Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Infant and Toddler Swim Benefits

With the hot temperatures, nothing sounds better than a nice day at the pool!

However, it may seem too early to take your infants and toddlers to the pool. If you make sure to take precautions such as good sun care, hydration, and water safety, introducing your children to water at an early age can actually have great benefits. A good rule of thumb when swimming with your infant or toddler is "touch supervision," especially with toddlers, you want to be in arms reach of your child.

Another beneficial activity to consider are 'mommy and me' swimming classes. Most public pools offer a series of classes to help introduce young children to water. Swimming classes have many benefits such as:

Those children who have swimming lessons at an early age, if parents continue these lessons, will have better developed motor movement. In other words they can coordinate their motor movement much better than those who don't swim.
Because these young children or babies are in lessons and they have to follow instructions, they improve their cognitive skills.
A child who is involved in swimming lessons will develop their social and emotional skills further because they are involved with other children.
Because they are being spoken to about their movement skills in the water and spoken to about color, their language skills are developed.

We have several water parks locally, they are family friendly and offer activities for children of all ages. Both the Veteran pool and the Scera Pool have great children play areas.

Veterans Pool and Waterslide Park

450 West 500 North Street
Provo, UT 84601

(801) 852-6614

Preschoolers will love the large play area in the shallow pool. Multiple slides will accommodate preschoolers of all skill levels. Preschoolers will have plenty of opportunities to get wet in the many water sprays that fill the play area and the buckets that slowly fill with water and dump on the unsuspecting preschoolers below. For preschoolers who prefer to swim without being splashed, the large beach like pool offers a large open swim area with a gradual incline into the water.

Pool blog

Scera Pool

801-229-7159

701 South State Street Orem, UT 84058

swimming benefits

Monday, June 27, 2011

Hot Tips on Heat Rash

Summer is here! And as it gets warmer, it's important to be aware of your baby's temperature and make sure that he or she is not getting heat rash. Humidity presents a higher risk for heat rash.

Heat rashes occur when sweat glands are plugged because a baby is too hot. Heat rash is distinguished by small red bumps typically found on the chest, face, and neck areas. Sometimes they will also get tiny blisters. Babies should be warm, but not sweating. Rashes can come and go quickly without treatment.
What to do:

Dress your baby in lightweight fabrics, especially cotton, to keep them cool.
Do not use creams or oils on them, as they block pores more and keep skin warmer.
Bathe your baby in cool to war water. Add 1/4 cup baking soda in the water, but do not use soap, and pat the baby dry.
Do not wrap your a blanket or overdress them.
Use air conditioning if possible. If not, use a fan far enough away that a light breeze reaches the baby to help evaporate moisture.

If you're concerned, here's when you should call your medical provider:

If there is puss or water in the rash, or if it spreads over the baby's whole body.
If the baby has a fever, or seems very sick.
If the rash persists for more than one week.

Resources:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001966.htm
The Welcome Baby Home Visitor's Guide

Friday, June 24, 2011

Weekend Plans

With the weather heating up, what a great time to visit a festival!

This weekend Cedar Hills is having their Annual Family Festival with many great activities for children of all ages. Below is the list of events, times, and locations. If you're not able to attend any of the day time events, make sure you make it to the firework show!

FRIDAY, JUNE 17
Swim Night at the Lindon Aquatic Center - 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Come kick off the Family Festival with a fun-filled night at the Lindon pool. $3 admission includes hot dogs and drinks while they last, so come hungry!

TUESDAY, JUNE 21
Orem Owlz Baseball Game at UVU Ballpark - 7:05 p.m.
Join us as Cedar Hills residents participate in pregame events. $5 discount tickets with meal available at the City office until day before the game. Regular priced tickets will be available at the game.

FRIDAY, JUNE 24
Dinner and a Movie at Mesquite Park (10440 N Mesquite Way, Cedar Hills) - 7:00-11:00 p.m.
We will have delicious food, entertainment, and a giant screen with How to Train Your Dragon! $7 for the meal; movie is free for everyone. Save $2 per meal in advance.

