Category: Toddler

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Top 12 questions to ask a childcare center

child care worker and child

Finding a childcare center for your son or daughter is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as a parent. Most importantly, you want your child to feel safe and secure in a stimulating environment that allows him or her to grow and learn.

It is easy to get information about a daycare’s curriculum and credentials online. But a visit to experience it firsthand is the only way to really know if it’s a good fit for you and your child.

Whether you are seeking care for your infant, toddler, or preschooler, the first step is to find a reputable and qualified childcare center.

Prepare some questions to ask yourself during the visit. That way, it will be easier to remember what is important to you as the childcare provider walks you through the facility. Here is a checklist of 12 questions to help you assess if a childcare center is the right place for your son or daughter.

12 questions to ask when visiting a childcare facility

  1. What is the initial smell when you enter the building?
  2. Does the environment feel cheerful and welcoming?
  3. Are there any environmental health or safety concerns?
  4. What sounds do you hear as you walk through the facility?
  5. Do staff members interact with children in a warm, positive manner?
  6. Does the center director engage with staff?
  7. How do staff members interact with you during your visit?
  8. Do the children in the classrooms appear to be stimulated and engaged?
  9. Can you envision your child in the classroom interacting with teachers and playing with peers?
  10. Can you picture walking into that building every morning and every evening with a strong sense of safety and confidence?
  11. Ask about procedures to protect the children from COVID (children under age 3 should not wear masks)
  12. Ask about how they are protecting the teachers from COVID?

Trust Your Instincts

Of course, you’ll have questions that you want to ask the center director, but if you are able to respond positively to the questions above, you may have found childcare that meets your child’s needs. Alternatively, if one of your answers brings up a sense of concern or worry, you may need to ask additional questions, conduct further research, and look at other childcare options. Trust your instincts. The right childcare provider will make this transition to childcare much easier you and your child.

Ultimately, the childcare provider you choose should make you and your child feel safe. Once safety is established, you can find a facility that provides the education for your child to have the best possible start during these critical learning years.

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How to Come Out of Quarantine and Into Childcare

family mom dad toddler

Many child care professionals and centers have enhanced their health and safety protocols to keep children, their families and themselves safe and help you come out of quarantine and into childcare It is inevitable that there will be a high need for more child care spaces as parents begin to return to work.

The Real question is how are children affected by COVID and what are their chances of becoming ill. The Mayo Clinic has a very good article about babies and toddler and COVID. It outlines the likelihood which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reports is that among nearly 150,000 cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. between Feb. 12 and April 2, only about 2,500, or 1.7%, were in children.

Are Infants art Risk from COVID?

Although rare, Babies under the age of 12, are at higher risk of severe illness with COVID. Likely it is caused by immature immune systems and smaller airways. Making them more likely to develop breathing problems.

How to find quality child care during COVID?

For a quality childcare look for small group size, access to educational programming, flexible hours and a safe environment with oversight and supervision. With a warm, safe and stimulating environment where self-confidence is encouraged and an interest in learning is promoted through play,

Some of the changes you will notice as Childcare centers open in COVID times and you begin to come out of quarantine and into childcare.

  • drop off and pick-up routines might be staggered or altered
  • meals being more “disposable”
  • a reduced number of children at the center
  • some activities and play will differ to keep children in smaller groups and more separated
  • restrictions types of toys and use of more plastic and metal toys which reduce the risk of spread and are more easily cleaned

Children will still receive the human connection they need but in a safer way from licensed childcare trained providers.

What do you think, is it safe to send your child to a childcare center?

According to the CDC.gov a true answer below means your child’s ( family) COVID risk is high. goto the full risk assessment tool: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community/schools-childcare/back-to-school-decision-checklist.pdf

COVID Risk AssessmentDoes Not ApplyFalseUnsureTrue
My child has an underlying condition that increases the risk for severe illness from COVID-19.☐☐☐☐
I live with someone, or my child’s caregiver, is at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 due to age or underlying medical conditions.☐☐☐☐
The level of community spread in my area is high.☐☐☐☐

Does your job require you to leave the home so you must find outside childcare?

Can an employer can’t fire you because you are unable to find child care?

No, under Emergency Sick Leave and Expanded FMLA Child-Care Leave
employers must give you a two-week emergency paid leave for COVID-19 related quarantines and sickness and unavailability of child-care providers.

You can’t be fired under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave for the care of children whose school is closed or when a child care provider is unavailable for COVID-19 related reasons. Both of these mandates apply only to employers with fewer than 500 employees.

These new laws became effective April 1, 2020, and expires December 31, 2020. The DOL will not, however, bring enforcement actions based on FFCRA violations occurring through April 17, 2020, provided that employers have made reasonable, good faith efforts to comply with the law.

