Archive for January, 2011

Who’s Babysitting – You Or the Television?

Author: admin

Jan 31



It is so easy to fall into the trap of letting the television babysit the kids, but this is not a great idea. Watching television isn’t all bad. In fact, there are many great educational programs for kids and adults alike. But, too much of anything can be bad for you. Children often become mesmerized from watching television and will sit for hours in front of it. Usually, it isn’t educational programming that they are watching for hours on end, but even when it is, the child is still stationary and getting zero exercise! With obesity on the rise, limiting time spent is front of the TV is very important.

When you babysit for a new family, be sure to ask about television restrictions. Some parents may say they do not want their children watching TV at all while a sitter is on duty. This could be because the parents feel that if they are paying you to babysit their children, then you shouldn’t be letting the television do it. Some parents may allow their children to watch only certain shows or television stations, while still others don’t mind how much their kids watch. Even in a home where the parents don’t mind extended TV viewing, you should try to avoid it by offering to play games with the children, read to them, or go for a walk. After all, you are getting paid to care for the children, not to sit around doing nothing until the parents get home. If the children are allowed to watch a few shows and reject your offer to play, read, or go for a walk, then watch the program with them and discuss what’s happening to make it interactive.

After the program has ended, do some activities associated with it. For instance, if the show talked about the number eight, then at snack time have a snack associated with the number eight. Try a piece of celery with eight drops of peanut butter on it (as long as the children don’t have peanut allergies), or eight small slices of fruit. You could try yogurt with eight blueberries sprinkled on top, or two graham crackers separated into four sections each. A great activity would be to get out the blocks and put different shaped blocks in groups of eight and see which group can make the tallest tower. Cut a sheet of paper into 26 pieces and write a different letter of the alphabet on each piece. Put all the pieces of paper in a hat and have the child pick out eight. See how many words you can make with those eight letters. Try something with a little more motion. Bounce a ball eight times then toss it to a friend. Use sidewalk chalk and draw hopscotch boxes, then play.

Hop on one foot eight times then switch to the other. If the television show that the kids were watching involves two friends that had an argument or dispute of some type, you could have the children come up with other solutions to their problem. Have the children draw the friends making up or doing something fun together. Another idea is to have them put on a play recreating the TV show, and act out what happened and how it was resolved, or how they think it should have been resolved. Anything you can do to avoid having the TV be just a box that the children stare at for hours is helpful. If the children you are caring for are allowed to watch television while you’re on duty, try to keep it to a minimum. Create activities for the kids to do when the show is over and try to avoid having them sit around “mesmerized” for hours. Televisions don’t make great babysitters, great people do!

By: Lisa McLellan

About the Author:
Lisa McLellan, Child Care Expert http://www.babysittingworld.com/
As a childcare expert, I have over 30 years experience in the babysitting/child care business. I have owned and operated a family daycare and worked both privately and for an agency as a professional babysitter. Now, after hiring babysitters for my own children I know exactly what makes a good babysitter and what makes a GREAT babysitter! Please visit my site http://www.babysittingworld.com/BabysittersandNannies.html which has information on babysitting for both parents and babysitters alike



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Various Jobs That Are Perfect For Your Pre-Teen Or Teenager

Author: admin

Jan 29



In the past it was not uncommon to see teenagers all working outside doing yard work or being a grass cutter in their neighborhood to make some extra spending money. Today it is not as common to see that because so many kids are over scheduled with sports and activities as well as their parents handing them everything that they want and not making them work for it. With the new bad economy, parents of teenagers are realizing this and trying to enforce better work habits with their kids. This article will discuss some of the great options for your preteen or teenage kids to do around their neighborhoods from working for a landscaping or babysitting.

One of the most popular jobs for teenagers and preteens is to babysit for other peoples children when they go out. Today, Red Cross offers babysitting courses for kids 11 and older to take to become a certified babysitter. This may make the babysitter and the parents who hire them feel better about choosing them too. This is one of the best paying jobs out there and fun to do as well if you enjoy playing with younger kids and are not afraid to be in charge of them. A really good job would be to be a summertime Nanny where you take of one family’s children during the day while the parents are at work.

Another great job for young adults to get in their neighborhoods would be lawn mowing and yard work. If you walk around your neighborhood and hand out fliers of how much you charge for a lawn mowed and other yard work like weeding, trimming bushes and raking leaves, you will probably get some good business. You could also mention to the people that you mow for that you can shovel their driveways and sidewalks too during the winter when it snows if you live in a colder climate. You may want to start your own business of doing this with one other friend so you can do more yards in less time.

