Anchor Words for Babies - In Ellen Galinsky's book, Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs (available from Exchange), Roberta Golinkoff talks about babies' "anchor" words, their first words that "allow babies to recognize new words that come after them."
In fact, Golinkoff's research shows that "... even as early as six months of age, babies can recognize a new word that comes after their own name, but not when it comes after someone else's name. It's not that they know the meaning of the word, but familiar, frequently heard words like their own name and 'Mommy' serve as a wedge or anchor into their speech stream. This happens perhaps earlier than one might think." Kathy Hirsch-Pasek says:
"We have learned that babies pay attention to their own names by four and a half months of age. Babies know 'Mommy' and 'Daddy' by six months."
The XX/XY Factor - Navigating gender differences in young children
Back in April 2011, a U.S. retailer caused a stir when it ran an ad campaign featuring a mother painting her young son's toenails pink.
The impassioned response was almost immediate: "How could you?!" rang in one set of outcries. "Bravo for defying convention!" replied others. "Nail polish is for girls!" chimed in yet a third group.
The ad highlighted a touchy subject among parents, namely gender activities and what is or isn't appropriate. To be sure, whether to embrace or eschew the familiar pink-and-blue stereotypes is a hot topic. For some parents, it's about fitting in; for others, it's about gender equality and the concern that traditional roles might be pigeonholing.
One Canadian mother and father riled critics in 2011 by going so far as to attempt a genderless upbringing, giving their child a gender-neutral name - Storm - and declining to reveal his or her sex outside of immediate family and caregivers.
No doubt, that's unadvisedly extreme. But whether or not you're comfortable with nail polish and boys specifically, activities for the youngest children - from doll carriages for a boy to toy trucks for a girl - are less about gender and more about exploration.
At this age, children are more alike than different, curious about their world and eager to investigate through games, crafts, and tactile opportunities. They want to get messy and adventurous, to be physical and curious. They're hungry to try out everything at their disposal from dolls, to trucks, to games.
Though some behaviors do indeed seem to be hard-wired - boys, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), are likely to be physical and active; girls more likely to be verbal and calm. Most young children, when given the opportunity, willingly embrace toys completely outside of the gender-specific domain.
Positively Exploring Gender Roles
Most experts, including the AAP, call early childhood the perfect time to experiment with all sorts of activities without restrictions by gender. Though a boy may be naturally inclined toward a physical activity, he doesn't have a natural barrier toward role paying with a stuffed toy.
Offer a variety of experiences and playthings and be open-minded about what might be considered unconventional boy/girl interests. Not only will this approach inspire experimentation and cooperative play, but it will potentially remove the stigma of typically gender-specific restrictions - boys playing with kitchen sets, girls playing super heroes.
You might also be encouraging some positive cross-gender behaviors such as assertiveness in girls and expressiveness in boys. Research shows there are long-term benefits. Men, for example, are said to live longer, healthier lives when they embrace feminine traits regarding emotion.
While there's no one-size-fits-all recipe, there are a few things you can do to at least smooth the ride:
• Don't worry: Many parents are baffled by certain affinities, such as boys and toy weapons. "My son has never seen a sword and yet he's out there having duels," says a mom. Parents can assist in this area by helping him balance his interest in weapons with activities such as crafts or dress-up play.
• Embrace the good: Societal trends like the princess culture can be troubling because they focus girls' attention on their appearance. Feed a daughter's intellect over what Peggy Orenstein, author of Cinderella Ate My Daughter, calls, "the fairest one of all" syndrome by offering activities in math and science; stoke a son's ability to say what he feels.
• Talk: Assertions like, "Girls can't be firefighters" are perfect teachable moments. Stop and ask why they think these things are true, and then search for photographs of female firefighters together.
• Encourage cooperation: Boys tend to be noisy, arguing loudly about rules. Girls are more likely to be negotiators. That can lead to playground conflicts. Encourage both sides to compromise and speak their minds when they've had enough. "My son loves to roar like a T-Rex," says a mom of a spirited three-year-old boy. "One day," she says, "a little girl looked at him as only a 2-year-old girl could and said, 'No more roar games!' I was very impressed."
Of course, eventually, gender preferences will likely catch up. School age is about the time children start gravitating toward same-sex playmates, meaning even the best attempts at long-term, gender-integrated playgroups are likely to fall apart around first grade. Don't worry: it will pass. And until then, enjoy the activity and take advantage of the opportunity to lay a solid foundation of cooperation for the future.
FITNESS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
If we didn't know it before, we know it now - being physically active and focusing on fitness is an important life priority beginning in early childhood. Not only does regular physical activity increase physical and cardiovascular health, it can improve sleep, reduce stress, increase attention and learning, and minimize illness. Because the habits and preferences children develop early in life will shape their choices and behaviors for years to come, it is critical to establish good physical activity habits now.
But knowing it and doing something about it are two different things. The average family has more commitments than time to meet them, from homework, to basketball practice, to piano lessons; it often seems impossible to fit one more thing into the schedule, no matter how good it is for you.
