Playground time for socializing

I hope you are having a great week.

I want to talk about trips to the park or playground. The playground is a great time for socialization for both you and your baby. It is also a time for you to spend interacting with your baby; at the same time allow your little one to interact with the other infants and toddlers... it's one of the roots of socialization.

Too many times I see parents that do not allow or encourage their child to play with another. Remember when your child goes to school they will need to know how to interact with other children and that is why it's important to start giving them that experience before they start school.

The outing in the playground is not the time for you to focus on texting, it's a time to socialize with other parents and spend time with your child. Too many times I am at the playground with my son and I see parents sitting on one side on the phone or texting and their child is either in the sandbox or in another area away from their parent.

It is good to allow for independent play but at the same time it is important to be near by to interact and engage with you infant/toddler.

Be well

The Brain during the early years

Please take a moment to view this video. I look forward to reading your comments. Also feel free to share with others.




the brain during the early years

http://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/multimedia/videos/three_core_concepts/brain_architecture/

Be well

Socialization--Disciple of Infants/Toddlers

Discipline is a positive constructive way of teaching. True discipline is not punishment however, they are often confused. Discipline usually teaches compliance by allowing the child to feel good about him/her self. Discipline focuses on the behavior that needs to be learned and not the “un acceptable behavior”.

When it comes on to discipline, socialization and guidance the best way to help your infant/toddler is to prevent some issues is by anticipating a problem and preventing it. Here are a few tips:

Childproof the play space. Make sure that all items that are not safe is out of reach so that “No”   does  not have to be a frequent  phrase.

You should be consistent: if you want your infant/toddler to learn the rules you should do it the same way all the time. If you want the baby to understand that she should not go into the kitchen just explain that in a calm voice each time she attempt to go in there.

Make promises that you can keep: If you promise a toddler that she will get a turn on the swing be sure to keep your promise.

You should be in tune with the individual differences in tolerating stress. You should understand your infant/toddler temperament and personality styles and this will prevent some disciplinary problems.

Refocus the toddler’s inappropriate actions: If your toddler loves to crawl into the bathroom to play in the toilet bowl you should keep the door close and provide water play in a container for the infant. Redirecting can be a safe interesting and acceptable behavior.

You should be nearby and be attentive: Mobile infants move very quickly and are always exploring. They do not understand danger and need your guidance.

Do not laugh at toddlers: Laughing may stop the behavior but can also shame the child. You should not laugh at inappropriate behaviors. This will make the child feel that it is appropriate. However, you should use it for a teaching moment. Keep in mind that you are responsible for teaching socially accepted behaviors to   the child.

Cerebral Cortex

This section of the brain is responsible for conscious ,voluntary actions  this section of the brain is the last to develop. Keep in mind that when your baby is born 25% of the brain is developed and by age 5 95% of the brain is developed.

You need to begin getting your baby ready for school the first day that you bring the baby home.
These skill must be give to the baby by three years old. You will notice that your baby is biting or hitting your baby is still impulsive at two years old. You must guide these behaviors while explaining to your baby that those behaviors are un acceptable. You must be persistence and gentle.

The Cerebellum- section of the brain

This section of the brain is responsible for movements. It is very important that you  give your baby space to move around this will give her a chance to develop her muscles. Your baby's gross motor skills are very important , you will begin by giving your baby tummy time. This helps to develop the chest, neck, tummy  and arm muscles. You should not have your baby in a play pen or a crib all day because your baby will not get a chance to develop her muscles.

Fine motor skills(small muscles) are very important these are the finger muscles ,the wrist and the eye muscles. You will need to give your baby activities and experiences that will develop those muscles. You need developmental toys, age appropriate books ,stringing tools, empty  bottles with tops ,puzzles and a number of other experiences .Managing your body is the most important development during the stages birth to 3 years old. These shills are need for writing ,doing a puzzle etc.
If your baby gets to school and  has not developed her fine motor skills she will be referred for occupational therapy.

The First 2000 Days.

 There are four major pars of the brain- brain stem, the cerebellum, the limbic system and the cerebral cortex.
The brain develops in a specific order from the most basic to the most complex.
The brain stem  begins to develop first it is responsible for survival skills such as breathing , heart beat, and reflexes. The cerebellum develops next and it is responsible for controlling balance, movement and coordination, the limbic system develops next is responsible for processing emotion and the last section of the brain that develops is the Cerebral cortex and it is responsible for conscious ,voluntary actions.

Suggestions on how you can spread the word... Investing in infants and toddlers affects everyone

A few months ago we had an event; toward the end of the event we had the attendees work together.

