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Babies and Moms: Birth and Beyond » Podcast Feed

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 Family Dinner, Overscheduling, and Getting Dinner on the Table | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:55:00

We discuss the importance of Family Dinner, the Over-scheduled Family, and ways to get the food on the table with less stress. We have more giveaways this week and we are asking for your input as we discuss these topics. If you have had experiences that you want to share, get ready to call in. READ on for Coupon Code to Save 30% off on Sign A Lot DVDs! Importance of Family Dinner Ken Patey is the father of 11 children and has traveled and lived in Canada, the United States, England, and the Middle East. Ken is the founder of GrowthClimate Therapy Services. Check out GrowthClimate to find out more about the amazing services that they offer to families and individuals. They have amazing online resources for family and personal growth. A Harvard study, of 65 children over 8 years, found that family dinners were the activity that most fostered healthy child development. Kids who eat family dinner are: Less likely than other kids to have sex at young ages Less likely to get into fights Less likely to be suspended from school At lower risk for thoughts of suicide 20% less likely to drink, smoke, or use illegal drugs (Children who do not eat dinner with their families are 61% more likely to use alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs) Additionally, they Have more healthy eating habits overall, even when not at home Consume more vegetables, fruit and juice, less soda, eat less fatty foods and receive higher amounts of fiber, minerals, and vitamins essential to the body Score better on tests (results crossed racial lines and were a greater indicator than whether the child was in a one or two-parent family) Have better language skills (mealtime is an opportunity to hear more spoken language and process adult conversations) Have more parent-child conversation Overscheduled Families Stacey: Last year was probably the busiest year of my life. Growing up I had piano, dance, violin, voice, acting, church activities, soccer, volunteer and retail jobs, and participated in 4 AP high school courses at once, not to mention that I was the eldest of ten children requiring a lot of responsibility at home. BUT, all that considered, I was still more BUSY last year, as a full-time at home mother, than I was as a younger person. How can this be possible, you might wonder? Well, each of my oldest seven children was involved in at least one music class, some of them two. Each of my three girls had dance for a total of five classes/ week between them. My four oldest boys each had a sport, some of them more than one, and all of the children had church activities ranging from scouts every week, to big events that were more quarterly. Most of them also participated in 4-H after school classes on various days and of course, my two in Jr. High were in advanced classes that required more than average homework and lots of ferrying to the university library. When multiplied, that equals more than 20 extra-curricular activities per week! I should mention also, that I myself taught a volunteer chorus class at their elementary school which I did in the morning before school started! This was twice a week and made our early mornings very hectic, what with the baby only 9 months old at the time. My husband, bless his heart, was always kind to help me out of a jam or to drive various carpools or what not when he could, but he works full time and is trying to finish a PhD on the side, while also fulfilling busy church assignments and random extra projects for his work. We flew through that school year, and when summer finally came, I said enough is enough. I realized that my family needed more TIME to connect, to REFLECT, to ENJOY life. I felt stress from my little ones, and I was definitely not a CALM person most of the time. Today we are going to talk about OVERSCHEDULED family life. What is it? Why is it harmful? What can we do about it? And Why should we bother to change this rapidly popular lifestyle trend? Later on today we will have ex[...]

 Baby Safety, Learning Limits, Baby Fair and More | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:55:00
 Losing Weight, Developmental Milestones and More | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:55:00

