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Flu season, meet pandemic—here’s how parents can prepare

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Turns out, there’s one easy thing we can all do to stay healthier
Stephanie Rausser

This year’s flu season is unlike any other, because it is expected to coincide with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Flu season, which typically begins in the U.S. in October and peaks in February, sickens millions of people every year, sending hundreds of thousands to the hospital.

Taking measures to protect yourself and your family from the flu will be more important than ever for the 2020-2021 flu season. Here’s what parents should know.

How might the flu season starting in fall 2020 be different than in previous years?

Each flu season is unpredictable, but what we do know is that getting the flu shot remains the best protection against influenza and is something everyone can do to help keep themselves and their loved ones healthy. Getting your flu shot is even more important amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to help maintain respiratory health, prevent community spread of viruses, and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.

The good news is that many of the same protective health practices that have become second nature to so many of us during the pandemic are also helpful in preventing the spread of the flu. Other than getting a flu shot, families can stay healthy by washing hands frequently, avoiding close contact with those who are sick, avoiding touching your eyes, mouth and nose, and staying in good overall health by getting plenty of sleep, eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly.

The experience of getting the flu shot may be a bit different this year, too. Your pediatrician’s office will be taking measures to keep patients safe during in-office visits, and if you get your flu shot at a clinic or drugstore, you’ll also notice different protocols in place. You will be asked to wear a face covering, and you may also be screened for the presence of symptoms or illness, including getting your temperature checked before getting the vaccine. Staff and care providers will wear face masks and face shields while administering vaccinations for additional protection.

Should kids get the flu shot this year?

The CDC urges everyone 6 months and older to get a flu shot every year, and this year is no different. At Walgreens, where I serve as Chief Medical Officer, we recently lowered our pediatric flu shot age requirement to age 4 in eligible states so that our pharmacists can vaccinate even more children for influenza, as children are particularly vulnerable to serious flu complications.

As parents navigate the uncertainties of going back to daycare or school, flu immunizations are more critical than ever to ensure the health of their families and community.

Should pregnant women get the flu shot this year?

The CDC recommends receiving a flu shot during pregnancy. In fact, it is recommended that all women who are pregnant or may become pregnant during the flu season receive a flu shot at any trimester. Pregnant women are at greater risk of complications from the flu, and the flu shot has been proven safe during pregnancy. Plus, a flu shot protects both mother and baby from getting the flu, since the mother can pass some of the antibodies on to the baby.

We encourage getting a flu shot as soon as it becomes available in your community and if you develop flu symptoms during pregnancy, see your healthcare provider right away.

When is the best time to get the flu shot?

While in previous years, doctors have recommended getting the flu shot before Halloween, the fact is it’s never too late to get the flu vaccine.

We recommend getting your flu shot as soon as it is available to avoid missing an opportunity to get vaccinated. You can contact your local pharmacist or healthcare provider to determine what’s right for you.

It takes about two weeks to develop the antibodies to fight the flu after getting your flu shot, so it’s important to get it before the flu spreads to best protect yourself, your loved ones and your community. With this flu season coinciding with COVID-19, it is more important than ever to get vaccinated to protect from vaccine-preventable illnesses.

Can getting a flu shot impact your immune response or make you more susceptible to COVID-19?

No. According to the CDC, there is no evidence that getting the flu shot increases the risk of becoming infected with COVID-19. What we do know is that while we don’t yet have a vaccine for COVID-19, flu shots are available to help prevent influenza. Both COVID-19 and flu are contagious respiratory illnesses which can result in serious complications such as pneumonia, more severe infections and worsening of current conditions. Getting your flu shot may also reduce the severity of symptoms if you do get it, and help reduce the risk that you’ll be hospitalized—which is particularly important this season as hospitals may be overburdened during the pandemic.

If despite your best efforts to prevent getting sick, someone in your family does come down with the flu, don’t panic. Follow treatment advice for the flu from your doctor or pediatrician, and be aware of the differences in symptoms between the flu and COVID-19.

As always, your best first step is to be in touch with your health care provider about any questions or concerns. Be well.

Author: Dr. Kevin Ban, MD
This article was originally published on: mother.ly (here)

Kids & Heirs Blog – A “hub” of curated posts with valuable content, so you spend less time searching and more time with your little heirs.

First Steps

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On your mark, get set: Go, baby, go! From cruising to toddling to walking, your baby’s first steps kick off one fun ride.

Once your baby learns how to pull herself up to stand, she’ll be excited to learn what else is out there in the big wide world — and that means taking a big step forward. Your baby’s first steps might happen within a few days or a few months of when she first learns to stand. But once she does, it’s just a hop, skip and a jump (in other words, practice, practice and more practice!) to toddling and walking.

When to expect it: Many children graduate from pulling up to cruising (or walking by holding on to furniture) around month 9 or 10. When cruisers “reach altitude” and make their first attempts at letting go of whatever piece of furniture (or part of Mom or Dad’s leg) they’re using to stay upright, you could see your child’s first toddling steps. Most children don’t take their first independent steps until well after their first birthdays (around month 14, on average), although it’s not unusual for them to start as late as 18 months (or in some cases, as early as 7 months).

