Archive for the ‘child development’ Category

1. During Infancy

Unlike adults, infants contract the cold virus easily. While there are many causes of cold, proper clothing can help. It is in this regard that the need for proper clothing for your children is important. Unfortunately there are some parents who believe that infants are by nature resistant to cold due to the misguided notion that infants have a relatively higher capacity to generate their own body heat. What complicates the issue even more is the varying forms and degress of cold symptons. This can easily led to conflicting diagnosis and eventually result in deteriorating health for the cold-afflicted infants.

The simple fact is that among warm-blooded creatures the capacity to generate body heat is at its at lowest at birth. The ability to generate body heat gradually increases with age. The belief that infants generate more body heat than adults is therefore lacking in factual basis. Moreover, infants dissipate body heat more easily than adults. In this sense parents should find inappropriate the old practice of giving infants a cold bath and wrapping them in thin or loose clothing.

Proper clothing for kids must be based on a number of considerations. For instance, clothing must serve the main purpose of keeping your baby warm. Therefore the quantiy and clothing material must adjust with the season. They also need to adapt to the child’s physical condition. It is not good to wrap infants tightly and profusely all the time. Clothing that allows infants free body movements is recommended. It provides room for sweat to evaporate instead of being absorbed by clothing, preventing constant contact between clothing and skin which can result in skin irritation.

Choice of clothing material should always aim to prevent irritating the baby’s delicate skin. Flannel, for example, would be very rough for infants. But they can be good for children as they grow older. The clothing’s material is such that it gently rubs the skin and promotes its health. The make or design of infant clothes should be simple enough to make it easy for them when they change. To have them struggle each time they change clothes and the discomfort they cause are unncessary. Also, do away with clothes that make use of pins. This ensures to keep your baby away from accidents or injuries.

Changing clothes daily is necessary. It promotes hygiene and keeps diseases away, especially those related to skin problems. Bathing and washing the baby will be useless unless you change his clothes daily.

2. During Childhood

As children grow older the main purpose of their clothing is basically similar to that of clothing for infants. The key is to keep their bodies warm. Proper clothing for kids must be of materials that they do not induce skin irritation nor restrict natural body movements.

The need to keep the body warm must also aim for prevention of diseases due to viral infections. Very thin or little clothing exposes the child to various ailments escpecially in a climate such as ours which shifts frequently. Children are vulnerable to air-borne diseases. In the same manner, too much body heat due to thick clothing can also lead to various ailments. The key is to adjust clothing quantiy in harmony with weather and climatic changes.

In terms of material, children skin does well with flannel, as indicated earlier, especially during autumn. It is better though to shift from flannel clothes to cotton during summer. If these kinds of clothing still induce skin irritation, try baby clothing made of fine, fleecy hosiery.

As for infants, comfort cannot be compromised when we talk of proper clothing for kids as they grow older. Limbs and body must be free to move in ways that please the child. Clothing should not cause undue restriction on the chest and waist portions of the body. Muscles need enough room for flexing so that their full development will be aided.

Proper clothing for kids does not favor nor discriminate either sexes, except when they get much older up to their teens. Proper clothing for girls will have to differ from that of boys on the account of several factors, like physiological needs and social preferences.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/babies-articles/dressing-your-child-most-suitable-clothes-for-infants-and-children-740028.html

Technorati Tags: Belief That, Body Heat, Body Movements, Clothing Material, Cold Bath, Cold Virus, Constant Contact, Creatures, Degress, Delicate Skin, Diagnosis, Factual Basis, Flannel, Infancy, Loose Clothing, Notion, Proper Clothing, Simple Fact, Skin Irritation, Sweat

By Bimla sheokand

Arts and crafts play is the most exciting time for the preschool student. The creative bug takes over and the imagination climbs to new heights! As an educator for these young students we must find new ways or maybe old ones rejuvenated, to incorporate targeted goals while having fun. Some of the most incredible times evolve from the simplest activities created using home made mixtures.

