With the Meigs County Fair coming soon I thought I would post these valuble safety tips to use when around the fair animals and the fair in general. Don't forget to take your hand sanitizer and sunscreen with you when you visit the fair.Here are some tips from Dr.Will Sawyer of www.henrythehand.com.
Summertime festivals and fairs mean tons of fun for children, especially when they get to pet a furry farm animal or hold a baby chick in their hands. But you know what's not so fun for kids? Getting sick.
While animals at petting zoos are cute, they have posed a health risk for children (and adults) because the animals' skin, fur and saliva can be contaminated with fecal matter. E. coli and salmonella bacteria are two major health risks facing children at petting zoos.
There are ways to prevent respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases caught at a petting zoo, including proper hand washing with soap and water. However, not all petting zoos have a sink on-site, let alone soap to wash the germs away.
What can we do to prevent our children from getting sick? It's easy: Educate and show children the 4 Principles of Hand Awareness, which have been endorsed by the AMA and the AAFP:
1. Wash your hands before eating and when they are dirty.
2. Do not cough in your hands.
3. Do not sneeze in your hands.
4. Above all, do not put your finger in your eyes, nose or mouth.
The last one is important: Teach children to not put their fingers or hands into their eyes, nose, and mouth. The eyes, nose, and mouth are the only portals of entry for bacteria that cause respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases - the exact ones posing a health risk at petting zoos.
To learn more about staying healthy this summer, visit the Henry the Hand Foundation Web site at www.henrythehand.com.
Thank you for helping to
Spread the word, not the germs!
Dr.Will Sawyer
dr.will@henrythehand.com
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Your Are Your Child's Favorite Toy
Playing with your child is one of the most important ways to foster development. No need for fancy toys or expensive equipment. You are your child’s favorite toy! Playing with your child will grant you many rewards as your child will emit squeals of laughter and joy all while learning valuble skills.
There are a few rules you, as the parent need to know. Safety first! Make sure toys don’t have pieces that could come off and be swallowed. Get down on the floor and see what your child might be able to reach.Do you see any dangling cords or open outlets? When your child starts moving they will be exploring everything. Exploring through play is how they learn. Baby proofing your child’s play areas now will mean a lot less no-no’s you will have to say, and you will be saying no-no a lot!
Follow your child’s lead. They will tell you what is interesting to them. When your child sees your reaction in her discoveries they will want play more and more. Remember, playing is the way they learn! Playing with your baby is also a great stress reliever and creates good memories for the both of you. Play is truly the work of your child!
Next, remember your child is unique. Each child develops at their own pace. Your child may have special skills or needs. Watch carefully to see what your child is trying to do. Help them just enough that they manage to reach their objective or if they have accomplished the task show them the next step. You could place a favored object just out of reach and watch how your child tries to move toward it. Give lots of praise and celebrate when your child accomplishes the objective. You will be rewarded with big smiles and lots of baby talk.
The benefits of parent and child play are enormous. As you talk to your child they learn the sounds of words and the rhythm of language. Eye contact and back and forth conversation fosters communication skills. Cause and effect is discovered when your child copies your example and they too make the toy work. Your child perfects hand and eye coordination as he reaches for the object in your hand. They see colors, feel textures, smell different smells and even taste the object, allowing all his senses to develop.
As you can see play is very important for you and your baby. So spend some time playing with your child. The rewards are life changing for both of you!
There are a few rules you, as the parent need to know. Safety first! Make sure toys don’t have pieces that could come off and be swallowed. Get down on the floor and see what your child might be able to reach.Do you see any dangling cords or open outlets? When your child starts moving they will be exploring everything. Exploring through play is how they learn. Baby proofing your child’s play areas now will mean a lot less no-no’s you will have to say, and you will be saying no-no a lot!
Follow your child’s lead. They will tell you what is interesting to them. When your child sees your reaction in her discoveries they will want play more and more. Remember, playing is the way they learn! Playing with your baby is also a great stress reliever and creates good memories for the both of you. Play is truly the work of your child!
Next, remember your child is unique. Each child develops at their own pace. Your child may have special skills or needs. Watch carefully to see what your child is trying to do. Help them just enough that they manage to reach their objective or if they have accomplished the task show them the next step. You could place a favored object just out of reach and watch how your child tries to move toward it. Give lots of praise and celebrate when your child accomplishes the objective. You will be rewarded with big smiles and lots of baby talk.
