of what makes play time so fun! Don’t let your dislike of dirt ruin their enjoyment!
The average person uses digital photography as a way to document their life. Most people do this because it’s a memory that in 40 years’ time they will be grateful for. By taking a picture you make a souvenir, and 1000’s of these souvenirs land up on cell phones, tablets, computers, cameras and SD cards, as well as on an array of social platforms like facebook and Instagram. And let us not forget cloud storage also. If you’re not finding the time to look through digital archives now, you’re not going to have time in the future either! Also think how much more you’ll have accumulated by then; you’ll have loads more to sift through. Images sometimes get lost when you only have them on digital. You’ll take 300 pics and then forget about them. However, if you backup your digital photos by printing the best pictures out in a tangible format, you tend to treasure them and of course, really enjoy them more. Technology never stops changing. That means what is around now, might not be around in 20 years or so from now. This is why it’s important to save irreplaceable memories and precious mementos of life, in a protected format that works for now, and the future. Backup your digital photos by printing them out in a tangible format. Display these highlights together with other valuable and touchable irreplaceable mementos like keepsakes, achievements and art, creating a comprehensive overview of every year. Combine all these most valuable traces of childhood, then arrange them easily in an exquisite MY FILE ABOUT ME presentation that can be viewed and enjoyed regularly. With digital technology it’s so easy to take over 30 photos or more at one special event. Over a month you can easily capture 120 photos. That means in a year its highly possible to collect over 1,500 photos or more, depending on how much of a happy snapper you are. Multiply 1,500 photos by ten years and that gives you 15,000 (fifteen thousand) photos. That’s an insane number of digital photos to get through in a few minutes, or in a day, in a week, a month or even in a year! With that crazy thought, my suggestion is to select at least 16 to 32 of your child’s most cherished digital photos from every year. Doing so will allow you to create a summary of the most important events and memories for each specific year. Now print them out and keep them together. It’s easier and more time efficient to view a small number of printed photos in one place rather than being overwhelmed by thousands and thousands stashed in the clouds, SD cards and mobile phones. More photos mean it is more time intensive to view. And seriously, do you know what photo you’ve filed where and are they in yearly order? Do you even remember what photos you have taken? If you print 32 photos per year over 10 years, you’ll have 320 photos to view. This is very much more manageable and of course more time effective to look through than 15,000 photos dotted all over the place. There’s a solution I’d like to introduce you to that will allow you to browse, in 5 minutes, 320 printed photos (150 x 100mm), chronologically in only 20 pages. That is an impressive 16 jumbo photos per page that save incredible space in a tangible way. This breath-taking presentation reruns 18+ years of memories in less than15 minutes of active browsing. More impressive, is that this solution is refillable, expandable and totally customizable for your particular needs. It offers the opportunity to obtain additional refills that also accommodate A5, A4 and even A3 photo enlargements. And that’s all without cutting or gluing anything. More impressive, is that this revolutionary solution is multi-purpose. It not only links your yearly printed photos together, it also combines your digital photos too, along with all other keepsakes, mementos and valuables from the same year. You’ll be amazed at how quickly and easily you can keep your child’s yearly stash of precious memoirs and valuable souvenirs of childhood. You’ll be super impressed at how orderly, neat, compact and effectively you can preserve at save physical keepsakes and memories. One compact solution provides an entire childhood at your fingertips to revisit regularly as often as you wish. It beautifully and effectively links tokens of an entire year together, centralizing them in a unified and truly impressive way. It further delivers a comprehensive outline of each year in a storybook fashion. Thereafter, it links each year sequentially, transporting you through an all-inclusive childhood from birth to adulthood (or pre-school to adulthood) in a very quick and accessible way. Get all your most cherished touchable keepsakes out from piles, boxes and hidden places. (Remember: out of sight is out of mind). Now combine up to larger than A3 school art, certificates, badges, medals, CDs, DVDs, birthdays, family holidays and more with your printed photos. Then preserve and display an annual collection of memories in the all-in-one My File About Me system. This instant overview of life’s amazing journey is an exceptionally effective and beautiful way to summarize your child’s entire life in one pleasing and space-saving patented format. I love using Forever Child. I love how it’s instant: That instant gratification of having captured a moment with a token or two to go with it: Memories that can be made then put away and then brought out and shown to someone, not only now, but far into the future also. It’s a lifetime investment that continues to grow in value as time moves on. . It is a life story that can be enjoyed over and over and celebrated for generations and forever. Remember precious memories may fade and valuable mementos can get lost, but MY FILE ABOUT ME… is forever! Click here to discover a world of convenience. About the Author Eleni Korfias is a wife, mother of three
Learn@Home, our school’s arts inspired online learning programme, has been specially devised to facilitate and integrate the holistic development of pre-school learners through a unique Play & Learn approach that mimics our school’s fun-filled arts powered curriculum presented on site.