More Information here: American Bar Association

Child care options to consider:

  • childcare center
  • at home childcare
  • friend or relative
  • neighborhood daycare coop

Are you having problems finding childcare? Have you considered switching to a home childcare provider?

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The top 5 ways to get your “picky eaters” to eat

by Margie Manion

Feeding your child, especially toddlers, can be such a daily hardship for so many parents! You wonder if they are getting enough food, the right foods, and whether or not they are on a healthy and normal eating schedule.


I have provided some simple ways of ensuring a positive eating experience for even the pickiest eaters.

Here are simple ways to ensure a positive eating experience for picky eaters

  1. Make sure they are really hungry

    Don’t worry about the fact that your baby isn’t interested in eating- they will let you know when they are hungry! Kids are on their own schedule and the goal is to ultimately get them on our schedule. They may not be hungry at your 6:00 dinnertime. They may be starving at 4:30- it is a process! If your child isn’t hungry at dinnertime and you think it is because they are snacking all day, make sure they are snacking on healthy foods and you will feel better about them not eating a full meal.

  2. Positive environment.

    Give your child the gift of time. Nobody likes to be rushed when they are eating. Calm parents and surroundings will set you up for a delightful experience. Children feed off of your emotions, if they since forcefulness or desperateness, you may be pushing them away. Most pediatricians will tell you to evaluate what your child has eaten over a three day period- not one day.

  3. Special feeding spoon.

    No parent can escape the inevitable struggle of trying to get a child to open wide during mealtime, and we’ve all tried the age-old trick of making the airplane noise. You might try a baby food dispensing spoon which when you squeeze it dishes out a spoonful of food and doesn’t require having to return to the bowl to get more food .

  4. Be Creative.

    Choose foods that are brightly colored, or arrange them in funny shapes or faces on your child’s plate. Expose your children to a variety of foods. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean your child won’t.

  5. Involve Your Child

    Mealtime is a family event. Even if your child refuses to eat, they should still have to sit at the table with the rest of the family. You can also involve older children to help with the preparation. Children can tear lettuce, wash veggies, and even set the table. Kids are more likely to eat the food if they were involved in the process. Make it an ‘event’ in your family by planning it, looking forward to it, and talking about it!

How much should a 1-2 years-old eat?
Homemade Baby Food: A Fresh Start to Healthy Eating
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How Much Sleep Does Your Child Need?

mom holding sleeping baby

Sleep is essential no matter how old you are, however, to a growing mind and body a lack of sleep can be very detrimental.

Slowed speech and various behavioral problems can stem from not sleeping enough as can a decrease in cognitive abilities. Many children also experience heightened stress and anxiety without proper rest.

American Psychological Association estimates that sleep issues affect 69% of children on a number of nights each week. If your child is having difficulty, some things to try are:

    • Reduce the amount of noise in the home. Have older siblings who are still awake play quietly and observe a quiet period that starts 15 to 30 minutes before bedtime. This time should be tranquil and there should be minimal stimulation this will allow the mind and body to calm and prepare to rest.
    • Make sure that the bedroom is not too hot or too cold and dress the child appropriately. This will ensure that the child will not become restless due to being freezing cold or sweating.
    • It is also important to have a set bedtime and routine. If everything happens at a standard time, the body will become adjusted to the schedule.

How much sleep does my child need?

Sleep Requirements by age are as follows:

AgeRequired Sleep
One to four weeks old15-16 hours each day
One to twelve months old14-15 hours each day
One to three years old12-14 hours each day
Three to six years old10-12 hours each day
Seven to twelve years old10-11 hours each day
Twelve to eighteen years old8-9 hours each day

As parents, you are constantly under the watchful eye of a child. The deprivation of sleep can affect adults in much the same way as children through moodiness and slowing the rate at which your brain processes information. Set a good example for your children by getting enough sleep yourself.

How Much Sleep do Parents Need?

Sleep deprivation suppresses your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness.

  • Being sleep deprived makes us more likely to catch a cold. In a 2009 study, people sleeping less than 7 hours per night had a 3 times greater risk of catching a cold than those with 8 hours or more. 
  • We all know that fatigue makes us crankier and easily inflamed, but it actually undermines a key part of the body’s inflammatory response—called cytokines— which are absolutely essential for fighting off infections. 
  • As exhaustion rises so does the risk of serious infection. In a study of 57,000 women, those trying to get by on less than 5 hours of sleep a night had a 50% increase in risk of pneumonia. 
  • Several studies have found that sleep promotes a stronger immune response to vaccines—which improves our body’s immunological memory. 
  • Sleep may also help our T cells better glom onto their target to fight infection, according to a recent study out of Germany.

Bottom line? Sleep is one of the best things you can do to strengthen your immune system and protect your body from cold and flu,” “Get your zzzz’s!”

