Disciplining

Never spank, hit, or slap a child of any age. Babies and toddlers are especially unlikely to be able to make any connection between their behaviour and the physical punishment. They will only feel the pain of the spanking. Do not forget that children learn by watching you. Make sure that your behaviour is perfect as it has a strong impact on the child’s behaviour.

Diet and Nutrition for Children

The first semi-solid foods are normally introduced at 6 months of age. It is important to make this transition to semi-solid foods an enjoyable one. The amount of food offered and swallowed in the beginning is a teaspoon or so. Patience is needed when babies are first introduced to semi-solids.

Conduct Disorder

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry defines “Conduct Disorder” as a group of behavioural and emotional problems in youngsters. Those with this disorder find it really difficult to follow rules and behave in a socially acceptable way. Others often view children with conduct disorder as bad or delinquent, rather than mentally ill.

Temper tantrums

When children feel frustrated, angry, or disappointed, they often express themselves by crying, screaming, breaking things, rolling on the floor, whining, holding their breath, kicking or hitting. Parents may feel angry, helpless or embarrassed at such behaviour. Temper tantrums are a normal part of a child's development as he learns self-control. in fact, all children have tantrums between the ages of 1 and 3. It is generally seen that by age 4 tantrums usually stop.

The Child at the School

Many people think that school is a place where the child learns to read, write, do arithmetic, memorise facts about geography, history and science. It is much more than this. A school is not just a place where the child learns these subjects. It is also a place where he learns to get on with people and is thus preparing for adult life.

Taking Care of Twins

From sharing the womb to discovering the world together, twins are two individuals bound to each other by nature. When a couple is told that they are expecting twins, it is not surprising if they feel a little ambivalent. Everyone knows that looking after one baby is a full time job, but two at the same time can be truly daunting. Twins may be double the trouble, but they are also double the joy.

Social Behaviour in Children

The social development of the child is as important as her physical and intellectual development. The child must be able to communicate and interact with other people. Every baby has a unique personality waiting to develop. Watching the baby grow is like meeting a whole new person. Every baby has her own likes and dislikes

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is defined as the sudden death of an infant under one year of age that cannot be explained after a thorough case investigation, including a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history. SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants between one month and one year of age. Most SIDS deaths occur between the ages of two and four months.

Spitting up in Children

Spitting up does not indicate a problem unless the baby is choking on the food, is spitting up excessively large amounts of milk or there is failure to gain weight.

Speech Disorder in Children

Speech is a component of language by which humans communicate with each other through spoken words. Language also has other components which aid communication but are not verbal in nature.

Learning Disability

A child with LD is usually admitted to a special school or integrated within a normal school with classes for special children. Since their educational needs are different from their non-disabled peers, they may be given special academic sessions in an integrated set up. In all other activities, they participate with other children.

Intellectual Development of Children

A baby’s mind is like a sponge, constantly soaking up information. Everything is a new and exciting experience for a newborn baby. She is always absorbing information through her five senses – sight, sound, smell, touch and taste.

Autism, Autistic Children [Autism children] Guidlines

Autism is a communication disorder characterised by a child's inability to relate to the outside world - physically and emotionally. These children are usually hypersensitive to external environmental stimuli and seem to be withdrawn into an inside world only they have access to. In such a situation, autistic children need special and individualised care from their parents and other caregivers. Here are some guidelines to help deal with an autistic child's needs.

Fussy eaters

 Every parent knows it is difficult to get children to eat nutritious food, whether it is a toddler who wants nothing but instant noodles or a teenager who lives on junk food and soft drinks. Children need to eat frequently to sustain their high energy levels and keep their bodies growing.

Child's growth

Watching a baby grow is a fascinating and unique experience for the parents. A child's growth is a complex and continuous process. They should be able to do certain things at certain ages. These are called developmental milestones. As a parent, it is important to realize that no two children develop at the same rate. It is, therefore, futile to worry that the child next door can do this and that, while ones own child cannot. At the ages noted for different activities, the child should be observed for some time.

Down's Syndrome

Down’s syndrome, also known as “mongolism”, a term no longer used due to its racial connotations, is an abnormality of the chromosomes. Also called Trisomy 21, it is caused due to erroneous disjunction of chromosomes during cell division. Chromosomes are present in all cells of the body and occur in pairs – one coming from each parent

Childrens speech, hearing and vision

In every child, the development of speech and language is an ongoing process, beginning at birth. The period from 0-5 years is recognized as important for all aspects of development in a child, including ‘hearing’ , ‘language’ and ‘speech’. The development of communication skill is essential for every child’s emotional, social and intellectual development.

Crying

The first sound that a newborn makes is that of a cry. This is a good sign; it means that he is healthy and breathing well. During the first few weeks, crying is the only way a baby can communicate, and soon the mother is able to distinguish between different cries. At first you wonder if he is hungry, wet or sick. Or does he have indigestion.

Bringing up children

Raising a childRaising a child is one of the most responsible and satisfying tasks for a human being. Each person's knowledge of how to bring up a child usually comes from her surroundings and her own upbringing. Parents should express their love for their children, as well as provide them with the continued support they need to become self-assured and happy. It is also important that parents set reasonable expectations for their children.

Back to School Tips

Backpacks are a popular and practical way for children and teenagers to carry schoolbooks and supplies. When used correctly, backpacks can be a good way to carry the necessities of the school day. They are designed to distribute the weight of the load among some of the body’s strongest muscles.