Teaching kids to count prepares them for future lessons to come, as well as life in general. You don't need to spend lots of money to do so either. Below the fun counting videos and games are links to free printables, stories, games, and more. All of these can aid in teaching your kids to count.

Happy counting!

Toddlers are sometimes very stingy with their toys or don't choose to play well with others. But, is there a way to get toddlers to share their toys and play nicely? Well, yes and no.
Some toddlers enjoy interacting with others in their play and some don't.

Developmentally, actively playing together formally may not come until the ages of three to five. Each child is different. However, to diffuse problems with sharing toys, you will have to interfere quite frequently.

Time out does not really work for those under four all the time because their attention spans may be short and they are likely to forget why they were there and they may not have fully understood in the first place.

Here is one method I have found to be very effective.

Step 1:
When one toddler is picking on the other, remove the offender from the situation and distract each one. Bend down to the offending child's level. Firmly say "No, (insert kid's name here). That's not very nice. Now you'll have to play over here."

Take him or her to another area of the room or yard.

Then, let the others continue as they were and give the offender a "busy" toy.

Step 2:
After a few minutes, go back to the offending child and get on his or her level again. Firmly, but calmly ask "Are you ready to share/play nice with everyone now"?

They usually say yes. If they say no, say "It looks like you need a few more minutes over here" and walk away. Repeat step 2 until the child is ready to cooperate.

Overview:
When using this method, it is key that it be repeated each and every time the child repeats the negative action. This may mean it needs to be repeated over and over again, but, eventually the children will learn to get along with another. Children learn by consistency of repetitive actions.

The action of removing a child from a negative situation that he or she created teaches that child over time that when he behaves negatively, there are consequences.

However, if the child is allowed to stay where the negative activity occurred, it may teach the child that all that will happen is someone might say no. Therefore, the child will be more likely to repeat the negative action for the excitement in getting a negative response from another child.

For preschoolers and toddlers, another child crying or screaming is entertainment. They don't always know that it means they have hurt someone and if they do, they don't fully comprehend why it isn't okay. Yes, they can feel pain as well, but they don't yet know how to associate their pain with another's pain.

Also, some toddlers simply do this because the other child has something they want. They don't all quite understand why it isn't okay to snatch anything you want. It is up to the caregiver to teach this to the child with a simple method, such as the one mentioned above.

If this simple lesson is taught early in a child's life, it can possibly avoid the same negative behaviors occurring in older children. Many older children who fight or pick on others simply were never reprimanded properly or soon enough. Many times, only words are used and are just not enough. A toddler will soon catch on that nothing will be done after the words. In fact, he or she may repeat the action just to get the negative response out of the caregiver. This oftentimes carries into childhood, and can even carry into adulthood.

Sometimes actions are taken long after the incident is over with and are simply not effective enough. A toddler may not understand being punished more than a couple minutes after the incident. It may have left their mind by then. It is prompt action and consistency that will get the best response when it comes to getting any lesson to stick with a child.

~Article written by Lyn Lomasi~
Originally published on Associated Content.
~posted by Lyn Lomasi

Fun for baby is about more than just baby talk and peek-a-boo. Although those are a great source of enjoyment as well. Learn from experienced parents how to keep an infant busy and happy. Below are ideas, tips, and activities from moms who know best from practice. A busy baby is a happy baby, right?

Making a Homemade Recycled Baby Noisemaker by Pam Gaulin
You can make a baby noisemaker for an older baby or a toddler out of recycled material and household items. Babies and toddlers love rattles and noisemakers. They learn cause and effect, when they shake or move the object, it makes noise. For babies 12 months up to toddlers that are 18 months, try this easy recycled baby noisemaker.

Easy Games to Play With Your Baby: Teach Motor Skills, Mental Development, and Cognitive Skills by Kimberly Sharpe
Babies adore time with their mom and dad. They will actually tune in and listen carefully when they hear their parents voices over the voices of strangers. They will listen intently and try not to miss a word. This means that game playing with your baby is a wonderful way to interact and teach baby many things because your baby will always give you their complete attention. Here are three wonderful early games to enjoy with your baby. They each teach motor skills, mental development and cognitive skills.


Unique Toys for Baby Through Elementary and Teen by Lyn Lomasi
Finding and choosing toys can sometimes be a headache, not to mention the fact that most kids already have many of the basic toys out there. But, don't fret. Here are ten tips for finding and choosing unique toys for all ages.

Cupcake Cup Baby Bird: Crafts for Kids 18 Months and Up by Pam Gaulin
Kids who are two and older can create their own paper muffin cup baby birds with this paper craft idea. This craft idea for kids 18 months and up does need some preparation by parents or teachers.

Cloth Doll Patterns to Make Dolls at Home by Karen Barnes
Cloth doll body patterns are great to use for making baby's first doll. The cloth doll body patterns are made in a manner that are soft and huggable for a baby. The cloth doll body patterns can make great gifts for anyone of any age.

