CAREABOUTKIDS

PARENTS: Children continually check and correct mistakes by monitoring one another. In pretend play, they will exchange rules, make up definitions, and put a "frame" on the situation as they go along. Until the group formally changes them, the rules are binding. For instance, if a boy playing the role of the son asks for coffee, he will be corrected and told to ask for milk; if he later plays the father and asks for coffee, that's all right.(pg4 ph 5.) MY WORD: You are your child's world. Whatever you would like them to be like. Be it yourself and it will happen.

CAREABOUTKIDS

PARENTS: Physical health and environment play important roles in cognitive growth. There is evidence that during pregnancy, poor eating habits or excessive smoking on the mother's part can slow down the future development of her unborn child. Lack of proper nutrition during early childhood also has been found to retard intellectual functioning. Your child's intellectual development doesn't hang on a single act but on an attitude that encourages enthusiasm for learning and new ideas. Your child models himself after you, and a major route for learning is your child's observations of how you learn and deal with your emotions and stress.MY WORD: Just as important is how you live your everyday life with everyone.

CAREABOUTKIDS

PARENTS: Here are some safety tips concerning carrier seats: The carrier should have a wide, sturdy base for stability. Stay within arm's reach of the baby when the carrier seat is on tables, counters, couches, and chairs. Never turn your back. Carrier seats slide more easily on slippery surfaces such as glass table tops. If the carrier seat does not already have non-skid feet, attach rough surfaced adhesive strips to the underside. Always use the safety belts. If the carrier seat contains wire supporting devices which snap on the back, check for security. These can pop out causing the carrier seat to collapse. MY WORD: A carrier seat is not a substitute for an infant car seat, and should never be used in an automobile.

CAREABOUTKIDS

Parents: Pre-Term Babies:Because of the stresses involved in having and caring for a pre-term baby, parents may wish to seek help. Hospital-based social workers are often available to help parents cope with stress and to arrange other needed services, such as financial aid or home visits from a public health nurse. Calling on willing family members and friends for needed relief is also good for new parents. If money is not a problem the services of a capable babysitter may help tremendously. The important issue is that parents acknowledge their need for help and ask for it freely. MY WORD: No one should feel they have to take on the added responsibility of being a parent alone. We all need help sometime. That's perfectly normal. Even if only a hour or two a day.pg.5 pa 2