If you are an avid swimmer and have enjoyed swimming on swim teams for years, you may want to get certified to be a junior lifeguard or a lifeguard at your local swimming pool this summer. You can be just 14 years old to be a junior lifeguard and 15 or 16 to be a regular lifeguard. This would be a great choice for that teenager that is always at the pool anyways and is not intimidated by the important job that it entails. What could be better than being outside during the summer and getting paid for it?

Many people travel during the summer and during other holidays and school breaks and often need someone to take care of their pets and their home. This too, is an ideal job for a teenager. They can take the responsibility of taking the dog for walks, feeding and playing with it as well as bringing in the homeowners mail and watering plants.

By: Connor R Sullivan

About the Author:
Connor R. Sullivan has hired a NKY grass cutter [http://www.donmaddoxlawncare.com] to work regularly on his Northern Kentucky apartment buildings. He also hired a NKY landscaping [http://www.donmaddoxlawncare.com] company to work regularly at his home as well.



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Nanny Cams – A Basic Need

Author: admin

Jan 28



A Nanny Cam is a hidden video camera that has been secretly installed within a common household object.The camera is usually used to secretly monitor and record the activities of a nanny or babysitter caring for your children, hence the name “Nanny Cam” although it can and will overtly or covertly record any activity you wish.

The receiver can be connected to a VCR or DVR recording device or can a portable receiver-screen, which can be carried room to room by parents to keep an eye on their children. It can be connected to these recording devices by a cable (RCA cable) or by a wireless transmitter located in the nanny cam, and wireless receiver. If you would like the option to view the activities from anywhere, you can choose a nanny cam that can be hooked up to an internet connection for remote viewing while at work, vacation,or anywhere you have an internet connection.

A nanny cam can be purchased in many objects. The camera can be hidden inside a child’s teddy bear, a wall clock, air purifier, VCR, plant, mirror, picture frame, pretty much any object found in any room in your house.

These cameras has proven to be an effective tool to identifying an abusive nanny, a nanny not caring for your children as you have instructed, or a very loving caring nanny. A nanny cam will give you the peace of mind that your children are safe, secure, and if unthinkable acts are being committed you can stop them immediately so your children are not subjected to continuous abuse.

The peace of mind these nanny cams provide is essential. The economy has forced most households to have both parents working. Knowing our children are safe is a requirement of every parent and being able to log into a work computer to check on their safety will deliver that peace of mind every parent deserves.

By: Suzanne Todd

About the Author:
Suzanne Todd will ease your mind with her experience in quality hidden cameras for home and hidden spy cameras. Visit us today for true peace of mind protecting what’s important to you, gaining eyes to “SEE THE UNSEEN”. http://www.undercoverhiddencameras.com



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Choosing a Pram System

Author: admin

Jan 28



Choosing a pram can be a difficult especially for first time parents, many choose something they like about the look of the pram and think little more of it until they come to use it.

In an effort to reduce the chance of regretting their choice of pram, parents should consider the following top tips when choosing a pram system.

The most important thing to check is that the pram you are buying fits into your car’s boot. The next thing to consider is how easy it is to put up and fold down the system, does it need two people to do it? If so is it a suitable option or is one parent likely to be using it when out on their own.

Do any accessories come with the pram? Some pram systems need building up in pieces e.g the pram liner, pram hood, pram apron etc before they are ready for use, again if one parent is out an about with the child, will they be able to do all this each time they need to use it?

Ensure you consider where you will be using the pram. If you will spend a lot of time walking on sand, gravel or grass you could need larger air filled wheels in comparison to smaller, rubber tyres for those using their prams in the city. If a range of people are to push the pram, it may be worth purchasing a system that has height adjustable handles, this will allow everyone pushing to do so in comfort and without pulling any muscles they shouldn’t.

If you want to keep the pram as clean as possible try to choose a design that is a dark colour. Often when going through puddles, water can splash back at the wheels making it easier for the pram fabric to become stained. At least with darker colour prams they stains will be less noticeable.

By: Isabella Mcfarland

About the Author:
Isabella Mcfarland is a freelance author who has vast knowledge on pram system and Baby Bedding. For more information she suggests you to visit: http://www.babys-mart.co.uk



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I can’t decide which job to take NEED your help Nanny or Toddler Teacher?

Author: admin

Jan 27

I am a mother of 3 children ages 15,14, and 6
This would be a full time position
I was offered both and need to choose one.

