Halloween Safety

   As we approach this 'spooktacular' time of year, once again I am taken back to when I was a child and would come home from trick-or-treating, excited about all the cool candy I got. Barring the few rogue pennies, apples and raisin boxes (which were always disappointing) I must say I always did well. But before I could get my hands on the candy, we always needed to do the standard candy check, because as we all remember, back in the day there was the razor blades in the apples, poison lacings and injections in the candies legends (or were they?). Although those legends may not still be around, it does bring up a good point; Halloween safety is always important.

   When you go out, if you plan on going when it's dark, bring a flashlight or put a glowing or blinking light on your kids, so drivers can see them. Make sure you walk on the sidewalk (if there is one) or along the side of the road. Don't wander in the middle of the road with your group. If your child is embarrassed to have a parent with her/him, go anyway, but hang back a little. Stay close enough where you can still see your child, but far away enough to give them some space. Also, be aware of strangers that are too friendly. If you feel uncomfortable, just excuse yourself and your child and be on your way.

   Some things to keep in mind after going door to door: Check your child's bag. Is there any open candy? anything s/he is allergic too? anything that you have a gut feeling is not safe to eat. If so, then throw it out. If there is anything homemade, unless it's from someone you know, it's probably best to throw that out as well. You never know what is in the food.

   Lastly, have fun. Halloween may feel like a chore to some parents, but it's a very exciting night for children, so enjoy their fun too. One of the benefits of being a parent is getting to eat some of your child's candy... so just think about getting to pick out some of your favorites, because you may be to old to say 'trick-or-treat' but you are never to old to eat Halloween candy!

Baby Einstein: Doesn't turn your baby into an Einstein

Disney's line of "genius" videos including "Baby Einstein", "Baby Mozart", "Baby Shakespeare", etc seemed like a good idea at the time. The title's alone bring about the thought of prodigies and geniuses, therefore it's easy to get swept away in the notion that perhaps if you show these videos to your child, s/he too can be more than an average baby (not that there is anything wrong with average). Unfortunately, however, any claims whether stated, inferred or assumed that these videos do anything more than entertain your baby, are now proven to be false.

Disney's admission to this comes in the form of refunds to parents who have purchased these videos since 2004. It does remind us that although it is nice to have something with content that may actually stimulate your child's mind, instead of the type of show that will "rot your brain", clearly there is no substitution for you; the parents. It is a parents job, not a videos, to help foster and support the development of your child through play, books, picture card etc.

Even if these videos lived up to their titles, it's rare that your baby would be a genius or Mozart, but your child can do well and be at the top of the learning curve instead of the bottom, if you support and work with your child. Don't wait for someone else to do it. Don't think to yourself, well s/he'll learn all that in school, or through t.v. Instead, having a good parental work ethic can help your child meet developmental milestones and be prepared when s/he starts school. Basics like colors, counting and knowing the alphabet will start you on your way. For some other helpful suggestions Psychology Today offers really great advice here.

Teacher Uses the Wii to Help Improve Student's Motor Skills

We know kids love video games. And we know that video games require good dexterity and hand eye coordination. The Wii fit also requires it's users to have good balance as well, so it makes a perfect addition to a classroom with multi handicapped students.

As part of a grant, Kevin McDaniel, a teacher at the Elgin West Elementary School purchased and uses the Wii in his classroom, using it to help increase student's gross motor and fine motor skills as well as improve attention.

Also used as a tool in physical therapy this new phenomenon is known as "Wiihab" helping people recover from surgery and injuries and now as a tool in the classroom to aid children with disabilities.

Not a bad way to spend some time in class huh? Who loves video games? Wiiii do!

To read the original article click here

Puppies Behind Bars

Has your child ever asked you for a puppy? They are so cute and cuddly that we all can understand why a child would want one. Having a dog can bring so much fun and joy into our lives but they also require a lot of time and patience amongst other things. Kids usually do not think about or may not understand just how much work it takes to own a dog, which can be just one of the many reasons why a parent says 'no' when a child asks to get a puppy. But what if you want to say 'yes', but circumstances are such that you are not able to? Well...being a volunteer with the program Puppies Behind Bars, may just be a solution to your problem.

Puppies Behind Bars is an amazing program in which inmates in correctional facilities in the New York Tri State Area raise and train puppies. These puppies live in the cell with their raisers who are responsible for caring for and training them. The puppies then go out 2-3 weekends a month with volunteers referred to as "puppy sitters" who as the website describes:

"take the dogs into their homes in order to expose them to things they won't experience in prison. These can be as simple as hearing doorbells or the sounds of a coffee grinder, and as complex as learning how to ride in a car and walk down a crowded sidewalk."

