DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES -WHAT TO EXPECT FOR A 6 MONTH OLD

Developmental milestones are what most children can do by a certain age.

Check the milestones your child has reached by the end of 6 months. Take this with you and talk with your child’s doctor at every visit about the milestones your child has reached and what to expect next.

What most babies can do at six months:

Social and Emotional = knows familiar faces and begins to know if someone is a stranger, likes to play with others, especially parents, responds to other people’s emotions and often seems happy, enjoys looking at themselves in a mirrors

Language/Communication = responds to sounds by making sounds, strings vowels and consonant sounds such as “ah,” “eh,” “oh” “m,” “b”), responds to their own name, makes sounds to show joy and sadness,

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) = looks at things nearby, brings items to mouth, shows curiosity about new items, tries to get objects that are out of reach, starts passing objects from one hand to the other

Movement/Physical Development = rolls over in both directions (front to back, back to front), begins to sit without support, when standing, supports weight on legs and might bounce, rocks back and forth, may crawl backward before moving forward 

Act early by talking to your child’s doctor if your child:

Isn’t trying to get things that are within reach

Shows no affection for caregivers/parents

Isn’t responding to sounds around him

Has difficulty getting objects to mouth

Isn’t making vowel sounds (“ah”, “eh”, “oh”)

Isn’t rolling over in either direction

Isn’t laughing or making squealing sounds

Is very stiff, with tight muscles

Seems very floppy, like a rag doll

If You’re Concerned – Act Early

Tell your child’s doctor or nurse if you notice any of these signs of possible developmental delay.

For more information, call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-6mo.html

For more information on babysitting and parenting tips visit my websites:
www.smartsittersco.com

http://smartsittersco.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/smart.sitters

DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES -WHAT TO EXPECT FOR A 4 MONTH OLD

Developmental milestones are what most children can do by a certain age.

Check the milestones your child has reached by the end of 4 months. Take this with you and talk with your child’s doctor at every visit about the milestones your child has reached and what to expect next.

What most babies can do at four months:

Social and Emotional = Smiles randomly, and smiles at people, enjoys playing with people and may cry if playing stops, copies some movements and facial expressions (such as smiling or frowning)

Language/Communication = begins to babble with expression, also copies sounds he hears, starts crying in different ways to show hunger, pain, or being sleepy

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) = communicates the emotions of happiness or sadness, responds to affection, reaches for toys with one hand, uses hands and eyes together, to see and reach for a toy, follows moving objects with eyes from side to side, watches faces closely and recognizes familiar people and things at a distance

Movement/Physical Development = holds head steady and unsupported, pushes down on legs when feet are on a hard surface, may be able to roll over from tummy to back, can hold, shake, and swing at dangling toys, brings both hands to mouth, pushes up to elbows when lying on stomach

Act early by talking to your child’s doctor if your child:

Isn’t watching things as they move

Isn’t smiling at people

Isn’t holding their head steady

Isn’t cooing or making sounds

Isn’t bringing things to mouth

Isn’t pushing down with legs when feet are placed on a hard surface

Is having trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions

If You’re Concerned – Act Early

Tell your child’s doctor or nurse if you notice any of these signs of possible developmental delay.

For more information, call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-4mo.html

For more information on babysitting and parenting tips visit my websites:
www.smartsittersco.com

http://smartsittersco.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/smart.sitters

DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES -WHAT TO EXPECT FOR A 2 MONTH OLD

Developmental milestones are what most children can do by a certain age.

Check the milestones your child has reached by the end of 2 months. Take this with you and talk with your child’s doctor at every visit about the milestones your child has reached and what to expect next.

What most babies can do at two months:

Social and Emotional = Starts to smile at people, can calm themselves (for example can bring hands to their mouth and suck on hand), tries to look at parent.