Some of it may be in her wiring: Your little one may follow in your or her dad’s (early or late) footsteps. Build and temperament play parts, too. A lean, high-energy baby will probably strut her stuff sooner than a mellow Buddha-baby. And some kids are more cautious and only want to take a step when they’re positive they won’t tumble; others are daredevils and will dive right in — literally.

One thing’s for sure: Your toddler will eventually learn to walk — but on her timetable, not yours. Sure, there are ways you can lend her a helping hand (and a couple of clapping hands as she racks up her triumphs!), but rather than focusing on the finish line, just embrace all the baby steps along the way — a journey that will make her victory lap seem that much sweeter.

How to help your baby discover it: You’ve heard of free-range chickens? Think free-range baby. Letting your little one get in lots of on-the-move time is the best way to encourage cruising and first steps. Let your child have plenty of open exploration time outside of the stroller or carrier — and away from the Exersaucer or swing — and let her see where her busy body takes her. A few other ways to encourage those first steps:

  • Leave a tempting trail. The same tricks that can entice a baby to crawl or pull up can also help motivate a beginning cruiser. Place tantalizing toys nearby but out of immediate reach when she pulls up to stand — say, a few couch cushions to the left — and your baby may try out new ways of getting at her prize.
  • Activate her cruise control. If your toddler can stand but seems afraid or unsure of what to do next, she needs plenty of practice figuring out how to balance her weight over her feet while she’s on the move. Help her by lining up stable furniture to steady herself as she goes (if you haven’t already done so, make sure your coffee table, TV stand and any other items your baby might use to maneuver herself are childproofed, with no sharp corners or risks of tipping). You can also encourage independent stepping by walking with her while holding her hands for balance — which means plenty of slow, bent-over walking around the room for you. But the joy on her face when she masters independent motion will more than make up for the occasional backache.
  • Get her a push toy. A small shopping cart, say, or a pint-sized lawn mower gives your child control as she grips and pushes it in front of her. Plus, it’ll give her the support she needs as she works those legs, refines her balance and boosts her confidence. Look for sturdy toys with a bar or handle she can lean on and big wheels that make it harder for the toy to tip over.
  • But don’t put her in a walker. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages walkers, and studies show that they can slow motor development and cause back problems. Even worse, walkers can tip over or roll down the stairs, causing injuries.
  • Limit time in the stationary activity center. While they don’t carry rough-and-tumble risks, activity centers don’t boost walking skills, either, even if your baby can stand up and play in one. Remember, she needs to develop her torso and arm muscles in order to walk — not just the leg muscles — so don’t keep her in there for longer than 30 minutes at a time.
  • Keep her tootsies bare. No need to invest in a shoe wardrobe for your little stepper: The best shoes for beginning walkers are no shoes at all. Indoors and on safe surfaces outdoors, let your baby walk barefoot (or, if you’d like, in non-slip socks) as much as possible to help build muscle tone in her feet and ankles, to help her arches develop, and to learn balance and coordination. For outdoor excursions, keep the shoes lightweight and flexible. Stay away from tall booties or groovy high-top sneakers — too much ankle support can actually slow down your walker by constricting her movement.
  • Expect some stops and starts. A child who’s decided to immerse herself in other developmental feats — such as sounding out the family pooch’s name or feasting on finger foods now that she can pick them up with her thumb and pointer finger — may take a break of a few weeks, or even a month, from walking. Or your little crawler may relish zipping around so much that walking may come later. After all, why stop to try something that, to her, seems slower? Other walking toddlers may suddenly go back to crawling after a bad tumble or an illness.

What not to worry about: Every baby develops differently and at her own pace, so if your baby is not cruising by month 10 or walking by her first birthday, it’s not a cause for concern. There’s not much that parents can do to speed up a baby’s development timeline besides providing lots of safe, fun, supportive opportunities to practice during playtime.

There are also a number of idiosyncrasies you’ll notice as your child waddles around — all of them perfectly normal:

  • Trips and falls. When your little one first starts walking, she may remind you of a boxer who’s fighting her way through a rough match: She bobs, weaves and sometimes takes a dive. Of course, she’s still refining her walking skills. (Plus she’s still nearsighted and doesn’t yet have the depth perception of an older child or adult. Add in an adorable lack of coordination, and it’s no wonder she probably didn’t spot that armchair before she bumped into it.) Make sure your home is childproofed, and watch her carefully at all times — then try not to stress over her inevitable (and numerous) tumbles. Sure, your little one may cry if she falls, but chances are she’s more frustrated than injured. Remember, she’s got built-in bumpers (that chubby tush and cushy diaper) and a still-flexible skull designed to take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’. She’ll likely forget her trips and tumbles long before you do.
  • Flat feet. Take a good gander at those chubby legs and little flat feet, and you might be amazed that she can get around at all. But even though her feet look flat, that’s just baby fat plumping them up. By age 2 or 3, the extra “fluff” should melt away and you’ll be able to see her natural arches. Her feet may also curve inward, almost like half moons. That’s another infant holdover, which likely started in the womb, and is taking its sweet time to straighten out.
  • Pigeon-toed feet. Also common is “toeing-in,” or being slightly pigeon-toed, which comes from “internal tibial torsion” — meaning that the shinbones are turned inward. Luckily, it will usually correct itself within six months of her first step and without any outside help. If it continues longer, your child’s doctor can give you stretching exercises to correct it. In another variation, some kids toe-out during their second year, only to pivot into toeing-in when they’re 3 or 4 years old. Even if the toeing-in doesn’t completely correct itself, it’s probably not a big deal unless it gets in the way of her walking and running. (If it does, talk to your doctor; corrective shoes can help.)
  • Bowed legs. After spending nine months curled up inside you, she may have slightly bowed legs, too. Bowed legs typically go away by about 18 months (but may also linger until she’s 3 years old). Even before she’s walking, you can help those gams straighten out by holding her while she stands.
  • Tiptoe walking. Some toddlers have an insatiable desire to totter around on their tiptoes — which, strangely enough, helps them develop their sense of balance. While in rare cases tiptoeing may indicate too-tight muscles in the heels or feet, it’s almost always a quirk that goes away on its own. To reassure yourself, just check to see that your child can physically flatten her foot. If she can’t, or if she’s still walking on her tiptoes past the age of 2 bring it to the pediatrician’s attention as it sometimes can be a sign of a developmental disorder.

Do talk to your pediatrician promptly if you notice your child repeatedly favoring (or stumbling to) one side, falling excessively, or if her legs seem unduly stiff, as these may possibly point to nerve, joint or spinal problems. Otherwise, just enjoy her jaunty gait (that phone video will come in handy now), and applaud her new adventures.

Have fun…and happy chasing!

Author: What to Expect Editors
This article was first published on: whattoexpect.com (here)

Kids & Heirs Blog – A “hub” of curated posts with valuable content, so you spend less time searching and more time with your little heirs.

The Secret to Keeping Your Kids Happy, Busy and Learning if Their School Closes Due to Coronavirus

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Author Susie Allison recommends getting creative to keep your kids occupied during the coronavirus outbreak.
 Susie Allison

Susie Allison is a former teacher and mom of three. She is the creator of Busy Toddler and author of Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting: From the First “No” to Their First Day of School (and Everything in Between).

As millions of children are displaced from their schools due to the coronavirus, a sub-crisis has risen for American parents: What will the kids do all day? The widespread school closures have sent a ripple effect into parent communities as many scramble to find ways to smoothly transition kids into at-home life. It’s one thing to entertain them all day on the weekends. It’s another when you have seven days a week to fill for an indefinite period of time.

The secret is one that schools know well: Make a routine. Kids are used to following a schedule, so making a blueprint for the day will help everything fall into place. It’s a lot easier than you might think. Grab a pen, paper and actually map out how the days will look at home. The goal is to keep kids busy and learning while allowing you to get other things done too.

Here’s how to set a routine for your child:

Start with their school routine

Use school as the framework and honor what had been your child’s routine:

  • When are they used to having breakfast? Snack? Lunch?
  • When is recess?
  • Break the day into small chunks much like school does with subjects.
  • If your child has assigned schoolwork, do they work best in the morning or afternoon?

Dedicate time for play

Once you’ve mapped out times for things like food and school assignments, you’re ready to fill in the rest of the day, and actually carving out time for dedicated child-led play is huge for kids. When a child is imagining, creating, building or inventing, they are doing some serious learning.

In your new daily schedule, have a few 15- to 30-minute blocks (more or less time depending on your child’s age and play development) of dedicated child-led play. The more a child plays, the more they learn to play.

A few tips for effective playtime:

  • Weed out the unused and broken toys: If it’s hard to find the good toys, it’s hard to find the good play.
  • Move the “open-ended toys” to the front: Toys with lights and batteries that sing and talk won’t hook your child into play as well as simple toys (think toys from your childhood – blocks, cars, dolls, kitchens…).
  • Limit adult involvement: play is the child’s job, not the adults. Accept some play invitations, but don’t feel guilty about skipping others. Kids need to play independent of adults (independent doesn’t mean unsupervised).

Schedule in some easy indoor activities

While you can just put out toys for unstructured free play, kids also get excited when parents facilitate some of the fun. Think of activities as “invitations to play.” Easy indoor activities can be a lifeline, a great way to practice school skills and a way to quietly entertain kids. These activities do not need to be complicated or take hours to set up. As you plan your schedule, think of places where an activity might be helpful to transition from one time block to the next, like after snack time or before dinner.

Here are four easy indoor activities perfect for breaking up a day:

Box Road – Flatten out a box and draw a road in marker. Add blocks, trucks and other toys for kids to build a city.

Toy-Washing Bin – Let your kids wash their plastic toys. Add tear-free bubbles, sponges, towels and other supplies.

