Weaning from lap to highchair? Is your infant ready for this transition?

As your baby grows and strives for the need to be independent, it’s a good idea to encourage transitioning (weaning) to the next independent step starting as early as seven months. Usually around this age, babies show interest in holding their own bottle as well as the need to move around while they are drinking their bottle. This is a sign the baby is ready for a transition.

Transitioning (weaning) from lap to highchair ~ Here is an easy way to help with this transition.

Happy Thanksgiving Week

May you and your family have a memorable warm Thanksgiving. Don't hesitate to take the time to reach out and show appreciation for those special family members or friends that have been supportive and an inspiration in your life.

*Iva

Gratitude: How children develop the attitude of gratitude

We, as parents, can start inspiring the idea of gratitude even in our children’s first years. Be the reflection and model of what you’d like to see your children model in their future years. We can plant seeds along the way as they are growing and developing. By practicing gratitude with our own children and people around us, your children will see what the “attitude of gratitude” looks like and feels like.

You can model what it looks like by: 

Picky Eaters: Tips for Toddlers and Young Children

From time to time I have cared for toddlers that are very particular about what foods they like. My food menu includes a variety of foods that toddlers tend to like. However, even with a menu full of yummy healthy foods, you may need to be patient with a little one that refuses to eat the foods you offer. Don’t take it personally. Sometimes it could be reasons as simple as

Transitioning from Highchair to Table – Is your toddler ready for this change?

There are different reasons why your toddler may be ready for the transition from a highchair to a table. The signs I look for are:

Happy Halloween!

I love greeting all the little babies and children on Halloween. Be safe out there.

For safety tips like; pumpkin decorating, costume safety, Trick or Treating with care, and staying safe and sweet on the home front . . . check out this article from Mayo Clinic @ "Halloween safety: Tips for trick-or-treaters"

Enjoy!

*Iva

Spoon Feeding a Wiggly Infant

Is your infant ready to try his first solid foods? Have you already tried and found it to be a messy job? Read below to find some helpful tips on spoon feeding a wiggly infant.

Toddler Activities w/ Large Motor Focus Part 2

Here are some additional large motor activities with blog links to check out:

I am just thrilled to come across these great simple ideas from searching the Internet. This article is an extension (part 2) from my previous article: Toddler Activities with Large/Motor Focus

Toddler Activities with Large/Gross Motor Focus

Large motor or gross motor activities are intended to help develop the abilities required in order to control the large muscles of the body for walking, running, sitting, crawling, and other activities.

Read below a list of activities which help strengthen your little one’s Large/Gross motor abilities.

Biting . . . Why is my toddler biting his playmate?

It’s a common concern as parents are scratching their heads wondering “Why is my toddler biting his playmate?” The cause of biting varies. It can be a part of socializing, teething, for territorial reasons or mimicking a behavior learned from his surroundings. Little ones act on impulse and some choose to bite. This goes for grabbing a playmate’s face as well as pinching or hitting.

Here are some examples from my past child care experience: