DID YOU THINK THAT YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER CAN HANDLE THAT?

Mothers are still the best teacher: Learn the practical and effective ways to introduce reading and learning

• Reward. That is still the best incentive for your child. Make reading a reward by allowing quiet reading alone in bed for a few extra minutes.
• If your child is fascinated by dinosaurs or Winnie the Pooh, get every magazines or books with their images on.
• Try to ignore your child’s reading level, it may not be necessary that every thought or word be fully understood.
• If you are having a hard time keeping your child to sit still, allow him to doodle while you read aloud. And remember that your child’s favorite doll or stuffed animal may like to hear the story as well.
• Take dictation from your child who can’t write yet, or encourage him to make a story while you are writing it down. Post some pictures and ask him to draw whatever image he would like to add to his own story book and label them with his own description.
• Provide each of your child their own shelf on a bookcase for their own favorite books. Encourage family members to add a special book for every gift-giving occasion.
• Lastly, but most important of all, when you read your child’s writing, don’t focus on errors, just enjoy the creativity!

“The remembrance of a beloved mother becomes a shadow to all our actions; it precedes or follows them.”

YOU AND YOUR TOTS: TRAVELING WITH CARE

When you are raising a toddler, remember to always prepare him for anything that he will experience for the first time like traveling.  The best time for your baby to have his first long trip is under 6 months of age, if only to take advantage of his long naps.

Smart Tips For Moms When Traveling With A Young Child

• If you have a choice, set out on a long car trip an hour or two before his nap or bedtime.  So that just about the time your child gets fussy, he will most likely fall asleep.  It maybe wise to clothe your child with his nightclothes before setting out on your trip to avoid disturbing him while asleep when you reach your destination.
• Hang your toddler’s shoe bag over the car window to block out the bright sunshine.  The shoe bag’s pockets may also provide some of the toys or immediate needs.
• If you need to take a break, choose a playground where your toddler can work off any of his pent up energy.
• One way to use up excess energy while in the car is to initiate a game like “Simon Says” to keep your toddler busy.
• Don’t commit a mistake of going anywhere if your toddler is tired, even if it’s just a quick stop in a supermarket.  It will be best to wait and let your toddler take his nap since it’s easier to deal with the crowd than deal with a cranky child.
• If your child will need to take an airplane alone, prepare him by introducing it as an adventure.  Take sometime to explain the whole trip especially how he will be helped by flight attendants.  Try to coach him about  the unexpected like airsickness, ear pain on takeoff and landing. Give him some gums or hard candy to chew while landing.

While you are keeping in mind anything that your toddler may need when traveling, be sure to prepare yourself as well.   Traveling is tiring as it is, having a toddler around may require more energy.  So be sure to have enough rest before you travel with your toddler.