• Getting Ready for Read with Me: A 2-hour Read with Me training for new staff.
• Read with Me Again: A 2-hour Read with Me refresher training for staff already trained in the Read with Me program
• Read with Me Literacy Backpack:  Replace your Read with Me backpack with or without books.
• Read with Me Backpack Tags:  Replace you lost tags for your backpacks.
• Storysharing Tips:  Replace lost Storysharing tips for your Read with Me backpacks.

I have attached a Read with Me brochure for your information.  Please feel free to contact me at (213) 201-3905 or at lmiranda@familiesinschools.org to expand your Read with Me/Lea Conmigo program today.  I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Best Wishes,

Lupe Miranda

Lupe Miranda Program Assistant, Early Education and Family Literacy Families In Schools Web: www.familiesinschools.org Direct Number: (213) 201-3905 Main Office Number: (213) 201-3900 Email: lmiranda@familiesinschools.org

Copyright © by RaiseYourChild.org. All Rights Reserved.

Thank you for supporting literacy through Read with Me/Lea Conmigo, a family engagement program designed to improve the early literacy skills of infants and toddlers, preschool children, and students in kindergarten through 1^st grade. Expand your Read with Me program today for the low, one-time cost of $100 per student. Also, please feel free to contact us for other support services including:

• Getting Ready for Read with Me: A 2-hour Read with Me training for new staff.

• Read with Me Again: A 2-hour Read with Me refresher training for staff already trained in the Read with Me program
• Read with Me Literacy Backpack:  Replace your Read with Me backpack with or without books.
• Read with Me Backpack Tags:  Replace you lost tags for your backpacks.
• Storysharing Tips:  Replace lost Storysharing tips for your Read with Me backpacks.

CLICK HERE to Read with Me brochure for your information. 

Please feel free to contact me at (213) 201-3905 or at lmiranda@familiesinschools.org to expand your Read with Me/Lea Conmigo program today.  I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Best Wishes,

Lupe Miranda

Copyright © by RaiseYourChild.org. All Rights Reserved.

The Parents magazine cover kid photo contest ends June 24, 2008, so moms and dads need to enter their pictures of kids very soon. The editors of Parents are looking for the cutest kid in America between six months and six years old to be the cover kid of the magazine’s November 2008 issue. Entries are being accepted at http://www.parents.com/app/sharemy/category.jsp?categoryId=cat15400001.

Visitors to the Contest website have been invited to make one recommendation per day during the Contest period for the entry the visitor feels should be featured on the cover of Parents magazine. While visitor recommendations will not be used as criteria in the judging of entries in any round, the editors of Parents want to thank all those who visited the site and made recommendations.

“We especially want to thank all the mommy bloggers who not only entered the Parents magazine cover kid photo contest themselves but also encouraged other moms and dads to enter pictures of kids as well,” says Judy Goldberg, Senior Editor of Parents magazine. “We’ve created a Web badge for these members of the parenting community to post on their mom blogs and dad blogs.”

The Parents magazine judges will review all of the entries and choose 20 semifinalists based on the criteria set forth in the Official Rules. Semifinalists will be asked to provide more pictures for consideration, and then five finalists will be selected to fly to New York City for a professional photo shoot from August 18-23, 2008. One of the photos from that shoot will be selected as the November cover shot.

To enter Parents magazine’s online baby photo contest, just upload a picture of your child to most gorgeous child of all will appear on the November 2008 cover of Parents.

Parents magazine has been America’s number one family magazine for more than 80 years. Since its inception in 1926, it has been a trusted source by every generation of parents. Currently, the magazine is a powerful community of 15.6 million readers devoted to supporting the efforts of parents, educators and other citizens who strive to make the world a better place for our children. Parents can be found online at http://www.parents.com/.

Copyright © by RaiseYourChild.org. All Rights Reserved.

Tantrums are a normal part of development. Tantrums usually get fewer as the child matures. As children get older they learn to control their emotions and so do not have the frustration which can spark off a tantrum. Some children will have more tantrums than other children.

Tantrums can often be called temper tantrums but there can be other emotions that may cause your child to behave this way.

