Let Your Kids Play Indoor Board Games During Nasty Weather Conditions

Kids love to play and it is their right to play different types of games inside and outside their homes. We know how health-oriented you are and how much you pay attention to the physical activity of your child. But what do you do if you have bad weather conditions like rains or thunderstorms and your child is unable to go out and play. Do you make him sit and study all the while in such situations? Certainly not! The best way is to entertain them at home with the help of apt board games.

Playing indoors is something we all cherish. Remember the card games we used to play when schools used to declare sudden holidays? Today the kids need many more things besides the regular card games. For them, the toy manufacturers and their dealers are on their toes to make new toys of different colors and patterns. Also the online market has made the toy purchase lot easier. Also you get lot more varieties to explore and choose from.

Let's see what board games are ideal for your kids and why?

(1) Classic Bullseye Board Game 1st edition: Based on television's popular dart quiz, this game confronts you with hoards of questions and rewards you with Bully's star prize after going through varied rounds. No doubt it is a great entertainer and even elder family members can join the fun.

(2) Magic cube: It is an all-time favorite game among children and it can accentuate the cognitive and coordination abilities in kids. So, if your kids have attained 3 years of age, it's time to give them the magic cube to match the colors on it!

(3) Corx: If you want to enhance the eye-hand coordination in your kids aged 4 or more, you should try Corx game for them. There are playing pieces embedded in the game that you are supposed to toss on any hard and flat surface. If they bounce on their ends, you score points. You can call the game a replica of mini-martial art. You kids will love this game for sure.

(4) Family Guy- Talking Magic 8 Ball: if you are fan of this dysfunctional family, the Family Guy, this game is for you. Ask a question and have your answer magically! 20 custom griffin family phrases have been included in such games.

(5) Monopoly card game: For little older children from 8 years above, you can think of buying Monopoly Deal, a card game. This dynamic game of trading, acquisition, and dealing is a great way to spend a quality afternoon indoors!

After all, what your kids want is to spend a quality time and with these traditional and/or novel board games, you can give them just that. Moreover, for all the parents who keep cribbing about their children's indoor activities, here is an advice from child psychologists. The indoor board games and garden games bring out the coordination and concentration skills in your children. So, do not deprive them of these games. Instead try balancing their outdoor and indoor activities with the help of funny and educative kids' toys!

Scarlet Fever In Kids

Symptoms of chronic rheumatic throwing up are mild shortness of breath, mild chest pain and additionally sometimes a bluish tinge across the lips. If there is valvular damage symptoms may not appear until young adulthood. 

Physicians can usually recognise a heart problem in children by listening to the heart through a good stethoscope. 

However, during the lifetime of routine school health examinations, a school nurse might possibly detect a heart murmur and send a note home with the children advising the parents to consult your doctor. 

When parents receive this type of note, they should possibly not panic. Many children have heart murmurs that the medical profession identifies when functional heart murmurs. Such come and go. These are quite normal. So any time a parent receives a referral from school nurse, these murmurs may be normal and the child doesn't have any problem. Parents should keep going and consult a physician mention a few be on the reliable side. 

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It really is during the school age when children are more likely to catch the most malware and infections. These are frequently spread from other small children through hand contact, sneezing and even sharing foods. 
o Weight loss

o Fatigue

Since examples of the symptoms of rheumatic fever are similar to other medical conditions, it is always best to consult a doctor to buy a diagnosis before starting procedure. 
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Hemolytic Streptococcus Infections

The streptococcus belongs to the most widely distributed and even variable organisms that approaches mankind. Such conditions because sore throat, sinus bacterial, scarlet fever, erysipelas, puerperal vomiting, or lymphangitis may be as a result of streptococci. Other conditions connected with such streptococci include acute rheumatic fever and acute inflammations within the kidney. 

Such infections are normally found in all races, within both sexes, at just about all ages, and they come on whenever they want of the year. Scarlet fever is reportedly rare in the tropics. Really small babies, under three months old, seldom have streptococcal microbe infections, because they get a number of immunity from their mothers in the course of birth. Tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and scarlet fever will be more frequent up to ten yrs . old. Streptococcal infections can result from contaminated food, milk, water but normally pass from one person to a new with coughing, sneezing, spitting and how to find known as "hand-to-mouth" microbe infections. 

Tonsillitis and pharyngitis are normally streptococcal infections which start with sore throats. When there is a rash, the rash is asked represent sensitivity of the epidermis to the products of your streptococcus; this condition is definitely scarlet fever. Infections of this sinuses usually follow infection of your tonsils and throat. Ear infections occur oftentimes and the streptococci are stated to be responsible for ten percent of ear infections. Specific methods of inoculation against streptococci are difficult due to many different varieties belonging to the germ. The Dick test will indicate whether a child is at risk of the streptococcus of scarlet fever and you will find methods of building reluctance against these streptococci just by inoculating small doses belonging to the toxin. 

Regardless of the element of the body that is attacked because of the streptococci, the control of the trouble is now possible from your proper use of the sulfonamide and antibiotic drugs which are mentioned. Streptococci are especially prone to attack by the sulfonamide medicines.
Article Source: http://goarticles.com/article/Scarlet-Fever-In-Kids/5181302/

How to Stop Their Child From Crying in 30 Seconds Or Less

Have you ever been at a restaurant, and your child wanted what your other child got? Your other child would not share, and all of a sudden your 2 year old started screaming? No matter what you tried he or she would not calm down. How about you were working on something important, and all of sudden your child began screaming? The kids fought over a toy, and one of them was screaming their head off. If you have ever felt this way, I am here to tell you that I have found the solution to your problem.

