Rated E for Everyone

With the never ending advancement of technology, many households are being filled with video games. Every year there seems to be a new game system, and we can't even begin to discuss how many new games are coming out. And now, the question of where to draw the line. Many parents feel the need to expose their children to technology such as the computer, but how much exposure is too much?

No one can draw a solid line, but as parents, it is your responsibility to find a balance. With new game systems such as the Wii, children and families are being brought together to enjoy time and are getting physical activity. When deciding on how much time your child should spend playing video games, evaluate their lives and decide if they are spending adequate time on important things for their development.

The Child Development Institute suggests:

1. Parents should be aware of the content of the games and question whether it is appropriate for the age and developmental level of their child.

2. Parents should monitor how much time their children spend playing video games as well as other activities.

If a child is getting physical activity, keeping up with school, helping around the house, and doing other things that are applicable to them, then playing video games can be a nice reward and relaxation.

There are also many new electronic games that help kids learn and stimulate their brains. Products from Leapfrog, Vtech, and Fisher Price, are are available to educate children.

There used to be a concern about how much television children should watch, but in our world today, parents worry about how much time on video games, cell phones and computers children should use. Create boundaries and rules that allow your child to use technology but also set times when they need to be paying attention to what is around them.

Most importantly, practice what you preach.

Reading Inspires Children

"You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be--
I had a mother who read to me"
-Strickland Gillilan

We live in a day and age where there are so many things to worry us, to occupy our time, and to encourage us to be better. We are surrounded by an immense amount of new technology that makes life easier and enables us to do more. New ideas and ways are discovered daily to improve our lives and parents are learning the best ways to care for their children. But, we cannot forget a simple tradition that often is taken for granted and that is reading to children. Since the beginning of time, before writing was invented, people have told and retold stories, and then writing was invented and stories of myth and folk lore are found throughout the world. We have it a lot easier, we have libraries and bookstores with a surplus of books.

An article titled The Importance of Reading states:
"It is observed that children and teenagers who love reading have comparatively higher IQs. They are more creative and do better in school and college. It is recommended that parents begin to inculcate the importance of reading to their children in the early years. Reading is said to significantly help in developing vocabulary, and reading aloud helps to build a strong emotional bond between parents and children. The children who start reading from an early age are observed to have good language skills, and they grasp the variances in phonics much better."




This video is a bit of an exaggeration, but encourage your child to read. You can also teach by example and together your minds will expand with new vocabulary and ideas.

Not every activity you plan has to incorporate physical exercise, but some familiy activities should exercise the mind.

Inspire your children.

Children's Health Care

According to Families USA over 9 million children in America do not have health insurance. On January 29, 2009, the Senate passed CHIP and the House approved on February 4, 2009. President Obama did not wait one day and signed the bill on the same day.

CHIP stands for Children's Health Insurance Program, and it was created to provide health coverage to low income children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. All states have a CHIP program and are able to design the program according to their desires.

If your child is not insured, check out your states local CHIP program. Protect your child and yourself.

Play Time

Here are some fun activities for your child which are also great ways to exercise. Whether your child is by himself, with a friend, or with a group of friends, there are always ways to have fun and to be active!

When your child is by himself:

• Practice hopscotch
• See how long that she or he can hop on one foot
• Do jumping jacks
• Invent dance moves
• Do sprints and have he or she time him or herself
  

When there are two:

• Have a handstand contest
• Invent dances to favorite songs
• Jump rope together
• Ride bikes
• Practice pitching and hitting a baseball

When there is a group:

• Have a skateboarding contest
• Play tag
• Play outdoor hide-and-seek
• Dance to music

When it is cold outside:

• Play tag in the snow
• Take a nature hike and look for animal footprints
• Go sledding
• Make snow angels

When it is hot outside:

• Go swimming
• Have a water balloon toss
• Take a nature walk on a shady trail
• Wash your dog outside
• Wash cars
• Turn on sprinklers and let them run around

For a more detailed list check out kidshealth.org.

These lists are very short, but hopefully it sparked some creativity and now you will be able to come up with even better ideas of activities for your child.

Don't forget to get out and play with them!

Counting Sheep

Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.


Sleep is a vital necessity that we all too often put aside. As our days get busier we tend to cut back on sleep and not our other daily tasks. Now we could discuss our own sleep problems, but instead let's focus on our children.


The most important thing you can do as a parent is to follow a nightly routine. A routine helps your child relax, fall asleep, and stay asleep throughout the night. Bedtime should be a positive and relaxing experience.

Here is an example from the National Sleep foundation of a typical routine:

1. Have a light snack

2. Take a bath

3. Put on Pajamas

4. Brush teeth

5. Read a story

6. Make sure the room is quiet and at a comfortable temperature

7. Put your child to bed

8. Say goodnight and leave




It is important for you to make sure your child gets enough sleep. You will be able to see a difference in their nature, energy and the smile on their face when they receive an adequate amount of sleep. If your child is not sleeping through the night, then he or she may have a sleep problem and medical attention would be beneficial.

According to The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, experts recommend that your child get the following amount of sleep at each stage of growth:

• Infants(3 to 11 months): 14 to 15 hours


• Toddlers: 12 to 14 hours


• Preschoolers: 11 to 13 hours


• School-age childre: 10 to 11 hours
  

Making sure your child receives a good night's rest will make his or her and your day a lot better. Remember to stick to relaxing activities such as counting sheep and not high stimulating activitise such as T.V. before bedtime.

Kids in the Kitchen?

If you are one of the many parents who struggle with picky eaters, then try bringing them into the kitchen. It is a scary thought, with the sharp utensils and the hot stove, but studies have found that kids who help prepare meals tend to be less picky eaters. Children usually at least try the foods that they have prepared. It creates a positive environment and you will be able to make memories with your child. Preparing dinner can be stressful with children running around, so why not involve them and get them excited to eat what they have prepared after their hard work.

Try these fun recipes or use some family favorites:

Little Kids' Lasagna

Ingredients:
1 small aluminum loaf pan (about 3 by 8 inches, preferably with plastic cover) for each guest
1 pound sweet Italian sausage (or ground beef)
1 pound lasagna noodles
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 jar (32-ounce) spaghetti sauce
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup pesto (optional)

1. Prepare the sausage and the lasagna noodles. (If this is part of a party, prepare the noodles the night before.) Remove the sausage from the casing and cook over medium heat, breaking up the clumps, until completely brown. Drain the fat, set the meat in a bowl, and cover with plastic when cool. Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Rinse the noodles and toss them with olive oil to prevent them from sticking together. (Tip: If the noodles don't fit in your loaf pans very well, you may want to trim them ahead of time.) Lay the noodles in a 13- by 9- by 2-inch pan and cover with plastic. Then store the precooked ingredients in the refrigerator.

2. Just before the party, place the sauce, cheeses, and pesto (if desired) into bowls. Set them around the table along with the cooked lasagna noodles and sausage, and loaf pans and serving spoons.

3. Invite guests to assemble their lasagnas, starting with a layer of sauce on the bottom of their pans (to prevent the noodles from sticking). Have the kids continue layering on noodles, meat, sauce, and cheese until they are satisfied with their lasagnas.

4. Put the pans on cookie sheets and bake at 300º for about 20 minutes, or until the ingredients are warm and the cheeses have melted. Serve the lasagnas slightly cooled and let the kids eat right out of the pans. To send the leftovers home, cover the loaf pans with their plastic covers or aluminum foil. Serves 6 to 8 kids.

Sunny Broccoli

Ingredients
3 cups broccoli florets
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 clove minced garlic
Salt and pepper

Steam 3 cups broccoli florets for 5 minutes. Toss with 2 tablespoons orange juice, 1 tablespoon canola oil, 1 clove minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Spoon the broccoli mixture onto clementine slices arranged in the shape of a flower. Tip: Ready in 15 minutes.

This one is fun and easy and kids can have fun arranging the vegetables on the plate!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When should my child start eating normal foods?

When making the transition from breast milk or formula to solid food, most babies are ready to start solid foods while still using breast milk or formula at six months. Here are cues from MayoClinic.com to know when the transition should start:

• Can your baby hold his or her head in a steady, upright position?
• Can your baby sit with support?
• Is your baby interested in what you are eating?