Four Motion Games That Every Baby Will Love by Kimberly Sharpe
Babies adore motion. They find it soothing and stimulating. They like swings, jumpers/bouncers, vibrating chairs, and they love being rocked. Scientists believe that their love of motion is due to the prenatal motion they experienced inside the womb. Motion will sooth and calm a fussy baby.

Free Baby Toy Sewing Patterns by Karen Barnes
With so many recalls being on the market for baby cribs, strollers, and other items over the years, making toys for babies with these sewing patterns can help reduce your concerns over manufacturer recalls. Even though I don't list more than a few free baby toy sewing patterns in this article, searching for more of these types of patterns can help add to homemade baby toys.

~posted by Lyn Lomasi~

by Lyn Lomasi

One of the most important aspects of infant care is nourishment. If you've decided to bottle feed out of choice or necessity, this guide to formula feeding may come in handy. It's a collection of some my best articles on formula feeding a baby.

Choosing the Right Newborn Formula for Your Baby
After choosing formula feeding for your baby, you will then need to choose an appropriate formula. This article should help you choose the right newborn formula for your bottle feeding baby. Read More

Infant Formula Dos and Don'ts for New Moms
When it comes to formula feeding, there are some things that are a must. There also are things that will be a definite no-no. Here is my list of infant formula do's and don'ts for new moms. Read More

Newborn Feeding Guide for New Moms
If you're a new mom, you likely have many questions about feeding your new baby. Being a mom to multiple kids, as well as a former nanny, I offer tips and advice related both to formula feeding and breast feeding based on my experiences and research. Read More

Soy Baby Formula Benefits
Choosing the right formula can be a challenge. There are many great options for parents to consider. This article discusses some of the benefits of formula feeding a baby with a soy-based formula. Read More

How to Tell If Your Baby Has a Soy Allergy
Cow's milk may be the most popular formula allergy to be discussed, but it isn't the only one. Did you know that a baby can be allergic to soy milk based formula as well? This article explains common soy allergy warning signs when formula feeding a baby. Read More

How to Reduce Infant Spit Up
Infants spit up. That's a fact that cannot be completely avoided. However, there are ways to reduce infant spit up, whether formula feeding a baby or breast feeding. This article gives tips and advice on reducing the occurrence of infant spit up. Read More

How Can I Cure My Formula-Fed Baby's Vomiting?
Spiting up is normal in babies. But vomiting is a warning sign. How can you tell which one your baby is experiencing? How can you cure vomiting in a formula feeding baby? This article can help parents faced with this issue. Read More

Best Soothing Sounds for Babies with Colic
Babies who are breastfeeding, as well as those who are formula feeding can develop colic. Colicky babies often are uncomfortable and cranky. Many times soothing sounds will help. Here are some of the best soothing sounds for babies with colic. Read More

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*This is not meant to be a complete guide on formula feeding a baby. It also should not substitute the advice of a licensed medical professional. Your child's pediatrician is always the best source for health matters.

Potty training your child? Try encouraging and enhancing your child's potty training experience with books. hearing stories and connecting the pictures in the book with his or her similar actions can help a child further comprehend potty training. Here are some of the best potty training books for kids. I recommend checking out your local library before heading to the bookstore.

Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi
This book explains from all sorts of animals and eventually from humans. It then describes to children how humans poop first in diapers and then in the toilet. Everyone Poops is a great book for teaching children about the natural process of pooping and potty training. As the title implies, it helps them realize that everyone poops and that it is a normal process.

A Potty for Me! by Karen Katz
In A Potty for Me, the child gets to hear the story from the viewpoint of another child. This story is about a child who has just started potty training. The interactive process of lifting the flaps in the book makes it even more fun. Children may also feel the joy expressed at the end when the character in the story finally is successful at using the potty.

Time to Pee! by Mo Willems
Mo Willems is known by many parents and kids for his fun illustrations and sense of humor. This picture book is true Mo Willems style at it's best. This step by step toilet training guide is sure to entertain your little ones and teach them a thing or two about using the potty. With a little assistance from this entertaining book for toddlers, help your child say "bye bye" to diapers and "hello" to to the potty.

My Big Boy Potty by Joanna Cole
This is a simple story that is straight to the point. The language is interesting and easy for toddlers to understand. It basically goes through the steps of a boy named Michael getting his first potty, learning how to use it, and then being successful in the end. While simple, it covers the basic ideas kids need when learning about and experiencing potty training. There also is a small section of useful tips for parents at the end of the book.


My Big Girl Potty by Joanna Cole
My Big Girl Potty basically is exactly the same as My Big Boy Potty mentioned above, only the character is a girl. Like Michael, Ashley gets a new potty, learns how to use it, and succeeds in the end. Kids like these two books because they are the perfect size to read during potty training and the language is thought-provoking, yet easy to understand.

 

 

Photo: Wikimedia Commons; Public Domain