Slip, Slop, Slap!

Warm and sunny days during this time of year mean children spend more time outdoors than they have in months. Being outside is good for your child. Not only does being outside give your child a chance to strengthen his physical development, but the UVB rays in sunlight help his body make vitamin D. Vitamin D is needed to build strong bones.

Remember: Use sunscreen if your child is over 6 months old to prevent damage to her skin. Children under 6 months of age can be protected from the harmful effects of the sun by staying in the shade or wearing protective clothing and hats.

Slip on a shirt - Slop on some sunscreen - Slap on a hat!

Animals Animals Everywhere

Have you ever noticed all the animals there are on baby things? Clothes, bedding, toys, and books - just to name a few. Baby things are adorned with cute little animals! As you come across these animals, point them out to your infant. Name the animal. Have fun making animal sounds with your child. (See the cow? The cow says "moo.") Ask your older infant to name the animal and make the sound. (What do you see? Yes, it's a duck. The duck says...")

Why? Every time you talk with your baby you are helping to develop her language skills. When you point to and name the animals you see, your baby begins to learn that words identify things. Soon your baby will try making the same sound you make (and other simple sounds too). This may sound like babbling, baby talk, but it's the first step she'll take toward making controlled sounds. Your baby needs to exercise her mouth, tongue, jaws, and voice. She's going to need that exercise because it's only a matter of months before she's talking.

Play Ball!

One of the best things about playing ball with your toddler is that it can be done just about anywhere. And there are so many things your child can do with a ball! It's easy never to play the same game twice. Different sized balls can be used for different things: rolling, throwing, or kicking. When playing indoors, sit on the floor across from your child. Roll a medium or large sized ball to him. Encourage him to roll the ball back. Keep rolling the ball as long as you're having fun together. When you are outside with your child, small and medium sized balls can be tossed or gently thrown. When teaching your child how to catch a ball, choose a large textured ball that he can easily grasp. Kicking the ball back and forth is also a fun way to play.

Why? Playing ball builds your child's motor development. Children must learn how to control their arms, legs, and hands when rolling, tossing, or kicking a ball. These gross-motor, or large muscle, skills build on each other. Play rolling games with a younger child and throwing or kicking games with an older toddler. When your child grasps and throws smaller balls, she's building fine-motor, or small muscle, skills that strengthen her fingers. She's also learning hand-eye coordination. Kicking a ball builds agility and strengthens leg muscles. Your child must balance on one foot and swing the other to make contact with the ball. Helping your child build gross and fine motor skills builds brain connections and helps with later learning.

Make Friends

It is important that preschool age children have the chance to be with other children their own age. For many children this happens in a formal preschool environment. But a preschool classroom isn't the only place your child learns about friends and friendships. You can help your child develop social skills; how to be around other children. Arrange play dates with friends or cousins. Take your child to story time at the library, or attend a child's play group in your community. Help your child learn how to be a good friend. Encourage him to ask another child to play or to share the toy he is playing with. Teach your child how to take turns or how to behave appropriately when she doesn't get her way. And remember - be generous with your praise when your child shows he can be a good friend (I really like that you invited Michael to play in the sandbox with you.)

Why? During the preschool years your child transitions from playing alone (or with you) to playing with others. By playing with others, your child develops the skills needed to make friends and behave appropriately in various situations. These social-emotional skills have been developing since birth, and will take many more years to fully develop. The time you spend guiding your child in these early years will help him to be more successful in school and throughout his life.

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