Do you ever wonder why it is important to eat vegetables and fruits?
Today, MOMmy from Energise Kids is going to share with you about how eating vegetables and fruits are going to help us strengthen our body and improve our general well-being!
via what to expect: Check this out: A children’s library is the perfect place for your pipsqueak to begin her love affair with books. But even if your visit involves swinging by the grown-up section, going to the library with a toddler can have a happy ending (and beginning and middle too).
Your toddler doesn’t need to know how to read to enjoy going to the library, especially if it’s a children’s library, which is designed with her growing mind in mind. You may even get a kick out of a trip to the library with your tot in tow. For one thing, it’s impossible to sit down among the colorful picture books and not snuggle. And a fun day out with the kids could include toddler storytime, where a library staffer reads a great book for toddlers to a group of little guys and gals (that may buy you a few precious moments of peace). Since challenges may arise (toddlers are noisy newbies to quiet libraries), try these tips to fully enjoy going to the library.
via ARTiculations: Do you struggle with talking to children about art? Well – there are definitely challenges but talking to kids about art can also be a really fun and educational experience for everyone. And once you get the hang of it, it’s easy!
Did you know that our body is actually made up by approximately 70 percent of water? Our body needs water in all its cells, organs, and tissues to help regulate its temperature and maintain other important bodily functions. This is because our body can easily lose water through breathing, sweating and digestion. Hence, it’s important to rehydrate by drinking plenty of fluids.
In this video, our Mommy – Emiza from Energise Kids reminds us to drink water regularly and should not drink only when we are thirsty!
Via Better Homes & Gardens: With all the time spent watching television and playing video games, many of today’s children have never experienced the rewards of a hobby.
Not long ago, speaking to a large midwestern audience, I asked, “How many of you, when you were children, had a hobby?” Nearly everyone raised a hand. I then asked them to keep their hands in the air if at least one of their children had a hobby, which I distinguished from organized, adult-directed, after-school activities such as Little League. Most of the hands went down.
Thirty-odd years ago, almost every kid in my neighborhood had some sort of hobby. Collecting and trading baseball cards was a popular pastime (one that’s making a strong comeback today), as were coin and stamp collecting. One of my friends was into photography (he’s now a photographer), another was into building radios (he’s now an electrical engineer).
Hobbies benefit children in numerous ways. Because they are expressions of personal accomplishment and a means of self-discovery, hobbies help build self-esteem.
Hobbies are educational tools, as well. For example, a child who becomes interested in rocketry — one of the most popular hobbies, by the way — learns about propulsion and aerodynamics. By working on hobbies, children learn to set goals, make decisions, and solve all sorts of problems. Finally, hobbies often mature into lifelong interests, even careers.
How to Find a Hobby for Your Child
If all of that sounds good, and you’d like to help your child develop and sustain a hobby interest, try these suggestions:
Set a good example. Scott Harris, a hobby shop buyer and hobby workshop leader in Gastonia, North Carolina, finds that children with hobbies tend to have parents with hobbies.
Be prepared to sacrifice space. Your child will need work space for his or her hobby projects. Designate a particular room, a corner of the basement, part of the garage, or similar area. Regardless of where you set up the space, your child should be able to walk away from the hobby and come back to it later. The work space should also allow for plenty of paint spills, scratches, and other hobby-related accidents — the inevitable by-products of creative activity.
Provide some guidance. “Nothing will kill a child’s enthusiasm for a hobby quicker than lots of frustration during the learning stage,” cautions hobby expert Harris. Help your child get off to a good start by demonstrating how to closely follow a set of directions, and how to handle sometimes-delicate hobby materials with proper care.
Limit television watching. Since 1955, when it became a fixture in America’s households, television has come to dominate the spare time of the American child. By age 15, the average child has spent more time watching television than sitting in a classroom. Let’s face it, it’s impossible to work on a hobby and watch TV (or play video games) at the same time.
For want of spare time, a hobby may never develop. But find a hobby, and a talent may be born, a life enriched.
via firstcryparenting: A woman’s diet during pregnancy is of utmost importance as it not only gives energy to the mother but also the baby. As it is the only source of nourishment for the growing foetus, the diet of a woman needs to be well balanced. Care should be taken to include only those items that will not harm the mother and the baby.
Is Eating Spicy Food Safe During Pregnancy
Spicy food does not affect the baby or the pregnancy. However, consuming more spicy food than what your body can bear, creates digestion, acidity and heartburn related problems.
Spicy Food During First Trimester
Consuming spicy food in the first trimester is safe and does not affect the development of the baby. The risk of early pregnancy loss is high in the first trimester, and this worries expecting mothers about side effects of consuming spicy food.
Spicy Food During Second & Third Trimester
Consumption of spicy food during second & third trimester increases the chances of experiencing heartburn and acid reflux. In the third trimester, the growing foetus causes stomach acids to revert to the oesophagus and eating spicy foods could aggravate this condition.
How Much Of Spicy Is Good?
As long as your body can digest all those spices, it is safe to consume spicy food in limited quantities. Avoid eating spicy food outside. Instead, buy fresh spices and grind these spices at home.
