Wooden Blocks, a Classic for Christmas

Get 100 brightly colored blocks in a variety of versatile shapes with this set from Melissa & Doug. Wooden blocks provide an opportunity for a child to build towers, castles, or dollhouses, practicing their fine motor skills. And it is very affordable, under $20 at Amazon.com

Kids Are Watching Way Too Much TV

According to the latest data released by the Nielsen Company, kids are watching TV at an 8-year high.
Kids aged 2-5 now spend an average of 32 hours a week in front of a TV screen. The older segment of that group (ages 6-11) spend a little less time, about 28 hours per week, due to school longer hours. About 97% view live TV, however, younger kids spend more time than the older group watching it via DVR, DVD and VCR.

That is a shame! Kids need plenty of time playing with toys. Being active, rather than passive in front of a TV, help them build their cognitive skills, and develop executive functions such as self-control, patience and problem-solving.

For more details on the data released, logon to nielsen.com

Baby Einstein Offering Refunds for Videos

We've always believed that videos are not good for children under 2 years of age, debilitating their cognitive development.

Disney, owner of Baby Einstein, has been threatened a class-action lawsuit for unfair and deceptive practices as a result of its false "educational" claim. Disney agreed to refund the full purchase price to all who bought the DVDs since 2004. We love that!

For more information on the refund, logon to babyeinstein.com.

New Studies about Babies' Intelligence

Children under the age of 5 have a different learning process, and we tend to mislead their experiences by using our perspective as adults.
"Babies are captivated by the most unexpected events. Adults, on the other hand, focus on the outcomes that are the most relevant to their goals."
From the New York Times, this article emphasizes how babies can learn by exploring and observing the people around them.
Click here to read the full article

Little Things, huge Impact

Little things can have a huge impact on growing kids, affecting their psychological, cognitive and social developments.

Kids tend to imitate their parents all the time, and this dynamic plays a big role in their development. What is familiar, weird, right, wrong, acceptable, impolite, etc, will be a reflection of their frame of references.

Even little things such as how our attitude fluctuates with our emotions, can affect a child’s behavior. If you are mad and tries to control your kid by raising your voice (yelling), it can be interpreted in their little minds as an effective way to intimidate and control others.

Cognitive development can also be hugely improved by parents and childcare providers with proper stimulation. The word “Cognitive” comes from the Latin root “cognoscere” meaning “to become acquainted with”, “to come to know”. Talking to them, explaining the reasoning behind actions, situations and problems can help them understand the world, and learn the “cause and effect” rule. Allowing kids to communicate their points of view brings confidence and develops their thought process.

This is our golden opportunity to maximize their development, taking it to the best possible direction!

Baby Estimulation vs Mom's Frantic Schedule

Every parent knows the importance of stimulating kids' little brains. Their cognitive and personality development are a direct response to the level of positive stimulation they get, and obviously the parents and daycare providers are key.

I try to respond whenever I can to Lukas' attempts to communicate, usually by replying to his sounds, making eye contact, or showing a reaction. I think it helps him understand the flow of communication, and gives him a lot of self-confidence.
Videos are a BIG No No at home. The very few times he was exposed to a cartoon on TV, or The Muppet Show (which both my husband and I love to watch!), he got into a very passive mode. Lukas wouldn't even blink! At this stage in his life, working with toys and books that make him use his imagination and develop his creativity should be the main entertainment.

We have also exposed Lukas to a lot of interaction with other people and cultures. Even before his first birthday, Lukas' passport had already been stamped in Australia and Brazil, and within a couple of months we are crossing the Atlantic again. Contrary to many people's opinion, we thought that those trips would contribute to a future worldly attitude, turning him into a tolerant and flexible young man. Hopefully it will fire up a lifetime curiosity about other cultures.

Yes, it is all very difficult to manage with our crazy schedules. However, Lukas is our number one project and, in our point of view, daily positive reinforcements are the way to go for successful results.