The Power of Lullabies for Children
I have often written about this, blogged about this and read about this…Lullaby music is said to have a profound effect on babies and children. It has been proven that lullaby music can make your child smarter, sooth them during stressful moments and comfort them in their times of need.
That is one of the reasons that Kidz Comfort decided to begin offering lullaby music CDs to our customers. After all, shouldn’t it be a part of every child’s bedtime routine?
But, don’t take my word for it. Parenthood.com has a great article supporting these beliefs. It doesn’t have to be a music CD though. What is comforting to your child is often just the sound of your voice. So, if you want to comfort your child, sing a little song. As a backup plan, it is great to have a lullaby CD available.
Read my previous post on the great impact lullaby music can have on your child….FULL STORY
Thanks and Sleep Well!
raelynn @ Kidz Comfort
Crib to Bed Transition: Making it Safe & Smooth
As a Mother, I am quite aware of all the stressful milestones that take place during the toddler and pre-school years. One of these stressful times happens to be transitioning from a crib to a big boy or girl bed. There are several tips and tricks that you can use to make this transition go smoothly and safely for both you and your child.
It can sometimes be difficult to determine when your child is ready to leave the crib. With this decision it is important that you follow the child’s lead. A sure sign is if your child can actually climb out of their crib. This can pose the risk for injury to your child. At young ages, children often do not have the coordination and stability to climb safely, not to mention the risk of falling several feet to the floor.
Children usually transition from their crib to a bed between the ages of 18 months and 36 months according to experts. If they are not climbing out of the crib yet, there is no need to rush it. Dr. Laura Jana, a general pediatrician in Denver, Colorado, and one of Dr. Spock’s experts says “there is no definitive answer to the question of when a child should be switched from a crib to a bed. Each family’s situation is different, and in many ways this issue really boils down to a matter of opinion.” One thing to consider is that the longer a child stays in a crib, the more attached they may become to it and transitioning to a bed may be more difficult.
There are a variety of things that you can try to make it easier on everyone involved. Once you’ve determined that it is time to abandon the crib, set a time-frame for the transition period. The reason for doing this is that it is often easier for the child if they see a bed set up in their room for a couple days while they continue to go to sleep in their own crib. This allows them to mentally adjust to it.
The type of bed that you transition them into is strictly a personal preference. Many choose to place a mattress on the floor initially so that there aren’t any accidental falls from the bed that are from too high up. There are thousands of different styles of beds available today from toddler beds to twin beds and larger. You can find themed beds, beds shaped like cars, canopy beds, etc…The list is endless. Keep in mind that the fancier the bed, the more costly it will probably be, also considering how many years they will be in this particular bed.
Allow them to help create their own space. Take them shopping for the bedding and accessories. Let them choose one special item that they can sleep with each night such as a new teddy bear or other soft cuddly item. Toddler size pillows are usually a better and safer choice than standard size pillows as they are more proportionate to the child’s smaller body. These ideas will comfort them while they try to adjust to their new sleeping arrangement.
Again, safety is always a priority. Be sure to have a means for keeping your child from falling out of the bed such as a bed rail. If the child’s bedside is up against a wall, another great safety item is the Bed Bumper for Big Kids. This will help to prevent nighttime bumps and boo-boos while your child tosses and turns in their sleep, creating a barrier between your child and their wall.
Gradually begin to let them nap in the new bed during the day if they are still taking naps. This is also a great way to actually be awake while they “react” to their new sleeping quarters. After several successful naps, begin getting excited with them about how big they are now. Let them help you disassemble the crib and remove it from the bedroom. Make the whole experience exciting and happy.
To prevent wandering around the house, a gate can be used to segregate them from the rest of the house, either by putting it in their doorway or by putting it in a hallway so that they can only access your room or their own room. Be sure that all precautions are taken with regards to child proofing your home.
It is very important that you are patient and give it time. If you are relaxed and loving during the whole process, your child will do fine and you will all sleep very well.
To sum it all up:
• The bedroom and home should be completely child proofed.
• Make their sleep area fun and interesting, allowing them to choose some décor.
• Make sure there are comforting items in the room; nightlights, stuffed animals.
• Reasonable transition period with new bed in room while child is still in crib.
• Start by having them sleep in the new bed during nap times.
• Be sure to segregate them from other areas of home by use of gate.
• Give it time.
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Rae Lynn Glispin is owner of Kidz Comfort, offering great sleep solutions for children and encouraging a calm and soothing bedtime routine. First to create the Bed Bumper for Big Kids, she expanded her product line to include comforting and stylish items for every child. Visit http://www.kidzcomfort.com for more information. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rae_Glispin |
Kid-Safe Chemicals Act
We often hear news clips or read articles about the dangers of exposing our children to a variety of products due to their chemical make-up. We’ve also seen news clips and articles about the food we eat and the pesticides that can cover our fruits and vegetables, not to mention the foods that we buy that are made using many chemicals for a variety of reasons: to thicken, to thin out, to color, to stay fresh, etc… What about the water we drink? What about the air we breathe. The list is almost endless.