Language/Communication = Coos, makes gurgling sounds, turns head toward sounds and noises

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) = tries focusing attention on faces, follows things with eyes and recognize people at a distance, begins to act bored (cries, fussy) if activities aren’t changed

Movement/Physical Development = can hold head up and begins to push up when lying on tummy, more controlled movements with arms and legs 

Act early by talking to your child’s doctor if your child:

Isn’t responding to loud sounds

Isn’t watching/tracking things as they move

Isn’t smiling at people

Isn’t bringing their hands to their mouth

Can’t hold their head up or pushing up when on tummy

If You’re Concerned – Act Early

Tell your child’s doctor or nurse if you notice any of these signs of possible developmental delay.

For more information, call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-2mo.html

For more information on babysitting and parenting tips please visit my websites:
www.smartsittersco.com

http://smartsittersco.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/smart.sitters

WHAT PARENTS AND BABYSITTERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ZIKA VIRUS

Infants and children can be infected with Zika through the bites of two types of mosquitoes. As of January 15, 2017, no cases of Zika have been reported from breastfeeding, and mothers are encouraged to breastfeed, even in Zika areas.

Symptoms include:

• Fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. Symptoms go away usually within a few days to a week. Some people infected may not have any symptoms.

• The virus can be passed from a woman to her fetus during pregnancy or around the time of birth. Pregnancy loss and other pregnancy problems have been reported in women.

• Birth defects, such as microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects, eye defects, hearing loss, and impaired growth, have been reported in babies born to women infected with Zika during pregnancy. Some infants with Zika may not be born with microcephaly but later experience slowed head growth and develop postnatal microcephaly.

   

     Not all babies whose mothers had Zika during pregnancy are born with health problems.

Infection with Zika at later times, (such as, time of birth and early childhood) has not been linked to microcephaly.

    Microcephaly can happen for many reasons, (genetic conditions, infections, and exposure to toxins) are just a few. Some kids with microcephaly can have seizures, vision or hearing problems, and developmental disabilities, others do not have health problems. There is no vaccine or medicine available at this time for Zika.

Preventing Zika

• Prevent mosquito bites by dressing yourself and your child in clothing that covers arms and legs, cover cribs, strollers, and baby carriers with mosquito netting. 

• In children over 2 months in age, do not apply spray to a child’s face, hands, eyes, mouth, or to irritated or broken skin.

• Control mosquitoes inside and outside your home.

  

      If you or your child have symptoms (of fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes, Fever (≥100.4° F)) take him or her to see a doctor.

Do not use Bug Spray on babies under 2 months of age and do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol on children younger than 3 years old!

For more information on the Zika Virus visit;

https://www.cdc.gov/zika/parents/what-parents-should-know.html

https://unsplash.com/search/bug?photo=k-pNQB0koNo

For more information on babysitting and parenting tips please visit my websites:
www.smartsittersco.com

http://smartsittersco.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/smart.sitters

EMPOWERING CHILDREN TO GIVE TO CHARITY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Educating children about charity can be rewarding for both the care givers and the children. Children three and older are at a great age to learn about empathy and care for other people. By encouraging charity, you are working to make the child to grow up with compassion for others. As a parent or a nanny you can assist the child by creating an environment where giving is a smooth and encouraged occurrence. It is important for children to see their care takers donating their time and money to help others. Make sure to explain to the child that not everyone is fortunate to have toys, food, or medicine, and it is important to help those in need.

How to involve the children in your care in charitable acts:

• Bring the children with you when you volunteer, -Encourage them to help you pick out canned foods during a food drive or have them walk with you when you participate in a benefit walk (also have them help you generate sponsors for your walk) so they can take pride in the entire process of helping).

• Create a charity box in the house and have them put a portion of their own money into it then have them decide what charity they would like to spend it on.

• Give food to a local pet shelter. (This will help the children in your care to empathize with animals as well as humans, and may give them a chance to play with an animal in need)

• Help the neighbors (Offer to pick up mail, newspapers for elderly neighbors or those out of town, and encourage the children in your care to do the same)

• Have the child donate their old toys or books to charity to help those less fortunate (At Smart Sitters Company) we love the charity http://www.sjdsbiblioteca.org/ which is a library setup in Nicaragua to help children and adults learn to read and receive medical care they would not otherwise receive.)

