Getting Children to Eat Healthier

Eating a balanced diet is important for everyone, especially children. Setting good eating habits when young gives children a healthy attitude about food for the rest of their lives.


From around eighteen months to kindergarten age, most kids go through the picky eating stage. Wanting to eat only one or two foods for days at a time can drive a parent nuts. Take a calm approach during this stage. Too much focus on food can lead to mealtime battles and negatives about eating.


Make eating fun for children by serving foods in attractive ways. Cookie cutters are an easy way to make healthy breads and fruits eatable. Arrange fruits and vegetables in the shape of a face or a toy and let them play. Be sure to keep portions small so children are not intimidated. Some examples of portions for children are 1/3 cup of frozen vegetables, 5 - 7 strawberries, 2oz of hamburger meat, one cup of milk or yogurt and 1/2 cup of applesauce. Studies have shown that if you trust your child and serve a good variety, they will get plenty to eat. Some days they may eat everything and the next day almost nothing. Let your child eat until he is full and do not badger him to clean his plate. He will grow up knowing when he is hungry and not eat just to eat.


Offering choices is another good way of getting kids to eat healthy. Just make sure the choices offered are ones that you can live with. Ask them if they want carrots or peas or, which color of glass for drinking. Being given a choice lets the child have some control and can head off many dinnertime battles. Involve them as much as possible depending on their age and ability in decisions for meals. Let them pick out which tomato or apple they think should be used for cooking. In addition, they can help set the table.


Some children will only eat finger foods. As long as the choices presented are good for them, does it really matter if they use their hands? Do not forget to set them a good example. Eat healthy foods yourself and do not be afraid to try new things. If you do not like something, let your kids know why and that it is okay not to like something. However, they first must give it a chance so encourage a one bit rule. It can take up to fifteen offers to get a child to eat a new food so do not give up after the first time or two.


Try to set up regular eating times so they know when a meal is coming. By keeping healthy snacks in the house, your kids will learn to eat what is there. Try not to make any food off-limits. This might set up an unhealthy fixation on that food for when they get older. Having a certain day or meal where they can have that sweet snack, soda or meal lets them know they can have it but it is special.

Teaching Children Not To Play With Fire

We all know fire is dangerous and we have to keep our kids from getting to close to it and not play with it. We need to teach our kids the dangers of fire and why not to play with it when they are young.

Show them that fire burns and what it could do to them if they miss with it, show them picture, not too scary or bloody pictures because you can really scare them.

You can also have the school teach them about fire and the damage it will bring. Show them a wildfire on type or on the TV and how fast they spread when they are not put out right away. Show them how fast a house can burn to the ground just by a small or big fire because it doesn't matter what size a fire can be because they will get bigger in a minutes and that's all it takes is just one flame and buff it's gone.

If they get a hold of any type of fire like matches, lighters, or candles, they could burn down the house or hurt themselves really badly. They can burn their skin and getting second or third degree burns, burn off their hair, burn up their room and get trapped in the smoke and fire, and if they get it around something that is flammable that can or will explode. Teach them what to do in a fire, how to get out to safety and where to meet when everyone gets out. Have a plan at home, at school, or where ever you are at just in case you might need it. Kids rely on you to teach them this stuff, teach them how to survive, teach them stop, drip and roll because if they are on fire they will know what to do and you hope that this will never happen to them but it is better to be safe than sorry.

If you have a fireplace tell them do not get to close to the fire because sparks can from out and set your clothes or the cover on fire. You need to have a gate on it at all time and you need to teach them that so they will know. Tell them that they are not allow to start up the fireplace only the adults are the ones that do that, the same thing goes for a gas stove or heater, make sure that they understand that. Don't let them near a grill when you are going to start it up because they flames will be big and it will burn them.

Teaching Children Early About the Importance of Good Dental Habits

Teaching children good dental health habits early can be an important way to establish lifelong good dental health practices. Children who are taught in early childhood how to brush and maintain other good dental hygiene practices can significantly lower their risk for developing future dental health problems.


Many dental patients that have undergone extensive dental restoration will tell you that they regret neglecting their oral health even as far back as childhood.


When it comes to maintaining good dental health, the key is prevention. There are many steps that you can implement early on in childhood that can teach your child preventative dental health measures.


Talk to your child about the importance of brushing for at least 2 minutes. It helps if you buy a timer that you can show them how to set.