The dogs are golden retrievers and labs whose ages range about 5 or 6 months to about 10 months old. The goal is to have them graduate and move on to further training as bomb sniffing dogs or service dogs. Since these dogs are on such a strict regime, they are house trained and are much better behaved than most puppies. They are not allowed to sit on furniture, eat 'human' food, or bark.

Since my roommate was a volunteer for this program, I was able to see first hand how the program works and enjoy spending time with the wonderful dogs. As someone who has never had a dog before, it was a great way not only to learn what it would be like to own a dog, but to get out of the house and do something different. I will admit it was hard at times to say goodbye, but it was fun being with so many different dogs of all sizes and personalities.

Here is how it works if you are a volunteer: You must commit for one year to the program. After a few days of training, the volunteers then begin taking the puppies for either an overnight stay once a month or 2 weekend days a month. You only need to take the dog for a few hours during the day. The program allows you to request specific dogs but there are times you may not be given that dog. The volunteer is responsible for picking up and dropping off the dog and the correctional facilities.

Depending on if you think your child would be able to deal with saying good-bye to the dogs after a few hours or even an overnight stay with them, this program is a great way to have all the excitement that comes with having a dog without having to own one, and at the same time your child will be learning things like responsibility for caring for another living being. And you all be giving back to an important program.

Learn more about the program by clicking here. Even if you don't think the program is for you, check out the site anyway and pass on the info.

Important Information to leave for Babysitter

The weekend is finally here and you've called your babysitter and are looking forwards to a night out without the kids. Sure you have your cellphone with you in case the sitter needs to get in touch with you and you've written down some other information, but did you leave enough info for the person you have entrusted to care for your babies? Some things may be obvious to you but depending on the age of your sitter, these things may not be so obvious to them. And since most likely the person watching your children is on the younger side, the more information you give and have written down the better. Also, if there is any sort of emergency, you want to make sure your babysitter is fully equipped to answer any questions that may come her way because no matter how old you are, it's easy to forget information during a crisis. As you prepare for your sitter to arrive, here are some things to keep in mind...

Things to have written down in a place that is easy to find:

* Your address. Don't assume they know it. Even though your babysitter knows how to get to your house, and may know the name of the street, she may not remember the number of your house. Also, if there was an emergency, it's very easy to forget information like that.

*All current phone numbers: fire, police, doctor,family or friend's to call if you can't be reached or are far away, your cell phone numbers and home phone number.

*The children's information. Make sure your children's birthdays and ages are written down, as well as any known allergies they have. If there was a medical emergency with your child, one of the questions asked would be the age of the child.

*The number of where you will be. Just because you have a cellphone doesn't mean that your babysitter will be able to contact you. There are still many places with poor or no cell service. Leave the name and number of where you'll be so that the babysitter will be able to get through no matter what.

Tell the babysitter you are not expecting anyone and ask them not to open the door for anyone, even if it's the ConEd or UPS guy. Let them know it's ok to call you if there is a question about someone who has shown up at the house.

Things you should leave out (for day and/or night):

-Full bottles and enough of them. Or make sure to leave formula, empty bottles with tops and clear instructions out on the counter if it needs to be mixed.

-Snacks for the kids and sippy cups (if they are of that age).

-Diapers out or in an easily accessible place.

-Pajamas for each child, out on their beds so the babysitter knows whose is whose. If you are leaving your kids during the day, leave out at least 1 extra change of clothes, so the sitter doesn't have to bother with finding them.

-Some food for the babysitter. And have some designated food in the fridge/freezer that she can have as well. Be sure to explain what is ok to eat.

-Movies that your children like to watch and that they have permission to watch that day/night

-A list of t.v. channels your kids watch along with programs names. If possible, put the times of those programs too. If you have shows on the DVR, leave that list then.

When your babysitter arrives, if it's their first time, show them around the house, how to use the remotes and where everything they need is. If it's not the first time, you should still remind the sitter of some things, like to lock up after you leave and to call if there is any problem, etc.

Don't be afraid to ask the sitter to clean up after herself... and your child. Remind her to change your babies diaper before s/he sleeps...even if it is only a little bit dirty. It's helpful for younger babysitters to understand that you change a diaper often.

Once you leave, make sure you have fun and enjoy being out. Don't call every second. There is nothing wrong with calling once to see how things are going, but it is unnecessary to call over and over to 'check in'. Your babysitter knows to call if there is a problem, and you wouldn't have left such a precious package in their hands if you didn't think they could handle it, so go and enjoy yourself.

Get Ready for Kindergarten

It's that time of year again. All the stores are having their back to school sales and that excitement of returning back to school is in the air. Well, for most people except for maybe the parents of the kids starting kindergarten. When your child is starting Kindergarten, it can be exciting, scary and a little sad all in one for both parents and kids. It is a big day which marks the beginning of your child's school days and a lot of new experiences.

"Are you going to be there with me"? a friend's child asks me. Honestly, I wish I could. I love Kindergarten! Although it's not what it used to be. I remember the days of half day Kindergarten classes which included free play, learning to read and write, eating a snack and... yea... well that's all I can remember but I also remember how much I enjoyed it. These days it's way more work. Even so, it's a very wonderful time...but how can you explain this to your skeptical 4 or 5 year old?

Some things you can do to keep you both from getting upset is, to talk about those first days. Be honest. Let your child know that s/he may be sad and miss home and want mommy or daddy, and it is ok and natural to feel that way. Tell your child you will miss them too and plan an exciting activity for them when they get home that they know about. Also, let them know what to expect during the day such as lunchtime, recess, gym, big classes, new people, following rules, etc. Sign up to be a parent volunteer or class mother/father so that you can see what is going on and your child will know that mommy or daddy will be coming to school.

Kindergarten is a right of passage so to speak into the education world your child is entering. Enjoy this time and help your child enjoy it too. Think about and look forwards to all the fun things they will be doing, school trips you can go on together, and artwork to put on the fridge. And remember... some can say that everything they needed to know in life, they learned in Kindergarten!

Things to do in the car

It's summertime and that means day trips or long drives to vacation destinations. During these longs drives your built-in or portable DVD player comes in handy to distract your children. Although a great invention and it's nice for your child to have some entertainment in the car, these days too many parents rely solely on these DVD players and not just during long car rides.
Unfortunately it has become somewhat of a ritual now for many kids to jump in the car and stare at the screen. Even when riding in the car for 10 minutes.

The car is a great place to take advantage of time with your child because it is a contained environment. Turn off the DVD player, put your phone on silent, and you have a place where there are minimal distractions. It's a great opportunity to interact with your child instead of them zoning out while watching a movie they probably know by heart. There are so many things you can do during this time. Encourage your child's imagination by playing fun games, sing songs with or without music in the background or just take the time to talk to your kids and enjoy their company while they are still young.

Once you get rid off all the distracting technology and pay homage to the good old days when there was nothing to do but play punch buggy, the license plate game or sing goofy songs, you'll see how much fun it is to just enjoy being a kid again. Not only will it be fun, but It will help relax you and will strengthen your connection and relationship with your children too. You know what they say... the family that plays together...so happy driving!

Parenting Etiquette

Being a parent is a special opportunity that comes with a lot of joy and good times. It is also a lot of work. As a parent, you need to juggle your responsibilities and also conduct your parenting fairly publicly. We know you love your precious adorable kids, and we love them too, but when you are a parent and you are spending time with someone who does not have kids (even if your friend does have kids), there is some parenting etiquette that you may want to keep in mind.

In The Car:
People without kids like their cars clean. Although you have become accustomed to cheerios, cracker crumbs, sticky juice stains and odd things here and there, some people may not be ok with this for their own car. If you and your child are going in the car of someone else, it would be a nice gesture to ask before giving your child a full juice box or a bag of messy snacks. Don't be offended if they do not want these things in their car, everyone has their own rules for what they allow in the car. And chances are you will be at your destination shortly and your child can enjoy all the snacks and juice they want.

On The Phone:
It can be very annoying to be on the phone with someone who interrupts you...oh... let's say about 5 times in less than 5 minutes to ask their child what they are doing or comments on whatever it is that is going on. Yes, there are times when your child needs you, but what happened to the 'when mommy is on the phone, you better not interrupt unless there is a fire or someone is bleeding' rule??? Ask yourself if it's absolutely necessary to engage in conversation with your child at that moment, or can it wait? Perhaps if you cannot refrain from speaking to your kids while you are on the phone, it may be better to make your calls when your kids are asleep or otherwise occupied and won't require your full attention.

