EXTRA RESOURCES

Want to know the secret to helping your child learn? Make it fun!
Here are a few ideas to keep your child busy at home.

Books
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
by Mim Fox Illustrated by Helen Oxenbury.  2008 Orlando FL:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 
A phenomenal multicultural book that uses rhyme and repetition to celebrate something babies all over the world have in common:  ten little fingers and ten little toes.  Interesting words and musical phrases like “eiderdown”, “sneezes and chills”, and “truly divine” are mixed with the same reassuring refrain used as each pair of babies is introduced.
“There was one little baby who was born far away, and another who was born on the very next day.  And both of these babies as everyone knows, had ten little fingers and ten little toes.”

Games and Tips for Little Ones
To reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome always put the baby on back or side to sleep, but to encourage development of upper body strength lay them on their stomach to play.  Sit to the side of them talk, smile, and laugh and encourage them to lift head to maintain eye contact.  Move an interesting toy just out of reach to keep them interested.  Babies may resist this position because it requires hard work to see what is going on in the world, but part of a parent’s job is to see that children have the experiences that will be most beneficial to them.

Sit with baby on your crossed legs, bounce her gently up and down as you chant – “Ride a fast horse to Branbury Cross, to see a fine lady upon a white horse; Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, she shall have music wherever she GOES!”  As you say the last word, drop your legs for an extra big bounce and enjoy the laughs and chuckles.  This game becomes more fun with every repetition! 

Help children learn to be independent.  Start a task and let them finish it.  Unbutton the coat and encourage them to finish removing it; pull the tee shirt over their head and let them take their arms out; unlace shoes and cheer as they kick them off.  Stand back and give only verbal encouragement and when they succeed hugs and praise.  It takes more time now, but when they become proficient you won’t have to help at all.  Give grandma a call and let them listen while you brag about the latest accomplishment!

This Month's Theme
www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm   One million children worldwide die in traffic related accidents every year, make sure your child is not one of them,   Go to this website for a printable car seat information sheet and the answer to all your questions about who needs a safety restraint, installation and answers to other common questions.

www.bhsi.org/trike.htm  www.state.il.us/kids/isp/bikes   Riding a trike is the first step in assisted mobility.   Becoming safety conscious now will help them be a safer driver when they get their first car.  A good rule is “if it has wheels – you need a helmet”.  Check out these web sites to learn about safety rules, helmets, and bike inspections.