Natural Baby Magazine October 2017

Natural Baby Magazine

Enter Our Baby Story Contest!

5 Ways to Keep in Touch with Grandparents

Tips to Boost Your Baby’s Health from Day One

Ren's Story: "I am a Mom of an Autistic Child" NaturalBabyMag.com

InThisIssue October is NationalCampaignforHealthierBabiesMonth BeautifulBabyBumps Natural Baby Magazine is a publication of Publish In Paradise PublishinParadise.com. © 2017 Publish In Paradise. All rights Reserved.

The mission of Natural Baby Magazine is to provide helpful information to expectant and new parents from birth through the first year using all natural products, solutions, ideas and more.

No information in our magazines, on our website or blogs is meant to replace advice from your family doctor, obstetrician, pediatrician, midwife or other medical provider. Although we align ourselves with holistic approaches, we are only providing information.

This information is not meant to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Please seek medical attention whenever necessary.

3 Photos from Our Readers…

NaturalBirth 5 Prenatal Vitamins—Are you taking

yours?

7 Ren's Story I am a Mom of an Autistic Child

NaturalHome 10 5 Ways to Keep in Touch with

Grandparents 12 Fire Away: Enhancing your home's

safety with fire extinguishers

NaturalHealth Publisher Angela J. Willard naturalbaby@publishinparadise.com Advertising Email: ads@publishinparadise.com

Your Baby Could Be On Our Next Cover!

15 Tips to Boost Your Baby’s Health

from Day One

NaturalLearning 4 Enter Our Baby Story Contest!

17 How to Incorporate Learning into

Your Child's Daily Routine Our Cover Model: Zion Housey smiles for the camera in her photo shoot. Photo submitted by her mom, Vanessa Davis.

Used with permission.

18 Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Babies and

Toddlers

Let’s Get Social!

To have your baby on the next cover– submit your photos to us online at

NaturalBabyMag.com

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @NaturalBabyMag

More Articles on our Website www.NaturalBabyMag.com NB 2

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BeautifulBabyBumps!

Submit Your Baby Pics & Baby Bump Pics for Publication in Our Upcoming Issues!

! y c n a n g e r P e t a r b le e C Submit online at NaturalBabyMag.com!

Note: Not all photos submitted can be published but we will do our best to publish as many baby & baby bump pics as we can!

Photo by Jaden Smith of Rooted North Portrait Studio

Have you turned your belly bump into a work of art?

We would love to publish it!

Above: Jenna Bakk carrying son, Weston, who was born six days after this photo was taken. “This was our 3rd and last child and first pregnancy to actually get maternity pictures done.

I loved how beautiful I felt in this photo and don't regret getting pics done! Our boy was born August 8th and is happy and healthy. I will always cherish this photo.”

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Baby Story Contest One of the best ways to help your baby learn a wonderful vocabulary is to read to them. We want to encourage our readers to read to their babies, even while still in the womb.

Read to your baby every day and she will hear your nurturing voice and know how loved she is. As she grows older during her first year, she will learn the words you read to her, she will begin to copy your words and mimic your voice, which will help build her vocabulary as she explores the world of babble which will eventually lead to talking.

Communication is important and it’s never too soon to start teaching your baby how to communicate effectively with others.

To help encourage new parents to take time to read to their children, we are offering a contest!

Submit Your Baby Story (intended to be read to infants) to us and one lucky winner will be selected! The winning story will be published in a free eBook to be enjoyed by all of our readers of Natural Baby Magazine. Contest ends November 12, 2017. Winner will be notified via email and announced on our website and social media networks. Author’s retain all rights to their work and will grant onetime eBook publication rights to Natural Baby Magazine. For more information and to submit your baby story, visit our website at naturalbabymag.com NB

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Prenatal Vitamins–Are you taking yours?

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renatal vitamins are an important part of pregnancy, supporting the health of both moms and babies.

While the "dos" and "don'ts" of health and nutrition during pregnancy are familiar, it is also important to focus on these before becoming pregnant. For example, taking the recommended multivitamins before pregnancy can help prevent certain birth defects.