SATURDAY, JUNE 25 - 5K and Mile Fun Run - Start on Pinion Drive
In-office registration ends June 22. Registrations accepted on morning of race only. Run to help raise money for Jessie, a 3-year-old girl from Cedar Hills, who was recently diagnosed with Leukemia. Tell your friends and family members of all ages and running levels to come and join the fun! Individuals must register online from the Youth Sports page on the Cedar Hills Web site here. Families or groups of four people may register as a group and SAVE! Click here for the "Family of Four" registration form.

SATURDAY, JUNE 25
Annual Parade - Starts at Deerfield Elementary at 10:00 a.m. and ends at Heritage Park
Floats, animals, local performers, and more will take to the streets to keep you entertained and having fun!
SATURDAY, JUNE 25
Carnival at Heritage Park (4425 W Cedar Hills Drive, Cedar Hills) - 11:00 am-10:00 p.m.
This year's carnival will be bigger and better than ever, and it will continue through the night, up until the fireworks! The carnival will include mechanical carnival rides for children and adults, a huge slide, smaller rides just for children, and a bounce house. All-day pass with wristband: $8. Save $4 per pass in advance.
SATURDAY, JUNE 25
Children's Games at Heritage Park - Noon-3:00 p.m.
During the carnival, free games will be offered for the little ones! Help your children win prizes, while playing games in Heritage Park! From noon to 1:30 Disney Radio will be on hand with a DJ, games, and a prize for every child.

SATURDAY, JUNE 25
Outdoor Performances at Heritage Park Amphitheater - 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Bring blankets or chairs and stay awhile, and keep this tradition going as we support our local talent.

SATURDAY, JUNE 25
Dino Dig at Heritage Park - 3:00 p.m.
Kids up to 10 years old are welcome to participate. Money coins will be hidden in the sand at the volleyball pit, and children will have to dig to find them. Carnival wristband or $1 ticket from headquarters desk required.

SATURDAY, JUNE 25
Cedar Hills Baking Contest - 3:30 p.m. Heritage Park Pavilion
We are accepting entries in this year's Cedar Hills Baking Contest. Entries will be judged according to taste, appearance, and texture, and may include cakes, brownies, cookies, or other baked items. Chefs, click here for registration form.

SATURDAY, JUNE 25
Fireworks at Mesquite Park - 10:00 p.m.
The fireworks show has always been a highlight of the festival. Sit back and enjoy the show as fireworks light up the sky!

Craft Fair Exhibitors and Food Vendors
Crafts, art objects, and other items, along with food, cold drinks, and other types of refreshments will be available for sale at the festival on Saturday, June 25.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Happy Father's Day

Power Principles for Successful Fathers:

The Most Important Gift is Time. Nothing substitutes for our time and attention. Every father struggles with keeping work, self and family in balance.We have also found that not all time is equal. There is a difference between quality time and quantity time. But my experience suggests that it is tough to have quality time without enough quantity.

Teaching Responsibility. Fathers are in a unique position in a child's life to teach responsibility and the value of work. We teach it by example by keeping our commitments, by putting family first and by enduring hard times. We also teach by giving children stewardship and demanding accountability, whether it is with chores, school work or other aspects of their young lives.

Walk the Talk. Walking the talk--being what you want your children to be--is a symbol of integrity. Being a man of principle and living congruently with those principles is an essential element of successful fatherhood.

Consistency. Fathers are best when their approach is predictable and consistent. Children get a strong message when fathers are firm and solid in their approach. Being fair and consistent in discipline is important. Limits that are set and then moved are not limits at all, with either a child or with a parent.

High Expectations. Successful fathers set high but realistic expectations for themselves and for their children. And then they work together to achieve those expectations. They read together so that they learn how to learn. They work together to achieve important ends. And they celebrate their accomplishments and learn from their mistakes.

Expressions of Love. Fathers who have great relationships with their children have learned to express love in meaningful ways. They tailor their expressions to the way each child receives love. They are gentle but firm even when disciplining, and then show afterward an increase in love. They find little ways to express love, and they do it every day when the kids are living at home.

