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Reading, songs and rhymes are a very important for the development of your child.  They not only help with using and understanding words but give you child and interest in these areas. 

Song and rhyme teach us about language and help us to remember stories.  Many legends, fables and  biblical stories are put to song or rhyme such as the Psalms which remind us of God’s sovereignty. 

Children love songs and rhymes with actions.   This encourages them to be involved in group activities.  In participating we not only learn the song but the actions too.  Both of which need skill and lots of concentration to put the two together at the some time.

Reading, songs and rhymes  can be used (especially with older children) as a form of relaxation or unwinding before bed.  When he is very young it doesn’t matter what you are reading because it is the soothing sound of your voice that will relax him.  You can use this time to catch up on your mail, read a magazine or the latest novel. 

As he becomes more interested in what you are reading, choose baby books with strong bright colours and simple pictures.  When reading, make it interesting.  Talk about the pictures.  Choose fabric or cardboard pages for the very young so he may turn the pages without tearing them.  When putting an older child to bed, a story time can become part of his bedtime routine.  He will recognize it as a quality time with parents or loved ones, a special time to calm down and relax before sleeping.  This quiet time can be part of his daytime sleep routine too.

Children who have been read to since early childhood grow to love reading.  Reading is an integral part of growing up and those who love to read are usually those who love learning. 

It is ideal to start these activities when you child is very young.   Form a habit of reading and singing to him regularly, this will help him to concentrate, to sit still on your lap or opposite you when he needs to copy your actions. 

Your Baby Can Read

As seen on Today Tonight and A Current Affair, babies as young as seven and a half months old are reading their first words after using the Your Baby Can Read! Series.

Your Baby Can Read! is a whole new way of learning. Based on the research of Robert C. Titzer C, Ph.D., Your Baby Can Read! is the first video series in the world designed to help babies, toddlers, and preschoolers learn to read! Gaining the attention of national TV news and other media, as well as thousands of babies across Australia, "Dr. Titzer's multi-sensory reading approach" teaches little ones to recognize words using several senses at the same time.

How your child will benefit:

• helps your child learn to recognize words.
• Stimulates brain development.
• Makes learning fun and interactive.
• Encourages early language acquisition .
• Gives you an effective tool to stimulate your child.
• Teaches reading during the window of opportunity for learning language.
• Entertains your child with children, animals, sing-along songs, and poems.

Why should parents teach their babies to read?

It's easier to learn language skills at a higher level earlier in life than it is later in life. Babies and toddlers learn to understand language and speak naturally simply by listening to language. If babies are allowed to see the language, they can also learn written language just as naturally. We would never imagine waiting until age 5 or 6 to speak to children so why should we wait until age 5 or 6 to allow children to see our language.

What is this video about?

Theses videos allow the children to see the language at the same time they hear the language in a fun, interactive way. The videos use animals, other young children, and songs that are interesting to young children. The main idea behind the videos is that we try to help the children develop an association between the written words, their sounds, and their meanings. Over time, the babies figure out enough of these associations so that they learn the sounds that the letters make.

How does it work?

We use an interactive and multi-sensory approach.  The children are allowed to see the words at the same time that they hear the words. So, the infants are able to see and hear words instead of simply hearing the words. 

Additionally, we encourage the babies to participate by saying the words and by doing physical actions that help the children learn the meanings of the words.

Does your video series teach phonics?

We have sections of the videos that teach phonics.  Many infants have learned to read phonetically at very advanced levels with this system because they picked up the patterns of the written language all by themselves.  Three-year-old children may say,  “I swimmed yesterday.” instead of  “I swam yesterday.” because they figure out the pattern of adding an “ed” onto words to make them past tense. Young children who watch our videos may learn the patterns of the written language or phonics after they learn to read several dozen words.  This happens because after they learn to read many words, they will pick up the patterns of the language.  In other words, they will learn to recognize that words beginning with the letter “d” make the ‘d’ sound after they learn some words that begin with the letter “d”.

