Monday, October 22, 2012
Taking Your Child to the Dentist
When should a parent start taking their child to the dentist? I took my four year old to the dentist for the first time when she was two years old and she was scared. They tried to check her teeth and do a cleaning but she wouldn't open her mouth. The dentist said to bring her back when she turned three, so we did and what a difference! My husband took her and he said she was really co-operative. The dentist was able to clean her teeth and she was fine.
I have to make a dentist appointment for my three year old. This will be her first time at the dentist so I don't know what to expect. I decided the best thing to do is to take her when my four year old goes for a cleaning so she feels comfortable in that environment.
In my opinion, it's a good idea to take your child to the dentist at an early age so they get used to going. Also, the dentist can check to see if their permanent teeth are growing in properly and keep them healthy to prevent dental problems later.
I have to make a dentist appointment for my three year old. This will be her first time at the dentist so I don't know what to expect. I decided the best thing to do is to take her when my four year old goes for a cleaning so she feels comfortable in that environment.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Nose Picking
It's common for young children to pick their nose. When my four year old was younger she always picked her nose. Thankfully, she does not really pick her nose anymore. However, my three year old picks her nose and sometimes I catch her putting her finger in her mouth (Ew!) When I catch her picking her nose I stop it immediately and encourage her to wash her hands and use a tissue.
Why do children pick their nose? They could be bored or just curious. They might see other children doing it and decide they want to do it too. Maybe they have a stuffy nose from allergies or a cold and feel something in there and they are just trying to get it out the best way they know how.
When a child picks their nose punishing or nagging them is useless. Explain the spread of germs and advise them to wash their hands and use a tissue. Most likely they will grow out of that habit on their own.
Why do children pick their nose? They could be bored or just curious. They might see other children doing it and decide they want to do it too. Maybe they have a stuffy nose from allergies or a cold and feel something in there and they are just trying to get it out the best way they know how.
When a child picks their nose punishing or nagging them is useless. Explain the spread of germs and advise them to wash their hands and use a tissue. Most likely they will grow out of that habit on their own.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Nightmares
My four year old experiences nightmares. She has woken up many times crying and coming into our room in the middle of the night complaining she had a nightmare. There has been times when I have woken up to find her in our bed.
Many things can cause a child to have a nightmare, such as watching something scary on television, even though it might not be scary to other people. We don't watch anything scary around our children. We have to be careful which animated movies we watch with our four year old because she will have a nightmare.
When your child has a nightmare the best thing to do is reassure them so they feel safe and secure. When my four year old cries in the middle of the night I always go into her room and give her hugs and kisses and tell her everything is okay.
Many things can cause a child to have a nightmare, such as watching something scary on television, even though it might not be scary to other people. We don't watch anything scary around our children. We have to be careful which animated movies we watch with our four year old because she will have a nightmare.
When your child has a nightmare the best thing to do is reassure them so they feel safe and secure. When my four year old cries in the middle of the night I always go into her room and give her hugs and kisses and tell her everything is okay.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Naptime
Some parents take away their child's naptime because they have a hard time putting them to bed at night. I remember when I worked as an Early Childhood Educator I had a couple of parents requesting that I keep their child up during naptime because they had trouble with them a night. The other option is to allow them to nap in the afternoon and adjust their bed time.
My oldest daughter is almost five years old so she does not nap anymore. She might fall asleep once in a while but very rarely. When she grew out of her nap she had quiet time. I used to put her in her room for an hour with some toys or books. Now I usually put a show or movie on for her to watch while my three year old naps. During that time I can relax a little bit and try to get some things done while my four month old is asleep.
My three year old definitely needs her afternoon nap. If she does not have a nap she gets very cranky and cries for everything. She fights me on having a nap, but she always falls asleep and wakes up in a better mood. She had the biggest melt down Friday night! OMG! I had to stay home with her and the baby while my husband took our oldest daughter to gymnastics. She kicked the door, screamed, cried and dumped her toys and this went on for most of the time my husband and daughter were gone. It was clear that she was over tired. Eventually she calmed down and fell asleep for the rest of the night. Children who take a nap during the day will be less fussy and will sleep better at night.
