The Role of play in your child’s development
July 9, 2009 by Mum Admin
Filed under 6 - 12 months, Featured, Fun & Games
PLAYING TO LEARN
Playing is your baby’s job! When you’re ten months old, anything and everything can seem new and interesting. Most activities represent opportunities for fun and learning – whether it is seeing what happens when you slowly push your dinner, piece by piece over the edge of your feeding tray, or emptying Mummy’s handbag all over the floor while she’s busy talking to her friend. Even the most common of routines, like taking a bath, can be turned into a challenging game as you help your baby sink an empty bottle under the water to produce big bubbles. With a little imagination, you can constantly encourage your child’s development through play. Learn to see the “fun potential” in objects around the home and during daily activities. For instance, that cardboard box you were going to throw out could provide hours of entertainment. And why not distract your little one when changing his nappy by teaching him to clap along to a familiar nursery rhyme. By trying to look at every situation through your baby’s eyes, you can quickly find ways to make it more entertaining and even educational.
LEARNING TO PLAY
Babies learn through play, but they also need a hand learning how to make the most of playing. Your little one watches your every move, and most of his actions and reactions are modelled on your behaviour. So your guidance and encouragement can help him become more inquisitive, confident and sociable. Involve your baby in your activities whenever possible, turn chores into games and prompt him to investigate how objects feel, sound, or move. Point out interesting things when you’re out together – remember, his language comprehension is already well underway even though he isn’t yet talking. Get together with other babies – one is never too young to make friends! And always offer lots of reassurance as you encourage him to explore new surroundings, interact with new people and try out new activities. He needs to know you’re there, offering security and familiarity, while he is busy being sociable and adventurous.
Source: Pampers Newsletter
Teething
July 7, 2009 by Mum Admin
Filed under 6 - 12 months, Childhood Development, Health
The following information is courtesy of the Editor at www.Babeeze.co.za – hope it helps the mommies out there 
TEETHING TIME
Is there ever a right time for teething? Is there a set time and order that you can expect your little one to start teething? The answer again is no – babies differ.
If I look at my little one – he started late – around 10 months and instead of getting his lower incisors, he received his upper first molars. And a week later there was one upper and one lower incisor.
But if you are lucky and have a “by the book” baby as some of my friends have you can look to expect the following:
Most commonly teething starts around 6-7 months with the lower incisors. Thereafter, more baby teeth begin to erupt every month or two. So, starting with the incisors, and then the first molars. Followed by the canines and then lastly the second molars.
Here is a basic chart that you can look at following:
TOOTH ERUPTION FALLS OUT Upper Jaw Central Incisor 7-12 months 6-8 years Lateral Incisor 9-13 months 7-8 years Canine 16-22 months 10-12 years First Molar 13-19 months 9-11 years Second Molar 25-33 months 10-12 years Lower Jaw Central Incisor 6-10 months 6-8 years Lateral Incisor 7-16 months 7-8 years Canine 16-23 months 9-12 years First Molar 12-18 months 9-11 years Second Molar 20-31 months 10-12 years Symptoms of teething:
- Often teeth simply appear without any signs but in most cases you may find
- Your little one may drool a bit more than normal
- Your little one may want to chew on things or place objects into the mouth to bite down on
- Gums may look a bit swollen
- Cheeks become very rosy
- Crying, diarrhea and nappy rashes are often common symptoms.
- Agitated or niggly.
Tips for soothing gums:
- Give your little one something cool to gum on e.g. a teething ring (the ones you can place in the fridge are often great).
- Vidol powder is always a great one to keep on hand (especially if out and about) – keep a few sachets in his/ her nappy bag.
Or let them chew of a piece of dried mango or biltong – just be careful of choking.