Why should parents have their babies watch educational videos instead of watching entertainment-based programs?

Time, Newsweek, and many other magazines have had in-depth reports on infant brain development. Most conclude the same thing – there is a window of opportunity for stimulating infants' brains when babies’ and toddlers’ brains are developing very rapidly. Babies and toddlers have tens of thousands of new connections forming in their brains each second. According to theories of brain development, young children who see the language at the same time they hear the language, see and hear about the meaning of each word, and do physical actions related to the words should have many new synapses connecting the visual cortex with the auditory cortex, somatosensory cortex, and other language areas of the brain.

During a half-hour video, babies have millions of new connections forming in their brains – most of them are not useful when they are watching most TV shows or videos that have only a small educational component. Over time, these connections form the actual physical structure of your child’s brain so it is extremely important which videos that you allow your child to watch.

Additionally, there are longitudinal studies showing positive effects of early stimulation, including higher IQs. At the very least, the evidence suggests that stimulating your infant will lead to more useful synaptic connections in the brain which could provide a foundation for future learning. Our videos could also lead to early independent reading which would open up numerous opportunities for accelerated learning in other areas.

Many of the babies who have learned to read from our videos are advanced in other areas as well (including expressive language, spelling, music, science, geography, and math). Many of the parents report that watching Your Baby Can Read the DVD's or videos helped the child’s development and ability to learn in general.

Tips: Read regularly to your children from an early age and avoid watching senseless TV programs or mindless videos.  

Remember: Our brains are growing at an enormous rate between the ages of birth to five.  Utilize this window of opportunity to benefit your child’s development. 

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

For more about  Your Baby Can Read products. 

How to purchase 'Your Baby Can Read' DVDs and books and other educational tools go to Our Shop.

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More Articles on Play and Learning

Disclaimer: Article on our website are for education purposes only.  Please consult with your doctor to make sure this information is right for your child.

All articles on this website have a copyright. The use of any material must have permission from Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions.

If you are a client of Cradle 2 kindy you will know how we stress ‘tummy time’.  Tummy time is time on tummy.  Due to SIDS stressing that you should not sleep your baby prone most parents are nervous about putting their baby tummy down.  Because babies these days generally sleep, play, and are in the car or pram on their backs their development of back, shoulder and neck muscles is hampered.  There can also contribute to misshapen heads and torticollis (taut neck muscles causing babies to favour looking one way).  To avoid these problems it is advisable to give your baby plenty of tummy time when awake.  In fact most of the awake time, other than feed time, should be on their tummy.  Your baby is never too young to spend his awake time prone but babies under nine months should be supervised.  I recommend at least 60% to 80% of their up time on their tummy. Up time is the time they are out of bed and involved in activities such as feeding, bathing, playing.

The benefits of tummy time:

Tummy time helps to strengthen baby’s back, shoulder, neck, arms and legs in preparation to roll, crawl, sit and stand. It helps baby to develop eye to hand co-ordination.   It gives baby the opportunity to explore their surroundings by reaching out to feel and touch, to use their gross motor skills in movement and balance.

How to encourage tummy time:

Begin early.  Supervise your newborn on their tummy during their up time and extend this time as their need requires.  If you haven’t given your baby lengthy periods of tummy time they will most likely protest loudly.  Start with short periods of two to three minutes or until their protests become loud.  Then turn them onto their side till they calm down.  Once they are calm turn them back onto their tummy. You may need to rub or massage their back and shoulders to encourage them to stay longer on their tummy.  You many need to do this several times during their up time and repeat it during every up time during the day.  As you persist in lengthening the period they spend on their tummy they will begin to enjoy it.  Tummy time should be continued till they are old enough to be able to push themselves up to a sitting position by themselves.