Things that may cause tantrums

Anger — is the one that is usually associated with tantrums. Your child is overloaded with anger and the tantrum is the pressure valve.

Frustration — either by not being understood as language skills are still being learned, or not being able to do a particular activity like tying buttons.

Not getting his or her own way — being refused something is a classic trigger. Whether it is sharing a toy or getting a snack too near to dinner time.

Lack of independence — your child may want to do things for himself and get upset when he is overruled. Things like tying your child into his car seat will often start a tantrum.

Attention seeking — this can happen when you give your child too much attention when he is having a tantrum. This teaches him that having a tantrum will get him your attention, avoid this situation! Give praise and attention for good behaviour.

Tired, uncomfortable or hungry — there is more chance of a tantrum when your child is already upset.

Tips on Avoiding Tantrums

Here are a few things to try to cut down on this type of behaviour -

Praise good behaviour — this one really encourages your child to behave well.

Be a good example — if you get angry quickly you are setting an example that your child will follow.

Offer alternatives — so your child feels that he has some control in his life. Ask what he wants to eat (for example, “Do you want peas or carrots with your lunch?”) or what outfit he wants to wear today.

Redirect your child’s attention — you will probably be able to tell when your child is getting worked up and will have a tantrum, divert his attention to something else before he gets too upset. Children of this age have a short attention span.

Avoid known triggers — avoid situations that start tantrums when you can. Try the 5 minute warning method of saying “It will be bedtime in 5 minutes, so you’ll need to think about tidying up.” That way the child knows that playtime is almost over.

Use age appropriate games and toys — this will allow your child to succeed and avoid tantrums caused by frustration of not being able to do an activity.

How to Deal with Tantrums

Sometimes you will be unable to avoid tantrums; here are a few ideas to help you deal with the situation.

Keep calm — the most important one, even if you are not calm try to appear that you are — it really does help.

Ignore the behaviour — works best at the very start of a tantrum. Walk away and pretend not to notice, avoid giving attention to this undesirable behaviour.

Redirect his attention — often you can distract a toddler before the tantrum is full on, try “seeing something very interesting” somewhere else.

Hold your child — and talk with a calm, quiet voice. Again this only works at the start, once the tantrum is in full flow it can make things worse.

Time out — once the tantrum is really going and you feel that you may lose your temper it can be a good idea to move your child somewhere safe where you can leave him for a few moments (not for longer than 2 minutes and only once the child is over 18 months). For school age children you can send them to their rooms and they can come out when they have cooled down and are ready to behave. This gives them some control too. Time out works best for children who understand why it is being used.

Do not try to reason with a child who is having a tantrum.

Top Tip — once the tantrum is over do not hold a grunge. Cuddle your child and make up.

Be consistent. So that your child understands that having a tantrum does not get him what he wants and you will not change your mind because of it.

by Catherine Calder

Catherine Calder has compiled an amazing course that brings together all the best parenting information. Proven techniques which are easy to use. Have successful, happy kids and be a relaxed, confident parent!

For more information visit http://www.LearnAndDo.com

Copyright © by RaiseYourChild.org. All Rights Reserved.

Every responsible parent knows to keep cabinet doors locked so that young ones don’t have access to dangerous chemicals, but what about lead, a toxin found in many common children’s toys? How do you know if your child’s toys contain lead and what can you do to minimize their risk of exposure to this harmful substance?

Lead is a toxic metal that can have devastating effects on the mental and physical development of children. The brain and nervous system of children younger than six years old are the most at risk for lead poisoning. Even low exposure levels can produce damaging effects ranging from impaired growth and hearing, to problems with posture and behavior.

High levels of lead exposure can cause deafness, blindness, convulsions, or in rare instances, even death. Even without severe effects, children exposed to lead are more likely to experience difficulties with reading and vocabulary, attention and focus, and fine-motor coordination.

So how does lead make its way into the products that consumers buy for children? Lead is used in manufacturing in paint and plastic used to make children’s toys. Paint used in houses, on products sold for children, and on dishes has been banned from containing lead in the United States since 1978, but this regulation has not reached some countries that still export products to the US.