We discuss how one mom lost over 100 pounds after giving birth.  We also discuss developmental milestones you baby should meet and what to do if she doesn’t.  Also, we will discuss what happens to you physically when you silence yourself instead of expressing your opinion in an arguement.  And we will be giving away products! Tips from Andrea Crocket for Losing Weight: Take it one step at a time–don’t try to do everything at once and make one change a week instead of making a lot of changes at once. Realize that you are making a life change and in the long run, you will achieve more by taking the long term view. Your body will not give up weight if it doesn’t have the right vitamins and nutirents so make sure you take vitamins and give your body what you want. There might not be one diet out there for you.  You need to learn and listen to your body and let it tell you what it needs. Developmental Milestones: Physical 3  months: Baby push ups–Baby raises head up off the floor. 6 months: Roly Poly– Rolling over from front to back; consecutive rolling. 9 months: Balancing Act– Sitting with trunk support, reaches out with hands free to play 12 months:Baby Steps and cruising– Takes a few steps, side-stepping, cruises/walks along the side of the couch. 15 months:Independent energizer bunny–Can walk independently and squat down to  pick up toys. Warning Signs:  Unable to raise head above the floor, fisted hands around 3 months. Poor head control, arched back, cannot bring arms together at 6 months. Cannot support weight on legs by 9 months. Ways to help: Children need free play multiple times a day. Tummy time: Get them out of their car seat and play pens. Cognitive  milestones: 3 months: Soaking it in–Very receptive and aware. 6  months: Wants to participate–Shows interest in being a part of activity. 9  months: Acts on surroundings–Attempts to control environment. Imitates actions,  sounds, words,  learns that what you do, they can do too. 12  months: Putting the pieces together–Pays more attention to detail. (Pincer grasp). Better understanding of cause and effect. 15  months: Exploring the options–Child is understanding his choices and making decisions. Warning Signs: “Lack of interest” in world surroundings. Social/Emotional  milestones: 3  months: Stealing the show–They have a given nature to be the center of attention. They need to be responded to. 6- 9  months: Star of the show–Smiling and responsive social interaction. 12  months: Separation anxiety. 15+  months: My way or the highway Children at the age of 2 are naturally egocentric. Understanding and practicing the concepts of sharing, giving, etc. are developmental milestones. The social/emotional development of your child takes a lot of time, patience and positive reinforcement. The child is learning how to act with or react to other people. Warning Signs No eye contact with others. Not getting along with others. Lack of emotional expression. A game you can play is Red light/Green light. In this game, children learn to control physical behavior, which is a learned behavior. As a result, they learn their ability to control emotions and social behaviors as well. Language milestones: 3  months: Receptive dominates 6  months: Moving the mouth–Babbling and noise making. 12  months: My first words. 15  months: Speaking my mind. Warning signs: Family history of hearing loss. Can’t express numbers, words, etc. Lack of verbal responsiveness. A child that is spoken to–in dialogue and conversation mode–by the time they are 18 months, they are learning approximately 9 words a day. Children who aren’t talked to–or are only spoken to in “command mode”–are only learning about 3 words at that age. About 1/3 of the children in this nation are spoken to in command mode. Once a child hits 3 they are verbal learner[...]

 Teething, Dogs and Kids, and More | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:55:01

We talk about teething and remedies to solve your baby’s pain. We will also talk to Colleen Pelar author of Living with Kids and Dogs . . . Without Losing Your Mind to get an understanding of how to have kids and dogs in the same house. Plus, we’ve got some products to cover and some tips. We will also conclude our discussion of Preschool. Check out more about Colleen Pelar author of Living with Kids and Dogs . . . Without Losing Your Mind. Teething Tips from Shelly Teething discomfort can start long before the teeth actually appear, as early as 3 months of age. And then it comes and goes as different teeth start to emerge. If teething is unpleasant for your child, don’t worry, it probably won’t be a continuous thing, and they’ll get better at dealing with it as they gain experience. If you can reassure them well and help them confidently handle the discomfort, they’ll be less fearful about it the next time it occurs.Signs of teething:Increased irritability and crankiness, less tolerance of events than usualBut how do you know the crankiness is TEETHING and that he’s not upset about his diaper rash or the stock market trends? Bulging gums, you may actually be able to see the bump where the tooth is trying to push through. Drooling Red cheeks Low fever (brief) not more than 101, and not long lasting. If the fever is higher, and persists, it is probably something else. Pulling at ears (the sensory nerve that feels pain is the same for teeth and ears so they may feel pain in their ears when it is from their teeth, and vice-versa) Night waking, if you notice a change and the baby wakes up in pain Distractions of the day are gone at night so it may be harder to deal with at night. Looser stools, even diarrhea Stronger urges to bite and chew anything and everything, if you stick your finger in their mouth and they clamp down on it, you’ll know! Ideas to help:Most importantly, be understanding of their discomfort. Even they do not understand why they feel a little off (compare yourself with PMS!) so be patient and reassure them by cuddling or distracting them from their pain with a book or a massage or singing to them. You will be surprised how well they can handle the discomfort and settle themselves down when they know you are there to help. You know, anything is more bearable with a friend nearby (remember labor pains! You really need someone to hold your hand or talk you through it). Give your baby a cool bottle of water. Give her a cool washcloth to chew on. This is something you could freeze. Wring it out well so there isn’t much water in it and it won’t stay frozen for long. Acetimenophen or Ibuprofen (I like Ibuprofen better, but every baby is different) for short periods of time when it is worse than others (it does come and go). You have to choose, let the baby wail and spiral out of control (then the pain becomes something to fear and the response may become automatic the next time she feels the discomfort) or give her something you know will help. Do you take medicine when you have a headache? Help her out. Most bouts with teething aren’t going to last weeks at a time. Some people have success with the homeopathic pills (Hylands teething tablets) that go under your tongue. I never used them but I understand they are effective for just a short period of time, but it may be enough to help your baby settle down and get distracted again. Most teethers are only useful for cutting the front teeth. Try to find something so they can get it to their molars, which can be more uncomfortable to cut.Other things to watch for: Keep baby’s chin and neck dry. The extra drooling can cause a rash or irritation. You can use cornstarch to provide a little dryness in all those cute pudgy fat folds! Use a teething bib or even a bandana. I’m more comfortable with things that Velcro on and off to avoid it getting caught on something and choking the bab[...]