My oldest daughter is almost five years old so she does not nap anymore. She might fall asleep once in a while but very rarely. When she grew out of her nap she had quiet time. I used to put her in her room for an hour with some toys or books. Now I usually put a show or movie on for her to watch while my three year old naps. During that time I can relax a little bit and try to get some things done while my four month old is asleep.
My three year old definitely needs her afternoon nap. If she does not have a nap she gets very cranky and cries for everything. She fights me on having a nap, but she always falls asleep and wakes up in a better mood. She had the biggest melt down Friday night! OMG! I had to stay home with her and the baby while my husband took our oldest daughter to gymnastics. She kicked the door, screamed, cried and dumped her toys and this went on for most of the time my husband and daughter were gone. It was clear that she was over tired. Eventually she calmed down and fell asleep for the rest of the night. Children who take a nap during the day will be less fussy and will sleep better at night.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Nosebleeds
When your child gets a nosebleed it can be a little scary. The first time it happens you might start to panic and think something is terribly wrong. However, once it happens enough times you start to get used to it and realize it's not as bad as you thought and there's ways to manage it. Nosebleeds are common in young children and are not usually cause for alarm. Our four year old (almost five year old) daughter started getting nosebleeds when she was three years old. When she gets a nosebleed it normally stops after a couple of minutes.
When our daughter started getting nosebleeds my husband and I were concerned because we didn't know what was causing them. We brought her to the doctor and he said nosebleeds can be caused by dry air. He also said if she's putting her fingers in her nose that could also cause a nosebleed. If your child picks his/her nose and has nosebleeds be sure to trim their nails often. He suggested we put a humidifier in her room, so we did and it worked pretty well. She still gets nosebleeds but not as often as before.
When your child has a nosebleed the best thing to do is remain calm. Using a tissue, gently pinch the soft part of the nose and have them lean forward. Try to avoid having your child lean back as the blood can go down their throat and cause vomiting. Reassure your child and keep them comfortable.
When our daughter started getting nosebleeds my husband and I were concerned because we didn't know what was causing them. We brought her to the doctor and he said nosebleeds can be caused by dry air. He also said if she's putting her fingers in her nose that could also cause a nosebleed. If your child picks his/her nose and has nosebleeds be sure to trim their nails often. He suggested we put a humidifier in her room, so we did and it worked pretty well. She still gets nosebleeds but not as often as before.
When your child has a nosebleed the best thing to do is remain calm. Using a tissue, gently pinch the soft part of the nose and have them lean forward. Try to avoid having your child lean back as the blood can go down their throat and cause vomiting. Reassure your child and keep them comfortable.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Temper Tantrums
Children throw temper tantrums when they're angry or frustrated about something. Usually if they don't get their way, they're over tired, hungry or they just want your attention they start to throw a temper tantrum.
When children are having a temper tantrum they might start to cry, scream or throw themselves on the floor. When my four year old gets angry or frustrated she starts to cry and whine. I always tell her she should be an actress because she's so dramatic. She usually does that when she can't get what she wants or when she's hungry. My three year old is a lot more emotional. When she was younger she used to throw herself back onto the ground. I was always afraid she was going to hurt her head. Now when she's having a fit she cries and runs around the house screaming. Sometimes she throws things or runs upstairs to her room. She usually acts that way because she's hungry and especially when she's tired.
When your child is having a temper tantrum the best thing to do is ignore them and stay calm. Don't give in to your child or reward that behaviour. If they continue to act that way put them in time-out and explain why. Don't go out with your child if they're hungry or tired. When you do go out with your child make sure you bring a snack for them.
After your child has a tantrum and you both had a chance to calm down, get rid of what caused the tantrum in the first place. Talk to them and give them lots of hugs and kisses and praise them for behaving better.
