Twirling, spinning, balancing and feeling like you’re floating on air. Ballet is almost a right of passage for any little girl. Especially if she’s in love with all things pink, delicate and dance-themed. Ballet can help build confidence, improve posture and give them a sense of purpose, especially if they’re working towards a grade or a competition.
If your little ballet dancer has a birthday coming up, then finding them the right gift doesn’t have to be difficult, you’ll find a great range of toys for 6-year-old girls here, just click the link. But if you really want to make their birthday extra special, why not consider something that will complement their passion for ballet? Here we’ll take a look at toys and presents that your little dancer will cherish.
Some ballet slippers
Every little ballerina needs their own pair of slippers. You can get them handmade from a proper supplier to make them even more special. You’ll want a pair that will last long, look great and are super comfortable!
A trip to the ballet show
If your ballet dancer is a little older, than a trip to see a world-famous ballet production is a birthday present that they’ll never forget. If they’re a little on the young side to sit through 3 hours of dance, then consider taking them to see a local kids production. They’ll take lots of inspiration from seeing others dance.
Room décor
How about a little room makeover for their birthday? You’ll be amazed at the difference a few simple ballet-themed wall decals can make. You could paint their walls, add a rug, treat them to some ballet-themed bedding and create somewhere to hang all their precious ballet attire.
A ballerina musical jewellery box
Every ballerina needs somewhere to keep their most precious trinkets and jewellery, so what could be better than a ballerina musical jewellery box? Is there anything sweeter than a wind up musical box with a gorgeously detailed ballerina slowly turning? Your little one will love it.
School stuff
A new ballerina school bag, and stationery and notebooks. If your ballerina is of school age, then they’ll love these new dance-themed additions to their school day.
A new tutu
Every ballerina needs a tutu. Beautiful layers of silk, nylon or tulle, you’ll find a wide range of beautiful, handmade tutus online. Your little dancer will love showing it off at their next dance class.
Many children are unable to gain essential communication skills because they spend more time on their smart devices and less time with their peers. As a parent, you can use several fun games to help your kid develop these skills and become more eloquent.
Various issues may mean that your child has trouble picking up on essential communication skills. The common reasons are low self-esteem and the lack of interaction with other children. Fortunately, both of these can be tackled with a few communication skills games.
As a parent who is stuck wondering how to teach communication skillsto your little ones, the following games will be helpful:
1. Conversation Ball
This game consists of discussing with your family, with the rule that the person holding the ball is the only one allowed to speak. It will teach your kids to listen to others without interrupting.
2. 20 Questions Game
The 20 questions gamewill train kids to think critically and ask questions directly, as they’re expected to guess what’s on one of the participant’s minds by asking questions.
3. Impromptu Speech
Get your kid to talk about something they love for about two minutes. As they grow older, introduce more challenging topics and have them give longer speeches to improve their ability to express their thoughts accurately.
4. Identify the Object
In a group,blindfold one child, then have the others describe an object to him or her. The blindfolded kid is supposed to guess what the object is from the descriptions.
5. Presentation
Have your kid write a poem about a particular topic. They should then recite it to the family to build their confidence in public speaking. You can keep the lyrics in your baby memory booksto remind you of those fun moments.
6. Picture Storytelling
Picture story selling is another game of teaching communication skills for kids.Bring a set of pictures then ask your child to arrange them to create a storyline.
7. Scrabble
Scrabble is a board game that enriches your child’s vocabulary. It widens their knowledge of a language and makes them more confident when speaking.
8. Dance Freeze
For communication skills activities for kidsthat work on listeningskills, try the dance freeze game. Children should dance when the music is on and freeze when it stops.
9. Taboo
Taboo is a picture game, where there are cards with an image and three words below it. The kids are supposed to describe the object in the picture without using the three words. This game develops vocabulary and verbal expression.
10. ‘Get to Know You’ Balloons
Have kids write questions on paper, put them in a balloon, and then blow it. The questions can be about topics such as their favorite pet. Let them play with the balloons, pick one, then burst it. Each child should answer the question that they get. This allows them to talk about themselves and learn how to communicate their feelings.
