Ask the Expert

Join the boob-olution!

In the spirit of National Breastfeeding Month, we've whipped up a fabulous PSA video packed with celebs and real moms who all have one thing in common: they breastfed their babies and are proud of it!

Why is breastfeeding so important?

• It boosts babies' immune systems
• It lessens the threat of childhood obesity
• It reduces the risk of childhood cancers
• It reduces the risk of breast cancer in mothers
• It could save the US billions of dollars a year in healthcare costs

Please help us support this critical cause by sharing it with your friends and followers!

http://pregnant.thebump.com/~/link.aspx?_id=F21748CF002F4428AC6981852A6AE181&_z=z

Back to School!

Guest Expert, Bridget O'Brien
Director/Owner of SuperKids

The start of a new school year is a stressful time for everyone in a family. Not only do our schedules change, but so do our activities. Pools close, the weather gets colder, the days get shorter, and even the type of clothing we wear changes. Couple that with a new classroom, a new teacher and some new friends and …phew that is an exhausting amount of adjustment for a young child. This is an important time for parents, caregivers and teachers to pay special attention to children’s emotional needs. No matter how you slice it change is hard. More importantly adjustment takes effort. While adults can consciously make plans and prepare for upcoming changes, children do not necessarily have the same facilities to cope with transitions. First of all, children are not the ones who are in control. Parents make the scheduling decisions. And second, children do not have the same sense of time continuum as adults. For a very young child, saying tomorrow can be the same as saying ten years from now. These two factors go hand in hand and are very important things for parents to consider while easing their child into a new school year.

Parents need to give their children a sense of control so their emotions don’t get out of control. As the school year approaches parents should allow their child to participate as much as possible in FUN preparations for school. This will give them some feeling of control and pride in their new environment. For example, let them shop for their new lunch bag or backpack. You can also let your child decorate their own name tags for their belongings. A great craft kit for this project is “Shrinky Dinks” which can be found at many crafts stores. Another suggestion is to get a large desk calendar. Mark off the times of the days they are in school. Then let your child decorate on the calendar both the times they are in school and the times they are at home with stickers, crayons, markers, etc. This will give them a visual sense of proportion to the day, weeks, etc. and make them feel a little more in control of the upcoming schedule. The important thing is to make all of your preparations fun. In other words, taking them shopping for fall clothes is probably not the best way to get them excited!

A fun trip to the new classroom to meet the new teacher and familiarize both you and your child with the classroom is always a good idea. Remember your attitude means everything to your child. If you are excited, happy, and upbeat your child will be too. Make sure you ask your new teacher the following questions: 1-what are the drop-off and pick-up routines. 2-what supplies and personal items should you bring for your child. 3-where should you put your child’s belongings the first day. This will dramatically reduce first day stress.

It is also very important for parents to keep a very tight routine for the first few weeks of school so that their children will know what to expect. While children do not have a sense of time continuum, they absolutely do understand routine and thrive on it. Therefore, it is very important that your family’s daily routine stay the same as your child adjusts to the new school year. The emotional goal here is to show and prove to your child that the one thing that matters to them the most will NEVER change. That is that mommy or daddy always comes back after school is over. To do this, you need to physically prove to them as the daily sequence of events keep occurring the same way that you in turn will be back to get them at the end of the day. Pick-ups and drop-offs should be at the same exact time every day for the first few weeks. For children in all child care this is very important, because most working parents have commuting schedules. Your child will start to gauge when you are coming to pick them up based on which children have left already. If you think there is a chance that you will be later then usual during the first weeks of school, it is best to come at that later time every day until your child has adjusted. For children who are really having a hard time adjusting, I suggest going to extremes with a routine. For example, on school days have the same breakfast, the same special nutritious snack and believe it or not the same clothes. If that is what it takes the first few weeks, I say do it! If your child is most comfortable in a certain “favorite” outfit, then let them wear it and wash it every single night so they can wear it again the next day until they are comfortable.

In the process of planning your routine, parents should pay particular attention to drop-off and pick-up times, It is important that you are prepared at drop-off. Make sure you have everything you need before you enter the classroom and likewise everything (including your car keys) when you leave the room. Drop-off time should be fast and easy. Leaving and coming back in to the room several times will only confuse your child because they will always wonder if you are still just outside the door. Even though, it might seem easier if your child is upset to “sneak out”, ALWAYS say goodbye to your child. Remember you are demonstrating to them a definitive trusting routine without any doubt. Don’t give them a chance to wonder if you are gone, show them respect and let them know you are leaving.

