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2008 - Issue 3

Montgomery County Cooperative Extension
1015 Bridge Road, Suite H
Collegeville, PA 19426

Welcome to Toddler Topics Plus!

Our goal is to provide easy access to information that will help enhance parenting via tips, strategies and alternative actions that can brighten your child’s world. Whether you are reading this issue on-line or in print, we intend to bolster you when you’re tired, answer your questions when you’re confused and direct you to more details when needed.
Yours in caring for children,
Ellen Meanix Helfrick, Editor

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SETTING A HEALTHY EXAMPLE: PARENTS AS ROLE MODELS
Jill N. Cox, MS, RD
Penn State Cooperative Extension Associate Specialist, Physical Activity & Nutrition,
Centre County

Our lifestyle choices as parents speak volumes to our children even before they can understand our words. Remember the saying, “Do as I say and not as I do?” Research shows that the behaviors children see in the home are the ones they will most likely adopt for themselves. Their food choices and how active they are depends a great deal on the choices you, as a parent, make.

Studies have shown that the opportunity to role model can have both a positive and negative impact. Family mealtimes have a tremendous influence on younger children as well as adolescents. Younger children who regularly eat dinner with their families are reported to be less likely to be overweight than those who eat fewer dinners together. Teenagers are more likely to eat fruits, vegetables and dairy foods when eating meals with their families. Also, parents who modeled weight control found that their children were more likely to do this as well and that changes were more long term.

The opposite also appears to be true. Parents indulging in higher calorie, minimally nutritious foods and drinks are a strong indicator that teens especially would likely make those choices as well. If parents are mostly sedentary in their leisure time activities, then their children will likely be inactive as well.

Where to Start: Establish good habits before children are born. Following recommended guidelines for feeding when children are infants is the next step. Research is ongoing regarding the benefits of breastfeeding for the prevention of obesity. When solid food is introduced, make sure that healthy choices are served. Studies have shown that young children are able to self regulate their caloric needs. If they are encouraged to eat larger portions, over time they will override that self regulatory mechanism.

As children become mobile, planning time when your family is active together helps to set the tone for years to come. Make sure that active time is fun and relaxed. Having family meals together as often as possible is also important. These should be pleasant and enjoyable with healthy food choices being offered.

Plan ahead so that the right ingredients can be available to offer healthy food choices. Fitting in time for physical activity will also require planning or it will get squeezed out by the other demands for time. Promote physical activity for your family:

• Plan active leisure time activities - taking a hike, swimming, riding bikes, etc.
• Give gifts that promote physical activity -balls, Frisbees, hula hoops, etc.
• Limit screen time (TV, computer, video games) to no more than two hours per day.
• Try new activities together – an event or class that encourages and includes movement.
• Don’t use food as a reward or punishment.

Parents need to understand the degree to which their own attitudes and behaviors toward healthy eating and physical activity impact those of their children.

It is important for them to have a positive attitude about their own weight and body and to focus on health rather than weight. If families work together to balance the foods that are eaten with the energy expended, then a healthy weight can be achieved. Model behaviors that you hope your children will have and make a much greater impression than what you tell them.

Resources:
www.ext.vt.edu
www.ceinfo.unh.edu
www.acefitness.org
Rhee, Kyung. Childhood Overweight and the Relationship between Parent Behaviors, Parenting Style, and Family Functioning. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 2008; 615;11. http://ann.sagepub.com

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HOME SAFE HOME?
Nancy E. Crago, Ph.D., Extension Educator,
Allegheny County; Member: Safe Kids – Allegheny

At least half of our lives are spent in our homes. People usually think of their homes as safe havens. Yet about 2.5 million children are injured or killed by hazards in the home each year.

Why are young children especially at risk?

• Their bodies are small.
• Their organs are still developing.
• They are naturally curious.
• They like to put things in their mouths.
• They spend time on the ground or climbing.

The leading causes of these deaths or injuries are falls, drowning, fires, suffocation, choking, and guns. The good news is that parents can take steps to prevent these injuries.

