READING!!!!!!

Why Should I Read to My Toddler?

Reading improves comprehending and creative skills in a child. In this early age they can develop many skills through reading because reading makes them busy and make them innovative, talented, analytical, and critical. Thus it develops thinking skills in a child, they begin to think broadly.

Before your child can read independently, he or she needs a set of skills called emergent literacy skills. These include:

• having a large vocabulary of words and knowing how to use them

• understanding that words are made up of smaller sounds (this is called phonemic awareness)

• understanding that marks on a page represent letters and words

• knowing the letters of the alphabet

You don't need games, flashcards, or special instruction to help your child gain these skills. You just need books, your child, and you. Reading to your child as often as possible is the best thing you can do to help him. You just need to teach them with enjoyment. Use different kinds of words in your home unfamiliar to your child so that they can adopt new vocabulary. Buy tracing books and make them trace the letters so that your child may not face difficulty reading books. Buy CDs or cassette of poems and phonics so that your child may adopt some skills needed to read books. It is all up to you how you teach them and how much interest you take.

COOKING WITH PRESCHOOLERS

Cooking helps child to develop skills because during the period of childhood, cognitive development begins in a child. Thus in this early age, they absorb much skills and their mind grows in this early age. However cooking develops creativity in a child also develops observational skills.  There are also many more benefits which are mentioned below:-

Cooking Can Help Preschoolers:-

•Build basic skills:- You can help your child develop basic math skills by doing something as simple as counting eggs or pouring water into a measuring cup. You can test their skills by questioning them, for e.g.:-what comes first, second, and third or count together as you spoon dough onto a cookie sheet. Cooking also develops vocabulary in a child when you read a recipe.

•Encourage an adventurous palate:- Encourage kids to taste new ingredients you're working with and talk about what they like and how healthy foods make a body grow.This makes them more interactive with you.

•Help young kids explore with their senses:- Invite them to listen to the whir of the mixer, make them see the whole process. And at last If it smells good, looks appealing, and is easy to eat they may just be willing to try it!

•Boost confidence:-  Cooking also makes child confident and develops self esteem in a child.

Ideal Jobs for Preschoolers in the Kitchen

A few tasks in the kitchen are particularly well-suited to kids ages 3 to 5. If your child loves to pound, bring out the bread dough and let your preschooler pound away.Here are some other ways kids can help:

• stirring pancake batter

• tearing lettuce for salad

• adding ingredients

• assembling a pizza

• helping you "read" a cookbook by turning the pages

Getting Started/Initiating

Look for a few cooking-related activities that your child can successfully complete independently or with a minimum of involvement from you. Simple tasks like pouring liquid into the bowl, sprinkling cheese on top of the casserole, or using cookie cutters are a good fit for most preschoolers. Don't plan an elaborate project — 5 to 10 minutes might be all your child wants to spend on an activity. Start small and keep it fun.

Preschoolers will also enjoy learning with you. For safety reasons, you should be in the kitchen with them at all times, supervising and monitoring progress.

Thus cooking develops all the basic skills which are required during childhood.

LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT DURING CHILDHOOD

Language development really takes off during this time, especially as your baby approaches the second birthday.

How Babies Communicate?

Most babies say their first words in the beginning of this period, though some start even sooner and others don't start until they're nearly 2 years old. Babies this age might have learned fragments of dozens of words that probably won't be recognizable yet. When they get around to talking, though, they'll probably progress quickly and recognize names of familiar people, objects, and body parts. By 2 years old, babies may use phrases and even two- to four-word sentences.

Your child should be able to respond to commands ("Roll the ball to Mommy") and should be fully aware of the names of familiar objects and family members.

What is your responsibility as a parent?

Instead of using "baby" words, teach your child the correct names for people, places, and things. Speak slowly and clearly, and keep it simple.

Your baby may still be communicating with gestures. Gestures are OK, but you should use a running commentary such as, "Do you want a drink?" (when he or she points to the refrigerator), then wait for a response. Then say, "What do you want? Milk? OK, let's get some milk." Such behavior encourages your baby to respond and participate in conversations. 

Between 15 and 18 months, your baby will probably begin to enjoy language games that ask him or her to identify things, such as: "Where's your ear?" and "Where is Mommy?" Your child's vocabulary will grow quickly; most babies mispronounce their words. Instead, emphasize the correct pronunciation in your response.

Should I Be Concerned?

Some babies don't talk until their second birthday and choose instead to get by with the use of gestures and sounds. Most babies this age have these communication milestones in common:

• speak about 15 words by 18 months

• put two words together to form a sentence by age 2

• follow simple directions by age 2

Hearing problems may become more apparent during this stage because of the emergence of speech. Don't hesitate to report to the doctor. Sometimes chronic ear infections can leave kids with excessive fluid buildup that can interfere with normal hearing. Special tests can check for hearing loss.

Some parents worry that a toddler who is not speaking may have autism. Children with autism and related conditions may have delayed speech or other problems with communication, but poor social interactions, and limited or restricted interests or patterns of behavior are also hallmarks of the disorder. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's development, talk with your doctor.

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