Taking a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin containing 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day before pregnancy can prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spine. Some studies show that folic acid also may help prevent heart defects and defects to a baby's mouth, called cleft lip or palate.

taking a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin before they knew they were pregnant. This number is even lower for Hispanic and African American women dropping to 27 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

The survey, conducted through a partnership of the March of Dimes and Mission Pharmacal, found that further education is needed so that all women are aware of and understand the key factors that contribute to a healthy pregnancy and birth outcomes.

"While it tends to shock some Americans, more than 120,000 babies, or three percent of all births, will be born with birth defects in the United States this year," said Stacey D. Stewart,

Survey Results Show Fewer Than Half of U.S. Women Taking Recommended Vitamins Prior to Pregnancy

Almost half of pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned, so health experts recommend that women of childbearing age take a daily multivitamin containing folic acid, even if they are not trying to get pregnant.

A new survey conducted by the March of Dimes shows that only 34 percent of women ages 18-45 said they started

President of the March of Dimes. "The results of this survey serve as a reminder of the importance of continually informing women of the benefits of taking a multivitamin with folic acid both before and during pregnancy to improve their own health and that of their future family."

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The March of Dimes says that up to seven in 10 of the 3,000 serious birth defects of the brain and spine that occur each year in the U.S. each year could be prevented if all women capable of having a baby took daily multivitamins containing adequate folic acid.

After pregnancy begins, the folic acid recommendation increases to 600 mcg daily. Iron, calcium, vitamin D, DHA and iodine have also been found to play a key role in growth and development for babies during pregnancy.

Prenatal vitamins are multivitamins made just for pregnant women and have more of key nutrients needed during pregnancy. Taking prenatal vitamins every day, along with eating healthy foods, can help provide mom and baby with the nutrients they need before, during and after pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins are available over the counter or can be prescribed by a doctor, and some insurance companies may cover some or all of the cost of prescription versions of prenatal vitamins.

Visit marchofdimes.org for the latest health information, resources and tools for moms and babies.

Source: BPT

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Ren’s Story

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y name is Ren and this is my story. I am 26 years old and I am a mom of an autistic child.

My daughter was diagnosed in August of 2016. Though she was diagnosed recently, I have known for a long time that there was something missing.

When my daughter was diagnosed, even though I already knew, I was still in shock. Maybe it was a reality check, but I still felt that maybe it was all a dream. It took me a whole five minutes of “spacing out” and really thinking over what just happened. The doctor had to call my name out a couple of times before I came back to the conversation.

I have been fine since then, however. I had to recognize that I am not only a mother to an autistic child, but also a mom, period. Each and every day, I have gone through lengths that most moms with neurotypical children don't have to go through. I am not trying to disqualify the things that other moms have to go through. I am just saying that, for me, things are almost always different. I just never know if I'm going to have to go sit in the middle of a Safeway parking lot because my daughter was not allowed to take a bird she saw to the store with us.

Although, some days are great too.

There are countless times where things become a big deal. The big deal though is

Annearca Bickford at age five, enjoying life in Ketchikan, Alaska. Photo © Rensheil Bickford/Lenorable Photography

a good big deal. For example, my daughter is non-verbal. She is 5 years old and she finally has recognized and calls me Mommy. I celebrate those little things. I do see other children her age talk so much that sometimes I feel jealous. Jealousy however stops as quickly as it starts.

My daughter isn't only Autistic. She was also born with Amniotic Band Syndrome. She had webbed fingers on one hand and missing fingers on the other. She also has missing toes. She has had five surgeries. One surgery for every year she has (Continued on page 9) been alive.

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Annearca Lenore Bickford, born December 7, 2011.

Photo © Rensheil Bickford/Lenorable Photography

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I have to travel with her to get to her surgeries. First by boat and then by plane. I know what you're probably thinking, When does it stop for this mom?

Well, the answer is, never. Never does it stop. I get overwhelmed with my life every thirty minutes, even when I'm asleep. I wake up thinking that my daughter has wandered off.

