Archive for the ‘toddler’ Category
Our family was fortunate enough to have had a wonderful experience with a great Nursery School in Newmarket. For the past 2 years our son attended The Magic Kingdom Learning Centre located at 179 Church Street, Newmarket. Many parents have asked us to post a listed of nursery and preschools in York Region and you can now find them in our Parent Directory.
I have testimonials from different nursery schools in the area, including friends who are very happy with the Newmarket Co-Op Nusery, as well as the Aurora Co-Op Nusery School. Without hesitiation I would recommend the Magic Kingdom Learning Centre, who just celebrated the schools 24th graduating class. The staff there are warm, kind and the children at the centre love going there. It is a positive first experience with school!
We are a Canadian based online designer fabric retailer specializing in modern, funky, cute, kawaii fabrics, sewing patterns and notions. We carry fabrics by well known designers including Michael Miller, Alexander Henry, Amy Butler, Heather Ross, and Etsuko Furuya. This is not your typical run of the mill fabric store! We are here to support you - the modern designer.
You must check out Pink Panda Fabrics for all your fabric needs - a great place for nursery and kids decor ideas.
By Nicole Meltzer, RMT, CHt
Preparation:
Place your finger in the middle of a damp facecloth, draping the cloth over your finger. Empty the entire contents of a tube of Boiron’s Camilia over your fingertip. Remove your finger from the cloth, tying with an elastic band to keep the shape. Place the cloth in a baggie & place in the freezer. You’ll also need a squeeze bottle filled with edible, non-nut oil (grape seed, olive or safflower). Don’t forget to ask permission from the child before beginning – never force massage on a child. If you do not make it through all techniques, don’t worry – there will be plenty of chances to try again!
Intra-oral massage:
Place finger in frozen cloth (elastic removed) & apply light, but firm pressure to area on gums where the tooth is erupting; repeat until child gives you the cue to stop
Using slow, firm pressure, make tiny circles along the gums. Be sure to massage top & bottom gums
Remove your finger from cloth & allow child to suck or chew on cloth while you massage their face & ears
Facial Massage:
Place a small amount of oil (less than the size of a dime) in your hands; rub your hands together to warm the oil
Massaging the jaw:
Cup hands under child’s head just behind the ears; then slowly glide the hands along the jaw towards the chin; repeat 3 times
Using 1 or 2 fingers (depends on size of child), make small circles from just below the right earlobe down to the chin; repeat on left side; massage each side 3-4 times
Using 1 or 2 fingers make small circles around the outline of the child’s lips; starting at the middle of the upper lip & working both sides simultaneously to meet at the middle of the lower lip
Massaging the sinuses (teething can place a lot of pressure on the sinuses):
Glide your forefingers down each side of the bridge of the nose, follow the cheekbone across & then end the stroke on the temples. You are essentially making a semi-circle under the eye. Repeat 3-4 times
Make small circles along the eyebrows, using 1 or 2 fingers, ending at the temples. Repeat 3-4 times.
Place fingertips at the middle of the hairline. Glide hands away from one another, ending at temples. Repeat, moving hands down forehead slightly, until last set of strokes are following eyebrow line.
Massaging ears (use extremely light pressure around ears!):
Using 1 finger, make small circles starting at the point where the top of the ear attaches to the head, massage around behind the ear, down to where the lobe meets the head, and around in front of the ear until you are back at the top of the ear. Repeat on other ear.
Finishing massage:
Glide fingertips from forehead down each side of the face, meeting at the chin
Finish with a kiss on the nose! “All Done!”
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Nicole Meltzer, RMT, CHt is co-founder of Balanced Body Mind Spirit. Through her specialization in fertility issues & prenatal care she helps parents conceive and achieve balance while on their journey into parenthood. Nicole offers pre/postnatal & pediatric Massage Therapy; Hypnotherapy for children, fertility and childbirth; Reflexology; & Reiki. She teaches a variety of classes including, Hypnosis for Childbirth, Tools for the Birthing Partner, Focused on Fertility, and Infant Massage. To learn more, visit www.balancedbodymindspirit.com
Watch the new director of Infant Mental Health Promotion (IMP), at SickKids, Chaya Kulkarni with host Cheryl Jackson of TVOntario’s show Your Voice, in a discussion “The Importance of Attachment - how attachment affects everything from learning to relationships” with panelists Kathy Jacyniak, a public health nurse with Make the Connection, Toronto Public Health, and Dr. Jim Sears, a pediatrician in California, author, and co-host of the television show, The Doctors.
