Children Archives - Page 3 of 35

3 Tips for Taking Young Children on a Cruise

May 1, 2022 by admin

One of the best ideas for your next family vacation is a week-long cruise. Often overlooked as they are thought by many to be too expensive, cruises are a great way to spend time together as a family with most or all costs covered upfront and keeps all activities and amenities together in one central place. One major benefit of a cruise is that you get all of the entertainment of a normal vacation without worrying about additional transportation; you don’t need to drive to any restaurants, pools, theme parks, etc. from a hotel, and don’t need to worry about paying for parking. For an extra bit of luxury on a family vacation, consider chartering a jet from a company like Access Global to the destination your cruise is departing from.

Taking a cruise with young children can be stressful, so here are a few mom-approved tips to make sure your vacation is smooth sailing.

Research Entertainment Options

While many cruises have options for family-friendly entertainment or activities designed just for kids, some cruises are more family-friendly than others. Choosing an option like a Disney Cruise that is designed for children and their families will ensure that your children are included and able to be entertained the entire time they are on board. You should look into a cruise’s options for entertainment ahead of time, to ensure that they will appeal to your child. For example, some ships have kids clubs that feature a play area or video game station where children can interact with one another and play in the same room, whereas others have go-karting or rollerskating rinks onboard. Many cruises have performances like a circus or live music show, and others have character meet and greets with characters from their favorite shows, Think about the kinds of activities your child enjoys most, and choose a cruise accordingly.

Get the Right Dining Plan

Many cruises allow (or require) you to reserve specific meal times in advance. When doing so, it is helpful to consider your child’s behavior and eating habits. Try to plan your child’s meals around the activities they know they want to participate in, to avoid being in any time crunches or in a rush during what should be a relaxing trip. Also, be sure to pack lots of snacks. Although snacks are usually included in your cruise’s meal plan and the ship will likely have any food you desire, having your child’s favorite snacks on hand can come in handy during long waits for food or activities or early mornings/late nights when onboard cafes and stores might be closed.

Pack Light

Taking a cruise unfortunately means living in close quarters due to the small room size and lack of extra space onboard. While you want to make sure that you have everything you could need for a week of traveling, be careful not to overpack. Try to stick to basics, and plan to wear an outfit or two on board to save space. Also, keep in mind that if you forget something you end up needing, it is likely that it will be available in an onboard convenience store; although paying for something you have at home is frustrating, it avoids taking up space with things you might not end up using.

What Vitamins Are Good For Kids

April 26, 2022 by admin

Parents are always looking for vitamins that are good for their kids. It is important to make sure that your children are getting the right vitamins and minerals in order to grow and stay healthy. There are many different vitamins that are good for kids, and each one serves a different purpose. And it is almost impossible to feed your kid various required fruits and vegetables a day. So, in that case, to make sure that your kid is getting vitamins and nutrients properly, you can go for the organic gummy vitamins supplements that are found on the market nowadays. In this article, we will discuss some of the best vitamins for kids and what they do. We will also provide information on the sources of vitamins and the amount of each vitamin that is required for the growth and development of your kid.

Different types of vitamins

If you are like most parents, you want to make sure your children are getting the best possible nutrition. This includes ensuring they are taking vitamins and minerals that support good health. Some vitamins help promote growth and development, while others help to maintain a healthy immune system. It is important for parents to know which vitamins are essential for their children and to make sure they are getting the appropriate amount in their diet. Here is a list of some of the most important vitamins for kids, along with explanations of what they do and why they’re important.

Vitamins A

Vitamins are essential nutrients that the body needs to perform optimally. Vitamin A is a nutrient that is important for vision, reproduction, and cell growth. There are thirteen different vitamins, and each one has unique benefits for the body. Vitamin A is one of the more important nutrients, and it offers a range of benefits including improved vision, stronger bones, and better immunity. Source of Vitamin A: This vitamin is found in many different foods, including fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and meat.

Daily intake amount: Daily 400 micrograms of vitamin A is required for your children’s proper development.

Vitamin B12

Among thirteen essential vitamins, vitamin B12 is one of the most important for children. Here are some reasons why your kid needs vitamin B12:

It helps form red blood cells.
It maintains a healthy nervous system.
It also helps create DNA and is essential for proper brain function.
Vitamin B12 supports energy production and metabolism.

Source of Vitamin B12: It is important to make sure your child gets enough of this crucial vitamin by adding foods like beef, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, and cheese to their diet, or by taking a supplement if needed.

Daily intake amount: 1.2 micrograms of Vitamin B12 daily.