Pick-up times are equally important to helping your child adjust. The important thing about pick-up time is that it is an opportunity for you to share your child’s day. Rushing in and taking them out without any hesitation will be counter productive. You need to demonstrate to them that you like their school too, that you are still apart of their life even when they are at school and most importantly that you are proud and happy that they are in that school and classroom. This will only enhance their love for being at school and certainly enhance their learning experiences. As long as you are not interrupting a lesson in progress, when you enter the room take off your coat, sit down with your child if they are in an activity and engage your child’s friends too. Ask the children what they did today and look at the art work on the walls. You only need to spend a few minutes, but you will be amazed at how much those few minutes will mean to your child and their future feelings about their school.

As parents, caregivers and teachers we need to watch our children for clues to how they are feeling emotionally during times of change. It is hard to grow up, take on new challenges and leave old routines and habits behind. Communication between home and school is very important during this time. We might all need to adjust and put in extra special effort to help ease stressful periods in our children’s lives. However, once your child is familiar with the routine and knows what to expect they will happily branch of independently to enjoy their friends, teachers and the fun learning at school. We need to prove to them that they can trust us and instill in them a sense of control by assuring their needs are met before they become out of control emotionally. I have had children come to school over and over again as Batman, Buzz Lightyear, a princess (for a whole year) and many other characters. Many have carried blankets, bunnies, “babies” and other comfort items, including a plastic coffee mug. None of that matters. The only important thing is that your child feels comfortable, loved and likes to come to school because that is the catalyst for future learning success.

Curious George Live! at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, NJ

All Rainbow Academy Child Care Centers families and friends are eligible to receive 20% OFF to Curious George Live! at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, NJ.  See below for directions on how to receive your discount:

1. GROUP DISCOUNT HOTLINE:  732-247-7200, ext. 534

2. EMAIL:  gowen@statetheatrenj.org

3. ONLINE:  Sign in or create a new account and enter promotion code RAINBOW at www.StateTheatreNJ.org.  Proceed to the CURIOUS GEORGE LIVE page and click BUY REAL TIME TICKETS.

Signs of Depression

The period before, during and after a pregnancy can be a time of highs and lows for a woman and her family, but when are the lows something to be concerned about?

Signs can include:

• Trouble sleeping, or sleeping to much
• Changes in appetite
• Feeling hopeless
• Crying uncontrollably
• Feeling guilty or worthless
• Lack of interest in family and friends

Depression can affect women before, during or after pregnancy.  If you or a loved one has feelings that are more than a mild case of the "blues", there is help available - but you must speak up!

For more information call 1-800-328-3838 or visit www.njspeakup.gov.

Crib Recall!

On Thursday, June 24^th, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that more than 2 million baby cribs from Evenflo, Delta Enterprise Corp. and five other companies were recalled due to concerns that children could become trapped, suffocate or fall from the cribs.

Most of the concern came from drop-side cribs.  The movable sides have been known to malfunction or detach from the crib, creating a gap where babies’ heads can become trapped, which can lead to serious injury and possibly death.  It should be noted that no deaths were linked to the recalled items.

Other companies involved in the recall were Child Craft, Jardine Enterprised, LaJobi, Million Dollar Baby and Simmons Juvenile Products.

Follow the link below for more information:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_crib_recall

Blacksmith Brands Announces Nationwide Voluntary Recall Of Four PediaCare Children's Products

Blacksmith Brands announced a nationwide voluntary recall of four PediaCare Children's Products.  See the link below for more information.

 

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm214005.htm

A Sad Day At Rainbow Academy

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bernadette Tardio.  Her battle with Neurofibromatosis was long and hard-fought and in the end, she was triumphant.  She was a dear friend and will continue to serve as an inspiration for all of us at Rainbow Academy.

 

Thank you so much for your support of all the fundraising efforts that were held at the centers on behalf of Bern.  It enabled her to spend her final days in the comfort of her home surrounded by the family that loved her dearly.

 

We will celebrate Bern's life on Thursday and Friday:

 

Wake

Thursday, May 20

2:00 - 4:00 pm and 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Costello-Runyon Funeral Home

568 Middlesex Avenue
Metuchen, NJ 08840-1830
(732) 548-0149

 

Funeral

Friday, May 21

St. Francis Cathedral

32 Elm Street

Metuchen, NJ

10:15 am

Children's Medicine Recall!

There has been another recall of Children's Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl and Zyrtec.

Click on the link below for more information.

 

http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com/

Curious and Creative Car Trips

Bernadette Tardio
Parent Liaison
Rainbow Academy Child Care Centers
New Jersey

Growing up in the 1970's and 80's, without today's technology, a twenty minute ride to the mall was standard and we were either entertained with AM radio, our shoelaces or familiar window scenes.  I'll never forget the trip in 1980, when my Uncle Bob took a box lid off  the Cadillac console to reveal an office phone and we called my Aunt Joan to open the front door for us.  Uncle Bob became a hero and legend automatically.