The benefits of parent and child play are enormous. As you talk to your child they learn the sounds of words and the rhythm of language. Eye contact and back and forth conversation fosters communication skills. Cause and effect is discovered when your child copies your example and they too make the toy work. Your child perfects hand and eye coordination as he reaches for the object in your hand. They see colors, feel textures, smell different smells and even taste the object, allowing all his senses to develop.
As you can see play is very important for you and your baby. So spend some time playing with your child. The rewards are life changing for both of you!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Your Child's Social-Emotional Development
In the first 3 years of your child’s life, developing important emotional and social abilities will evolve in small steps making way for later school success. Abilities such as showing empathy, giving and receiving love, making friends, waiting patiently, and enjoying the company of others, and many more, describe healthy social-emotional development. Help Me Grow can assist you as a parent, to develop these all important skills in your child.
Help Me Grow utilizes the research based Parent's As Teachers curriculum and several screening and assessment tools to see if your child is developing at a normal rate. If a problem is found Help Me Grow can help you find the resources for assistance in helping your child catch up to their peers. Here are some ways you can check to see if your child is on track, keeping in mind however, that each child grows and develops at a different pace.If you have concerns about your child’s development, you may want to consult with the child’s Health Care Provider and/or contact Help Me Grow at 740-992-5266.
2 months:
Grasps rattle placed in hand
Social smiles, smiles responsively
Coos and reciprocal vocalization
Shows interest in visual and auditory stimuli
Demonstrates social interaction, follows moving person with eyes
When prone, lifts head, neck and upper chest with support of forearms
Some head control in upright position
4 months:
Holds head high, raises body on hands when prone, sits when supported
Controls head well
Rolls prone to supine
Plays with hands, holds rattle, reaches for objects, holds own hands
Looks at mobile, arms active
Follows object 180 degrees
Smiles, coos, laughs, babbles; initiates social contact, turns to voice
May sleep at least six hours
Able to comfort self, e.g., fall asleep by self
6 months:
Rolls from front to back; sits with support
Bears weight, stands with support
Transfers objects hand to hand
Turns to sound and voice; may show stranger anxiety
Raking hand pattern; grasps and mouths objects
Vocalizes single consonants ("dada", "baba"); may imitate sounds of speech
Babbles reciprocally; reacts socially by smiling in response to someone else's smile
Shows recognition of parents; shows interest in toys
Starts to self-feed
First tooth may erupt
9 months:
Sits independently
Reaches for objects with one hand
Crawls, creeps or scoots on bottom
Pulls to stand, stands holding on
Inferior pincer grasp, pokes with index finger
Bangs, throws and drops objects
Finger feeds, starts to use cup
Imitates vocalizations; babbles
May say "dada" and "mama" nonspecifically
Responds to own name
Understands a few words, e.g., "no-no," "bye-bye" - combines syllables
Can sleep through the night
May show stranger anxiety
Enjoys interactive games, e.g., peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake
Turns toward sound with eyes and head movement
12 months:
Pulls to stand, stands alone, cruises, may take a few steps alone
Has precise pincer grasp
Points; indicates wants
Has vocabulary of one to three words; uses "mama" and "dada" correctly
Recognizes caregiver's voice
Obeys simple requests; waves "bye-bye"
Feeds self; drinks from a cup
Actively looks for hidden or dropped objects
Shows emotions (fear, anxiety, affection)
Imitates
15 months:
Walks alone, bends over, may run
Crawls up stairs
Stacks two blocks
Can point to one or more body parts
Feeds self with fingers, drinks from cup
Understands simple commands
Listens to a story
Has vocabulary of three to six words
Indicates wants by pointing or grunting
Imitates activity
Can remove some clothing
18 months:
Likes to climb and run, walks backwards; climbs into chair, sits in chair
Throws/kicks ball; stacks three or four blocks
Has a vocabulary of 15-20 words, uses two word phrases, imitates words
Uses a spoon and cup, can remove clothing
Listens to a story, looking at pictures and naming objects
Plays with toys appropriately, e.g., pulls a pull toy, cuddles a doll
Answers simple questions by pointing, follows simple directions
Scribbles spontaneously, imitates crayon strokes
Dumps object from bottle without demonstration
Shows affection, hugs and kisses
24 months:
Climbs up and down steps holding on with one hand
Jumps, runs, throws overhand
Stands on one foot with little support
Can stack five or six blocks
Has a vocabulary of 50+ words, two word phrases, understands pronouns
Speech should be intelligible to parents
Parallel play dominant
Possessive with toys
Can follow two-step commands, can name some body parts
Makes or imitates horizontal and circular strokes with crayon
Imitates adults
Increasing attention span
Separation anxiety from parents
Brushes teeth with help, puts on clothing, washes hands
3 years:
Jumps in place, kicks a ball, balances on one foot, stacks blocks
Rides a tricycle
Alternates feet ascending stairs
Knows name, age and gender
Copies circle and cross, visually discriminates colors
Has some self care skills, e.g., feeding and dressing self
Demonstrates speech that is mostly intelligible
Pretend play well developed
Can follow directions
Names colors
Help Me Grow utilizes the research based Parent's As Teachers curriculum and several screening and assessment tools to see if your child is developing at a normal rate. If a problem is found Help Me Grow can help you find the resources for assistance in helping your child catch up to their peers. Here are some ways you can check to see if your child is on track, keeping in mind however, that each child grows and develops at a different pace.If you have concerns about your child’s development, you may want to consult with the child’s Health Care Provider and/or contact Help Me Grow at 740-992-5266.