Being a mother of 3 children, I have felt this way many times, and always wished I could have a solution to make the child quiet in 30 seconds or less. That way everyone can move on, and I don't need to get stressed, nor do they need to be stressed, or crying.

My first question to all parents is why do children cry? There are many reasons a child cries. I will list briefly what some of those reasons are: hunger, fear, someone hurt them, they want something, or just trying to get attention. Have you ever been in a situation where you have a 2-7 year old and something happens, and they begin crying so loud? Crying uncontrollably? It's as if someone was trying to kidnap them, yet nothing has happened to them. To the child it feels as if their world is falling apart. Yet most parents feels that ignoring the problem is the solution, but it's not. I have stated what some doctor's have to say about that, after extensive research being done on children crying."

"One study showed infants who experienced persistent crying episodes were 10 times more likely to have ADHD as a child, along with poor school performance and antisocial behavior. The researchers concluded these findings may be due to the lack of responsive attitude of the parents toward their babies." (Wolke, D, et al, Persistent Infant Crying and Hyperactivity Problems in Middle Childhood, Pediatrics, 2002; 109:1054-1060.)

"Dr. Brazy at Duke University and Ludington-Hoe and colleagues at Case Western University showed in 2 separate studies how prolonged crying in infants causes increased blood pressure in the brain, elevates stress hormones, obstructs blood from draining out of the brain, and decreases oxygenation to the brain. They concluded that caregivers should answer cries swiftly, consistently, and comprehensively." (J pediatrics 1988 Brazy, J E. Mar 112 (3): 457-61. Duke University. Ludington-Hoe SM, Case Western U, Neonatal Network 2002 Mar; 21(2): 29-36)

Due to all of these factors and many more, I decided to find a solution to the problem that many parents face.

What is the new technique? Well, reading many books in this field, studying child psychology, and going to many seminars still sometimes doesn't equip you for what real life throws at you. At amazement one day, I told myself I had to figure out how to quiet these kids quickly, and effectively. For I am a stay at home who home schools, and works from home. I couldn't have them crying all day, if I was teaching the other ones, or if I started cleaning. Yet, I don't have the time to sit with each one for 10-15 minutes at a time. That alone took most of my time. That's when I tested and tried my new strategy. I thought if it worked for me, than it could work on anyone. Are you ready?

Basically, anytime a child begins to cry for whatever reason it is:

1. You take a deep breath and then bring them close to you, and then go through these exercises with them.
2. You show them how to take a deep breath. As they take one, take another one, and then another one. I usually take 4-5 deep breaths with them, and then I say ok, now we will do it this way.
3. I start to blow out faster and faster and laugh while I am doing it. They love this part the most. They blow out and smile and laugh with me. It changes their whole mood, and they no longer are crying.
4. Once they have calmed down, then I sit them on my lap and ask them what happened. By this time, their smiling and they have to use a normal tone, not a whining tone to tell me what happened.
5. After they tell me, then I help them figure out what went wrong, and what not to do again, to get that type of reaction. They agree, and it's finally over. I break the pattern they are in, with a whole new pattern, which helps them calm themselves down.

I have used this technique not only on my children, but also my neighbor's children, nieces and nephews. Their ages ranged from 2-7 years old. It has worked every time for me. It just takes some patience, time and practice. You will see eventually the kids will be doing these techniques to other kids they see behaving the way they did. My son and daughter sometimes teach me these techniques if I am sad and crying. It really works for adults as well as children. You just need 30 seconds to implement it, and then they're on their way.

Once you can get your child to learn these new habits, you then teach them that crying and whining doesn't really help them get what they want. If they want something, they need to ask for it kindly, and if it is something the parent thinks the child needs they will get it, if it is not, then they need to understand the parent knows best. The more the parent is able to explain to the child, the better the child understands. Sometimes it takes 10 - 20 times of repetition, but eventually it does soak in. It is also at this time, that I speak to the other child about how they treated this one. If there is two or three of them, then once this child is relaxed, I go over and tell the other ones, what they did was wrong, and that' not how we should treat this situation. I then give them an example of how I would treat this situation. That way they are aware that there is many ways to deal with a situation. I want the kids to put that in their memory banks of their brains, and use it when this situation or another similar one arises.

A few more quotes on why crying is not the right thing for a child to carry on

• "Leaving a baby to cry evokes physiological responses that increase stress hormones. Crying infants experience an increase in heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure. These reactions are likely to result in overheating and, along with vomiting due to extreme distress, could pose a potential risk of SIDS in vulnerable infants. There may also be longer-term emotional effects. There is compelling evidence that increased levels of stress hormones may cause permanent changes in the stress responses of the infant's developing brain. These changes then affect memory, attention, and emotion, and can trigger an elevated response to stress throughout life, including a predisposition to later anxiety and depressive disorders." Pinky McKay

Pinky McKay is the mother of five, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and a Certified Infant Massage Instructor.

• English psychotherapist, Sue Gerhardt, author of Why Love Matters: How Affection Shapes a Baby's Brain, " explains that when a baby is upset, the hypothalamus produces cortisol. In normal amounts cortisol is fine, but if a baby is exposed for too long or too often to stressful situations (such as being left to cry) its brain becomes flooded with cortisol and it will then either over- or under-produce cortisol whenever the child is exposed to stress. Too much cortisol is linked to depression and fearfulness; too little to emotional detachment and aggression."