Tell them to make sure they brush every part of the teeth. Another helpful tip is that many dental products for children, such as washes and toothpastes, have colored particles in them that can show a child where bacteria could be lying in wait to destroy their teeth. Have your child brush their teeth until all the colored particles are washed away.


Allow your child to view the different types of toothbrushes available, but make sure you help teach them about the differences in the types of brushes. Many new toothbrushes including power brushes offer some great hand-grips and allow the child to pick a toothbrush that they will feel most comfortable with using.


If flossing is not an option for your child, an investment in an oral irrigator or dental water jet is a great way to make sure your child gets all the little areas that their toothbrush can't. Child-size floss is out there for children and adults that don't want to use the regular type of dental floss.
Dental water jets are also great in keeping children's attention while practicing good dental care or when wearing dental braces.


Make sure you teach your child that you can still have a bite of candy but it is always recommended to brush your teeth as soon as possible when eating anything, especially any type of sugars such as sweets.


Teach your child what kinds of candies to stay away from and how bad leaving food such as sugars are on your dental health if left on your teeth. 


The majority of dental professionals advise people to brush after every meal, as well as the first thing in the morning and the last thing before bed.The majority of dental professionals also recommend that parents observe their child's dental practices until they are about 8 or 9 years old. Observing a child's oral health practices ensures that they are not only brushing well, but that they understand the importance of taking care of their teeth for many years to come.

Tips to establish rules for your teen

You know it. You dread it. Ahhhhh, the teen years have arrived! But they don't have to be painful parenting ones if you establish rules to remind your teen who's boss.


Clean bedrooms
"Choose your battles," someone wise first said. That goes for teen-raising issues such as clean rooms. Ellen R. Delap recommends that you make sure it's one of those battles worth fighting. “Is the messy room affecting her success in school or a value-based issue like timeliness? Choose what value is most important to communicate about, and then choose a communication tool."


Regular chores
If your teen isn’t completing his chores, the issue is responsibility. Host a family meeting to foster a team effort. Delap explains, “Teens choose chores and get a reward (money!) for the team effort. Post a chores chart and refer to it as the authority, not you, the parent. At the next family meeting, focus on the positive and compliment successes.”


Curfews
Remember those? As you define what's too late for your household -- perhaps certain hours for school nights and other hours for weekends -- the key is enforcing your standards. Some parents withhold privileges such as driving the car or using a computer if their kids break their curfews.


Driving
What could be more important than establishing a zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving? That said, many parents write in a footnote to this rule: If a designated driver is not available and the teen is tipsy, he may call home for a ride -- no questions asked.


Create consistent enforcement
Ashley Merryman, co-author of NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children, says consistent enforcement of rules is crucial. “Inconsistent punishment just leads to uncertainty, and that defeats the point of having rules in the first place. However, reasonableness is still the key. If there's a legitimate reason to occasionally look past a transgression or set aside a rule, doing so doesn't diminish a parent's authority. It increases it because then, parents seem wise and fair."


Keep your cool
Teens are smart and understand that rules relating to going out, driving, drugs and alcohol are all about safety. “They are more likely to respect such rules,” she says. “It's when a parent goes ballistic over something like an unmade bed that parents' rules begin to seem arbitrary and pointless."


Be open to discussion
Merry-man points out that, ultimately, we want our teens to grow into good decisionmakers as adults, not simply obedient rule-followers. “So if a teen wants to argue about the rules, consider that an opportunity to help develop her reasoning skills. Parents should make a real effort to listen to the teen's point of view, encouraging her to think through the relevant issues. If she can do that and her argument is good enough, let her win occasionally.”


Listen to them
He may have a valid reason for breaking a rule. Deborah Peers, mom blogger and mother of 16 children (seven of whom are teenagers!), encourages parents to understand what they are saying. “That doesn't mean to cave in to their requests, but to truly listen to why they want what they are asking for. Listen to how your teen feels about it.”
Brainstorm with themIf your teen is consistently breaking a household rule or is having problems in one area, Peers advises communicating to create a solution together. “Discuss scenarios that have been problematic so far. Together, come up with some ways to aid your teen to remember why the rule is important.”