Nanny for 1 baby and 2 school age children
hours are from 9-6 (some days I could leave at 4:30 and some I would have to stay till 6:30)
Pay is $500 weekly paid holidays, 4 weeks vacation
no pay for the days that I take off
As parents get increases and bonuses, I will get too

Toddler Teacher (10 toddlers plus an assistant to help me)
Hours are 9-5
paid holidays and sick days
1 week vacation after 1 year
pay $12.00 per hour
I can take my 6 year old with me during the summer and on her days off from school (can also do that with Nanny position)

Thanks to all my Yahoo! friends for all your help, I REALLY appreciate the help and advice!

Sorry this was so long :(

By: CarmelafromFL

About the Author:



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CPR Certification Classes: Choosing The Right One

Author: admin

Jan 27



You’ve learned you need a CPR certification. However, you aren’t sure which one you need. And you don’t know if a certification from the American Heart Association, American Red Cross or another organization is the right choice. If you are frustrated, that is understandable — choosing the right CPR certification class can be very confusing!
Here are the four questions to ask yourself to ensure that you sign up for the right CPR certification class:

Which CPR certification do I need: standard or healthcare provider? Do I need an AED certification as well? Does my CPR certification need to focus on infants and children? Should I choose the American Heart Association or American Red Cross?

Which CPR Certification Do I Need?

Most people need a standard CPR certification, often called CPR for the layperson. Professions that usually fall into this category are:

Teacher Coach Camp counselor School bus driver Personal trainer Daycare worker Babysitter Nursing home employee Construction worker

Healthcare providers are required to take a more advanced CPR class. Professions that usually need a healthcare provider CPR certification are:

Nurse Nursing assistant Medical assistant Respiratory therapist Dentist Dental assistant Paramedic EMT Police officer Firefighter Physical therapist Occupational therapist

Do I Need An AED Certification As Well?

Check to see if you also need to be certified to use an AED. AED stands for Automated External Defibrillator – a mobile defibrillator designed for the public to use. Most CPR classes include material on how to use an AED, but not all of them.

Do I Need An Infant And Child CPR Certification?

Some people need their CPR certification to focus on infants and children, such as foster parents or daycare workers. The American Red Cross can be very helpful for addressing this because they break their CPR classes into infant, child and adult components.

Should I Choose The American Heart Association Or American Red Cross?

There are many organizations that will certify you in CPR, but usually the two preferred organizations are the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Red Cross (ARC). Some employers or regulatory organizations will also accept a certification from the American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI). If you are required to get a CPR certification, ask whomever requires it if they prefer a certification from the AHA or ARC. Some accept one, but not the other.

If you have searched for a CPR class on the Internet, you’ve probably seen ads for on-line based CPR classes costing $19.95. Stay away from these! Most employers are not going to accept an on-line only course. And they shouldn’t. You need to practice the skills used to save a life, rather than only reading about the skills.

American Heart Association

This is the current list of CPR classes for the American Heart Association:

Heartsaver AED – Includes adult, child and infant CPR and AED. Heartsaver CPR – Includes adult, child and infant CPR, but does not include AED. Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers – The CPR course for healthcare professionals. Because the class has a long name, you will see variations in how it’s listed, such as “BLS” or “CPR for Healthcare Providers.”

American Red Cross

American Red Cross breaks their CPR classes into components of infant, child, adult, and AED, which can be helpful and confusing. For example, they frequently offer infant and child CPR as a single class. Adult CPR is often taught as its own class. Classes with infant, child and adult CPR taught together are also offered.

The ARC healthcare provider course is called, “CPR For The Professional Rescuer.” Some healthcare employers do not accept this course to satisfy their requirements. Of course, check with your employer first.

Before you sign up for an ARC CPR class be sure you know exactly what components the class is covering.

Signing Up For A Class

The AHA and ARC have upcoming classes listed on their websites. If you can’t find a class at the time and location you want, try a privately owned training company that can certify you with the AHA and ARC. Another option is to hire a private company to teach an on-site AHA or ARC CPR class. These classes offer flexibility in scheduling and can often be less expensive for large groups.

By: Chris Schlesinger

About the Author:
Chris Schlesinger teaches CPR, BLS, AED, and First Aid classes at your home or business, on your schedule, throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Visit http://www.InHomeCPR.com to schedule a class. Certifications available for the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross. He serves Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo and Solano counties.



