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September
Letter‘s: A , B
Health Topics: Eating Breakfast, Washing Hands
Value: Friendship
Opposites: Happy/Sad
Color: Red
Shape: Circle,Crescent
Numbers: 1, 2
Value: Friendship
The Five Senses
Body Parts
Family
Fall
Manners
October
Letter‘s: C, D,E
Color: Orange
Shape: Triangle,Pentagon
Numbers: 3
Health Topics: Using a Smoke Alarm
Value: Honesty
Opposites: Noisy/Quiet
Fall
Halloween
Fire Prevention
Columbus Day
November
Letter‘s: F,G
Color: Brown
Shape: Square,Octagon
Numbers: 4
Health Topics: Using a Tissue
Value: Cleanliness
Opposites: In/Out
Turkeys
Fall
Thanksgiving
December
Letter: H,I
Color: Green
Shape: Star,Ring
Numbers: 5
Health Topics: Wearing a Seatbelt, Taking a Bath
Value: Respect
Opposites: Stop/Go
Transportation
Manners
Winter
Christmas
New Year's Eve
January
Letter’s: J, K, L
Color: Blue
Shape: Rectangle
Numbers: 6
Health Topics: Dressing for the Weather
Value: Dependability
Opposites: Big/Little
Winter
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February
Letter’s: M, N, O
Color: Pink
Shape: Heart
Numbers: 7
Health Topics: Brushing Teeth
Value: Cooperation
Opposites: Up/Down
Winter
Groundhog Day
Valentine's Day
President's Day
Black History Month
Dental Health Month
March
Letter’s: P, Q,R
Color: Yellow
Shape: Diamond
Numbers: 8
Health Topics: Feelings http://www.do2learn.com/games/feelingsgame/index.htm
Value: Helpfulness
Opposites: Hard/Soft
Farm Animals
Spring/Easter
St. Patrick's Day/Rainbow's
April
Letter’s: S, T,U
Color: Purple
Shape: Oval
Numbers: 9
Bunny
Health Topics: Crossing the Street Safely, Safety Around Strangers
Value: Kindness
Opposites: Clean/Dirty
Rain
Kites
Dirt and Water
Spring
May
Letter’s: V,W,X
Color: White
Shape: cross
Numbers: 10, 0
Health Topics: Stranger safety
http://www.thesafeside.com/
Value: Sharing
Opposites: Fast/Slow
Butterflies/frogs
Spring
Mother's Day
Memorial Day
June
Letter’s: Y,Z
Colors Review colors
Number 11
Shape Square
Swimming/ Sidewalk Chalk
Health Topics: Water Safety, Sun safety
Boats/beach
Vacations
Effective Discipline
Discipline is teaching, not punishing.
When you discipline your child, you are teaching an important lesson: 'Every time you do this, I must stop you until you
can learn to stop yourself."
If you do this in a loving and consistent way, your child will eventually learn to set her own limits and will carry those
lessons throughout her life.
Here are a few tips to help with effectively disciplining children:
- Create dependable, predictable routines. Babies and children need regular sleep schedules and feeding schedules. A child
feels safe when he understands that he will be helped to control himself when he can't do it on his own, and that there are
certain routines that he can count on as reliable and consistent.
- Try to understand what your child is communicating to you and respond appropriately. Your baby cries when she is tired,
hungry, or uncomfortable because it's the only way for her to communicate. Try to figure out what it is that she needs, and
respond in a loving way.
- Encourage exploration and curiosity, but keep your child safe. A child learns by 'testing' the limits that are set for
him. Babies are like little scientists; they are looking for cause and effect. Understand that they are excited and curious
about the world around them. Limits should include the removal of dangerous objects and securing areas that your baby is exploring. Distract
and redirect a child's attention when he is doing something you don't like.
- Try to avoid unnecessary conflict. A constant bombardment of 'no' will dull important messages. Instead of getting angry
with the child for his behavior, let him know that you don't like what he's doing, and divert his attention to something more
positive.
- Avoid labeling the child -- label the behavior instead. Be sure to tell your child that you love him, you just don't love
what he's doing.
- Reinforce positive behavior. Discipline isn't just a way to eliminate undesirable behavior; it is an opportunity to promote
learning and positive self-esteem in your child. Tell a child when she is doing something right. Make sure she knows you appreciate
her. If she knows that you appreciate her, she may be more responsive when you correct her behavior at another time.
- Understand that every child is unique. It's important for parents and caregivers to understand that every child
is different and can react to situations and stress in different ways. Some children are calm; others are more excitable.
Some children learn quickly, while others may need lessons to be repeated many times. Remember that children learn at different
paces, so be patient when teaching limits.
