KidsTeensAbout

Does your kid not love to play with toys? Doesn’t he/she demand the latest toys every now and then? Parents can go toy shopping at any time of the year. Surprise your kid with his/her favourite toy without any notice and see the smile and happiness that comes on the face.

Shopping for toys is not an easy task as there are many different kinds of toys for kids at each age. Toys should be age appropriate. Would you buy a scrabble for 2 years old? Read on why is it essential to buy age appropriate toys for kids…

0-12 Months – Well, a newborn especially for first 3 months will just observe it’s surrounding like bright bold coloured patterns. When your infant starts to play with toys, give toys that engage all his/her senses and promote interaction in many ways. Best bets for toys in this age group are rattles, teething toys, colourful play rings, floor gyms, etc.

1 – 2 years – Well, at this age, the baby will love to play with toys that respond to his / her actions. Say like hitting the ball with the hammer, pressing the buttons to play music or characters that talk. Engage your child with toys like nesting boxes, stacking rings, push/pull noisy toys, and shape sorters.

2 – 3 years – A growing kid’s playtime has to become more purposeful. Your kid will pretend play, complete a puzzle or build blocks to make a building, etc. You can also teach your kid to ride a tricycle. Toy telephone, tea party set or kitchen set, tricycles, construction toys or a large train or car with horn or whistle.

4- 5 Years – The crucial age where learning ability is tremendous for kids, thereby making it a best time to introduce interactive education toys that teach various skills. Buy toys, which teaches positive things. Introduce your child to interactive phonics toys, art supplies or craft kits, big construction sets or puzzles, and bicycles with training wheels.

In young years, kids will develop their own interests by learning from parents, teachers, and peers. So it is best for a growing kid to play with toys that gives them a sense of mastery and competence.

Share This

Bedwetting is a common problem for many toddlers. Though children are trained for “pee” and “poo-poo” by the age of three - four, bedwetting continues to happen many kids.

Why does bedwetting happen? Bedwetting happens as a child is having small bladder capacity, which means it cannot hold much urine, not telling when he/she wants to go for a pee or during stressful times.

Some kids mature out of this bedwetting problem, while it continues for some kids till many years. To increase number of dry nights and less of bedwetting, here are few suggestions:

Tell your child that this is normal for kids for their age. It is not his/her fault and he / she is not doing it on purpose.

Do not punish your child for wetting his / her bed. Inform other family members not to tease your child about it.

Do not allow your child to drink water or any liquid in large doses near bedtime.

Make it a habit for your child to use the toilet just before going to bed.

Put a plastic sheet in between covers or cover and mattress, lest your child passes urine in the night.

If your child is willing to help clean the soiled sheets, let him / her help. Your child will feel better knowing that he / she has helped out.

Get your child to do bladder-stretching exercises. With these exercises, your child learns how to increase the time between urinating during daytime. This will help him / her to hold more urine at a stretch at night.

If your child continues wetting at night, consider awaking him / her every two or three hours to urinate.

This is a frustrating problem for both the parents and child, so you have to be patient. This problem usually resolves once the child gets older.

You can speak to your child’s doctor if you come across any signs of another medical condition. The doctor can check for UTI, constipation, bladder problem, or any burning sensation while passing urine.

Share This

Being a parent is one of the best and hardest jobs one will ever have. One of the many challenges that every parent will face is helping a teenager deal with peer pressure.

Peer pressure is present at all levels in life and teens deal with it at some point in life. In the growing years, they feel the need to fit in and the need to be liked by their friends.

Positive peer pressures will help your teen maintain a positive self image, motivate them to be successful in school, while negative kind of peer pressures like drug use, alcohol, teen pregnancy, criminal activity, depression, sexual activity and rebellion can get your teenager in trouble at school as well as home. Peer pressure causes your teenager to lose focus on what’s right.

As a concerned parent, you should do all you can to help your teenager deal with peer pressure. Communicate regularly with him / her. Sit daily with them and find out how was their day and what did they do. Do not sound to inquisitive. You can also share information about how your day was.

Teach your child to think for him / her self as it is a vital part for future well-being. If your child relies on others to do the thinking, he / she will end as a victim of peer pressure or much worse.

If you feel your child is vulnerable to wrong kind of activities like smoking, drugs, drinking, talk to them about it before they take the jump.

Teach them how to say No firmly in situations where nefarious activities are present.

Minimize the negative influence of peer pressure by instilling high self esteem, confidence, a sense of self worth, and the feel to be needed and loved by friends and family.

While discussing, ask them to think about the consequences of wrong choices made by them, if any. Listen to them when they need to talk. Do not put them off.

Support healthy and positive relationships among your teen and their peers.

Know your teenager’s friends. Play an active role in their life by understanding their likes, dislikes, hobbies and activities. If you are in tune with their surroundings, you will be able to help them deal with peer pressure in a mature way.

Share This