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Family Help: Hiring a Nanny

Author: admin

Jan 26



The thriving modern day world puts pressure on each of us and changes the traditional balance we each live by. This affects how we carry out our lives and the amount of time we can dedicate to important responsibilities.

In the twenty-first century, it’s become both common and desirable for parents to continue working after having children. Past problems of being unable to have a working life and also bring up children are no longer an issue; both parents can go to work if they choose, with other people employed to look after the children.

Whilst short term baby-sitters can be used for the occasional night of cover, for longer term child care many people consider employing a nanny. It’s possible to hire nannies on a daily basis, part time, just for weekends, short term or even live in, where the nanny stays with the family. Whilst a nanny’s responsibility is to look after the children, it isn’t just for this purpose they are employed; more often nannies are hired to ease pressure from the parents. Indeed, this can go one step further with a Doula; a Doula is a specialist in caring for the mother before, during and after childbirth.

Nannies can be educative, with many qualified teachers deciding to become a tutor or governess so that not only do they care for children, they also help with academic instruction and social development. Often, tutors are employed by families whose first language is not English, such as families who have only recently moved to the UK.

Nannies aren’t only employed by working parents; looking after children can often be very time consuming and draining, and many parents employ a nanny simply to reduce the pressure this puts upon them. Night nannies are a good example of this: rather than being woken throughout the night, some people employ a night nanny so a screaming child may be cared for once the parents have gone to bed, so they may have a good night sleep but the child may still receive the highest levels of attention and care. Nannies can be employed purely so parents may continue to go to work, but this is rarely the only reason why people would choose to do this.

Nannies have a number of duties. Not only do they look after the child, preventing him or her from getting into troubles, they can also care for a child’s spiritual and educational development. The responsibilities are varied and may range from supervising homework, preparing nutritious meals, to bathing and dressing. Whilst a nanny may prepare basic meals for the children, it would be extremely unusual for them to get involved in household domestic tasks such as emptying bins or cooking a family meal. This is beyond what a nanny would do: ordinarily the nannies presence is to look after the children, not the adults. Nannies may help to take the pressure from the parents, but not do the householders work for them.

What happens if a family decides to take a holiday? Nannies can be asked to travel with the family, however this should not be expected and this is something that she be discussed in each instance.

If you are interested in nannies for hire, first you should decide what kind of nanny you need. There are many resources on the internet which will help you understand the different types of nanny available. Quite often a nanny agency will be the best place to hire a nanny from, and they will also to help you select the best type of nanny to fit your personal circumstances. If you are unsure where to find a suitable nanny agency, try looking for one on Google by searching someone that operates within your local area, e.g. nanny agency London.

By: Ivy Hadley

About the Author:
Nanny Agency London
Nannies for hire



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Building Better Family Relationships

Author: admin

Jan 25



At these times when both men and women work for a living, small children are often left at home with a babysitter or at a daycare center while older ones spend the whole day at school. Most of the time, parents have just enough time to spare to just tuck in their kids at night. They sometimes do not even have enough time to talk about their individual lives let alone spend a day of fun together.
But building good relationships with one’s children does not really have to be spent the whole day. Little conversations, little gestures of comfort, little things that you do everyday whether they be for an hour or for just a few minutes are enough especially when done with sincerity and commitment to strengthening and building the bonds that you have with your children. Here are some of the ways of building better relationships with your children.

Set time for small talks

Whether the talks are done inside the car on the way to school or to the day care center; or while being in the comforts of the dinner table; these are good beginnings for building better relationship with children. These are the times when they talk about their life in school or some incident in the play area. Parents can learn a lot from these small conversations. Often, it is in these conversations when parents find out incidents of bullying, difficulties in school and young crushes.

Give a hug

There is so much good in giving a child a hug. According to research, touch therapy is very effective in building family relationships especially in building bonds between parents and child. It is a good way in expressing your love and concern for kids. In addition to hugs, small kisses and pats on the back are also crucial in building relationships.

Leave messages

Another effective way of building good relationships with your children is maintaining constant communication in whatever form you can do this. Parents with mobile phones for instance can keep track of their older children through mobile phones. Messages left in a family bulletin board or posted on the refrigerator are also great ways of maintaining your presence in your child’s life.

Be with them

Despite the busy schedules, make an effort to be there when you do have the time. A once-a-month family getaway can do wonders to building closer family ties. Another effective way in building family relationships is finding a common ground and making compromises not only on your schedules but also on your various interests. It is a good idea to take turns going to your favorite places when out on a family trip.

