A Day of Fun with Baby

At birth a baby’s five senses are working. Before you know it this young child is off to explore. As baby grows, this young child is curious, and that curiosity is never satisfied. She throws herself into the business of learning. Through her observations and experiences, she learns about her world. This learning is called PLAY.

From dawn to dusk, there are learning experiences through play that will help a baby develop physically and mentally. Get started on a learning journey with these fun activities:

MORNING:
Morning is a wonderful time of the day. Make it special as you sing this song to the baby about everyone in your center, even including the pets. As the baby hears you sing, he will begin to understand that singing is another way to use your voice and in time will learn some words by repetition. Sing this traditional song to the tune of "Happy Birthday."

Good morning to you,

Good morning to you,

Good morning dear _____, (name of child)

Good morning to you!

Repeat this song, singing to all members of the group.

At breakfast you and the baby can play the “Cereal Game” at his high chair. This simple game teaches valuable skills such as finger dexterity and eye/hand coordination.

Show your little one how to put a piece of breakfast cereal into a plastic bottle. Encourage him to dump it out, then put it back. Invite the child to hold the bottle and to try to get the cereal out. If this is too hard for him, use a paper cup instead. Let him eat the cereal if he wishes, then put another piece of cereal in the bottle or cup, and try the game again.

Spend some bonding time together as you and the baby play a fun finger tapping game. Start your own fingers tapping on the table in front of you. Encourage the baby to imitate you. Develop great tapping rhythms. Tap slowly; tap fast; tap one hand, then two; tap raising your hands high; tap with just one finger. Be creative and watch the child catch on to your game.

Is it exercise or just play? Creative movement with a young child is fun and a rewarding experience for both. Create an interesting obstacle course. Gather together several towels, small pillows, and stuffed toys. Lay them on the floor in variously sized piles. Now top with a blanket or a large sheet. Baby will enjoy this new terrain with things to creep around, over, and push off from—a challenging obstacle course for Baby. One of Baby’s greatest pleasures will be you imitating his style. So, down on all fours; the child will take the lead and look to see if you are following. He’ll squeal with delight as you chase and follow him around the room. “Here I come; I’m going to catch you!” Don’t fail to hug and hold him close after he’s been caught.

NOON:

Infants benefit by having someone sing to them and dance or walk rhythmically while holding them. Babies often move their arms and feet when being swayed to music; later they will be able to feel and move to the beat of the music by themselves. Even before a baby can walk very well, they can begin to make music. Have him sit on the floor and explore the sounds of drumming on pots, pans and bowls with wooden spoons or other safe household utensils. Children can also be given various musical toys, such as a Xylophone, piano, triangle, bells, maracas, drums, and tambourines on which to play. In this way, he begins to learn about the sound of music and in a very rudimentary way to create his own music.

Check the recycle bin, sewing box and drawers for items to make a “see and sound” rattle for your little one. Take a clean plastic water bottle, putting in colorful ribbons, feathers, beads, bells, uncooked rice or pasta. Run a bead of permanent glue along the lid or seal the top securely with duct tape. As the baby shakes this instrument he can see pretty objects and hear unique sounds

Here’s a game to teach the child the difference between up and down. Help your little one raise his body up and up until he is on his tiptoes. Repeat the word, “up, up, up” as you do this movement. Now, have him lower his body to the floor. “ Down, down, down.” Repeat this game as often as the child likes.

NAP TIME:

You may wish to sing a lullaby to help baby nod off to sleep. This song shows how animals take care of their young as well. Tuck the baby in for a nap the same way animals put their babies to sleep. Sing this song with a soft voice and whisper the animal sounds. Use the tune, "Frere Jacques"/"Are You Sleeping."

Mother dog, mother dog,

Sings to her puppy, sings to her puppy,

Woof, woof, woof,

Woof, woof, woof,

Sleep baby puppy, sleep baby puppy.

Continue with other verses about animals and their babies.

—SLEEP TIGHT!

I hope these ideas will help providers who have babies and toddlers in their program. Do you have some ideas to share? Click on the comment link below to add your ideas or go over to our CHILD CARE CHAT FORUM and start a post. We’d love to hear from you!