Besides everything I have said, I am not just a mom. I am also a person. I am known as a mom, first and foremost, but I am also me. I am a Photographer. I just absolutely love capturing things that are meaningful. I am a student. I learn every day. I am also a wife. I have a wonderful husband and I am glad to be part of his life. I am also a daughter. My mother who is very supportive is a very essential part of my life. I am a sister of two sisters

“When my daughter was diagnosed, even though I already knew, I was still in shock.”

As I am sharing my story, I remember a question I have been asked multiple times. Ren, how do you do it? My answer to that is that I have to. I do it because I love her and that's what you're supposed to do when you have been handed this kind of life.

Another question I have been asked is: Ren, how are you so calm about this?

My answer is that I just have to be. I don't know how else other moms do their everyday life if they don't have the motivation of just having to do something.

I lost a lot of friends since I became a mom. My friends just didn't understand that being a mom comes first. I am not able to do a lot of the things I was able to before my daughter came along. I no longer am able to go out to gatherings and "get togethers" because I am afraid of my daughter wandering off or just touching something that she's not supposed to. I no longer can just go to the store without thinking of every single scenario that could happen. I am okay, though. I do love my life.

and one brother. They are all very important to me too. I am a Certified Canine Behavioral Specialist. In other words, I am a Dog Trainer. All of that being said, I am proud.

I am proud to be a mother of a daughter who is Autistic. I am proud to be an individual who has had these experiences. I wouldn't know who I am without the challenges I have gone though. I wouldn't know how to live life without those challenges.

My name is Ren and I am a person with feelings. I hope whoever reads this understands. NB

Annearca enjoying a lollipop.

Photo © Rensheil Bickford/Lenorable Photography

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5 Ways to Keep in Touch with Grandparents

T

here are laundry lists of reasons why grandparents are the best.

They say yes when parents say no,

they tell the best stories but make even better listeners, and often they're the first people we call with news, both good and bad.

That's why in September, we celebrated National Grandparents Day - a day of recognition for all the amazing

Make a daily photo album When family members live far away it can be difficult to stay up-to-date on what's new in their lives. It's easy to forget to call one another and share life's ups and downs. To help bridge this gap, make digital scrapbooks and schedule a call once a month to exchange your albums with each other. Voila - an entire month's worth of memories to catch up on in one place!

"nanas" and "pop-pops" out there. But connecting with Grandma and Grandpa shouldn't be just one day a year. Whether

Schedule a weekly dinner

near or far, grandparents can keep connected to their family's lives any day of the year with the following tips.

Sure, it's easy to sit down to enjoy a meal together as a family if you all live nearby, but for some families, that's not possible.

Luckily, technology makes it easy to share life's experiences without being in

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the same place. Take turns choosing a recipe and pick a date for everyone to make it (Mom and Dad can assist the little helpers). At the end of the meal write a review of the food - what steps were easy or hard, which part was your favorite - and send to one another to see if your experiences were similar. If Grandma and Grandpa are tech savvy, try video chatting while you create and enjoy your recipes to make it feel like you're dining together!

Send postcards as you travel There's still something uniquely special about receiving a handwritten note from someone you love. Grandparents and grandchildren can share that experience by making a "pinky promise" to send one another postcards from their travels.

Grandparents and grandchildren will look forward to checking the mailbox daily for it to arrive, and a phone call to discuss all of the trip's adventures will soon follow.

Play games together online Don't let distance put a damper on game night - grandkids and grandparents can play virtually! Downloading and playing is simple with today's smartphones and affordable phone plans. Try TracFone they offer a 30-day smartphone-only plan with talk, text and data for just $15 a month - all on the largest 4G LTE networks. Grandparents will have plenty of money left over to spoil the grandkids, and with no activation or cancellation fees, they can change their no-contract plan as often as needed, without penalties. Learn more at https://get.tracfone.com.

Source: BPT

Turn Your Treasured Memories Into a Lasting Keepsake

Call at bedtime Bedtime can be hectic for moms and dads with little ones. Grandparents to the rescue! Make a call part of bedtime's nightly ritual. Telling stories with Grandma will keep one kid busy, allowing Mom and Dad to tend to the others. It's a sweet ending to the day for all!

www.KeepsakeMags.com

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Fire Away!

