Be the best friend of your child!

Child-Parents relationship is very emotional and sensitive part and built on the basis of affection and esteem. Parents and children are bounded by love and affection, but there is a generation gap between them. Despite the generation gap, parents must always try to be friends with their kids.

The friendship factor works well as parents can have better understanding with their kids, who will then share everything with their parents.

Parents who play the role of being friends with their kids are found to be sharing a strong bond with their children. As children grow older they need more friendliness than parenting from their parents.

A child from his early age has his/her own opinions as well as decisions and which they will hold on. In such situation communicate with your child, let the child feel comfortable to share their thoughts and feelings.Parents have to be patient and non-judgmental while having this discussion with their child so it will better for your child to interact with you like a friend. If you want to become your child's best friend then try to encourage them to talk about their routine, know about his/her friends at school and try to involve yourself in your child's life.

When you are playing friend's role with your child, don't forget that first you are parents and your first responsibility is to ensure safety of your child so don't gratify your child in any activity, which will endanger his security. But, if your child forces you for such then try to convince him/her in a friendly way. Make sure that the rules you have framed for your child should not over restrict them and also ensure that the child clearly understands the rules, so acceptance of enforcement become easier.

It is essential for parents to have a proper balance between parenting and friendship. Parenting plays larger role than friendship as it concerns with teaching essentials of discipline and following rules. But while doing so it may happen that your kid may get angry, which calls for addressing the issue in a friendly manner rather than harsh talks. We can say that friendship and parenting go hand in hand which is essential for having healthy relationship with your child.

Building Kid's foundation skills

Skills are behaviors that a person can learn and improve through practice. Every day, students are learning and practicing skills as they also increase their knowledge in the subjects they study.

Skills can be categorized by how they are used and by whom. Some skills are very specific to a particular activity, job, or industry. Others are needed by all workers, regardless of job, work setting, or industry. These latter skills are often called employability skills. Young people need to be developing these employability skills, and you as a parent can help.

In 1992, the Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) produced a national report that identified the skills employers need in today's workplace. These Competencies and Foundation skills are useful in thinking about how school and other activities help your child prepare for the future. You will see that the 3-R's (Reading, 'Riting, and 'Rithmetic) are but one part of the picture.

Competencies
Effective workers can productively use:

• Resources - allocating time, money, materials, space, staff.
• Interpersonal Skills - working on teams, teaching others, serving customers, leading, negotiating, and working well with people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Information - acquiring and evaluating data, organizing and maintaining files, interpreting and communicating, and using computers to process information.
• Systems - understanding social, organizational, and technological systems, monitoring and correcting performance, and designing or improving systems.
• Technology - selecting equipment and tools, applying technology to specific tasks, and maintaining, and troubleshooting technologies.

The Foundation
Competence requires:

• Basic Skills - reading, writing, arithmetic and mathematics, speaking, and listening.
• Thinking Skills - thinking creatively, making decisions, solving problems, seeing things in the mind's eye, knowing how to learn, and reasoning.
• Personal Qualities - individual responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self-management, and integrity.

In Oregon, the Employment Department also surveys employers throughout the state. Employers report that work ethic and other soft skills remain in short supply. According to its 2002 Employer Survey, employers in Oregon are looking for these skills:

Percent of Employers	SKILL
99%	Work Ethic	Employers want honest, dependable, and productive workers
96%	English Language	Most jobs require oral and written communication in English.
95%	Reading and Writing	Most jobs require workers to read and write.
94%	Problem Solving and Critical Thinking	Employers want workers who can understand and find answers to problems.
94%	Interpersonal	Businesses - and their employees - thrive when people work well together.
90%	Math	Nearly every job requires some math skills.
68%	Computer Software	Employers need technology-savvy workers.
68%	Leadership	Employers need skilled staff to guide lower-level workers.
58%	Manual Labor	Technology will never completely replace the need for hands-on work.
44%	Tools and Machine	Many employers need workers who can operate certain equipment.
40%	Spanish Language	Employers' need for Spanish-speaking workers has risen with the Hispanic population.

As you can see, in addition to the communication and math skills we typically associate with school, young people need to be learning and practicing a number of other skills. Everyday activities provide opportunities to learn about these skills, think about how we use them, and work on improving them.

