Child Development | Baby Talk

The Importance of Role Models for Children

Most children look up to someone when they are growing up. These people are what we refer to as role models. A role model is a way for a child to learn how to behave in the confusing world around them. It is because of this that it is very important just who a child picks as his or her role model.

It is very important for a child to have a positive role model. From this positive role model a child learns to build high morals and good personal values. They can also help to instill in a child a sense of direction with where he or she wishes to go in life. Some role models can show your child that if he or she puts their mind to it, then they can achieve anything!

Role models are especially important if the child is not warming up to learning such important life lessons from a parent. Some children need someone who they think of as ‘cool’ to learn the important aspects of life from. These days, pop stars and movie stars are many children’s role models. Although these can be good influences for the child, there are of course those who aren’t so good for your child to look up to.

Another popular role model for children is sports stars and athletes. These types of role models provide your child with a person to look up to who is disciplined and hard working. You child is also able to learn from an athlete the importance of exercise and a good diet for a healthy lifestyle.

Filed Under: Child Development, Family, Parenting Tagged With: Child, Family, Role model

Starting a Doll Collection for Your Daughter

So, your daughter is growing up. She is beginning to show interest in dolls, and you would love to help her begin a collection. Now, where do you go from here? If you have previous experience collecting dolls with your mother or by yourself, it will be much easier. However, most of us will be starting from scratch.

You need to know that there are many different types of dolls that one might collect. You can collect Barbie dolls, or American Girl dolls, just to name a few.

It’s always a great idea to purchase a book that will explain to you the older types of dolls, which are known as vintage. The book should show you the history of the doll you choose to collect. If you are consider collecting Barbie dolls, and then you might want to find the Barbie fashion catalogues. This will show you what doll came with what outfit to be assured that the doll you want to collect has all the clothing and accessories included. Look for American girl doll clothes, as well, as they offer a large selection.

More often than not, you can find a doll collection online. When shopping online for dolls, pay attention to the clothes. Look at the quality of the clothes. You always want the original tags and for it to be in pretty decent shape. If you find that the original tags have been removed, it’s probably best to assume that this isn’t the original item that came with the doll.

Filed Under: Child Behavior, Child Development Tagged With: Barbie, Collect, Mattel

Building Your Child’s Confidence and Self-esteem

Image by gavinandrewstewart via Flickr

Here are some ways to build your child’s confidence and self-esteem.

Many children learn from their parents the behavior and modes of thinking necessary for good confidence and self-esteem. This is a form of parental modeling, where the child ‘models’ after the parent. It’s fairly simple. As a parent, if you project high levels of confidence and good levels of self-esteem then chances are your child will pick up these traits.
Play time is one of the most important ways a child builds his or her confidence and self-esteem. It not only provides the child with opportunities to learn and build intellectual confidence, it allows he or she to build self-esteem so that socializing with other children in a play environment is a pleasurable experience. Allow your child to initiate the play and always remain positive and encouraging.
Let your child know that he or she is special. This can be done a number of ways. For example, simply addressing your child by their name lets him or her know that they are an individual and special person. You can organize special days and outings involving something that he or she likes. You could visit a museum, or go roller skating, or even just have a lovely picnic in a park. This will let your child know that his or her interests and skills are valued by you.

Letting your child know in the ways above, and in many other way, that his or her confidence and self-esteem are important to you will pave the way for their success in future life.

Filed Under: Child Development, Parenting Tagged With: Child, Parent, Self-esteem

How to Dress Your Baby for Halloween

Nothing is cuter than dressing a baby in a Halloween costume. There are many options when it comes to dressing babies up for Halloween. Here are some of them.

Dress Them Like Adults

One of the cutest types of kids costumes for babies is to dress them like adults. There’s just something adorable about seeing a cute little pudgy face dressed up like Richard Nixon, Father Time, or a 1920s gangster. The hardest part about these costumes is finding outfits that are small enough for babies. Sometimes you can find pre-made costumes of this type for babies. Otherwise, you will probably have to sew the costume yourself.

Animal Costumes

The next option that is just adorable is to dress the baby like an animal. Babies are perfect for puppy costumes, and you can carry them around as a dog to go with your costume. But of course babies are just as cute as bunnies, cats, tigers, or monkeys.

Group Costumes

One fun thing to do when you have a baby is to create a group costume with your family that involves a baby. For couples with just one, a fun group costume is Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. Or for those with a baby girl, you could dress as Fred Flintstone, Wilma Flintstone, and Pebbles (or Barney, Betty, and Bamm-Bamm Rubble if you have a boy). Another idea would be The Incredibles (with Jack-Jack for the baby).

