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Raise 'Em Right
Barbara Peary

Our three children have so many games and toys that at times they are overwhelmed. Consequent-ly, they are frequently at a loss as to what to play with. Do you have any ideas as to what to do with it all? When asked to cull through it, they claim to “love all” their toys and do not want to part with any.

Sit down with them and go through each type of toy. For example, put all puzzles in a group, all board games in a category, and all video games together. Have the children select a reasonable number of each to keep out, say five. Put the others in storage for a few months and then switch these for what is in their rooms. When the toys and equip-ment are novel, they will enjoy them more.

Is it appropriate to expect a four-and-half-year-old to try to put on his own shoes and socks? Frankly, I am tired of doing it for him.

Yes, your child should be comfortable doing this task before entering kindergarten.

Give him socks that are not too tight, like tube socks, so it is easier to fit them around his ankle and toes. Teach him how to pull the center of the shoe up (the tongue) to make it slip on easily.

My husband and I are both in good shape, but my son’s weight bothers me. He is two and looks a little chubby. We hear so much about childhood obesity. Should I be concerned at this age?

Consult your doctor to see where your child fits on the body weight index compared to his height. Many toddlers are “chunky” and slim down as they start to grow. Begin now though to watch what you serve to your child. Healthy habits start young.

As a single dad with sole custody of my eighteen-month-old son, I need to use a diaper changing area in restaurants.  Why haven’t restaurants and hotels caught on that men take care of children too?

A quick survey of several highway rest areas, restaurants, and two hotel lobbies found that all of them had changing stations in both the male and female restrooms. When stuck with no changing area in the men’s room, ask a woman to hold the restroom door open while you use that facility. Then voice your complaint to the manager of the establishment.

Being a new mom has made me more aware of children and their behavior. Some of them are so rude. How can I make sure that my children have great manners?

If you and your spouse are verbally polite to each other, your children will follow that example. As your child begins to speak, emphasize the everyday manners of please, thank you and using verbal responses instead of nodding or grunting a reply. Children only act the way their parents expect and allow them to behave.

Recently, my son’s preschool teacher said that my child’s fine motor skills need more development so that he can learn to print. What are some things I can do with him, or toys that I can buy?

Ask the teacher for a list of finger plays that are done in class. These are short songs that have small finger movements that accompany the words. Any child-friendly board game like Trouble ™ or Candyland ™ that require a youngster to manipulate small marker pieces is excellent. From a craft store, purchase play dough and encourage your son to roll it, pound it, and provide cookie cutters to use with it. Large beads and then smaller ones to string and restring would be great, as would puzzles with small knobs.


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The May, 2006 Edition of the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly Publication.
All Contents (C) 2006
, Valley Patriot, Inc.
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Prior Columns by Barbara Peary