My Child is Underweight!

My Child is Underweight!

Life can be very distressing for parents of an underweight child. The frustration of having a child whose weight just does not increase in spite and despite special care, nutrition and medication, can run very deep indeed.

A child is considered underweight when the recommended weight and/or corresponding height is less than what it should be at that particular age. The criteria takes into account factors like weight of baby at birth and hereditary factors.

Once a child is declared underweight, it is necessary to ascertain the cause. A child may be underweight for various reasons:

He may have been born underweight, and for various reasons has not yet gained adequate weight.

His low weight may be due to genetic or hereditary factors. If any parent or grandparent is of slight build or was underweight in his or her childhood, the child may also be underweight.

Improper nutrition, malnutrition or an unbalanced diet may also lead to a child being underweight. 

The child could be suffering from some psychological or physiological problem.
And finally, it maybe a combination of one or more of these above factors.

There are several factors whose importance cannot be undermined in the raising of an underweight child.
 

Routine

A discipline should be maintained for a child's everyday activities. A structured routine for sleep and wake-up times, mealtimes and play, goes a long way to making a child healthy and cheerful. Meals should be served at approximately the same time every day. A parent should concentrate more on making the mealtime routine for the entire family consistent. Sooner or later the child will fall into the ritual of eating what the family is eating.

Adequate sleep, and age-appropriate bedtimes should be adhered to. Also, one should take care that the child has an undisturbed sleep at night.
 

Eating Habits

Proper eating habits are very important, no matter what the reason for a child being underweight. The child should be given less of junk food and in-between snacks, and more of whole meals and fruits or salad based snacks. A proper respect for food and a natural inclination for healthy eating should be instilled in the child. A child's eating habits and discipline has to be implanted early, and this can be achieved with a little imagination, perseverance and interaction. The importance of correct nutrition cannot be ruled out, and very often a well balanced diet high on proteins, carbohydrates and calories can sort out the problem with ease. Interchanging milk i.e. cow / dairy / powdered often achieves positive results, especially for a toddler.

A child should never be force-fed. Parents should try and serve the child what he likes to eat.
 

Sleep

Sleep habits play an important role in the health of a growing child. Adequate sleep and a regular routine are very necessary. The child's doctor should be consulted about his sleep requirement, and the same should be adhered to. A hyperactive child, who is awake from dawn and refuses to sleep before midnight, has to be induced to a proper sleep routine. A child who is tired from play and has had a hearty meal will be only too happy to hit the bed on time. 
 

Hygeine

As per health department surveys in India, lack of hygiene is one of the prime factors a large percentage of children are malnourished or underweight. A child has to be taught basic hygiene, and also be educated about the need for hygiene. How many children come in from play and wash their hands before grabbing a glass of water or a snack from the refrigerator? A child picking up his chocolate from the floor and eating it is a common sight. Such a child is obviously more exposed to disease-carrying germs and bacteria. Often, a child's undergrowth can be attributed to intestinal worms, which remain undiagnosed and untreated in most cases. 
 

Activities

Play is very vital for a child's growth and development. It stimulates appetite, exercises and stretches his body parts.

Parents should encourage outdoor activities like swimming and cycling, and active, rigorous play like football. This will enhance his appetite and growth. An emphasis on gymnastics will also do wonders.
 

Motivation

Motivate the child so he is self-driven to eat, sleep and play. For example, a favourite football hero could be used as an inspiration to egg him on.

Differentiate between motivation and comparison. The former is a positive way of encouraging a child to emulate something good, and the latter is a negative line of attack. Motivation inspires confidence in a child and induces him to strive, but comparison more than often demoralises a child and makes him stubborn. 
 

Environment

The golden rule for taking care of an underweight child is to never make him realise that he is underweight. This may reduce his self-esteem, and cause him to harbour a complex.

A congenial, healthy environment at home should be maintained. Where a child sees a general display of hygiene and a love for fruits and greens in his family, he will gradually fall into the family food pattern.

Any family problems or adverse situations should be shielded from the child, as it may lead to emotional or psychological problems.

An environment where routine and discipline is maintained will foster a child with healthy habits, as well as improve his growth and development. Early to bed and early to rise makes a child healthy, cheerful and wise.