No matter what costume you choose, take advantage of the opportunity to dress up your baby in a fun costume. By next Halloween, that baby will be a toddler!

Filed Under: Child Development, Education

First Birthday Party Ideas for Baby

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Your baby’s first birthday is coming up. What activities should you plan? What should you serve? Who should you invite?

The decisions to these questions are important. Your baby will probably not remember her birthday event later on, but you will. You will have photos to remember the day, perhaps some video. This will be great for later viewing and discussion.

But what about now? What should you plan and what should you avoid?

Baby costumes are fun at any party; just keep the costume in line with the time of year–you don’t want your baby to get too hot.
Keep the party small. At age 1, your baby will not care about how many people are invited. More people may even make them afraid. Keep the list to immediate family members and close friends, those you associate with on a weekly basis.
Make cupcakes instead of one large cake. A cake is great for an older child, but a baby just wants to get his hands in it. If you want to, make a cupcake for your baby and a large cake to serve to everyone else.
Use helium balloons, your baby will love it, but keep a close watch out for popped balloons lying on the lawn. Balloons are a huge choking hazard for baby.
Don’t worry about games. Music is good, but having a pony animal party is not really needed. If you have to have animals, try bunnies or puppies.
Be prepared for some crying. Some babies get overwhelmed when faced with new situations and people. You may need to bring her inside if the outside party is getting too loud.

Having your baby’s first party is an event to be remembered, whether large or small make sure you enjoy every minute.

Filed Under: Child Development, Family Tagged With: Costume, Infant, Shopping

When to Get Your Child a Phone

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Maybe your children have been bugging for cell phones for years now. Maybe you’re just wondering what age is appropriate for a child to have a cell phone. It’s a difficult dilemma (and one without precedence) for many parents in America: when should you get your baby a cell phone? How young is too young?

According to an April 2010 study by the Pew Internet American Life Project, about 75 percent of kids aged 12 to 17 own a cell phone. In a similar study done in 2004, only 45 percent owned a cell phone. Cell phones are on the rise, and many parents are finding it increasingly difficult to say no to their cell-craving kids.

Safety is a Main Concern

Most parents cite safety as their main reason for getting a child a phone. As teens and preteens leave the house without their parents, many parents feel safer having a clear method of communication with their child. Gone are the days of pay phones and prepaid phone cards: cell phones make arranging pick-ups and drop-offs a breeze.

Smartphones vs. Standard Phones

Most experts advocate getting standard phones for middle schoolers to avoid risky or unsafe internet encounters. Standard phones also tend to have more parental controls. High schoolers tend to prefer smartphones, like the popular Blackberry smartphone.

Create Boundaries

If you’re considering buying your middle schooler a phone, make sure you go over clear safety guidelines and rules first. Make sure your child knows to never answer the phone if it’s a number they don’t recognize, and lay down clear rules about answering the phone when you call.

Filed Under: Child Development, Parenting Tagged With: Blackberry, Mobile phone, Parent

Gauging Your Child’s Development

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When it comes to a child whose development is lagging, early intervention is important. How do you know whether your baby or toddler is keeping up with his or her peers? Here are tips for tracking your little one’s progress.

Know What to Expect

Educate yourself on the average age at which babies and toddlers master particular skills. This will give you a good way to measure your child’s development. In these early years, children are learning to do more than the obvious things such as roll over, crawl, walk, and run. They are also learning concepts such as object permanence (the underlying goal of peek-a-boo), how to attach to their primary caregiver, and ways to self-soothe. Make sure you have realistic expectations of your child’s development based on established milestones.

Provide Opportunities for Growth

An increasing number of child development experts are concerned about so-called “bucket babies,” infants and toddlers who spend much of their time in strollers, car seats, jumpers, and other devices rather than freely exploring their surroundings. Give your young baby plenty of tummy time. Allow toddlers to roam about their child-proofed play area. Create a chart, place a customized sticker printing order, and use those stickers to keep track of how much free time your child has each day. You might be surprised at what your chart reveals.

Recognize When Outside Help is Necessary

If your child is falling 3 or more months behind in hitting developmental milestones, it’s a good idea to discuss your concerns with your pediatrician. Most states offer free or deeply discounted early intervention programs for children whose development is lagging.

Filed Under: Child Development