What Are The Risks & Side Effects Of Eating Spicy Food?
Eating spicy food can cause digestion problems leading to discomfort in a pregnant woman. Listed below are the risks and side effects of eating spicy food during pregnancy:
If you decide to eat spicy food, pair it with a glass of milk to minimize heartburn. Honey can also help to prevent heartburn after eating a spicy dish.
Myths About Eating Spicy Food When Pregnant
There are myths attached to eating spicy food during pregnancy. Myths without any scientific backing include:
Alternatives To Spicy Foods
You can try different cuisines and dishes which are naturally spicy and tangy. Limit consumption of spicy food to moderate levels to avoid heartburn and digestion problems.
Tips To Take Spicy Food In Right Manner
To make sure that you are not adversely affected by the dangers of spicy food, you must consume them in a proper manner.
How Can You Include Spicy Food In Your Diet?
You should be cautious and selective while consuming spicy food during pregnancy. Some of the spicy food items that can be included in your diet are as follows:
Spicy Pickles: Available at any convenient store, small amounts of these pickles alongside your food is safe and can satiate your craving for spices.
Pepper: One can try out pepper based soups whenever you have a cold due to low immunity. The anti-bacterial properties of pepper along with its spicy effect make it an ideal spice during pregnancy.
via The New Age Parents: As a species, we require human touch to survive and thrive. Our skin is the largest organ and physical contact distinguishes us from other animals. For young babies, the role of affectionate touch is even more important as it has a direct impact on their physical and psychological development. The benefits of human touch extend through to childhood, and can impact a child’s cognitive and emotional development.
Our children need our affection – in big bear hugs and passing ruffles of the hair, in sought-after treasures wrapped in pretty paper and time spent playing “horsies” around the house. In Gary Chapman’s book “The five love languages of children”, he describes five ways a parent can show a child love – words of affirmation, time, acts of service, gifts and physical touch.
In a predominantly Asian society like ours, we do not readily show affection to the ones we love, especially in public. We are generally a lot less expressive than our Western counterparts, even when it comes to our own family. Very likely, our own parents were not models of physical affection and did not hug us or say “I love you” a whole lot during our growing up years.
Yet research clearly indicates that children thrive in environments where they not only know they are loved – they feel it as well.
The power of hugs cannot be underestimated. Dr Natalie Epton, Specialist Paediatrician and Neonatologist explains, “Hugging your baby has numerous benefits, including better-regulated breathing and heart rate, temperature and blood sugar levels, as well as initiating breastfeeding earlier and sustaining it for longer. Studies on premature babies show that the practice of ‘kangaroo care’ (cuddling the baby skin-on-skin) improves weight gain, reduces breathing complications and is associated with earlier hospital discharge.”
Here are 10 reasons that we hope will compel you to hug your children at least once every single day!
1. Hugging helps our children feel safe & secure
Children need the loving affection of their parents to feel emotionally secure, and to know that they are unconditionally accepted into the family. The physical intimacy of a hug builds trust and a deep sense of safety in our children, which frees them up to enjoy the world around them. This security also increases their openness to learn new things and paves the way for open and honest communication.
2. Hugging helps our children to have a healthy self-esteem
Our love and care give our children a strong foundation of self-confidence that helps them to view themselves positively and to try new things, knowing that our love for them is unchanging. We can boost our child’s confidence tremendously with a simple hug, empowering him to fully engage with the world out there. We can see ourselves as a “home-base” for our child to return to every time he needs a refuge from the “real world” – and recognize that he will need this, need us, less and less as he grows and matures.
3. Hugging lets them know we understand how they feel
Young children, and even older ones, may find it hard to express how they are feeling. Babies can often be frightened by anything that is new or different, even if there is no real danger. Instead of laughing it off, or telling them “Don’t be silly!”, offering them a hug can be the best way to assure them that their feelings matter, and that they can trust you to give them the comfort they need.
4. Hugging helps our children to take discipline better
When our children misbehave, our gut instinct is normally to give them a smack, not a hug. However, hugs can create a reassuring atmosphere that is more conducive for that firm talk with your child. A hug says “I will always love you, but I need to talk to you about your behavior.” Children are more willing to listen to what you have to say or expect when they feel better, so encourage them with a hug, and you just might notice their behavior improving!
5. Hugging makes our children feel happy
Did you know, that a long hug can lift a person’s serotonin levels, elevating his mood and creating happiness? Our hugs are the antidote for feelings of loneliness, isolation and anger, which our children may encounter. Let’s not be so quick to let go!
6. Hugging strengthens the immune system
Yes, it’s medically proven that hugging is great for boosting immunity. The gentle pressure on the sternum and the emotional charge this creates stimulates the thymus gland, which regulates and balances the body’s production of white blood cells, and this, in turn, helps to keep you healthy and disease free
7. Hugging reduces stress
It’s also medically proven that children with more skin-to-skin contact with their parents from birth have lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. This is why parents of premature infants are often encouraged to spend time holding their offspring in the hospital intensive care unit, as it is shown to help boost these babies’ vital signs.