2 months:
Grasps rattle placed in hand
Social smiles, smiles responsively
Coos and reciprocal vocalization
Shows interest in visual and auditory stimuli
Demonstrates social interaction, follows moving person with eyes
When prone, lifts head, neck and upper chest with support of forearms
Some head control in upright position
4 months:
Holds head high, raises body on hands when prone, sits when supported
Controls head well
Rolls prone to supine
Plays with hands, holds rattle, reaches for objects, holds own hands
Looks at mobile, arms active
Follows object 180 degrees
Smiles, coos, laughs, babbles; initiates social contact, turns to voice
May sleep at least six hours
Able to comfort self, e.g., fall asleep by self
6 months:
Rolls from front to back; sits with support
Bears weight, stands with support
Transfers objects hand to hand
Turns to sound and voice; may show stranger anxiety
Raking hand pattern; grasps and mouths objects
Vocalizes single consonants ("dada", "baba"); may imitate sounds of speech
Babbles reciprocally; reacts socially by smiling in response to someone else's smile
Shows recognition of parents; shows interest in toys
Starts to self-feed
First tooth may erupt
9 months:
Sits independently
Reaches for objects with one hand
Crawls, creeps or scoots on bottom
Pulls to stand, stands holding on
Inferior pincer grasp, pokes with index finger
Bangs, throws and drops objects
Finger feeds, starts to use cup
Imitates vocalizations; babbles
May say "dada" and "mama" nonspecifically
Responds to own name
Understands a few words, e.g., "no-no," "bye-bye" - combines syllables
Can sleep through the night
May show stranger anxiety
Enjoys interactive games, e.g., peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake
Turns toward sound with eyes and head movement
12 months:
Pulls to stand, stands alone, cruises, may take a few steps alone
Has precise pincer grasp
Points; indicates wants
Has vocabulary of one to three words; uses "mama" and "dada" correctly
Recognizes caregiver's voice
Obeys simple requests; waves "bye-bye"
Feeds self; drinks from a cup
Actively looks for hidden or dropped objects
Shows emotions (fear, anxiety, affection)
Imitates
15 months:
Walks alone, bends over, may run
Crawls up stairs
Stacks two blocks
Can point to one or more body parts
Feeds self with fingers, drinks from cup
Understands simple commands
Listens to a story
Has vocabulary of three to six words
Indicates wants by pointing or grunting
Imitates activity
Can remove some clothing
18 months:
Likes to climb and run, walks backwards; climbs into chair, sits in chair
Throws/kicks ball; stacks three or four blocks
Has a vocabulary of 15-20 words, uses two word phrases, imitates words
Uses a spoon and cup, can remove clothing
Listens to a story, looking at pictures and naming objects
Plays with toys appropriately, e.g., pulls a pull toy, cuddles a doll
Answers simple questions by pointing, follows simple directions
Scribbles spontaneously, imitates crayon strokes
Dumps object from bottle without demonstration
Shows affection, hugs and kisses
24 months:
Climbs up and down steps holding on with one hand
Jumps, runs, throws overhand
Stands on one foot with little support
Can stack five or six blocks
Has a vocabulary of 50+ words, two word phrases, understands pronouns
Speech should be intelligible to parents
Parallel play dominant
Possessive with toys
Can follow two-step commands, can name some body parts
Makes or imitates horizontal and circular strokes with crayon
Imitates adults
Increasing attention span
Separation anxiety from parents
Brushes teeth with help, puts on clothing, washes hands
3 years:
Jumps in place, kicks a ball, balances on one foot, stacks blocks
Rides a tricycle
Alternates feet ascending stairs
Knows name, age and gender
Copies circle and cross, visually discriminates colors
Has some self care skills, e.g., feeding and dressing self
Demonstrates speech that is mostly intelligible
Pretend play well developed
Can follow directions
Names colors
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Learning With Breakfast Cereal?