Preventing Falls
Falls are the most common cause of childhood injury. Children most often fall off furniture, from windows, down stairs, or from play equipment. Falls from height usually increase in the summer months when windows are open or children are playing on roofs, decks, balconies, or fire escapes. Your child can fall from a window that is open as little as 4 inches. Using a window screen will not prevent your child from falling.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and Safe Kids USA recommend parents take the following steps to prevent falls:

1. Always supervise your child.
2. Move all furniture away from windows and keep windows locked when closed.
3. Install operable window guards on second- and higher-story windows (unless prohibited by local fire regulations).
4. If you have double hung windows, open them from the top only.
5. Install locks on sliding windows that are not used as emergency exits to limit the opening to no more than 4 inches.
6. Check that all deck, balcony, porch and stair railings are secure and not spaced more than 3.5” apart. Attach mesh or plastic barriers to any spaces greater than 3.5”. Do not allow children to play on fire escapes or roofs.
7. Keep stairways free of clutter and don’t let your children play on stairs.
8. If you have an infant or toddler, install safety gates that attach securely to the wall at the top and bottom of all staircases.
9. Keep floors clear of anything that may cause tripping.
10. Have your young child wear non-skid socks.
11. Use safety straps on high chairs, infant carriers, swings and strollers. Use a stationary play center, not a baby walker with wheels. Place carriers on the floor, not on a table top or other furniture.
12. Never leave a young child alone on any furniture: changing tables, bed, couch, etc.

Easy to find safety devices are available for parents to install in the home to protect their children from unintentional injury. A Consumer Product Safety Commission publication: Childproofing Your Home – Twelve Safety Devices to Protect Your Children, describes twelve safety devices, their uses, and typical installation costs. You can download it from the following web site:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/grand/12steps/12steps.html

Healthy Home Web Tool
http://www.healthyhomespartnership.net/resources.html
Every room in your home can contain hidden hazards. Hidden hazards include polluted air, carbon monoxide, lead, pesticides, mold, unsafe drinking water, and hazardous household products. This tool takes users through a series of questions about their daily living habits. It then gives a personalized “action checklist” of easy, low-cost steps for protecting children from hazards such as lead poisoning and improper pesticide use.

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TALKING MATH W ITH TODDLER?
Sue Giachero, Extension Educator,
Berks County

Many adults have negative feelings about math. The thought of teaching our children about math may seem foreign or even frightening. Try and put your own experiences behind you and let your child take the lead. Children are naturally curious and ask all sorts of questions. Be ready to answer, adding questions to enrich their experience when you can. Ask open-ended questions such as “What else can you find that is like this?” or ask “What if…?” questions.

Stop and collect things when you are out on a walk. Seashells, fall leaves and rocks, can be sorted, counted and manipulated, giving numbers a concrete meaning.

Sort snacks. Toasted O’s cereals, small crackers and pretzels can be sorted and counted. Sharing snacks by counting and dividing takes this activity one step further.

As your child grows you can encourage them to solve simple word problems that come across in everyday life. “How many steps does it take to walk from the table to the door? How many steps are there from the door to the chair?” Write it down and ask how many steps further away the door is from the chair than from the table. Discuss how to figure that out. Math is all around us, enjoy it together!

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FOOD ALLERGIES
Fran Alloway, M.A., R.D., Nutrition and Family Living Educator,
Delaware County

Food allergies affect 5-8% of all children. Eight foods have been identified as the cause of most allergic reactions. These include dairy foods, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, shellfish, fish and eggs. The worst case food allergy reaction is anaphylactic shock which causes the throat to close and affects the heart. Children with identified allergies usually have an ‘epie’ pen that will administer epinephrine, a hormone that will relax the allergic symptoms. Some reactions to food are intolerances and not allergies. Allergies involve the immune system and are usually a reaction to a protein in food. Food intolerances, like lactose intolerance, can cause gas, bloating and diarrhea. Since lactose intolerance is common, especially amongst African Americans, Hispanics and Asians, lactose free milk is easily found in the grocery stores. Visit a health food store for other substitute foods or simply avoid the offending food.

Milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy and tree nuts are the foods that cause the most allergic reactions in children. 50 – 80% of children outgrow allergic reactions to milk, egg and soy. Peanuts, tree nuts and shellfish allergies are seldom outgrown.

Delaying the introduction of solid foods for babies until 4-6 months of age is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This allows the immune system to mature and handle allergens more effectively. Breastfeeding until this time also reduces the risk of rashes and an allergy to cow’s milk. Families with a history of food allergies should be more vigilant when introducing new foods containing any of the eight identified allergens. Introduce one food at a time and wait 3-5 days to see if any allergic reaction occurs.

Processed foods today must notify consumers if their foods contain any of the eight allergens. The info is highlighted near the list of ingredients below the nutrition facts label. You may be surprised to see what ingredients are found in your food. Some products like granola bars, may even list ingredients such as peanuts or nuts that have contaminated the processing equipment with other products.

If your child has food allergies, you will need to become acquainted with what foods to avoid. The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxes Network (FAAN) is a good resource. Check their website at www.foodallergy.org for useful information, publications, recipes and links to more specific advice for individual allergens.