Susie Allison

Trash Art – Find some recycled materials and let your kids paint them. Kids love painting random objects and making beautiful creations from them.

Susie Allison

Sticky Match-Up – Draw shapes, letters, numbers, words or math problems on sticky notes and hide them around the house for your child to find. Then have the child match them up on a “key” that hangs on the wall.

Susie Allison

Build in reading

Study after study shows the importance of reading to kids. Being home all day is a great chance to increase that habit.

Put in reading blocks. Fifteen to 20 minutes a day is a great place to start (remember, that’s total minutes, not all at once. Break it apart). Consider structuring this reading block in a few different ways: parent reads aloud, child reads aloud (if the child can read), and family silent reading time. And if your child wants to extend a reading period, don’t worry too much about messing up the schedule. There’s no such thing as too much reading, and you can always save a planned activity for the next day.

Go to recess

If possible, add in two to three recess times for your child to explore outside. Remember that recess time is a part of school life and kids are used to a little cold and a little rain. While there is no official guidance in the U.S. on how much time to spend outside these days, some experts have recommended open spaces like parks over playgrounds, where the equipment isn’t necessarily the most hygienic. Or, if you have a backyard, let the kids run around there. Outdoor time has lots of benefits for kids – and a key one for you: If they burn off steam, they may be more tired and willing to go to sleep at night.

Make a screen time routine

If you choose to have screens available to your kids while school is closed, use them wisely, as a parenting tool.

To keep your kids from “over-indulging” on screens:

  • Make screen time predictable: have a set time in the schedule so children know when to expect screen time (like while you make breakfast or before nap time) and for how long.
  • Turn it off: Follow through when the scheduled time for screens is over, and don’t leave TV on as background noise. If the house feels too quiet, turn on some music instead.
  • Outside of the scheduled time block, only use screens when you (the parent) chooses it because you need it. Save screens for big moments, like when you have a conference call or dinner prep isn’t going well.

Of course even with the most perfectly planned schedule, you will still have days when you just can’t muster the energy to come up with even the simplest activity and instead let them watch another episode of their favorite show. That’s O.K too. Do what you need to do to get through that day. You’ll have your routine to go back to the next day. And the one after that, too.

Author: Susie Allison
This article was originally published on: time.com (here)

Kids & Heirs Blog – A “hub” of curated posts with valuable content, so you spend less time searching and more time with your little heirs.

Can listening to the TV be helpful or harmful to a baby?

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Q: I am a stay-at-home-mom to our son (an only child), who is now almost 16 weeks old. I talk to him frequently throughout the day, but I worry that he may not hear enough conversation. Sometimes I have the TV on in the background (he can hear it but can’t see it) because I figure he’ll hear more words and it’ll help his development. However, I’ve also read TV should be avoided for babies. So what’s the right answer to help him develop properly?

A: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under the age of two should not watch any television. While many parents have some idea that television viewing is not good, most parents are not aware of the negative effects television can have on young children, especially when heard as background noise.

You are right that your infant needs to be exposed to a lot of language, but that language needs to come from human beings in person, not the television. Having the television on in the background has actually been shown to reduce language learning.Because infants have a difficult time differentiating between sounds, TV background noise is particularly detrimental to language development.

In a study focused on word recognition in the presence of background speech, it was discovered that a 7-month-old infant was not able to distinguish words he was familiar with against the background noise. In this study, a woman spoke familiar words at the same time that a monotone male voice spoke in the background. Unless the female voice was at least 10 decibels higher than the male voice, the child did not understand the woman’s words. When experimenters attempted to teach toddlers new words in the presence of white noise, the children could not differentiate between “b” and “ch” sounds at the end of a word, learn new words, and retain new words they had been taught. Researchers concluded that the background noise prevented the children from hearing different sounds in the words and prevented them from paying attention and retaining what they learned.

The sheer number of words spoken to a child is directly proportionate to the size of her vocabulary. However, this applies only to direct conversations you have with your child. The words she overhears from television, videos, radio, or other conversations do not count. Two easy ways to expose your child to both quantity and quality vocabulary is by narrating out loud what you are doing through your day and by setting aside time to read out loud. Reading, in particular, exposes children to what researchers call rare words, which are particularly helpful in developing a great vocabulary.

Answered by Dr. Jenn Berman
This article was originally published on: Parents.com (here)

Kids & Heirs Blog – A “hub” of curated posts with valuable content, so you spend less time searching and more time with your little heirs.

Best New Children’s Books of January 2020

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Kick the new year off with a selection of bright new reads for 2020. From the beautifully illustrated to the expertly crafted, we’ve found the best new children’s books coming out this month.

Board Books

Hello, Bunny

Que the cuteness with this bunny-shaped board book with chunky pages that little hands will love to turn. With simple rhymes and bright illustrations of woodland critters doing relatable activities, like sliding, playing with toy trains, and reading, this bitty board book is certain to delight.

Ages: birth to 3 years old

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $7.46]

Andy Warhol What Colors Do You See?