At this time I would like to go into a summary of how all of this works:

• First, take a deep breath your self.
• Next, bring the crying child over and teach them how to take deep breaths, tell them to follow you. Take about 4-5 Deep Breaths.
• Third, have them blow out back to back for another 10 seconds. By this time, the kid should be laughing out loud with you.
• Fourth, now you have broken their pattern of crying into being happy.
• Ask what happened, and help them understand.

This is vital to break the pattern. Once the pattern is broken with something better taking its place then it won't be long when, you'll notice they cry less and less. As they age they will realize that crying should be left for something really painful and not every two minutes. As parents and educators we need to teach them to learn there are different styles and ways to do things. We need them to be able to help them calm themselves down, and them to formulate that habit as they grow up. To be confident, and handle any situation that comes at them with a different approach. This approach will lower their stress and build their confidence. The less they cry, and the more they are loved, the more stability these kids will have with their own emotions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1430424

Choosing Swim Lessons For Your Child? What To Look For

Water safety is vital for children of all ages and many parents agree that swim lessons are a necessary part of any childhood. These classes can be an excellent way to help ensure that children are comfortable in the water and that they stay safe. If your children aren't comfortable in the water, use these tips to help prepare them for swimming classes. Once they have the confidence and are comfortable in the water, your kids will be able have fun in the pool.

Group Vs Private Lessons

Some children thrive in a group setting, but others need one on one instruction in order to learn. There's no right or wrong choice when it comes to deciding between private and group classes --what's right for one of your children might be the wrong choice for another. If you're new to swimming classes, look for a facility that provides both types of classes and allows you to switch halfway through if you decide that your child needs a different instructional style.

Why An Indoor Pool

If you want your children to participate in swim lessons all year round, an indoor pool is your best bet. These pools will help your children become acclimated to the water in a temperature-controlled environment and it also means they won't need to worry about a slight breeze giving them a chill as they're getting out of the water. A traditional competition pool is heated to 83 degrees, but small children often do better in a warmer environment so ask what the pool is heated to so you know your kids are warm enough.

Should You Buy Goggles For Your Child's Swim Lessons?

It's not uncommon for kids to balk about putting their face in the water. If you're worried about your child becoming upset about this prospect, ask the instructor if you can purchase goggles for your child to wear. Many instructors encourage their students to wear goggles since this common fear is easy to overcome. Goggles can be purchased from a sporting goods store, but if you forget them, sometimes the pool will have some available. Styles can vary greatly so ask your instructor if there's a preferred style before purchasing some.

What To Do If Your Child Becomes Upset

Some kids just aren't comfortable in the pool and are especially upset when they see mom or dad leaving. However, leaving them with a competent swimming instructor is the best thing you can do. Many kids become even more agitated if they see mom or dad so look for a facility with a separate viewing area that gives parents the chance to watch the lesson outside of their child's eyesight. Afterwards, make sure to praise your child on how they did. Eventually, they'll be comfortable enough that the tears will be a thing of the past.

It's vital to understand that although swim lessons are important, they're not a substitute for active parental supervision. Constant supervision is necessary when your children are in the pool, even if they're strong swimmers. Swim lessons are just one piece of the puzzle that all parents need to keep their kids safe, whether they're in a pool, a lake or the ocean.

Parents looking for swim lessons in Naperville can find excellent instruction at the DuPage Swimming Center. The Center offers both private and group lessons in a heated, indoor pool to make sure that children are comfortable.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8090403

Later School Start Times Offer Kids Health Benefits

Parents become accustomed to hearing their children say, "I can't fall asleep" from a young age. However, what many parents may not realize is that their children are not trying to delay bedtime, but may be suffering from a legitimate inability to fall asleep.

Our modern way of life can be overstimulating for adults and children alike. Electronics with backlit displays such as cellular phones, laptops, gaming devices, and even televisions can create a sense of confusion within the body, leaving the mind overactive and unable to rest when bedtime arises. In children, this can be particularly troublesome. Their growing minds and bodies require significantly more sleep each night than adults need to function optimally. Unfortunately, many children simply are not getting the sleep they need.

Schools across the country have responded to this growing problem by instituting later school start times. Districts that have experimented with later starts report fewer illnesses, absences, and missed classes from their students. Additionally, parents and teachers claim the students are more alert and focused and less irritable when they get a later start on school in the morning.

Kids, particularly teenagers, also report happiness with later school start times. They are likely to discover they feel less depressed and anxious, and the additional sleep they are able to get in the morning leaves them feeling better rested and better able to cope with whatever comes their way.

One interesting side effect of the delayed school starting times is that children have more time to eat a full breakfast in the morning. When kids are pressured and rushed into awakening early in order to make it to school on time on too little sleep, a nutritious breakfast is frequently one of the first things sacrificed. Even a delay of 30 minutes to an hour in the morning allows children more time to wake up naturally, get themselves prepared for the day, and sit down to a healthy breakfast. Getting into the habit of eating a nutritious, energizing breakfast at an early age will serve them well throughout their lives. People who eat breakfast each day tend to have an easier time maintaining a healthy body weight and report greater feelings of health and energy than those who develop the habit of skipping breakfast.

