Free Development Information

Have you ever visited the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Website (CDC)?  I had no idea that this was such a great tool for parents and educators.  It is a very comprehensive website so here is a link that will take you to a spot you might enjoy.
The following is the path:
Go to www.cdc.gov
Click on Life Stages and Populations
The next page lets you click on the stage you are interested in.  I clicked on Parents
Then it has four sections: Pregnancy, Infant & Toddlers, Children, Teens.
Within the Infant and Toddlers section they have each ages developmental milestones, Growth charts, immunization schedules and more.
There is a section of free materials that could be helpful.  You can place a free order to be sent by mail or most of the materials can be downloaded onto your computer.  There is also whole section of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention materials.
Just to keep in mind when you are looking at developmental milestones is every child is different in how they develop.  These milestones are given only as a guide.  Do not panic if your child hasn't hit every milestone perfectly to the book.  If you are concerned that your child is not developing in an area where most of the children his or her age, talk to your pediatrician about the delay.  Your doctor can assess the situation and give you some guidance.  Slipping backwards in almost any developmental area is of major concern and should be discussed immediately with your primary care giver. Children may exhibit regressive behavior due to any major change such as divorce, illness, death, abuse, or neglect.
 The best help you can give your child with a delay is early evaluation and treatment. Besides help from your pediatrician you may want to look to other help such as the "Up to 3" program at Utah State University.  Once they are three the school districts can help provide services to developmental delays.    

A Child's Creative Dream-Land-Summerfest

Our kids went to Summerfest with me today and had such a great time.  We started out by looking at all the amazing artwork on display and for sale.  We enjoyed a fun lunch listening to the live music.  Then we made our way to the art for kids.  We spent about an hour and a half making a variety of art projects.  The cost is $3 per kid and this was well worth the cost.  If your kids are over three you could leave them there with the staff and peruse the art vendors while they create.  They made visors, wind socks, cards for Dad's for father's day, cereal necklaces, played with homemade bubbles, make huge art pieces on easels, made slap bracelets, and more.  I have a 9 year old, 7, 4 and 2 year old and they all loved it and were sad when it was time to go.  So if you need a fun activity to do tomorrow with the family make it over to the Logan Tabernacle and visit Summerfest for it's final day.

Using your Senses!

The summer is a great time to explore with your child all of their five senses (hearing, seeing, smelling, taste, tactile (touch).   Fueling curiosity is a big benefit of sensory play but other skills and learning is an added bonus like:  Using Fine Motor skills and eye-hand coordination, creativity, social skills such as sharing and cooperation, and self-control and confidence.

Here is some ideas in which to involve your preschooler in sensory play:
1.  Potting or garden soil.--Let them help you in the garden.  I was at Lowe's the other day and they have tons of children's first garden kits, gloves, tools that lets them be a part of the family garden.

2.  Play in the Sand-- Messy?  Oh Ya but the kids love making creations in the sand.  Add some sea shells, molds, cars and shovels to add to their creativity.  If you can't stand the mess of sand you can always fill a bucket with dried beans, rice, or oatmeal.  Provide scoops and pouring toys.  You can bury toys for your child to find

3.  Cotton balls--  On a hot day you can have pretend snow and play with cotton balls

4.  Shaving cream, or Ready Whip--Put on a cookie sheet or unbreakable mirror and let them create letters, or draw their face.

5.   Ice Cubes-- Take them outside with a bunch of buckets, scoops and sunglasses.  What a riot

6.  Water-- Endless possibilities with a bucket of water, spray bottles, and cups for pouring.  Experiment with things that float and things that don't.  Make paper boats to float in the river.

7.  Scavenger Hunt--  This is a really fun thing to do at a park, or while your camping.  You could do a sound or smell scavenger hunt, a tactile scavenger hunt, where you give them paper and crayons and they find interesting surfaces to rub onto paper.

8.  I'm out of ideas for now, Anyone have something to add, please add it to the comments and have fun with helping your child explore all their senses this summer.

Music Train Open House

To introduce the new Music Train Preschool I will be having my first annual Open House!
For:  Anyone interested in learning more about the Music Train Preschool
Date:  Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Time:  6-8 pm
Location:  Overly Home (e-mail me for address and directions)

Come enjoy some sweet treats, an art/craft for your child to do, and time to visit and ask questions.
If you are already registered come and meet the other students in your child's class.