Eating together promotes healthy eating

Recent studies have shown that children who grow up in families that eat meals together are less likely to become overweight or have eating disorders.

Handling the InterFaith Holidays

If you are in a blended family, your own children may not want to visit the parents of their new step-mother or step-father for Christmas or Hanukkah, especially if this is not a holiday they have celebrated. If that is the case, it is probably not a good idea to force them.

Empathizing

Empathizing with a child, as opposed to minimizing her feelings, helps her recover more quickly from disappointment and teaches her how to regulate her emotions within a situation.

Make plans to spend time together.

For Valentine’s Day, make plans to spend time alone with your toddler doing something he/she enjoys.

Anxiety and normal development

Anxiety is a normal part of children’s development. Almost all children feel shy or fearful around strangers. But about one in 10 children experience anxiety more intensely and more often than other children.

Babysitter guide

When using a sitter, have your sitter put a contact cell phone numbers in his or her phone, and hers in yours.

Transitioning to childcare

The transition to the new childcare setting may go more smoothly if you can take it in small steps. If possible, consider bringing your child in for an hour or two the first time.

Answer tots questions

Results showed kids were more than twice as likely to re-ask their question after a non-explanation compared with a real answer.

Valentine’s clothing tip

For Valentine’s Day, let your little one help you in picking out their clothes for today. See how many clothing items your child can find that are red or pink.

Special toddler trees

Save the family tree by having a special toddler tree just for your son or daughter. This small tree can be kid-sized and decorated in baby-friendly Christmas ornaments such as plush ornaments and other safe decorations.

Choosing paint in a bedroom

When decorating a toddler’s bedroom choose a paint that can be easily cleaned with soap and water to reduce re-painting.

Healthy dinners when things get hectic

Freeze a few easy dinners. It will be much easier on you if you have dinner prepared so that meal preparation will not add to household tensions during the first weeks of school.

Let kids help when shopping

Let your kids hold the bag while you pick the pears. Ask their opinion on creamy or chunky peanut butter. The pre-schooler loves grownup jobs

Meals and distractions

Do not let other activities get in the way of meal times. Turn off the TV, & keep toys away from the table. This will let your child focus on eating, rather than playing.

Paint a bunny face

Children love to have their faces painted. Draw upside-down triangle on the nose with brown/black eyeliner & fill in. Rub circle of rouge on each cheek. Paint 3 whiskers on each side of face, starting from nose to cheek.

Make paper plate bunnies.

Easy Paper Bunnies: Take white paper plate and cut 2 ear shapes & staple/glue to the top of another white paper plate & draw a face on it. Glue cotton balls around the edges.

Experience Autumn with your Child

Talk about the trees & the different colors they are turning. Collect leaves and tell your child in simple terms why they are falling off

Properly inflated tires save money at the pump

Tires have a bigger impact on the environment than you might think. Under inflated tires waste up to 5% of a car’s fuel

Keep the preschool teacher informed

Changes to your child’s family situation can impact on their emotional and academic well-being. If you keep your child’s teacher informed of any changed circumstances the child can be supported if necessary.

From: schools.nsw.edu.au Opens in new window

Do cultural things.

Each month visit an art gallery, museum, or educational exhibit.