While it is unlikely our way of life will change dramatically as time goes by, we can help give our kids a better start on their adult lives by allowing later school times. The extra sleep our children are able to have now will pay dividends in their health and well-being in the years to come.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6983054

Why Should Parents Care About Kids Fashion?

How can little curious brains ignore the inclination of people over stylish clothing trends? Like adults, kids are equally interested in shopping for fashionable clothes that are prevalent and famous. Even many parents are also keen on appareling their children according to latest kids' fashion. On the contrary, there are also mothers and fathers who don't believe in fashion for their kids. But parents should understand that trend for a kid is all about displaying their taste. Furthermore, hectic lifestyle is also a major obstacle preventing parents to think about children's fashion.

However, there are several clothing brands offering trendy yet sensible clothes for kids that appeal to parents as well as kids. Also, the parents do not have to take out extra time as they can shop for remarkable dresses within the comfort of their own home by exploring various online kids clothing stores.

But before any parent gives the child liberty of shopping clothes for own selves, it is important that mother or father should teach their little ones about fashion and its basics. Though children are stubborn, having proper conversation with them can bring the solution and help the min properly choosing their clothing. Letting them relish the liberty is advantageous for their own development, but how? Read the below to find out.

• Selecting From Options

It is true that kids, nowadays, have sense about stylizing their own selves. Witnessing the passion of children towards clothing motivate parents to invest in their wardrobe. Spending money on kids clothing is not just to make them look wonderful, but the child relishes as they are exposed to several options that are quiet trendy and fashionable. When provided the necessary freedom, a child under proper guidance can make a wise choice. The capability of taking a stand will be instilled from the very beginning.

However, with so many options in front of them, a child might insist on buying more than the planned pair of clothes as he is unaware about the budget. Hence, the parents must be strict and must not fall weak if a child cries.

• Enhance Confidence

Donning various dresses and clothes will not just make them appear trendy, but this will also boost their confidence. Since the child is highly inclined over a particular dress, which will not only make him feel wonderful, but contentment and satisfaction will also be sensed by him. Trendy clothes for your baby boy or girl will enhance the confidence and will also generate positivity.

• Showcasing Individuality

Every person in this world possesses his or her own individuality. Beginning from childhood, everyone has own tastes, habits, fashion style etc. Likewise, kids should be offered freedom while choosing their own clothes. At early stages, a kid remains glued to certain kinds of dresses. But when the child grows older, he demands colors, patterns, different styles based on his or her interests. Moreover, the exposure makes the kids understand that good personality is required in contemporary times.

Letting a child opt for fashionable dresses will make him or her display their individuality. Parents can help and guide their children in picking a favorite piece of clothing from latest fashion so that they are happy on their part because the choice will put forward their identity.

This way the kid will be able to come up with their own dressing sense.

• Developing their own style statement

Parent's liberty, freedom and guidance in choosing the latest fashion boost the confidence of a child. Besides, it will also help the kids to create his or her style statement that will help them in the future.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7940936

Bonding Activities For Kids And Parents

Activities for Parents and Toddlers to Do Together

Obviously you can't have everything on hand for every activity, but there are a few things that no parent of a toddler should be without. If you have these five categories of supplies, you can entertain just about any toddler!

• Crayons, markers, and pencils
• Paper and colouring books
• White glue
• Washable paints
• Common household items that could have an imaginative use (cups, egg cartons, boxes, sacks, old socks, anything!)

The activities described below represent many of the familiar activities that we know and love plus new and different ones. You can pick one, adapt it to your own toddler, and take off. The activities are simple and are suitable for children ages 18 months and up. You'll notice that very few bells and whistles are necessary when it comes to entertaining your toddler. The point is for the two of you to have fun!

This Is the Way...

Sing the familiar song and add whatever activity it is you want your toddler to do. Sing, "This is the way we button our shirt, button our shirt... " or "This is the way we brush our teeth... " and so on. Actually, you can make up silly songs for all sorts of things. Toddlers love to giggle, and these kinds of activities are a great way to get them to cooperate!

Simon Says

No explanation needed - toddlers do love this time-tested favourite!

Look at Me!

Have your toddler lie down on a piece of large paper and draw a line around his body. When he gets up, give him crayons and tell him to colour "himself." He can put on clothes, shoes, hair, and other items, and he can name all the body parts for you.

Making a Turkey

Trace around your toddler's outstretched hand on a piece of paper. Then show him how to make a turkey, a puppy, and other animals using this form. If you're feeling especially confident, help him glue on wings, a beak, or a puppy-dog tail made from other craft materials.

Do the Hokey Pokey

Again, no explanation needed, but this is another toddler favourite!

Puppets

Take an old sock or glove and gather some fun pieces of yarn, felt, and other materials to create a puppet. Use markers to draw the eyes and mouth, then glue (only the parent should handle the glue) on the decorations. Once it is complete, the two of you can put on a puppet show or simply have your puppets talks to each other.

I know you care about your children. I'm a parent too. I've more tips about parenting smart kids to share with you. Start guiding your children to success!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8015556

Team Building For Kids

When is it the right time to get kids involved in teamwork and what it means to be part of a team? There are many great ways to introduce kids to team building. Use team building games and activities to get kids understanding the meaning of being on a team. There are several ways to do this. Choosing team activities should be done with your team in mind. Gear games towards certain purposes or outcomes. Kids do not take long to catch on and they tend to be very eager learners. Capture their attention with fun, intriguing activities and your team will come together in no time.