Help your kiddos learn the colors of the rainbow in addition to fine art with the Andy Warhol What Colors Do You See? board book. Using Warhol’s signature style and love of color, this simple book brings his masterpieces to your little’s fingertips in a fun and easy way. Available Jan. 21.

Ages: 0 to 5

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $12.99]

Brown Baby Lullaby

New York Times-bestselling and NAACP-Award-winning illustrator AG Ford comes together with Tameka Fryer Brown in their new collaboration, Brown Baby Lullaby. Gorgeous illustrations are paired with the sweet lullaby of parents caring for their baby. Using both Spanish and English, this book makes for the perfect bedtime story. Available Jan. 14.

Ages: 2-6

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $12.19]

Llama Llama Hide & Seek: A Lift-the-Flap Book

Llama Llama is back! In the newest book, your fave character can’t find his funny. Where could he be? Kids will love lifting the flap to help Llama find his bedtime bestie. Available Jan. 14.

Ages: 3-5

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $12.99]

This Little Dreamer: An Inspirational Primer

In the sixth book of the This Little series, This Little Dreamer: An Inspirational Primer brings some of the most historic figures to light for young readers. The sweet illustrations share the tales of Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King, Jr. and more with age-appropriate facts that are sure to inspire. Available Jan. 14.

Ages: 3-5

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $6.59]

Hello, World! Construction Site

Jill McDonald’s Hello, World! series continues with this construction-themed board book. A creative way to introduce non-fiction books to littles, the newest book is depicted in gorgeously bright colors, contains simple definitions and fun language. Vroom!

Ages: 3 and up

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $6.99]

Picture Books

Boxitects

Little Meg has a unique skill; she can build almost anything out of cardboard. She enjoys the maker spotlight until one day she meets Simone, who shares the same abilities. This book follows their antics as they try to out-construct each other. DIY directions for some of Meg’s favorite creations are included at the back of the book. 

Ages: 3 & up

[Get it here on Amazon for $12.79]

Beehive

Jorey Hurley’s books are “quiet” books, meaning they have minimal text, allowing for time to absorb the pictures and the message. Beehive, her latest book joining Nest, Hop and Skyscraper, kids of all ages can learn how honeybees create honey, from meadow to hive. Available Jan. 7. 

Ages: Suggested for ages 3-7, but we think even babies and toddlers will absorb and appreciate (note: not a board book). 

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $12.79]

Almost Time

They say good things come to those who wait, but sometimes waiting can be hard. Ethan is eagerly anticipating maple syrup season in this adorably illustrated book. A great read for kids who are struggling with ‘Are we there yet’ syndrome. 

Age: 4-7

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $12.79] 

In a Jar

Author-illustrator Deborah Marcero brings us a beautifully illustrated picture book about the beauty of ordinary things and the magic of young friendships. Little bunny Llewellyn is a collector of ordinary things, “like buttercups, feathers, and heart-shaped stones” along with cherry colored sunsets and the shadows of summer with his friend, Evelyn. But when Evelyn moves away, they stay connected in a most magical way. Each page delights with “jars” of illustrations your children will love discovering. Available Jan. 21.

Ages: 3-7

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $12.79]

The Heart of a Whale

The dreamy watercolor wash of a magical undersea world comes to life in Anna Pignataro’s The Heart of a Whale, the story of a whale whose beautiful song calms all the aquatic creatures and whose lonely sigh calls out to another whale across the sea. Enchanting, magical and incredibly sweet. Available Jan. 28. 

Ages: 3-7

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $13.74]

Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind

Jessica Hische’s Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave was one of our favorite books and we’re delighted to find Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind to add to our libraries. Inspiring kids to be honest, patient, grateful and kind, this follow up to her bestselling book is just as beautiful as the first, a perfect way for kids to revisit their day and look at tomorrow as a new beginning. It’s also a reminder for us parents, too. Available Jan. 14. 

Ages: 3-7

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $12.79]

Fred’s Big Feelings: The Life and Legacy of Mister Rogers

This picture-book biography by Laura Renauld, illustrated by Brigette Barrager, reminds us all of one of the purveying messages from Mister Rogers Neighborhood and Fred Rogers’ life: it’s okay to have feelings. The book takes us from his childhood finding his feelings through the piano, his grandfather McFeely’s unconditional love, the feeling of gaining confidence in high school by being compassionate, through the feeling that children’s television was conveying the wrong message: and Fred’s feeling that he should change it. This book teaches kids not only about Fred Rogers life and legacy, but also to express and embrace their own feelings. Available Jan. 14. 

Ages: 4-8 (but we grown-ups really enjoyed it, too!)

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $12.79]

Black Is a Rainbow Color

When debut author Angela Joy set out to teach her children their first Black History lesson she was not expecting her preschooler to say, “But Mama, we’re not black, we’re brown.” It was then that she realized that she wanted her children, and all children, to understand that being Black was about culture as much as color. And so Black Is a Rainbow Color was born. Vibrant, stained-glass like artwork by Coretta-Scott King Award-winning illustrator Ekua Holmes accompanies Joy’s poetic text as we join a little girl on a journey to discover all the wonderful things that Black is. 