Build Your Kids’ Communication Skills in Style
Teaching children communication skillsis fun when you use games. Make your child feel free to express their thoughts about things that affect them. When you show them that you’re ready to listen, they will open up more easily.
Let us know in the comments which communication games your kids enjoy the most.
Author’s Bio
Amalia Liberman is a wife and a mother of two as well as a novelist and writer, the author has been featured in Women’s Health magazine and also written different articles in lifestyle magazines. Her passions lead her to search out knowledge with all her searching and she doesn’t mind sharing her findings.
A baby’s safety is a concern of every parent, and one such concern is your baby’s safety during sleep. Of course, how well you sleep also depends on your baby’s sleep. If your baby gets sound sleep, you too will have ample time rest. Unlike buying support bras for women, the kind of shopping in which you can try things on, shopping for baby needs understanding and awareness. Nonetheless, it is advisable to know what your baby needs, not just for comfort but also their safety. And safety is one factor to consider when creating a sleep environment for baby.
How Much Sleep Does Your Baby Need?
Babies do not sleep for the
same amount of hours as we do. Generally, they sleep for 16 hours a day, but
with breaks after every 3 to 4 hours. Before their bodies get into a sleep
pattern, they will stay awake for only an hour or two. Babies sleep for a few
hours because they need to feed frequently for a period before their bodies
adjust to normal body functioning. If you feel concerned in any way about your
baby’s sleep, go ahead and consult a pediatrician.
Safety Measures For Baby’s Sleeping
It is recommended that baby sleep by themselves in either a bassinet or crib. Even if you have twins, lay them separately.
Below are some of the Dos and
Don’ts for taking care of your little one.
Ensure
that the baby always sleeps on his back and a firm surface. To do this, ensure
that the mattress has a tightly fitted sheet.
Do
not share the bed with the baby. Ensure that the baby has a separate crib or
bassinet. Bed-sharing is one of the most common causes of death in infants
under 3 months.
Ensure
bassinet or crib meets safety standards. Always ensure that the product meets
the product safety standards of your country of residence.
Remove
anything dangling near where your baby sleeps. Babies can easily get tangled in
such and choke.
Ensure
to keep the room at a comfortable temperature for a newborn baby.
Things To Avoid
Avoid
using sleep positioners, which some people call these anti-roll pillows. Such
items are dangerous can cause babies to die from suffocation.
It is
not wise to put your baby to sleep on a sofa, waterbed, soft mattress, or
cushion.
Avoid
using bassinets or cribs that have drop-side rails. Babies can get stuck and
choke.
Ensure
that you avoid using loose beddings, toys, crib bumpers, or any soft object in
the baby’s crib. These can easily trap, strangle, or suffocate your baby.
Do
not allow your baby to sleep in the car seat, sling, or stroller for too long.
And in case they do fall asleep, take them out and put them to sleep as soon as
possible.
Bottom Line
A baby’s safety during sleep is every parent’s interest and, of
course, responsibility. Understandably, you would be excited about having a
newborn. You may want to buy so many things for the baby, but hold your horses
for now. Infants require several safety measures, and you must exercise such
measures.
The upcoming season is a time of holiday travels for many as they travel close and far to visit their loved ones. Many of those travelers consist of families with young children who present their own logistical challenges. Parents have to worry about getting to their destination without getting hit by a car, lost in an airport, or finding a hotel room that’s kid-friendly.
There’s also the need to keep the kids content during the journey in order to reduce fuss and stress as well as being considerate to other travelers. It’s a lot of work for a parent, but there are ways to make it a little easier. Here are some tips to help you have safe and peaceful holiday travels.
Apps for Kids
There are a lot of apps out there that are aimed at entertaining kids of all ages, and they’re found on both iOS and Android. Many apps focus on delivering an experience that’s akin to reading a picture book, use famous characters from classic books as the app theme, or provide challenges to help a child learn something new. You as a parent have to decide what apps are good for your kids, but there are so many options that finding appropriate apps is an easy task.
Parents are right to be concerned with their children spending too much time looking at a screen and not engaging with their environment. However, some situations mean using any means necessary to keep kids occupied so parents can get everyone to their destination in one piece. Using apps on phones and tablets to keep everyone occupied is for the short-term trip, and kids can be taught that they only get unlimited use of devices during travel time.