You can view the video online here.
Tune in to find out what attachment is, why it’s important, and what parents can do to form secure attachments with their children.
The episode will air live online at www.tvoparents.com Tuesday January 21, 2009 at 9pm, and will be broadcast on TVO January 25 at 6pm.
The episode will air live online at www.tvoparents.com TODAY at 9pm. It will also be broadcasted on TVO January 25 at 6pm
A favourite activity at our house that keeps my toddler and preschooler happy — for a while — is sensory play. We have a great plastic table that we use for such things as sand, water, bubbles, and even snow. Yesterday we brought some snow inside and played with it in the table, and watched it melt. A great way to spend some time, as well as learning!
If you don’t have a sensory table, you could use bowls. Don’t forget to supervise the little ones, especially around water.
Sign Language and Ear Infections
By Sara Bingham
With the winter months coming it means that cold season is on its way. This may be a time when middle ear infections are on the rise with our little ones as well. The first 4 years of life are critical for the development of language. Early literacy skills also start to develop during this time. Information regarding ear infections and speech and language development is important for parents. Can the use of American Sign Language help during cold and ear infection season? Yes!
Often if a child is experience otitis media or middle ear infections, it means that their inner ear, the area behind their ear drum, there is a build up in fluid that may be infected. Otitis media is very common in young children. Hearing infections are only second to the common cold in preschool children.
Tiny bones in the middle ear carry sound waves / vibrations to the inner ear so that we can hear. Fluid in the middle ear, due to otitis media may make it difficult for these tiny bones to carry the sounds waves or vibrations which may result in a temporary hearing loss. Toddlers and preschoolers with repeated ear infections or otitis media may have times that they have difficulty hearing and processing language because of repeated inner ear infections and then temporary hearing loss due to these plugged inner ears.
These temporary hearing losses may make it difficult to understand spoken speech. Imagine a little one with a cold, an ear ache and they can’t hear your instructions - they’ll definitely have a right to feel grumpy!
Signs of otitis media may be what appears to be inattentiveness, but this is not intentional since their ability to hear is lessened. If you notice that your child wants the television or music louder than usual, this may be a sign of an ear infection. Your child may also seem to be pulling or scratching their ear more often and may seem in general, more tired, listless and irritable.
If you notice your little one has any of these signs, talk with your family doctor. As well, routine visits with your local audiologist will be helpful in keeping an eye on those little ears.
With ear infections, sounds may be muffled and unclear. This may, temporarily, have a negative effect on understanding language but it may also have a negative effect on learning letter sounds and phonemic awareness. This can be frustrating for parents, educators and the child.
I’ve found that signing with young children, teaching them basic American Sign Language (ASL) vocabulary has been very helpful around times they may have hearing difficulties. Lisa Hinz Lach of Central Jersey, NJ adds that, children who may have a ear infection, “may be able to use sign language to tell you that they HURT or feel SICK.”The use of American Sign Language, combined with speech, with a toddler or preschool child who is learning to read and print is helpful because it presents information to the child in three ways: visually since they can see the signs; auditorily because/when they can hear your speech and motorically because as they practice they can feel the differences in the signs with their own hands. The use of signs with little ones may also help get and keep their attention.
As well, parents and educators who sign and speak (and who aren’t fluent in ASL) tend to slow down their own speech and repeat their words more often. Anyone learning a language, written or spoken, benefits when what they are learning is presenter in a slower fashion and repeated.
The use of sign language with young children learning to read presents information to them in three ways (visually, auditorily and kinesthetically) and naturally encourages their teachers to slow down and repeat their speech. These are all great ways to foster literacy skills in young children!
