Tuesday, October 27, 2009

What are the Early Signs of Autism and How to Deal with It


Autism is a composite brain disorder that usually appears during the early years of life. The early signs of autism include inability to talk, play and interact fully with other people. Some shows mild impairment while others are really suffering in dealing with obstacles in life. The early signs of autism in toddlers can be seen as early as early as 12 to 24 months and as late as 3 years old. For those under 3 years of age, there are special laboratory tests to be conducted to be able to know if they are suffering from this disorder.

The Signs of Autism

Toddlers not smiling since 6 months of age.

Not using any gestures until 12 months.

Not saying anything until 16 months.

Cannot say any 2 word phrases until 24 months

Inability to communicate and interact with other children after 24 months of age.

Inability to have eye contact with you and with other kids of his age.

As a parent, you want to give the best to your child, but you should also be aware, that the signs of autism can be perfectly seen when he’s 3 years old. He needs to undergo an autism screening quiz to be able to analyze his situation. It is important to know and understand your child’s situation for you to know how to take care of him. There are certain foods that cannot be given to children who show signs of autism.

Most of these children are sensitive to the taste and texture of foods. Gluten is the number one NO for their taste buds. Rice, wheat, meat fish and vegetables are the best for these people. When you see early signs of autism to your toddlers, it’s better to have them go through adequate test right away.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

How to Deal with Toddler’s Aggressive Behavior


Most toddlers’ aggressive behavior can be exhibited through biting, kicking, hair pulling and other scary anti-social manifestations. You must be wondering what’s going on with your child and what’s on his mind. An aggressive behavior is part of their development.

Although, hitting and biting and other violent reactions are normal it doesn’t mean you have to ignore them. Toddler’s aggressive behavior usually develops when they cannot express themselves clearly.

The Right Things to Do

Perform a logical approach when you child starts manifesting toddlers aggressive behavior. This will be possible by sitting down with him and let him see how other children play. You can explain to him that hitting and throwing his toys is not a part of the game. He can still join the game if whenever he’s ready. Toddlers don’t have the capacity to work on their cognitive behavior but they can fully understand the consequences if you will explain it to him.

Stay cool as you talk to your child. Yelling, scolding and hitting him won’t solve your problem. You will not be a good example if you always yell at him or hit him whenever he did something wrong.

Set clear limitations to your child. You should respond right away whenever your toddler’s aggressive behavior starts. Don’t wait for him to hit his siblings for the second or third time before you respond and tell him he’s wrong. He should know right away when he’s wrong.

When you need to discipline your child, do it consistently. Parents tend to ignore their toddler’s aggressive behavior when they are not in public. This shouldn’t be the case if you want to correct your child’s activity.

When you know you’ve tried everything to correct your toddler’s aggressive behavior and no improvement shows. You should seek professional help to help you with your concern.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Secrets to Deal with Tantrums in Toddlers


Having a one to four -year old child is challenging since you have to deal with their mood swing and tantrums. Tantrums in toddlers can be devastating. It will loosen your temper as you try to pacify them. Tantrums are completely normal in children. These reactions shouldn’t be perceived as bad parenting. According to a parenting guide, tantrum is an indication of your child’s trust for you. He trust you badly that he expects you to know everything about him and that you can read his mind. There are things you can do to deal with tantrums in toddlers without being stressed out.

Tips in Dealing with Tantrums

Tantrums in toddlers start when they want something which they cannot get. They tend to hit the floor and cry their heart out. Your initial reaction is to give them what they want just to stop them from crying. This will mark in his mind that whenever he cries he can get what he wants. The next time it happened, all you need to do is just smile at him and he’ll stop because it means he cannot get it this time around.

You can your kid from throwing a tantrum by giving him a toy. This distracts him and allows him to focus on other things. This works for toddler between 1-2 years of age.
Talking to him will settle things in no time. Sometimes tantrums in toddlers happen when both parents are too busy. Tantrums are their ways to attract and invite attention from you.
Be sure your kid is not starving or weary. A toddler who doesn’t have enough sleep often manifest tantrums.

