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They say that it is the sure-fire way to get your child to calm down, that the best babysitter is television. It seems as if children just enjoy looking at the screen and stay glued to the show for hours at a time, especially if a lot of colors are involved. While they keep their focus on what on the tube, you can do a few of your long overdue household chores. Keeping them away from the TV is especially hard for those who don’t have babysitters or can’t afford to hire a full-time nanny. Yes, it is perfectly understandable. And even if experts claim that you must let your child do other more physical activities, you can’t help but turn the power on and insert a DVD for them to watch while you keep yourself occupied with other matters.

The subject of babies watching television has become extremely controversial, especially in the age where man has become so dependent on technology. Pediatricians and experts strongly suggest that babies under two should not yet be exposed to television at all. With it being the most prominent appliance in any home, when can you exactly say that it is too much? The truth is, though keeping them from watching movies isn’t exactly as easy, you have to be well aware of the repercussions. By knowing just how little you child can benefit from them, maybe you’ll get to realize that it’s finally time to think about the many other activities that they can do.

Yes, the American Academy of Pediatrics urges parents to not let their babies watch television. However, it seems as if parents don’t really take heed of this advice. Just go to any video store and you’ll see that there is an array of DVDs that claim to help your child during their developmental years. There are hundreds of movies to choose from, all catered to babies under two years of age. Most babies do enjoy watching television, and there have been debates that talk about just how you should limit this form of activity. The arguments have become more intense, and most of them center on what you should make them watch. First of all, you need to let go of mindless shows such as cartoons. Aside from entertainment, it is still considered to be a sedentary activity. What this means is that your child won’t be asked to think much. All they need to do is focus on the show and let it think for them.

When babies watch educational videos such as Baby Einstein, Little Pim, and others, they may actually learn some useful skills, and these will benefit them eventually. Parents have to be careful about what to choose for their babies. But just because they are good does not mean that you can now depend on these tools. Television viewing must still be done in controlled amounts. You must also know that this can never replace the actual interaction between child and parent. You can simply view it as something that can compliment your baby’s education during your busiest days. And always limit the time, an hour a day would suffice. But if you had the choice, choose to enhance your baby’s growth by exposing them to actual experiences.

You get home from the hospital and make plans for your baby. You spend every waking moment learning about their emerging personalities. A week or two goes by and you’ll soon get hit by the fact that you also have other responsibilities to fulfill. You find yourself having to look at your career, going back to work to take care of other stuff, and balancing your schedule just so you can spend time with your baby and fulfill your responsibilities outside the home. You wish you could be there for them all the time.

You will surely want to be with her most of the time, especially if this is your first time to be a mom or a dad. Everything looks so new and wonderful that you would want to be there to enjoy every second. Newborns are enthralling to watch because they look so innocent. You want to hold them in your arms and hold them for as long as possible. Even while they are asleep, you enjoy looking at their faces in a peaceful slumber.

As more time passes, you realize that your baby needs much more. You thought that once their basic needs are met, you’ll be okay. But that’s not the case at all! You need to be there for them every time they cry. This interrupts your rest as well. Babies cry whenever they need your attention. With some practice, you get to learn what their needs will be based on the sound they make. The lack of sleep combined with stress can start eating away that wonderful feeling. You’ll soon find yourself irritable because you feel guilty every time you are not doing what you are supposed to do. You think of work when you are with your baby, and you think of your baby when you are at work.

Nothing has really changed, at least not for your baby. They are still that same dear angel you brought home from the hospital. You are probably the one that experienced the most trouble with the changes. You don’t have time during the day when both of you are fully awake, and when night comes, you are too tired to do just about anything. But you can’t constantly moan about the difficulties you’re experiencing. Every new mother goes through this trying stage. All you need to do is negotiate so that you get to enjoy all your blessings. Get off that path that brings you down, and if you don’t do anything about it, you could easily lose the things you treasure the most. It is your job to enjoy every stage of your baby’s life, no matter how difficult it is. After all, you can never turn back the time. You should be there for your baby in every wonderful and significant moment in their life. Give them unconditional love as they give you theirs. Enjoy their devotion right now because pretty soon, they’ll grow up and crave for more autonomy. By this time, you won’t be able to do much, especially if you haven’t bonded with them. This little miracle may be the biggest responsibility you’ll ever have, but they can also be your greatest source of joy.

You drive home from the hospital, head straight to the nursery, and make your little bundle of joy feel right at home. Even before he is born, you’ve already formed plans for their life. You think about his future and want nothing less than to see him in all his wonderful glory. As wonderful as these plans are, any realist would know that things don’t necessarily turn out according to plan. Reality hits you in a few months time when you actually have to go back to work and balance your schedule just so you can spend time with your baby and fulfill your other responsibilities. You wish you could be with them forever and you often find yourself counting the minutes until you get to see your little angel once more. You don’t want to miss any new experience and time away could mean that you may not be there for them when they first smile or when they really look deeply into a face for the very first time.