My Beloved Kids: Summer Kids caring against disease!

My Beloved Kids: Summer Kids caring against disease!: Summer Kids caring against disease!   When the summer season comes, children are most likely to get affected with common summe...

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Summer Kids caring against disease!

Summer Kids caring against disease!

 

When the summer season comes, children are most likely to get affected with common summer illnesses like sore throat, cold, fever etc. However, if you take right precautions, you can prevent the common summer illnesses in children. Let's know about the common summer illnesses in children and how to prevent them.

Summer means schools being over children stay at home or spend time as they want. This needs lot of attention and attentiveness which is no always possible for working parents. However, if you are aware of the common illnesses in summer season you can take the preventive measures and make your kids enjoy the vacation at the fullest.

If your child is feeling fatigued most of the time in summer, do not panic because it can be due to the summer season. It can also be because your child is suddenly free from the tight routine of going to school and coping with the studies and home works and so he is feeling lazy and fatigued too. However, there are certain common infections that occur in summer and you should be familiar with them and the causes and symptoms too.
Common illnesses in summer.

Here are some of the common summer illnesses which can be observed in children.

Sunstroke

Sunstroke can happen if anyone goes out in sun without taking proper care of hydrating himself. Sudden exposure to heat can give heatstroke and the person suffers from fever, sometime very high too.

Boils

The body heat most often erupts in the form of boils on different parts of the body. Take proper and professional advice in this case.

Allergy

In addition to sun allergy and heat allergy there are many other types of allergies seen in small children and adults too.

Water Borne Diseases

Water borne diseases like cholera, typhoid, jaundice, dysentery, amoebiosis, diarrhea and many more are commonly seen especially among those who are used to eating outdoors.

Food Borne Diseases

Bacteria thrive in warm and moist environment and so food poisoning and occurrence of diseases due to food infection is more during summer days.

Mosquito Borne Diseases

Accumulation of water here and there generates the number of mosquitoesand hence dengue, malaria and other diseases caused by mosquito bite are commonly seen.

Poliovirus

This is one of the diseases caused by viruses found in summer. Children feel slight throat infection and fever. Meningitis and/or paralysis occur within few days. Thankfully, if your child has been vaccinated, you do not have to worry about this.

Tips for Preventing Summer Illnesses in Children

• Avoid giving cut fruits and food items from roadside vendors to your children. Also avoid cooking spicy and fried food items for children. Stick to fresh fruits, green vegetables and fresh fruit juices.

• Encourage your children to increase intake of water. Make sure that the water is properly purified and free from germs and viruses.

• Take lot of fluid when traveling or when going outdoors for a long time with kids.

• Provide food rich in fiber to your kids. Pay attention to their diet and right nutrition.

• Give lemon juice, coconut water and other natural fluids to your children as they help in hydrating from within. They have lots of nutrition that your child’s body needs at this time.

• Make your child wear light weighted and loose fitting clothes preferably made of natural fibers.

• Exercise with your kids early in the morning or late evening to avoid over exhaustion.

Since you are aware of the common illnesses during summer season, you should take necessary precautions to keep your child healthy and safe. Make sure you take care of sun safety, water safety and avoid insect bites during summer season.

Pay attention to intake of water and nutritious diet in summer. Increase intake of fresh fruits and insist on making your children take minimum two baths daily to stay cool and infection free.

Caring for Your Child's eyes!

Caring for your child's eyes!

 

Like many parts of the body, it is easy to forget about taking care of the eyes—unless something goes wrong. Unfortunately, when something actually goes wrong, it can be too late.

Consider these five ways that you can help protect your child’s eyes:

1. Schedule Regular Eye Exams 

 – If your child does not wear glasses, you may forget to schedule an appointment to check their eyes. However, even those children who have never needed eye care in the past may need it in the future. For children who do not wear glasses, going for an exam once a year is recommended. Those who have eye problems may need more frequent exams.

2. Have Your Child Wear His or Her Glasses

  – If your child has been prescribed glasses or contacts, it is important that he or she wears them every day. You will find that when your child wears his glasses, he performs better at school and in extracurricular activities. Talk to your child’s eye doctor about when he or she should be wearing glasses and follow this advice.

