Get Ready for Valentines Day

In preparation for Valentine's Day, have your children make the decorations this year.  Encourage your children to create some of the following crafts and then hang them around the house, possibly frame some, and make visible for guests and visitors to your home.

• Coloring book pages: have your child use their creativity as they color the pages they select.  As you praise them, this will promote self-efficacy in your children. 

http://www.preschoolcoloringbook.com/color/cpvalentine.shtml

• Hand Valentine's: Trace your children hands out on multi-colored construction paper.  They will get so excited that you are including them and will want their hands in all different colors!

 http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/kids-valentines


As you involved your children in these fun holidays, they too will be excited and feel important.  Every time some one new comes over, they will show their latest craft and creation.  Doing small activities like Valentine crafts, give children confidence they need and the desire to express themselves in the future.   

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Tips for Better Sleep

Having a new baby in the house can definitely screw up a person’s sleep schedule. A lot of napping during the day can make it difficult to sleep during the night. If you are having trouble sleeping try these tips from the Sleep Better Guide and Journal from TYLENOL PM.

Activities to get you in the Mood for Sleep
1. Make a “to-do” list- If you find yourself thinking about things you have to remember for the following day, write them down and get them off your mind so you can relax and focus on sleep
2. Listen to music or read a book- A relaxing activity like reading or listening to soothing music can help you unwind from the day and get ready for sleep. Try to do these activities away from bright lights to help separate your sleep time from awake time.
3.  Get up and do something- Don’t lie in bed awake for more that 15 minutes. Get up and do something. Try reading or another calming activity. Go back to bed when you’re feeling tired. Don’t agonize over falling asleep. The harder you try, the harder it can be to fall asleep.

Healthy Habits for Restful Sleep
1. Avoid big meals before bed- It’s best to finish eating at least 2-3 hours before your regular bedtime. If you’re hungry, a light snack high in carbohydrates like bread or cereal may actually help you fall asleep.
2. Exercise regularly- Regular physical activity (especially aerobic) can help you fall asleep faster and make your sleep more restful. Be careful not to exercise less than three hours before bedtime--it can make getting to sleep more difficult. Late afternoon exercise is ideal
3. Limit your fluids before bed- Too much liquid can cause you to wake up repeatedly during the night for trips to the bathroom. Getting thirsty will cause you to wake up as well. Try to find your happy medium and keep water by the bed to quench your thirst during the night.

*Picture taken from knowledgera-theworld.blogspot.com

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Cute Penigun craft!

This is a fun craft that you can adjust for any age group. There is also many ways you could make it work, so work with things you have at home!

For the penguins below I used:

Water bottles
Black, white, and yellow construction paper
Googly eyes
Styrofoam ball
Scissors
Glue
Fleece

Directions:
Tear off the label of an empty water bottle. Push the googly eyes into the Styrofoam head then remove the cap from the water bottle and stick the head on top of the water bottle. Then wrap the white construction paper around the bottle followed by the black construction paper. Cut out some feet and tape them to the bottom of the water bottle. I made a little scarf out of some extra fleece we had, however you could make a scarf out of construction paper as well.


Here are some other examples that used black and white paint.

Enjoy!

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Creative Crafts on a Budget

We have all seen the Alphabet magnets that help our children make new words and help them to spell in the comfort of their own home and...right on their level!  Some of you parents may not have these useful little things around the house.  Here are instructions of how to make your own, budget-worthy, alphabet letters.  As you cut out the different letters, practice with your child/children the sounds and letters each one makes.  Have the children help pick out the different colors you make each letter and help them to get involved.  These instructions are very basic, so go ahead and get creative; adding your own little twist and personality!

• Age Guideline: 5 Years and Up
• Time Required: 30 minutes (Does not include drying time)

The above age and time guidelines are estimates. This project can be modified to suit other ages and may take more or less time depending on your circumstances.

Materials Needed:

• Craft Foam 
• Craft Glue or Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
• Magnet
• Scissors

Instructions:

• Cut letter shapes out of craft foam, what ever size you want. Cut out enough letters to spell out a word, the entire alphabet, or someone's initials - it is your choice! If you want, you can even buy pre-cut, craft foam letters.

• Cut small pieces from your magnet strip or sheet or use magnet dots, and use glue to attach the magnets to the back of your craft foam letters. If you have larger letters use a few magnet pieces.

• Once all of the glue is dry, hang your magnets on your refrigerator. This craft project would make a fun gift for a young child!

NOTE: If you make large letters, you can embellish them using fabric paint, stickers, gems, etc.
These instructions were found on http://familycrafts.about.com/od/alphabetactivities/a/alphamagnets.htm
 

Image found on http://weeklypreschoollessons.com/tag/preschool-activities/page/5/

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Intestinal Infant Botulism- How to Avoid This Deadly Disease

What is it? A rare yet deadly food borne illness caused by a nerve toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. An infant can contract this disease by eating infected foods.

How common is it? In the U.S. there is an average of 145 cases reported each year. Of the three types of botulism 65% are contracted by infants.  Some studies suggest that infant botulism may be the cause of 5% of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Signs and Symptoms: If left untreated, these symptoms may progress and cause paralysis of the arms, legs, trunk, and respiratory muscles and eventually death.

• Constipation
• Appearing lethargic
• Feeding poorly
• Having difficulty swallowing
• Weak crying
• Poor muscle tone (“floppy baby,” can’t hold up head)

How is it treated? If caught in time, Botulinum Immune Globulin (BIG) is given to the baby to neutralize the toxin.

How to prevent Infant Botulism? Honey can be a source of botulism spores, and should not be given to babies under 12 months of age. Never eat food out of a can that hasn’t been properly canned, or a can that looks swelled/inflated.

To learn more about infant botulism visit http://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/0401/p1388.html
*picture taken from http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/knowhow/glossary/honey/image.jpg

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