Be there on special occasions

School presentations and school games are big things for every child. Whatever role they are playing, whether they are the lone tree in the background or the star of the show; whether they are reserves in a basketball game or the power forward, it is important that parents be there to watch the games and the presentations and support their children in their projects. Your physical presence in these kinds of occasions is crucial in building relationships with your child as your attendance will express to your child that they matter to you and that you are willing to give them a portion of their time.

By: James Monahan

About the Author:
James Monahan is the owner and senior editor of BuildingBase.com



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Choosing Elderly Care For Your Loved One

Author: admin

Jan 25



It is a difficult decision that everyone must make at some point: choosing elderly care for your loved one. As the child or capable family member, it is now your responsibility to make the decision as to what type of care is best. Keep in mind that there are several options for your loved one; and there are also support organizations to help with this stressful process.

The first option for your senior parent is in-home care. This means having your elderly parent(s) move in with you so that you can provide all or most of their care. Though this may be a lower cost option for you, it may also mean more stress. The task of caring for a senior can be very daunting. Your job will be feeding, washing, dispensing medicines and changing adult diapers if needed. Various people may be entering your home to give your loved one any needed therapies. You can not be home all of the time so you may need to rely on the aid of other family members to help when you are not home.

Another elderly care option would be in-home with the assistance of various professionals. Nurses and/or elder care personnel can be hired to come to your home for several hours a day. Be sure to check references of any individual coming into your home to care for your parent. Often, churches have a network of individuals who can come to your home to help with various tasks (such as cooking, feeding, and more).

If your loved one has less than six months of life remaining, you can obtain Hospice care. Hospice is covered by most types of insurance and is able to assist in every aspect of caring for your loved one at home. A hospice team usually consists of doctors, clergy, nurses, and volunteers.

Nursing homes should also be considered for your senior parent. These homes are for those who can no longer care for oneself and need continual medical care. Nursing home facilities are staffed by doctors, nurses, aids, various therapists, and more. They constantly see to the medical and emotional needs of your loved one.

If your elderly parent is mobile but should not be alone, an assisted living facility may be the answer. This type of facility may be more like apartment living and is staffed with medical professionals just in case. Residents have the freedom to move about and enjoy various activities arranged by and supervised staff. They can take part in such things as dancing lessons, exercise classes and so on. Your loved one will have independence with the luxury of a medical staff if needed.

Remember that as this whole process is difficult for you, it is probably more stressful for your loved one. They might feel as though they are losing everything they have (including their freedom). They may also feel as though they are nothing but a burden now. Communicate with them. Ask for their input.

Also talk to their doctors to see what they feel might be the best for your parent. Choosing elderly care for your loved one will not be quite as stressful if you make use of all available support groups and if you keep the lines of communication open with everyone involved.

By: Adriana N

About the Author:
Happen to be looking for assisted living Ohio or assisted living Georgia? Our directory provides up-to-date and comprehensive listings for seniors across North American.



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Choosing Educational Toys

Author: admin

Jan 24



How do you ensure that the educational toy you buy will be right for your child? As with everything there are no guarantees with children. There are a couple of things to consider when selecting children’s educational toys that can improve the chances that your choice will be well received. First, evaluate the developmental stage that your child is at. Select educational toys that target skills and abilities for that stage. An educational toy that is too advanced may cause frustration, and one that is too simple will not be challenging enough to warrant attention. Below is a general guideline for what types of children’s educational toys are better suited for developmental stages from newborn through 3 years old. This is only meant to be a guide to start you thinking in the right direction. Use these guidelines and your knowledge of your child’s interests to you help make your educational toy purchases.

Newborn to 3 Months: Babies cannot do much at this stage but their senses are eager for stimulation. Children’s educational toys with high-contrast patterns and bright colors will capture little ones’ attention. Babies can see color from birth but have difficulty distinguishing between similar tones. Educational toys designed with bright and distinctly different colors like red, green, black and white help babies differentiate shapes and patterns. Babies spend a good deal of time on their backs and sides at this age making colorful mobiles that play music a great educational toy choice. Babies are fascinated by their reflection in safety mirrors. They are not able to recognize themselves but the activity is great visual stimulation. Baby gyms are excellent educational toys because of the variety of stimulation they offer. Baby gyms have bright colors, a variety of attachments with different shapes, textures, and sounds. Most gyms now play music and have lights as well. These educational toy gyms require baby to pull, kick, or bat something to set off the stimulus helping to develop motor skills.