Tania

Associate Editor/ EverydayTLC

Preventing Lead Poisoning in Children

With so many recalls on children’s toys and other items containing lead, providers must take inventory of products in their centers. Thousands of children and adults are accidentally poisoned by lead each year, and the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that many children had blood lead levels high enough to cause permanent damage.

Lead is a toxic metal known to cause damage to the brain and nervous system. Lead poison gets into the body and accumulates over time if the exposure is not found and eliminated. Children ages 6 and younger and fetuses are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning. Overexposure can impair their mental and physical development.

Today lead poisoning is preventable if you know the source and precautions to take. Consumer Reports offers these five tips:

1.    Take Inventory and remove any toys or items that have been recalled. Discard any toys with chipped paint, broken parts or deteriorated plastic. Visit the website www.recalls.gov for more information.

2.    Clean Up, as paint chips, dirt and dust on the floor has been found to contain lead.  Keep play areas clean and toys off the floor. It is recommended to wash toys often and also children’s hands after play.  Keep food in lead-free containers such as glass and stainless steel. Run cold water through lead pipes for several minutes before using it.

3.    Buy Smart and always non-toxic. Look for safe, age appropriate toys made for children. Adult supplies may contain lead and other toxins.

4.    Find Substitutes for products that have been recalled or have a troubled track record. Examples of safe alternatives would be books, unpainted wooden toys, balls and washable stuffed animals. Research where the product has been made; you may want to buy American-made toys.

5.    Get Tested. If a parent is concerned about lead poisoning, they can have their child/children screened for lead exposure through a simple blood test. Even children who appear healthy may have high levels of lead. Also, consider having a trained professional test for lead at your center.

For more information about Lead Poisoning call 800-424-5323

Or visit— http://www.epa.gov/lead

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/Recalls/default.htm

 

We all need to stay informed on health and safety issues that involve children. Hope this article helps you.

Tania

WEAVING ART, MUSIC & GAMES INTO CHILDREN’S LITERATURE

Children should be introduced to a wide variety of books. Story time is a special time for bonding between caregiver and child, a time to discover new ideas and explore new worlds. Good books extend a child’s horizon, building good reading skills and clarifying concepts. Consider well-chosen books as “stepping stones to learning and fun.”

I have chosen a few favorites, all available in the library system and bookstores. To these stories below, art, music and games have been added to enhance the text. Do these activities and create “teachable” moments. Read, Make, Play and Enjoy!

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

This story is about a little girl’s love for Wilbur, the pig. The barnyard animals also loved Wilbur, especially Charlotte, the spider who uses her web to send wonderful messages about Wilbur at the County Fair, saving him from slaughter.

1. Make a spider web using marbles, paint and paper. Use an aluminum pie pan, cutting a piece of white paper to fit inside. Put the marbles into a container of tempera (poster) paint. With a spoon, lift the marbles from the container and drop them onto the paper in the pan. Tilt the pan so the marbles can slide back and forth across the paper. Charlotte’s spider web will appear.
2. Make Wilbur, the pig puppet. Draw a pig face and mouth onto paper or photocopy a diagram from books that feature bag puppets. Using a brown lunch bag, glue the mouth under the bottom flap and the face part on top of the flap. Color the facial features with crayons or markers. For a special fur effect, glue pink cotton (found in most drug and craft stores as pink cotton balls) onto his face and around his mouth.
3. Sing the “Eensy Weensy Spider”:

The eensy weensy spider climbed up the water spout.

Down came the rain and washed the spider out.

Out came the sun and dried up all the rain,

So the eensy weensy spider crawled up the spout again.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

One Sunday, a caterpillar hatched. Being so hungry he ate enormous amounts of food throughout the week. Finally full, he spun a cocoon around himself, went to sleep, only to awake a few weeks later as a beautiful butterfly.