Love them
Above all, everything boils down to love. After all, you wouldn’t have created boundaries for your teen and ways for her to develop if you didn’t truly love her. Peers reminds us, “When you love your teen, you care about how you present your case in trying to solve problems. Love is gracious and kind in presentation and always thoughtful of how the other person feels. This is absolutely number one!”

Encouraging good behavior in your children

Ways of encouraging good behavior in your child properly without resorting to bribery.
     We have all had times when our child behaves like the diminutive version of Genghis Khan. There is nothing more demoralizing than seeing the little angel who tidied his room turn into the kid who throws his dinner at your mother in law, even though you may have been tempted to do the same at some stage it isn’t the point.

     There are ways to encourage your child to behave like a civilized human being without resorting to heavy handed tactics, some may work for your child and some may not, but the important thing to remember is that each child is an individual and handle them accordingly.

     Don’t ask your child if he wants to do something. Tell him. If you ask him if he would like to go to bed now, you are opening the pathway for a discussion. If you tell him it is bedtime, he knows that there is no other recourse but to go to bed. Talk as if you expect to be obeyed.

     If he yet again has behaved like a savage do not discuss his bad behavior in front of him. Rather send him off to play then talk to the other party, be it a teacher or co-parent. In front of him rather emphasize his improved or good behavior. If children hear negativity about themselves they tend to react negatively. Rather re-enforce the positive.

     Be clear in what you want from him. Don’t just issue a vague demand of “Be good”. Rather specify exactly what it is you want him or her to do. “Stop lying on the floor kicking your feet in the air”, lets him know you have noticed his behavior and you find it unacceptable.

     Children have a knack for changing or avoiding the subject. To do this he may look away or start talking about something else. Draw his attention back to you and repeat whatever it was that you said.

     Make sure he understands what you are saying. Go down to his level, look him in the eye, if he tries to look away gently take his arms and repeat what you say. Try not to threaten him or plead with him, this will not gain you any respect and once you have lost respect you have lost the war.

     Bringing up children as opposed to little heathens is not easy but following the golden rule will make your and your child’s life much easier. Be consistent, and gentle but firm.

Reading to Children

   
    Reading to children is a great way to spend quality time with them. Follow these easy steps for reading to the children in your life.

Reread the Same Books
Kids love repetition when it comes to books. Unlike many adults, they love knowing what is going to happen next and delight in the anticipation of getting there.

Ask Questions
Reading to children is enhanced by interaction. Asking questions about the book will allow children a chance to talk about how they are experiencing it, as well as encouraging active listening.

Go To the Library
There is something about ownership of a library card that can make the idea of books more appealing to kids. Setting aside a time every week to go can be fun for everyone.

Read Before Bed
Reading to children at bedtime daily can become a much anticipated ritual. It gives children something to look forward to and provides a wonderful way of relaxing them for the transition to sleep.

Model Reading
Read yourself. Often and where they can observe.

Read All Kinds of Things
Novels, short stories, biographies, poems, etc. Also don't rule out encyclopedias. They make great illustrated ones geared for children that can make learning about any subject fun and interesting.

Keep Reading Aloud Even When They Are Old Enough to Read Alone
Reading to children is still valuable when the children are independent readers. They can have books read to them at a higher level than they are able to read alone, or they can take turns reading aloud if the book is at their level.

Reward Reading
Make a token system where they chart how many books they have read, or the hours spent reading, and reward them with something, such as a new book.

Start Traditions Around Reading
Children love traditions. Reading to children can become a much anticipated one when it is associated with something fun. For example, allowing them to open a wrapped book every Christmas Eve and reading it to them.

Use Books On Tape
If you find yourself driving around a lot, or at home with a hoarse voice, books on tape can be life savers. Pop one in and listen along with the children, as everyone kicks back and enjoys.

     Spending time reading to children is a wonderful way to show your care. Start today with the above tips to make it a time for all to look forward to.

9 Great Homework Habits that Work

Since homework starts as early as kindergarten these days, it’s a good idea to get kids into a rhythm of great homework habits as soon as possible. From ways to help your kids get more organized to giving them ways to minimize and eliminate homework stress, here are some great tips for good homework habits that work.

1. Divide and Conquer
Kids can often feel overwhelmed when they look over their list of assignments for the week. Help your child manage his assignments by planning out his work on a daily planner. (This can be particularly helpful if you are at work when your child gets home from school; having a list like this can help your child and your childcare provider manage his workload when you are not there.)