 

It's amazing to look back and share our less technologically advanced childhoods and expect children to comprehend life without remotes, standard dvds and Ipods, yet we shouldn't forget that creativity and imagination are in a large part responsible for technology!

 

Below are some ideas which may promote many learning skills and good old fashioned family fun:

 

1. Imagine- Pretend you are going on a different trip and plan what you are bringing.  A picnic at the park on a rainy day sounds like fun.   "Daddy will bring the hotdogs and I will pack the watermelon.  What would you like to take to our picnic?'  Another favorite is making the world's largest or silliest pizza.  What topping would you like?

1. Predict- Who will be the first child you see in the classroom?  Will there be more boys or girls there?   What color will Ms. Emily be wearing?
2. Pretend - Make up funny songs or chants from tunes you are familiar with or come up with silly and or alternate endings to the ones your child loves.   For example: you can sing, "Brennan in the Honda waves hi, hi, hi," and you can give other actions to family members or playmates to the tune of ‘'The Wheels On The Bus."  Activities like this are great for toddlers who love music but are not as verbal.
3. Listening and Visualizing - These important skills can be enhanced when your child hears books on tape because they truly have control in imagining the characters and scenery when they aren't looking at the pictures in a book.  Afterwards, together, you can dream up your own beginning, middle or ending to the story.  You can become tomorrow's Dr. Seuss as you decide what would have happened IF Sam thought green eggs and ham tasted gross.
4. Music -Comprehension and social skills can be learned from groovy tunes like Mr. Ray's "ROY G BIV" enabling your child may remember the colors of a rainbow. http://www.mrray.com/listen.htm  What colors would be in your rainbow?
5. AS ALWAYS, PLEASE SEND US YOUR IDEA!

 

Remember, not every idea works the first time and what excites your child today, could be boring tomorrow and then fun again next week.   Patience, flexibility and a sense of humor are always a must in using our imaginations.

 

In  1980 my Uncle Bob's car phone was like " The Jetsons" to me.  Just think in thirty years will our grandkids be saying, "Wow, dad, all you had to play with was an i-pad... That's so lame. "  Car rides will always be torture for kids, technology will always be advancing and imagination and creativity should not be forgotten for fun and learning.

BLARNEY, FUN AND LAUGHTER

Bernadette Tardio
Parent Liaison
Rainbow Academy Child Care Centers
New Jersey

Saint Patrick's Day is March17^th, but growing up in my traditional Irish Catholic house, we started celebrating in the beginning of March. 

It wouldn't be surprising to walk in, from school, to one of my mom's records belting, "If you're Irish, come in to the parlor."  My parents always went to the St. Patrick's Day Dance at church and then had friends back afterwards for Irish coffee, fresh whipped cream and dessert.

As a family, St. Patrick's Day started with the tradition of watching the parade on television.  Mom and or, in later years, Dad were always in the kitchen peeling potatoes, carrots and onions and cutting cabbage into wedges for all.  They also made many loaves of County Cork Irish Soda Bread.

The dining room table was always set with a lace and plastic tablecloth, the good silver, china from my great grandfather's apartment and Waterford glasses.  Waterford was to be hand-washed and hand-dried piece by piece by piece, immediately after drinking from it.

Looking back, I am sure I have at least as many happy memories of the family-filled St. Patrick's Day traditions as I do of all other holidays combined.  In those days, the family and friends were mainly Irish

Fast-forward to today and we still have the parade on t.v. and a big family dinner  with all the veggies at my house.  The changes include everyone makes a dish (How did my mom and dad do that cooking and preparation themselves?),  the Waterford will be in my dining room to display in favor of the big red plastic cups and my traditional Irish Catholic family has added the diversity of having Italian, Polish, German, Russian and Chinese to our fold.

You don't have to be Irish to have fun on Saint Patrick's Day.  EVERYONE is welcome in the parlor. 

Below are some fun activities you can do to celebrate on St. Patrick's Day.

• 1. Geography- Take out your globe or atlas and find Ireland. Is it larger or smaller than the USA? How may finger-spaces is it from NJ to Ireland? Our fingers are all different sizes so it should be fun to compare.
• 2. Take a trip to the library and find some good holiday books, movies and or music
• 3. Use your imagination and go search for a leprechaun and his pot of gold. Remember, leprechauns are wee, tiny folk with small ears. You have to walk quietly and carefully when you look for them.
• 4. Cooking- Make Oreo Truffles and shape into shamrocks. Decorate with green sprinkles. http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/easy-oreo-truffles-95085.aspx
• 5. Dance- Put Celtic instrumental music on and dance with scarves.
• 6. Music- Here is a link to easy songs you can learn as a family: ttp://www.perpetualpreschool.com/holiday_themes/stpat_songs.html

 

Other recipes to try out:

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/holidays-and-entertaining/holidays/st-patricks-day/heartyrecipes.aspx