Linking Post @ http://www.kidsculturecenter.com/

This is a site that promotes culture in kid's development. Even the idea of adoption from different countries around the world.  This is a good way to install culture variation into family dynamics. The idea is to promote a more diverse atmosphere and an acceptance of various other cultures! On a personal note, I was adopted, and my experience has been great, but others may of had a different experience.

Stages & Ages

Though the days turn into weeks, to months, to years, children become adults, and the stages will pass before you know it!

Before you begin on the path to parenthood, it is important to choose a Doctor who you can trust! Someone who is reliable, local, kind, and sharp minded. You want to make sure that your baby is going to be in the hands of someone you know and can trust.

The Two weeks stage: As you begin to prepare for the road ahead, it is important to wise up! Change is on the break, and the better prepared and aware you are of this change, the more able you will be to handle situations properly and decrease the level of unpredictability. 

 Two months of Miles of Smiles. You will enjoy this stage as their facial expressions begin to take shape and form. Those faces of confusement, excitement, fear, frustration will engage in the communication process.

Four months. Their personality will begin to emerge and reflect your own as they will pick up and mimic the expressions that you display and show them. They will begin to interpret your response to them and begin to form patterns of thinking.

Six months. Observation and socialization. They want a part of what you have. Around the dinner table, they begin to imply, point, or grunt for what they want. All this time, they have watched you interact with others around, and they want to engage too!

Nine Months. Call it the stomp and stumble. Be sure to watch them carefully. As some may say "You have to watch them like a hawk!" They will begin to take off here and there and everywhere. Make sure to not let distractions miss them heading for places like the stairs, outdoor pool areas, the kitchen, and the garage.

One Year! You've made, and so have they! They are only going to continue to grow and learn and mature from this point on. Establishing healthy, and positive behaviors, pattens, and habits is crucial at this point.

15 Months. Into this, pulling out the diapers from the hamper, they will get into everything that is within hand's reach! Be sure to use caution and keep dangerous tools, objects, and harmful things out of their path.  They are into the 'do' of things. They don't want you to spoon feed them anymore, they want to do it themselves! Independence is theirs and begins to develop!

Two Years. More independence! "Mine" becomes one of their favorite words. You may say to them, "Now Jimmy, you need to share that with your friend." They don't get that concept at this age. By mirroring proper behavior, they will eventually begin to follow. Discipline is something that needs to be brought in.

Three Years. As the babyhood years seemed so pleasant and easy, don't start kicking your feet up too soon! Childhood development will almost put you back at starting point A. It is like learning something new for the first time. The thing to remember is keep a firm attitude, and a little discipline will not hurt. Cooperation is what you want, so make sure that you give affirming and positive rewards for good behavior, as well as consequences for bad behavior.

Four Years.  Self reliance integrated with responsibility builds good character. Accomplishment and the recognition of these things is important to guide them with. They will come to distinguish that completion of a task brings self-confidence.

Ten Years. Pre- Adolescent age can be a test of patience, when the attitude starts to kick in and it begins to get a little frustrating. Kids are influenced by their friends a majority of the time, and start to rebel against your will as parents. If you give enough room and some discipline, you want to try and find a balance somewhere in between.

Teen Years. The problem is more attitude. They want the independence, and the choice, the freedom. The one thing that you hear as a kid is "I'm doing this for your own good," "Or you'll understand once you are older," or "It's because I love you." These comments are things that are heard a lot. It is not that you don't care, but don't smother them!

Linking Post @ http://www.familyresource.com/blog/2009/02/11/top-3-herbal-remedies-for-kids/

This link serves as a FYI on natural remedies. It is important to be careful of the dangers and allergies that could be present while taking herbal substances. Make sure to read labels so that you do not overlook or miss anything! Three of the top herbal remedies you can give to children are: 

1. Chamomile, which is good for calming the nerves and for winding down children before they go to bed. CAUTION! Should not be used for allergies of "Ragweed" or "Daisy Family Allergy."

2.  Garlic helps with cleansing and serves as an anti-viral product. A flushing of the inner system is 

best done with garnishing plates and dishes with some garlic. CAUTION! Should not be taken if you are on any kind of blood-thinning medication or have food allergies to garlic.

3.  Omega3 fatty acids are found in fish oils, flax seeds, and nuts. They are very good for your brain which help promote learning.

One last final note: Always consult a doctor or a professional before you start using herbal supplements for yourself or for your children. 

Linking Post @ http://childdevelopmentblog.info/

This is a good link to help understand some of the basics of kid's minds and the things that help them grow into healthy thinkers, speakers, manipulators, and learners. This link also has some good stories about the interaction children encounter on the playground, with the toys they play with, computer technology and its influence, and many other good story topics on children's development.

Let 'em Play!

When the idea of children's play centers began back in the 1970's, it opened a door to a world full of ideas, plans, precautions, and helpful tips for the future concerning children's growing need for play.

One important tip is to keep the child's safety as a center concern. They have a lot of energy and will exert that energy causing their coordination to sometimes become disconnected. 

Play time affects children's development in cognition, social skills, use of language, and motor skills and is a part of how their minds dip into creativity. "Play leads to discovery, reasoning, manipulative skills, divergent production and improves problem solving (Dansky, 1980; Sylva, 1977)." Many of these skills will also be needed as they mature into adults.

Researchers are beginning to identify ways to provoke children's play in new and imaginative ways which promote cultural awareness.  

It is explained that the experiences of childhood, especially play, help form the brain's circuits. If neurons are not used they may die (Begley, 1996).

High emphasis is placed on children's physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle.  Too much of kid's every day activities involve occupying couch space and sitting glued to the TV or video games, and this must change! Parents, keep them active and participating in new and fun activities like sports and youth programs like the Ymca or Boys & Girls Club.

Researchers say that play time is crucial and is even therapeutic. "A growing body of research reviewed by Landreth (1995) concludes that playing helps children to resolve conflicts resulting from child abuse, family disruptions and other trauma."

One last final note. Kids enjoy playing, but it is also good for them. Even though it is easy to let them convince you that they'd rather watch Batman or Disney channel, keep them going and try and keep up with them if you can!

                                                                                          

What is SIDS?

SIDS is something that a parent never wants to encounter.  SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome which can occur in infants ages 0-12 months.  Researchers have identified ways to prevent this type of occurrence from happening.

*Always place baby on their back while sleeping! Never on their stomach! (could cause suffocation.)

*Remove any extra blanketing, stuffed animals, or pillows from baby's crib.

*Place a fan in the baby's room to help increase ventilation, and reduces CO2 buildup that may gather around a baby's face.

*Never overheat a room!

*Keep monitoring and checking on them especially while sleeping (even though this may mean little to no sleep for you).

EXTRA Note:  This article helped me understand and become more aware of one of many threats and dangers that can happen during early childhood development.  This is a post that I hope others will benefit from and will raise their conscience level.  Even the most simple steps towards prevention can help!

Kid+ology

Introduction

This blog will go into child development, roles, patterns and behaviors.  Through research and study of past and current expertise, I hope to embark in this journey of learning and growing in my understanding and appreciation for kids and their physical, social, and emotional make-up.  I have seen the contributions that kids have already made and I am eager to see what contributions will be made, but are yet to come.

For additional information on beginning to understand different aspects of development, you can go to my "Additional Links"