Participants worked is “Solution Session” They had to answer the following Questions:

1. What do you think can be done on the community level? Ex. Daycare, City agencies, working with infants/toddlers, Human resources administration

2. What do you think can be done on a political level? For example, creation on legislation, encourage local politicians to address the issue of quality infant/toddler care in underserved communities, support candidates who support the First 2000 Days Campaign

3. What will you do as an individual, locally, state wide, nationally, how can you make a difference?

 Here are some of the ideas that they came up with:

 

1.      Business should be encouraged to invest in the infants/toddlers in the community

2.      Business owners should be educated about the importance of the First 2000 days

3.       Information about  RFPs (Request for Proposals) should be  distributed in all communities

4.      Community needs to educated about how to advocate for legislation

5.      We should attend national conferences to create awareness

6.      We should use community organizations to get the word out:

a.       Churches

b.      Museums

c.       Libraries

d.      Health care organizations

e.       Doctors offices

f.       HRA waiting areas

g.      Shelters

h.      Government offices

       i. Wic office

7.      Investors should invest in the communities.

8.      Talk about it on social net work, at the job and whenever you come in contact with people

9.      We will share your parent blog – Sabreeharlemparents.com

Empowerment

Share what you have learned and seek more information

City can provide stipends to professionals that are not working who can provide workshops

Locate parenting and fatherhood programs to partner with them

The city should make this information available to every new parent

The city should make sure providers mothers are trained in infant/toddler care before they get a permit to take care of children.

The city needs to make sure everyone understand the you getting your baby ready for school begins  the first day that you bring her home

The city should be on board with The First 2000 Days Campaign

We feel that the city agencies should pay for mothers and their babies to attend your classes

Such as: Medi-Aid, HRA, HIP, WIC, ACS, shelter system many babies are not able to get in daycare because of the slots.

 

We shared this list with the mayoral candidates.

Be well

Don't deny her the experience

This morning I went to the play ground . There were several infants/toddlers there .They were having fun getting in the water climbing etc. A parent came in with  a little girl about three years old. The     girl was dressed as if she was going to a party or church. The child wanted to play in the water and the mother picked her up an allowed her to get her hands wet. The girl is observing  the other children having fun in the water. When you take your infant/toddler to the park  please dress her for the park.
Water play is a very important activity for young children plus just being at the park helps the young child to develop their gross and fine motor skills that are needed for school. The mother had the child in her lap.
Children are born ready to learn and many times the adults prevent or disrupt the learning process.
You are building a brain and experiences  is what matters.

Cognition - begins durning the infant/tpddler years

This means how a child thinks and are they able to use prior knowledge to solve problems  or to be creative. For example a toddler may use a small box as a hat because she has had prior knowledge or experience with a hat. In order for toddlers to creative and imaginative .This domain also allows infants/toddlers to demonstrate the awareness of cause and effect ,a good example is when a baby shakes a rattle. She realizes that shaking the rattle makes a sound. Your infant/toddler must be given the opportunity to develop critical and analytic thinking. Your infant should be given the opportunity to compare and contrast objects etc. These are problem solving skills that are needed for school. Number sense infants/toddlers should begin learning  the knowledge of counting. You can begin with their body parts- you have two eyes etc. I know your baby is not speaking but remember that her brain is working and needs only one experience with  a concept. Toddlers should be given shapes to play with ,they should be introduced to vocabulary such as big, bigger , they should begin sorting - you can say lets put all the red cars away, classifying and organizing objects. You can find all these items at home for this activity. Young children need items big  to play with. You can use the pots and their covers to teach size.
This do main serves too purposes ,it gives infants/toddlers general knowledge  and allows children to think.

The First 2000 Days

It is best to get it right the first time because when a developmental stage is missed it is very difficult if not impossible to revert. Your baby is born ready to learn however ,if you do not provide the experience  and opportunities  for your baby to learn they will not . Many children get to school and they are behind because the have an experience gap. Experience is what counts. You have to give children time and exposure to learn  master new skills. for example being able to turn the pages of a book and holding the book right side up is a skill that comes with time and experience. Scribbling  is a pre-writing  skill that infants/toddlers must experience before they can write letters. Just remember that when it comes to building a healthy brain positive  experience matters.

10-18 mos Critical thinking

You should allow your infant and toddler to engage in problem solving skills at an early age. You can give your infant an empty orange juice bottle and three tops only one top should actually fit. it should be the orange with the large top or you can use the detergent bottle .You can also give your baby item to stack. If you are at the park allow your baby to  explore and figure out things on his own when he needs help he will indicate to you. Many times caregivers hinders development . The brain needs the opportunity to connect the wires.

Demonstrate cause and effect -Your infant 18-36 months

Your toddler should be able to build a tower and knock it down and will say oh-oh .

Your toddler should be observing your actions to see the effect . For example if your toddler is pulling an object from the table you may say- that is dangerous it will hurt you please do not do that . You must provide specific  explanation for you infant/toddler. You should provide different materials that will allow your infant/toddler to get different experiences that will allow your toddler to observer changes. Making play dough at home is a great activity the child will observe the change in the material.
You can add food color to water for your child to play with. You can then add the water to the freezer and discuss with your toddler the change in the material.

