Nutrition plays an important role in an infant's development. The early stages of the baby's development are critical to her growth and health. Babies are susceptible to infections and illnesses that are preventable with proper nutrition. Therefore, parents should prepare meals that consist of nutritious foods and provide a well-balanced diet that can help their babies grow healthy and strong. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents can start introducing solid foods when a baby reaches the age of 6 to 8 months, with more varieties given through 10 months and onward.
The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that more than 58,000 children each year are abducted by people who are not family members. Because children are most vulnerable when they are alone, many of these predators wait for opportunities. Unfortunately, the world is not always a safe place for children. Therefore, parents need to teach their kids to use common sense and think fast in order to get away from an attacker as quickly as possible.
Earth science provides opportunities for hands-on activities for kids to explore and learn. Earth science encompasses many subcategories related to the earth. Geology, meteorology, oceanography and astronomy fall under the earth science category. Reading about the concepts that fall under these categories is educational, but seeing the concepts in action is a more effective way to teach kids.
Preschoolers are a whirlwind of energy and imagination. One minute she can impress you with her cooperative behavior only to frustrate you the next by having a meltdown at the mall. The social and emotional development of 3- and 4-year-olds transitioning from toddlers into school-age children is as important as her cognitive and physical development. According to a survey of kindergarten teachers by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the most important factors in school readiness are health, communication skills, enthusiasm/curiosity, turn-taking and attention span. The National Scientific Council on the Developing Child states that the core features of emotional development include the ability to identify and express his own feelings properly as well as empathize with others. The tendency for parents and preschool teachers to push the basics (ABC's, counting, shapes, colors) can sometimes cause socio-emotional skills to be overlooked.
When a baby starts to walk, he unofficially becomes a toddler. When most people speak of toddlerhood, they are referring to children between 1 and 3 years of age. Toddlers often make major changes, especially in regards to locomotion, thinking and talking. One-year-olds master walking and mobility, while 2-year-olds work on expanding their vocabulary.
Toddlers learn to master their bodies and progress from walking to climbing and running. They learn names of body parts and are constantly refining their fine- and gross-motor skills. They become more independent and imitative. Children reach milestones based on their own timetables, but there are averages of when to expect new developments.
There are many types of infant carriers and slings on the market, from traditional, simple pieces of fabric to sophisticated backpack carriers with modern features. Picking out the right carrier may be the most difficult part of baby-wearing. Even though some slings and infant carriers are favored by more parents than others, choosing the best one really is a personal decision. The success of a baby carrier depends on how it fits your body size, how well your baby fits into it and whether it fits into your lifestyle. You may want different carriers for different activities.
Throughout the first year of your baby's life, she will undergo so many tremendous changes it will make you wonder what you accomplished in the last 365 days. It's important to be aware of the month-by-month developmental milestones so you can both encourage your child and be aware if there is a problem. But remember, each child progresses at his own pace. So don't be too concerned if your baby does not smile, roll over or walk at exactly the right time. If your child is several months behind on a particular milestone, mention it to your pediatrician.
Many breast-feeding moms find it helpful to freeze expressed milk for times when they are away from their babies. Because of the easy-to-prepare nature of infant formula, though, the need to freeze it does not arise very often. But what happens if you've prepared more than your baby can consume in a day? What if you've opened a can of formula but know you won't be able to use it before it goes bad? Here's the scoop on freezing infant formula.