Mutual Respect. When a father shows respect for his children and others, they are more likely to respect him. Keeping expectations clear, being even handed and level headed, and respecting children's self-worth all help breed an atmosphere of mutual respect. And when a father respects their child's mother, regardless of whether they are married or divorced, children learn to respect him more completely.

Making Values Count. Successful fathers also teach values. They have a rich spiritual life (however they define that) and connect to nature and timeless values. They respect womanhood, they are honest, the live by standards of moral integrity. Great fathers help pass on these values to their children rather than leaving them valueless in a world where values seem to shift with the sands of time.

(http://fatherhood.about.com/od/succeedingasafather/a/principles.htm)

Top 10 Ways to Balance Life & Work

How Fathers Can Teach Their Children Values

Communicating in Your Child's Love Language

Setting Appropriately High Expectations for Children

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Could breastfeeding protect your child?

According to a recent study, an estimated 900 babies could be saved each year if 90% of mothers breast-fed their children exclusively until they were 6 months old.

Breast milk protects against many costly illnesses because it contains antibodies passed down from the mother. Benefits include protection against asthma, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, stomach viruses, ear infections, and other illnesses. Breastfeeding also helps regulate insulin levels in the blood, which protects against diabetes and obesity.

Aside from direct health benefits, this study found that billions of dollars could be saved if this 90% mark was reached. Illness, treatment, hospitalization, and lost wages due to deaths were calculated into this cost-analysis.

Not mentioned in the article are the numerous other benefits of breastfeeding: mother-child bonding, perfect nutrition for the baby, weight loss and possible reduced risk of breast cancer for the mother, and much more.

If it is possible for you, breastfeeding is one of the best things you can do to help your baby in these crucial months of development.

For resources on breastfeeding, visit: The American Academy of Pediatrics
and The Federal Government's Women's Health Website

Monday, June 13, 2011

Weekly Events

It's a new week and that means lots of fun new activities in our community! We're going to start highlighting some fun, cheap, local events every Monday. Hopefully this will give you some great ideas and help you spend time with your family. It will also give you great ways to keep your children busy during the summer.

Strawberry Days

June 15 - 18, 2011

Days of the Week: Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
Pleasant Grove Recreation Center

65 East 200 South, Pleasant Grove, UT

Hours of Operation: 8:00am-10:00pm

Price: Varies with event, Rodeo $10

Carillon Concert

Thursday, June 16th at 7 p.m

Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics to the shady lawns surrounding the tower to enjoy an evening concert on the lawn below the BYU Bell Tower.

Cost: Free

The following events are weekly activities:

Storytime at the Orem Public Library

Days of the Week: Tue, Wed, Thu Orem Public Library - Storytelling Wing
58 North State Street, Orem, UT 84057
801-229-7379
Hours of Operation: 10:30am
Price: Free

Book Babies

September 3, 2010 - December 31, 2011
Days of the Week: Fri Provo City Academy Square Library
550 North University Avenue, Provo, UT 84601
801-852-6650
Hours of Operation: 10:00am - 10:30am
Price: Free

Chess for Kids or Open Chess

January 7, 2010 - December 31, 2011
Days of the Week: Thu Orem Public Library - Storytelling Wing
58 North State Street, Orem, UT 84057
801-229-7050
Hours of Operation: 4:00pm - 9:00pm
Price: Free

BYU Monte L. Bean Live Animal Shows

January 1, 2011 - January 5, 2012
Days of the Week: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum
645 East 1430 North, Provo, UT 84602
801-422-5051
Hours of Operation: Varies - See Description
Price: Free to Attend

Enjoy!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Water Bottle Bowling

We made bowling pins out of water bottles a few weeks ago at play group and it was a blast! This is a cheap and easy way to bring the fun and excitement of bowling into your home.

Bowling helps children in many ways, including developing motor skills and learning to take turns. It's also a great activity because it can be adapted to many different skill levels so everyone can enjoy.