For more information visit

https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-teach-kids-about-charity-2085333

http://www.parents.com/parenting/money/donate-to-charity/9-ways-to-teach-your-child-about-charity-/
https://unsplash.com/search/kids?photo=EMZxDosijJ4

For more information on babysitting in Vail, Beaver Creek, and Breckenridge, Colorado, please visit my websites

www.smartsittersco.com

http://smartsittersco.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/smart.sitters

SOCIAL MEDIA AND YOUR NANNY

According to Pew Research center, “68% of U.S. adults have a smartphone… 86% of those ages 18-29, (with) 83% of those ages 30-49 and 87%,” with this, it is very likely that your babysitter will have a smart phone. It is vital to set boundaries for your nanny ahead of time on typical use and photos of your children.

There are three big risks with your nanny using social media while caring for your children:

·         If the nanny is using social media they are not watching your children.

·         The nanny could post a picture of your child on the internet creating an unnecessary  unsafe situation for your child

·         The nanny could unintentionally give away important information about you including your address, bank accounts, and other private information.

There is one huge benefit of your nanny using social media while caring for your children. The babysitter can use their phone to take pictures of the children and send them throughout the day to you (the parents only). Make sure the babysitter deletes the pictures off their phone immediately. This method helps reassure the parents that their child is safe, and having fun throughout the day.

Ultimately it is up to the parents to decide what level of social media use is acceptable, but make sure to discuss it with your nanny or babysitter before they post unwanted pictures of your house or your child online.

 For more information visit

http://www.parents.com/kids/childcare/setting-social-media-boundaries-with-babysitters-what-parents-need-to-know/

http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/10/29/technology-device-ownership-2015/

https://unsplash.com/search/kids?photo=UH-xs-FizTk

For more information on babysitting please visit my websites

www.smartsittersco.com

http://smartsittersco.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/smart.sitters

FIVE WAYS TO ENTERTAIN AND EDUCATE CHILDREN FOR UNDER $5.00

1. Take the child to the dollar store

The dollar store can provide hours of entertainment for children from 3-8 and can teach them independence, counting, and create a day of fun for under $5.00. (for more ideas check out the article on my blog “HOW I TAUGHT A CHILD LIFE LESSONS FROM THE DOLLAR STORE”

2. Use a pinecone and add some peanut butter (or almond butter) and add some nuts with a string and you have an instant bird/squirrel feeder.

Living in Colorado there are pinecones everywhere and with a little string, peanut butter, and some seeds you can create a feeder that is inexpensive, and can create hours of entertainment. In addition, you can use this project to teach children about nature, conservation, and caring for the environment for under $5.00.  (You can substitute almond butter or sunflower butter for children with peanut allergies).

3. Use old formula and food containers to create boxes for your children to practice opening (as babies) and to decorate as art projects for older children.

I save old water bottles, cereal boxes, and baby food containers to use as recycled toys. I give clean containers to older children along with markers, paper, stickers, tape and pipe cleaners, and have been amazed at the creations children have made. I have seen everything from cars and trucks, to home-made books, and robots (with younger children I make sure there are no choking hazards on the containers and I monitor the child very closely while playing with the container).

4. Use big cardboard boxes to create giant structures.

I went to a big box store and picked up 5 clean jumbo sized boxes and gave them to a child I was caring for. I told him he needed to use his imagination to create whatever he wanted with the boxes. We proceeded over the course of 2 weeks to make a castle, a house, and a car he could sit inside and pretend to drive (complete with a steering wheel).

5. Use YouTube videos to enhance the child’s curiosity.

I don’t usually approve of watching videos while caring for children, but I think YouTube videos can be incredibly valuable as an educational tool. I had a little boy ask me what “germs” were. I proceeded to discuss bacteria, viruses and the lot. He then asked how our body gets rid of germs and I was able to show him a video of white blood cells attacking pathogens. We then used that one video to make a whole day of non-video entertainment. We made a puppet show for his parents and had a great day creating projects based off the one video we watched.