How to buy baby and toddler shoes.

What to look for when buying:

Choose a breathable, lightweight material. Soft leather or cloth is best. Avoid stiff leather shoes, which can hinder foot development, and synthetics, which don't breathe.

Bend the soles. They should be flexible and gripping, not smooth and stiff. A non-skid rubber sole with ridges will offer good traction.

Have your child try on the shoes and stand up. There should be just enough room to squeeze your pinky between your child's heel and the heel of the shoe, and a full thumb-width between the end of your child's longest toe and the front of the shoe. The shoe should provide just enough wiggle room without being too big. Because baby feet grow quickly, it's a good idea to check every month to make sure the shoes still fit.

Shop later in the day. Babies' feet swell and are often bigger at the end of the day. Shoes purchased in the morning might feel tight in the evening.

Look for problem spots. Your baby's shoes shouldn't need any breaking in. Let your child toddle around indoors wearing the shoes, then take them off and look for any irritated areas on your child's foot.

Ideas for Helping Kids Develop Better Posture

Make sure kids hamstrings stay flexible. It’s a lot easier to keep them flexible than to stretch them later. When hamstrings are tight it can tip our pelvis backwards so that it flattens our low back spine.

Lots and lots of climbing. Since it’s getting nicer out this should be easier because parks are lots of fun. The more unstable the climbing surface the more they will have to work their stabilizers and abdominals. I love climbing nets or climbing domes.

Animal walks are a lot of fun and really challenge the core. Some of our favorites are bear walking (hands and feet) or crab walking or dog/cat walking (straight crawling)

Use a therapy ball. Have your kids sit on it and move it around in all directions with fast and slow motions.

Try sitting on an unstable surface. There are wedges or core discs that are out there that can provide the ability to wiggle while sitting and allow kids to keep their core active and engaged.

Reaching in sitting will also encourage upright posture. Have them sit in a variety of positions or on a variety of surfaces and play games where you make them reach up and in front or to the side.

Dental Hygiene: How to Care for Your Child's Teeth:

How can I best care for my child's teeth?

Good dental hygiene habits should begin before your child's first tooth comes in.

What about using fluoride tablets?

Fluoride helps make teeth strong by hardening the tooth enamel. Many cities are required to add fluoride to tap water.  Fluoride is an important part of your child's dental health, but don't give him or her more than the directions call for. If you miss a dose, don't give your child extra fluoride to make up.

What are cavities?

Cavities are holes that are formed when bacteria (germs) in your mouth use the sugar in food to make acid. This acid eats away at the teeth. Cavities are common in children.

Is my child at risk for cavities?

Your child might be at risk for cavities if he or she eats a lot of sugary foods (such as raisins, cookies and candy) and drinks a lot of sweet.

How can I help stop cavities?

Everyone in your family should take good care of their teeth. Family members with lots of cavities can pass the cavity-causing bacteria to babies and children.

Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day and adults should floss once a day. Everyone should see the dentist twice a year. Have your doctor or dentist show you the right way to brush your child's teeth.

Does diet affect my child's teeth?

Yes. Avoiding sweets, sticky foods and between-meal snacks is good advice.

Vernus ELC Grand Opening DAY !!!

Vernus Early Learning Centre is holding a Grand Opening Day on Saturday 21/February/2015.

"From 10:00 am to 3:00 pm"

Parents will have the chance to tour our Early Learning Centre, meet the principal and the staff

VELC caters for children from 6 weeks to 6 years.

Our special facilities and a very unique integrated curriculum make our ELC the best place for unforgettable early years for your child

Communication tips for parents

- Be available for your children

- Notice times when your kids are most likely to talk — for example, at bedtime, before dinner, in the car — and be available. Start the conversation; it lets your kids know you care about what's happening in their lives.

- Let your kids know you're listening

- When your children are talking about concerns, stop whatever you are doing and listen.

- Respond in a way your children will hear

- Soften strong reactions; kids will tune you out if you appear angry or defensive. Express your opinion without putting down theirs; acknowledge that it's okay to disagree.

Remember:

- Ask your children what they may want or need from you in a conversation, such as advice, simply listening, help in dealing with feelings or help solving a problem.

- Parenting is hard work.

- Listening and talking is the key to a healthy connection between you and your children. But parenting is hard work and maintaining a good connection with teens can be challenging, especially since parents are dealing with many other pressures. If you are having problems over an extended period of time, you might want to consider consulting with a mental health professional to find out how they can help.

Benjamin Franklin’s Values and Clarifying Statements

Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

Order: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

Frugality: Make no expense but to do well to others or yourself; that is, waste nothing.

Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary

Actions.

Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and if you speak, speak

Accordingly.

Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

Moderation: Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloths, or habitation.

Tranquillity: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the

Injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.

Child learning difficulties - Important advice and tips for parents

What are some common causes of learning difficulties?

Learning difficulties can be related to:

1. Developmental delay – for example, children who learn to speak at a later age may continue to have communication problems at school;

2. Motor difficulties – for example, fine motor issues affecting the child’s writing skills;

3. Emotional disturbance or trauma –the experience of natural disasters, death or separation in the family can affect a child’s learning;

What kinds of recommendations or strategies will I be given?

1. Environmental strategies, such as ensuring there is a quiet area for learning and working that is away from distractions;

2. Adjusting workloads and time frames to ensure children have adequate time to absorb information;

3. Adjusting assessment formats, such as oral examinations;

4. Use of assistive technology;

5. Personal development – promoting motivation & persistence;

6. Development of non-academic areas, such as sports, art or music – this will provide the individual with a feeling of competence and promote self-esteem;

7. Targeting non-academic difficulties such as disruptive behavior, social difficulties or emotional problems.

8. You should be wary of interventions that lack evidence. There are a number of treatments for learning disorders that are claimed to be effective but have no research evidence supporting them

9. You should receive practical tools and tips to help your child that can be easily implemented. 

These can include specific programs or tutoring agencies to use, computer learning tools and apps, as well as books and activities.

You are welcome to contact us to discuss your child’s learning or developmental needs.