Vitamin C

The benefits of vitamins are vast and well-known. Vitamin C is important for your kid as it helps in the development and maintenance of bones, cartilage, teeth, and gums. Vitamin C is also essential for wound healing. A disease called scurvy is caused by a lack of vitamin C .

Sources of Vitamin C: Foods that are high in vitamin C include citrus fruits, tomatoes, broccoli, and strawberries.

Daily intake amount: Kids need about 75 mg of vitamin C per day.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is one of the essential vitamins that helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus from food, which is essential for building strong bones and teeth. A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to a weakened immune system, poor growth, and even rickets (a bone disease caused by lack of vitamin D).

Sources of Vitamin D: Luckily, getting enough vitamin D is easy – your child can get it from sun exposure, foods fortified with vitamin D, liver, red meat, or supplements.

Daily intake amount: daily 800 milligrams of vitamin D is required for your kid’s body function to work properly.

Vitamin K

It is very important for every parent to ensure that their children get all the essential vitamins and minerals needed for their growth and development. One such vitamin that is often overlooked is Vitamin K. Here are some of the top reasons you should make sure your child gets enough Vitamin K:

1) It helps support healthy bones – One of the main roles of Vitamin K is to help with calcium absorption, which is important for developing strong bones.

2) It aids in wound healing – If your child sustains a cut or scrape, Vitamin K may help them heal faster. It also helps with blood clotting action.

3) It supports cardiovascular health – Studies have shown that Vitamin K can help decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Sources of Vitamin K: There are many sources of Vitamin K. The most common source is leafy green vegetables. Other sources include certain fruits, dairy products, and meat products. Each of these sources provides different levels of Vitamin K. Knowing which foods provide the most Vitamin K can help you ensure that you are getting enough of this important nutrient.

Daily intake amount: Per day 55 micrograms of Vitamin K is required for your kid.

Vitamins are important for kids and they should continue to receive their recommended dosages. While it is always best to get nutrients from food, there may be times when a vitamin supplement is necessary. Speak with your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s nutrition and health.

5 Ways to Get Your Child Excited About Learning

January 26, 2022 by admin

Your child’s education is one of the most important aspects of their upbringing. Naturally, learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom. You have to teach your child at home as well. But just as importantly, you have to make sure that your child actually wants to learn. If learning is not enjoyable for young children, they will want to spend their formative years doing other things that do not always help open and expand their minds. So, in today’s post, we are going to look at 5 ways to get your child excited about learning!

Talk With Your Child’s Teachers

It goes without saying that a lot of learning will happen at school. To a large degree, this part of your child’s education is outside of your control. For this reason, it is important to speak with your child’s teacher on a regular basis. This way, you can exchange information, learning about potential problem areas that your child faces in the classroom while also providing their teacher with useful tips about how your child learns at home. If you’re looking for a Pre-K program that actively engages with kids and creates excitement for learning, be sure to check out the programs available through Frog Street!

Read With Your Child

Reading is one of the best ways to help your child learn. While some children do not enjoy reading as much as others, most children love stories. So, you can read to your child or with your child. Either way, having your child engage with books on a regular basis (ideally every day) will help them grow and learn through fun stories.

Limit Non-Educational Screen Time

Smartphones and tablets can be great tools to help your child have fun while learning. Though many experts recommend keeping your child away from screens during their first few years, they will almost certainly encounter them at one point or another. For this reason, you should ideally limit their ability to access smart devices at home without your supervision. When they are using smartphones or tablets, they should be engaging in learning activities or playing educational games.

Incorporate Lessons Into Daily Activities

Everything you do with your child is an opportunity to learn. Whether you’re going for a walk in the park or making dinner at home, use these opportunities to teach your child about the world around them. Your child likely has tons of questions about things they see and observe, so do your best to answer their questions and even create engaging activities or games around different subjects.

Show Your Own Enthusiasm For Learning

Ultimately, children learn the most from observing others. Moreover, children tend to copy the behavior of their parent, parents, or caregivers. If you seem bored by learning activities, how can you expect your child to get excited? So, even if you had a long day at work and are feeling tired, do your best to show excitement about learning with your child. They will likely mimic your positive attitude in no time!

Did you enjoy our guide on 5 ways to get your child excited about learning? If so, be sure to check out some of our other posts on 3 Kids And Us today!

Self-Care Activities Parents Should Prioritize

January 24, 2022 by admin

When you’re a parent with just one or multiple kids, you can start experiencing the feeling of burnout quite often. Keeping up with those little humans is stressful, tiring, and takes away a lot of the time you used to spend on yourself.