You will never want to leave, especially if this is your first child. Everything looks so new and wonderful that you would want to be present to enjoy every waking moment. Newborns can be mesmerizing because no one else is as pure as they are. You want to hold them in your arms and keep them there for as long as possible. Even while they are asleep, you enjoy looking at their faces in peaceful slumber. Those first few days are more miraculous than ever. Suddenly, you realize that your baby has more needs that just TLC. You need to be there for them every time they cry. They interrupt your sleep constantly. Babies cry whenever they need some attention. With a bit of practice and some experience, you get to learn what their needs will be just by listening to the sounds they make.

The lack of sleep combined with stress can start eating away that wonderful feeling you had. Nothing has really changed, at least not for your baby. They are still that same dear infant you brought home. Chances would be that you are actually the one that went through the most difficulty. You don’t have time during the day when both of you are fully awake, and when night comes, you are too tired to do anything else. Moaning about it will prove to be futile. Every new mother goes through this stressful stage. All you need to do is find the middle-ground. It’s a bittersweet memory, and your task to look into the sweet part of it.

Stop that disparaging train of thought. You are headed to a road that brings you down, and if you don’t do anything about it, you could easily miss out on your family’s new adventure. Make that choice right now and enjoy every stage, no matter how difficult it can be. After all, there is no way to turn back the clock. You should be there for your baby in every milestone. This little miracle may be the biggest responsibility you’ll ever have, but they can also be your greatest source of joy.

As far as we’re concerned, we only needed to worry about school when we hit the age of five. It seems as if times have changed. Nowadays, as soon as your baby can raise his head, you can already send him off some place where he can learn through play. Even before babies turn one, you can already give them a variety of activities.

Apart from play schools that offer classes for infants and toddlers, there are now preschools with lessons designed for babies. Music and movement programs are encouraged for these tiny tots. The ages between zero to eighteen months are a child’s formative years. The way babies learn about the environment is highly sensorial. They learn through touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound. As a parent, you need to nurture these. As these are also attachment years, and not everyone can actually afford infant development programs, parents can easily learn by caring for them and talking to them. Touch therapy plays a crucial role in the way they develop.

Babies have their parents as their very first teachers. As an adult, you are the foundation builder of learning. You take full responsibility in reading up and being aware of the needs of your infants. Reading to your baby while inside the womb and exercising while pregnant have a positive effect on your baby as soon as you give birth. You also can let nature take its course and allow him to grow as naturally as possible. The playschools that mushroom all over are there only to supplement your important role in child rearing. There are basic foundations to your child’s learning and these are meeting their basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter, fostering social and emotional development, developing relationships, and supporting cognitive and brain development.

You need to create a responsive environment to lay these foundations. There should be routines that he should experience, and more importantly, a loving and nurturing group of people who will take care of him to the best of their abilities. There needs to be positive experiences during mealtimes, diapering and toileting, bedtime and naptime, bath time and getting dressed. Make play count and use toys to enhance his experience. You need to set up a type of environment that helps in the holistic growth of your baby. While these schools give children exposure to kids their own age, it’s also optional. These are just stages to more formal learning in the years to come.

Enrolling them in programs is fine, just remember to go easy. They’re still too young and you should let them enjoy being children at first. Play is a vital part in their growth and development, and something that you can do on your own as well. You not only provide essential developmental benefits, you also give them opportunities to bond with a person or with a group. Make time to play with your child, no matter how young they are. As a family, you need to experience what learning and living are all about.

The main belief in some eastern practices is that the entire humanity is made up of shards of one whole soul. This means that man shares a portion of something that is much bigger than they are. What does this imply? It simply tells us that we are all connected in one way or the other. Advocates of the law of attraction say that we are connected to each other biologically, to the world chemically, and to the universe atomically. Whatever our personal beliefs are, there is one thing that holds true, and that is we all live through the power of connection.

The problem now lies in the fact that most of us suppose that we should live apart from the rest. We may interact with other people on a daily basis, but at the end of the day, we choose to be by ourselves. While this will suffice if you are on your own, things definitely have to change when you become a parent. You are now responsible for someone else’s life. And while your child is still unable to stand on his own two feet, you need to think about what he needs.

A child’s basic needs include food, shelter, and clothing. More than anything else, however, they also will benefit a lot from touch. In fact, some doctors urge the mothers to give their prematurely born babies kangaroo hugs to hasten the healing. This is a hug that is different from everything else because it involves skin to skin contact. As they grow, the power of touch will sustain them. Even adults need hugs because it is a form of connection with another person. You are the parent and should be particularly with your little one.

Look through the books and you will see that there are actually studies that prove babies who grow up with the power of touch become happier and healthier individuals. You need to know the importance of human contact. A hug makes a world of difference in a person’s outlook in life. Hugs connect people beyond space and beyond time. With two arms wrapped around their tiny bodies, your relationship deepens and becomes more meaningful.