One of the hardest things of being a parent is to deal with tantrums in toddlers. It will lose all your patience and will make you feel tired easily. When you know you’ve tried everything you know but nothing seems to work, you can seek professional help from child experts. Most institutions for children provide you with practical ways to manage child behavior problems including tantrums in toddlers.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Child Behavior Modification - Learn it


Are you having difficulties talking to your toddlers? Do you feel like it is very impossible to make them listen to you? Yes, it is really hard to control the feelings of toddlers. Child Behavior Modification is so tough. There are moments that yelling at them is not enough. But stop worrying, because there you can still let your kids behave the way you want them through proper child behavior modification.

To improve the behavior of your toddlers, you may use a technique of therapy or punishment. Unless the behaviors to be changed are understood within a specific context, consultation and therapy cannot be effective. Before performing the child behavior modification, a functional behavioral assessment is what you need. It is the process of understanding behavior in context. Positive behavior support for children is formed in this method.

When child behavior modification is properly applied, strategies can result in fairly rapid behavior change; more appropriate and fewer inappropriate behaviors. Greater clarity of understanding between you and your children and less stress and conflict in household are also expected. But applying this child behavior modification can also have dangers. Too rigid approach to the child can have significant negative impact on your relationship. You need to understand both of you well to effectively apply behavior modification techniques. If you don't find ways to balance both the positive and negative reinforcement, you will probably over apply one or the other.

Some people have criticized the level of training required to perform behavior modification procedures, especially those which are restrictive that leads to punishments. Some want to limit such restrictive procedures only to the licensed psychologist or counselors. Others still desire to create an independent practice of analyzing the behavior through licensure to offer consumers choices between proven techniques and unproven ones. Experts are not saying that you have to apply all these child behavior modification techniques to your every child. Choose one that best fit your situation so you can discipline them accordingly. What matters is that you can show your care and love to your children despite some disciplinary actions you give them.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Create Motivating Activities for Toddlers


The best activities for toddlers should be fun and educational. You have to remember that at this is the stage, child adopts all things that happen around him. This is also the best time to allow your child into different activities. These activities help the child develop his motor skills and social roles since they start to play with other children. Activities for toddlers are mostly free and spontaneous.

Toddlers usually play with the furniture, dishes, cooking utensils, play telephone, puzzles with large pieces, pedal propelled toys, rocking horse, finger paints, pounding toys and balls. Activities for toddlers must be geared toward the development of their strength, ability, muscle and wellness. To engage your child in this kind of activity here are few things to follow:

Developing their muscles

Prepare colorful scrap paper and a small hole puncher. Your toddler will use the puncher as this develops his hand grip muscles and also provides some colorful fun. To stimulate hand-eye coordination, play the “bean bag toss.” Throw, bounce and kick a ball to help stimulate arm-leg muscle development.

Language and Cognitive Skills

Activities for toddlers include walking around the park and encouraging him to pick up interesting objects that he finds along the way. Ask him to open questions about what he observed on the objects he picked. Then, help him study by letting him feel and discuss the things he collected.

Listening and Memory Skills

Activities for toddlers to sharpen his mind must be played. Play a memory or matching game such as "Simon Says." It helps with your toddler's listening skills.

Creative Expansion
Let him play with clay dough, or let her help you in baking cookies. Give him pencil and paper, let him draw, color and paint. Let him listen to a variety of music and allow him to dance along with the music.

Stimulating activities for toddlers are easier than you think. It only requires your attention, guidance and creativity.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Learning Through Online Games for Toddlers


Teaching toddlers has just become more advanced and exciting through the emergence of computer games. You probably have heard of online games, haven’t you? These are games that are played using the Internet. Technology has evolved and so is learning because of the Internet. Online games for toddlers are relatively new although they have been in the market for quite some time now. There are few websites that offer quality online games for toddlers.

Some websites teach your kids on basic reading and counting such as ABC’s and 123’s. Some teach about sounds while others teach about identifying objects. If you search the Internet, you can find lots of online games for toddlers that you can choose from.