 Signing Time and Preschools | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:27:01

Rachel Coleman of Signing Time joins us to talk about signing with babies and toddlers. We will give away Signing Time DVDs so listen to the LIVE show (www.grapevineradio.com) and call in and win at 9:30 am Mountain/11:30 Eastern. We will also be discussing finding a preschool for your toddler and how to do a preschool at home. For more home preschool information, see the JoySchool website Also check out Show 14 to meet the creator of Joy School, Linda Eyre. Help Rachel win the Stand on a Better World award. Signing Time Foundation will receive $10,000 if she wins. The mission of the Signing Time Foundation is to enrich the lives of children of all abilities. Check out how to honor her at the Signing Time Foundation Website. Attend the Signing Time Foundation Benefit Concert in Salt Lake City on October 8th at Cottonwood High School. Tickets are available on Smithtix. IMPORTANT:: If you are along the Wasatch Front and want to go to the concert, email nancy@babiesandmomsradio. We have a limited number of tickets to give away! We also have 1 DVD left from the show giveaway. Email to Win! Choosing a preschool? The most important thing you need to consider is your child. Does your child need socialization and interaction or does he need a more academic program. Remember that if your child is properly socialized, he will be more prepared to be academic when the time comes. Check out local and neighborhood preschools that focus on interaction, art and socialization unless your child is ready for academics. We love Joy School for this reason and Stacey and Nancy have conducted Joy School with 5 of our kids. It is hard work for the parents, but it is worth it and the cost is low–a low monthly fee for all materials. For more home preschool information, see the JoySchool website Also check out Show 14 to meet the creator of Joy School, Linda Eyre. If your child is ready to read and ready for academics, check out preschools that have a more academic focus. Some parents want their kids to push ahead and get academics going earlier, but if your child is not ready, this can backfire. So know your child and his needs as well as your abilities to work with him.

 Tooth Care, Tooth Brushes, and Signing with Baby | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:27:00

Dr. Kerry Maguire,  Director of Public Advocacy with Tom’s of Maine talked with us about dental health for your baby.  We also talk about tooth brushes we have tested and the amazing things your baby will tell you when she can sign.  Plus lots more fun info.  Check out the FREE Kindermusik Class offer special for Babies and Moms Listeners. You can try a class and know if it works for you!  Our kids especially love the kids toothpaste without flouride.   And the parent toothpaste is quite good–unique flavors that are not overpowering. Toothbrushes we Tested There is a cool toothbrush for the youngest babies.  Check out the Babys First Toothbrush from Baby Buddy.  Tricia’s daughter Kiera actually asks to brush her teeth with this brush–several times a day.  Anna likes it enough that she will brush after meals (we leave it in the kitchen and do it before we get out of the high chair).  Check it out and check out some other things they have–we like the straps for keeping things attached when baby learns to drop things as well as the closet organizer tags to keep track of the sizes of clothes you have in the closet. We also tried the American Red Cross Infant to Toddler Oral Care Kit by Learning Curve.  It’s a complete infant-to-toddler oral care kit to promote healthy gums and teeth. Contains 1 fingertip toothbrush, 1 gum stimulator, 1 infant toothbrush, 1 toddler toothbrush, 1 toothbrush holder and 1 storage pouch. The toothbrush is soft for older kids so we like it for the 18 month to 3 year age.   We espeically like the toothbrush holder–totally cool.  You can get this kit at stores like Target. NOTES:  The toddler brush is definately for older kids and if your baby doesn’t like you to stick your finger in her mouth, the fingertip toothbrush won’t work well so you might want to try the Baby Buddy and see if she will brush her own teeth (or just push through and get your baby used to it).   Or, try using a soft cloth as Dr. Maguire suggested. Look for Nancy’s New BookBaby Signing 1, 2, 3  is Nancy’s new book.  Baby Signing 1, 2, 3 is the answer to all your signing questions. Learn how to sign with your baby at every age and every stage. This new book covers your child’s physical, emotional, mental and linguistic development at every age and how signing fits in to the picture. If you are starting to sign with your baby at 4 months or 14 months, this book tells you how to do it and gives you activities to help you and your baby learn to sign quickly and successfully. This is the first book to include a chapter dedicated to signing with children with Special Needs.