Try to find some games that get kids working together on some kind of problem solving. Children can naturally have a shorter attention span than adults so you want to present this type of activity in a fun manner. Create a reward system for teams that are able to work together in order to reach a common goal. When they solve the problem and receive a reward, it gives them initiative to keep working hard and co-operating with the others on their team. The best games are those that require direct interaction between team members.

Organize a game of 20 questions for the kids to play while team building. Draw up a series of cards with different questions on each. Have each child select a card and then ask another the questions from it. It's a great way for the kids to share and discover common interests. Children need to be entertained and social when in a large group. This will lighten the mood considerably and help the quieter team members to come out of their shell.

Have the kids sit in a circle or around a table and share their favorite things. Start with something like movies or books and move on to anything from toys to animals. Sharing interests creates discussion. When you share interests with someone, it is easier to relate to them. Kids ultimately want to be friends with most other kids. Encouraging them to get along socially is always positive. By sharing interests they can form valuable bonds that will serve them as both individuals and as a team.

Organize a scavenger hunt of some kind that requires the kids to work as teams. Give each team a list of items that they must find and a time limit that is the same for all of them. Have a prize for each team regardless of who wins. It is all about having fun and learning to work together to solve a problem or make a discovery.

Have idea sharing time so that the kids can give valuable input they may otherwise keep to themselves. Sometimes encouragement is needed to get people of all ages to open up and contribute without fear. It is even more so with kids. Team building for kids should be fun and positive but also be effective. Teaching kids how to work as a team now will serve them throughout their adult, professional life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2268690

Best Shoes For Kids

Doctors and other health professionals have anointed minimal shoes as the best for children's feet development and growth. The number of companies and shoes being designed in support of this theory has grown phenomenally in just the past few years. Here are some of the most popular shoe brands that subscribe to the new minimal theory.

#1 - Vivo Barefoot Shoes

Vivo Barefoot Shoes is a unique shoe brand that operates on the philosophy that cushioning and padding in shoes is actually unnatural for your feet and may increase the risk of injury. There byline is "No heel, no midsole, no arch support, no gimmicks!" Vivo Barefoot calls its technology "Pure Barefoot Technology." They believe that your body already has all the built-in mechanics that you need and they give come compelling evidence on their website. Their shoes strive to not interfere with your body's natural mechanics.

Kids, who spend more time than adults in bare feet, love Vivo because they provide protection while being as close to bare feet as possible.

#2 - Merrel BareForm

Merrel BareForms also subscribe to the minimal mechanics and have a very thin sole with a lightly padded layer. They give kids a close to barefoot experience with protection from the occasional stone. This is a very popular shoe with kids because of its natural, barefoot feeling and its easy-to-wear strap-on design.

#3 - Soft Star

Soft Star concentrates on shoes that feature free movement, soft soles, and natural, breathable materials. Soft Star believes that barefoot is best to promote healthy feet and development. They believe healthy shoes for kids are roomy. The younger the child the roomier the shoes. Young children's feet are developing and should be allowed to develop in as close to a barefoot environment as possible. Soft Star also provides the unique service of allowing you to design your own Soft Stars by choosing colors and motifs for an additional fee.

#4 - Skidders

Safety is at the core of the Skidders line of gripper shoes and grip socks. Skidders has grown from the original Skidders shoe that features a soft flexible rubber sole and great traction indoors and out. They've only been around since 2008 but, they now have 18 collections and over 550 styles of shoes. They design comfortable socks and shoes that are versatile, stylish, and safe. Skidders shoes are machine washable making them a big hit with parents. Skidders are easy for kids to put on by themselves which makes them very popular with kids.

#5 - Robeez

Robeez believes that footwear should mimic bare feet by being flexible, supporting growing feet, promoting good balance, and protecting. Kids shoes need to stay on and Robeez has designed elasticized ankles to make sure the fit is always comfortable. They only use the highest quality leather and other materials in their shoes. Robeez designs promote comfort and durability by using soft cushioning and gripping soles. No matter what phase your child is in, Robeez will support crawling, cruising, walking, or running both indoors and out. Robeez is a very popular shoe with kids and parents alike.

If you haven't looked into minimal shoes for kids, you should check them out. I hope this article give you a place to look and compare.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7716998

Most Parents Program Kids To Be Overweight, Obese

Most parents want what's best for their children and do their best to raise happy, healthy kids. Unfortunately most parents program their children during their formative years to be overweight or obese in later years without realizing it. Earlier generations did the same, resulting in today's obesity epidemic and the ongoing struggle with weight loss.

Your constant battle to lose weight today is the result of actions that started before you could even speak. Babies have little memory or past experience, so they have to rely almost exclusively on instinct. When you were hungry, you cried so as to be fed. When you weren't hungry, you had no interest in eating, right?

Enter the 'airplane game'... A well-meaning parent figured you had to eat right then, probably because they were. Since you weren't hungry and didn't want to eat they turned it into playtime. With a spoonful of food hovering around in the air in front of you, your parent imitated the sound of an airplane. Surprised and pleased, you smiled - and your parent zoomed that food into your open mouth. This was great fun and quickly became a regular mealtime game. BAM! You just learned that eating, when you're not hungry, can be fun!

