Tips for Parents (Second Quarter)

Below are some helpful and easy tips for parents and caregivers on literacy, child development, parent-child interaction, and child health and safety.

Literacy
Set aside a special time to read to your child every day. He or she will anticipate story time and associate the positive parent-child bond with reading.

Run your finger under the words as you read storybooks aloud. Always point out the title and author of the book.

Click here to see United Way's literacy guide.

Child Development
Milestones in physiological development happen in order and should not be hurried. Remember the milestones that your child is reaching now are the foundation for the next developmental skills they will need. Large muscles develop before the smaller ones. When we are preparing a child for a skill such as writing, there are a number of steps. First we teach a child gross motor skills, then determine their dominant hand and progress to work on fine motor skills. To work on these skills, use an eyedropper and water to strengthen the child’s fingers for holding a pencil later.

Parent-Child Interaction
Spending one-on-one time with a child is rewarding to the child and to the parent/child relationship. However, it can be a challenge when there is more than one child in the family. To make the most of this special time with your child(ren), remember:
     • Consistency is key – 10-15 minutes a day or one hour on the weekend. Try to schedule it the same time and day each time. If an emergency comes up, reschedule it immediately and mark it on the calendar. Do not cancel if they have had behavior issues that day!
      • Keep it positive – Let your child guide the activity. If necessary, set a timer and let them know that when the timer goes off it is time to wrap up.
      • Take turns - Each child needs a special time with each parent, one-on-one.

Child Health and Safety
Veggie tips for children:
      • Set a good example by eating vegetables with meals and as snacks.
     • Serve cut-up veggies as part of afternoon snack or put in lunch-boxes.
     • Let children decide on the dinner vegetables or what goes into salads.
     • Depending on their age, children can help shop for, clean, peel or cut up vegetables.
     • While shopping, allow children to pick a new vegetable to try. Talk about its color, shape, texture, where it comes from and involve children in the cooking process. Finally, talk about its taste.
     • Children often prefer foods served separately. Rather than mixed vegetables, try serving two vegetables separately.
      • Make your own fresh vegetable baby food with ½ cup vegetable of choice, 2 Tbsp. water/milk/or formula, and blend on low until very smooth. This makes 1 baby serving. It will keep in the fridge for 1-2 days or can be frozen.