Sick Days:
Anyone who cares about you and your kids wants to know how your child is doing if they are sick, but no one needs to know all the gory details or exactly what happened last night while your child was up at 3 a.m. Stick to the facts saying something like "S/he still has the sniffles and isn't sleeping well, thank you so much for asking". This way you can give an update, without too much information.

In Public:
I was on the phone with my friend the other day, while she was at the beach. Suddenly I heard screeching and yelling in the background that was so loud that I could barely hear my friend. What was that noise you ask? It was a mother "talking" to her kids. Needless to say this ruined my friend's relaxing day at the beach and she eventually left. That same day I had a similar experience while I was at the pool trying to relax. My quiet time was disturbed by a group of people with children sitting behind me as they were talking about how one of the little girls has learned to sing "twinkle twinkle little star". They proceeded to sing quite loudly. There is nothing wrong with showing off what your children can do... but do we all need to be part of those moments? If you need to deal with behaviors in public or even when playing with your children, it is not necessary to do it at volumes that can be heard from miles away. Remember that other people are around also trying to enjoy their day so maybe use quieter voices, and help keep the peace.

Whether you are talking with people who have kids or people who do not, keep in mind how long you are talking about your child. Is this topic dominating the conversation? Are your kids all you ever talk about? Parenting is a tough job, so give yourself a break now and then and enjoy catching up with your friends by talking about what is going on with you and them, not just your kids.

Babytalk: When does it go away?

The other day I was talking with my friend when she asked me "when is the 'L' sound going to come? Are my kids ever going to be able to say Lion?". This was a very good question. Different sounds come in or develop at different ages. 'L' is one of the latest sounds to develop and can come as late as 6 years old. Some children are able to say their 'L's and even 'R's at a very young age, but other children take longer to develop these sounds so it is o.k. if a 4 year old still calls a lake the "Yake" for example.

Even though it's natural for children who are 4 and 5 to have some articulation errors, it is essential for them to hear the correct way that they should be pronouncing words. The important thing to keep in mind is NOT to imitate your child or speak the way s/he speaks...as tempting as it is to do. For example if your child wants his/her "Wed" ball, you say ok here is your "Red ball" and if you're going to see the "Yions" at the zoo please tell your child the "Lions" will be there. Otherwise your child may actually think s/he is saying the word correctly because that's how mommy or daddy say it and then continue to say the word wrong. By hearing the correct way to say words, as sounds develop at a natural rate, your child will begin to say words correctly.

If by about 6 years old you are still noticing many errors, and/or have difficulty understanding your child you may want to consult with the school's Speech Therapist to see if there is an articulation delay.

In the meantime go grab you and the kids some wed yayipops...just be sure not to call them that! ☺

On the Spectrum

Autism is called a Spectrum Disorder because it ranges from mild to severe. More severe forms are alot easier to recognize than milder cases because the characteristics are all there such as delay in or no speech and language skills, poor social skills and repetitive patterns of behavior.  Those with Asperger's Disorder for example, can sometimes be harder to recognize, especially in younger children since they have good language skills, can have average IQs as well, but difficulty with social skills. Because there can be difficulty diagnosing Autism and sometimes children have some but not all characteristics to meet the criteria for this diagnosis, there are times when children are diagnosed as Other Health Impairment(OHI) or Not Otherwise Specified (NOS). 

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding Autism in terms of what works and what doesn't to help those with the disorder improve. So far, there has been no conclusive evidence to show that gluten free diets, charcoal diets, or things such as seratonin shots will cure Autism or even help someone with Autism improve. Additionally, there is no conclusive evidence to say that vaccines cause the disorder. There are 3 facts out there that have remained true. 1- There is no known physical cause for disorder.  2- There is no cure.  3-The only proven techniques to help someone with Autism improve, have been behavioral and therapeutic interventions.

With interventions, the skills that children on the spectrum have can improve. Picture cards and visual aids often help those on the spectrum make sense of the world and help them organize and process what is being said or what needs to be done. Social groups help them learn what is appropriate in social settings. Speech Therapy can also help improve social skills, language and communication. Occupational Therapy can assist with sensory issues.

Autism is a complex disorder that is still being discovered and there is a lot more to learn about it. There are many resources and organizations now which support research and educate the public, so that we can continue to learn more about Autism:

Autism Speaks

Autism Society of America

Division TEACCH

National Institute of Mental Health

Center for Disease Control and Prevention