1. Make an egg carton caterpillar. Use three connected egg carton cups. For the antennae, thread pipe cleaners (chenille strips) into small holes made on top of the head. Paint the cardboard cups green and add facial features with a black marker.
2. To make a blot butterfly, fold a piece of construction paper in half. Open. Drop bright colors of poster paints onto one half of the paper. Fold the paper again and press. Open to see a blot butterfly, with both sides exactly the same. Use a brown marker to make the insect’s body and antennae. As a variation, cut out the paper into a butterfly shape.
3. A paper plate food collage is a good project to enhance this story. Cut out these items from magazines and glue them onto the paper plate. As a variation, you could draw the items onto construction paper; cut and paste. You will need an apple, pear, plum, strawberry, orange, chocolate cake, ice cream cone, pickle, Swiss cheese, salami, lollipop, cherry pie, sausage, cupcake and watermelon.

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina

A peddler is selling caps of all colors down the street. He wears the caps tall above his head and decides to nap under a tree. When he awakes, all the caps are gone, except his own checkered cap. Up above in the tree, some monkeys have played tricks on this peddler. Read this fun story to see how the peddler gets his caps back!

1. Make a lunch bag puppet with a monkey face. Again draw freehand or photocopy from a lunch bag puppet book. Invite the kids to color the face and mouth. Glue the face onto the bottom flap of the bag and mouth just below the flap. Cut a piece of colorful felt into a cap and glue this onto the monkey’s head.
2. Recite this famous chant:

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed.

One fell off and bumped his head.

Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,

“No more monkeys jumping on the bed.”

Continue reciting this rhyme with “four little monkeys”, “three little monkeys” and so on till there are “no little monkeys.”

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

A little rabbit is going to bed. As the room gets darker at night, he bids goodnight to all his bedroom belongings. A nice bedtime story.

1. Collect round jar lids and a crescent-shaped cookie cutter. Dip these into yellow poster paint and proceed to “moon print” onto dark blue construction paper.
2. Make a room media drawing. Draw a bedroom scene with crayons. Make a black or dark blue wash with poster paint thinned with water. Brush over the entire picture. This is called a crayon resist painting. When dry, add finishing touches, such as fabric scraps for the bedspread and curtains.

The Gingerbread Boy by Paul Galdone

The gingerbread boy, a cookie, escapes from everyone who tries to grasp him. He later comes upon a fox who is cleverer than he.

1. Make a stuffed gingerbread cookie. Use a brown grocery bag, draw and cut out two gingerbread boy patterns. To stuff, use crumpled paper or polyester filling. Staple all around the edges. Now, decorate the cookie will all kinds of junk items: buttons, fabric, rickrack trim, etc.
2. Play a game, like “Duck, Duck, Goose”. One child is chosen to be “it”. He taps each player in the circle (friends and family) saying GINGERBREAD. Then he taps one person and says BOY. That player gets up and chases “it” around the circle until he gets caught or sits down. The new “it” starts the game again.

The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown

A little bunny wanted to run away from home. His mother loved him so much that she would try to find him no matter where he decided to go. It’s a loving story.

1. Make a set of bunny ears. Take a strip of paper, fitting it around the child’s head and staple. Cut out bunny ears from construction paper and staple these to the headband. Use the pink cotton (from the pig puppet above) or white cotton and glue this material onto the ears.
2. Play the game “Bunny Says”. Follow the commands: Bunny says---

Run in place, to run away

Swim like a fish in the trout stream

Pick your feet up high, like a mountain climber

Pretend to grow up like a flower (squat down and slowly wiggle up)

Pretend to swing on a trapeze at the circus

Run (in place) home and give your mother a big hug

Corduroy by Don Freeman

A little girl name Lisa, saw this brown bear with green corduroy overalls in a department store. “Corduroy” experiences adventure that night in the store. With enough money, Lisa went back to the store to purchase him. They both needed each other to love.

1. Sing this new song to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”:

I know a bear named Corduroy,

Corduroy, corduroy.

I know a bear name Corduroy,

Lisa is his friend.

2. Draw a bear like Corduroy on a sheet of brown grocery bag paper. Color on a pair of green overalls with crayon. Put two buttons to hold up the straps. Use real buttons or cut out buttons from construction paper. Glue these in place.

I hope you enjoy these activities to add to your curriculum when reading these books. Check our “blog” periodically to find new ideas to use with your group.