Some websites advice parents to first play online games for toddlers before the kids. This is to encourage the parents that those games are fun and safe for kids. If parents feel comfortable with the games then they can allow their toddlers to play them.

With these games, you can say that infants and toddlers are not left behind in terms of technology. Being exposed to computers can greatly benefit them in the future. One effective way of introducing computers to your little ones is by playing online games for toddlers. When a child is comfortable with computers, they will be more creative and willing to explore new horizons.

There are children that are exposed to computers at an early age so they can already master programming before they reach high school. Online games for toddlers play a significant role in introducing your child to technology. There are vast resources and information online that your toddlers can utilize in their development. Your child can become the next Bill Gates if guided accordingly. With the right motivation and utilization of various tools, nothing is impossible.

What are the Right Toys for Toddlers?

Kids love toys. There are lots of toys for toddlers in the market today. But, not all are safe for your kids. Parents should choose wisely when looking for toys for toddlers. Some toys may not be suitable for kids because of its small parts as well as the materials that were used.

Think of toys for toddlers as investments. These are investments in education, skill development and mental development. Educational toys are toys that can teach your toddler ABC’s and 123’s. These are also the toys that teach your child how to recognize shapes and objects. Some educational toys are designed for problem solving. An example is stacking blocks and simple puzzles. These toys for toddlers enhance the mental ability of the child.

Skill development is important for every individual. By finding toys for toddlers that aid in the skill development of a child, you can give your toddler an edge over other kids. Toys with turning screws, play sets, balls, role playing toys and toy cars are activity toys that you can give your child. Activity toys help in enriching your child’s imagination as well as bridging the gap between the adult world and the kids’ world.

Kids love imitating adults, especially their parents. The problem is that it is not safe for toddlers to play with things that are made for grown-ups. Children will learn how to use these things by giving them various toys for toddlers that are replicas of the usual things that grown-ups use. You can have fun with your child while you teach them how to use these stuffs. A doctor play set allows your child to imitate what real doctors do. A toy car and toy garage set can train the next Michael Schumacher. Studies showed that toys are essential to the development of a child. So choose the toys that you give your toddler.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Fun Activities for Toddlers That You Can Do at Home


Toddlers are very lively and mischievous individuals. They can’t stay at one place and tend to experiment a lot. Finding fun activities for toddlers is essential to the growth and development of your child. If you do your research you can find that parents have various ingenious ideas to keep the little ones occupied. They devised various activities for toddlers that entertains the kids as well as teach them important lessons.

Watching TV is one of the good activities for toddlers. By watching television, kids can learn about their environment, identify shapes, appreciate music and sing songs. But be careful because not all programs are appropriate to your child. Choose only quality programs that have a very good reputation. Choose TV programs that are children-friendly.. You can join them to explain things as they watch the children’s programs.

Connecting the dots is one of those activities for toddlers that can help them in recognize and write letters. You can try using a map and putting dots in a pattern of letters. The kids will connect the dots and then form letters. This is just a simple activity, but this is a good start in introducing to introduce toddlers in writing.

Activities for toddlers need not be confined to just writing letters or numbers. You can also teach your child about different shapes by preparing a shape hunt activity. The goal is for your child to find all the shapes that are scattered all over the house. Cut out shapes and place them in various places in the house. Do this regularly and your child will memorize shapes in no time.
Activities for toddlers are not just for kids. Parents will also have fun teaching their kids in this manner since they have both have great moments together.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Stages of Development in Toddlers

There are various stages of development in toddlers. A child is called a toddler when he starts to walk. This is a very important stage in a child’s life and to the parents. The development in toddlers must be monitored carefully. This is the stage between infanthood and childhood. It is the stage where children learn to talk, stand on their own, walk and socialize with others.

The toddler stage is characterized by growth, mood swings and a lot of negative responses. Toddlers tend to be more will than skill. This results in misbehavior and often times, frustrations. At this stage of development in toddlers, their curiosity about their surroundings is at its peak. They also become more self-centered as they become more concerned with their own needs.

