Dana’s Kids Blog

Recently, many articles have surfaced on the web concerning the visuals and message the Disney princesses and their stories present. (I’ve included links to a few below.)  Peggy Orenstein has written 4 books and numerous articles about women and girls coming of age.  Her most recent, Cinderella At My Daughter, considers what “girlie-girl” culture may be doing to our daughters.  I haven’t read Ms. Orenstein’s books yet, so I can’t anticipate how they’ll influence my opinion.

What I can say is that media always has, and always will, have an effect on children and all those who consume it.  I don’t believe that any one person can say how it will impact an individual child, but studies are certainly worth reading.  First and foremost, I would remind parents that the way they model how to approach a variety of experiences, materials and interactions, is perhaps the biggest influence on their children.  I would add that it is a parent’s responsibility to expose their children to the vast opportunities and experiences that are available in our world.  As an educator, I believe it is incredibly important for parents to follow their children’s lead.  Most interests can be parlayed into multiple learning areas that benefit a child.  Rather than forbidding your children from watching these “princesses,” why not talk to them about the aspects that are fairytales and the parts whose values and morals you believe in.  I encourage parents to have trucks, baby dolls, heroes and heroines, available for all young children, boy or girl.  The way we play and behave, the quantity of time, the quality of the experience and the involvement of a treasured adult, will undoubtedly send our sons and daughters a most powerful message.  I’ll get back to you after I’ve read the book…

Some of the articles available on the web:

http://blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/2011/05/13/cinderella-sleeping-beauty-and-their-princess-pals-get-sexier-by-the-day/

http://www.childup.com/blog/is-disney-or-bad-parenting-to-blame-for-the-princess-phenomenon

http://www.thenation.com/article/bonfire-disney-princesses

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/24/magazine/24princess.t.html

I recently came across an incredibly supportive group for parents of children with sensory processing disorder.   On the website, The SPD Blogger Network explains its purpose:

“This group blog is designed for those writting – or those who want to write – about raising a child with Sensory Processing Disorder or sensory issues (that often are comorbid to other diagnoses like Autism, Aspergers, PDD-NOS, Bipolar, ADHD, ADD, Cerebral Palsy, OCD, NVLD, CAPD, Apraxia of Speech, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Anxiety, Gifted and many others). This is a place to share stories. All of our stories. Share your potty training nightmares, sleeping challenges, new friends, occupational therapy success, picky picky eating (or none at all), social skills challenges, meltdowns at the grocery store, first words (even if your child is 3!), sensory diet victories and the every day chaos (and joy) that is raising a child with Sensory Processing Disorder. Here is a place for you to write it all down. Join us!”

After reading many of the inspiring and helpful posts I contacted the founder, Hartley Steiner, to find out more about the origins of the site.  Hartley has an incredible story that is worth reading.  The site also gives you the option of signing up for their monthly newsletter, for which I recently wrote an article.  Children with sensory processing disorder (and related issues) frequently have social challenges as well.   My article discusses the top 3 social skills (and activities to support them) children should  work on before entering mainstream kindergarten.  As I was writing, I noted that these were skills I hoped all children would have by the time they were beginning kindergarten.  So whether you are the parent of a child with special needs or a typically developing child, take a look.  To read the article go to www.spdbloggernetwork.com and sign up for their newsletter.

…Straw Cup! According to speech therapists, straw cups promote more mature oral motor development. Sippy cups encourage children to rest their tongues on the under side of the spout, which can cause what is called “tongue thrust.” Tongue thrust can lead to articulation issues. Straw cups on the other hand promote lip closure, tongue and cheek strength and better oral control and coordination. One of my favorite straw cups for infants is the new Playtex Lil’ Gripper Straw Trainer. This terrific, sturdy, leak-proof cup has a specially-designed spot where a parent can squeeze to bring liquid up in the straw. Rest assured a child can not easily squeeze the cup, but the ability to raise the liquid level in the straw allows children to quickly learn this new skill. So there you have it….go with the straw cup!

Check out the Events Page for more information on my upcoming teleclass for Babybites.com. The topic is “Easing Separation at Camp and Beyond!”

Whenever I hear about a terrific opportunity for young children, I like to pass along the information.  There’s a wonderful new program in NYC that encourages a love of learning and books.  The NYC Imagination Library is an initiative of the NYC Dept. of Education. The goal is to promote the development of emergent literacy and language skills that are important for every child’s success in school by encouraging all NYC parents to read aloud to their children from birth until age five.

Parents can enroll their preschool child (age 0 to 5 yrs) in the NYC Imagination Library and a new, carefully selected, age-appropriate book will be mailed each month in the child’s name directly to the family’s home.  Books will begin arriving six to eight weeks after a registration form has been received, and will continue every month until the child turns five.  You can enroll your child at: www.nycimaginationlibrary.org.  Children are eligible for this program as long as they live within the five boroughs of NYC.