A school is not a quiet place. In my experience children constantly talk and more often than not they talk at the same time. Keeping everyone quiet in class can be a big challenge. Then there have been a few occasions where I have taught a child who doesn’t talk at all. The silent one. They were not only quiet and shy but did not talk at all! This is how I have learned about and experienced ‘Selective Mutism.’ According to Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum Selective Mutism is an anxiety disorder. These children prefer not to talk in social settings as a result of the extreme anxiety they feel. It is important to know that many children with Selective Mutism were early speakers without any speech delays/disorders. Parents are often confused and surprised when they get feedback that their child never communicates at school as these children are often loud and boisterous at home and extremely verbal. Proving that they are able to selectively speak and communicate in settings where they are comfortable and relaxed. These children become mute in any setting where they are expected to talk. This can be experienced in public places such as a restaurant, family gatherings and then of course the school environment where social interaction is constantly required. According to Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blumi it is common for a child with selective mutism to have a blank facial expression. In my own classroom I have found that they tend to ‘disappear’. They do not want anyone to notice them and are fearful of being put ‘on the spot.’ So how do you as a teacher handle a child with Selective Mutism? The most important thing to focus on is dealing with the anxiety. Be aware of the child’s tendency to ‘disappear’ in class of their quietness. Remove all pressure and expectations for the child to speak. Try to treat the child as normal as all the other children in your class. Do not make an issue of the fact that the child does not want to talk. As a teacher there is a tendency to talk for the child or to only give them yes or no questions. Your job as teacher is not to make the child speak but rather to minimise the anxiety in the classroom activities for the child. In some instances, these children develop one or a few friendships and will whisper or even speak to a few children in school especially on the playground. They do experience the need for social interaction. They might also communicate nonverbally in class by nodding their heads or pointing if they need to answer a question. Nonverbal communication is acceptable when the child is new to the classroom environment. However, strategies and interventions need to be put in place to help the child to progress from nonverbal to verbal communication. Seat the child to the side of the classroom, preferably not in front or in the centre where everyone can see them. Avoid eye contact at first. In my own experience it is better to gain the child’s trust by not putting any kind of pressure on them, but also not by excluding them from the classroom activities. I have found that sometimes it works to create spontaneous opportunities for the child to speak. For example, if we do counting on the carpet I will go around and throw a ball randomly to each child. That child must then give the next number. The children enjoy this and get very excited. I have experienced that the children with selective mutism get so involved and excited with the other children that when they catch the ball they sometimes give the answer as there is not enough time to register the anxiety around talking. That can be a big moment for you as a teacher, but it is very important to not make a big deal out of it. Just continue with the game and act as if this is normal behaviour for the child. It is important to know as a teacher that these children can be referred to specialists that can assist with medical treatments and advice in order to reduce anxiety, the main culprit behind selective mutism. By: Wilma du Toit, Grade 2 teacher, The Bridge Assisted Learning School
The development of a baby’s memory is also known as Object Permanence and basically means that the baby has developed a memory. This is an extremely important intellectual milestone and can be encouraged in several ways. A small baby sees the world as a mass of images and sensations. When looking at an object, she will focus on it briefly and then move on to the next object that captures her attention. Once the first object is out of sight it is basically out of mind. So, if you take a toy from her and hide it behind your back, it no longer exists for her and she won’t bother to look for it. Gradually though, she starts to hold images in her mind for longer periods of time until it becomes noticeable at about 6 months. You will notice it when you take a toy from her; your baby will look for it and may even cry for it. This shows that she remembers that just a second ago she had something interesting in her hand and now it is gone. This is a very early form of symbolic thought and memory and we encourage it by playing certain games. As your baby approaches 1 year, she will get very upset when you leave the room. This is known as separation anxiety and peaks at about 12 months. The following games will help your baby to learn that mom or an object may disappear for a while but will come back again: Peek – a – Boo – In this game you hide yourself away behind a cloth or book or even a toy. You then pop up all excited to see your baby. Your baby will respond with glee and this will be her favourite game for years. The time that you hide away can gradually become longer and longer. Hiding toys – Where did it go? Hide a small toy in your hand or behind your back and get your baby to look for it. Praise her when she finds it. Hide and seek – Crawling babies love to play hide and seek. You hide behind the couch, call her name until she finds you. This progresses into the real game later on