As a parent, it isn’t only important for you to be there for your kids, but it’s also essential to take time for your own needs. You can’t be a great parent if you don’t take care of yourself as well.

How does a parent find time for themselves? Below are some realistic self-care activities for a parent’s busy lifestyle that will help you feel re-energized and better connected with yourself.

Get Social with Other Adults

Spending all of your time around children can be exhausting. Many parents crave adult interaction, especially when they stay home all day with their kids.

One form of self-care is to prioritize these adult-only meetings. Every other week, make it a point to get together with adult friends without the kids or join a book club. Anything that gets you out of the house and kid-free will do wonders for your mental health.

Do Something You Enjoy

Before you had children, what kinds of activities made you happy? Make time to do something that you truly enjoy when you’re starting to feel overwhelmed.

Maybe you enjoy doing home crafts, going for a run, or making a certain meal or dessert. Try to do one thing that makes you happy when you can. Don’t say you don’t have time; you have to make the time.

Pamper Yourself

When we picture self-care, most of us think about going for a facial or getting nails done. This is an excellent form of self-care and can be a small escape from your everyday life. Schedule your appointment at a medical spa such as the one at the Institute of Natural Health and choose from a variety of self-care services.

Remember, when you look good, you feel good. This is the perfect opportunity to relax a bit while improving or maintaining your appearance.

Keep a Gratitude Journal

It’s easy to get caught up in the monotony of our everyday lives and daily routines. Sometimes we forget just how great we have it. To remind yourself of everything you appreciate about your life, try keeping a gratitude journal. Some people choose to write in it every morning, while others only write when they need the reminder. No matter when you use it, it’s a great way to stay grounded and realize just how wonderful your life truly is.

Get Out in Nature

Spending some time in nature can be a total reset for your mood and outlook for the days ahead. Breathe in some fresh air while your kids play at the park or go for a walk with lots of greenery around. Avoid using your phone during this time so you can really appreciate the beauty of nature and experience the calming effect it offers.

5 Ways You Can Help Your Child Thrive at Childcare

January 11, 2022 by admin

When your child starts attending a childcare centre, they are taking an exciting next step in their learning journey, and you can help them along the way.

As a parent, there are many things you can do to help your child succeed in a childcare environment, making the most of learning opportunities and engaging meaningfully with curriculum programs. You can support your child to learn, play, discover, and grow.

Here are 5 ways you can help your child thrive at childcare!

1. Be prepared

Good preparation is the key to a successful childcare journey!

Being prepared for childcare can help you to avoid common challenges, staying calm and collected at drop-off time. The night before your child attend childcare, make sure you’ve organised everything they need (lunch, clothes, a backpack). This will save you a last-minute rush in the morning!

Before your child starts at childcare, prepare them for changes in routine and the new challenges they might face at their centre. Focus on the positives as much as possible, and slowly introduce your child to centre routines.

2. Stay consistent

Staying consistent with childcare routines and expectations can make life much easier for your child.

Find out what routines and schedules are in place at your child’s early learning centre, and consider implementing some of these at home. You might adjust nap times or meal times to align more closely with centre timetables.

Maintaining consistency between home and childcare can help your child to feel secure in their environments. They’ll know what to expect each day, and they’ll be able to face new challenges with confidence.

3. Communicate with educators

Your child’s educators will be an important part of their learning journey, so it’s important that you communicate with them regularly.

Each day at centre drop-off and pick-up times, speak to your child’s educators about their interests and learning needs. Ask how your child is doing at childcare and if there are any concerns you should be aware of.

Communicating with educators can help you develop a clearer sense of your child’s strengths and weaknesses, providing you with the knowledge you need to help your child succeed.

4. Make quality time

When you child begins attending a childcare centre, they may have less time at home with you, so it’s important that you continue to spend quality time with them outside of centre hours.

Take time to talk to your child, asking them questions about their friends, their educators, and the things that they are learning. Spend time with your child, and listen to them when they communicate with you.

Quality time is an important part of ensuring that your child continues to feel secure both at home and at childcare. This will make it much easier for your child to learn and thrive.

5. Build on learning

Learning doesn’t have to stop at childcare. You can help your child build on their skills and knowledge at home!

Find out what skills your child is working on at childcare. Are they learning about the environment? Are they practising sports, music, or communication skills? Whenever possible, introduce these concepts to games and activities at home too.

By building on your child’s learning at home, you can help them learn concepts more quickly, and you can provide them with the support they need to develop new skills and achieve their full potential.

Still searching for the right childcare centre for your child? Visit MyXplor to find childcare centres near you! For example, a parents based in Rowville might visit the MyXplor Rowville Childcare listing to find local centres.