As I navigated the site, which is currently under construction, I was linked to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.  Turns out Dolly Parton started this program in her home town and is now helping to replicate it across the country.  If you go to her website you can check to see if there is an affiliate it your town.  If the program is not currently available to you, the site has information for getting it up and running.  Early childhood is the time to encourage language development and instill a love of literacy and learning!

For most children, farm animals are a standard toy chest item.  Two of my favorites are Soft Touch Baby Farm Animals and Aurora My Barnyard Friends Carrier with Sounds.  For a barn and animal set, the Fisher Price Little People Animal Sounds Farm is a favorite!  The problem is, one can only play with animals on the farm for so long.  Today’s “Plan to Play,” shakes up the routine.  As children are learning animals and animal sounds and expanding their dramatic play skills, why not give the animals a ride on a bus or in a car.  This is a great game for children with special needs who play repetitively with the same materials in the same way.

What You’ll Need:

-Farm animals

-Car, bus, or other vehicle with room for the animals

The Plan:

Children who have not yet played with animals on the farm should be supported as they explore that scenario first.  Those who are familiar with the animals that live on the farm can begin this “plan to play” by investigating the animals.  Remember that children should be encouraged to lead the play whenever possible, but modeling new ways to play with familiar materials expands your children’s creativity and skills.  You might start by saying to your child “I wonder what would happen if the animals left the farm.  Do you think they could go for a ride on the bus/in the car/on the train?”  Many children will take the lead at this point and respond both verbally and by manipulating the animals to reflect your suggestions.  For children who don’t, you could follow up with “My horse is going to have a turn riding the bus.”  To the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus” try singing:  The horse on the bus says neigh, neigh, neigh.  Neigh, neigh, neigh.  Neigh, neigh, neigh.  The horse on the bus says neigh, neigh, neigh.  Al through the town.  Continue this with the other animals and see what your child does.  Math and problem solving skills can be incorporated by asking your child how many animals he or she thinks might fit in the vehicle.  Have fun with it!  Let other figurines take their turns as well.  Young children will understand and enjoy the humor in animals going for rides in vehicles meant for people. 

(Note: You can extend this play with children 3 and older by asking where the animals might be going and what they are going to do there.)

Check out my article for Babybites.com on choosing a parent support group.

http://www.babybites.com/05/04/support-groups/

Whether talking about his life or death, I struggle with giving this man more than his 15 minutes of fame.  To be sure, in my opinion, he didn’t even deserve that much.  Many people have strong feelings about last night’s events.  Many will be discussing them today and for days to come.  When doing so, please remember that little people have big ears.  We can discuss, in general terms, children’s developmental readiness for certain types of information.   But I don’t think any one person can tell another how much to tell or if they should be talking to their children about terrorism and the world at large. 

I can tell you for certain that children hear more than your words.  They see your actions and feel your emotions.  And children learn what they live.  Keep that in mind when you decide what to share and how.  Keep that in mind when talking to friends and family.  Make sure you are presenting the message you intend to in your language and your behavior.  The future of our world is encompassed in that little person next to you.

After sitting down with another parent who felt self-conscious and unsure of how to play with her child, I had a thought:  Playing doesn’t come naturally to every grown up and that’s okay.  Why not use the Dana’s Kids blog to give parents a “Plan to Play?”  I want to be clear that feeling “unable” to play is a concern I hear from both parents with typically-developing children and parents of children with special needs.  Everyone can benefit from a “plan to play!”

The “Plan to Play” series of posts will give you play scenarios, storylines, and ideas, to use with your child.  You’ll read about materials and modifications for different age groups, and ways to help your child take his or her play to the next level.  These ideas can be shared with family members and caregivers, as well.  Imaginative play supports all areas of a child’s development.  Dramatic play will enhance your child’s vocabulary and language skills, enrich gross and fine motor development, expand their understanding of cognitive, math, and science concepts,  and improve their social skills and emotional awareness.  I hope you’ll find the information in these posts empowering and that you’ll “plan to play” with your child!

Dana’s Kids

empowered parents, happy families.

All children love seeing themselves and the important people in their lives in photographs.  For babies, photo albums can be used to support language development, recognition of their loved ones and caregivers, and are a great transition object for day care.  Toddlers enjoy labeling all of the people and things they know.  For twos and threes, photographs help with separation at school and camp, they can be used for setting up schedules (children at this age thrive on routine), and can teach children about flexibility.  Threes and older love recalling events like trips to the farm, Halloween, and visiting family and friends that live far away.  A series of photographs can be used for sequencing activities and promote telling stories with a beginning, middle, and end.  Photo albums are a terrific tool for helping children through moves from one house to another, can ease the anxiety and unpredictability that may arise during divorce or separation, and are great for children with special needs.  Give it a try!  Thinking about using photos or a photo album with your child and not sure how to proceed? Get in touch: Dana@DanasKids.com