My Little One

So, the little one has began to roll over a few months ago, then was able to remain seated when you placed her upright AND took away the props! Next step? You guessed it—crawling.

Oh, they can hardly wait to get to places on their own. As a mom watching all of this, you can see their eyes looking out over the big expansive family room with unbridled enthusiasm.

s

Who want

Yea!

? l w a r c to

Crawling isn’t just about transportation, however. There are many, many benefits of crawling.

For one, there’s a new connection that begins to happen between mommy and baby. Having always been dependent upon another human to get somewhere, the baby now realizes that he can make a decision about where to go and how far. But, watch what he does.

He will turn around to see if you are watching! Yes—because, not only does he want to share the thrill with you, he is looking for your approval and maybe a little direction.

He experience depth perception

She then learns navigation.

This is key to their directional development.

He is becoming stronger as well.

He also begins to experience depth perception.

As he looks across the room and spots an enticing object, what once looked small and easy to handle, may in truth be large and too big to pick up. He begins to understand size, scale, and differentiation.

She then learns navigation. That’s right. It doesn’t take long for them to figure out if they turn to the right around the coffee table, that there is usually a stack of books there. Or if they turn to the left, it takes them into the kitchen to explore yet another area. This is key to their directional development.

Did you realize that babies learn decision making this early?

New connection that begins to happen between mommy and baby.

Of course! As they navigate, they begin to exercise that crucial part of their brain that trains the brain cells to make decisions. Again, turn to the left for one experience, turn to the right for another……or explore down the hall into “no man’s land” to find out what’s really going on in the house!

They begin to exercise

Along with all these mental strengths happening in your little one, the body is becoming stronger as well. It has been noted that babies that crawl frequently and for longer periods of time, develop stronger muscles in their arms, shoulders, and legs than babies that just show no interest in crawling.

While you can’t FORCE your tiny tot to crawl, you can encourage it. Get down on the floor with them.

Have a race. Play a game on all fours. Draw out the crawling experience as long as you can. Everyone will win.

If your kids are still wee ones, invest in a small tent that folds flat and stores in a zip-up carrying case so your babies have a shady, protected place to take a beachside nap.

(Because, really, a big ol’ beach umbrella is the last thing you want to be hauling around these days). Trust us: This will make your day that much better.

Unless you have more adults than children hitting the beach, you’ll need some help getting your gear from the car to the sand.

Rolling carts with tough, sand-ready wheels are a smart asset, and some brands, including the popular Wonder Wheeler, feature main compartments made of mesh to allow wet or sandy toys to drain while you walk back to your car.

Do Sunscreen Right Get to know the American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidelines on sunscreen use, which include wearing hats, sunglasses, and cover-ups, minimizing sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and pausing every two hours, or after swimming or sweating, to reapply sunscreen of SPF 15 or greater that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

Matier uses a cream-based sunscreen before hitting the beach, but switches to spray sunscreen for repeated applications to avoid the messy mix of sandy skin and creamy sunscreen. Just apply it to your hands first, and then your kiddo’s skin.

When do you start teaching that sweet little baby how to do chores?

Most experts agree that as soon as they realize how to get toys out of a bucket, a basket, a closet, or a drawer; then they are also old enough to understand how to put them back where they belong.

There are as many ways to teach chores as there are children. And truthfully, your child will learn differently than anyone else. Some babies are compliant

and will learn everything you show them in an easy and pleasant manner.

Other babies will fight you every step of the way. Some children want you to work right alongside them until they are half grown. Others learn how to be independent early and really prefer learning that way.

While picking up their own belongings and toys will probably be the first chore learned, at some point, the little one must learn the benefits and joys of being in a family where everyone works together to help the household run

smoothly. After all, Mom can’t do it all. Everyone needs a turn at taking out trash, putting away laundry, sweeping the kitchen floor, making beds, etc.

Here are some recommended age appropriate chores.

Please note: You and your child may or may not follow this list like other moms and children. Give yourself and your child permission to fail while also teaching the importance of working together with a cooperative spirit.

Age

appropriate chores Picking up toys One year old or when they begin to walk

Taking out trash Can start walking

to the trash with Mommy or another sibling soon as they can walk. Children should never go into an alley or very far from the house until they are closer to six or seven years old.

Making their own bed Can start

working with them at two and a half or three. They not be able to really do it well by themselves until they are about four.

Helping with dishes They can start taking their plate to the sink or counter when are about three. Every few months, teach them to help put away another couple of things from the table.

Sweeping Buy them a little broom

when they are about two years old and let them sweep alongside you.

They may not really learn this chore well until they are about 10 years old.

However, they need to get used to the idea.

Please note:

They need to get used to the idea.