All the best,

Tania

Associate Editor/ EverydayTLC

Tania's Top 10 List

There are so many cute children’s songs that it’s hard to pick just ten. Theses are a few of my favorites—I’m sure you have favorites as well.

Also, check out these Internet sites. They have a great variety of traditional songs with lyrics—some come with music (midi) and one site has cute videos online with some songs.

http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/musicchild.htm

http://bussongs.com

http://judyanddavid.com/cma.html

1. If All the Little Raindrops
2. Five Little Ducks
3. If You’re Happy and You Know It
4. The More We Get Together
5. Oh, Mr. Sun
6. Ten Little Monkeys Jumping on a Bed
7. The World is a Rainbow
8. Who Is Wearing (name a color)?
9. You Are My Sunshine
10. I Love You, You Love Me (Barney Song)

I hope some of these songs are on your list too! Send me a post; just click on the COMMENT link below.

Until next week,

Tania

EverydayTLC Associate Editor

Stop and Go

This was submitted by LaTonya E. Gray
Thank-you!

This is a fun activity that parents and providers can do outdoors
with their children.The Children can take turns dressing up as a
stop sign,railroad crossing sign, and stop light sign.
Individuals will need:
picture of a road sign
X-Acto knife (ADULT USE ONLY)
piece of foam core cut to fit the size of children
glue or spray adhesive (ADULT USE ONLY)
heavy-duty self-adhesive Velcro
Sweatshirt or T-shirt
needle and thread or safety pins (optional ADULT SUPERVISION)
awl (ADULT USE ONLY)
small traffic cones (available at toy store)
elastic or string
Find a craft store near you to purchase these items as well as
trying a store that sells sewing items.
How to make
1.Down load a copy of the road sign you want to make www.images.google.com
and type in "road signs"). Have your local copy shop enlarge the
image to fit on the piece of foam core.
2.Working in a well-ventilated area, spread a thin layer of glue
or spray adhesive on the foam core. Carefully place the photocopy
of the road sign on it, smoothing oout any wrinkles in the paper.
3.To attach the foam core to the sweat or t-shirt stick a 6-in.
strip of velcro on the back of the sign and another on the
child's shirt. For extra reinforcement, tack velcro to the shirt
with a needle and thread or safety pins. Stick the road sign to
the shirt.
4.To make the hat,poke holes on two sides of the traffic cone
with an awl. Thread elastic or string through the holes,and tie
the string under the child's chin. the string under the child's chin.

Now the children are ready to pretend to play the role of an
object. While the other children ride bicycles,scooters, skates
etc. each child must obey the traffic sign. Don't forget,
everyone must take his and her turn as the traffic sign that is
designed. I hope you enjoy this activity with your children.
Remember safety first!

THE BEAUTY WITHIN

 BY Tania Cowling

Providing daycare from dawn to dusk, running to the grocery store, taking care of your own family—does this sound like your busy life?  As nurturers and caregivers, we sometimes forget about our own well-being.

 

Would you think that taking a bubble bath could reduce your risk of heart disease, or maybe a massage could prevent your next cold?  Finding balance and indulging in healthy living is so important to a woman’s life.  The following are some ideas and important information for good health.  Pampering oneself not only nurtures the body, but also renews the spirit—it brings forth “the beauty within.”

 

Recapture Recess and More:

 With the immense demands of childcare, staying fit can be difficult.  However, ‘working out’ is not just about looking good; it’s about feeling good.  Think about how exercise leaves you with a feeling of well-being; a simple walk in the fresh air, a dip in the pool or even a game of catch. 

 

Children know this feeling instinctively.  They run and jump and swing, not because it’s good for their heart or lowers their cholesterol, but because it’s FUN.  So get moving!  Play with the kids. Would you believe that housecleaning counts as exercise?  Invite the kids to help tidy up the toys while you run the vacuum. Sounds like fun, when we know it’s healthy! We can all benefit from the stress reducing and energy enhancing benefits of moderate exercise in our lives.