“Black is the robe of Thurgood’s back. Black are the trains on railroad tracks. Black are the eyes on salted peas. Black are the shadows of ooo-old magnolia trees.” 

Includes a suggested playlist as well as an expanded explanation of the historical references in the text to allow parents to explain Black history to their kids. It’s an exceptionally designed, written and thoughtful new book appropriate for kids of all ages and ethnicities. We can’t wait to see what Joy does next. Available Jan. 14.

Ages: Suggested age, 4-8, but we think even older kids can benefit from this book due to the important historical talking points in the back of the book

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $13.99]

Earth Hour: A Lights Out Event for Our Planet

Earth Hour takes place this year on  March 28—a day when every person is encouraged to turn off lights, electronics and anything that takes electricity for a full hour, in order to help conserve resources and connect with the planet. Nanette Heffernan’s Earth Hour: A Lights Out Event for Our Planet teaches kids the importance of this idea both for Earth Hour and any hour. Her positive, clear message is accompanied by gorgeous illustrations by Bao Luu. Available Jan. 21. 

Ages: 3-7

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $14.99]

The President of the Jungle

The democratic process comes to the jungle with this debut picture book by Brazilian authors Paula Desgualdo & Pedro Markun and illustrators André Rodrigues & Larissa Ribeiro. Yes, Lion is the King but when his selfish behavior causes his subjects to dissent, they decide it’s time to hold an election. Each candidate campaigns with their unique attributes: Sloth, Snake, Monkey and more all bring something new to the table. A great way to teach kids about elections in a non-partisan way. Available Jan. 7.

Ages: 5-8

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $12.79]

A Ride to Remember

Penned by Sharon Langley, the famously photographed African-American who rode a carousel at Baltimore’s Gwynn Oak Amusement Park in 1963, this beautifully illustrated book tells the story of peacefully fighting for equality. 

Age: 6 & up

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $14.35]

Chapter Books

Fly Guy Presents: Scary Creatures

Billed as 5 bookzzz in 1, Tedd Arnold’s popular Fly Guy Presents series including Sharks, Dinosaurs, Insects, Bats and Snakes, are compiled into one book. In each chapter, Fly Guy and Buzz introduce kids to these “scary” animals with facts, photos and Fly Guy commentary. Available Jan. 7.

Ages: 5-7

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $7.59]

The Best of Iggy

If your kid likes the Wimpy Kid series, this new set of stories might be right up his alley. Meet Iggy. He’s a mischievous kid who will go through a series of doing bad things, from kinda bad to really bad. Then he’ll deal with the consequences. Told with a dry wit and including plenty of fun illustrations, this easy chapter book is perfect for kids mastering their reading skills. 

Ages: 8-10

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $10.29]

Diana Princess of the Amazon

This fun graphic novel follows a tween Diana (aka Wonder Woman) on the island of Themyscira. As the only child on the island, she faces bouts of loneliness and ends up trying to make a friend, with unintended consequences. Featuring strong female protagonists and vivid illustrations, this is a great choice for early elementary-school kids. 

Ages: 7-10

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $8.48]

Escape This Book: Tombs of Egypt

Part choose-your-own-adventure, part mystery, part activity book, the newest book in the Escape This Book series by author Bill Doyle and illustrator Sarah Sax will have your kids reading, laughing, drawing and puzzling out an “escape route” from an Egyptian tomb by choosing one of three paths. Educational and interactive, this might be the best book for travel we’ve seen in ages. Available Jan. 7.

Ages: 8-12

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $8.49]

Rise Up: Ordinary Kids with Extraordinary Stories

In the vein of books like Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls, this illustrated book aims to empower and inspire kids by telling incredible stories of courage, ingenuity and deep commitment of kids who have changed (and are changing) the world. Amy Blackwell’s rich illustrations accompany author Amandi Li’s account of true-life tales of 29 incredible, ordinary kids including activist Great Thunberg, shark-attack survivor and surfer Bethany Hamilton, football (soccer) star Pelé, and more. Available Jan. 14. 

Ages: 8-12

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $16.99]

Knights Club: The Buried City

“The Comic Book You Can Play!” This graphic novel, the newest installment in the Knights Club series—written by Shuky and illustrated by Waltch and Novy—is both a game and book all in one. You begin by selecting your character and continue by reading clues, solving riddles and making choices to find the next illustration. Once you get the hang of it, you can read it any number of times with different results. Available Jan. 14

Ages: 8-12

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $7.49]

A Girl, A Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon

Karen Romano Young introduces readers to a group of kid (and raccoon) activists who are fighting to save their local library. If that fact alone isn’t enough to get you reading (raccoon activists! library lovers!) her frequent references to Edna St. Vincent Millay, delightful footnotes, and magically-infused writing should do it. Classic illustrations by Jessixa Bagley’s add even more enchantment to the pages. Available Jan. 7.

Ages: 10 and up.