8. Hugging relaxes muscles
When we hug, we can feel the tension in ourselves and in the other person literally melt away. Hugs may not be able to take away our emotional pain, but they can definitely help to alleviate it; hugs tangibly soothe body aches by increasing circulation into the soft tissues.
9. Hugging teaches our children how to give and receive
Sometimes, our children might not want to be hugged. Don’t force them to reciprocate, but don’t give up hugging them either! Our children learn not just the warmth of receiving a hug, they will begin to understand the need to show love to others by giving hugs of their own too. Hugs educate our children on how love is a two-way street.
10. Hugging helps us and our children get connected to how we are feeling on the inside
When we hug our children, time stops for that moment. A hug allows us to let go and be completely present in that moment; it us connect to how we are feeling, emotionally and physiologically. And with that awareness, it helps us to empathize with each other a little better.
Have you hugged your child today? We hope this article will encourage you to make big bear hugs a daily affair for your household!
In fact, why wait? Go give your child a hug right now!
No matter where we go, it is almost certain that there are going to be some annoying people lurking around. In schools, it is definitely no surprise as well that there are some types of students that are downright annoying!
So, in this video, the kids from Energise Kids, namely Ayra Maya & Elayna Dzaira, are going to share with you today a few types of annoying student that they have come across in schools.
via Firstcry Parenting: A decade ago, no one was familiar with green tea but to this day, Green tea has found a permanent place in every kitchen in our country. Green tea has many health benefits but if you are wondering if green tea is good for children and whether or not you can add it to their diet, here’s everything you need to know.
What is Green Tea?
Green tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the world and is made from unoxidized (unfermented) leaves found mainly in Japan and China. It’s laden with several antioxidants and heart-healthy nutrients, thus having a powerful effect on the body which makes it one of the healthiest drinks.
Can Children Have Green Tea?
Whether or not green tea can be given to children depends on their reaction to the caffeine content in it. If your child exhibits hyperactivity and wears out too quickly to the brink of exhaustion, then it’s a good idea to not give teas of any kind at all, including green tea. Other telltale signs of whether green tea is suitable or not for your kids are insomnia, lack of focus, and short attention span. If your child doesn’t crash after sipping on a little green tea, then you can give it to him.
Benefits of Drinking Green Tea for Children
The following are the benefits of drinking green tea for toddlers and children-
1. Good Oral Health
Children who drink green tea are less likely to experience cavities or any form of tooth decay. ‘Catechins’ contained in green tea fight against cavity-causing bacteria and sulfur compounds which cause bad breath.
2. Fights Against Flu
Green tea has antiviral properties which fight against infections like the flu. It is reportedly an amazing detox drink for kids and drinking one to five cups a day is recommended. No additional benefits are found in those who drink more than five cups of green tea a day.
3. Prevents Clogged Arteries
Green tea is highly beneficial for cardiovascular health since it prevents arteries from clogging up, keeping the blood flowing and heart pumping. And the result is regulated blood pressure.
4. High in Antioxidants
Antioxidants are known to prevent oxidative stress, fight against free radicals and prevent the formation of cancers and various diseases by boosting immunity. Green tea improves cognitive health and prevents Parkinson’s disease as well.
5. Improves Bone Density
Want your kids to have healthy bones? Science says that regular intake of green tea over a prolonged period has been shown to improve bone density and prevent osteoporosis in later ages.
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Side Effects of Giving Green Tea to Kids
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows when it is about giving green tea to kids. Green tea has its share of side effects, particularly for those who are sensitive to caffeine and have an underdeveloped immune system. The following are its side effects:
1. Hyper Activity
Your kid will literally prance around from corner to corner till he drops due to exhaustion. For kids who are sensitive to even the tiniest amount of caffeine, this is what happens.
2. Short Attention Span
Hyperactivity and lack of focus go hand-in-hand. Don’t expect your child to sit down and listen to a lecture for 10 minutes if you’re giving him green tea.
3. Insomnia
Children have developing metabolism and it processes caffeine and sugar too fast. This is also another reason to avoid green tea as it will keep them awake in the middle of the night, therefore it’s not a good idea to give them green tea. Caffeine may also affect a child’s various bodily processes.
4. Acidity
Green tea also contains caffeine in small amounts which may cause acidity. This can even lead to issues like stomach pain and even nausea.
5. Anaemia
This is a condition when the blood doesn’t have enough iron. This is because green tea has tannin which reduces the ability of the body to absorb iron from iron-rich sources.
6. Vomiting
Taking green tea in excess of 400mg per day or on an empty stomach may lead to vomiting.
7. High Blood Pressure
If the green tea being consumed has high caffeine content, then your blood pressure is likely to spike due to the high-absorption rate of flavonoids.
Whether or not you should give green tea to your kids will depend on their age. Think about their age, nutrition, and activity levels before giving green tea to them. You could always try experimenting but it’s always best to ask a paediatrician before you take matters into your own hands especially when their nutrition is concerned. Drinking green tea occasionally won’t hurt and if your kids stay healthy and seem fine (without showing any signs of the reported side effects), then they can keep drinking it.