One way to fit fitness into the schedule is to turn it into a family activity. Not only is daily physical activity a healthy goal for everyone in the family, it provides us with an opportunity to be together and enjoy one another, and offers an excellent model for young children as they see the adults in their family having fun with fitness right alongside them.
Here are a few ideas that everyone in your family can participate in:
• Walk about it - A daily (or a few times a week) walk is a perfect way to reflect on the day and learn about what's going on in each other's lives. Allotting twenty minutes after dinner for a walk around the neighborhood will not only help you and your family members re-energize a bit before tackling homework, but it will improve heart health and digestion.
• Healthy hobbies - Many of us have a list of things we plan to do when our children get older. But why wait? Dreaming of picking up your tennis racquet again someday; why not family tennis lessons? Want to learn karate or tae-kwon-do; what about a family class? Excited about a salsa dancing or zumba class? Teach the kids a few moves and dance around the living room. With a few modifications, many adult fitness activities can be turned into fun for the family.
• Keep it simple - Getting more physical activity doesn't always have to be a planned event. Ask everyone in the family to be on the lookout for simple ways to be more active. Try parking your car further from the door at the shopping mall, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or walking to the corner store instead of driving. Get creative and involve everyone.
• Outdoor fitness fun - Depending on the season, there are many fun family activities to do outdoors. From riding bikes, to kite flying, to gardening, to building snowmen (or women), getting outside can be invigorating for everyone and can provide a few moments or all day opportunities for physical activity.
• Family challenges - Sometimes a little family competition can be motivating. Ask everyone to set a goal; maybe learning to skip, jumping rope ten times without missing, or seeing who can keep a hula hoop going longest (this means you too, Mom and Dad). Keep track of progress on a poster board in a central location. Or, use the Family Activity Log on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's We Can! website.
• Fit for a cause - It seems like there is a walk-a-thon or 5K opportunity every weekend. Involve the whole family in choosing a cause, training for the event, and then participating. The rewards will be many as your whole family contributes to a cause you are committed to, as well as participates in an event with others who are enjoying a physical activity.
• Screen time - Take a look at how often your child is in front of a screen. From video games, to computers, to television - it adds up. While not all screen activities are bad, they are, for the most part, sedentary. Think about ways to minimize screen time like eliminating screens from your child's bedroom, challenging children to be active during commercials (how many jumping jacks can you do during a commercial break?), and limiting TV on weekend days when children have many alternate active options.
Regardless of what you do, it's important to make it enjoyable. Having fun together as a family is as important as the physical activity itself.
The Road Home
The trip home is a good time to talk about your child's day.
-Before you leave, look at the daily plans and try to ask your child's teacher for a highlight or two of the day. You can initiate the conversation, as children will often not volunteer this information. Even with nonverbal children, it is good and useful to say, "I heard you played with water today."
-Talk about what you will do when you get home so your child can visualize the next step.
-Don't rush the trip. After a structured day, let your child slow down a little.
-Take turns making the commute with your spouse or partner. It is helpful for each of you to have this time with your child, to get to know the child care situation, and to give each other a break.
-Hungry children (and adults) make lousy traveling companions. Keep a few nonperishable items in your car for snacks so that you don't have to remember to pack snacks each day.
-If your child becomes upset during the trip, it usually doesn't make sense to stop. Talk reassuringly to your child and let him or her know approximately when he or she will arrive home or at child care. Make your terms as concrete as possible: "We have to pass the water tower and the mall and then we will be at your center. I will take you out of your car seat as soon as we get there."
Music and Stories
• Music is obviously great for the car. Choose some CDs or audiotapes that you will both enjoy and won't get tired of.
• Singing in the car can be fun and a great shared language experience. You don't have to sing well, just have fun doing it. Made-up, silly songs are often favorites of children.
• Audiotapes of stories and poetry are available in libraries, bookstores, and children's toy stores. They don't replace great conversation, but are a great change of pace. You can also record your own.
• Expect that repetition will be important to your child. He or she will probably want to hear favorite songs and stories more often than you want to hear them.
Games
• Play with geography and landmarks. "I see the bridge. That means we are almost at the center!"
• For older preschoolers, make a game out of looking for certain things. You can look for letters, colors, or objects (taxi cabs, trucks, exit signs etc.).
• Think about what you want your child to learn and consider your messages. Pointing out the fast food outlets are fun for children, but is that the landscape on which you want them to focus?
• On the trip to the center, ask preschool children to predict who will be there and what will happen.
Commute Kits
*If you commute with your child by train or bus, pack (or have your child pack) a small travel bag of books, small one-piece toys or teethers for infants, and wipe-off boards (for example, "Etch-a-Sketch" makes a small travel-size version of their toy), or even a colorful clipboard with paper and a chunky pencil attached for older preschoolers. Make the contents of the bag special by reserving their use exclusively for the commute.
* If you have a longer commute, you may want to create an activity kit by punching holes across the bottom of several heavy-duty, resealable plastic bags and putting them in a three-ring binder. Fill each "bag" page with non-messy art supplies or toys.
New Car Seat Laws
There are some new car seat laws that were effective August 1st.
Please check out the links below so that you have the current information.
Car Seat Law Web page
Colorado Passenger Safety Law