Suggested toys for this age: Galt Paynest and Gym, Busy Bear Mirror, 2 in 1 Smart Gym, Farm Friends Mobile, Jumbo Gym, and Farm Linkies.

3 to 6 Months: During this stage your baby will gain better head control and have better movement of arms and legs. They generally grip onto anything they can get their hands on and put it directly into their mouth. Educational toys like rattles promote motor development and provide sensory stimulation. Since everything ends up in the mouth, educational toys that are chewable or soft plush are favorites. Babies need to experience different textures so vary the materials educational toys are made of. Activity centers provide lots of stimulation at this age. These educational toys normally have lots of buttons that produce sounds, lights, and give a variety of textures to explore. Hand-eye coordination will improve as babies explore the activity center. Parents are often on the move more with babies at this age. Activity bars that fit across a stroller, car seat, or bouncy chair that have dangling, squeaky toys and mirrors keep baby stimulated while on the move. Motor skills develop as baby reaches, hits, pulls, and kicks at the accessories on these educational toys.

Suggested toys for this age: Tummy Play Trainer, Curiosity Cube, Toe Time Infant Car Toy, Musical Arch ‘N Play, Jungle Pals Pushchair Arch.

6 to 12 Months: Your baby has much better control over arm and leg movement. By 9 to 10 months, your baby should be able to move around by some means- either pulling, crawling, or scooting. By 12 months they should be able to stand by themselves and many will even start walking. Educational toys including wooden blocks that baby can stack and knock down, throw, or bang together to make noise are good choices. By 12 months, educational wooden blocks can be used for early construction play to promote development of motor skills, cause and effect, sensory and visual stimulation. Educational toys like the Sensory Ball from Edushape, provides great stimulation with different textures. Once babies learn to sit up, they will enjoy rolling a ball and trying to catch it as you roll it back. Letting your baby chase the ball will encourage movement. Trying to figure out why a square block won’t go through a round opening will help develop problem solving skills- though it may cause some frustration in the beginning. By the time your baby is 12 months, they will start to enjoy stacking activities, though they will need help in trying to get the right order. More interest in books will be noticeable now. Try to buy books that have pages with different textures and simple flaps. This will help to develop their sense of touch.

Suggested toys for this age: Frog in the Box, Activity Cube, Farm Friends Stacker, Soft Books, Hug a Bug, Textured Blocks.

1 to 2 years: With each step your baby becomes more independent and confident. Little ones at this age spend every waking hour exploring and experimenting. For those still a bit unsteady walking, educational toys that promote mobility such as a walker or push car are great choices. Pushcarts and wagons are a great way for children to tote things around- another favorite activity at this age. Educational toys including soft plush toys and dolls remain favorites at this age. Children often become very attached to one or two and use them in creative play. Toddlers can find many ways to make loud sounds. Musical instruments like drums, maracas, and tambourines are educational toys that will help them learn to appreciate music while they make noise. Inset puzzles require toddlers to lift out pieces and find the right places to put them back. These first puzzles improve problem skills and fine tune motor skills. Puzzles are educational toys that your children will play with over and over again.

Suggested toys for this age: 4 in 1 Walker, Galt Wooden Baby Walker, Little Hands Music Band, Mini Edublocks, First Blocks, Baby Puzzles, Wooden Shaped Puzzles, First Puzzles.

2 to 3 Years: Your toddler’s motor skills are now well developed. They can run, jump, and climb. The area of explosive development in this stage is speech and language. Imaginative play becomes the focus for this age group. Educational toys that children use as props in pretend play help build language and communication skills. Great educational toy choices for this age include character toys, puppets, dolls, toy vehicles, and animal figures. These educational toys foster creativity and imagination by allowing your child to create wonderful adventures, model adult behavior, and role-play. Large piece puzzles are great educational toys for this age. Children at this age should be able to complete a 4 to 6 piece puzzle on their own. Puzzles are a great activity to build hand-eye coordination, problem solving, and fine motor skills.

Suggested toys for this age: Table and Chairs, Wooden Stacking Train, Airport Blocks, Maggie’s Friends, Shaped Puzzles, Play and Learn Puzzles.

By: Pamela Fallon

About the Author:
Children’s educational toys [http://www.braingrowtoys.com] are an essential component to every childs playroom. You can find a variety of these educational toys at Brain Grow Toys at affordable prices.

Pam Fallon – CEO

[http://www.braingrowtoys.com]



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