It’s stressful when your kids are sick and even more stressful when they refuse to take their medicines. Not to mention the icky stickiness that is almost impossible to wash off your skin. In this blog I will share with you some tips I have learnt over the years to help make the medicine go down. 1. Disguise the taste Many over the counter liquid medications available for kids are flavoured. Look on the bottle to see which flavour you are buying. Some brands have different options for the same drug such as Panado’s strawberry and peppermint flavours. Some brands may have the same flavours but taste different. My daughter prefers the strawberry flavour of Calpol than that of Panado. If the medication needs to be made up by a pharmacist, ask them to flavour the medication if possible. Unfortunately, some meds just taste awful and not all pharmacies stock flavourings. You’ll need to get creative here. You can mix the liquid with fresh fruit or vegetable juice and even honey (if your child is over one year). You can also try mixing meds with milk or yoghurt but the calcium may interfere with the effects of some medications, particularly with certain antibiotics. Acidic foods may also inactivate some antibiotics. It’s important to ask your pharmacist and read the patient information leaflet before you decide to try this method. If you are hiding the medication in a food or drink, keep the volume small so that the entire dose can be taken. Don’t mix with a full bottle or cup of juice if your child will not finish this. 2. Equipment I always use a syringe and squirt the medicine along the inside of the cheeks and not onto the tongue. This way you can bypass the taste buds a little. You can also use a medicine dropper the same way. Slide the syringe or dropper along the cheek towards the back of the mouth and squirt the medicine slowly. Do not aim for the throat as your child will gag and cough and if you aim too far in front of the mouth the medicine will simply be spat out. Using a syringe also allows you to give correct dosages. In kids it’s vital you give the correct dosage of medication. You can wash and reuse the syringes but after a while you should replace them. 3. Keep it chilled You can also numb the taste buds beforehand. Your child can suck on a block of ice if he or she is older or you could try an ice-lolly for a younger child. Some medications can also be stored in the fridge, which can make them taste better. 4. Wash it down Whilst Mary Poppins recommended a spoonful of sugar, I’m not sure many of us moms will be too happy with the after effects of this sugar rush before bedtime. Have a glass of water or your child’s favourite drink on standby to drink as soon as they swallow just so they can wash their taste buds. 5. Coat the taste buds You can try giving your child a spoonful of something thick and sweet such as maple syrup or honey to coat the tongue before giving the medicine. 6. Try a tablet instead Some liquid medicines are available as chewables. If your child is old enough you can try these. Whilst there are some tablets that can be crushed and mixed with food. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you do this. You may also find dissolvable tablets. Dissolve the tablet in a small glass of water and add some fruit juice to hide the taste as these can be extremely bitter. 7. Give your child some control You will find that your kids will be more willing to take their medicine if they are in control or at least think they are. Allow them to choose when to take their medicine, for example, before or after the bath. They can also choose what flavour medicine they would like when you are buying it for them. IF IT WORKS, STICK TO IT You might find that more than one trick is necessary. If you have found a technique that works, stick to it. A while back I tried using one of those fancy medicine syringes I got at my baby shower instead of a simple syringe (I had actually forgotten to replace the ones I had thrown out). These syringe type medicine feeders are quite big and I couldn’t get it far enough to the back of the mouth to bypass the taste buds. My daughter did not like this at all and I ended up wearing most of the medicine! Do you have any other tricks or tips to get your kids to take medicine? Please share in the comments section below! If your little one requires medicine on a regular basis, here is a medicine chart to help you organise the days and quantities: https://www.oneaid.co.za/resources/
We have all bought those flimsy shape box toys right? My greatest frustration was always the poor quality material that was used to make them. We found the Oops Easy-Activity Box to be oh so bright and fun. Although shapes are fun to get through the little hole, imagine having a butterfly or an owl? These bright attractive wooden inserts into the dragonfly house really make this such a fun toy for toddlers 12 months and up. You can develop your Childs motor skills as well as keep their attention with this 6 piece set This range is available from Takealot, Loot and selected Kids Emporium Stores