- Do not physically or verbally abuse a child. Spanking, hitting, or shouting at a child may end the immediate behavior
but a child may be so upset by physical or verbal abuse that he won't learn anything from the experience except anger and
humiliation. When parents use physical punishment, a dangerous message is sent to a child -- that violence is the way to settle
issues.
Feeding and Nutrition: As Your Baby Grows
From Liquids to Solids
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that babies remain on a liquid diet until they are six months old. There are
signs to watch for that will let you know that your baby is ready for solid foods. If your baby has good head control, makes
chewing motions and is able to move food to the back of his mouth and swallow, and shows significant weight gain, he’s
probably ready for solids. Most babies are ready to eat solids when they’ve doubled their birth weight, which may take
place before or after their sixth month.
The first solid foods should be partly liquid, like rice cereal mixed with
breast milk or formula. This type of mixture should be fed from a spoon, not from a bottle, since the solids will often
clog the nipple. Don’t be surprised if your baby pushes the food out with his tongue at first — this is a normal
gag reflex that all babies have to help prevent them from choking while they are learning to suck and swallow. If you find
she can’t swallow the solid foods immediately, continue feeding her liquids and try the solids again another day.
TeethingBaby’s first tooth usually appears at six or seven months. But teething can begin as early as three
months of age or it can take as long as a year for the first tooth to break through. The first signs of teething are heavy
drooling and fussing. You can help ease teething pain by giving your baby a teething ring that is kept in the refrigerator
to chew on. Eating cold foods such as applesauce or yogurt might also be soothing. You can gently rub his gums to help reduce
the swelling and to help sooth him (be sure to wash your hands!). Some pediatricians recommend giving a small dose of children’s
pain reliever such as Infant Tylenol, but check with the doctor before giving your baby any medication. It might also be helpful
to use a rubber-tipped spoon to protect your baby’s sensitive gums during feeding.
Nutrition At Age One You’ll find that your baby’s taste buds develop over the first year. Even
if she appears to dislike certain foods, she will probably develop a taste for them, so keep trying to feed them to her. One
of the big changes (be sure to consult your pediatrician) is switching your child from breast milk or formula to cow’s
milk. Babies usually cannot digest cow’s milk during the first year, so consult with your doctor before you start your
baby on a diet that includes cow’s milk. Use whole milk, not skim or low fat — babies need the fat calories to
grow. They may start drinking less fatty milk around their second birthday. Young children can be fussy at mealtimes.
Don’t argue or bargain with your child over food. If your toddler refuses to eat, do not take it personally.
It is a rejection of food, not you! Don’t worry if you see a drop in your child’s appetite around his first birthday.
His growth rate is slowing down a bit, so he doesn’t need to eat as much. Let your child’s appetite be your guide.
He’ll eat as much as he needs. Kids who are allowed to decide how much or how little they eat actually eat more
than children who are pressured. It is important to remember that what your child eats is much more important than how much
of it he eats. If your child starts playing with his food, it probably means he has grown tired of eating and wants to move
on to something else. Many parents think it is helpful to give their child vitamin supplements, but a healthy child
who eats a well-balanced diet does not need them. An ideal daily menu for a 12- to 18-month-old child might include three
glasses of whole milk; 1/2 to 1 cup each of fruits, vegetables, and juices; four to six servings of bread and cereal (one
serving equals 1/4 slice of bread or 1/4 cup of cereal); and two servings of meat, chicken, fish, or eggs (one serving equals
about a tablespoon).
The Terrific Twos
Two-year olds are non-stop action. It seems like their energy will never run out! In order to fuel all
this energy, they need healthy meals and snacks. Good food doesn’t have to be dull—try fruit, yogurt, whole
grain breads, graham crackers or oatmeal raisin cookies. It is okay for your child to have ‘junk food’ every
once in a while, but moderation will help form healthier eating patterns later.
Make cooking and eating fun by letting
your child help—food is more fun for kids when they help make it. And think small—bite size is the right size
for kids. There are some foods that can be unsafe if not served in a ‘kid friendly’ way. Kids can choke
on whole hot dogs, for example, so slice them into little pieces. Also, cut foods like grapes and cherry tomatoes in
half.
Be sure to wash all fruits and vegetables well and peel tough skins. Also, try alternative methods of cooking.
For example, instead of always frying chicken or potatoes, bake them. It’s healthier that way and tastes good. And remind
your babysitter, friends, and family to follow these guidelines as well.
Dietary Needs After Two
As your child turns three some of her dietary needs will change. Be sure she receives a daily menu of grains, vegetables,
fruits, dairy, and meats and proteins. Keep in mind that growth spurts make your child’s appetite very unpredictable,
so don’t worry if it seems to change almost daily.
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