Toddlers usually get frustrated because they do not have the skills to express themselves. They have a very hard time separating themselves from their parents. Toddlers want to do things their own way and when you interrupt, they tend to over react.

Development in toddlers is fun, puzzling yet fulfilling. It is fun to watch your little ones learning new things and exploring their new world. But, it really is puzzling because they ignore your instructions and do things the way they want.

By understanding the development in toddlers, you and your kids can enjoy each other’s company without much conflict. However, some parents just can’t cope with the development in toddlers. Some tend to get angry all the time without even understanding the root of a tantrum. Kids will be kids. They are wild, curious and mischievous. You have to accept the fact that your little bundle of joy is growing up. Toddlers want to explore the world and enjoy themselves. Always remember that this is just a phase in the lives of your kids and it is temporary.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Potty Training in Toddler Made Easy


Potty training in toddler is not easy. It requires great amount of patience because you will be training a child who hardly understand instructions. Since it’s a challenging task for parents, some parents just give up and continue to use diapers. This is fine for the first few years but, every kid must learn to be independent at one point or another. There are various books where you will read that potty training in toddler is fun and exciting. This is explained by the fact that this is a milestone in a parent’s journey along with their kids.

The first step in potty training is to determine if your kid is physically ready for some toilet training. There are various signs that will tell you that the kid is ready. One sign is the ability to control bowel movements. If your child can stay dry for hours and can follow simple instructions then he is ready for some toilet training.

Potty training a toddler is certainly a tedious task. You must be patient and observant to how your child is behaving. You should determine if your kid is following or understanding the instructions correctly. Keep in mind that they are just discovering the world around them. Not all children learn at the same speed and level. To slowly introduce toilet training, take your kids to a store where you will buy the potties. You should let your kids choose what potty chair they want. This encourages them to be excited in using the potty chair and make them feel at ease.

When you are potty training your toddler, accidents may happen so always monitor your kid. You must also be quick and ready for cleanups since toddlers may tend to play with their own refuse. This is a nasty job, but someone has to do it. Detergents and anti bacterial solutions should be in your shopping list when you are going to start potty training your toddler. Bacteria and germs tend to spread easily when not cleaned properly. When some of your kids’ refuse gets spilled, clean it up quickly to avoid the spread of germs.

With the proper knowledge, patience and materials, potty training your toddler can be fun, educational and fulfilling.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Know Your Child’s Height Using Toddler Height Predictor


Height is an important factor in a child’s physical growth and development. This is the reason why parents are starting to be concerned about their kids’ height. Parents are using a toddler height predictor to estimate their children’s future height. A toddler height predictor is a parent’s best tool in finding out how tall their kids will be in the future.

If you search online, there are various websites that offer toddler height predictor tools. There are lots of factors affecting a child’s height. Such factors include hereditary, nutrition and sleep. A toddler height predictor is just a tool which uses a mathematical equation to forecast the possible height increase of a child. This does not in any way affects your child’s growth.

To estimate your child’s height, you have to double your child’s height at age 2. The result gives you the approximate height of your kid when he reaches the age of 8. Another way to predict a child’s height is by taking the average height of both parents. However, this is usually within the two to four inches margin of error.

Height is greatly influenced by genes, nutrition and the pituitary gland. Children that have some hormonal imbalances or were subjected to intense medication tend to be shorter than others. This reason explains why some kids are vertically challenged even if their parents are tall.

Height affects one’s self-esteem and it is unfortunate that not everybody is given with a towering height. It is also true that a person’s growth stops at a certain age so growth must be maximized at an early age. If you are really concerned about your child’s height then use the toddler height predictor.

By using the toddler height predictor, you can make adjustments to your child’s diet and activities to promote growth. This serves as your guidelines to see if your child needs additional supplements to boost his growth.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

How to Deal with Preschool Toddlers


Preschool toddlers are some of the most mischievous kids around. First of all what is a toddler? A toddler is a kid who is about one to three years of age. During this stage a child learns to walk, talk and gains greater mobility. Preschool toddlers are kids that are almost ready for school but are still too young.