Tips: Start tummy time from birth.  I recommend at least 60% to 80% of baby’s up time, apart from feeding, on their tummy. Up time is the time they are out of bed and involved in activities such as feeding, bathing, playing.

Remember:  The younger your baby starts and the more tummy time they have the more they will enjoy it.

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

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One of our parenting coaches will come to your home and assist you with what concerns you may have.  

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More Articles about Play and Learning

Disclaimer: Article on our website are for education purposes only.  Please consult with your doctor to make sure this information is right for your child.

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Constipation can occur at any stage of a child’s life from formula feeds to starting solids.  Babies who are exclusively breastfed are rarely constipated.  Newborns will usually have a soiled nappy at every change.  Some breastfed babies have been known to go 10 days without a bowel movement this may cause discomfort.  Breastfed babies often become constipated when they begin solids. 

All babies should have their bowels open at least once a day.  What goes in must come out!

How do I know my child is constipated?

A normal bowl motion can range from being loose (not watery), crudely, pasty or softy formed the consistency of tooth paste. 

If baby strains when trying to pass a stool even though it may look soft, if it is of the consistency of plasticine or modeling clay, your baby is constipated.  Extreme constipation is when the stool is hard, dry or looks like rabbit droppings.  This should be avoided at all costs.

Constipation often occurs after very hot days, when a foreign substance is included into a child’s diet or when they are needing more fluids.  Some milk formula is more prone to constipate babies than others.  These are often the ‘Gold’ formulas.   Some babies will become constipated due to an intolerance to dairy or soy protine.  This is very common with reflux babies.  In this case it is suggested that a non dairy or soy formula should be offered or if breastfeeding the mother can remove all traces of soy and dairy from her diet to see if this helps.  If this is the case a calcium supplement should be taken.

How can I help my child’s constipation?

Introducing Cooled Boiled water to Babies diet:

Firstly introduce 20-30 mls of cooled boiled water after a feed or just before bed.  Never add extra water to the formula as this dilutes the calories and essential vitamins needed in baby's diet.

Gently massage baby’s tummy clockwise before a feed and raise his legs up pressing them gently into his tummy then using similar pressure with alternative legs as in bicycle riding.  

Nappy free tummy time

If this doesn't help after a few days and your baby is formula fed you may like to try a different formula while keeping up the extra fluids and exercises.   If constipation persists see your doctor. 

If baby is over two months old try diluted prune juice between feeds.

Babies on solids:

You may find that introducing cereal has constipated your baby.  Eliminate cereal till bowels return to normal and include roughage such as fruit, fibrous vegetables, prune pulp.  Increase his water intake.  If baby doesn’t like water try diluted fruit juice 1/3 juice 2/3 water.

Toddlers with constipation:

Increase roughage and fluid intake and decrease carbohydrates and milk. 

Tips:  High fiber fruit and vegetables as between meal snack foods as well as water between feeds will help the body retain water and therefore reduce problems with constipation.  (cooled boiled water for babies under one year old)

Remember: If constipation persist speak to your doctor.  (also take a look at our Shopping Guide suggestions)

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

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More Articles on Health

Disclaimer: Article on our website are for education purposes only.  Please consult with your doctor to make sure this information is right for your child.

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Parents have on occasions brought up the subject of circumcision and asked for my professional opinion. I read the article in the Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 5th of November titled “Cruelest cut may be kind after all”  It was a very well written article written by July Skatssoon of AAP and Geesche Jacobsen, highlighting the positive side of circumcision.  Their article stated that “recent studies showed circumcision protected men against HIV and lowered the risk of cervical cancer in their partners.” “...research showed uncircumcised boys were significantly more likely to suffer urinary tract infections.” 