2. What to do with a picky eater?

Children can become picky eaters for various reasons such as being more sensitive to smell, sight and texture and following parent's eating habits. You may have heard from other resources of the need to share responsibility between the parent and the child.

• The parent has responsibility to control what, where and when food is provided.
• The child has responsibility to decide how much and whether or not to eat the food.

The idea of sharing responsibility and other ideas can be found at UCSF Children’s Hospital’s webpage.

First try sharing the responsibility between you and your child and see what progress is made before incorporating other approaches.

3. When should I be concerned about my child's emotional health?

Parents often wonder if their child is going through a stage or if there is serious problem that needs to be looked into. Each child is different and the more you as a parent know about the child’s health and what usually occurs at specific ages, the better prepared you will be if help is needed.

Here are a few examples that will be a sign of a child possibly needing professional help from The Mental Health Association of Westchester:

• Falling behind in school or earning lower grades
• Repeated refusal to go to school
• Losing interest in friends or activities usually enjoyed
• Hyperactivity or fidgeting
• Persistent nightmares
• Depression, sadness or irritability
• Regular worry or anxiety

4. How can I prevent my child from becoming obese?

Obesity is increasing in all ages and that gives many parents the right to be concerned. Preventing obesity should be a family affair and you with your family can work on it to promote healthy lifestyles by changing habits. A healthy weight is achieved through a balance of exercise and healthy eating.

Additional tips from Medical News Today:

• Change your vocabulary to use words such as "activity" instead of "exercise"
• Limit the amount of TV watching and other activities that require sitting for long periods
• Limit the frequency of fast-food eating to no more than once per week
• Avoid using food as a reward or the lack of food as punishment

You as a parent can have a high influence on your child by setting a good example of being active. Remember that behavioral changes take time and work.

5. At what age should my child start exercising?

You should always be encouraging your child to be physically active. At a young age, the physical activity usually comes by playing. Encourage your child to play outside when weather permits and to be active in the house when weather does not permit. Plan family activities that allow everyone to be active and making physical activity a part of life.

6. What fruits and vegetables are the most important for my child?

Better Health Channel offers great advice for a child's diet and how and why to incorporate fruit and vegetables into their diet. There are not specific fruits and vegetables that should hold a precedence over others because all are equally important. The main focus on feeding your child should be to include a variety. Choose fruits and vegetables of different colors particularly yellow, green and red. To keep costs down buy those that are in season and frozen.

7. Should I have my child vaccinated?

This is a decision that requires research and it finally comes down to what you think is best. Here are a few reasons from the CDC website of the importance to vaccinated:

• Vaccinate to protect your child from preventable diseases
• Better to prevent a disease than to treat it
• A baby exposed to a disease may not be strong enough to fight it
• Immunizing individual children protects the community

A large amount of information can located on the CDC website and can answer more specific questions.

8. What are other ways to toilet train without using food as a reward?

Toilet training should not begin until both you and your child are ready. Your child is most likely ready when he or she can tell if their diaper is wet or when he or she says they need to go potty. Make the bathroom a positive environment and make the toilet special to them by letting them know that is their "chair."

Once your child is comfortable in the bathroom, talk positively to them and let them know of your praise when they do go to the bathroom in the toilet. Toilet training takes time, but create a positive environment instead of a place where they go to get treats.

For more advice visit Family Doctor.

9. How much food should I give my child?

A child's age, sex and activity level all determine the proportion size of food. There is no one size fits all. By sharing the responsibility of food with your child, if you provide the food, the child will inform you if they are still hungry.

Check out Kaboose for different age groups and food proportions or MyPyramid for an online calculator.

10. How can I promote personal hygiene?

Good hygiene should begin at a young age because it will be a habit that goes with them throughout life.

• Start brushing their teeth as soon as teeth appear
• Teach the principle behind good hygiene such as washing hands keeps them from getting sick
• Use positive reinforcements

Check out these printable materials in many hygiene areas to teach how to have good hygiene. Your child will have fun completing the activities and they will thank you later on in life for teaching them good habits.