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Sara Bingham is the founder of WeeHands and the author of The Baby Signing Book. WeeHands is the world’s leading children’s sign language and language development program for babies, toddlers and preschool children. Sara completed an honours Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics at the University of Ottawa, and has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Carleton University. In addition, she has earned an honours post-graduate diploma from Georgian College, as a Communicative Disorders Assistant. Sara has been studying American Sign Language (ASL) since 1991 with the Canadian Hearing Society, the Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf in Toronto and at Durham College in Oshawa, Ontario. Along with acting as the President and Founder of WeeHands Baby Sign Language Inc., Sara is also a professor with the Communicative Disorders Assistant program at Durham College.
For the Cool Mom on Your List
You know that friend who is a little funky and fun; the one whose wardrobe you would love to raid? This is shirt by Etsy Store, Xenotees is so wonderfully cool. The “French Pet Lobster Shirt” says « J’ai le goût des homards, qui sont tranquilles, sérieux, savent les secrets de la mer, n’aboient pas… »Translation:”I have a liking for lobsters. They are peaceful, serious creatures. They know the secrets of the sea, they don’t bark…”
Supposedly the French poet, Gérard de Nerval, would walk his pet lobster with a ribbon. This was his reasoning for adopting a lobster as opposed to a dog! A lobster…our kind of pet!!
The best gift for an mom-to-be of a mom of many, is time! What better way to give her some time, by giving her a Pippalily Sling. These Canadian-made fashionable baby slings are so functional for your newborn to toddler. With fabrics as from funky to classical these slings are such a wonderful gift for all your mommy friends!!
We also like this necklace from Bella Button Designs. At only $35 it’s an affordable and sentimental gift for mom.
Both pendants dance on a fancy-link sterling silver chain, finished with your choice of a lobster clasp with 2-inch extender or a toggle clasp. Add a freshwater pearl or Swarovski crystal charm for no additional charge.Your favourite, high-quality photo is permanently enclosed in a reversible, glass charm with soldered silver frame. Photos will be printed in your choice of black/white, color or sepia.
For Grandparents, who live near or far!
The best gifts are ones that grandparents can share and show off the most precious things in their lives. We all know how much grandparents love to brag. Check out Heritage Makers 5 X 5 Storybook that allows you to add photos and journaling. This size give you 21 pages to create your own design or try a template. A sure hit for grandmas everywhere.
For Your Bundle O’Joy
Our favourite body wash for babies and up is now available in Newmarket atWild Child Baby Store on Main Street. It smells sooooooo yummy and has no harmful parabens or other chemicals. It’s made with organic ingredients and is pH Balanced for Sensitive Skin.
This dermatologist-tested formula contains skin-softening Vitamin E, skin-soothing calendula-with a light, lively citrus-rosemary scent.
parade has always been on our of favourite brands for our babies. They have extended their line from their signature prints, like monkey and peanut to these lovely organic cotton rompers. Who says organic has to be boring? At parade it is anything but that!
Under the Nile’s Organic Cotton Teether is sure to capture the heart of your little one and safe for them to chew on. Made with 100% organic Egyptian cotton. Available at online baby store Along Came Baby.
New for Winter 2008 from baby magoo are these animal print hooded towels. The towels have been a best-seller and now available in adorable giraffe and cow prints. They are hand-made with absorbent, soft terry on the inside and velvety chenille on the outside.(cute baby not included!)
For the Toddler & Preschooler in Your Life
Every little boy loves to dream! So let them dream away in this Bolt of Thunder crown. This fun crown will be a part of everyday play and will let your little one explore the heights and depths of imagination.
One the right is a fun set for the your 3+ princess. A hand-made set of sweets to go along with any tea party.
In under 5 minutes and under $20 you can create a personalized onesie or shirt atsimply colors. I created one for my niece and love that it is quick & easy, yet personal. As well, moms will appreciate that they are shipping Christmas ordersFREE (as in NO charge whatsoever) in November and December 2008!