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How to Stop Toddler from Biting Other Children

toddler boy

When Toddlers Bite: How to Respond and Prevent

by Leslie Marley

Biting is normal behavior, and there are numerous reasons why toddlers bite. At this age, children are learning to express and manage emotions. That may mean that emotions like anger or frustration come out in the form of biting. Toddlers may lack the necessary language skills to express that anger.

Toddler biting could also be due to teething or feeling overwhelmed by light and sounds in an environment. For toddlers, biting can even be a way of showing affection. In most instances, children aren’t doing it to cause harm.

How to Prevent Baby Biting

While children typically outgrow this behavior, it’s important to know some tips so you can respond appropriately and prevent future occurrences. Here are some tips to curb toddler biting.

Look Out for Warning Signs

As a parent, you need to be aware if there are any actions or circumstances that typically precede the behavior. Pay attention to what happens before a bite, where your child was located, and who your child played with. You may begin to notice a pattern in when and how your child bites, and with this knowledge, you can intervene to prevent biting before it occurs.

Distract Your Toddler

Before your toddler has a chance to bite, you can step in and distract him or her. You can offer a toy to play with or read a book. Either way, you merely need to shift your child’s attention away from the circumstances that may be causing tension or frustration.
If biting is due to teething, look for something like a warm washcloth or teething ring for them to chew on.

Read Books About Biting

Books are a great way to teach. Read books about biting that reinforce positive behavior, like Teeth Are Not for Biting by Elizabeth Verdick. As you read the book, ask your child questions, such as what he or she believes the characters feel on each page. This reinforces the association between feelings and words.

What to Do if Your Toddler Bites

Even with these prevention tips, biting can still occur. Here are some tips to keep in mind if/when your child bites.

Keep Feelings in Check

In the event a toddler bites you or someone else, try your best not to get angry or frustrated. Calmly count to 10 before talking to your child. Once you’re in a quiet area, communicate in a way that he or she can understand. Simply say, “Biting hurts. You hurt me and that makes me sad.” Your conversation should be succinct and clear, so your toddler can comprehend.

Importantly, avoid using punitive words that makes biting sound bad. A simple but direct conversation is preferable over negative language and reinforcement.

Give Attention to the Child Who Was Bitten

When your child bites another toddler, you should give more attention to the child who was hurt. After you inform your child that what he or she did caused harm, you want to shift focus to the other toddler. This communicates to your child that biting will not result in more attention.

Encourage Language Skills

Biting typically occurs in younger toddlers who haven’t developed language skills yet. As your child acquires new vocabulary, look for opportunities to reinforce the importance of using words to explain feelings.
Remember that labeling and understanding emotions takes time for young children. In addition to language, other emotional management techniques can be helpful in reducing frustration, especially for toddlers who are just beginning to learn verbal communication.

Talk with Your Child’s Teacher

It’s likely that your toddler’s biting behavior occurs in other situations, not just at home. If your child is in daycare, ask the teacher for recommendations to curb the behavior. If your child is biting in the classroom, the best thing you and the teacher can do is be consistent with how you handle it.

Biting is a normal part of development, but it becomes a concern when it occurs in social situations. Try some of these tips at home to help your child reduce his or her urge to bite. In addition to these tips, remember that your child will likely stop biting on his or her own once they learn language skills and self-expression.

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10 Ways to Find the Best Babysitter for Toddlers

toddler girl with bubbles

Toddlers are a different species of human, as far as I’m concerned. With power struggles, tantrums, big feelings, and a lack of language; things can get pretty scary, pretty quickly.

That is why you need to find a babysitter that will keep your little soldier in line, lovingly of course. Read on to learn how you can choose a sitter that will not only keep your little love safe but also help them to become kind and respectful human being.

1. Look for Training for Early Childhood

You definitely want someone who understands your child’s age and stage. Toddlerhood can be tough and it’s easy to lose patience-especially when things start to escalate. When the watcher of your child truly understands what their little body and mind is going through, they can effectively apply tactics and other learned strategies to help them work through power struggles and tantrums.

2. Find Someone Who Oozes Creativity

You don’t want someone to sit for your child that just sits them in front of the television. It’s important that your toddler is kept busy, engaged, and provided with lots of creative play and art activities. A great interview question that tests the creative level of applicants could be, “Describe how a day would run when you are watching my child.”

3. Hire a Fan of the Outdoors

Most childcare facilities take all children outdoors every day, provided it’s not freezing in temperature. A little rain, flurry, or coldness should not stop a sitter from getting your active youngster outdoors. Be sure to inquire about their lifestyle (are they active or do they tend to be more dormant in winter) so you know if they are eager and willing to get your toddler up and moving outdoors-no matter what!