Enhancing your home's safety with fire extinguishers

Y

ou check your alarms regularly and practice your family escape plan - but are you overlooking an essential component of home safety? Having fire extinguishers - and knowing how to use them - is an important part of maintaining a safe home for you and your family.

"In America, a fire starts in a residential home every 86 seconds - and the rapid protection offered by fire extinguishers can make the difference between minor or insignificant damage and greater tragedy," said Tarsila Wey, director of marketing for First Alert, the most trusted brand in home safety.

"However, because many Americans have never activated a traditional fire extinguisher before, many do not understand the essential role that fire extinguishers play in a home safety plan, and lack the confidence and know-how to use them properly."

To help overcome this, follow these tips on fire extinguisher placement and

usage to help ensure you and your family are properly prepared in case of emergency:

Compare features: When selecting a fire extinguisher, two of the most important features are size and intended use.

Larger commercial fire extinguishers meant for public spaces may be too heavy or unwieldy for some family members. Select a home fire extinguisher that weighs 3 lbs. or less for easy handling. For home fire extinguishers, other features to look for include a metal valve and trigger, which offer the durability of a commercial grade extinguisher, as well as an easy-to-read color-coded gauge for accurate measurement. Spray times also vary by make and manufacturer, so select extinguishers that perform above the standard and feature longer spray times.

Remember, a fire extinguisher that has been discharged is no longer effective, so (Continued on page 13)

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consider rechargeable extinguishers which can be recharged by a certified professional if the unit is used.

Keep it in reach: If a fire breaks out in the living room but the extinguisher is elsewhere, you may not be able to access it before the fire grows beyond control.

When seconds count, having an extinguisher nearby is crucial for rapid response. For this reason, place an extinguisher in each area of the home where a fire could potentially occur, including the kitchen, living room, each bedroom and the garage. In most cases, one extinguisher is likely not enough protection for an entire household. In addition, make sure that every responsible member of your household (including house sitters and babysitters) knows where each fire extinguisher is placed. The National Fire Protection Association recommends installing fire extinguishers close to room exits so that you are able to discharge it and quickly escape if the fire cannot be controlled.

Know your ABCs: While they may all look similar, fire extinguishers have very specific ratings that indicate what kind of fire they are designed to extinguish.

Extinguishers with a Class A rating are able to put out fires caused by wood, paper, trash and other common materials, while Class B rated extinguishers are intended for gasoline and flammable liquids. Class C rated extinguishers are meant for fires caused by electrical equipment, such as frayed cords. For general protection, it's best to select a multirated extinguisher, such as the First Alert Rechargeable Home Fire Extinguisher, that's capable of handling most types of household fires. Beyond the Rechargeable Home Fire Extinguisher, First Alert offers an entire range of extinguishers for home and commercial use.

Know how to use it: Every First Alert fire extinguisher includes instructions on proper usage, but a simple way to remember is with the acronym PASS:

Pull the pin on the extinguisher Aim the nozzle low toward the base of the fire Squeeze the trigger Sweep the nozzle from side to side

Frequently repeat the acronym when practicing your family escape plan so that if a fire occurs, the response will be automatic.

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Know when to go: Combating small fires with an extinguisher is one component of a fire response plan, but the primary goal should be safe escape. The first step in any scenario should be to call 911. In addition, a fire extinguisher is no substitute for having - and regularly practicing - a home fire escape plan, and ensuring that proper functioning smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are installed throughout the home - one on each level and in every bedroom - to provide early detection. Keep in mind that alarms and fire extinguishers aren't designed to last forever, and must be replaced at least every 10 years.

Read our blog for more articles…

● 5 Things Parents Need to Know About HPV ● 5 Ways to Save Money While Shopping

To learn more about fire safety, visit FirstAlert.com.

● Making Sense of Nutrition Labels

Source: BPT

● Four Times You Should Choose Organic When it Comes to Your Child

Contribute to Natural Baby Magazine: If you would like to contribute to Natural Baby Magazine, email Angela at naturalbaby@publishinparadise.com with your story ideas.

Product Reviews: If you have products/programs that encourage parents to go “all natural” with their babies, you may email Angela at naturalbaby@publishinparadise.com for consideration of a review. Please include a detailed description of your product as well as photos.

● More Grandparents are Raising Grandkids: 3 Things They Need to Know ● Budget Boosters: 5 Smart Ways to Manage Your Money ● Moms: Common Reasons You May be Packing on Pounds ● 5 Essential Travel Hacks for On-theGo Parents ● 5 Essential Skincare Tips for Baby ● 5 Simple Ways Parents Can Make the World Gentle for Baby

naturalbabymag.com/ natural-baby-blog

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© Alena Ozerova/stock.Adobe.com

Tips to Boost Your Baby’s Health from Day One New moms want to give their babies everything they need to grow up healthy and strong -- and the first six months are some of the most important, helping determine the course of their health trajectories.

During this crucial time, there are many different ways that parents can help create a foundation for life-long health.

• Breastfeed. Breastfeeding is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, as it’s the best source of nutrition for your baby and is beneficial to both mothers and children. The

benefits are far-reaching and include protection against diseases and conditions such as respiratory tract infections, type 1 and type 2 diabetes and certain cancers in babies, and can reduce a mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

• Get more out of breastmilk. For all of breastmilk’s benefits, its third most abundant nutrient is indigestible by babies’ bodies. But recent research from Evivo, a maker of baby probiotics, has solved the paradox: this component of breastmilk is actually the perfect nourishment for a key type of beneficial gut bacteria critical to the development

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of a baby’s metabolism and immune system during the first six months of life.

It’s this initial setup of good gut bacteria that helps fight off potentially bad bacteria linked to colic, eczema, allergies, asthma, diabetes and obesity.

“Unfortunately, the last 100 years of modern medicine have created a negative shift in the balance of good vs. potentially harmful gut bacteria in most U.S. babies,

• Regular check-ups. Follow your pediatrician’s guidelines for scheduling checkups carefully. These appointments are crucial to ensure your baby is growing at a healthy rate, having healthy reflexive responses and is infection-free.

This is also one of your best opportunities to have all of your questions answered. Lastly, these appointments will include all the vaccinations your baby needs.

“…parents can restore their baby’s gut microbiome with probiotics.” due to the unintentional consequences of antibiotic use, C-section deliveries and formula feeding,” says Dr. Tanya Altmann, MD, and spokesperson for Evivo. “But parents can restore their baby’s gut microbiome with probiotics.”

To get more out of breastmilk, and promote your baby’s developing metabolism and immune system, Altmann recommends incorporating a probiotic such as Evivo into your routine.

Evivo is the only probiotic clinically proven to restore a baby’s gut to the way nature intended. To learn more, visit evivo.com.

• Good nutrition. If you are breastfeeding, consider keeping a food diary to note how your baby responds after you eat different foods. It’s also important to follow safety recommendations regarding alcohol consumption, prescription medications and caffeine.

• Healthy interactions. Spending time with your newborn is critical for their physical and emotional health, as well as his or her neurological development.

Spend as much time as possible with your baby. If you go back to work, be sure that your baby’s caregivers spend plenty of time holding, playing and speaking to your baby.

The right nutrition and habits can reduce a child’s risk for many common health conditions. Take every step you can to offer your child the healthiest future possible.

Source: StatePoint

Enter Our Baby Story Contest!

See Page 4 for Details!

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How to Incorporate Learning into Your Child's Daily Routine

Young children don’t need to be in a classroom to learn important skills. And the earlier you get started, the better.

Here are some great ways to incorporate fun learning experiences into your child’s day.

Bath Time Don’t miss the opportunity to make bath time a fun and engaging experience.

Count rubber duckies together, sing “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes,” complete with corresponding choreography, and read books -- just be sure they are of the waterproof variety!

Even just talking to your children during this time can be educational, helping them pick up new vocabulary and develop language skills.