Study finds circumcision protects against HIV 

Wednesday, Oct. 26 2005 (Health Day News) — “Circumcision reduced the rate of HIV infection among heterosexual men in South Africa by 60 percent, according to a study that provides the first published data about the effects of male circumcision on HIV infection.”  Bertran Auvert of the French health institute INSERM studied 3,274 young, sexually active men divided into two groups.   Circumcised and uncircumcised.  “After 18 months, the researchers detected 20 HIV infections in the circumcised group and 49 in the control group. The researchers concluded that because circumcision was so effective at preventing HIV infection, it would be unethical to continue the study for the planned 21 months. They halted the trial and offered circumcision to all the men in the control group.” -- Robert Preidt, Health Day News.

To be or not to be? 

Circumcision is a hotly debated topic but invariably the choice to circumcise or not is up to parents.  I suggest you make an informed decision not based on other peoples opinions but on possible health benefits and risks, as well as religious, and ethnic traditions.

Pros and cons of circumcision. 

I also suggest reading  “In favour of circumcision” by Dr Brian Morris, purchased through UNSW Press. Dr Morris is a Professor in the Department of Physiology at the University of Sydney.  

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

Cradle 2 Kindy can help you with other health concerns for children from birth to five years old. 

Call and see how Cradle 2 Kindy’s can assist you with your concerns. 

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More Articles on Health

Disclaimer: Article on our website are for education purposes only.  Please consult with your doctor to make sure this information is right for your child.

All articles on this website have a copyright. The use of any material must have permission from Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions.

Women commonly suffer depression during the childbearing years - it’s well known that depression occurs postnatally in many women. But depression can also occur at any time before or during pregnancy.  As depression is potentially life threatening it should NEVER go untreated.

Treatment for depression often involves counselling or talk therapy, but sometimes antidepressants are also needed.  This poses a problem for women who have been depressed and wish to fall pregnant and for women who develop depression during pregnancy.  Should they suffer untreated depression in order to avoid taking medications during pregnancy?  Or should medication be continued throughout pregnancy thus causing potential problems to the baby?

Let’s look at some options when talking therapy is not enough and antidepressants are needed:

1. Postponing pregnancy until depression is resolved and medication no longer needed.

This seems the “safest” option for the baby, but there are problems with this approach.  Pregnancy may need to be postponed for up to two years as it can take six months to stabilise on the antidepressant, 6-12 months of maintenance medication, and another six months to withdraw fully.  But by this time women can find it harder to get pregnant because their fertility has fallen, especially if they are over 35.

2. Withdrawing antidepressants before pregnancy.

This also seems safe for the baby. Unfortunately, however, there is a high risk of relapse during the pregnancy and then it can be very difficult getting the depression under control again.  Many women end up suffering unnecessarily for the rest of the pregnancy.

3. Continuing or starting antidepressants during pregnancy.

This is best from the depression point of view.  However, sometimes newborns whose mothers took antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (eg Prozac, Zoloft, Aropax) can have withdrawal symptoms like agitation, poor feeding and sleepiness for a few days.  Reducing the dose at the end of the pregnancy may avoid this. To date, there are no reports of antidepressant related birth defects and research suggests children whose mothers took fluoxetine (Prozac) during pregnancy have no added risk of behavioural, neurological, or developmental problems by age five.  St John’s Wort is not recommended during pregnancy.

4. Leaving depression and/or anxiety untreated during pregnancy.

There are many risks with leaving depression untreated, not least of which is suicide.  The babies are at risk of being undernourished in the womb, they risk delayed development at eight months, and they risk more behavioural and emotional problems at four years than other children.

So in conclusion, to date evidence suggests there is more risk to the mother and child from untreated depression than there is from taking antidepressants.  However while taking antidepressants in pregnancy seems safe, they should only be rescribed when absolutely necessary.  The final decision needs to be made by the woman herself in consultation with her doctor (GP, psychiatrist, obstetrician, or all three).  If you think you may be depressed, don’t hesitate to discuss this with your doctor.

Please note: this article does not replace medical advice.