Regression is going from totally dry during the day to having 2 or more accidents every day. This doesn’t include a small wet patch or trickle from not concentrating. A change in circumstances that causes stress and makes your child anxious can cause regression in potty training. For example, it can happen when a new sibling is born and the older sibling feels a little insecure. Toddlers often test boundaries if there is a change in circumstances like moving house. It is their way of showing you that they do not feel safe and secure. If you let the boundaries drop and allow your toddler to go back to wearing nappies, you will reinforce the idea that the change is scary and your toddler should not feel safe and secure. But if you keep the boundaries firmly in place, your toddler will soon feel safe and secure again. Some toddlers decide they do not like stopping an activity to use the potty and wet their pants instead. If this is the case: Make it worth his while to use the potty/toilet by praising and rewarding him. Tell him you are busy and he will need to wait to be changed if rewarding does not work. He will soon feel uncomfortable in wet underpants. Trust CHERUBS Classic Wipes to keep your baby’s bottom soft and clean. Our wipes ensure a deep but gentle cleanse for your baby’s skin. They are flushable and biodegradable making them as kind to the environment as they are to the softest skin. CHERUBS Classic flushable baby & toilet training wipes are: Eco Friendly Flushable & Biodegradable For Baby & Toddler pH Balanced Alcohol, Chlorine & Paraben Free Made in SA with love Cherubs Classic Flushable Baby & Toilet Training Wipes Fragranced Wipes 80’s : R33.85 Cherubs Classic Flushable Baby & Toilet Training Wipes Fragrance Free Wipes 80’s: R31.96 The CHERUBS Classic Wipes are also available in Triple Packs with a convenient carry strap – R69.99 (320’s) Available at all leading retailers nationally
Oops is a lovely company all about children’s happiness! They create products with the child in mind and this is a company we can certainly get behind. From the easy-backpack to the stunning lunchboxes, your toddler will be the talk of the town. This backpack is small and is great for giving your children their first bag. It will be extremely riveting for them as their first backpacks have 3D animal friends to accompany them every step of their day. These characters have their own special names, where you can find on their website. This product is a product of Oops. This backpack is super cute and has lovely designs such as ladybugs, dragonflies, owls, bears, and many other cute animals. The straps are adjustable and this lovely helper is strictly fitted for small children. The backpack isn’t suited for big amounts of packing. It is strong enough for little and not heavy-weighted items. This bag is suitable for going to pre-school and looking the coolest, holding your toys and even a lunch bag.The lunch bag is fully lined so you can easy wipe out spills and messes with no problem at all. They are easy to wash, super cute and should be on every shopping list. Available to purchase from takealot.com
Nelson Mandela famously stated that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. At the same time however, our education system is in crisis. According to Cindy Glass, Co-Founder and Owner of Step Up Education Centres, “Negative behaviours such as aggression, bullying, disrespect toward teachers and peers, intolerance and demotivation seem to be hindering our children’s ability to learn effectively and this has resulted in the learning experience, in general, becoming one of distrust, anxiety, stress and misery. Our innate need to learn is being destroyed by negative human behaviours and relationships and this equates to an ever-increasing lack of empathy skills.” She adds that it takes a village to raise a child and it is time that parents step in and step up to help change the way their children see themselves and the people in their world. The one life skill that she believes can change this is empathy. “This all-important life skill is the ability to identify with another person’s feelings and experiences. Empathy essentially allows children to ‘walk’ in another’s shoes and it teaches them to genuinely have respect for others, even in difficult circumstances. It teaches kindness, compassion and listening skills. Empathy teaches children to seek the good in others and to embrace differing beliefs and cultures. Empathy helps children to seek positive solutions to difficulties and challenges, without intending hurt for another. Just imagine the possibilities in learning if our children could master the skill of empathy!” Cindy gives 5 helpful tips to teach your child to become more empathetic: YOU are your child’s first and longest-lasting teacher: Your child is more likely to do what you do, rather than what you say. It is up to you to model, instruct and expect your child to care about and behave respectfully toward others. Teach your child to express himself in a positive way: If he is upset, teach him to express the feelings he is experiencing in words so that a positive solution can be found. Allow uncomfortable conversations that need expression. Avoidance will lead to feelings of shame and even anger and this could lead to your child making negative choices in a bid to deal with suppressed emotions. Teach your child to allow others to express their feelings in the same way: This leads to listening skills. Teach your child to learn to listen to understand the other person without the need for defensive responses. Listen with an open, non-judgemental mind. Genuinely hear what others are saying. Strive to create a meaningful, face-to-face connection with your children: Social media has desensitised us in so many ways that meaningful, wholehearted human relationships are becoming rare! People make-up and break-up over the phone. Some of the most misunderstood arguments and hurtful words are given over a digitised device. Nothing can replace face-to-face positive human connection and relationships. Teach your children to value themselves, their strengths and their weaknesses: Remember that we are only able to treat others based on how we feel about ourselves. Teach them of their worthiness to love and be loved. Teach them the value of each human being walking the earth with them- do we not ALL share the same human spirit? Do we not all bleed, cry, smile and breathe in the same way? Just as you teach your children to respect themselves, so we MUST teach them to respect others, to choose kindness and to master the skill of empathy.