You will be shocked to see this video. It is almost hard to comprehend. The Kid-Safe Chemicals Act will change the current, and very lenient, regulations for new chemicals that are used in our environment, in our food and in our personal care products. An overhaul of our nation’s chemical regulatory law is CRITICAL.
See the facts about babies that are being born pre-polluted with as many as 300 industrial chemicals in their bodies when they enter the world. It is frightening…
How to Choose Books For Children
By Heidi Rosenberg
When purchasing books for the lovely children in our lives the highest priority should be to seek out books with meaningful content. Try to avoid poor quality and commercialism.
Go back in time when my generation (children of the 70’s) and older were growing up. Almost all the books were good quality books, with great content. I am sure you still remember some to this day. In the 80’s two things happened, big publishing houses and mass retailers! Because of this profit margins became the driving force for the production of books. All of a sudden books became based on TV cartoons, video games and general commercialism.
So getting back to the question, how do you choose good quality books for children when there are so many books out there?
1. Seek out books that you remember from your childhood. (House that Jack built, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Hen, Three Billy Goats Gruff and many more)
2. Look for new books that will build on important values for your family. There are lots of new great books out there.
3. Avoid books that will take the child back to the television or computer.
4. Give your child good quality books.
5. Read to your child and enjoy good quality time together. Books with music CDs are a great way to enjoy a story (you should see our house when my 3 year old has her playgroup, its so much fun)
Barefoot Books, a small independent company that started in 1993 by two working mothers, Nancy Traversy and Tessa Strickland has the vision and goals to publish and share books, gifts and arts that promote children’s love for learning, independence of the spirit, multiculturalism and protection of the environment. Barefoot Books products include award-winning books, music cds and colorful artworks that appeal to children and all children at heart.
About the Author
Written by Heidi Rosenberg I became an independent stallholder for Barefoot Books in September 2008. I have two young children and we love reading together. Being an independent stallholder has given me the opportunity to stay home with my children but still earn a little bit of spending money. We love the books; they have such great artwork and fantastic stories and many of the books have facts for the reader in the back.
My Website
Barefoot Childrens books Winter sale ends Feb 2nd
Lullaby Music and the Benefits of Music to a Child
One of the most enjoyable ways to prepare a child for sleep is to play soft and pleasant music, such as lullaby music. It can be a great part of a child’s bedtime routine. It will turn into something that your child will look forward to, allow them to decompress from their day and have a little calm and quiet time to help them get drowsy.
While actually calming a child’s mind and relaxing their body, lullaby music has some pretty profound benefits. Soothing lullaby music has been proven to affect the deepest structures of the human brain. Would you believe it has been said to make your child smarter? Music can help with a child’s mental development, coordination, math skills, social skills, memory, creativity and the list goes on and on.
Music has become a science. It has many healing and biological powers and is often used in some forms of therapy…yes, music therapy. It is often used in many settings including some children’s hospital settings to help sick children actually feel better. It has been shown to aid in the healing process. It has even been found to engage autistic children in play with others, bridging a gap.
Music is found to be very effective for babies who are obviously in a stressful environment for the first few months. Imagine going from a warm, quiet and dark place having only been hearing primarily your Mom’s voice for nine months, and then going into a new world rather suddenly where it is bright, cold and often far too noisy. Lullaby music is a stress reducer and it has been replicated in a number of studies that music can take an agitated baby or child with thrashing arms and, when the soothing lullaby music is played, they go into a more restful and calm state, often falling into a restful sleep.
At the least, there is NO down side to playing your child soothing lullaby music as they prepare for bed. After all, the bedtime routine can be one of the most frustrating times of the day for a parent. Why not make it easier for yourself and your child. Bedtime routines can be enjoyable. Add a little lullaby music today.
Sleep Well!
raelynn @ Kidz Comfort
Reading to your kids has many benefits
There are so many ways to get your kids ready for bed. Part of that routine should be a great bedtime story. What better way is there to calm them down and to help the sleepiness set in. Curl up with your child in their bed and let them choose their favorite book. Children find great comfort in repetition so don’t think they are ever getting bored with a certain story.
It is a fact that reading to your child for at least 15 minutes each day will have a profound affect on your child and your family relationship. Not only do the long-term benefits make reading a great idea, but this is one of the best times of the day to bond with your child. Adults who read to their children set a great example. Children that read often turn into adults that want to read as well.
Mommy reading bedtime story to child
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