Baby care options for your little one
20 months
When you play music, does your little superstar start moving, dancing and jumping? Toddlers love music and it can do amazing things for their brains.
Music
helps create new pathways between nerve cells. A few years later, when your
child goes to school and becomes a brilliant mathematician and reader, Mozart
and other musician friends may be grateful!
Baby care options for toddlers
You
love your child, but you may not always be with him. The thought of leaving
your little one with someone new might scare you, but finding a nanny or
daycare doesn't have to be a scary experience.
Here
are some tips to help you in your search:
- Start by asking your friends, colleagues and family members to recommend a nanny or daycare they trust.
- Do your homework. Check credentials and certification. Ask a lot of questions, for example:
- How many years of experience do you have? How many years have you been in business?
- Are vaccinations required?
- What activities do you do with children?
- What is the policy regarding parents coming to visit or observe?
- Trust your instincts. If something is wrong with the nanny or daycare, don't leave your child with them.
Monthly tip set
- Songs are a great way to teach simple skills.
- Before leaving your little one alone with a new babysitter, familiarize yourself with the rules of the house, your child's daily routine, and what to do in an emergency.
- If you are evaluating a kindergarten, pay attention to how the staff interact with the children. The staff-to-child ratio should be one staff member for every three to five young children.
- When the child pushes the plate away, it means it is full. Don't force her to wash the plate, this can lead to a habit of overeating.
- Grandparents can be great role models, not to mention babysitters! If your grandparents don't live close enough to visit you often, use your phone and the Internet to keep in touch with your kids.
- No matter how your baby screams or climbs into the skin, do not spank him. Giving him a timeout or taking his toy away from him is a safer and more effective way to stop bad behavior.