Process art is all about the experience children have when they are creating. It is important to let your child explore and be exposed to different mediums when creating art. These easy to use roller paints are perfect for the young child. Available in a set of four primary colours in an easy roll on bottle. Painting is made easy as the toddler rolls and glides the paints over the page minimising mess.
In our Toptots classes, a question that frequently arises is that of how to stop young children from hitting either their moms or their peers. This is often an embarrassing scenario for mothers, and they may feel unsure about how to address this type of behaviour. The first thing to remember is that hitting (or biting or pushing) is quite typical in the toddler years, especially while children are still learning to speak and are not yet able to clearly voice their needs or their frustrations. Hitting another child could occur from frustration if, for instance, one’s toy is taken, and hitting mom could be out of frustration of not getting a need or a desire met. However, it is something that needs to be addressed as soon as it starts to prevent the behaviour from continuing. Toddlers are learning all the time, but the question is are they going to learn appropriate behaviours or inappropriate behaviours, and the only people in a position to teach these skills are parents (and to a lesser degree the teachers who see the children on a regular basis). It is very important for children to learn that certain behaviours are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. They are extremely smart and can learn very quickly to identify which boundaries they can cross, and which boundaries are firmly in place and cannot be crossed. It is a normal part of development to test boundaries and see what is tolerated and accepted, however, young children cannot judge for themselves what appropriate behaviour is, and thus they rely on their parents to set clear boundaries so that they can feel secure in the knowledge of what is expected of them in terms of good behaviour. Children who are consistently allowed to hit (or bite or push) are more likely to view this as appropriate behaviour for when they are frustrated, or angry or just don’t get what they want when they want it! This could ultimately result in them not having friends, because no one really wants to spend time with children who hurt them! It could also result in children engaging in bullying behaviour to get what they want. Here are some suggestions to assist with these types of behaviours: Remember who the parent is: You are not there to be your child’s friend and to give in to their every demand! You are there to set rules and boundaries to help your child feel secure in the knowledge of what is right and what is wrong. This will help them to grow up to understand that certain things are not acceptable and to be able to manage their own impulses and behaviour. Be consistent in your expectations: This is so important. Your child needs to know that there are certain behaviours that are not acceptable, and they will not be tolerated at any time. Both parents (and anyone else who spends time with your child e.g. grandparents, care-givers etc.) need to have the same boundaries in place. Respond confidently and in a matter of fact way to your child’s inappropriate behaviours: Don’t be scared to reprimand your child. How else will they understand if something is not okay e.g. “I don’t want you to hit.” You don’t need to respond with anger, but just be direct about your expectation. If necessary, block your child: if they continue to hit, hold their hands in your own and physically stop them from hitting you/ their peer. Again, this doesn’t have to be done in anger, but just stopping them and again reinforcing “I don’t want you to hit”. Remember that it is okay for your child to get angry when you stop him from doing something: Anger is a normal response to not being able to do something that you want to do, and this is a typical emotional response. Children need to experience the full range of emotions in order to be able to learn how to process them and deal with them effectively. Praise good behaviour: Always remember to praise your child for good behaviour. This is so important in order to validate that they have made good choices and that their behaviour is acceptable and pleasing to you. Again, how will they know what good behaviour is, unless it is acknowledged and praised. Just remember, children are not innately naughty… but they do need to test boundaries and try out different behaviours in order to learn what is appropriate. A lack of routine, structure, discipline and boundaries can result in an increase in negative behaviours, making life more challenging for the child as well as for you as a parent. Setting boundaries early on can make life far easier as your child grows up and understands what is expected of him/her.
