The ChildMark Blog. Current insight into child development, parenting, research and best practice.
The video highlights the importance of investing in early childhood. The impact of spending time and money on children in their development years will do more than at any other time. Is it more important to save money for your child’s college years or to help their development years (0-5yrs)? You be the judge.
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During the presidential election, Barack Obama outlined the case for early childhood education, mentioning that programs need to be “significantly expanded” and hinted at what programs might look like under his administration. Obama spoke directly of the impact he wishes to have on the children saying, “Children aren’t stupid, if they show up at school and start feeling that they are behind, over time that leads them to push away from education.”
A recent study by Johnson & Johnson listed the following as the top excuses that children have given their parents to avoid brushing their teeth:
As parents we know the value of routines for our children. Children thrive on established routines because they enjoy the predictability of knowing what is coming next or what to expect.
It is important to establish a good daily toothbrushing routine as early as possible with your child as this provides a valuable tool for reinforcing good oral hygiene. Just as we teach our children the importance of washing hands, brushing their teeth is just as important.
There are some great tools available that we can give our children to make brushing a little easier. There are toothbrushes available that light up or flash for 60 seconds letting your child know when he is finished brushing. Other brushes play music or buzz for one minute. Oral rinses color the child’s teeth and have to be brushed off letting your child know that she is finished when her teeth are white. There are also toothpastes where the cap flashes as well.
Monitor your child closely. Teach him the correct way to brush his teeth and then watch him do it. Buy a book that shows a child brushing his or her teeth or even a video (or just watch this video we found below). Periodically watch him again to make certain that he is doing it correctly. It is imperative to let your child know that twice daily toothbrushing is non-negotiable. Take your child to the dentist two times per year. The dentist will reinforce good brushing habits as well.
As always, one of the best ways to instill good habits in your children is to be a role model yourself. This is the key to getting “buy in” from your child. Consider making daily brushing a family affair, make it fun and keep it happening.
OTHER STATS:
- 49% of parents cited “not brushing teeth” as their child’s worst habit
- 1 out of 3 parents said that their kids lie about brushing their teeth
- 1 in 4 parents admit to negotiating or bribing their child to brush their teeth
The Consumer Product Safety Commission or CPSC (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/pub_idx.html) reports that ‘2.5 million children are injured or killed by hazards in the home each year.’ Most of these injuries can be prevented by taking the proper precautions and baby proofing your home. Although it can be a little confusing on where to start, here are five tips to follow when baby proofing your home:
1. Start Low Get down on all fours and crawl around like a baby. Sound strange? This is actually one of the best ways to see what needs to be baby proofed in your home. Look for ways that your baby can get into trouble and start your baby proofing project from there.
2. Cut the cords Blind cords are something that every child wants to play with. Cutting these cords or using safety tassels can help prevent strangulation.
3. Covers and bumpers One of the mainstays of baby proofing your home will be items such as outlet covers, door knob covers and bumpers for those sharp or dangerous edges. Be generous with what you cover.
4. Latches and locks Another key component of a successful baby proofing system is locking cabinets with poisonous chemicals or doors that can be used as an escape route. Cabinet latches mean that baby cannot get to cleaning products or anything else in the cabinet. Locks on doors mean that the little one will stay inside.
5. Gates Safety gates can be used for a variety of needs. They can keep baby in the room or keep baby out of a room. Gates are a necessity for stairs and any place else that poses a hazard for your child.
Properly baby proofing your home can insure that your child does not become a statistic. Start today and don’t worry about going overboard because you can never be too safe when it comes to your child.
See if your child is achieving the crucial Child Development milestones.
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