 Exercise with Baby and TV Watching | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:27:01

The founder of Stroller Strides talks about realistic exercise now that baby is here and we’ll be talking about TV watching for the under 3 crowd.  Plus, we will update you on our signing progress and what’s happening in the world. TV–Does it Have Any Value for Kids?New research is showing that TV watching is not good for kids.  The claim always seemed too good to be true: park your infant in front of a video and, in no time, he or she will be talking and getting smarter than the neighbor’s kid. In the latest study on the effects of popular videos such as the “Baby Einstein” and “Brainy Baby” series, researchers find that these products may be doing more harm than good. And they may actually delay language development in toddlers and cause them to be overstimulated. See http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1650352,00.html?cnn=yes

 Postpartum Depression | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:27:00

We discuss postpartum depression.  If you think you are not affected,  you might be surprised.  It takes lots of different forms and can last for months and even years and has a medical basis.  Listen and learn. How is Postpartum Depression different than the “Baby Blues”? The Baby Blues refers to generally weepiness, fatigue and worry for the 2-3 weeks following delivery. Postpartum Depression may set in 2 weeks to 2 months after delivery and interferes with your daily life. You may feel sad most of the time, feel like things will never get better, have thoughts of death or suicide (having thoughts of death does not mean that you are suicidal), have trouble sleeping (even when the baby sleeps), have a change in appetite, and generally not feel like yourself.  (However, don’t think that if you don’t have thoughts of death or suicide that you don’t have Postpartum Depression.) If you feel you are experiencing Postpartum Depression, you should seek the help of a doctor to work out a plan for your recovery. The sooner you get help, the faster and better your recovery. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness. It is a step toward taking control and regaining your life! Here is our input on this topic (we are not medical professionals, but mothers who wish to offer our understanding and support to you): PREPARE YOURSELF BEFORE DELIVERY: Read about Postpartum Depression (PPD) and its symptoms before your delivery so you can recognize it for what it is and take steps to prevent it. Even if you haven’t had it in the past doesn’t mean that you won’t have it with another baby. Have realistic expectations. Talk to other mothers about their experiences after having a baby so you can get some realistic expectations of life with a baby. Motherhood is work. You should expect to be tired, and not all of it is “cute.” Give yourself time for recovery. Delivery is a major production! Your hormones will need time to readjust. You will need time to learn breastfeeding. You will need time to work into a routine. Your house will be messy! You will need time to bond with your baby. Some women DON’T bond at first sight. It’s okay. Oh, and did anyone mention the 4-6 weeks of bleeding afterward? You need time! Don’t plan for big projects, traveling, parties. Don’t be in a rush to get back to work, Don’t take on assignments during that time EVEN IF YOU THINK IT WILL BE NO BIG DEAL! If you begin to experience PPD, you won’t want to do them, and you won’t want to cancel the commitment either. Don’t plan to fit into your jeans after 2 weeks! Plan for meals. Your nutrition is important. Preparing healthy meals will not be easy with a baby. Freeze things ahead of time. Invite friends to bring a meal occasionally and stay to eat it with you (or take you out). This will give you a chance to talk, talk, TALK, which is very therapeutic and you won’t have to prepare the meal. Have an agreement for your exercise and downtime. Talk about the importance of you getting time for a walk, time to read a book or time for whatever becomes important to you after the birth. Being alone won’t always be the best thing however, so plan walks together and time with other friends. Tell your friends to stay closeby. You won’t want to feel isolated so stay connected with friends. Because a baby is so much work, you and your husband or mother may “tag team” to take care of her, but this can separate you from your most important chances for communication. Sleep is a major factor–or lack thereof. Plan for someone else to take one of the nighttime feedings so you can sleep, preferable out of your earshot so you really won’t be disturbed. You’ll enter a downward spiral if you go without sleep (Lack of sleep–> irritability, lack of focus–> guilt for behavior–> feelings of inadequacy–> de[...]