For further information on antidepressants in pregnancy see http://www.bcrmh.com/index.htm and http://www.motherisk.org or contact Mothersafe at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick on 02 9382 6539 or 1800 647 848 

References:

Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletin Volume 22, Number 4, August 2003

The American Journal of Psychiatry 2002;159:1889-95

The Safety of Herbal Medicinal Products UK Medicines Control Agency www.mca.gov.uk

The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 2003;44:1025-36

The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 2003;44:810-18

If you would like more information on similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

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Cradle 2 Kindy can assist by helping you with routines and skills that will help you to cope with the stresses and demands of parenthood. Your own personal coach will be on call to answer any of your concerns.  We will support and assist you during this difficult time. 

Call now and book a visit so that you too can have a personal coach to guide and assist you during this difficult time.  

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More Articles on Health

Disclaimer: Article on our website are for education purposes only.  Please consult with your doctor to make sure this information is right for your child.

All articles on this website have a copyright. The use of any material must have permission from Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions.

Summertime is a time of great peril for young children as we are often unaware of how much body fluid they have lost through sweating.  Dehydration happens quickly.  If may occur due to hot weather and or over dressing your child.  Babies are unable to regulate their body temperatures which means they are more effected by extreme heat than older children. 

Preventing dehydration while inside:

Dress baby in a nappy and singlet and sleep her in a nappy and light wrap.  Sleep and play in a cool room.  Sometimes keeping the windows closed will keep out the searing heat but if there is a cool breeze open windows for a cross-current where possible.  Offer extra fluids - cool boiled water in a cup or bottle.  Check that baby has frequent wet nappies.  If the urine is thick or smelly increase baby’s fluid intake.  Outside: Keep baby out of direct sun and protect from reflective heat or glare off the sand, water or concrete. Avoid going out between 10 am and 4 pm.  Wear a hat,  long sleeves cotton top and trousers and stay in 100% shade where ever possible. With older children - Slip, Slop and Slap .

Signs of dehydration:

children becomes limp and lythargic.  Fontanell in babies becomes sunken. Urine becomes dark, thick and smelly. Skin if pinched and raised remains raised. 

Tips:  When traveling with young children always carry with you a bottle of  water (cooled boiled water for babies).

Remember:  Dehydration is extremely dangerous for small children if baby don’t respond or refuse to take fluids seek medical help emediately.  

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

Cradle 2 Kindy specialises in care and advice for children from birth to five years old covering topics such as health and safety, breast and bottle feeding to weaning and starting solids.

Call now for a personal consultation from one of Cradle 2 Kindy’s parenting coaches.  

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Also see: What happens at a Coaching session?

More Articles on Health

Disclaimer: Article on our website are for education purposes only.  Please consult with your doctor to make sure this information is right for your child.

All articles on this website have a copyright. The use of any material must have permission from Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions.

I thought parents should be aware of research that shows SIDS may not be a medical condition but is caused by toxic gases within mattresses.  The gases are caused by fungus breeding within the mattress and is especially prevalent with re-used mattresses.   

These deadly gases deactivate an enzyme within the body which assists with the transmitting nerve impulse from the brain to vital organs such as the lungs.  Over time the impulse is weakened breathing stops the heart ceases to function resulting in death.   Babies poisoned by these toxic gases show no physical symptoms of illness. 

Prevention:

To prevent these gases affecting a baby, the mattress should be covered with a non gas generating, gas-impermeable fabric.  The chemicals known to cause these toxic gases are phosphorus, arsenic and antimony.  It has been suggested to avoid moisture-resistant mattress protectors, sheepskin or woolen underlays, any bedding containing polyester or acrylic, pillows, sleeping bags, quilts or duvets.

For more information go to:  http://www.cotlife2000.com/

Tips:

At Cradle 2 Kindy we recommend always buying a new mattress and if you are concerned about the gases affecting your baby, purchase a mattress cover.  Other parents have recommended using untreated firm rubber cut to size.