In those countries it is still legal to utilize lead in the production of plastic, even when the plastic is used to make children’s toys. The lead acts as a softener to make plastic more flexible, which allows it to return to its original shape. The breakdown of the chemical bond between lead and these plastics forms lead dust, a known health hazard.

You can visit your State Department of Health’s Lead Hazard Product Recall Website for information concerning toy recalls. You will also find a comprehensive list at the US Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

There are home testing kits offered that are designed to test household items, toys, soil, and dust for lead content, but these do-it-yourself kits are not recommended as reliable by The State Department of Health and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency.

Lead screening can help identify children with blood lead levels that may be dangerous. Infants that play with older toys (antique toys, toys passed down through generations, or toys made before the ban on paint with lead) and toys made in other countries may be at greater risk.

Before you buy new or used baby toys, make sure the toys that you intend to purchase do not appear on the recall list. You can even do some research about the country in which the toy is manufactured. Some stores now have information on file compiled to trace the country of origin for the toys that they sell.

You can also inspect toys that your child already plays with for chipping and peeling paint, the number one source for lead poisoning in children. Be careful when choosing colorful jewelry and toys, especially those imported from other countries.

Keeping your baby safe is a parent’s primary concern. Baby Toys Galore offers a huge selection of developmental and just-for-fun toys for baby, including many made with organic products. Baby Toys Galore encourages parents and grandparents to keep baby safe by staying informed.

Copyright © by RaiseYourChild.org. All Rights Reserved.

The first step is to purchase the best seat available, but with so many choices of safety seats for babies and young children, how do you determine which is the best one to buy?

Of course you want to select a seat based on the quality of the construction, but there are other things to look for. First, make sure the seat meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards*. Also make sure that the seat hasn’t been recalled. You can check this out by going to the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s web site at http://www.cpsc.gov. Be sure to register your new car seat with the manufacturer, so you’ll be notified of any future recalls. Also, purchase a seat that includes a LATCH system, which anchors the seat more securely than is often possible with current safety belts.

Once you purchase the car seat, the most important thing is to learn the proper way to install it in your vehicles. Statistics indicate that more than 80% of all child safety seats are not installed correctly. This is mind boggling! Your child’s life is at stake, so read the instructions carefully and follow them exactly.

The seat you select should fit a number of vehicles and be easy to use. Obviously, if you have more than one vehicle the seat should fit each one according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

The most common problem when installing car seats is that they aren’t tight enough. When tightened properly, the seat shouldn’t move freely.

For a rear-facing safety seat, it should not easily slide more than about an inch. To check this, grasp the seat near the belt path on both sides and try to pull it away from the vehicle seat and also test the movement from side to side. Next, push the top edge downward toward the floor of the car. The vehicle seat cushion may give, but the safety seat should remain firmly in place and the back of the seat should stay at approximately the same angle (reclined about halfway back). It’s normal – and okay – if the top of the seat can be pushed toward the rear of the car and if it swivels from side to side when gripped at the top edge. If the belt is tight but the seat isn’t secure, try another seating position or a different safety seat altogether.

For a forward-facing safety seat with a harness, use a top tether for a more secure installation. First, install the seat using the vehicle belt or lower latch attachments but without attaching the top tether. To test the seat, grasp it at the belt path and pull it forward and side to side. Then grip the top and test the same movements. If it can easily move more than an inch forward or to the side, try another seating position that also includes a tether anchor. Using the best lower installation (vehicle belt or latch), attach and tighten the top tether. If your vehicle doesn’t have a tether or anchor, either purchase a different safety seat or order a tether kit from the safety seat manufacturer. The kits are available for most vehicles made since 1989 and for many back to the late 1970s.
One helpful hint for initial installation is to place both of your knees inside the safety seat so you can gain enough leverage to properly tighten the seat. Some cars require a special metal locking clip, which should ideally be located as close as possible to the seat belt’s buckle.

Always restrain your children in the rear seat of your vehicle, especially if it’s equipped with a passenger-side air bag.

Booster seats are a must for children who have outgrown their child safety seat but are too small for regular vehicle seat belts. These are typically three to six-year olds who weigh between 40 and 80 pounds and are up to 4 feet 9 inches tall. If your child’s weight has exceeded the recommended range for a forward-facing safety seat, make sure your child’s knees reach the end of that seat and that their legs hang straight down before graduating to a booster seat.