Before attending school, parents should be the first teachers of a preschool toddler. This is a responsibility that a parent must carry in order for a child to learn and cope with the various activities in school. There are various things that a parent must teach in order for a child to do well in school.

Identifying objects, colors and shapes is one of the basic things you can teach preschool toddlers. When you teach your kids, make sure to create a fun learning experience. You may use edible materials such as shaped cookies and some food coloring to teach your kid to mix and match colors. Use visual aids such as the colourful posters which you can buy from local bookstore. Your kid will be able to master the different kinds of animals, shapes and objects by placing them inside their rooms.

Some parents attempt to teach their preschool toddler to count by asking them how old they are. Toddlers tend to imitate what they hear and remember what they see often. By repeating the numbers over and over again, soon your kid will know the sequence and repeat it by himself. You may also use building blocks and Lego to help them enhance their creativity. This activity also allows them to stimulate their spatial skills.

Teaching a preschool toddler can be very hard, especially if you have no time. But try spend some time to help your kids understand the basic things around him.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Monitor Your Toddler’s Development and Be Proud


Watching your toddler’s development is a real challenge. But, this challenge is both fun and exciting as your child learns new things each day. But unfortunately, some parents tend to overlook their little kids. Some kids are left with their nannies or other family members while the parents work all day. This results to the lack of physical connection between the parents and the children. The toddler’s development is one of the milestones in the life of an individual. This is where a kid learns his first sentence and first steps.

There are various types of developments that you can expect from your toddler. One type of development is Cognitive Development. During this development, children remember the things that they see from adults as well as from their experiments. They also begin to rationalize things and make small decisions like which clothes they want to wear. This is most common on young toddlers.

When the toddler reaches the age of two, they will be able to walk up and down steps, run, start eating using spoon and fork and kick balls. These are signs that the child’s psychomotor development is in check. This is also the time when they need their parents the most. Toddlers tend to be physically active around the age of two. Allowing them to do more physical activities helps enhance your toddlers’ development. If your child shows a yearning to draw, give him crayons and papers. You can watch them scribble while teaching him the different colors and shapes.

Guidance is important to a toddler’s development. Without proper guidance, the toddler may acquire traits that can jeopardize their future. A toddler’s development is something that the parents should really monitor.

Having a kid is full of joy and challenges. You are responsible for their future, and mold them to become good member of the society in the years to come. A proper toddler’s development – cognitive, social, emotional and psychomotor - is essential in ensuring that your child excels in all aspects of life.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

How to Deal with Child’s Behavior Problems

Having a child is a real responsibility and dealing with a child’s behavior problem is tough. Your little bundle of joy is not all good all the time.

Kids tend to be irritable, uneasy and troublesome at times. This is perhaps caused by their lack of expression. A child’s behavior problem is a parent’s nightmare.

Kids are usually high tempered. To deal with this, you must study your child. By providing various physical activities you can divert the child’s attention towards positive outputs. You should always tell and express to your child how you love them. The feeling of insecurity is one of the root causes of a child’s behavior problems.

When a child feels secure that their parent’s love them, they will be happier and less troublesome. You should always find ways to express your love. A hug or saying “I love you” is really something that every kid wants to hear. A candy bar or some chocolates when you come home from work can really lift the little ones spirits. Try it out and see how your kids smile. Do this from time to time and you will notice that your child’s behavior problems are gone. A child’s smile and laughter can really brighten up your home and lessen your stress.

Always make your kid feels appreciated and try to make each day fun and exciting. You should never be too harsh on your child. Punishment is meant to correct your child not for them to hate you. Some kids tend to take punishment seriously and in turn hate their parents. This is another cause for a child’s behavior problems.

A child’s behavior problem can be easily identified when you pay real close attention to your child. Never take your kid for granted and do whatever it takes to assist them as they discover the world around them.