Play Time With careful consideration, your play area can serve double-duty, being a station for

fun while encouraging a child's curiosity and love of learning. Consider innovative learning toys that actively teach important skills, such as counting, shapes, colors and the alphabet, while introducing the problem-solving, creativity and social skills children will need to thrive as they grow.

Certain toy brands, such as LeapFrog, have created a variety of learning tools that are also fun to play with for young kids. For example, their new Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart can help children build memory and sequencing skills while they create ice cream cones with a scooper that recognizes colors and flavors. The brand also has a combination laptop and touch screen tablet called the 2-in-1 LeapTop Touch, which is designed to help kids learn letters, numbers and music.

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Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Babies and Toddlers

The most thoughtful gifts are those that will help children learn and grow over time.

M

ore babies are born in September than any other month of the year, and if there are a lot of new babies in your life, you may be wondering what the best gifts are to welcome them into the world. Remember, many babies will be inundated with onesies which they will quickly outgrow, so why not consider gifts that will encourage them to meet their developmental milestones in the coming years?

“Playtime is not only fun, it’s the ideal opportunity for children to pick up new information and skills, from numbers, language and vocabulary to hand-eye coordination,” says Dr. Clement Chau, director of learning at VTech, a world leader in age-appropriate and

developmental stage-based electronic learning products for children.

With a focus on making the most of playtime, consider the following gift ideas.

• Encourage movement and motor skills with the Pop-a-Balls Push & Pop Bulldozer by VTech. Great for ages 12-36 months, this toy features colorful balls that pop up through the smoke stack, into the scoop bucket and back again.

Load the balls into the bulldozer, start pushing the handle and watch the bulldozer come to life with popping balls and fun sounds. Kids can also sit and play with the bulldozer by pressing the four colorful number buttons to learn

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colors, numbers, construction objects and listen to music.

• Opt for experiential gifts. Seek out great experiences for babies and young children. From swimming lessons that help a baby get accustomed to the water and feel safe, to classes that expose children to singing and music, in many cases, it’s never too early to introduce babies to these skills. Look for local classes offering gift certificates for families that parents can use when they and their baby are ready to get started.

• Help young ones learn about animals with VTech’s GearZooz Roll & Roar Animal Train, which lets them mix and match the 15 included gears, all while strengthening their fine motor skills and problem-solving techniques. Children 1-5 years old can learn about animals when they place the Smart Gear animals on the pegs and press the buttons on the train to explore more.

• Encourage story time at home by starting a young one’s little library.

Remember, books for babies should be easy to hold, include bright bold colors and illustrations, and introduce children to animals, shapes, letters and more.

• Foster creativity with the Zoo Jamz Stompin’ Fun Drums by VTech, which let little rockers tap out beats and create their own sounds. Children will practice counting and develop coordination as they follow along with the melodies and singalong songs.

Remember, when it comes to welcoming babies into the world, the most thoughtful gifts are those that will help children learn and grow over time.

Source: StatePoint

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“Childhood is a time of discovery, so seek out toys designed to foster children’s natural curiosity,” says Dr. Clement Chau, director of learning for LeapFrog. “Toys should provide a range of experiences that build a strong foundation of learning.”

Dr. Chau also recommends Step & Learn Scout, a pet pup that teaches kids letters and counting while they develop gross motor skills and get some exercise, as well as the Stack & Tumble Elephant, for building hand-eye coordination while learning songs, numbers and phrases.

Mealtime Mealtime is the perfect time of day to teach kids about their health, as well as good nutrition habits. You can teach kids about the five food groups, as well as vitamin basics, so they learn that what they put into their body can have a positive impact on their growth and wellness. Kids can also develop motor skills by helping you in the kitchen. From pouring to mixing to measuring, there are many kitchen tasks perfect for little hands.

Bedtime Help kids wind down before bed with some great books. Read to your children until they can read to themselves. You’ll be forming a lifelong habit of learning.

The right tools and habits can make it easy to seamlessly incorporate education into your child’s daily routine.

Source: StatePoint

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