Schedules. Sometimes we yearn for them to make the day seem normal. Sometimes we despise them and long for freedom. Families are busy and children are expected to follow "the schedule." But for all kids, this is not that simple.  Every day as early intervention therapists, we are asked questions just like this one, "How can I help my child transition between activities more easily?"

It's questions like this, that encouraged us to create 1-2-3 Just Play With Me.  This product, a  card set is a unique product as it combines milestones associated and each stage and in each developmental domain with simple, fun, and interactive play strategies that match each milestone.  As mothers, my business partner and I feel it is unique as it it is a quick, all in one easy reference that allows a parent to enjoy each stage and not feel overwhelmed.  We were unable to find such a reference that gave milestones AND activities in a simple format when our children were infants and toddlers.  As therapists, we believe in the idea that developmental and interactive play is crucial for child development.  We also feel the product helps to supplement developmental screens at regular pediatrician check up visits. 

Here it is! Perfect gift for yourself or others!

So today, we are blogging to show you just how this card set can work practically in your day.  If you had the same question listed above for your own child, the card set would help you understand WHEN difficulty with transitions is actually typical with children and WHAT are some SIMPLE WAYS to work through the stage and make day more enjoyable for your family.


Our cards are in order from birth to three and each color represents a different developmental domain (gross and fine motor, social-emotional, speech and language, and cognitive skills).  For the challenge of transition troubles a parent could pull out card number 56 (a blue card representing social emotional development) and read that transition trouble (along with other skills) are typical at this age.  Flipping the card around will reveal a pairing of play ideas and education to coordinate with this stage.


Here's some practical ideas that are shared on the back of card 56.  Tactile or visual representations of the day can be helpful in a child understanding what comes next.  Toddlers usually don't understand units of time, but they can learn to understand what is first, next, and last.  These are easy ways to reinforce a schedule.


THE START FINISH BIN: Place items representing the child's day (plastic food, toothbrush, car, small blanket) in the start bin and the beginning of each day.  When an activity has been completed, let the child move the item representing that activity (block for play time) in the finish bin.

START FINISH BIN

BEGINNING OF THE DAY - LOTS TO DO!

BANANAS! BREAKFAST IS OVER!

TIME TO GO BYE-BYE!

If you child likes books, a simple photo album with pictures of your child doing daily activities.  You can "read" the story of the day to prepare your child for what lies ahead.

This simple Velcro schedule (made on a piece of card board from the recycling bin) allows you to change the order of your day as your routines change.

Another option to accommodate changing schedules is using a simple plastic pocket sheet. This one was purchased at an office supply store as an insert meant to hold business cards in a binder.  Printed pictures were placed in each pocket and placed on the side of the refrigerator to mark the main activities of the day.


A fun way to get your child engaged in their daily routine is to let them move a picture of themselves from activity to activity. How cute is that?!


Whether you use these ideas or your own, remember that empowering your child with knowledge of what to expect in their day helps them to become more effective at regulating their emotions and preparing himself for changes which equate to a more peaceful day for you!!

Like these suggestions? 1-2-3 Just Play With Me is filled with 75 cards that will educate you on what's happening with your child and encourage you to jump in and play with relevant, simple, and creative ideas just like these. Order three years worth of knowledge and ideas today at milestonesandmiracles.com (click shop and play).  Our website also has a pdf example of one of our cards.  Want more information? Feel free to contact us on Face book (Milestones & Miracles) or email us today: milestonesandmiracles@gmail.com.

We believe that the better you understand your child at each stage, the more you can enjoy and cherish each moment of those precious early years! They sure pass quickly! Enjoy!