You would never believe the benefits that building blocks have… yes building blocks! From problem solving, imagination, self-expression, mathematics, self esteem, emotional growth…. The list really does go on and on. When you pair building blocks with bright attractive colours you have the must have toy in any developing toddlers household. Then when you have building blocks that are also match up blocks, it really does make the toy rather exciting. Generally from around 18 months upwards this will really keep your toddler entertained. The Oops Match Up! Cit Building Blocks provide a city theme match up sticker card and then the blocks for your little one to match their masterpiece to. How this works is the match up card is a selection of stickers, you the parent stick them to the appropriate block and from there your little one can match the two parts together. How fun does that sound! The Oops Match Up! City Building Blocks comprises of 14 pieces and is suitable for 18 months and up. This range is available from Takealot, Loot and selected Kids Emporium Stores
A commonly used phrase these days is: “Play is the work of children”. Some people may wonder how play can be classed as work when the two terms have totally different connotations. However, when it comes to children, play is the way that they learn and without play, their learning is compromised. Thus, just in the same way that we need to work, and study, and be mentored and develop greater proficiency in our roles at work, so too do children need to play to develop greater competency in life. The longer they engage in one play activity or theme, the more they develop the ability to concentrate for longer periods, and this is in fact a large reason why many children find it difficult to concentrate – they never have the opportunity to lose themselves in one thing – they often flit from one task to another or engage in passive tasks like watching TV. When they encounter challenges in their play, they have the chance to work through their frustrations and they have the opportunity to problem solve. When they set up and structure their own games and environment, they learn to plan and organise. When they invite someone else to play with them, they learn to communicate, take turns and compromise. When they concoct complicated stories, they develop their vocabulary and imagination, and will become better essay-writers when they are older. When they are able to act out difficult situations that have happened in real life, they are able to work through the feelings that they experienced in the situation. Not only does play improve their social and emotional skills, it can also improve their future scholastic performance. If their games involve climbing, swinging, swimming, rolling and jumping, their core muscle strength will improve, which will improve their endurance for sitting and working at a table. The more endurance and stability they have, the better their focus, and the better their fine motor skills. If they play with things like play-dough, sand, pegs, tongs and finger paint, it can help develop their fine motor skills. This in turn sets up a foundation for legible and efficient writing later. If they build puzzles and play with Lego and blocks, their spatial skills will develop, which will help with reading at a later stage. Play builds the foundational skills for academic learning, and this foundation allows children to feel skilled and competent, which leads to confidence when entering a formal learning environment. As we all know, a house with an unsteady and poorly-built foundation is not nearly as stable as one with a solidly-built foundation and this is just as true for our children. If they are not equipped for the expectations they are faced with as they get older, their self-esteem suffers, and many children nowadays suffer from anxiety.
