Especially for Parents of Toddlers: Letters And Symbols Are Everywhere!

Learning that symbols and printed letters have meaning is an important early learning skill for toddlers. Symbols and letters are everywhere in a toddler’s world. It is important to help her begin to understand what they mean.

As you move around your community together, you will find opportunities to help your child understand signs. For example, she can learn that a red sign with the word STOP means that a car or bus must stop.

Signs (stop signs) and symbols (fast-food logos) can help your toddler learn that symbols and words have meaning. She will benefit by seeing the connections between symbols and letters and the things they represent.

How to do the practice:
Discover ways to help your toddler see these connections as you go out in your community together.

• Begin by noticing the words or signs that catch your toddler’s attention. Perhaps she will notice the blinking Open sign in a shop window or the red stoplight hanging over the street.
• Follow your child’s lead and comment on what she notices. “I see you looking at that blinking sign in the window.”
• Explain what the sign means. “That sign says Open and it means we can go in the store and buy something.”
• Go to the door and show her that it is open and you can go inside.
• The next time you see an Open sign on a store, point it out to your toddler and remind her what it means.
• When you see a sign or symbol that you think your toddler will like, point it out. Explain what it means (an ice cream cone, a steaming coffee cup, a lighted EXIT sign, etc.).

How do you know the practice worked?

• Does your toddler more frequently notice signs or symbols?
• Does your toddler enjoy looking at the signs you show her?
• Does your toddler ask you about the signs/symbols she sees?

Source: Center for Early Literacy Learning

Foto Friday!

Meet Saraswati of the Refugee Sewing Society (RSS). She is a refugee who escaped genocide and now resides in Clarkston, GA. She is an active member of RSS.

Click here to learn more about how RSS is making an impact in the lives of refugee women.

Eating Healthy. Growing Strong

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the American Academy of Pediatrics have joined with the best-selling children’s book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle to help families learn about healthy eating habits.


The Very Hungry Caterpillar eats many foods on his journey to becoming a butterfly. You can help your child on his or her own journey to grow up healthy and strong. To help you in this journey, we have created the following resources:

• Tips for Healthy Eating at Home Simple tips from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the American Academy of Pediatrics for eating healthy with your kids at home. 
• Reading Guide Discuss healthy active living using The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle!
• Growth Chart (PDF) Download a special The Very Hungry Caterpillar growth chart and keep track of your child’s journey to becoming healthy & strong.
• Learn more about the collaborators and the campaign. 
  Find out how this collaboration started and explore additional resources available for parents and healthcare professionals.

What's the big sweat about dehydration?

Dehydration means that your body doesn't have enough water in it to keep it working right.

Signs of dehydration:

• feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or tired
• rapid heartbeat
• drips lips and mouth

How to prevent dehydration:

• Drink water! It is a good idea to drink water before, during, and after you play... especially if you are playing in the heat.
• Wear cool clothes
• Take breaks

Source: www.kidshealth.org

Why Drinking Water is the Way to Go!

Water is so important for our bodies!

• Your blood needs water in order to carry oxygen to all the cells in your body.
• Water helps fight off illnesses
• Your skin needs water to stay smooth and healthy
• Your brain needs water to function properly
• You body needs water to regulate its temperature (i.e. sweating)

How much water should I drink?

There is no magic amount of water that kids need to drink every day. Usually, kids like to drink something with meals and should definitely drink when they are thirsty. But when it's warm out or you're exercising, you'll need more. Be sure to drink some extra water while playing sports or exercising.

When you drink is also important. If you're going to sports practice, a game, or just working out or playing hard, drink water before, during, and after playing. Don't forget your water bottle. You can't play your best when you're thinking about how thirsty you are!

You can help your body by drinking when you're thirsty and drinking extra water when it's warm out. Your body will be able to do all of its wonderful, waterful jobs and you'll feel great!

Source: www.kidshealth.org

Focus on Food!

Click here for a fun game focused on food!

How to be safe when you're in the sun

• Always wear sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher. Put sunscreen on 15 to 20 minutes before going out in the sun. Reapply every 2 hours
• Take frequent breaks from the sun by going indoors or stepping into the shade.
• Drink plenty of water! Drinking before you get thirsty helps keep the water level in your body from dropping too low when it's hot or you're sweating a lot with heat and exercise. 

Source: Kidshealth.org

Seen the new "My Plate?"

Balancing Calories

• Enjoy your food, but eat less.
• Avoid oversized portions.

Foods to Increase

• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
• Make at least half your grains whole grains.
• Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.

Foods to Reduce

• Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals ― and choose the foods with lower numbers.
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

Visit: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/!