This weekend my kids took part in a sibling class at our local hospital.  My 6 year old daughter was in her glory, as I suspected she would be!  She could answer most of the instructor's questions, she diapered and swaddled her doll like a pro and hogged most of the time in front of the nursery window "oohhhing" and "aahhing" at the newborn babies.  I wasn't sure what to expect from my 3 1/2 year old...but he did surprisingly well too!  He participated in the activities and was excited to hold, diaper and swaddle his doll (even though it was girl!).
In about a month, our family of four is going to become a family of 5.  Or as some would say, my husband and I are moving from man to man defense to zone!  And as most parents do, I am already feeling guilty about how having another child will rock the worlds of my daughter and son.  I am confident my daughter will adjust well; she has already been through this once when her brother was born and was so excited about him and helping me take care of him she didn't have time to be jealous.  And now that she is older and more able to help out, I will be sure to give her some responsibilities in helping to take care of the baby so that she feels even more important as a second time big sister.  I do worry about my son, though.  I admit I have babied him for longer than I should've; carrying him whenever he asks, excusing some of his behavior that should be disciplined and conceding when he kicks and screams when I should stand firm.  It wasn't until recently that he started acknowledging to others that there even is a baby in my tummy.  Up until then he would tell them there was a puppy in there!  I do think it was difficult for him to grasp the idea of me pregnant.  It was an abstract thing to him until until my tummy got so big it was in his way when he sat in my lap!  I also think the pregnancy clicked more with him after I showed him pictures of when he was in my tummy and the day he was born.
So to prepare both of the kids for what lies ahead I have been reading up on the do's and don'ts when it comes to welcoming a new sibling into the family.  I'm hoping to ease this transition for all of us, and hope that these tips help your family in the same way too!

Before the New Baby arrives:

*Visit the hospital where the baby will be delivered to help ease your child's anxiety about where you will be when you are gone.
*Enroll your child(ren) in a sibling preparation class.  Ours was offered by the Wellness program through our local hospital...totally worth the registration costs, in my opinion!
*Read age-appropriate books or watch videos about becoming a big brother/sister.  Check out your local library for this.
*Allow the older sibling(s) to help prepare for the baby:  make a list of what the baby will need, let them help you decorate the nursery (hanging a picture drawn by the big sibling in the baby's room really helps them feel involved), help mommy pack her suitcase for the hospital.
*Share photos with your older child(ren) of when they were born.
*Help the older child(ren) create or pick out a special gift to give to the new baby.

After the Baby arrives:

*Try to keep your old routine up for the older child(ren) as much as you can.  The familiarity and predictability of the "old routine" will help ease any anxiety your older child(ren) may be experiencing about the change in your family after the new baby's arrival.
*  Provide your child(ren) with a baby doll and props (diaper bag, diapers, blanket, etc.) so that they may care for their baby while you care for your new baby.
*Include the older sibling(s) in the routine of caring for the new baby.
*Don't "blame the baby" ( example: say you have to leave somewhere because the baby has to eat).  This may cause your older child(ren) to resent the baby.
*Attach emotions to the baby's cries; she's crying because she's hungry or tired.
*Encourage friends and family to greet your older child(ren) before greeting the baby and to ask the older child(ren) about the new baby.  Older siblings will take pride in sharing the news of their new sibling and want to be considered the baby expert by others!
*And lastly, try to schedule some one on one time with your older child(ren) daily.  Just 15 minutes a day to play and engage with them will reassure them that are loved and not forgotten about.


                                           My son, hard at work, diapering his baby.
                                          My daughter, proud of her "Official Big Sister" certificate.

This is a great article we wanted to share from the National Association for the Educaiton of Young Children.  The article explains how simiple, everyday household items can be interesting and beneficial toys for little ones.  It reminds us to choose our kids' toys based upon the basic principles of child development and the role of play, not popularity or price.  Toy companies want us to think the most expensive toy that sings the most songs and has the most lights is going to be what's best for our child's development.  But that is not so.  Children often find more basic toys, often homemade ones, more intriguing because their minds are challenged.  So read on, and rethink what is in your child's toy box.

Sometimes, someone else's words are a better fit than your own. Today is one of those days. I woke up and read a blog of a friend of mine. She is the mother of a former patient named Brenden (and for the record I have her blessing to share all this information). Anyway, Brenden is a bright, funny, sweet boy who happens to have Spinabifida. On the day he was born, he visited three different hospitals and his worried mom followed behind him. Around that time, I was very busy with my work as a physical therapist and wasn't taking new patients but I got a call from a mutual friend of mine and Brenden's mom Michelle who shared his story and told me I WOULD be taking him on as a patient. 