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $11.74]

Beyond the Shadowed Earth

Eda made a pact with the mountain god to rule half the world, but nine years later, Eda’s empire is beginning to fall and she begins to discover that bargaining for the crown with the soul of her best friend comes with some unexpectedly grim consequences. Fans of Joanna Ruth Meyer’s debut, Beneath the Haunting Sea, Beyond the Shadowed Earth is both a sequel and a whole new stand-alone tale for fans of fantasy, fairy tales and adventure novels. Available Jan. 14. 

Ages: 14 and up 

[Get it here on Amazon.com for $12.79]

Author: Amber Guetebier
This article was originally published on: redtri.com (here)

*Prices shown were as of February 2020.

Kids & Heirs Blog – A “hub” of curated posts with valuable content, so you spend less time searching and more time with your little heirs.

Why Sensory Play is Important for Development

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From birth through to early childhood, children use their senses to explore and try to make sense of the world around them. They do this by touching, tasting, smelling, seeing, moving and hearing.

Children and even adults learn best and retain the most information when they engage their senses. Many of our favorite memories are associated with one or more of our senses: for instance, the smell of a summer night campfire or a song you memorized the lyrics to with a childhood friend. Now, when your nostrils and eardrums are stimulated with those familiar smells and sounds respectively, your brain triggers a flashback memory to those special times.

Providing opportunities for children to actively use their senses as they explore their world through ‘sensory play’ is crucial to brain development – it helps to build nerve connections in the brain’s pathways.

This leads to a child’s ability to complete more complex learning tasks and supports cognitive growth, language development, gross motor skills, social interaction and problem solving skills.

We often talk about the five senses. These are:

Taste – the stimulation that comes when our taste receptors react to chemicals in our mouth.

Touch – the stimulation that comes from touch receptors in our skin that react to pressure, heat/cold, or vibration.

Smell – the stimulation of chemical receptors in the upper airways (nose).

Sight – the stimulation of light receptors in our eyes, which our brains then interpret into visual images.

Hearing – the reception of sound, via mechanics in our inner ear.

However there are two others we commonly miss:

Body awareness (also known as proprioception) – the feedback our brains receive from stretch receptors in our muscles and pressure receptors in joints which enable us to gain a sense where our bodies are in space.

Balance – the stimulation of the vestibular system of the inner ear to tell us our body position in relation to gravity.

So, what is sensory play? 

Sensory play includes any activity that stimulates your young child’s senses: touch, smell, taste, movement, balance, sight and hearing.

Sensory activities facilitate exploration and naturally encourage children to use scientific processes while they play, create, investigate and explore. The sensory activities allow children to refine their thresholds for different sensory information helping their brain to create stronger connections to process and respond to sensory information.

For example, initially a child may find it difficult to play appropriately with a peer when there are other things going on in the environment with conflicting noise. However, through sensory play exploring sounds and tasks a child learns to adapt to being able to block out the noise which is not important and focus on the play which is occurring with their peer.

Another example is a child who is particularly fussy with eating foods with a wet texture such as spaghetti, the use of sensory play can assist the child in touching, smelling and playing with the texture in an environment with little expectation.

As the child develops trust and understanding of this texture it helps build positive pathways in the brain to say it is safe to engage with this food. Sensory play literally helps shape what children to believe to be positive and safe in the brain. Ultimately, shaping the choices children make and impacting behavior.

Here are 5 reasons why sensory play is beneficial:

  1. Research shows that sensory play builds nerve connections in the brain’s pathways, which lead to the child’s ability to complete more complex learning tasks.
  2. Sensory play supports language development, cognitive growth, fine and gross motor skills, problem solving skills, and social interaction.
  3. This type of play aids in developing and enhancing memory
  4. Sensory play is great for calming an anxious or frustrated child
  5. This helps children learn sensory attributes (hot, cold, sticky, dry)

Author: Educational Playcare
This article was originally published on: educationalplaycare.com (here)

Kids & Heirs Blog – A “hub” of curated posts with valuable content, so you spend less time searching and more time with your little heirs.

This $30 Toddler Alarm Clock Gave Us Back Our Mornings

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Pre-dawn playtime is no longer a thing.

When my sweet, perfect little sleeper of a baby boy turned 3, he began waking up at god-awful hours of the morning, every morning, regardless of what time he went to sleep the night before. And once up, he demanded nearly all of my energy and attention. It didn’t take long for the effects to set in: I had a short fuse, I was always in a bad mood, and I looked rough. I was tired — like, really, really, really freaking tired. Something had to be done.

It was at this point that the Mirari OK to Wake clock entered my life, on a parent friend’s recommendation. A digital clock about the size of a grapefruit, the Mirari OK to Wake acts as a gatekeeper for my toddler’s wanderings by signaling to him, with a soft green light, when it’s time to get out of bed.

A battery-operated night-light and alarm clock, the Mirari is deceptively simple: I set a time — in our house, it’s 7:15 a.m. — for the clock to begin glowing. When my son wakes up, he looks to see if the clock is glowing yet, and if it’s not, he knows to go back to sleep or quietly play in his room until “green means go.” (The soft yellow night-light, which automatically turns off an hour after bedtime, helps reinforce the boundaries of sleep time.) That’s it, and yet this little clock has given me back my mornings and allowed us to establish a solid morning routine.