 Resale Stores and Traveling in Cars with Kids | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:27:00

We talk with Cathy Marks on how to buy and sell clothing and other items at resale stores like Children’s Orchard.  Then, Stacey gives us tips about traveling with kids in cars for long distances–just in time for your end-of-summer road trip.  We’ll also catch up with all the hosts on whose baby is signing what and how life is going as well as discuss a few great products we have found.  From Stacey on Traveling with Kids in Cars: NOTE:  Safety is always paramount.   Make sure you have had your car checked and you have safe seats for all children. Try to travel at the most normal times for your child. (ie If they sleep well in the car, you could plan driving time around naps or night, but not too late for you to safely drive!) Make sure that all their needs are met (ie they are well rested, well fed, clean clothes, diaper, etc. too often parents try to go too far without changing diapers, but this is not in anyone’s best interest) PLAN AHEAD!  This cuts down on lots of frustration when the baby is screaming.  Set a realistic goal for the day’s travel distance, then add in extra time.  We add two hours for every ten of driving.  Use this time for effective stops, you will not feel frustrated when it is necessary to stop to feed, change or just stretch, and exercise yourself and baby.  Make sure your route is planned, have reservations already so you can stop and sleep right when you’re ready. Make routine stops before emergencies arise.  We stop every two hours whether anyone is screaming or not.  We do potties if needed, gas for the car if needed, otherwise we pass out healthy snacks, everyone changes seats, change drivers, one new toy/book per child, we do a family cheer and then we’re off again.  No one gets bored or angry when we stop that often and it actually saves time in the end. Don’t bring too much food, otherwise you will just be eating all the time.  You’ll get drowsy and sick, baby will be over stimulated.  Bring stuff to do so boredom just not induce eating. Interact with your child every so often so they don’t feel abandoned and trapped in the car.  Play fun games with them (like doing the Sign Babies ASL FLash Cards). Then, turn around and let them know when you are “done” so you can have some down time for you too. Pack a good diaper or satellite bag upfront, not with the luggage, so you have all you need at all times.  This should include a change of clothes for baby, PJS special blanket, etc.  I always put everyone in jammies at the 7-8 pm stop.  Then, when we arrive at the hotel at 10 -11pm, the kids just go right into the beds while parents work. Baby wipes on every row of seats.  need I say more? (hand sanitizer too) DVD players if desired with appropriate movies (Signing Time) First aid kit in car, including Tylenol or whatever for pain if baby is teething or uncomfortable.

 Importance of Play and Early Swimming Lessons | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:27:01

We talk to Dr. Byran Korth about the importance of play in your baby’s development.  Then, we talk to Judy Heumann of Infant Aquatics about early swimming lessons for baby survival safety. Dr. Byran Korth answers the following questions: Why is play so important to development and how much play does a child need? Do I need to be on the floor playing all the time or is it better for my child to play alone sometimes or in groups with others? What does “play” really mean and how do I help foster it? Isn’t school better than play for learning? What should I expect from my child at different ages (6 months, 1 year, 18 months, 2 years, 2.5 years, 3 years and beyond) in terms of play (how long will she play, what will she play and will she play with others?) Are there books you recommend for “play-challenged”  moms? For more information on parenting tips, check the http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/indexes/hefcd.tmpl Check out the section on “Principles of Parenting”, “Good BEEginings” and “Ages and Stages”. Also, check out http://www.naeyc.org/ece/eyly/default.asp (select “Play and Learning” under topic at bottom of page) http://www.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=key_play (We also LOVE the Zero to Three website) Judy Heumann of Infant Aquatics answers the following questions: Why should we consider having our children learn to swim before they are three years old? What Can Infants and Children Learn? How Are Lessons Conducted? Will Children Retain Their Skills? Not all instructors know how to teach survival swimming to toddlers.  How do I find a teacher who can? Other safety tips: Not all life jackets float children face up. You should run a test to determine whether your life jacket allows your child to float face up. Flotation devices such as arm bands are not used in lessons because they actually hamper a child’s ability to learn to swim properly and become a crutch. Children who use “floaties” truly think that they can swim and often are the victims of aquatic accidents when they enter the water without these devices. Please remember that all children should be supervised at all times while in and around the water regardless of the swimming skills they have learned. No matter how well skilled, no one (adult or child) is ever drown-proof. Remember to think about your You Know You’re a Mom If . . . ideas for our contest!