Be cautious about purchasing a seat at a garage sale or using a ‘hand-me-down’ – particularly if the instructions aren’t included. Never use a seat that’s more than six years old.

The American Academy of Pediatrics web site has an annual car seat guide that includes a list of the seats that meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Now is the perfect time to check the safety installation of your child’s car seat.”

Author Description

Janet Winter is a web designer, travel agent, and writer on many topics. She delights in providing great resources for parents and unique gifts for newborns, toddlers and baby showers at WelcomeBabyGifts.com.

Copyright © by RaiseYourChild.org. All Rights Reserved.

Remarkable results were also found with normal infants. Massaged infants showed less stress, were more alert, were easier to soothe and had better sleep patterns. Stress hormones cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine significantly decreased. Serotonin (a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep and appetite) significantly increased with massage therapy. (Low levels of serotonin are associated with many disorders including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and sudden infant death syndrome. Cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine and serotonin are often targeted in drug therapy.)

Statistics for children and adolescents were equally compelling. Symptoms of ADD and ADHD (a frequently diagnosed disorder in school-age children) significantly diminished. After receiving a 15 minute massage for 10 consecutive school days, the percentage of time on task increased from 43% to 77%. Scores on the Conner’s Scale (a frequently used assessment for diagnosis) decreased from 28.0 to 11.3. Dr. Field remarked, “…adolescents were less depressed and less anxious than they had been and their stress hormones (cortisol and norepinephrine) had decreased. They also developed better organized sleep patterns and showed more appropriate behavior after massage therapy. Long term effects reported by teachers included more time on task and lower Conners Hyperactivity scores.

In another study, computation time and accuracy were positively effected by therapeutic massage. After only one 15 minute massage, student’s accuracy increased from an average of 69% to 89% and time of completion decreased from 250 seconds to 234 seconds. Cortisol and state anxiety levels significantly dropped. Depressed children showed short-term and long-term gains from massage therapy. They were observed as more cooperative, less depressed and less anxious. In addition, sleep patterns significantly improved; time asleep increased from 79.7% to 91.3%. Children with PTSD showed a significant reduction in depression; from 28 to 16 on the CESD Depression scale.

Therapeutic massage also works for immune disorders. Children with cancer showed significant improvement on all blood count measures including white and red blood count, platelet count and hemoglobin level. Also, they were found to be significantly less tactile defensive and less depressed. Many other conditions were positively effected my massage therapy including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, asthma, migraine headaches, dermatitis, bulimia, anorexia, and more.
Practice

Therapeutic massage for infants, children and adolescents differs from adult therapy in many ways: Infant massage is usually taught to parents/guardians and is easy to learn. Massage offers a natural way to connect and bond. Infant massage is taught as an art that comes from the heart and is simply administered with hands. The most important lesson is how to connect, be aware and present through all states (crying, quiet alert, active alert, drowsy and sleeping) and stages of growth.

With children and adolescents, direct instruction may be given to the parent or guardian; however, the older the child, the more common it is to have the therapist perform the massage. The parent/guardian is present at all times and serves a vital role. Through observation and/or participation they learn new ways to connect, communicate and assist their child in the future.
Children should always feel empowered telling them that they are in charge. Parents, guardians and therapist are in control; their role is to guide and assure that the child feels safe and comfortable at all times.

The founding principle of HPMT is: feeling comfort, peace and ease eliminates dis-ease; quieting the mind to a state of stillness heals illness. Perhaps the greatest benefit of HPMT is that it presents a unique opportunity for children, parents and guardians to feel empowered and confident while learning about safe and nurturing touch.

A variety of techniques may be used for children and adolescents.

Reflexology is often a good starting point for many. Pressing and rubbing areas on the feet and hands elicits a healing response which reflexes to specific areas of the body. This technique may feel safer for shy clients. It can also be a useful method of assessment. Emotions such as fear, anxiety and anger are reflected throughout the body as tight muscles and are sometimes stored there as knots.