As you get a bit older, dessert becomes a part of most dinners, and sometimes lunch - but it also becomes leverage. No matter how hungry you are or aren't, your plate is filled and you're expected to eat it ALL. "There's no dessert if you don't finish your dinner." How many times did you hear that growing up? Or "You've been good - I guess you can have a treat... "? BAM! You just learned that high-sugar-content and high-fat treats are a reward to be given or withheld based on how good you are.

When you fell off your bike, skinned your knee or were just really sad, did they give you a treat to help? Come out with a bandage and some frozen, flavored sugar-water to make you 'all better'? BAM! You just learned that sweets are comfort foods, designed to help you feel better when physically or emotionally distressed.

Almost every child goes through these events repeated times during their formative years - the period in our lives when we're programmed for our future patterns. And we've been taught that sweet, high sugar foods are comforting rewards if we're good - and a refuge for us when others are nasty. In the high-stress world we live in today, is it any wonder that so many struggle with weight loss, yo-yo dieting, Type 2 diabetes and obesity?

Each of the 'lessons' we learned above are false, and your conscious mind knows that now as an adult. But your sub-conscious may well retain those memories and create urges for bad foods when you are upset or hurting - or even when you're really proud of an accomplishment! You may or may not be willing and able to remap those urges into a healthier result, but at least you need to be aware of them and fight them when they raise their ugly, health-destroying heads.

Quite simply, your mind and body form an amazing machine well-suited to everything you normally need to do, and food is simply the fuel for that machine - nothing more and nothing less. Give your body the cleanest-burning fuel you can, learn all you can about healthy nutrition and be careful not to program YOUR children with emotional attachments to food that will lead them into their own obesity, weight loss crisis, diabetes or worse. Eat well, live long and help your children do the same!

Fitness publisher and certified personal trainer D. Champigny is on a mission to help the aging population get stronger, get fit and live a healthy lifestyle right through their senior years, and help bodybuilders and weightlifters get better results more safely. To stay up-to-date with the health, exercise, nutrition and weight loss tips Champigny shares across his numerous fitness sites and blogs, follow Flirting With Fitness on Facebook and Google+ today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7174391

Children's Health - Choosing Healthy Foods For Your Kids

Are you concerned about your child's eating habits? It can be challenging to feed toddlers a healthy diet every day, but I have a secret weapon. A homemade smoothie is an easy way to serve your child at least one serving of fruits, vegetables, and calcium every day. Follow these five simple guidelines to help your child eat a nutritious diet:

Five Effortless Nutrition Suggestions for More Nutritious Kids:

3+ portions of veggies, 2 portions of fruit, 3 portions of whole grain products, 3 food servings of calcium, 1/2 their entire body weight in grams of lean health proteins

One serving size of veggies is just one cup raw or 1/2 cup prepared. Even though it can often be difficult to get small children to eat raw vegetables, it's simple to include at least one portion of veggies in a delicious homemade smoothie. Spinach, mixed greens, and steamed baby carrots are specially effortless to conceal in mouth watering shakes. One of the best smoothie recipe with blended veggies is called Frog Juice, and my favorite recipe made with baby carrots is Bunny Juice. Your kids will happily eat their vegetables if you serve them inside a healthy smoothie!

It's substantially simpler and easier to persuade children to eat their fruits instead of vegetables. One helping of fresh fruit is one actual fruit (such as 1 apple or mango), or 3/4 cup of berries. Although fruits aren't necessary to make great drinks, smoothies taste better with a bit of sweet fruit added! Frozen bananas are very popular in smoothies, because they add cold and creamy texture to the drink. The preparation to add bananas into a juice smoothie is basically non-existent: just peel and throw in. Apples are another popular fresh fruits to add to smoothies. Apples are very nutritious and taste great.

Whole Grain Products have a greater nutritional value than processed, highly refined, white grains. Because children consume a relatively small amount of food day-to-day, it is imperative to ensure that they receive the maximum nutritional value for the amount of food that they eat. One serving of whole grains is equal to 1/2 cup cooked rice or pasta, 1 slice of whole grain bread, 1/2 cup dry oatmeal or 1 cup whole grain breakfast cereal (with less than 6 grams of sugar, and 3 or more grams of fiber per serving). You can easily add a serving of breakfast cereal to your child's drinks, or add dry oats if your vita mixer is effective enough. The whole grain cereal found in the baby section is one other option, though it will be challenging to find a baby cereal with at least 3 grams per serving of fibers.

Chances are your son or daughter will get nearly all of their daily calcium supplement by drinking milk, but calcium is also found in yogurt, cottage cheese, traditional cheeses, green veggies, legumes, and tofu, along with calcium-fortified food items including waffles and orange fruit juice. One serving of calcium is equal to 1 cup dairy, yogurt, or calcium-fortified juice, 1/2 to One cup beans or broccoli, or four ounces of tofu. You should seek out low-fat versions of dairy, yogurt, and cheese, which are healthier since they have less artery-clogging fat. Children over the age of 2 should always consume 1% milk, never the full fat variety. Smoothies made with low-fat milk, soymilk, citrus veggie juice, or even low-fat natural yogurt are specially scrumptious solutions to consume your calcium.

Lean proteins is another sticky point in children's diets. My own child weighs in at 36 pounds. It's ideal for her to consume one half of that in grams, 18 grams, of lean protein each and every day. Children can get protein from a assortment of sources: cooked chicken, poultry hamburgers, yogurt, lowfat milk, peanut butter, tofu, eggs, almonds, vegan burgers, lasagna, and string cheese are common proteins sources amongst this particular age bracket. You'll really need to look at nutrition facts for one's particular grams of proteins for each amount for each item. Try to consider that barbequed chicken along with turkey burgers are definitely the hefty hitters, averaging twenty-one gr of protein per helping that is the dimensions of ones palm. Natural yogurt, low-fat dairy, peanut butter, as well as tofu are usually fantastic sources of trim necessary protein that taste delightful in kid's shakes!