We all know that there is a lot of research on how puzzles help young minds develop. When your child is alone with a simple puzzle from an early age the following basic skills are being built: Physical skills – from holding the puzzle pieces to turning them until they fit Cognitive skills as this a problem solving exercise Emotional skills as puzzles teach patience and reward after completion We have found the Oops Range of puzzles to be an absolute must for all our readers. Old school wooden puzzles really are easier for young child to grasp and best of all, you are able to keep them clean. The Oops Range of puzzles play an important role in the development of spatial awareness which proves to be beneficials once your little one heads off to school. Would you believe that by introducing puzzles to your little one that this provides over all better muscle-growth and provides a full brain workout for your child. The reason for this is that puzzles force your little one’s brain to work on both sides thus increasing their cognitive function. The Oops Range of puzzles are also cut at different thicknesses therefore helping your child to start understanding proportion. The Oops Build a House comprises of 20 pieces and is suitable for 12 months and up. This range is available from Takealot, Loot and selected Kids Emporium Stores
You don’t need an extravagant vacation to make a lifetime of memories with your children. When my son was two years old we went on a family holiday to Portugal, he was very excited about going on a plane. He enjoyed the flight and thought this was all very exciting but the carrying of luggage bags, staying at various homes of family and friends, not having our own bed to sleep in and not having our family routine was too overwhelming for him. He soon felt insecure and was not as excited about being on holiday. Two years later we immigrated to Portugal where our daughter was born, we made it a priority to do something exciting with them outdoors. We would make sure that every weekend and one day during the week after work we would have a family outing. In summer we would go to the beach and even in winter we would walk along the beach Picnic in the park Picnic by the lake on the mountain Visit museums and castles Go to various play parks where they could ride their bikes and climb on the jungle gyms One day I decided to camp in my living-room, the children brought their sleeping bags and their toys and my wife and I slept on the floor while they slept in between us and I must say that they were so excited. Although it was not comfortable it was worth seeing them so excited. This is a moment that I will always treasure with my children. This made me realise that you don’t have to always go out of your home to have a family adventure. Children treasure having quality time with their parents and these are memories that they will always treasure. A few suggestions: Have a camp out in your garden Board games evening Play hide and seek Picnic in the garden Movie and pyjama day Gardening day (plant vegtables and let them see it grow) Family baking day Go for a adventure hike Visit a nature reserve HOME is a special place for children and gives them a sense of belonging and security Contributed by Jose De Sousa of Clamber Club Sports – LynnwoodCell: 063 682 2520Email: [email protected] Website: www.clamberclub.com
Being a parent brings many joys and along with those joys comes challenges. It is not always easy or simple teaching our children the things they need to know to keep them safe along with all the other skills they are going to need in life. My biggest frustration has always been how to get my kids to listen while still keeping myself calm and patient. I don’t want to be that nagging screeching mother. It has sometimes felt like nothing I do gets my kids to listen. Here are some of the things that I have learned that help my kids to listen: Are Their Needs Met? Now this may seem like it has nothing to do with getting your children to listen but it is actually really important – if my kids needs are not met they become grumpy little creatures that create mayhem everywhere they go. This is particularly true of my son that has just turned 5 years old. If he has not eaten properly or he is tired he is sure to melt down and there is absolutely nothing that can be done about it. If my kids are bored, excited, hungry or tired I can’t expect them to behave perfectly or listen properly. As far as possible I try and be prepared for anything. I have toys, books, coloring books, crayons, spare clothes and emergency snacks and drinks in my car. This means that I can mostly meet their needs whenever and wherever we are. If we are sitting in a restaurant that has no play area and the food is taking too long I can whip out a book to entertain them and if they are getting hungry I can give them a quick snack to keep them going until their meal arrives, instead of moaning at them to sit still and to keep the noise levels down You will be amazed at how just this one thing can change a situation around. One of the challenges I have often had as a work from home mom is that my kids just want my attention. Instead of pushing to get my work done first I do something with them and I will let them know that I need to work afterwards and what is expected of them while I work. I get them started on that activity before I get going with my work. Their needs have then been met and then I can get some work done. Get Their Attention The next important thing is to get down to their level and talk to them. Get yourself down to their eye level and hold their hands, then ask them to look at you while you talk to them. Holding their hands will keep them focused on you while you talk. Once you have spoken to your children ask them to repeat back to you what you have said to make sure that they did in fact listen and to ensure that they properly understand what you have said. Yes you may be busy and trying to get something done so calling out for them to stop what they are doing may seem like the simple and easy way to do things but it really serves no purpose and you will most likely land up moaning, groaning, nagging and even yelling. Taking a few moments to get their attention properly and talk to them once will be much more effective. Use Positive Talk If you feel like what you are saying is going in one ear and out the other it probably is. If you want your children to listen try changing the way that you speak. Turn negatives into positives and see what a difference it makes. Your child will not enjoy hearing you saying this like “stop it”, “don’t do that”, “no” and similar negative statements. Instead replace those with positive