Fun Fitness Game for Kids

Neuron Jump Rope

Jumping rope is more difficult than it looks. Working your legs and arms to jump and turn the rope at the same time is a good form of exercise. Give your child a jump rope and teach her to play Neuron Jump Rope. After she chants the following rhyme, count the number of times she jumps quickly without missing. Chant, "Neuron, neuron in my brain. How many neurons will I gain?" Have your child jump as fast as possible to see how many neurons she gets. Challenge her friends to a contest and see which child gets the highest score.

Read more here.

Web Resource - Center on the Developing Child

Drawing on the full breadth of intellectual resources available across Harvard University’s schools and affiliated hospitals, the Center on the Developing Child generates, translates, and applies knowledge in the service of improving life outcomes for children in the United States and throughout the world.

developingchild.harvard.edu

Especially for preschoolers: Write Right!

Preschoolers are just starting to understand the difference between writing and drawing. Many can write their names and some letters. To be ready to learn adult spelling, they need lots of writing practice. Even using spelling and letter shapes that are not always correct.

What is the practice?
Invented spelling is having preschoolers write using whatever letters or symbols they can. It works best when an adult helps the child “sound out” words and shows interest in the child’s attempts. There are many chances to put invented spelling into your daily routine with your child.

What does the practice look like?
By drawing a picture and writing about it with a mix of letters and “sounded-out” words, a child begins learning the rules of writing. In the same way, a child writing his name on a sign for his room, even if letters are missing, learns that he can write things others can understand.

How do you do the practice?
You can encourage your child to use invented spelling in lots of ways during the day. Look for chances for writing or drawing. Since you know your child’s personality best, figure out what activities your child likes most.

• Give your child lots of chances to observe and help you with writing during your day. For example, he can help make a grocery list by adding one or two items using invented spelling. Let him leave a note for another family member to find. He can sign his name to a letter you write to a friend. Such activities let your child practice writing and spelling skills and experience some everyday uses for writing.
• Give your preschooler various writing materials, including nontoxic markers, pencils, crayons, greet- ing cards, construction paper, lined paper, and chalk boards. All of these offer slightly different writing experiences and encourage your child to experiment.
• As your child begins to write, help by showing interest in what he is working on. Remind him to think about the sounds of the letters. Have him spell words the way they sound, rather than spelling them for him. This teaches him to listen for the sounds in words. It also helps him link what he hears with what he writes.
• Encourage your child to “read” her stories or any other written work. This reinforces the link between what she has written and its meaning.

How do you know the practice worked?

• Is your child eager and enthusiastic about writing notes, letters, and/or her name?
• Does your child offer to help you with writing in your daily routine?
• Is his/her writing gradually becoming clearer and more adult-like?

Source: www.earlyliteracylearning.org

ATL Area Event - Alphabet Soup

Alphabet Soup
June 23 - 10:30 to 11:15
Ages 2 to 6 yodel, crow, sing and wiggle in this fun-filled music program. Reservations begin June 16th.
Roswell Library - 115 Norcross Street, Roswell, GA 30075

Foto Friday!

Meet Mariam-Maken.
She is visited weekly by our Mercy Ministers in Egypt.
Mariam and her family get physical and spiritual support with the help of Better For Kids.

Smart Start Recipes

Click here for a variety of quick and easy recipes you can use with the Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ Healthy Lifestyle. Try them to save time and add interest to your meal

Show us how you're Better for Kids!

We know that you’re Better for Kids!  Here’s your chance to share your story and let all of us know what you’re doing in your community to make a difference in the lives of children and families.  Your story will be featured in our Community Section and Better for Kids blog. There will also be "You're Better For Kids" giveaways!

Please send us:

• Stories
• Photos
• Events
• Web sites

Click here to submit your story!

Foto Friday

Learning to weave!
EGSS Orphanage & Daycare - Cairo, Egypt
betterforkids.org

Kids & Food: 10 Tips for Parents

Here are some guidelines that can help encourage kids to eat right and maintain a healthy weight.

Here are 10 rules to live by:

1. Parents supply the control lines.  They control what foods are available in the home and when to serve them. We all know kids normally want the less nutritious foods, but parents are in charge of what is stocked in the home. If a favorite snack is not very nutritious, offer it to your child on occasion. 
2. From the foods you offer, kids get to choose what they will eat or whether to eat at all. Kids need to have some say in the matter. From the selections you offer, let them choose what to eat and how much of it they want. This may seem like a lot of freedom, but if you follow step 1, kids will be choosing only from the foods you buy and serve. 
3. Quit the "clean plate" club. Let kids stop eating when they feel they've had enough. When kids notice and respond to their feelings of fullness, they're less likely to overeat. 
4. Start them young. Food preferences are developed early in life, so offer variety. Likes and dislikes begin forming even when kids are babies. You may need to serve a new food on several different occasions for a child to accept it. Don't force a child to eat, but offer a few bites. With older kids, ask them to try one bite. 
5. Rewrite the kid's menu. Who says kids only want to eat hot dogs, mac and cheese, or pizza? When eating out, let your kids try new foods and they might surprise you with their willingness to experiment. You can start by letting them try a little of whatever you ordered or ordering an appetizer. 
6. Drink calories count. Soda and other sweetened drinks add extra calories and get in the way of nutrition. Water, 100% juice (4 - 6 oz. a day is enough for preschoolers), and milk are the best drinks for kids. 
7. Put sweets in their place. Occasional sweets are fine, but don't turn dessert into the main reason for eating dinner. 
8. Food is not love. Find better ways to say "I love you." When foods are used to reward kids and show affection, they may start using food to cope with stress and other emotions. Offer hugs, praise, and attention instead of food treats. 
9. Kids do as you do. Be a role model and eat healthy yourself. Choose nutritious snacks, eat at the table, and don't skip meals.
10. Limit TV and computer time. When you do, you'll avoid mindless snacking and encourage activity. Research has shown that kids who cut down on TV-watching also reduced their percentage of body fat.

Source: Kidshealth.org

April is Poetry Month!

April is Poetry Month! Click here to check out the 2011 Shel Silverstein Poetry Month Activity Kit!

Shel Silverstein was an American poet and author of children's books. Some of his most famous children and poetry books incluce: The Giving Tree, The Light in the Attic, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and Falling Up. Click here to find other fun ideas for teachers and parents on his website.

Symptoms and Prevention of Poison Ivy

Signs and Symptoms of Poistion Ivy Typically, the skin becomes red, itchy, and swollen and blisters will appear. After a few days, the blisters may become crusty and start to flake off. The rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac takes 1 to 2 weeks to heal.

Poison ivy, oak, and sumac cause a rash because of the urushiol they produce. Urushiol is a colorless, odorless oil produced in some plants. 

When to Call the Doctor

Consult your doctor if your child has any kind of rash, especially with a fever. If poison ivy or a similar plant caused the rash, the doctor might recommend cool showers and a soothing lotion, such as calamine lotion.

For more severe cases, doctors sometimes prescribe pills or creams that contain antihistamines or steroids (not the same type of steroids that bodybuilders use) to decrease itching and redness.

Prevention

Poison ivy can grow anywhere — from the woods to suburban backyards. And it's hard to identify: Not only can the green leaves of poison plants blend right in with other plants and brush, but there are several types of poison ivy, and each one can look different depending on the time of year.

Here are some tips to help kids avoid getting a rash from poison ivy:

• Teach them how to identify poison ivy, oak, and sumac, so they can steer clear of them (they should be especially careful of plants if the leaves look shiny).
• Tell them to avoid areas where you know there's poison ivy.
• Have them wear long sleeves and long pants when in areas where poison ivy might grow.
• If your dog has been out exploring the woods, give him a bath to wash off any urushiol oil that may be on his coat.

If your kids come into contact with urushiol oil, have them try to wash it off their skin right away by taking a shower and using lots of soap.

Source: kidshealth.org

Infant Feeding Guidelines

The first year of an infant’s life is his/her most rapid growth period. Nutrition is important for good health and growth. The types of foods your baby needs will change during the first year.

A normal full term baby needs only breast milk and/or iron-fortified formula for about four to six months.

Baby foods fed from a spoon will be added to your baby’s diet when he is able to: 

1. Sit with support.
2. Control head and neck movements.
3. Lean forward and open mouth when he is hungry.
4. Show he/she is full by leaning back and turning away.

Feeding Tips

1. During the first few months, hold your baby when he/she is eating. Do not prop bottles. Propping the bottle promotes tooth decay and ear problems and also may increase the risk of choking.
2. Babies cry for many reasons. If your baby has recently eaten, the cries may not be from hunger. Overfeeding may cause obesity and feeding problems.
3. If formula is used, mix only enough for one day. Refrigerate and throw away any left over after 24 hours.
4. Formula or breast milk provides the healthy baby with enough fluids so that extra water is not needed. Once baby foods have been started, water may be needed during hot weather or if your baby is ill. Do not use well water.
5. Continue breastmilk or iron-fortified formula until age one year unless your pediatrician advises otherwise. After one year of age, 2% or whole milk may be used. Skim milk should not be used in children under 2 years of age.
6. Juice is part of a healthy diet. 100% fruit juice without added sugar is best. Fruit juice should be limited to 4 oz. per day. Avoid sweet drinks such as sodas, Kool-Aid, sweet tea, and Gatorade.

Source: Bright from the Start

Click here for the full article.