The craft is simple:

Save up empty water bottles (6 or 10 depending on how many you want to bowl down), then remove their labels and make sure they are dry. Fill them with an inch or so of rice or sand, or any other material that would weigh them down a bit.

Cut out strips of paper long enough to fit around the water bottle and have your kids draw on them or write their names. Once they're finished, wrap them around the middle of the bottles and tape the ends together so that they stay put.

Now, set up your pins in a triangle shape in an area where you'll have enough room to back up and bowl. You can use any ball to bowl the pins over -- I got my plastic ball from Maceys for $1.

A variation on decorating the pins is to put a bit of paint into the bottom of the bottles before you add the rice or sand, and then put the lids on and shake them up. The bottles turn into colorful pins, and once you've let them dry you can add the rice or sand.

*Fun tip: the bowling pins double as maracas, so you can have a rhythm and dance party after you bowl!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Free Family Event!

Hot dogs, snow cones, picnics in the park, swimming, and sporting events are some of fun things I associate with summer time! We would like to invite you to a fun FREE summer event hosted by United Way. Simply RSVP to the link below and we will send you tickets. Bring your family, blankets, and come enjoy a fun family night!

United Way Night
with the Orem Owlz

June 28 @ 7:05 p.m.

Brent Brown Ballpark

What:

Orem Owlz vs. Ogden Raptors

When:

June 28, 7:05 p.m.

Where:

Brent Brown Ballpark

Details:

Come join us for United Way Volunteer Night with the Owlz. As a thank you for sharing your passion, expertise and resources to advance the common good, we invite you to put on your LIVE UNITED t-shirt and enjoy a free evening of baseball with us.

To RSVP or find out more information, email Brian at brianw@unitedwayuc.org

Monday, June 6, 2011

Hair Bows for Babies

1. The only things needed are the tights, a little bit of ribbon. Preferably the same color as the headband. Also the sewing machine and hot glue. Cut the very ends off of the knee highs. Heat seal the ribbon on both ends.

2. Fold the tights over and even up the ends. Sew close to the edge with a gathering stitch.

It doesn't have to be perfect because we won't see that part when we finish.

3. Pull the end strings so that the tights gather.
The gather automatically folds in toward each other.

4. Tie the ends of the strings together so that the gathering doesn't unravel.

5. Take the ribbon and wrap it around the seam. Hot glue right on to the seam with one side of the ribbon.

6. Hot glue the other side too. I try to pull it a little tight so that the bow or flower isn't flopping around.

Now you can put anything in the headband.
To see how to make a flower hair clip go here.

Taken from the following Blog:
http://pebblesandpoppys.blogspot.com/2009/08/baby-headband-tutorial.html

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Playground Safety

As the weather is warming up, your family is probably getting excited to spend some time outdoors. Going to the park is a great outdoor activity for you to enjoy together. You can have a picnic, play kickball, run on the grass, throw a Frisbee, walk the dog, or play on the playground. My siblings and I used to love making up silly skits and dances to perform to our parents at the park.

Play is a very important part of a child’s development. As you visit the park or other places for your children to play at, supervise your children and try to teach them the importance of safety and show them ways they can make their play safer.

Have fun!

You can click on the link below to read an article on playground safety from kidshealth.org.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Summer Q&A

For many families, this has been a busy week with school ending and summer starting. But we are excited for a fun packed summer! We will be highlighting many of the free community events and activities. We'll also be spotlighting some of our fun craft ideas to do with your children. So make sure to check in often to see what's going on in your community!

In addition to the fun ideas we'll be posting, we also wanted to offer other resources. In our office located in Downtown Provo, we have an in-house Nurse Practitioner and an Early Childhood Literacy Specialist. Both of these ladies have years of experience! Besides their own families, they've both worked in their respective fields teaching and caring for children for many years. We are so lucky to have these ladies at our disposal!

If you ever have any questions, concerns, or would like to see a certain topic discussed, please let us know! We are here to help you and want to make sure we address the topics that are of interest to you.

Please email any questions to Welcome Baby and we will ask our specialists.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Enjoy the Sun!

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