Now that we've reduced down every single nutrition rule you can see exactly how our nourishing smoothie tested recipes for children could go a considerable ways to ensure your child is ingesting great-tasting, healthful food each day. All the best!

Disclosure: I 'm not an expert in nutrition, only a mommy attempting to make certain my little princess dines on food that is as nutritious as possible. Speak with your doctor before switching your child's diet.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7038531

Top 7 Reasons for Kids to Learn Swimming

If you haven't given it much thought, consider the top 7 reasons for kids to learn swimming. There is no better physical activity for children than swimming. Perhaps you have thought about your child learning to swim but just haven't made up your mind. There is any number of reasons why you may want your child to learn to swim. Most likely your reason falls into one of these categories.

Feeling Safe In or Near Water

Not everyone takes to water easily. Some are born with a fear of the water. Perhaps they have experienced an event which caused the fear. In either case, it is imperative that your child feels safe and comfortable when he or she is near or in water. Having the basic ability to swim will give them confidence. That confidence is necessary so that should they ever find themselves in the water, they will not panic. Panicking can lead to drowning. A child that has learned to swim will have the skills and confidence to stay calm

Sense of Accomplishment

Many children, like their adult counterparts, are goal oriented. They enjoy the accomplishment of "leveling up", to use the vernacular of the day. Swimming is taught in various stages from basic water survival skills to increasingly advanced strokes and techniques. The sense of accomplishment a child gets from mastering theses skills teaches him valuable lessons he can apply to other aspects of his life as well.

Health Benefits

Swimming is an excellent aerobic and strength training exercise. People who stay physically active have a better chance of remaining healthy. Daily activity can ward off many health problems associated with a more sedentary life such risk of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and many more. Teaching children, particularly at an early age to value daily activity makes it less of a chore and more fun. Swimming can definitely be included on the list of "fun" activities that can provide your child with health benefits now and well into their future.

Develop Natural Abilities

Some children naturally take to water. They are terrific swimmers almost from the moment they step into the pool. Even these children can benefit from swimming lessons. Whether they swim for personal pleasure or competitive reasons, the techniques they can learn will enhance their swimming experiences.

Weight Loss

Childhood obesity is a rising problem in the world we live in. The aerobic nature of swimming can help children lose weight without seeming like exercise. It is a low impact activity that reduces the strain on bones and joints while giving a complete workout. Letting your child learn to swim can be the first steps to reversing a weight problem that could lead to other health issues.

Self-Discipline

To excel at anything, one must practice the skills involved. Regular practice not only builds technique, skill and style, it builds self-discipline. Children can see how their efforts to improve result in learning the basic steps, then add new skills and increase speed and power. Seeing these results over time reinforces the importance of practice. Your child will not only improve as a swimmer but will carry this companion skill of self-discipline into other areas of their life.

Social Skills and Team Building

While many places offer private swimming lessons, often children learn to swim in group settings. The interaction teaches social skills. Positive reinforcement and encouragement from staff to student carries over as students encourage one another. As the student progresses or moves to competitive swimming, these skills become team building skills.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6795156

5 Ways for Busy Parents to Connect With Their Kids

Having children can sometimes drive a person crazy. You wake up at the crack of dawn, haul off to work, work, work some more, keep working, then come home and all you want to do is collapse into the couch and dream about the next vacation you have lined up. That is, until you are unwittingly attacked by a 30-lb teeth-baring tattered-hair gremlin-er-child that is apparently your offspring.

Or maybe you planned on this delightful explosive nuclear ball of energy coming into your life. Either way, maybe after they walk away dejected and slightly heartbroken because the person they love most in the world is too exhausted to play a round of "bad guy attacking me until the stuffed animal chips his tooth," you feel a twinge of guilt. Or sadness. Or both. And you wonder, "What the heck? How can this go any differently?"

Without divulging years of indefatigable knowledge I have acquired on parenting from reading books, listening to talk shows, and chipping my teeth, I present to you 5 ways for busy and exhausted parents to connect with their children in meaningful, convenient, and genuine ways:

1. Go Geocaching

A friend introduced me to this hobby several years ago when he had one of the first GPS devices on the market. Nowadays, with the advent of smart phones, virtually anyone can download a geocaching app and begin following the map in their area to find hidden boxes, containers, etc. that contain a register of people just like you who have found the same one previously. It's recommended you bring a small trinket to exchange for one that is already in the box. This is the most fun I've had with my kid in a long time, and you can find them virtually everywhere. If I need to give mom a break, or I need to run some errands, I ask the kiddo if she wants to go geocaching. Her response is either indecipherable screams of delight, or a look that says, "Is this a trick question, or... " We go get a prescription, or go shopping for food, or whatever, then I bring up my app, and blam. Geocache, half a mile away. We do our errands, the drive, park, I hand her the phone, and she leads the way following the map for some awesome secret treasure.