When children are having a temper tantrum they might start to cry, scream or throw themselves on the floor. When my four year old gets angry or frustrated she starts to cry and whine. I always tell her she should be an actress because she's so dramatic. She usually does that when she can't get what she wants or when she's hungry. My three year old is a lot more emotional. When she was younger she used to throw herself back onto the ground. I was always afraid she was going to hurt her head. Now when she's having a fit she cries and runs around the house screaming. Sometimes she throws things or runs upstairs to her room. She usually acts that way because she's hungry and especially when she's tired.
When your child is having a temper tantrum the best thing to do is ignore them and stay calm. Don't give in to your child or reward that behaviour. If they continue to act that way put them in time-out and explain why. Don't go out with your child if they're hungry or tired. When you do go out with your child make sure you bring a snack for them.
After your child has a tantrum and you both had a chance to calm down, get rid of what caused the tantrum in the first place. Talk to them and give them lots of hugs and kisses and praise them for behaving better.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Children Staying Active
It's important for children to participate in physical activity as there's many health benefits. Children who stay active will have stronger bones and muscles and reduce the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
We like to enroll our children in extra curricular activities that they enjoy to keep them active. Both of them go to swimming class and dance class every week and our four year old is also enrolled in gymnastics.
Parents should encourage their children to be active. Take them to the park and run around with them or take them for a walk. Doing things as a family is a fun way to stay active together.
We like to enroll our children in extra curricular activities that they enjoy to keep them active. Both of them go to swimming class and dance class every week and our four year old is also enrolled in gymnastics.
Parents should encourage their children to be active. Take them to the park and run around with them or take them for a walk. Doing things as a family is a fun way to stay active together.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Potty Training
In my opinion, potty training is one of the hardest things to do. I remember how stressful it was potty training my first daughter. I started potty training her when she was eighteen months old but she was not potty trained until she was three years old. Sometimes I think I might have started too soon with her. I used to put her on the potty every half hour or so and if she went I would give her a treat. I used to do flash cards and read stories to her when she was on the potty to pass time. I even tried putting underwear on her but that didn't work either. Then my husband suggested we get one of those portable potty seats and it worked! Within three days she was completely trained! She's four years old now.
My second daughter is three years old and I'm in the process of potty training her, but she is not interested at all. I started potty training her when she was two but I gave it a break because even though she seemed ready she wouldn't use the potty. I have taken a break a couple of times but I really need to get her trained as she starts kindergarten next September. I know it's a whole year from now, but time flies. I also have an almost four month old daughter so I have a really hard time putting her on the potty all the time. It's frustrating because if I put her on the potty every half hour she gets angry and does not want to go. If I wait too long then she goes in her pull-up. I tried putting underwear on her but that didn't work. I might go to the dollar store and buy a bunch of little things and wrap them. Then whenever she goes I'll give her a present. I did that with my older daughter but it did work that well with her. Every child is different so my three year old might respond better. I guess we'll see what happens.
Potty training takes a lot of patience. I have learned potty training my older daughter that the child has all the control and when she's ready she will be potty trained.
My second daughter is three years old and I'm in the process of potty training her, but she is not interested at all. I started potty training her when she was two but I gave it a break because even though she seemed ready she wouldn't use the potty. I have taken a break a couple of times but I really need to get her trained as she starts kindergarten next September. I know it's a whole year from now, but time flies. I also have an almost four month old daughter so I have a really hard time putting her on the potty all the time. It's frustrating because if I put her on the potty every half hour she gets angry and does not want to go. If I wait too long then she goes in her pull-up. I tried putting underwear on her but that didn't work. I might go to the dollar store and buy a bunch of little things and wrap them. Then whenever she goes I'll give her a present. I did that with my older daughter but it did work that well with her. Every child is different so my three year old might respond better. I guess we'll see what happens.
Potty training takes a lot of patience. I have learned potty training my older daughter that the child has all the control and when she's ready she will be potty trained.
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