Think cereal is just for breakfast?? Well think again! Cereal, while being a delicious breakfast or a great snack can also be a learning tool! Encouraging children to observe patterns is an important, pre-math skill that helps them make sense of what they see, hear and learn.Patterns teach children how things work together and allow them to predict what comes next. These skills, in turn, can help children become problem solvers.
Child development research shows that unless we help children find meaning in what they see and experience, learning will not take place. The brain seeks patterns from birth through life. But if you want your child’s brain to work to its maximum, you have to provide the right activities.
Here are some fun things you and your child can do with breakfast cereal to facilitate learning.
1. Using round cereal in different colors and a piece of yarn, make a necklace to wear. (You can use a small piece of yarn or a pipe cleaner to make a bracelet to
alleviate choking concerns.) Help your child notice similarities and differences in patterns on her string. Ask them to tell the colors and shapes of the string and cereals.
2. Make piles of different colors. Have your child duplicate your piles of cereal. Take a piece of paper and right the numbers from 1 to 5. Place the corresponding pieces of cereal to the number. Be sure to tell your child, "This is one fruit loop. it is red, these are two fruit loops. They are yellow." And so on.
3. Get out your cupcake pan. Give your child 20 or more Cheerios or Fruit Loops and let them place some in each cup. Then you and your child count how many are in each cup. Talk about more and less. Ask you child which cup of cereal would they like to eat. Do they want to eat more or less. They will figure out in no time the cup with more is better!
4. Take a piece of paper and put the colors of the cereal on the paper. Have the child match the colors. Repeat color names. Use mathematical terms such as first, second third. Ask you child what do you think comes next?
5. Give your child three different empty water bottles. Have them drop Fruit Loops or Cheerios into them. Count as they drop them in. Talk about the different colors. "You just put one red one in the bottle. Now lets shake the cereal out of the bottle" (Bonus! You are teaching the spatial concepts such as in and out, up and down.( Ask them to sort the cereal into three colors and put place each color into the bottles. (Another bonus! your child is learning to use their small muscles when putting the cereal in the bottle)
Encouraging toddlers to notice, experiment and play with patterns will sow the seeds of logical thinking, problem-solving and reasoning. Children also can spell better when they are taught to notice the patterns in sounds and meaning of words.
There you go. Who knew there was so much fun hiding in a box of cereal? Now go have fun!
Child development research shows that unless we help children find meaning in what they see and experience, learning will not take place. The brain seeks patterns from birth through life. But if you want your child’s brain to work to its maximum, you have to provide the right activities.
Here are some fun things you and your child can do with breakfast cereal to facilitate learning.
1. Using round cereal in different colors and a piece of yarn, make a necklace to wear. (You can use a small piece of yarn or a pipe cleaner to make a bracelet to
alleviate choking concerns.) Help your child notice similarities and differences in patterns on her string. Ask them to tell the colors and shapes of the string and cereals.
2. Make piles of different colors. Have your child duplicate your piles of cereal. Take a piece of paper and right the numbers from 1 to 5. Place the corresponding pieces of cereal to the number. Be sure to tell your child, "This is one fruit loop. it is red, these are two fruit loops. They are yellow." And so on.
3. Get out your cupcake pan. Give your child 20 or more Cheerios or Fruit Loops and let them place some in each cup. Then you and your child count how many are in each cup. Talk about more and less. Ask you child which cup of cereal would they like to eat. Do they want to eat more or less. They will figure out in no time the cup with more is better!
4. Take a piece of paper and put the colors of the cereal on the paper. Have the child match the colors. Repeat color names. Use mathematical terms such as first, second third. Ask you child what do you think comes next?
5. Give your child three different empty water bottles. Have them drop Fruit Loops or Cheerios into them. Count as they drop them in. Talk about the different colors. "You just put one red one in the bottle. Now lets shake the cereal out of the bottle" (Bonus! You are teaching the spatial concepts such as in and out, up and down.( Ask them to sort the cereal into three colors and put place each color into the bottles. (Another bonus! your child is learning to use their small muscles when putting the cereal in the bottle)
Encouraging toddlers to notice, experiment and play with patterns will sow the seeds of logical thinking, problem-solving and reasoning. Children also can spell better when they are taught to notice the patterns in sounds and meaning of words.