NMT – neuromuscular technique employs light, sustained pressure with thumb or finger which reduces built-up knots and relieves the symptoms of stress. Compression resets spindle fibers and effects pressure receptors which has a positive neurological effect. It is administered with a flat hand or fist and is applied with medium pressure in a rhythmical way. Kneading relaxes muscles and takes pressure off nerves. It involves lifting, grasping and releasing muscles. Percussion is stimulating at first; however, over time it can have a soothing effect. Using brief, rapid, rhythmic strokes increases circulation and tones the muscles.

At the end of the session, children often report feeling a sense of peace and ease. For some this is a first! They usually feel safer, more grounded and more in touch with themselves and their environment. Parents also report experiencing these same feelings. As the child heals, the family heals.

Other holistic techniques other than massage therapy may be included to enhance each session or they may be used exclusively. Clients can be taught many of these techniques to use between sessions to bring back feelings of peace when needed.

Some of these techniques may include: Reiki is a simple, yet powerful form of healing which means Universal Life Energy. During a session the Reiki practitioner simply sends healing energy by putting his/her hands on or slightly above the client’s body. Reiki is easy to learn especially for children who have an innate sense of healing energy. Reiki may be administered to ones self or others.

Polarity Therapy is a more precise form of energy healing that balances and revitalizes ones energy field. It was developed by Dr. Randolph Stone, a chiropractor who combined the wisdom of acupressure, chiropractic, Ayurvedic and Chinese systems of healing. The practitioner uses light pressure on meridian points to open and clear energy pathways, gently massages shoulders and feet, and clears chakras and auras through Intention using crystals.

EFT- Emotional Freedom Technique combines techniques used in hypnotherapy and acupressure. It works with the body’s bioenergy systems. While reciting positive affirmations, the client is taught to tap certain meridian points which alleviates, and sometimes eliminates, emotional distress.

Aromatherapy uses essential oils to improve client’s psychological and physical well-being. The essence of these healing oils easily penetrates the olfactory membranes in the nose sending nerve impulses to the brain which ultimately affects the amygdala, the memory center for fear and trauma. Music is typically played during sessions. It is soothing and healing during therapy and can played between sessions which elicit the same effect. Yoga helps align the body, focus the mind and renew the spirit. Sometimes children like to get into child’s pose or other poses while receiving massage therapy to enhance its effect. Creative visualization creates healthy thoughts and in turn, healthy emotions. Creative visualization along with breathing and centering exercises is fundamental for teaching a child how to take “Time-In.” This helps them alleviate the need for a “time out.” Time In empowers; time out alienates.

Choosing a Practitioner
The first thing to look for in a Holistic Pediatric Massage Therapist is completion of a reputable program and license to practice in the state where service is provided. Of equal importance, though, is specialized training along with extensive and successful experience working with children. The ability to communicate with children is key. In this respect, someone with a background in childcare, education, special education and/or crisis intervention is ideal. The qualifying opinion that matters most, though, is your child’s. For this reason, an initial consultation that is child-centered and child-directed is critical. Children have an innate sense about who and what feels right and may help them. The interview process is usually brief. More often than not, children will ask to preview a session by “sampling” various techniques. The child has final approval on whether or not to book a future session.

Testimonials
Parents, caregivers, therapists and doctors have seen the benefits of Holistic Pediatric Massage Therapy. It is safe, effective and educates for a lifetime. Parent comments include…
“I have never seen him so calm. After only 15 minutes he almost fell asleep!”
“For the first time he has been able to face his nightmares… He really looks forward to (his sessions).”
“She is doing better in school and feels better about herself.”

About the Author

Bruce Cote is a licensed massage therapist who specializes in Holistic Pediatric Massage Therapy. He is trained in Touch and Massage for Children with Special Needs, Neonatal Massage, Infant Massage and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention. His is a certified K-8 Classroom Teacher, Polarity Practitioner, Yoga Ed. Instructor and Reiki Master. He offers Holistic Pediatric Massage Therapy, teaches classes in Holistic Healing for Children and Families, and offers training in HPMT for parents, caregivers and massage therapists. For more information call 207 522-7257, e-mail bcote@anewawakening.org or visit www.anewawakening.org.

– end about the author – section

=================== For more Information on Reiki =======================
www.TherapeuticReiki.com