statements that tell your children what they should be doing instead of what they shouldn’t be doing. Rephrasing something like “don’t bounce the ball in the house” to “please play with your ball in the garden” can make such a difference to the way that your child processes the information. Your child is much more likely to listen and follow your instructions when they are phrased in a positive way and the message is clear. Think about it – if you tell your child not to bounce the ball in the house are you telling your child what they should be doing instead? Explanations Very often children don’t understand why they can’t do something. Let’s take something very simple like the example of bouncing the ball in the house. If you tell your child not to bounce the ball in the house it is a negative statement that does not teach your child why it is important to play with their ball outside. It may take something as simple as explaining to your child that bouncing the ball and throwing the ball in house can lead to things in the home being broken. Broken things can result in dangerous situations such as being cut by broken glass. You can use situations as a way to explain to your children why you don’t want them to do something instead of just telling them what they shouldn’t be doing and leaving it at that. Use Books and Videos To Teach Your Children Lessons Children love reading books and watching videos. Look for fun books that teach your children lessons – they are sure to take these things in and start to understand things in a better way. There are also lots of free Youtube videos that teach lessons to kids. Children absorb information better when they are enjoying themselves and when it doesn’t seem like a lesson to them. There are so many amazing books that can teach your children lessons (like the importance of listening) and the values that are important to you as a family. Reading to your children is also a wonderful way of bonding with your
When talking about discipline in schools, modern trends use buzz-words such as “Positive discipline”; “Values-based education” and “Character guides rather than codes of conduct”. The aim of these “different” or “new” approaches is to focus on rewarding and encouraging positive behaviour, rather than focusing on punishing negative behaviour. Children learn to cultivate habits, approaches and values, that are not only relevant to the classroom or school grounds, but to society, the adult world, and life. It might be too early to say in some instances, but it appears, through the experiences of teachers, that this “new” approach is working. Positive discipline is based on the idea that there are no bad children, just good and bad behaviour. Below are a few tips to assist with positive reinforcement when disciplining your child: Create understanding rather than fear. Creating fear in a child, to stop them from repeating what they did will not completely stop them. They will still want to do it again. If you explain to them why “what they did” was wrong or inappropriate, there’s a higher chance of them not wanting to do it again. During this engagement understanding on both sides should be encouraged. The parent also needs to understand why their child did what they did. Control yourself not the child Children strive for independence throughout their childhood. Give them the power and responsibility to make their own decisions and control their own behaviour. Don’t compare Comparing children to others will encourage them to behave more defensively, resent their actions or themselves and lose confidence in themselves. Allow them to own their actions and don’t associate their behaviours with other children. Don’t shame your child Discussing your children’s behaviour to others in front of them is not an effective way to express your concern, rather have this discussion in private. Children don’t need to be reprimanded multiple times about the same incident by other individuals. Focus on their good qualities Nobody likes to be told that they’re wrong however constructive criticism is an effective method for self-reflection and behaviour change. Use your child’s good qualities to overcome their bad qualities.
We’ve all been there as a child—apprehensive, maybe even afraid of the dentist. Now as a parent, you face the other side, helping your child beat their fear of the dentist. The good news is, there are many things you can do to make the experience more enjoyable for them so that the next time they need a checkup, they go with a lot less fuss. Here are some of the things you can do to get your kids to go to the dentist. Start Dental Visits Early Many kids fear the things they don’t know. If you take them to the dentist early enough, they will be used to it long before many of their friends are. As soon as they get their first teeth, you can introduce them to the fact that there is nothing to worry about. Let Them Talk to a Dentist There is nothing wrong with calling your dentist and informing them of your child’s apprehensions. A lot of the time, they will welcome a visit so they can discuss the process with your child. Even if they don’t end up being treated that day, it can go a long way towards helping future visits. Use a Family-Friendly Dentist. Some Dentists will be friendlier than others. Given this, you want to make sure you find one that specializes in family treatments, so you know your kids are in good hands. In terms of being family friendly, North Pointe dental options are abundant. Enquire before you visit your office of choice and see how they can make your child more comfortable. Do Not Use Bribery It can be tempting to offer a reward for visiting the dentist. This can add to the tension they are feeling. If you tell them that if they don’t cry, they can have X, then they will think about why they might cry just as much as the reward. Also, any offer of a sugary reward isn’t a great idea, for obvious reasons. Give the Dentist Space There is nothing wrong with holding your child’s hand if they ask, or even if you feel like you want to. What you shouldn’t be doing is interfere if they make a fuss about the situation. The dentist will be well versed in how to help your child feel more relaxed. It will be easier for them to do so if they are given the room to. Encourage Good Oral Hygiene If you encourage your child to develop good teeth care habits, then they will better understand why a trip to the dentist is necessary. Help your child to see that a dentist will work to keep their teeth healthy. Although it can be a stressful time for both parent and child, a few simple steps can go a long way. Your future trips to the dentist will run a lot smoother when you know how to help.