Though hugs may not be as easy to do for some people, you have to know that touch is a part of your five senses. A touch does not only serve our cognitive needs to familiarize yourselves more with the world, it also gives you a sense of having a richer experience in life. Touch therapists swear by it, saying that it also does wonders to anyone’s health.

The importance is, you need to know how to communicate with your baby beyond language. After all, words only go so far. Physical communication is way to send forth a message. With a mere embrace, you will give them the love that they so need and deserve. Stress will present even in their early years, it is then up to you to make them feel that you are always there when they cry out. Fact is, there is no better cure than a hug. Wrap your arms around them as much as you can so that you immediately establish the right connection. Try it and see for yourself just how powerful this practice is.

Did you know that playing with your child is not only fun for the both of you, but it is also important for your child’s development? So make the most of your time together and play to your heart’s content. Remember how it was like when you were young and just ran around the park with your friends and neighbors? Recent studies show that the free-form, outdoor play you once enjoyed is now losing ground to computer games and other sedentary yet addictive toys and games. Sadly, too much structures play trains a child’s thought patterns instead of stimulating their skills in creativity and imagination. Basically, this lessens their initiative and freedom of choice.

A child playing is happily learning from the experience. Free-form play develops skills your child needs for life: 1. Running around builds gross motor skills 2. Stacking blocks works on their fine motor strength 3. Jigsaw puzzles develops their cognitive skills 4. Pretend play hones their creativity and imagination

Most importantly, this is also where they get to socialize with their peers and friends. Having playmates constantly with them teaches them negotiation, cooperation, and other necessary social skills. These are the valuable lessons that adults cannot easily teach and replicate. And while it is important for them to play with their peers, playing with you is even more invaluable. You are their first teacher and this is when you can impart family values and manners without any lectures as you take turns in, say, board games. You develop their self-esteem as you accept their version of the world when you play along the scenarios they have made up in their minds.

So, step up the fun quotient and encourage your child’s development through free play. To make this experience a more rewarding one, keep a box of ordinary things that they can play with such as clothes, plastic plates, and tea sets. Encourage outdoor play with no agenda in your mind so that you allow their imagination to run wild. Be a good example as well. Don’t park yourself in front of the TV. Instead, get moving and do active things together. Model appropriate behavior when you spend time with them. Say please and show them how it is like to take turns. At the same time, allow loosely supervised play. Let them explore on their own and build on what they have chosen. As the adult, it is your job to encourage them to go further with their ideas as the basis for the entire play.

Teach your child to be the leader and allow them to decide what they want. To do this, you just need to let them select what and how they want to play. The most important thing is that you are there. With your presence, you are already showing them how much you value their company and treasure the moments that you share together. But most importantly, letting them play the way they want helps them grow more confidently to a life of happily every afters.

Does your growing child have a friend you can’t see? What do you do when he starts talking to an empty seat? You may get home one evening and find your child talking about a person you’ve never even heard of. Should you panic? Not at all! It’s normal for children to have imaginary friends. This is actually more common for firstborns or solo kids, especially when they have a creative imagination. Imaginary friends usually appear when they engage in free play.

There are three stages to play development among children. First is what people refer to as solitary stage where play is usually done alone. Usually, this occurs between the six months to a year old. During this stage, they simply keep themselves entertained with the toys that they have. If they do have a friend over, they engage in parallel play. This simply means that while they play side by side, they don’t really interact. This, of course, is the next phase. While they do still play alone, they will start to notice the other children. This is where imaginary friends start coming in. The last one is called the associative stage. This is when interaction begins.

There is actually no reason for parents to immediately be alarmed or bothered about the imaginary friends their children would have. After all, kids are imaginative by nature. They manifest this talent by talking to someone they don’t see. Sometimes, these pals are human beings. Other times, they choose to interact with animals. The imaginary friend may also be an occasional visitor or a constant companion. Children tend to enjoy doing all sorts of activities with them. Be it drawing, playing, or reading, they have their invisible friends sitting by their side.

Creative play should actually be encouraged as well. Having an imaginary friend indicates that a child has learned to focus on one activity, develop his ideas, and not be entirely dependent on outside stimulus such as toys. An imaginary friend also allows your child to stimulate his creative side. They may pretend to ride a spaceship, destroy robots, or go to the circus. And flying solo could be very lonely so they opt to bring someone along. The friend usually acts as their confidant when there is no one else to tell their secrets to.

Not everyone will go through this sort of play. Usually, children with siblings around learn to interact with others early on. Nonetheless, don’t panic when one of them starts conversing with the wind. Listen to him when he gets deeply into the made-up scenario, but try not to be too conspicuous. Older children tend to be self-conscious for fear of ridicule. Just be subtle about it and allow yourself to join in the fun as well. Save a seat during mealtime for his friend and play along. Eventually, they will get to realize that there is nothing better than actual interaction. While they are not at that stage yet, relax and provide him with scenarios that he can build on. Pretty soon, he’d look forward to having you as the newest member of the group.