Reminder: PoP up Baby & Wee Session @ the Harlem Book Fair 7/201/13

This class will teach parents how to work with their infants and toddlers to develop the cognitive, social and emotional skills before they start school.  We will also give them tips on activities they can do at home with their baby.  This will not be your ordinary parenting class. We answer the "why" these activities are being done, which component also known as domain of the brain is being developed.

Spread the word about the First 2000 Days Harlem Campaign

:The Critical years 0 - 3 years old

When we invest in quality infant toddler care everyone benefits:

"I think education doesn't begin in kindergarten and first grade, it begins when the child can look up at a mother lovingly and look up at a father lovingly.  So I think part of our system of reform has to include what we do in those early years of life and not just fixing our schools…  If they're not ready to learn by the third grade, they know they're behind. And by the sixth or seventh grade, they're thinking about dropping out. And as soon as they enter high school, they drop out.  It is an unacceptable situation, our dropout rate."

- Colin Powell, Retired four-star general and former US Secretary of State

 (Source: Meet the Press, Sept., 10, 2010)

 

 

 

There are only 2000 days from the time a baby is born to the first day that they show up at kindergarten.

 

 During that time, 90% of critical brain development occurs.

 

 

 

Dr. Jeff Gardere just added to Harlem Book Fair panel discussion

Join us at the Harlem Book Fair 7/20/13

Registration strongly encouraged

www.babyandweehbf.eventbrite.com

Promote First 2000 Days Campaign @ the Harlem Book Fair 7/20/13

Panel Discussion:

First 2000 Days Harlem Campaign: investing in infants & toddlers more than A,B,Cs and 1,2,3s

When: Saturday, July 20, 2013

2:00pm - 3:00pm

Where: Countee Cullen Library 104 W 136th St  New York, NY 10030

Moderator: Miguel Montes, Publisher East Harlem Journal
Panelist: Dr. Liz Isakson, Co-founder Docs for Tots; Dr. Tirza Greer, Pediatrician; Ms. Daseta Gray, Certified Infant Toddler Specialist; James Davis, Ex-Offender & Masters degree candidate

We will discuss the importance of brain development in infants/toddlers and how it impacts their life as they get older and become adults. We will share tips on activities you can do at home with your infant/toddler without these basic skills literacy including cognitive, social and emotional development become a challenge.  Even if you don’t have an infant or toddler the information is helpful

"We must not deny the promise of quality education to any child. The stakes are too high. When we put education first, we can end wasted potential—and look forward to stronger and better societies for all." -Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General, United Nations

You are your child's mirror to the world.

You should remember that you are your child's mirror to the world. The way that you treat people mirrors the way that your child should treat others. Have you ever observer hoe some adults  who are walking with their young children behave? Last week I was walking in a particular city. This lady was handing out fliers she approached this person that and two young children with her, about  4 and six years old. "Good morning, the person with the flier said" the woman with the two young children did not respond verbally. However, she looked at the person with the flier as if she was garbage. These kind of behaviors teacher children" this is how your treat people or some people".
Children are born ready to learn and to love however, the adults socialize them different.
Communication is not just verbal . Non-verbal communication is most powerful as it clearly shows what your real intent is although your words my imply something else. As caregivers we should be mindful of our body language.

CANCELED: Next Baby & Wee Session 7/13/13-- But we will see u at the Harlem Book Fair 7/20/13

Baby & Wee class

Saturday, July 13, 2013
Beulah Wesleyan Methodist Church

219 West 136 St (btwn Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd & Frederick Douglass Blvd)

$25 per family

10:00 am - 11:00 am

This class will teach parents how to work with their infants and toddlers to develop the cognitive, social and emotional skills before they start school.  We will also give them tips on activities they can do at home with their baby.  This will not be your ordinary parenting class. We answer the "why" these activities are being done, which component also known as domain of the brain is being developed.

PoP Up Baby & Wee Session @ the Harlem Book Fair 7/20/13 11am - 12pm

We will be at the Harlem Book Fair 7/20/13

Panel Discussion:

First 2000 Days Harlem Campaign: investing in infants & toddlers more than A,B,Cs and 1,2,3s

When: Saturday, July 20, 2013

2:00pm - 3:00pm

Where: Countee Cullen Library 104 W 136th St  New York, NY 10030

Moderator: Miguel Montes, Publisher East Harlem Journal
Panelist: Dr. Liz Isakson, Co-founder Docs for Tots; Dr. Tirza Greer, Pediatrician; Ms. Daseta Gray, Certified Infant Toddler Specialist; James Davis, Ex-Offender & Masters degree candidate

We will discuss the importance of brain development in infants/toddlers and how it impacts their life as they get older and become adults. We will share tips on activities you can do at home with your infant/toddler without these basic skills literacy including cognitive, social and emotional development become a challenge.  Even if you don’t have an infant or toddler the information is helpful

"We must not deny the promise of quality education to any child. The stakes are too high. When we put education first, we can end wasted potential—and look forward to stronger and better societies for all." -Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General, United Nations