 Breastfeeding And Going Back to Work | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:27:01

We talk with Irene Zoppi, RN, MSN, IBCLC, Medela’s clinical breastfeeding education specialist who discusses issues with breastfeeding when you go back to work and ways to succeed and continue to give you baby the best food possible! She says you need to ask your employer for a private place to pump, scheduled breaks, and refrigeration for your milk. Ask for these things before you take your maternity leave. Most employers are willing to help if you communicate your needs. If there are enough mothers who need to pump, your employer may find it worthwhile to buy one of the hospital grade pumps that you bring your own kit to use. It is the best kind! Try to pump every three hours to maintain your milk supply. To learn more go to healthywomen.org or medela.org. We are announcing our “You know you are a mom if  . . .”  segment.    So you understand it, here is an example: You know you are a mom if you find yourself singing Old MacDonald in the car…alone! So keep a pad and pen close and write your You Know You are a Mom If    ideas down. Today, we have Jamie from McKinney Texas as a guest in studio today.   Jamie’s son  Ryan is an excellent example of how signing can really change your baby’s life in ways well beyond just stopping tantrums. Ryan is 4 and began  reading at 3.  We’ll learn how the two are are connected.

 How Music Develops Baby Brains and Helps with Signing | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:27:01

Learn from music educator Julee Kowallis about how music helps develop babies’ brains and even can help them sign more signs.  Listen to Julee and her tips for how adding music to your life can enrich you and your babies learning experiences. Julee Kowallis of A Joyful Noise says that kids can start listening to music asbabies–all kinds. See this great article about music and brain development which discusses the research behind the fun! Nancy and Anna attended the recent Sing and Sign class and it was a great bonding experience as well as a great opportunity for Anna to see other people signing. Here are some great songs to sing and sign: Old Mac Donald Had a Farm More Milk (from Pick Me Up!) Apples and Bananas (cereals and milk or veggies and fruits) Splish Splash–great to dance and sign You are My Sunshine The Bear went Over the Mountain (dog, cat, pig and so forth) Nancy’s Music Pics: Pick Me Up! Activity Guide and Music CD. Contains 20 original songs that are entertaining for both parents and children and were specifically designed to sing and sign.  Includes an activity guide with all the words and signs you need. For the Kids A wonderful CD of kid’s songs sung by stars.  A portion of the proceeds will help restore music education in the U.S. public school system through the VHI Save the Music Foundation.  Songs that are great to sign include La La La La Lemon sung by the Barenaked Ladies, Hopity Song sung by Five for Fighting, and It’s Alright to Cry sung by Darius Rucker. Do-Rey-Me and You! From the same people who created Kindermusik classes, Do-Rey-Me and You! cd’s introduce various styles of music and have some wonderful songs to sign.  Each CD comes with a book or an educational toy. Critter Giggles One of our favorites that includes Place in the Choir, Whadaliacha and The Green Grass Grew All Around.  The joke book that accompanies the CD is too old for your child now, but when she is 5, she will love them. Tub Tunes By far, the best collection of songs for the bath.  It includes Yellow Submarine, Rub-a-Dub-Dub, and many other splashy favorites. 10 in the Bed: A wonderful collection of songs that you can sign include Ten in the Bed, Five Little Ducks, Old MacDonald, and Mary Had a Little Lamb. Mister Sun: Sunny songs that will make you both smile including Sunshine on my Shoulders and You are the Sunshine of my Life. Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes Includes Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes, If You’re Happy and You Know It, and I’m a Little Teapot along with some other great songs like Locomotion and Them Bones. Puntumayo Sing Along with Puntumayo Features a star-studded cast of artists singing folk, blues, bluegrass, swing and reggae that you can sign and sing, including a great jazzy version of Old MacDonald as well as a folk version of You are My Sunshine. Folk Playground A delightful collection of folk songs that introduces your baby to folk music.  Even though you probably won’t sign any songs on this CD, it is a wonderful CD to listen and dance to. Listen and Play: A great online resource for early learning songs comes from BBC Radio, which hosts Listen and Play, a 28 part audio resource for pre-school children emphasizing the development of early literacy skills. Each program includes familiar songs, rhymes, stories and sound discrimination games to develop children’s phonological awareness and confidence with spoken language. The songs and games in this program can easily be adapted to using with your baby to enhance your experience in signing. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/schoolradio/earlylearning/listenandplay.shtml Shelly’s Music Pics: Charlie Brown music – it’s not really kids music, but because of the  comic association you can get kids to listen to this really great  jazz music SchoolHouse Rock – They’ll be familiar with all these academic  concepts so when they are “taught” them later[...]