Bubbles and more bubbles, whether blown through a straw or wire hoop, happen to be one of the most appealing summer time thrills in the preschool setting. A very easy but beautiful work of art comes from placing a narrow cup in the middle of a large piece of craft paper. Fill the cup with safe colorful bubble making ingredients and give the budding artist a straw. Have the student blow an overflowing amount of bubbles up and over the top edge of the cup. Watch out for the giggling that this activity could bring about or more than just bubbles will be on the craft paper. Variations to this activity include using several different colors of bubbles – allow the paper to dry between blowing sessions. Once the art has dried, decorate the walls with cut outs that reinforce your lesson plans. For more details pl visit the site.

Pudding paint is also a popular ‘condiment’ in the preschool or home school class. Using vanilla flavored pudding, add a couple of drops of food coloring to tint for a rainbow palette that will excite even the ficklest of artists. Again using craft paper,  Cut out shapes that will supplement your chosen lesson theme. Paint the shapes and decorate with sugar ‘glitter’. This has always brought about rave reviews.For more details pl visit the web site .

Preschoolers love to create clay style bowls to give as gifts. These items are among the most economical pieces a student can create that are three dimensional. Once you have chosen a favorite clay recipe and tinted it (unless the artist will paint the bowl when dried), assign a shape for the base. Example: If working on the square, have the student create a square base to build up the sides upon. The variations to this activity can include sensory items. Add small rough items to the clay prior to the building of the bowl or add peppermint oil to the clay for a sensory excitement explosion. This is an arty item that no one will every become tired of creating because of the endless variations.

Although these are truly fun and exciting activities, the possibilities are endless. Using the many home spun concoctions we can instill a love of creating while reinforcing the educational  or developmental goals of the preschool aged students . Never forget that FUN is always a wonderful foundation to build upon!
As we know arts and crafts play a very important role in the physical and mental development of preschooler kids , and thus it enhances the  ability of creativity in the children .

For more details pl visit to www.100computertips.com  OR
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Bimla
http://www.articlesbase.com/crafts-articles/importance-of-arts-and-crafts-for-your-young-child-694841.html

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Parents know that children do not always follow the experts when it comes to physical and intellectual development. As the closest observers of their individual child’s temperament and abilities, parents are the best judges on whether a child is ready for an academic preschool program.

An academic preschool program differs from a daycare program in that it focuses on early learning skills, pre-reading readiness and linguistic development. While there is time for free play, preschool is a learning rather than care giving environment. In past times, preschool programs were designed for children who stayed home with a parent. Children attended preschool two or three mornings a week, spending the rest of the time at home. Today, because so many parents work, preschools have been restructured to full-day programs.

However, many children in the two to three year old age group may not be emotionally mature enough for a full-day academic experience. Younger children frequently get tired and upset after too much stimulation and many still need an afternoon nap. In this case, parents should seek a program that offers academic experiences in the morning and play time, naptime and other, less structured, activities for the rest of the day.

At three, the age most children begin preschool, children have developed the ability to speak in short sentences. At this age, adults can understand about three quarters of the words children say. A functional level of verbal ability can help a child more easily navigate preschool as he or she can ask for help, to use the toilet, or whatever else they may need.

Most schools require that children attending preschool be toilet trained. The consistent ability to use the bathroom during the day is an important part of preschool readiness. While teachers are accepting of accidents, they are teachers and not daycare providers and can’t be expected to change diapers. Additionally, children should know how to pull down and pull up their undergarments and to wash and dry their own hands.

Children should also have mastered basic life skills before beginning preschool. Snacks are definitely served at preschool and often lunch is served as well. Your child should be able to manage finger foods and use a regular cup without a spout in order to manage preschool meals. Also, they should be able to put on their own shoes and coat although teachers at this level fully expect to help with buttons and zippers.

Jonathon Hardcastle
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/is-your-child-ready-for-preschool-61623.html

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Trampolines can be therapeutic and entertaining and even cost-effective. Both family and friends alike can enjoy the addition of a trampoline. Trampolines also come in a variety of styles and colors to suit every decor.