Age-Appropriate Videos
Many vehicles come equipped with in-car entertainment systems, and there is seemingly no end to the number of videos aimed at kids on the internet. However, videos are noisy and can be distracting. Instead of dealing with endless repeats of songs and movies, get a pair of kid-friendly headphones. Headphones designed for young ears come with features such as volume limits and fit over the ear instead of fitting into tender ear canals. And they come with wireless options so you don’t have to worry about someone getting tangled up in a cord.
Find Time to Let Kids Blow Off Energy When Traveling by Car
Let’s face it: kids and inactivity don’t go well together. Keeping kids in a car for hours at a time is a sure-fire way to wind up with a cranky child who won’t cooperate. When you’re planning your trip, look for kid-friendly destinations such as a public playground or restaurant with a kid’s activity area. Set aside a reasonable amount of time for a stop so the kids can get rid of their excess energy. They’ll feel better afterward and you and your spouse can relax and focus on the road.
Define Responsibilities Before Leaving Home
Kids will want to bring their own gear with them to keep them occupied or to keep them feeling secure. You may also want them to tote something in their own bag to spread the load. What winds up happening is there’s a lot of stuff to track and keep tabs on. You might not have the spare brainpower to know who has what at all times.
That means making sure each kid knows what they’re carrying of theirs, their siblings, and of yours before you leave home. It prevents prized possessions from getting lost in transit, and allows you to pay attention to important things like routes or boarding passes instead of digging through your own bag to find something for a child.
Bring the Snacks Along
Snacks help grumbly tummies make it from Point A to Point B. Kids are more likely to stay content if they can munch on things while in transit and keep their stomachs from hurting. And if you have a child who’s going through a picky phase, giving them snacks to chew on is an alternative to making them wait to eat a full meal. You might not find a restaurant that serves fare your picky one will eat.
This is another area where you’ll have to drop the rules for a while. You might not like the idea of letting your kids fill up on junk food, but you also can’t make a child wait hours to eat, either. Trail mixes and low-carb snacks help kids feel full for longer and have less sugar content. And there’s enough of the fun yummy stuff to delight a young palate and keep them munching.
Don’t Drive When You Can Fly
Flying has its hassles that make the idea of driving more appealing. However, kids don’t do well with trips that are more than 5 hours long even with breaks. If the destination is within 2-3 hours of home and it makes sense to drive, then you should go by car. But when the distance would mean a journey of more than 5 hours, it’s better to go by air.
Taking a flight does absorb a few hours of the day to travel the same as a car, but there’s less time spent in transit overall. If you have younger children, bring along items to help with the ear-popping at altitude, snacks to keep their jaws working and alleviate air pressure, and a tablet with child-friendly apps. Older children may need the same gear, but you can have them pack their own items and use them as they need.
Holiday travels with kids is challenging, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Take your time planning and preparing, make sure that you’ve covered all possible contingencies, and take a deep breath when you go out the door. You’ll do better than you think you will.
Life has a way of getting ahead of all of us. Whether it’s keeping up with your kids’ schedule or a combination of work and home, it’s easy to fall behind with the everyday, mundane tasks. Unfortunately, a cluttered, dirty home can contribute to stress, which only makes keeping up that much harder.
A solid cleaning schedule can keep you on track. Schedules let you plan the most labor-intensive cleaning on days you have more time. It also helps you divvy out chores according to which family members are available on certain days. The trick is to make a schedule part of your routine, and we have got some interesting tips to help you with that.
Make a List
You will be surprised by how many cleaning tasks you really do. We are not just talking about daily things like wiping counters, cleaning the dishes and picking up toys after your kids. We are talking about cleaning the fridge and freezer, dusting, and sanitizing door handles too. A lot goes into the upkeep of a home.
Start by taking a walk through your home and making a list that includes everything from sorting laundry to scrubbing the bathroom sink and dusting the baseboards. Then, separate them by how frequently you would like to have them done—daily, weekly, or monthly.
