Early Development in Young Children

There are many things that can enhance early development in young children. As parents it is important that we know what they are in order to increase our children's chances for a successful life.

To begin with, breastfeeding is good for baby's brains and for their health. It will help prevent childhood obesity, help to ensure they have better teeth, improve their jaw alignment, lower their risk of heart disease, juvenile diabetes, multiple sclerosis, asthma and allergies, and help to prevent diseases such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and some childhood cancers. It will also assist in their general well-being. Studies indicate that breastfeeding for a minimum of six months, if possible, can help with a child's emotional function and cognition. Indications are also that the longer a baby is breastfed, the higher their levels of school readiness there will be.

But other things help as well. The younger a baby is read to, the more aware parents are of their young child's emotional cues and their own responses to them, the higher cognitive levels their child will have. Breastfeeding, reading to your baby and being emotionally responsive to your young child will increase bonding between mother and child. However, this bonding can also be as easily achieved between a child and their father if the same things are done. (With the exception of the breastfeeding, of course).>p> Other things that will have a bearing on a child's readiness for school, their cognitive abilities and their IQ will be whether the mother, while pregnant, has been exposed to pollutants, i.e.: lead, mercury, car exhaust or pesticides. The mother's diet while pregnant will make a difference also. Birth order can have a bearing as well. A parent usually has more time to give extra attention to a first born child; to read or play games with them than they do with subsequent children thereby stimulating their cognitive development.

Also those children who had more junk food or processed foods in their diets when they were young will not fare as well. And those who were physically punished creating more stress in their lives will have their cognitive development impacted. Genetic factors passed on to each baby at birth will determine brain size and IQ both negatively and positively. As well, their parents' income and education will make a difference. Also whether a child has been in a day care environment or been raised by a parent or a close family member. Those who have not been in a daycare environment will generally have a better advantage because more one on one time will likely have been spent with them.

As parents it is our responsibility to do the best we can for our children to help set them on the best road for a happy and successful life.

Helping Out When Your New Grandchild is Born

As a grandparent, there are many things you can do to help out when a new grandchild is born. For each one, the need may be different depending on the particular circumstances.

When my first grandchild was born, I cooked meals ahead and put them in the freezer so cooking wasn't an issue for the first week or so. However, it is best to ask first. Some people prefer their own style of cooking. When this particular grandchild was born, I also bought a fiscus plant. She is fourteen years old now and the plant is nearly as tall as she is. (However, plants may not always be welcome either).

When my second grandchild was born, I looked after the baby so that the parents could get some much needed sleep. Also, when it was decided that nursing wasn't the success the new mother had hoped for, I picked up formula and bottles, sterilizing the bottles and then making up some formula. And when their next child was born, I looked after both children so that the tired parents could catch up on their sleep. Although we all know that after the birth of a new baby it takes a lot more than that to be caught up.

When the third grandchild was born, both were uncomfortable with bathing the new baby so I gave the first bath and suggested that they could sponge bath the new arrival until they felt more comfortable handling her. I also, in this case too, looked after the baby while they caught up on their sleep. Sleep deprivation is a common problem with new parents and can make what really is a small problem seem monumental.

When the next grandchild is born, I'm sure my role will be to take the older child to karate and piano classes and pick her up from school and I will likely spend extra time with her so she doesn't feel left out. I'm sure also that I will look after both children so their parents can get, as all new parents need, some uninterrupted sleep.

Sometimes with a new baby, first time parents just have to be reassured that things are going as they should be. Yes, babies most often initially wake up to be fed every two hours, especially nursed babies. Those babies that are being nursed often fall asleep before they're full as it is hard work compared to being fed with a bottle. But the benefits of being nursed are significant to the baby. And yes, some babies do cry more than others. They each have their own personalities just as grown-ups do.

Many new parents look for answers from their friends, who are also new parents searching for answers. As a grandparent it is wise not to offer unsolicited advice even though you have the advantage of having already raised children. If they come to you with a question, that is the time to offer your help. How the answer is worded will be as important as the answer, especially at a time when emotions are running on high.

The most important thing we can do as grandparents is to extend our offers of help. Some of our children will jump at the chance for a little assistance and others will want to manage on their own. That's their choice. But offering is key; at least they know that help is only a simple request away.

Preparing Your First Child for the Birth of a Second

Preparing your oldest child for the arrival of their sibling will depend upon his/her age. Toddlers generally have an easier time adjusting than will a child that is a little older. But in most cases, inclusion in the preparation process will be a positive factor in a child's acceptance of a new baby.

The older the first child is when the second one arrives, the more aware he/she will be of the differences a new member of the family will make to their own life. They will realize that they may not get as much attention. Almost right from the beginning there is excited talk about this new person who is joining the family. There is probably a room being readied for him/her and new things bought. They are not going to be the only one their parents dote on. Things will have to be shared like when a friend comes over only now it will be all the time. There will be crying and noise and things are going to be different. They will worry about how that is going to affect them.

My son and daughter-in-law are expecting their second child; their first is five years old. They have been preparing her by including her in the build-up to the new baby's birth. She was taken when they went for the ultrasound. She wasn't that interested but at least she didn't feel left out. She's had her new room for a while, painted in her favourite colours with a brand new bed. She has a new purple quilt for her bed and she's quite excited about it.

Her parents have involved her in planning the new baby's room. Her little sister will have her old baby furniture and she is willing to share some of her prize stuffies with the baby, at least until the new baby gets her own.

She feels the baby's movements and sings to her little sister. She also chose the baby's second name. She knows that I will be taking her to the hospital when the baby is due to be born, (it is to be a caesarean), so she can see the baby right away. She knows this new baby is her sister as much as she will be mommy and daddy's second daughter and that she has an important role in the new baby's life.

Although the birth is in one month, my granddaughter does not appear to be bothered by the thought of another child to share her mommy's and daddy's attention. My son said they would probably get her her own baby doll for when they come home from the hospital with the baby. I did this with my daughter, also my first, when I brought my first son home. She wasn't particularly interested in the doll, but nor did she seem to be bothered with the addition of a brother. She was two and a half at the time she became a big sister. At this age, it isn't such a big deal; they can't visualize the changes in their life that an older child can see.

I don't anticipate that there will be any problems with my granddaughter as she will probably be too busy to notice her life being impacted that much since she goes to full-day kindergarten, takes karate, piano and dance and if the status quo continues, it shouldn't cause her any undue stress. But for the child who isn't so busy, it would be helpful if there was a grandparent or other relative to spend extra time with them.

The first month or two will be the most difficult since that's when babies are the most demanding and parents are often sleep deprived. If there are other family members who can help at that time, it will make the transition for the older child and the new parents, that much easier.

But if there isn't a grandparent or relative, perhaps supply the older child with a new game, colouring books if they like to colour, play dough if they like to be creative or something that they are interested in but only they can do as the older sister or brother.

And it won't be long before no one in the family will be able to remember a time when the latest addition hadn't always been part of the family.