 

Nutrition=High Energy Eating:

 If you’re lacking energy, and what woman doesn’t from time to time, making changes in your diet can increase your energy level.  It takes a lot of energy to digest fatty foods, so keep your meals and snacks relatively lean.  Include a combination of protein and good carbohydrates in each meal so that you get the energy enhancing benefits of both nutrients.  Here are some anti-fatigue foods any person can enjoy:

• Trail Mixes—with dried fruits, nuts and seeds.  These are high in iron and full of nutrients.
• Fortified whole-grain cereal, low-fat milk and sliced banana—what a perfect way to start the day. Chock full of important vitamins and the banana supplies us with potassium.
• Yogurt with strawberries—this snack gives you a healthy dose of vitamin C.
• Egg sandwich on whole-wheat toast—a nice package of B vitamins, iron, carbohydrates and protein.
• Half bagel with cream cheese---a bonus of calcium.
• Cup of bean soup—a good source of protein and zinc.
• Cut-up fruit sprinkled with chopped nuts.—fruit provides sugar, which the body uses for quick energy, but unlike candy, it has vital vitamins, minerals and fiber.
• Water, Water, and more Water—H20 keeps the body’s blood volume up insuring that ample amounts of the nutrients and oxygen needed for energy get transported to the cells.

 

Keep Your Skin Beautiful:

 

 Exposing your skin to too much sun breaks down the elastic tissues in your skin.  Although you might be tan, you may look older and wrinkled. Don’t let the sun keep you from looking your best or increase your risk of developing skin cancer.  Here are some tips for health and beauty:

• Lather up with sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.  Make sure all areas of exposed skin are covered, including the back of the neck and feet.
• Dress appropriately with long-sleeved clothing and a wide-brimmed hat guarding the face.
• Time is important.  Avoid the outdoors when the sun is highest between 10 am and 2 pm.
• Don’t be deceived.  A hazy day doesn’t block ultraviolet rays, so you can get a sunburn even when it’s cloudy.
• Even if you’re heading to the snowy slopes, apply sunscreen as you can get sunburned during the winter months too.

Pamper Yourself: Our Need To De-stress:

 Stressed out?  Kicking back and recharging your batteries is just what you need, especially when taking care of children.  Leave your problems behind for a short while at least, and give yourself permission to take a much-needed time-out. Here are a variety of stress-busters to get started:

Try Water Therapy--

 

Let your troubles float away!  Baths are high on the list of best stress relievers.  Make a bath long and luxurious after a long day with scented bath salts, candlelight and soft music. What about a jet spa that stimulates a whirlpool or the use of a massaging bath mat that fills the tub with a multitude of relaxing bubbles.  Visualize your cares just going right down the drain.

Meditate--

 

Take a 20-minute time-out and slow down.  Meditation or prayer can help bring you back in touch with your spiritual side.  It’s a very effective method of relaxation, reducing your blood pressure, slowing your breathing, relaxing muscles, and helping to clear your thoughts (resulting in improved concentration).  To meditate, quite your mind and allow yourself to focus on one thing, such as your breathing, or the flame of a candle.  Find a comfortable relaxed position and practice your breathing—visualizing health and renewal with each inhalation and letting out all your stress on the exhale.

 

There are many other effective methods to distress the body and mind, such as yoga, massage, tai chi, reflexology and more. Check with your local community colleges and health organizations for classes and services in your area.

 

I hope you find this article interesting.  Let us know how you relax during your free time. Go over to our Child Care Chat Forum and respond to my post.

 

Tania

CLEARING UP THE PLASTICS PROBLEM

ParentSmart 

by Gayle Jo Carter

As the drumbeat gets louder to ban bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in plastics used to make sippy cups and bottles, I wondered and worried: What exactly do parents, like myself, need to know about safety feeding our kids?

With a recent National Toxicology Program brief showing that BPA may disrupt neural and behavioral development in fetuses, infants and children, I knew that it was high time to clean house.  But of what?