Remember:

Our homes are often a source of toxic gasses, sprays and dust from common household products.  It is wise to read labels carefully and keeping all harmful products out of children's reach in a locked cupboard.

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

Cradle 2 Kindy has a service to help you set up your baby's nursery which is especially designed to help parents avoid the trap of buying some of the unnecessary items. See Nursery Preparations

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More Articles about Newborns

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As parents we are to assist our children to acquire the necessary skills to communicate.  This is done primarily through example.  We must give our children the tools for good communication.  Good communication skills begin in childhood and are continually developed throughout like.  Give them the words they need to express themselves.  When you can see they are tired, frustrated, angry or sad talk to them about their feelings and help them to express how they feel in words.  For example ’Are you frustrated because you can’t do that by yourself? Would like me to help you?’ or for a younger child just give him the words to use such as  ’Help me please Mummy’.  A vital part of learning is through watching and role play.  Helping children express themselves with words can prevent physical reactions such as temper tantrums, hitting, throwing or angry outbursts. 

Changing our words

You may have heard me say there are foour words we should try to avoid when talking to children. They are ‘naughty’, ‘bad’, ‘good’and 'no'.  Instead of saying good boy/girl, try using ‘clever’.  ‘That’s clever!  I like the way you do that.’  Try to turn a negative comment into a positive one. eg. ‘Stop winging!’ replace with ‘Please ask me with your friendly voice’.  Children love to please, they respond positively to encouragement and praise.

Speaking positively

We should try to speak positively over our children and remember not to talk about your child in their presence.  Many parent have discussed the negative behaviour of their child in front of them.  This may reinforce or encourage negative behaviour.  If you need to discuss their behaviour with another adult then do so out of their hearing.  Confess positive behaviour over your child so that they will hear your approval and continue to strive to please you.   We know ourselves how positive words bring us confidence and negative words can cripple us with inferiority or inability to achieve our goals.  This works the same with children.  I can still remember teachers and parents speaking about my poor grades at school (I was dyslexic). This gave me a terrible inferiority complex and low self esteem which I struggled with for years. 

Tips: Give your child a head start in life through building their self esteem by speaking positively over them from a very early age.  

Remember: Positive words build up negative words destroy.  Emotional scars often take a life time to recover from and unfortunately have become an excuse for much of the irresponsible behaviour in adolescents and adults.  

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

Cradle 2 Kindy can provide professional guidance on toddler and child management to equip your child with self esteem and confidence.  

Call Cradle 2 Kindy on 1300 786 101 and make an appointment for one of our parenting coaches to visit you.

Also see: What happens at a Coaching session?

More Articles on Discipline

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Setting limits and teach discipline from a very early age is advisable. The sooner we start this process, the less of a fight we will have when we introduce ‘rules’ later.  Boundaries need to be introduced before your toddler reaches the age of two as this is when he will begin to test the power of ‘no’.  Toddlers respond very well to learning and discipline is part of this process; it does not need to be something you dread.  When boundaries become part of your daily routine, you usually find that rules become accepted, not questioned.  So start early: ‘Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it’ (proverbs 22:6).  When mobility begins is the ideal time to start giving your infant boundaries in which to play, explore and develop lifetime social skills and manners.  Starting before they can disagree with you will help set good habits.  Nobody enjoys children who are unruly or undisciplined - children who ‘run-amok’ wherever they go, even with their parent’s presence.  Children must learn what is socially acceptable and unacceptable at an early age.  Unruly and demanding children will have few friends; no one will put up with their nonsense.  It also follows that unruly toddlers will grow up into unruly teenagers and adults.  So be prepared and start setting limits while your child is still young and eager to please. 