2. Cooking

This is a lost art. Not everyone can make good food. But everyone can try! I mean, you gotta eat anyway right? It doesn't have to be the Iron Chef, or Chéz Le French restaurant. You can do this with ramen, mac-n-cheez, or even making yourself a quesadilla (pronounced "dih-luh"). But let them lead the way, help them do it (safely), and don't get upset when they spill or dump in too much of whatever into the bowl/counter/sink. We learn by making mistakes. And don't pretend like the kitchen wasn't trashed already. Besides, then you can make a clean-up game after (which may or may not take hold, but is at least worth a shot!).

3. Exercise

We've all heard of this mysterious word, and yet somehow so few of us can find the time to discover its meaning. Ditch the gym and play a quick game of tag or hide-and-go-seek. The positions you may find yourself in are akin to yoga, and will burn at least 7000 calories (or that's what it feels like after 5 minutes). Or, actually do yoga. Seriously. And let them make up the moves if they want. We have a rope hanging from our ceiling with knots that our daughter rarely ever lets go of upon arriving at home. It is an epicenter for exercise and games we've invented. You don't need an iPod strapped to your arm, or sexy pants to show everyone you're working out. Just run around with your kids and you'll see what I mean. 10 minutes can mean the world to them.

4. Garden/Yarden

This is more of a weekend one, caters to older kids (8+) and I may be accused of breaking the "busy" rule. But if you can take one weekend to develop one part of your yard into a garden (garden+yard=yarden! Get it? Right guys? Right? Guys?), your main task is done. Then, take one day a week to spend 30 minutes planting, preparing, harvesting, weeding, and doing other gardeny things with your kids (for ideas on how/what to do search "permaculture," "lasagna gardening," "food not lawns," and, you guessed it "yarden"). You might not always get to do it together, but you will have a shared common interest with which to connect about later. And you get tomatoes. Then see step 2.

5. Schedule it in!

Maybe you're not sure how to go about doing this. Maybe your life is so scattered you feel overwhelmed all the time. Maybe the big report for Jim is due on Monday. I don't need to stress the importance of taking 10 minutes out of your oh-so-busy-adult-life day to spend with your very own doting flesh and blood. You already know that. But maybe you don't know about Google calendar? Or Microsoft Outlook? Or one of those binders they sell at the checkout counter that clearly details ways to make your life smoother and easier? My point is, you schedule your workday, and you get work done. Schedule time with your kids, and you get connection! And treat it like it's a meeting. Turn your phone off. Don't begrudge interruptions (if someone needs to speak with you, whether it's family, friend, or business, let them know you're in the middle of something and will catch up at the next available moment). When your kids know they are the most important thing in your life, they will stop attacking you to let you know they are the most important thing in your life.

There, now that you've connected with your kids, you can sit down and visualize that vacation. However, you might want to get a mouth guard or two (those things don't really grow back, you know).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7684621

Kids' Play Tents

Children can have endless hours of fun and laughter with play tents, providing them not only recreation and entertainment but also a real feel of the camping experience. Kids' play tents also stimulate kids' creativity and ingenuity, where they can pretend to have their own headquarters like real soldiers, or play as if they are on a jamboree. The possibilities are just limitless.

Because these toys are made of lightweight material, they can be easily assembled and pitched especially for indoor use but may also be brought outside so long as extra care is taken. It may be best to consider that while these structures resemble the tents used by professional campers, they are made more for recreation and play.

Before scouring for play tents in the nearest hardware or DIY shop, it may be best to know the various types, sizes, functions, features and other considerations so that you will be guided on what model to buy in accordance with your specifications. Here are some important things to know about kids' play tents.

Different Types:

• Bed Tents - These are built to accommodate a real-sized bed, including the mattress. These models are usually the bigger, bulkier types of play tents.
• Homemade tents - These are referred to as the original play tents as these can be pitched over tables, chairs and other smaller pieces of furniture.
• Mini camp tents - These are miniatures of real camp tents, hence, the term "mini".
• Tee-pee tents - These are the sort of tents that look like an inverted ice cream cone, characteristic of Native American tents.
• Tent and tunnel sets - These tents have built-in crawl-through tunnels. You can even attach two or more tents together for greater fun.

Sizes:

The average height of a kids' play tent is 4 feet and its average width is four feet. Because these structures are especially made for indoor utilization, they can be pitched in the garage, in the living area, on the porch or some other indoor area. For tunnel tents, greater space is required while for homemade tents, availability of building "materials "will determine their size.

Functions:

The possibilities of how play tents can be enjoyed can only be determined by how far and wide children stretch their imagination and initiative. A play tent can serve as a clubhouse, a hideout, a headquarter, a fort, a scouting camp or practically anything they can fancy. Whatever they use it for, they are guaranteed of fun, enjoyment and satisfaction. One caution though: kids' play tents must not be used for real camp-outs as they are not weatherproof.

Features:

Because these tents are miniatures, most of the time they do not come with a zipper or a screen mesh intended for security and good ventilation. Also, most play tents can be closed using ties, which are easier to use for smaller children. The more recent models do not require tent pegs as they are built by shock-cord poles or pegs.

Considerations:

• Space is a critical indicator when pitching tents indoors. See to it that you have sufficient space in order to maximize the learning experience of your children as they explore the amazing wonders of play with the use of tents.
• Be careful when children bring pets inside the tent. Animals may feel threatened by the tight environment, which might trigger them to be aggressive and eventually attack kids.
• Use these tents outdoors only when the weather is fine. Likewise, it is also important not to pitch tents on concrete grounds.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6027475