CAREABOUTKIDS

Parents: Through toys and other materials, children also learn to move out of themselves and face reality; they learn to think things through and thus to plan ahead. For example, they see that a doll carriage can be a shopping cart, a boat, or a delivery van; then they come to realize it cannot go through an opening that is too narrow for it. Another route must be planned.Remember that many children paint and draw for no other reason than the pleasure it gives them. These activities can be easily fostered. The preschool years are an important time to help your child establish good eating habits, since you can control your child's diet successfully. At his age, many children need to eat snacks or "mini-meals".They cannot always eat enough food at mealtime to get all the nutrients and energy they need. Help your child choose sensible snacks-foods that don't promote tooth decay. MY WORD: A child's teeth will last a lifetime with the right supervision from his parents.

CAREABOUTKIDS

Parents: This information was published on 5/22/08. Communication tips: Pay attention - don't interrupt. Don't prepare what you will say while your child is speaking. Reserve judgment until your child has finished and has asked you for a response. Your child's intellectural development doesn't hang on a single act but on an attitude that encourages enthusiasm for learning and new ideas. Each time a child succeeds on his own terms, he's satisfied with himself. He begins to feel that the world is at his finger tips.MY WORD: The positive time and energy spent with your children in their early years will be returned to you in a positive, self-confident child.

CAREABOUTKIDS

PARENTS: There are different kinds of memory. Sensory information may stay only long enough to be realized (you pinch yourself, feel the pain, and then, usually forget it fast). Short-term memory information stays about 30 seconds) for example, you look up a telephone number and forget it after you dial). Long-term memory keeps some information for many years or a lifetime.MY WORD: When a word is repeated such as hearing the same word over again it helps to retain the word. Or, association with a word will retain the word i.e. look at the "dog" in a book and seeing a "dog" helps to retain the word in the child's long-term memory. Also when children read a diversity of books it helps to retain the word in their memory.

CAREABOUTKIDS

Parents: If you want your child to read well and with understanding -to get- "Hooked on Books" begin early to lay the right foundation. You need not be a professional teacher yourself. You do need to care and to take every opportunity to help your child learn about the written language. Begin reading to a child when the child is a year old or even younger. Read from simple picture books. Cardboard pages are fairly easy for a toddler to turn and this exercise will help a child learn how to take care of books.MY WORD: Reading sessions for pre-schoolers at your library is a positive beginning for a reading program for your child.

CAREABOUTKIDS

Parents: Diet information for the family. MINERALS: iron-function helps build red blood cells. Good sources meats, especially liver, egg yolk, oysters, green leafy vegetables, dried fruits, encriched breads and cereals. Milk is also a good source and milk products. PROTEIN: builds and repairs all body tissues. Supplies energy. Good sources meat, fish, poultry eggs, milk and cheese. Also dried peas and beans, nuts and enriched bread and cereals.VITAMIN D: Helps the body build calcium and phosphorus into bones and teeth. Good sources, fish liver oils, fortified milk and margarine. Formed in the skin when exposed to sunlight. VITAMIN C or ascorbic acid: important for healthy tissues, gums, blood vessels, bones and teeth. Promotes healing. Good sources: citrus fruits, strawberries, cantaloupe, broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, green peppers and potatoes.MY WORD: Plan a balanced diet for your family that covers pretty much most vitamins and minerals.