Some strategies for setting boundaries -

1. Use their natural desire to learn and to please by giving attention and positive reinforcement for good behaviour.  Try not to fuss too much over negative behaviour.
2. Ignore much of their bad behaviour by distracting you toddlers’ attention.  For example, when packing toys away in preparation for bed, your toddler may throw a toy across the room, leave it and distract him by drawing attention to something else.  Later, when he has calmed down, go with him and retrieve the thrown toy so that he can put it away with you. 
3. Keep in mind your toys; TV remotes, mobile phones, telephones and the like, are not your toddlers toys.  He needs to learn to respect other people belongings by learning what he can and cannot play with.  This means he must have your permission and supervision before he is permitted to use them. 
4. “Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no,’ ‘no’” (Matt 5:37)  Don’t say something to your child unless you can follow through with the appropriate action.  Don’t tell them you will do something you don’t intend to do.  If you say you are going to do something then do it.  If you don’t your children will not only begin to doubt your word but you will be teaching them that lies are OK. 
5. Encourage your child to talk to you, and not to whinge at you.  If you respond to their whinging by giving in to their demands you are teaching them that whinging or nagging brings the desired results.  Not giving in to their demands will teach them that your word is true.

Tips:  An out of control child is really just wanting someone to take control and to bring order.

Remember:  Research shows that a disciplined child with well defined boundaries has higher self-esteem and confidence and is less likely to run off the rails as a teenager. 

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

Cradle 2 Kindy can help you with tips on discipline and assist you with setting boundaries for children of all ages. Our parenting coaches take into consideration not only your child’s age but their personality and their environment.  

Call Cradle 2 Kindy on 1300 786 101 to arrange for a parenting coaches to visit your home and assist you with what concerns you.  

Also see: What happens at a Coaching session?

More Articles on Discipline

Disclaimer: Article on our website are for education purposes only.  Please consult with your doctor to make sure this information is right for your child.

All articles on this website have a copyright. The use of any material must have permission from Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions.

Biting may occur at any age from breastfeeding infants to frustrated toddlers.   There are many reasons for biting, here are some helpful hints on how to deal with biting from breast feeding through to toddlers.

Biting at the breast

Newborns are known to gum their mothers nipple while feeding, this may occur when the flow is slow or the breast is drained.  An older baby may bite when he is exploring with his mouth, when he is teething, when disinterested in feeding further or when you are detaching him from the breast and he feels you are being distracted or tense.  

Solutions to prevent biting at the breast

When biting occurs, remain calm, do not smack your baby but remove him carefully from the breast with a firm ’No’.  Don’t try to pull your nipple out of his mouth. Release his grip by drawing him as close as possible towards your breast.  This will make him release the nipple as he draws back to catch his breath, then slip your finger between his gums and gently detach him. Wait a few minutes before reoffering the breast.  Give baby your attention when feeding.  Recognize when he has finished or lost interest in the feed and detach him immediately.  Be careful how you take him off the breast.  

Biting and toddlers

Toddlers may begin to bite for a variety of reasons one of these may be an attempt to relieve the discomfort of teething.  Other reasons may be due to boredom, frustration, excitement or experimentation or as a result of going through an anxious or stressful time.  She may bite to attract your attention. 

Solutions to prevent biting as a toddler:

When with other children supervise a child who bites, at all times.  Warn parents that your child sometimes bites. 

Prevention is the best action, distract the child before biting begins.

Never draw attention or make a big fuss over biting it may become a form of attention seeking.  Never bite back this only teaches a child aggressive behaviour.

Remain calm and remove the offending child from the situation and explain to her why biting is not acceptable. You may have a special phrase that you use for unacceptable behaviour such as “That’s not friendly”.

Give extra attention to the child who was bitten.

If biting continues remove the biter for a longer period of time, and keep her occupied with something else.

If biting episodes continue, your patience and persistence will be needed before you see results.

Tips:  Give lots of possitive attention when the child is well behaviour.

Remember:  Children will eventually grow out of this disruptive behaviour so remain possitive and confident. 

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

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Disclaimer: Article on our website are for education purposes only.  Please consult with your doctor to make sure this information is right for your child.

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