 Importance of Bonding and Fathers | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:27:00

We talk about the importance of bonding with Diana Kimber of the Family Center of Utah Valley.  Did you know that bonding in the first three years can affect everything your baby does from the time she walks to the way she acts in high school. Then we talk about Fathers and how they can have a positive effect in a child’s life.  Learn how important and how to help your man be a better father. We’ll also talk about two products we like: The Clean Shopper ImStillMe Diaper Bag

 First Birthdays and How to Be a Fit Mom | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:27:00

Do you go overboard on celebrations?  That might be a good thing–or not. Learn about our Fit Moms Program and how we are all working to get Physical, Mental and Spiritual balance in our lives.  Maybe we can inspire you with our real-life experience. Celebrations: We all agree that we remember the wonderful celebrations of our childhood and want to make celebrations important for our kids.  We have different philosophies, but great ideas so listen and learn!Go to our Fun Stuff Page for a PDF of the Volcano Cake

 How Language is Formed and How to Praise Your Child | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:27:00

We share how language is formed and how to praise your child. There are actually more than a few things your baby has to learn to be able to speak and one of them is acquire language–which is different from speech. Did you know that? Language is how we communicate with others using words, signs, or writing.  Language includes the types of words we use (nouns, verbs), how many words we use, how we put the words together to form thoughts and so on. Speech is how we pronounce words and shows the language we have acquired. Humans have language before they have speech, meaning that we can communicate with others before we can speak by using gestures, grunts and visual cues. You’ve all seen babies do this gesture to be picked up grunt to let a mom know they want something. Our guest today is Kathi Timm is a pediatric nurse who works for Horizon Home Care and Hospice. She meets the health care needs of medically fragile children.  These young patients are often discharged from Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and require full time nursing intervention in their home situation. I met Kathi because she is a Sign Babies ASL Flash Cards customer.  Kathi has a very unique vision of language acquisition that can help us understand our babies.  She will be telling us how these children acquire language and how they use signing to help. It is really fascinating. The Right Way to Praise (info thanks to BornLearning from the United Way) As parents, we all like to sing our children’s praises. We want to help them believe in themselves, right? But to do this right, simply throwing out compliments doesn’t cut it. To get your child to recognize the importance of his efforts, praise must be authentic. It must help your child realize that his attempt and progress matter, even more than the end result Hitting the Right Notes Praise is good for children when it is specific, and focuses on an action or behavior. This type of encouragement–praise that recognizes your child’s ways and efforts–helps him to feel known and understood, a critical element for early learning. So how do you make praise productive? It’s all about what you say and do. Music to the Ears Use Lots of Description. Describe what your child has done, rather than evaluate it. Instead of saying, “You are very generous.” Say, “I see you shared your cookie with Lilly. That was very thoughtful. Look at how happy she looks.” Keep Compliments Specific. This helps a child learn to feel good about his efforts, rather than the finished product. So instead of saying “Good job!” say, “You really worked hard to build that tower.” Point Out the Positive. Try to comment on what your child has done right before you note the negative. “Wow! You got dressed all by yourself! Let’s just turn your sweater around so the tag is in the back.” Celebrate Trying. Let your child know that you’ve noticed how hard he’s been working to learn a new skill.  “You turned and turned that piece until you got it to fit in the puzzle.” Recognize Quiet Accomplishments. When your child rises to a challenge, let him know you noticed. “I know you were nervous about going to the dentist, but you stayed calm and didn’t complain. You must be proud of yourself.” Singing praise that is helpful and substantive may take a bit more practice on your part. But remember, your efforts will pay off–you will find that your child will be proud of his accomplishments, more willing to take on responsibility, try new challenges, help others, and make music of his own. For another great article, see Praise that Builds A Child’s Self Esteem.

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