What I found to be most important here is to consistency. I gently enforce the new rule and keep the wake-up time consistent. Now, there is a learning curve for the child here, and you do have to train them to abide by this new element of their morning routine. In the case of my family, it took a few days, a few conversations, and lots of praise before our son started to really get it. Within a week it clicked.

And when it did, oh man, it was a beautiful thing.

Most of my mornings have become much more peaceful. I say “most” because, of course, it doesn’t work every single time. Things tend to go that way with kids. Some mornings he wakes up very early and crawls into bed with us; others, he has to poop before the light turns green. So, I wake up, do the duty, and then I’ll gently remind him that the light is not green yet, so he has more time to play quietly in his room.

Which brings me to another huge benefit of this little light-up clock: it promotes independent play for my child, something that we had been actively working to cultivate and encourage. Independent play isn’t just code for leaving parents alone:  it helps develop self-confidence, imagination, social independence, and emotional regulation for kids. (It also, yes, allows the grown-ups in the house to be more productive, fulfilled human beings.)

The OK to Wake Clock has won me back my mornings. After having it for nearly two years, I can say that for the vast majority of the time, I’ve woken up and walked into to my son’s bedroom to find him hanging out with his toys. He feels content in his own space, he is secure knowing the predictable sequences of his morning, and he is quite good at independent play. Dad feels pretty great about it, too.

Author: Chase Weideman-Grant
This article was originally published on: Fatherly.com (here)

View the “Mirari OK to Wake! Alarm Clock & Night-Light” on Amazon.

Kids & Heirs Blog – A “hub” of curated posts with valuable content, so you spend less time searching and more time with your little heirs.

How Do I Care For My Toddler’s Teeth?

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Passing on good oral habits to your child is one of the most important health lessons you can teach them. This means helping him or her brush twice a day, limiting between-meal sweet snacks and seeing your dentist regularly.

Most dentists recommend that children start their dental visits by the age of two. In addition to giving your dentist a chance to monitor your child’s dental growth and development, this is your chance to learn about tooth development, the need for fluoride, how to help your child maintain proper oral hygiene, how to deal with your child’s oral habits (such as pacifier use), diet and nutrition, and how to prevent oral injuries.

Always emphasize that a dental visit is a positive experience. Explain to your child that visiting the dentist helps maintain good oral health. By fostering a positive attitude, you’ll increase the chances that your child will see a dentist regularly throughout life.

What Should I Do When My Toddler’s Teeth Begin to Erupt?

Teeth start to erupt at about six months and continue until age three. This causes many children to have tender gums, which can make them irritable. It helps to rub the gums with your finger, a small cool spoon or a frozen teething ring that’s been placed in the freezer. There are also pain relief gels and medications available for use when babies are teething. Ask your dentist or GP about these medications. If your child has a fever when teething, it’s best to contact your physician to rule out the possibility of some other kind of condition.

What’s the Proper Way to Brush My Toddler’s Teeth?

It’s a good idea to supervise your child’s brushing until the age of six, following the guidelines below:

  • Use a pea-sized amount of a fluoride toothpaste. Take care that your child doesn’t swallow the paste.
  • Use a toothbrush with soft bristles, brush inside surfaces of all teeth first, where plaque accumulates most. Angle bristles toward the gumline. Brush gently back and forth.
  • Clean all outside surfaces of teeth. Angle bristles toward the gumline. Brush gently back and forth.
  • Place brush so bristles are on the chewing surface of the teeth. Brush gently back and forth.

Is Thumb or Finger Sucking a Problem and How Can I Treat it?

The sucking reflex is normal and healthy in babies. However, a thumb or finger sucking habit can cause problems with the growth of the mouth and jaw, and position of teeth, if it continues after permanent teeth have erupted, between four and seven years of age. Front teeth that point outwards (sometimes called buck teeth) and an open bite may result from habitual thumb or finger sucking. This can cause problems in adulthood that include premature tooth wear, increased dental decay and discomfort on biting. Sucking on pacifiers after permanent teeth have erupted may cause similar problems.

The best way to deal with thumb or finger sucking is through positive reinforcement, not negative words or behavior. Your child is only doing what feels natural to him or her. Praise your child when he is not sucking his thumb/finger. You may also want to focus on correcting the anxiety that’s causing your child to suck her thumb/finger. You can remind your child of the habit by bandaging the thumb/finger, or putting on a sock over his hand at night. Bitter-tasting medication to coat the thumb can also be prescribed by your dentist or pediatrician.

This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.  

Author: Colgate.com
This article was first published on: colgate.com (here)

Colgate My First Baby and Toddler Toothpaste and Toothbrush, 1 Pack-Toothpaste & Toothbrush Set

Kids & Heirs Blog – A “hub” of curated posts with valuable content, so you spend less time searching and more time with your little heirs.