4. Look for a Helper, Not a Doer

What I mean by this is hire a sitter that encourages toddler independence. Often times, caregivers do so much for the child, it renders them helpless and makes them more dependent on parents. Toddler years are crucial for setting the tone for academic, social, and behavioral success. Find someone that will assist your toddler with getting dressed, rather than doing it for them. Same goes with teeth brushing, bottom wiping, washing hands, and cleaning up toys.

5. Find Someone that Will Transport Your Child to Play Groups

Whether it is gym time, art class, playgroup at the park, or swim lessons; it’s important to find a caregiver that is ready and willing to transport your child to social gatherings. They should have their own set of wheels, be insured, and should be open and honest about their driving record. You should provide them with a car seat or booster, and keep their travels close to home.

6. Consider Certifications

I know that I won’t leave my son with anyone that isn’t certified in CPR or First Aid. Emergencies and situations pop up all the time and your caregiver should not only be level-headed, but in the know when it comes to choking, sickness, and other accidents that could occur.

7. Observe Child Caretaker Interactions

The best test to see if your caregiver is compatible with your child is to observe the two in action. Set up a playdate prior to hire to see how they handle your child’s quirks and requests. You can also use the playdate as a time to have a chat with your little one to see how they feel about their new “friend.” After all, your child has to feel comfortable with whomever you leave them with.

8. Keep Cost in Mind

Cost is important. I know several couples that have nearly gone broke each month after shelling out payment to their nanny. Be realistic and set a budget. You know what you can and cannot afford. Often
times, if the sitter is truly interested in working with your family, they will tend to budget a little bit. On average, a qualified sitter earns $13-$15 an hour, based on age, location, and qualifications.

9. Find Someone Who is Understanding of Rules

Establish rooms that can be entered and ones that cannot. Decide if they should be the only ones in your home. Be firm with hours worked, and be sure to explain how you would like a day to run in your home. Can they make phone calls? Can they watch television? Can they help themselves to snacks? All of these things need to be discussed!

10. Express Importance of Honesty

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard of sitters telling families that everything was “fine” when in fact, the child threw dozens of tantrums, hit and kicked the sitter, and went as far as to ride their tricycle down the sidewalk in order to outrun them (according to a by standing neighbor). Often times, sitters want to keep their job, so they tend to fluff a child’s behavior or sugar coat a bad day. Find someone that is ok with speaking to you honestly and openly about your child, their progress, and behavior.
Finding the right sitter for a toddler can be a tough task, but it can be done. Keep these 10 characteristics and qualities in mind before you make a hire!

Source: Bitsy Bug Boutique

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Pear Nog a Healthy Snack Toddlers are Sure to Enjoy

toddler drinking pear nog

By Cheryl Tallman and Joan Ahlers

Homemade Toddler Snack

A fruit treat the whole family will love but made for toddlers.

Make this festive toddler snack anytime but for sure at Christmas holiday time. Nutrients and hydrations from this fruit and milk based snack that toddler will actually drink.

Healthy Toddler Snack: Pear Nog
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Healthy Toddler Snack: Pear Nog

Recipe by Cheryl TallmanCourse: toddler snack, preschool snackDifficulty: Easy
Servings

3

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking timeminutes
Calorieskcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pear peeled, cored and cut in chunks

  • 1 cup of egg nog (dairy or soy)

  • Dash of cinnamon2 ice cubes cracked

Directions

  • Place all ingredients in blender. Blend at high speed for 15 seconds.

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4 Educational Toys That Toddlers Love

toddler playing musical instrument

When children start to walk more steadily, run, push, pull, climb and grab things – they are growing from infants to toddlers. Between their first and second birthdays, they begin to do things like – to flip light switches, pour things in and out of containers, unwrap packages and empty drawers.


The toddler stage is very important in a child’s life. It is the time between infancy and childhood when a child learns and grows in many ways. Everything that happens to the toddler is meaningful.


I am a mother of two boys who I love dearly. I decided to stay home and raise my children with the best education and values I could provide. We made sacrifices and reorganized our lives for them.

I learned the importance of educational toys as we saw our sons playing together with toys all around the house. This is when I realized the value of educational toys and started

Ehome 15 Types 22pcs Wooden Percussion Instruments Toy for Kids Preschool Educational, Musical Toys Set for Boys and Girls with Storage Backpack

ABC Sound Book For Children

 English Letters & Words Learning Book, Fun Educational Toy. Learning Activities for Letters, Words, Numbers, Shapes, Colors, and Animals for Toddlers

Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube –

Classic Wooden Toy With 12 Shapes

Vstarner Stacking Cups

Baby Toys Early Educational Toddler Toys Baby Bath Toys & Rubber Animals BPA Free Recommended Baby Toys for 0 1 2 3 4-5-year-old Boys and Girls .（14 Pcs）

Baby Parent Gift Ideas – Gadgets and Apps for Baby and Modern-day Parents