Sophie Uliano, eco-consultant and author of Gorgeously Green, gives us her bottom line:

1.    Always avoid plastics with No. 7 printed in the triangle on the bottom of containers. Safer numbers: 1,2 and 5.

2.    Never microwave baby food in any type of plastic container.

3.    Avoid using plastic feeding utensils.

4.    Use ceramic, enamel or glass plates.

5.    Choose sippy cups, bottles and pacifiers free of BPA’s (read information on packaging when shopping).

6.    Take a second look at canned food because of inner plastic linings, studies show the chemicals in plastic cans leech into formula, soup and pasta.

*Printed in USA Weekend July 4-6, 2008   

http://www.usaweekend.com

I thought this article has very important information for parents as well as caregivers. In the event you did not get this flyer in your local newspaper, I posted it here. We all need to stay informed!

Tania

THE COLOR OF SUMMER

Yellow is a color synonymous with summer. It reminds us of the big, bright sun shining above, giving us warmth and sending us outside to play. Yellow is the color of sunflowers so vivid and lemonade so yummy. Explore the color yellow as you and your group participate in these summer activities.

Yellow Words to Think About:

Banana, butter, yellow cab/taxi, canary, cheese, chick, daffodil, egg yolk, danger sign, duck, yellow dump truck, grapefruit, lemon, omelet, yellow pencil, yellow raincoat, school bus, yellow squash, yellow jacket (wasp) and tiger swallowtail butterfly.

MR. SUN:

Cut sun shapes from yellow construction paper and hide them around a room or outdoors in the yard. Have your children go on a "sun search" to find as many sun shapes as they can. Continue to search until all the suns have been found.

After the search, set up a table with crayons, markers, sequins, faux jewels or anything that shines and dazzles. The children can decorate by gluing these materials to the sun shapes they found.


LOADS OF LEMONS:

Printing-

Cut lemons in half. Place a few folded paper towels in a shallow pan to make a pad. Pour yellow tempera paint on top. Add a few drops of lemon extract (found in the spice section of your local grocery store). Have the children dip the lemon into the paint and press down onto a sheet of paper to make prints. A dark sheet of construction paper would be a great contrast to the bright yellow prints. Smell the lemon scent!!

Make Lemonade-

Exercise your hands as you squeeze lemons together. The reward is a thirst quenching drink that's sure to please any child on a hot summer day!

You'll need:
• 1 part fresh lemon juice • 1 part sugar • 5 parts water • pitcher • ice

• Show children how to squeeze lemons. Encourage them to try on their own.
• Take a taste of this juice; is it sweet or sour?
• Invite children to mix all the ingredients in a pitcher and stir well.
• Pour the drink into cups of ice.
• Questions to ask about this experience: “What color is lemonade? What fruit gives us the juice? How does lemonade taste? Sweet? Sour? Are there other fruits we could squeeze to get their juice?”


YELLOW IN OUR WORLD:

Take a walk and look for yellow objects. Look for yellow flowers, yellow animals, yellow signs, yellow vehicles, yellow buildings, and so on. Take photos if you wish. When you return, talk about the yellow things you saw and invite the children to make drawings of their experience. Bring out the art box and let the children create!


SUNFLOWERS:

Have each child paint a small paper plate yellow (mix a small amount of white school glue in the paint). Lay pieces of yellow tissue paper in the wet paint (to give it a petal appearance). When this process is dried, give the children sunflower seeds to glue in the center of the plate. Staple two giant green construction paper leaves at the bottom. These flowers make great summer decorations for your room or to take home!


TASTE TIME:

Cut bananas, pineapple, lemons and yellow cheese into small pieces. Have the children sample these foods. Now, discuss color, texture and taste. You may enjoy making this recipe together.

Frozen Banana Dazzles-

Cut a large banana into two pieces. Insert a lollipop or craft stick into the cut end of the banana. Place these on a cookie sheet and put them in the freezer for at least 6 hours or overnight.

Have an adult melt chocolate chips in a saucepan or use a microwave oven. Dip the frozen banana into the chocolate sauce to coat. Invite the children to roll the coated banana in dishes of candied sprinkles, flaked coconut or chopped nuts. Refreeze until ready to serve.

How did you like this article? Do you have any yellow activities you would like to share? Add a comment below by clicking on the “comment” link. Hope to hear from you.

Tania