There you go. Who knew there was so much fun hiding in a box of cereal? Now go have fun!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Looking for Summer Fun for Your Kids?
Look no further! Join the Meigs County District Library's Summer Reading Program.
Make a Splash - READ!:
Ahoy Readers! Set sail for the Meigs County District Public Library's Summer Reading Program! You might create a sea serpent, attend shark school, design a boat, or discover an ocean of books.
The Children's Summer Reading Program is open to young people, preschool age through young adult, with programs, prize drawings, story hours, a reading club and more. A variety of programs will be offered for all ages. So join us each week, beginning Monday,June 7th thru July 23rd for programs, and oceans of fun! To register your child, visit one of our branches or contact the Pomeroy Library at 740-992-5813.
The 2010 Children's Summer Reading Program is sponsored in part by Grange Insurance, Downing, Childs & Musser.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Family Information Network of Ohio
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!!
Two repeat performances for families of children in Help Me Grow
How to Encourage Language in Young Children
We anxiously await our child’s first word, but not every child talks according to our timeline. On June 3 between 10:00-11:30 a.m. or 7:00-8:30 p.m. we will replay this original presentation by Abbie McCauley, Ph. D and Lindsay Thatcher CCC/SLP. Parents who joined the original session had very positive comments about the practical information that was shared.
Getting Your Child Ready for Preschool
As parents, we can do many fun and simple things to help our child get ready so they can make the most of their time in preschool. Remember, you can’t start too early! Greta Powell, M.A., EIS and Amy Keren, B. A. will present many great ideas during the repeat Webinar presentation on June 15 between 10:00-11:30 a.m. or 7:00-8:30 p.m.
These sessions are being coordinated by the Family Information Network of Ohio.
How to register? Simple! Email finofohiowebinar@ymail.com. In your email please indicate that you are a family in HMG and the date & time of the Webinar. Several days before the Webinar you will receive an email with information on how to log on and join these very informative and practical presentations.
Two repeat performances for families of children in Help Me Grow
How to Encourage Language in Young Children
We anxiously await our child’s first word, but not every child talks according to our timeline. On June 3 between 10:00-11:30 a.m. or 7:00-8:30 p.m. we will replay this original presentation by Abbie McCauley, Ph. D and Lindsay Thatcher CCC/SLP. Parents who joined the original session had very positive comments about the practical information that was shared.
Getting Your Child Ready for Preschool
As parents, we can do many fun and simple things to help our child get ready so they can make the most of their time in preschool. Remember, you can’t start too early! Greta Powell, M.A., EIS and Amy Keren, B. A. will present many great ideas during the repeat Webinar presentation on June 15 between 10:00-11:30 a.m. or 7:00-8:30 p.m.
These sessions are being coordinated by the Family Information Network of Ohio.
How to register? Simple! Email finofohiowebinar@ymail.com. In your email please indicate that you are a family in HMG and the date & time of the Webinar. Several days before the Webinar you will receive an email with information on how to log on and join these very informative and practical presentations.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
GMCAA Family Fun Fair Fiesta
Thanks to everyone for your important contributions of time and energy to the Fourth annual Gallia Meigs Community Action Help Me Grow Family Fun Fair Fiesta! Once again all of you have provided the families with preschoolers in Meigs County a fun and safe place to play and learn all about the agencies that serve our county. We are happy to share that over 300 children and families attended the event. Music and announcements were provided by Rockin’ Reggie, with face painting, bounce house, and costumed characters provided by Kids Party Entertainment by Angel- Bug from Cleveland, Ohio.
Special thanks to all the agencies that put up a booth and provided freebies, information and /or a game or treat for Meigs counties preschool families. We can’t do it with out you. You are shining stars in our book.
Thank you seems inadequate for the Meigs County High School Nursing Students who worked tirelessly from beginning to end. They helped set up the tents, tables and chairs, worked at whatever was needed and then help break it all down and put it away. They truly were a great bunch to work with! Kudos to you all.
Please vote for Angel Bug to become Best Party Entertainer in Nickelodeon’s Parent Picks Award winner. You can nominate Angel Bug once a day every day until June 17th at http://www.parentsconnect.com/parents-picks/cleveland-oh-usa/best-cleveland-oh-usa-party-entertainer
//Reggie.jpg">
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)