But there are a few things you need to keep in mind before you decide to get a bouncer for your backyard or family room. First, you need to make sure you feel comfortable with the idea of your children bouncing and the risk of injury. Knowing that you are covered with your homeowners insurance is a wise thing to do. Before making the purchase, make sure you research the difference between indoor rebounders and the larger kind that are for outdoors.

Trampolines and Your Child

Bouncing is great way for kids to get their daily exercise, its so much fun that it doesn’t even feel like working out to them. Jumping helps improve cardiovascular fitness as well as boosting the lymphatic system and aiding the development of balance and coordination.

But getting a trampoline for your child can also be hazardous. Serious injuries can occur with improper use or if the trampoline is cared for improperly. The most common injuries are muscle tears and strains, cuts and scrapes. Always supervise your child while using a trampoline to prevent serious injury and see if you can purchase a trampoline with a safety net or enclosure.

Another option available is to purchase an indoor bouncer or rebounder. Though smaller, they can provide many hours of fun, and many of the same benefits. Because they are smaller, they are easier to store and maintain, making them ideal for apartments and homes with small yards. However, you still want to contact your landlord or insurance agent to make sure any injuries or damage sustained will be covered.

What Are Trampolines Good For?

The good news is that trampolines are great therapeutic tools for kids with sensory integration problems or hyperactivity issues. It is also helpful for children who have difficulties with proprioception, that is, body awareness and the ability to be able to isolate body parts and trigger them into action.

Purchasing a trampoline for your child may the ideal exercise outlet. On a hot summer day, placing a sprinkler beneath the trampoline, or setting up under a tree, can provide hours of fun for the whole family and provide a refreshing break from the heat. Just don’t forget the sunscreen and always put safety first!

Jill Brennan
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/trampoline-for-your-child-factors-you-must-consider-before-you-buy-82594.html

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Parents obviously want the best for their children and always want to make sure that they are as happy as possible, as well as being as healthy as possible. One of the things that parents should watch for, however, is signs that their child might be suffering from autism or autistic spectrum disorder. The signs of this disease are not immediately obvious compared to a cut finger or bruised knee.

The signs of autism, if you are watching for them, are best to be discovered before the child reaches 1 year old. When caught early, the chances of minimizing the effects of autism are dramatically reduced. Even at very young ages such as a few weeks to a few months, you may be concerned if the child has little or no responsiveness to external stimuli, perhaps seems oblivious to parents or caretakers in the same room or holding them. As they get a bit older, another sign is a failure to anticipate movement, such as when you walk by or wave your hand in front of them.

As parents wanting the best for their children to be able to grow up and mature in a normal manner, it is important to watch for signs of this disorder, also known as Autistic Spectrum Disorder, as quickly as possible. The effects of this disorder can do serious harm to the child’s social development, social interactions, communication skills with others, and their ability to adapt to new situations, which can even extend to staying with you in a hotel on vacation instead of being in their own bed.

There is also a health risk that is enhanced for children with autism, since studies have shown that the autistic child will develop more slowly than other children of the same age and will also typically be more susceptible to diseases and illnesses such as allergies, some mild digestive disorders, and even respiratory problems.

Some of the signs of possible autism in your child that you should watch for and be aware of would include:

* Responsiveness abnormalities. children with autism do not respond in the same way as children without autism, and frequently do not even respond to hearing their own name. Children with autism are known to virtually ignore certain sounds.

* Attention span. Children with autism are frequently unable to concentrate or focus on objects that are shown to them, and also have problems following movement, such as when a parent walks past them.

* Lack of imitational skills. Autistic children frequently do not imitate their parents with facial expressions or gestures such as waving, smiling, or making faces.

* Poor social skills. People afflicted with this disorder often have difficulty in understanding other people’s feelings, relating to others around them, or even to be able to illustrate compassion for someone else in distress.

* Lack of imagination. Autistic children frequently have problems in playing “pretend games” or using their imagination. Children with autism frequently are unable to see things in a way other than the way things actually are.

It is important to watch for these signs at very early ages during a child’s development, since if autism is successfully diagnosed at an early age, chances are much better that measures can be taken at that very young age to minimize the effects of the disorder.

Jon Arnold
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-to-detect-autism-in-your-child-90778.html

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