We love Canadian mom-invented name stamps are for little learners to learn and print their names. The self inking stamps fromThe Little Stamp Co. are personalized in a large dotted font so kids can stamp and trace their name on colouring pages, cards and artwork to encourage printing in a fun and interactive way! Genius!!
For Bigger Kids
We know that iPods, video games, computers and all the techie stuff are big on kid’s lists, like usual. But, you already know that. So we want to offer you some other ideas…
Totes with Quotes were created as an outlet for good ideas and phrases! Not only are they hip, trendy and good for the environment but they are a good way to have fun! We like that they are fabulous as well as fair wage, fair labour, eco-friendly reusable bags are stylish, affordable and fashion forward!
Who says blankets are just for babies? At Designs by Mimi and Lola their Kids Collection is big!! It’s is 51″ x 59″, which makes it great for a kids bed or from snuggling on the couch watching movies. Choose from non personalized or personalized.
These helmet covers for bike, skate, ski, snowboard, toboggan, and equestrian are designed to make it exciting for kids (and adults!) to wear their helmets. Tail Wags Helmet Covers increase visibility, especially in low light conditions. From tigers to zebras and much more, kids can choose from more than 30 animal themed helmets for their next adventure.
10% off all online orders placed directly with Tail Wagsfrom now until December 31, 2008. Just enter the promotion code York when checking out.
The 2nd International Cookbook for Kids by Matthew Locricchio is great for boys or girls. Following up on his popular The International Cookbook for Kids, Chef Matthew Locricchio brings us more mouthwatering recipes specially designed for kids and their families.
Veggie Teens Cookbook is a great receipe book written by 14 year old Elyse May, with the help of her doctor mom and chef dad. This boo is for teenage vegetarians, teenagers hoping to convince their parents to let them try becoming a vegetarian, vegetarians of any age, and anybody else who loves to cook and eat great food.
If you are looking for an inspiring gift, then checkout 1>0 (one is greater than none) a charity created by high school girls who wanted to make a difference. 1>0 is working hard to save kids in Africa from a life of slavery and abuse one bracelet at a time. By buying this bracelet you are helping children in Africa as well as supporting teens who are making a difference!
There is only one company who I trust to make our birthday invites and Christmas cards each year, and luckily for our readers they are based in York Region.
Grace Announcements is the place to get your cards for the upcoming holidays. Mom of 2 and owner/designer, Lindsay loves creating custom photo cards and stationery for all your life’s moments.
She has a complete line of professionally printed photo birth and adoption announcements, invitations, holiday cards, note cards, call me cards and more.
I am so excited that I just got the proof of our Christmas card yesterday and can’t wait to send it out! I can’t share it here, because I want it to be a surprise for my friends and family! But take a look at this great card, that also is a birth announcement and go to the gallery to view all the spectacular designs!
StinkyKids is a fresh & fun line of kids clothes with a motto moms can get behind: “Always be a leader of good”.
With multicultural designs you’ll most likely find a StinkyKid design that looks like your child, and as a bonus they even have sizes for moms!
We like the fact that StinkyKids are regular kids that make good choices. As we start teaching our preschooler about telling the truth and reminding him about the manners we expect we like the fact that the designs at StinkyKids capture the most treasured moments of childhood. Whether it’s a princess, a golfer, a ballerina, or kid in a bathing suit, each one captures a moment of childhood. As StinkyKids says, “a little sentiment and a lot of spunk are a part of each and every StinkyKid!”
Coupon for our readers: just enter TEN (in caps) and receive 10% all on line orders now until December 31, 2008.
Here are some of the recent product recalls as posted on the Government of Canada’s “Healthy Canadians” website. The site has some good tips on keeping your family safe and healthy.
- Gagou Tagou Pacifier Clip
- Party Blast Silly String
- Wooden Number Puzzle
- “My Baby” Brand Pacifiers
- Toy Dump Truck
- Phil & Ted’s Dash Buggy/Stroller
- Children’s Metal Water Bottles
A good idea is to put it in your outlook calendar to have a quick scan of the recall list as posted on the list on a monthly basis - just to make sure you don’t have recalled items in your home.