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GET KIDS MOVING!
Mary Roberge, Student Dietitian,
Erie County

Children spend an average of 5 hours and 29 minutes per day watching television, playing video games and using the computer! Because children are spending more time in front of the screen, childhood obesity is on the rise. Prevent this by getting your toddler or preschooler involved in physical activity. Your child needs regular physical activity everyday through play and sports to stay fit. American Academy of Pediatrics advises limiting television and video games to less than two hours per day to help promote physical activity.

Physical activity will do more than just prevent obesity. It also improves strength, endurance and coordination, helps build healthy bones and muscles, reduces anxiety and stress and increases self-esteem in your toddler or preschooler.

Physical activity doesn’t have to cost you money. You just have to be creative. It can be as simple as creating an area in your house where your toddler or preschooler can roll, climb, jump, dance and tumble. Buy push or pull toys for your toddler to promote walking and crawling. Get preschoolers involved in a game of kickball or tag with the neighborhood kids. Take a trip to the park where they can run, climb and play. Preschoolers also love to skip, play catch, go sledding and ride their bikes. Just remember, physical activity should be fun and it doesn’t have to cost you money.

For more information, visit the United States Department of Health and Human Services at www.os.dhhs.gov and www.cdc.gov.

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DEALING WITH THE “GIMMIES”
Denise H. Continenza, Family Living Extension Educator,
Lehigh County

It’s no secret that marketers often target children and young people to sell their products. As a matter of fact, research tells us that companies spend about $17 billion annually to promote their products to children. That amount is double what it was in 1992. No wonder that parents often have to deal with children begging and whining when they try to get the shopping done. There are some things that parents can do to get rid of or at least reduce the “gimmies.”

Plan ahead; make a list -- a written one, not mental -- of what you plan to buy. Decide before you go if you will allow children to make any purchases in the first place, and write those items on the list. Work on the list together with your children and explain to them that you are only going to purchase what is on the list and nothing more. Consider allowing the children to make some choices about items that are now on the list. For example, if breakfast cereal is on the list, you may want to give your child two or three kinds to choose from that are all okay with you, and let him/her pick out the box at the store. Giving children choices is empowering and often fulfills their urges to “get something.” Make sure children are fed and rested to reduce the likelihood of them asking for snack food and refreshments.

Speak up; let your children hear you making money decisions and choices. Children truly learn what they live, and if they see parents who don’t succumb to the whims of marketers, chances are good they won’t either. It is good for children to hear parents say things like, “I would love to buy that new sofa in the ad, but I am saving for our vacation instead.” Parents teach children through their own actions that they do not have to buy everything they see advertised on TV or in stores.

Discuss ads; start talking to them about tricky marketing strategies and how companies try to influence consumers. Watch commercials together and talk about the real messages. Most marketing has little to do with the product itself and everything to do with emotion. What commercials tell us without saying so is that our lives will be better if we own such and such a product, so go and get it now. Explain to children how this is not true, but it does help to sell things!

Stay firm; set up ground rules with your children before you go shopping. If the “gimmies” continue to be a problem in spite of having made a list and communicated with your children about not begging, it may be time to attach a reward or impose a consequence. For example, you might allow a child who has been cooperative and not asked for anything to have a special privilege that day or a small reward. Likewise, for a child who has not met your expectations even though he knew clearly what they were, perhaps a consequence is needed. Do not spring either rewards or consequences on children; explain to them ahead of time what you expect and what the outcome will be. Remember to keep the consequence only as big as the crime. Remember also that younger children may need a reminder or two about the ground rule because they really do forget.

One thing that often perpetuates the “gimmies” is when parents say no to a child’s unrelenting request only to give in when they can’t take the begging any longer. This child learns that if she keeps at it long enough, her “gimmies” will turn into “gotchas!”

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READING IS FUN TIP
Ellen Helfrick, Youth Services Program Coordinator, Library Company of York

Having their own personal library is one way to ensure your child will have options handy. Here are some ways to build a collection without breaking the bank.

1. Let family and friends know that books are always a welcome gift.
2. Reward your child with books instead of candy or toys.
3. Ask friends with older children for their ‘hand-me-down’ books.
4. Hit yard sales late in the day, offer one amount for all the children’s books.
5. Visit discount stores and buy at a fraction of the cost at book retailers.
6. Shop at your local library’s book sale; get great bargains while supporting your library.
7. Make your own books – add family pictures for a real keepsake.
8. Start a book swap with other families to trade any duplicates.

Of course, visit your library to borrow books. Books are free (as long as you return on time) and your child will learn about borrowing and taking turns.

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