Create a Chart for your Cleaning Schedule
The next step is to create a chart onto which you can place all the jobs from your list. Some people prefer a checklist while others do better with a calendar. You can use a combination of both if that works better for you. But create a visual representation onto which you can rearrange tasks until you find a layout that works for you.
Doling Out the Chores
Here’s where you’ll need to do some coordinating. Take a look at your family’s schedule and arrange tasks according to when there are free blocks of time. From there, you’ll be assigning chores.
Everyone can have a few daily tasks that include picking up shoes, backpacks, or toys and one daily cleaning assignment like wiping down the bathroom counter. Another option is to have one or two family cleaning afternoons or evenings when everyone works together to check several items off the list.
How frequently you need to do certain tasks will largely depend on your lifestyle. If you vacuum seal your meals, your freezer might be cleaner than average and may only need cleaning once every other month or so. Large families may need to include organizing the pantry once a week. Space tasks so that you’re happy with how frequently they get done but far enough apart that they don’t feel overwhelming.
Make Adjustments
You’re probably not going to get it right the first time. If you’re working with kids, you might have to create a rotating schedule so everyone gets a crack at the least popular jobs like scrubbing the toilet. Keep an open mind (and chart that can be reprinted) and be ready to make adjustments as you find what does and doesn’t work for your schedule.
A cleaning schedule isn’t a binding contract. It is a set of guidelines to help you keep track of what needs to be done. It is also a way to make sure that cleaning the home isn’t left to just one person (in most cases – you). Sharing responsibility takes the bulk of the load off your shoulders and shares it with everyone in the household. This way, children will learn how to take care of themselves and their possessions while partners support each other in building a supportive environment.
Your last pre-baby holiday? Important business trip? Whatever the situation is, the thought off travel during pregnancy can be daunting. I know it was for me and for my pregnant friends.
Lets be honest, anything around pregnancy was (is) daunting. I wish I had someone to tell me every day everything I can or cannot do while I was pregnant. Can I eat this? Can I eat that? Can I exercise? Can I do that?
When it comes to travel during pregnancy, I went to Belgium at the beginning of my pregnancy and everything was fine. My doctor told me I can go without worryinga about anything. But even though I had few opportunities to travel again, I didn’t travel anywhere later in the pregnancy, because I was too scared something bad could happen.
Well, if you are pregnant and want (or have) to travel, you don’t have to be scared anymore. As longs as your pregnancy is running smoothly, there is no reason for you not to travel.
WHEN TO TRAVEL DURING PREGNANCY
First Trimester (0 to 13 weeks) – It is safe for you to travel, but you may still be experiencing nausea.
Second Trimester (14 to 26 Weeks) – This is the best time to travel during pregnancy. Your energy has returned, morning sickness is probably gone, and it is still easy to get around.
Third Trimester (27 to 40 Weeks) – It is not recommended to travel at third trimester, especially after 35 weeks, as you have the possibility of going into labour anytime. Also, some airlines don’t allow pregnant women to board after 35 weeks or they ask for special note from your doctor.
Of course, every pregnancy is different, so you need to confirm your trip with your doctor! Travel is not recommended if you have some sirious pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia or prelabor rupture of membranes. Travel during pregnancy may also not be such a good idea if you are pregnant with twins.
Travel During Pregnancy – Everything you need to have in mind
If you’re thinking about travelling while pregnant, you should definitely have in mind your medical history, antenatal checks and any increased risks.
Discuss any health issues or pregnancy complications with your doctor or midwife, before deciding to go on a long trip.
If your doctor cleared you for travelling while pregnant, try to travel in your second trimester.
Make sure you pack all the required medicines.
Get a pregnancy travel insurance. You want to make sure that you are covered for key eventualities.
There is an increased risk of developing a DVT while flying, due to sitting for a prolonged length of time. Make sure that you stretch your legs a few times every half an hour.
Keep yourself hydrated!
Always wear a seatbelt while driving in a car. Fasten the lap sash under your bump and fit the shoulder sash above your bump.
What do you think about travelling while pregnant? Did you go anywhere while you were pregnant? If you did, what did you do to stay safe? What steps did you take before your journey to make sure everything will be ok? Please share!
