kids summer health tips

For kids Summer means summer vacations which is always a fun time with smilingly endless careless days for kids. Since Schools remains closed, also there is no more home works and studies at all. It results in plenty of time left for fun and games for the kids. However, it becomes necessary to be more cautious in order to protect themselves from all types of harms which comes along the summer freedom. In order to have a really fun summer, kids need to stay fit and safe, and following are the some of the tips on how to just do that:-

Beware of insects which remains active in our surrounding in summer days
It is very important to get away from the insects like mosquitoes, bees, wasps and spiders. There are so many precautions which can be taken. First is by keeping your baby away from these insect second is by keeping these insects away from your baby. Both the ways are equally important because we can keep the insects away by cleaning our surrounding and removing standing water from around the area (birdbath, buckets etc.). But it is approximately impossible to keep insects away from all around where kids are expected to go and play. It becomes vital to sensitize our kids to avoid these areas or be extra cautious when playing there. 

Precaution against sun burn
The sun can burn, especially when kids staying outside all day. In this situation it is important to take precautions against the blazing rays of sun.   When the sun’s rays are strongest try your baby be indoor (typically between 10 am to 04 pm), when the kids do go out be sure to apply some sunscreen (with SPF 15-30 is good) and keep it handy all the day to reapply every hour.  You should apply sunscreen also on yourself, not only for protection against the sun, but to be a good role model for your kid too.  Use of 100% UV protection sunglasses, light colored clothes and hats to be emphasized.  Always a shady place like tree, pop-up tents, and umbrella to used for resting when going for outdoor activities. After all if your child goes get sunburn, apply cool compresses to soothe the burn and keep your child indoors or in shady areas until the burn is healed.

Precautions against heat strokes
Heat Stroke is a serious illness that can occur when overheated in the sun. In order to prevent children from experiencing heat stroke, allow them to get used to the heat by having them go out for intervals of time for several days. Be sure to schedule any sports or vigorous activities at cooler times during the day, make sure that there will be adult supervision as well as plenty of water or sports drinks to keep kid's hydrated. They should also take rests frequently in shady spots and use a spray bottle to mist one another to cool off. If it is extremely hot or humid have kid's stay indoors for the day. And it is good to know the symptoms of heat stroke, which include: dizziness, nausea, high body temperature, pounding headache and red, hot skin. Also tell kids to trust themselves: if they feel sick or tired they should tell someone and stop playing immediately.

Exercising and plyaing
Exercising and playing sports in the summer can be difficult because of the high temperature, so always be sure to warm-up and cool down before and after exercising and keep hydrated with water. Do not allow kids to exercise outside in the heat for more than thirty minutes. If kids are going for a walk be sure they know to stay on the sidewalk, facing traffic and that they look both ways when they cross the street. When a child goes camping be sure they have a whistle they can wear around their neck. When bicycling kids should wear a helmet, move with traffic, obey traffic rules and not listen to music while riding. Be sure, when they play sports they stretch, use proper equipment and protective gear (like mouth guards, wrist and knee pads, elbow guards and cups). And kid's should not play, or stop playing if they are hurt or feel sick.

Play it safe on the playground
make sure to always watch children on the playground to avoid them getting hurt, running away or talking to strangers, and have a first aid kit handy. Keep toddlers separate from older kids, who may play rougher. Take kids to well-maintained playgrounds, free of rusty parts, broken equipment, splintering wood or exposed sharp pieces and soft surfaces instead of concrete. Do not let children run in front of or in back of any swings that are in use. Be careful of metal slides, as they will get hot, and potentially burn a child, in the heat. When on climbing toys, like a jungle gym, children should be cautious of other kids and not try to reach a bar that is too high. Kids should immediately leave the bottom of a slide after reaching the end, and the kids going down should check that it is clear for them to go down.

Eating habits
With kids out of school, eating habits can get thrown off track, and with the heat food poisoning can become challenging, yet there are ways to stay safe and pick healthy food choices. Have family meals, filled with healthy options and be a good example by eating healthy yourself. Involve kids in the cooking process, and teach them to wash their hands before cooking and eating, clean fruits and vegetables and check expiration dates, smell and looking at food to tell if it is good. Stock up on healthy food choices, and limit junk food choices. Refrigerate food as soon as possible and always heat up leftovers before eating them.

Setting up a house rules
If your child will be left home alone during the summer be sure to go over these very important rules. Kids should keep the doors and windows locked, and never answer the door for strangers. Let a trusted neighbor or family member know that your child will be home, so they can keep an eye out for the child, and the child will know there is someone they can call if needed and leave them emergency numbers they might need. Set house rules: how much television or Internet can be watched/used, kitchen appliances, etc. If they receive calls it's important they do not let the person know they are home alone. Lock away anything you own that might be harmful to a child: medicines, poisonous cleaning supplies, alcohol or weapons. When kids are online tell them not to talk to anyone they don't know, never give out personal information, remind them to never meet anyone they met online and if anyone makes them feel uncomfortable, they should immediately tell someone. You can also restrict websites that you believe are unsuitable for your children.
It is true that summer is fun time only when the safety is included in……………………………….



What's an Active Vacation?



Lots of vacations are active, but specifically planning an active vacation means you're looking for an extra measure of physical activity. Instead of only going to the beach, for example, you might choose a hotel that offers tennis lessons, fishing excursions, and shuttles to a nearby water park.

For a trip to a big city, an active trip could include walking tours, visits to museums and zoos, ice skating or inline skating in a local park, then ending each day with a dip in the hotel pool. Then there are full-fledged adventure vacations that focus on whitewater rafting, downhill skiing, scuba diving, or mountain biking.

Camping is another popular choice and can be affordable or extravagant, depending on where you go and how much camping gear you already own. The nation's 388 national parks offer a wide range of activities, from nature walks to a program that awards your child the distinction of being a Junior Ranger.

Step 1: Choose Your DestinationAfter the adults decide on the vacation budget and a couple of trip ideas, it's a good time to get the kids involved. Older kids might want to vote on the list of possible trips, while younger kids will appreciate seeing photos of where you've decided to go and all the fun stuff to do there.Because you're trying to incorporate activity, it's important to consider each family member's interests and needs. If mom is an expert skier but everyone else is a novice, will that work? Perhaps — if the resort offers ski lessons for the rookies as well as other options for when the slopes have grown tiresome, such as toboggan rides, ice skating, and arts and crafts at the lodge.

Travel websites and alumni associations often can provide low-cost deals on trips. Look into vacation packages for families because they will cater to kids of all ages as well as to parents. Finding a family-friendly outfitter is especially important when planning an adventure trip, like biking or rafting, because many of those packages are far better suited to adult travelers.

A family cruise can be a good choice because it's self-contained and there's plenty to do. But the round-the-clock eating so common on many cruise ships could interfere with your plans for a healthy vacation. And there are some challenges if you're looking for a lot of physical activity. While cruise lines do offer activity programs and on-shore excursions, there could be limits to the amount of physical activity you can engage in while onboard.

If you're considering a cruise:

-Ask about the pools, climbing walls, classes, and other offerings. Are they easily available, or are there waiting lists or long wait times?

-Find out if the cruise line offers active programs for kids of all ages, or just a childcare service.

-Sign up early for on-shore excursions and other activities that could fill up quickly.

With other types of trips, too much activity can be a problem. Some pre-packaged trips might schedule more than your family can handle, so be sure to review the itinerary before signing up. They also can be expensive. Traveling off-season is an option, but may become impossible once kids are in school.

Step 2: Get Kids Involved in the Itinerary

Once you know where you're going, let kids help map out your trip. Older kids might like researching your destination online or in travel books. Younger kids will like seeing a short list of options and getting to choose something special they'd like to do or see. Letting your child choose some of the family's activities encourages good feelings about being physically active together.

Another way to involve kids is to put each one in charge of some aspect of the trip. Is there a natural photographer in the family? Ask that child to take pictures and create a scrapbook when everyone's back home. Or maybe one of your kids likes maps. Get a child-friendly map and let him or her follow your route as you travel to your destination. Kids also can help guide you using maps in museums, zoos, or amusement parks. School-age kids might like having a travel journal to record memories in words and pictures.

Step 3: Get There

If you crave an active vacation, leave the electronic games at home — or allow them only during the time in the car or on the plane. Vacations are a great time to be unwired, so grownups too might consider turning off cells phones and detaching from email for the duration of the trip.

Magnetic checkers, license plate bingo, and other travel games work well in the car for older kids. Music and books on tape can please a range of ages. If you're headed on a long road trip, designate an hour where each kid — and parent, for that matter — gets to determine what everyone else listens to on the car stereo.

Plan on taking breaks from a long car ride. Scout out parks or other destinations where you can stop along the way and let everyone stretch their legs. A quick game of catch or Frisbee can help burn off some pent-up energy. These stops might slow you down a bit, but kids will feel better — and might even nap — if you get them a little fresh air and activity.

Pack a healthy lunch — or at least some healthy snacks — to keep everyone from getting too hungry during the ride or flight. Younger kids especially will appreciate a little bit of their usual routine. So if it's always raisins and crackers at snack time, bring those on the road with you.

If you're stuck waiting in an airport, use the downtime to take walks from terminal to terminal. Find a good spot for watching the planes take off. Many airports even have activity centers for small kids. And don't forget to tuck a deck of cards and a few good books into everyone's backpack. For younger children, crayons and paper can usually save the day.

Step 4: You Made It!

The key to having a great time once you arrive can be summed up in two words: Be flexible. Vacations can really throw kids for a loop. Nothing is like it normally is — from the bed they're sleeping in to the food they're eating for lunch. Help kids feel comfortable on vacation by keeping them informed.

Younger kids will appreciate knowing that you're going to the zoo, then having lunch, then going to look for shells on the beach. It's helpful to remind them during the day: "We're leaving the zoo, so it's time for lunch. Then we'll go to the beach." Talking to them at the end of the day ("What was your favorite part of our day?") also can help orient them. And talk about what's coming up tomorrow.

Here are some additional travel tips for active vacationers:

-Travel can be exhausting, especially if you're changing time zones. Give yourself a day to rest up before jumping into strenuous physical activity.

-Consider the weather reports. Juggle activities if you can to avoid bad weather. Your preschooler might love the nature hike on a beautiful sunny day, but might get pretty weary of it if it's rainy and windy. Include several indoor activities on your list of things to do — and save them for bad-weather days.

-Stagger different activities to accommodate different ages, abilities, and interests. For instance, you don't have to ride a bike all day. You could bike in the morning and take a lazy canoe ride in the afternoon. If you've been hiking or biking all day but your toddler has been in the backpack or tucked inside a baby seat, head to the nearest park or playground where your baby can get some welcome exercise.

-If you didn't schedule enough time for a favorite activity, don't rush through it just to move on to the next item on the agenda. Be open to changing your plans if you find something more fun or interesting. At the same time, be willing to call it a day if the kids — or adults — are just worn out and ready for some downtime.

-An "anything goes" approach can be tempting, but letting discipline slide on vacation isn't a good idea. Though all parents lighten up a bit on vacation, try to enforce the same rules that apply at home. If it's not OK for a child to hit his brother at home, it's not OK on vacation either.

-Plan some downtime — and make sure kids get enough sleep. Be especially sensitive to younger kids and try to stick to their usual routines as much as possible. The time you spend adhering to normal nap schedules will pay off because kids will feel more secure and less cranky. And when kids are less cranky, parents are less cranky, too!

Positive words can change your babies personality

In last few months I have seen a great change in my child due positive words. Instead of telling him that you are Lazy, naughty and non-sense, I have started telling him that you are strong, responsible and very well behaved.  By doing this I have seen a great change in his over all behavior.
        Previously he was not caring about his studies. I started to inspire him that you can do this Instead of telling whether you will do or not god knows. These were very few positive words which leaded to his great participation in his studies without any compulsion at all.
        This is not only one case where I have seen this type of changes by positive words in my child. There are so many good changes like his way of talking, way of caring others, attraction towards taking responsibility. Overall it has lead to a very-very good mannered baby formation. 

IDENTIFY WHEN YOUR TODDLER IS READY TO LEARN ALPHABETS

Most children starts recognizing some letters between the ages of 2 and 3 and can identify most letters between 4 and 5. According to this we can understand that we should start teaching teaching our child the alphabet when he's around 2 years old — but we should not expect full mastery for some time. Additionally, toddlers learn differently from older kids, so don't pull out the flashcards and audiotapes just yet. Instead, rely on visual aids such as colorful alphabet picture books — your child will have a great time pointing out the letters he knows, as well as colors, shapes, animals, and other objects in the book.

The 1st step in teaching the alphabet is getting your child interested in listening to stories. At around age 2 or 3, children who are frequently read to get the idea that books contain print, which is made up of letters.

There are lots of fun ways to introduce your child to individual letters. Sign his name to his artwork, then point out each letter one by one. Eventually he'll get the idea that by putting those letters together his name has been created. You can reinforce this identification in many ways: Alphabet letters forming his name on the door of his room, perhaps, or a dall or puzzle games of his name. Or help him play with alphabet puzzles or refrigerator magnets that he can manipulate. Once he recognizes a letter, play word games — "What words start with 'B'? Ball, baby, boy ..." or use the first letter of his name as the starting point — "Your special letter is 'A,' for Adarsh; can you think of any other 'A' words?" (Your child won't be able to write letters until he's about 4, so don't focus on teaching him to write until then.)

If he seems interested, feel free to continue helping your child learn more letters. But if he's under 4 and shows no interest, it's best to let it go for a while. No evidence suggests that very early alphabet learning is related to more advanced reading skills later on.

REQUIRMENT OF COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE IN KIDS

The child learns more from the environment rather than teaching and preaching. Hence parents as well as educational institutions are to take such steps so as to arouse the curiosity, develop thinking faculty and provide opportunities to identify and nature the hidden talents in the child. The child has inherent desire to touch, to play and to exhibit his pleasure.
        
The present society is depending more on technology whether it is communication and information technology or Biotechnology or new vistas of future technology. Since communication is the first skill required to express, this could be developed easily using computer. Thus it is a strong tool for teaching learning process. The children are to be provided with such a books so that the children can learn and apply the computer technology for enhancing their knowledge and skills. The stress should be on concept clarification relevant to the children who are the ultimate users as per their age groups.

kids and cartoons

we are very cautious that whether cartoons are beneficial for kids or not. But as the experience gained from being the proud father of two my thought says that up to some extent the cartoons are good for the kids as it helps kids to learn how to speak and act according to the situation. But you can say that these things can be achieved by the kids during living with the family and friends also, but in that way we can not provide them everything in a summarize way. As the kids learn everything by sitting at one place only.
           Along with the merits it has demerits too, as if kids gets addicted of watching the cartoons following things happen -
*   Extensive use of Television gives adverse effect on their eyes.
*   Kids starts disliking the outdoor games which leads to obesity and health related problems.
*   They are not able to give sufficient time to their studies which leads to mental weakness.
*   They are not able to give time to family and friends which leads to social backwardness.

so each and everything is having its pros and cons, but if we provide the sufficient knowledge and make a routine of watching the cartoons we can provide them a good life..........