For example, if all the homework is due on Friday, you can try scheduling several minutes for different subject such as reading, math problems or spelling words. Or you may want to have him spend Monday doing reading and reserve Tuesday for math, and so on.

Writing down what needs to be done can be a great way to manage homework, and crossing off assignments when they are completed and tracking their own progress can be satisfying for kids and help give them motivation to continue their work.

2. Cut Down After-School Activities
The reality is that there are only a few precious hours after school to tackle homework assignments. If your child has an after-school activity every day and is unable to manage her workload, it may be time to take a look at which extracurricular activities can be cut out of her schedule. If she has ballet, soccer, piano lessons, and regularly-scheduled playdates, you may want to consider moving a couple of activities to the next semester and making more time for homework.

3. Get into a Regular Routine
Maybe your child is the kind of kid who works better on a full stomach or after fooling around with his toys for a few minutes after school. If so, start with snack time and unscheduled downtime, and set up homework time for about 20 to 30 minutes after he gets home.

If he tends to focus better if he goes right into his work after school, then let him get right to work as soon as he gets home. The important thing is to find what works for you and stick with it so that you have a regular routine. If your child knows what is expected and when, it’ll be easier for him to work more efficiently.

4. Set Up a Great Homework Area
Having a quiet and comfortable place to do homework is essential to building good study and homework habits. Whether you establish her work area at the kitchen table or in her room, make sure she is surrounded by peaceful quiet, free from TV or other distractions.

5. Make Homework Fun
Kids are more likely to view homework as less of a chore if you help them adopt a more playful attitude toward their work. For instance, if your first-grader is working on simple math problems, help him visualize addition and subtraction by using small toys such as marbles or even playing cards. If a third-grader is working on multiplication problems, challenge him to get as many correct answers as possible while racing you (to be fair, he should be allotted twice the time as you).

And if you’re lucky enough to get fun puzzles and brain-teasers such as Sudoku puzzles in the homework packet, then work with him on those and make it a fun way to connect with your child after a long day. One word of caution: Try not to take over and do the problems yourself. Your child needs guidance and help getting the right answers -- not the answers themselves.

Be sure to check his work everyday, and try to make that a fun routine as well. Challenge your child to find mistakes on your work, or have him check his own work to see if he can spot any errors. If you take a relaxed approach to the homework and adopt a fun attitude about it, your child will follow suit.

6. Tie-in Homework to Everyday Life
Learning can often be more fun for kids when they are able to relate the material to things in their own lives. For instance, if your child has to read about immigrants and answer questions about them, continue the discussion over dinner. Talk about your own family’s immigrant experience (“Great-Grandma came from Italy and had to work very hard” or some such) or talk about the ways our world has been shaped by immigrants (“What would life be like today without pizza?”).

By making homework something that is an extension of learning and life, you can help your child see that it is not some separate chore or extra work that they are forced to do.

7. Work Alongside Your Child
Younger children tend to work better when an adult is nearby, ready to answer questions or help work out a problem. You can sit down with your own work or a magazine article or bills -- whatever quiet activity you can do while your child does her homework.

8. Schedule Breaks
You know the importance of stretching your legs or taking a break here and there during your workday. Just walking away from your desk for a few minutes can often do wonders to help your concentration and improve mood. The importance of breaks applies to kids as well, and may be even more important because kids tend to be more active and full of energy than adults.

Whether it’s a five-minute break to have some fruit and cheese and crackers or other healthy snack or a few minutes to play with a pet or water the plants, schedule a few breaks into homework time. And consider taking a short walk or doing a few at-home yoga poses for kids with your child to rejuvenate his brain cells; studies have shown that physical activity can help stimulate concentration and cognitive function.

9. Help Kids Manage Stress
Some kids can experience more stress over homework and schoolwork than other children. If you see signs of stress in your child or your child is experiencing difficulty with the workload, check with other parents to see whether any other kids are having similar problems. For instance, kids in first grade are usually not expected to spend more than a half hour on homework each day; if your child is having difficulty with the workload, find out what the problem may be and schedule some time to meet with your child’s teacher.

Talk to your child’s teacher about any problems and get on the same page about the teacher’s expectations for the school year. Ask her what you can do to help your child with homework. By working together, you and your child’s teacher can find ways to identify and handle any homework problems that may be creating stress for your child.