 

3. Sun Protection – When your child is playing or working outdoors, you should encourage him or her to wear sunglasses. Additionally, teach your child not to look directly into the sun. Taking care around the sun can help your child have healthier eyes well into the future.

 

4. Rest the Eyes – With today’s tech-savvy world, it can be easy for your child to spend many hours a day in front of the television or computer screen. Encourage him or her to spend plenty of time each day on “non-screen” activities to give the eyes a break from this harsh lighting.

 

5. Wear Safety Equipment – When your child is playing sports, or engaging in risky activities, make certain he or she wears the appropriate safety gear. This could include goggles while swimming, protective helmets for contact sports and even lab goggles when working on science or art projects that involve harsh chemicals. This equipment can help to prevent tragic eye accidents.

Caring for Your Child's Teeth!

Caring for Your Child's Teeth!

How can I best care for my child's teeth?

In fact, good dental hygiene habits should begin before your child's first tooth comes in. Wiping your baby's gums with a soft damp cloth after feedings helps to prevent the buildup of bacteria. When teeth appear, start using a soft children's toothbrush twice a day.

Once your child is preschool-age, start using fluoride toothpaste. Don't cover the brush with toothpaste; a pea-sized amount is just right. Young children tend to swallow most of the toothpaste, and swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste can cause permanent stains on their teeth.

What about using fluoride tablets?

Fluoride helps make teeth strong by hardening the tooth enamel. Many cities are required to add fluoride to tap water. If you live in an area where the tap water doesn't contain fluoride, your doctor may prescribe daily fluoride tablets when your child is about 6 months old.

 Fluoride is an important part of your child's dental health, but don't give him or her more than the directions call for. If you miss a dose, don't give your child extra fluoride to make up. Just as with swallowed toothpaste, too much oral fluoride can cause stains on your child's teeth.

What are cavities?

Cavities are holes that are formed when bacteria (germs) in your mouth use the sugar in food to make acid. This acid eats away at the teeth. Cavities are common in children. Good tooth care can keep cavities from happening in your child

 

Is my child at risk for cavities?

Your child might be at risk for cavities if he or she eats a lot of sugary foods (such as raisins, cookies and candy) and drinks a lot of sweet liquids (such as fruit juice and punch, soda and sweetened drinks). Your child also might be at risk if he or she has any of the following risk factors:

• Was born early (prematurely) or weighed very little at birth (low birth weight)
• Has ongoing special health care needs
• Has white spots or brown areas on any teeth
• Does not go to the dentist very often

 

How can I help stop cavities?

Everyone in your family should take good care of their teeth. Family members with lots of cavities can pass the cavity-causing bacteria to babies and children.

Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day and adults should floss once a day. Everyone should see the dentist twice a year. Have your doctor or dentist show you the right way to brush your child's teeth.

 

Does diet affect my child's teeth?

Yes. Avoiding sweets, sticky foods and between-meal snacks is good advice. To avoid cavities, limit sweet snacks and drinks between meals. Have meals and snacks at regular times. Teeth-friendly snacks include fresh fruits and vegetables, and cheese and crackers.

Baby bottles can create additional problems with your child's dental health. When liquid from a bottle--like milk and juice--stays in contact with the teeth for a long time, the sugars cause tooth decay. This can create a condition called bottle mouth. Your baby's teeth can develop cavities and become pitted or discolored. Never put a baby to bed with a bottle. Don't let your child walk around during the day with a bottle, and teach your child to use a drinking cup around his or her first birthday.

 

Is thumb-sucking bad for my child?

It's normal for children to suck their thumbs, their fingers or a pacifier. Most children give up this habit on their own by age 4, with no harm done to their teeth. If your child still has a sucking habit after age 4, tell your dentist. Your dentist can watch carefully for any problems as the teeth develop. In most children there is no reason to worry about a sucking habit until around age 6, when the permanent front teeth come in.

When should I start taking my child to the dentist?

The American Dental Association recommends that parents take their child to a dentist no later than his or her first birthday. This gives the dentist a chance to look for early problems with your child's teeth. Pediatric dentists specialize in treating children's dental health. 

You and your child's dentist should review important information about diet, bottles, tooth brushing and fluoride use. Visiting the dentist from a young age will help your child become comfortable with his or her dentist. It also establishes the good habit of regular dental check-ups.