Reading with your children

http://www.rif.org/books-activities/tips-resources/reading-with-your-child/

Soothing or spoiled give your child attention

https://youtu.be/iF95dP1JtHA

SIGNS OF NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES IN CHILDREN

the body does not receive the nutrients it needs for development and daily functioning. It is often a result of insufficient food consumption; however children who eat regularly can develop malnutrition due to a lack of essential nutrients in their diet. Generally, malnutrition develops slowly, often over months or years. Children may develop malnutrition if they have medical problems such as celiac disease, lactose intolerance or cystic fibrosis, because they are unable to efficiently utilize the food they eat. Malnutrition can also cause conditions such as iron deficiency, anemia, goiter or vitamin A, B12 or D deficiencies due to a diet that lacks appropriate nutrients.

The following are some signs of child malnutrition:
Weight loss
Low muscle mass and low body fat
Bone or joint pain
Inadequate growth
Fragile bones
Mental changes such as anxiety, mood swings, confusion or learning problems
Anemia
Slow wound healing or weakened immune system
Bruise easily
Chronic diarrhea

Bulging stomach that is disproportionate with the rest of the body
Brittle and malformed (spooned) nails
The best way to prevent childhood malnutrition is to consume a diet with a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins such as, beans, chicken, meat, eggs or tofu. Try to limit processed foods, unhealthy snacks, desserts and sugary drinks or soda. It is important to engage in some type of physical activity on a daily basis. In most cases, childhood malnutrition is reversible and treatable.”

https://www.weedemandreap.com/nutritional-deficiencies-kids/

Mama Natural site is excellent

How to Cultivate Self-Directed Play

TV damages a child’s instinct for discovery and self-directed play. Not only is increased TV viewing linked to shorter attention spans, but TV viewing encourages the need and desire to be entertained over interest in discovery and exploration.

Observe and follow your child as they explore their surroundings. You will learn more about which materials she enjoys and which ones she ignores (those can be put away).

Resist the urge to help. Allow your child to struggle a bit. It’s all part of learning. Don’t show them the “right way” to use a material. Let them explore! If you choose materials that are age appropriate then your child will be able to use them without your help anyway. There will be times when you may need to offer some support and that’s ok too.
Don’t interrupt. Children are doing very important work when they are playing. When you let them explore their environment on their own terms they are learning that what they are interested in is worth being interested in.
Trust him. Let him decide what to play with, how to play with it, and for how long. Some days he may focus on one toy for a long time, others he may jump from one toy to another. Both are ok. The important thing is that he learns to follow his inner compass and develop the ability to direct his own play for long periods of time. It will take time and effort but soon you will find that your child is so focused on what she’s doing that you can read a few lines of the newspaper, get dinner started, or just relax… Phew!
What about you?
How do you limit screen time and encourage actual play in your home?

Danger while driving

4 mounth old shot after an apparent roadrage incident"

Man covicted of shoting inside a car wounding a 2 year old in the foot

A significant number of U.S. drivers reported engaging in angry and aggressive behaviors over the past year, according to the study’s estimates:
Purposefully tailgating: 51 percent (104 million drivers)
Yelling at another driver: 47 percent (95 million drivers)
Honking to show annoyance or anger: 45 percent (91 million drivers)
Making angry gestures: 33 percent (67 million drivers)
Trying to block another vehicle from changing lanes: 24 percent (49 million drivers)
Cutting off another vehicle on purpose: 12 percent (24 million drivers)
Getting out of the vehicle to confront another driver: 4 percent (7.6 million drivers)
Bumping or ramming another vehicle on purpose: 3 percent (5.7 million drivers)
Nearly 2 in 3 drivers believe that aggressive driving is a bigger problem today than three years ago, while nine out of ten believe aggressive drivers are a serious threat to their personal safety.
Aggressive driving and road rage varied considerably among drivers:
Male and younger drivers ages 19-39 were significantly more likely to engage in aggressive behaviors. For example, male drivers were more than three times as likely as female drivers to have gotten out of a vehicle to confront another driver or rammed another vehicle on purpose.
Drivers living in the Northeast were significantly more likely to yell, honk or gesture angrily than people living in other parts of the country. For example, drivers in the Northeast were nearly 30 percent more likely to have made an angry gesture than drivers in other parts of the country.
Drivers who reported other unsafe behaviors behind the wheel, such as speeding and running red lights, also were more likely to show aggression. For example, drivers who reported speeding on a freeway in the past month were four times more likely to have cut off another vehicle on purpose.
“It’s completely normal for drivers to experience anger behind the wheel, but we must not let our emotions lead to destructive choices,” said Jake Nelson, AAA’s Director of Traffic Safety Advocacy and Research. “Don’t risk escalating a frustrating situation because you never know what the other driver might do. Maintain a cool head, and focus on reaching your destination safely.”
AAA offers these tips to help prevent road rage:
Don’t Offend: Never cause another driver to change their speed or direction. That means not forcing another driver to use their brakes, or turn the steering wheel in response to something you have done.
Be Tolerant and Forgiving: The other driver may just be having a really bad day. Assume that it’s not personal.
Do Not Respond: Avoid eye contact, don’t make gestures, maintain space around your vehicle and contact 9-1-1 if needed.

Social media and our children

Researchers have found that using social media makes kids less happy in almost every way http://flip.it/ZKI1w3

Family interaction is shared

Relationships are one of the most important aspects of our lives, yet we can often forget just how crucial our connections with other people are for our physical and mental health and wellbeing.

People who are more socially connected to family, friends, or their community are happier, physically healthier and live longer, with fewer mental health problems than people who are less well connected.

It’s not just the number of friends you have, and it’s not whether or not you’re in a committed relationship, but it’s the quality of your close relationships that matters. Living in conflict or within a toxic relationship is more damaging than being alone.

Download the full article here:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/relationships-21st-century-forgotten-foundation-mental-health-and-wellbeing