You know how sometimes you think you just don't have time for one more appointment, not another "to-do" on your list, not another responsibility, and it turns out to be just what you yourself needed? That was Brenden for me. That little boy and his family, like many of my patients are, were a gift, a lesson, a blessing in my life. So today, I share with you, his amazing mother's words. 

Beyond the job of being a mom, she has found ways to help many other families who live with Spinabifida or other special needs. She even recently ran the NYC marathon to raise awareness and to honor Brenden's hard work.  Lacy & I know we are fortunate to meet incredible people along the way in our jobs and I'm honored to share Michelle and Brenden with you. She is "paying it forward" big time and inspires me to find ways to do the same. I hope she does the same for you.

Meet Brenden. He loves cookies!

 

From her blog found at: http://jmbdugan.blogspot.com/

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Posted by The Dugan's at 9:26 PM

Remember that old saying, "Tis better to give than to receive"?  Well about this time every year, amongst all the gift wish lists and crazy shopping, I try to remind my children (and myself) of this life lesson.  It's not easy, nor am I always successful with my moral lesson, but I try!  Below we listed some websites and organizations that we have donated to in the past.  All of them are related to giving to other children.  I think if we expect our kids to understand the importance of giving to their neighbor, we need to choose a charity or organization that serves children.  Then it will be easier for your child to empathize with the child in need.  So as you are finalizing your holiday budget, considering cutting a few corners so that you can include a donation to someone in need.  Not only will you be teaching your child about charity, you will feel good about yourself too!

Project Night Night - A wonderful non profit organization that provides tote bags for you to stuff with a stuffed animal, blanket and book.  The tote bags are then distributed to homeless and domestic violence shelters to children in need.  Most of our children enjoy a story before bedtime and snuggle a "lovie" as they drift off into dreamland.  How sad it is to think that some children are so quickly removed from their home and moved into shelters that they may not have time to grab any of their belongings.  These night night packages hope to bring sweet dreams to all children in need.  www.projectnightnight.org



World Vision - Their slogan is "Building a better world for children"...love it!  World Vision offers many ways to support children in need and fight hunger around the world.  You can sponsor a child, purchase animals, donate to help provide clean water, and many other donation opportunities.  www.worldvision.org

Samartian's Purse - Every year around the holidays Samaritan's Purse sponsors "Operation Christmas Child".  By filling a shoebox with small toys and hygiene essentials, you could be giving  a child around the world the only Christmas gift they will receive.  To help your child better understand the impact of their gift, you can track your shoebox online to find out what country your shoebox is distributed and write a letter to the receiving child in the hopes of hearing back from them.  www.samaritanspurse.org








Read to Me - A non profit that distributes care packages to underprivileged new moms in hospitals.  Included in the care package is a new book, onesie, tote bag and a special note to mom explaining the importance of sharing the joy of books and reading with their newborn baby.  You can make a monetary donation at www.readtomeco.org.

Nuru International: Founded by a WV native and a team of professionals who left high profile employment, Nuru is an innovative non-profit that sees the larger picture: extreme poverty feeds extreme terrorism. Nuru uses a grassroots approach to teach agriculture, leadership skills, education techniques, water and sanitation techniques, and health care techniques to area leaders to foster self-sustaining communities and ultimately ending poverty one community at a time. http://www.nuruinternational.org/
Berkeley County Back Pack Program (or something similar in your community): The Back Pack Program was implemented in order to meet the needs of children when food resources are not available. Their main food source is what they receive at school. This program provides children with healthy and easy to consume foods that can be take home on weekends.Recommended items: Juice boxes,small water bottles, fruit cups, applesauce cups, individual size cereal boxes, granola bars, cheese/peanut crackers, pop tarts, raisins & small microwavable meals. Food that can be easily opened and prepared by a small child. Donations can be coordinated through their Facebook site: BC Back Pack Program

Jessica Rocks for Timmy's Fund: A non-profit that encourages creative fund raising for adults and kids to participate in -- with all funds going to support families whose children are undergoing treatment for cancer. jessicarocks.org 

There are so many ways to give. A shut in neighbor. A women's shelter. A soup kitchen.  Finding a place to teach our children to care for those around us is not the problem. Finding the time to do it and making it intentional is harder, but the lessons learned through hands on giving are greater than most things we try to teach and are certainly something to be thankful for.