Kids' Guide to Table Manners

I think most parents have been embarrassed when invited to dinner at someone else's house and their child just won't behave the way they would like him to. Children tend to show their worst behavior when it is least convenient. Here is a great summary I found that will help keep in mind how to reinforce good manners at home. There are some that some of us adults even have to work on I'm sure.
Manners are important and learning them at home will give your child the advantage of already knowing how to behave in a new situation. We can't expect to teach our children all kinds of new things when they tend to already be overwhelmed by other people around...lots of noise...new thing to look at and so on. Teaching this at home can eliminate the stress that can come along with eating out or visiting with friends.
Have fun



By: Vanessa Greaves

A no-tears approach to taming the young barbarians at the feast.


Having good table manners is a win/win for kids and the grown-ups who love them. And when you teach children proper behavior at the dinner table, you're giving them life skills that will pay off now and in the future.



Basic Training

It's never too early or too late to learn the basics of "company manners," and just like learning any skill, practice makes perfect. Here are eight easy ways to exercise your good table manners:

Wait for the cue to sit down. Unfold your napkin, place it over your lap, but don't pick up your fork just yet.
Watch and wait. When a parent or the host picks up a fork, that's your green light to do the same.
If you're eating "family style" and sharing food from serving dishes, pass them from left to right. Take only as much as you will finish, then pass the dish to the person on your right.
Sit up straight and bring the food to your mouth instead of hunching down over your plate. You are not your dog.
Speaking of bringing food to your mouth, use your utensils unless everyone is eating finger food. Note: you can eat pizza and still use good manners.
Chew with your mouth closed; talk with your mouth empty. And if you want to lick your lips, dab them with your napkin instead.
Ask your family how their day was and share something from your own day; eating in grim silence isn't any fun and making conversation is essential to good table manners.
Are you finished? Resist the temptation to push your plate away. Place your knife and fork side by side on your plate with the handles pointing right. Straighten your napkin and leave it on the table, near the left side of your plate. Some parents might let you leave the table early, but you should ask permission first.



Know Your Way Around

Which fork do I use? Is that my bread plate? Are you drinking out of my glass? Here's how to face the most complicated place setting with confidence.

More than one fork? Start from the outside and work your way in. The smallest fork on the left side of your plate is usually for appetizers or salad. If you're having soup, you might find a large spoon on the right side of your plate. If you're having bread, your bread knife will be placed on your bread plate.
Your bread plate is above and to the left side of your dinner plate.
Your glassware is above and to the right side of your dinner plate.
Sometimes a dessert spoon or fork might be placed above your dinner plate.




Social Graces

How to behave like a civilized human being.

Say please and thank you.
Try a little of everything you're served, even if you suspect you won't like it. You might be pleasantly surprised. And if you really don't like it, just don’t say anything hurtful.
Is your family hosting a party? Ask how you can help. Maybe you can take coats or serve hors d'oeuvres.
Are you dining out? Ask your parents if you can order for yourself. (Hint: don't point at the menu when you order.)
Do you need to use the restroom? Ask your parent quietly.
Did you accidentally burp? It could happen. Say "excuse me" and hold back the giggling.
Are you going to sneeze? Turn your head completely away from the table and cover your mouth with your napkin.
Here's one even grown-ups forget: if you're a dinner guest, send a short thank-you note the next day.

via:
http://allrecipes.com/_HowTo/Detail.aspx?id=5871

The Importance of Vitamin D

Why this vitamin is so crucial for your child's good health

By Jennifer Abbasi
38: The percentage of babies and toddlers who don't get enough vitamin D

Your child needs this vitamin to help her body absorb calcium and build healthy bones. Plus, there's mounting evidence that vitamin D reduces the risk of Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and certain cancers. Kids need at least 200 international units a day — about two eight-ounce glasses of milk. Formula is fortified, but breastfed babies should get liquid supplements starting at 2 months, says Catherine Gordon, M.D., lead researcher of a new study on vitamin D at Children's Hospital Boston.

via:
http://www.parenting.com/parenting/child/article/0,19840,1666662,00.html?topic=l1365

Music and Your Child

This is a great article I found. I am not sure about your Family, but in ours music is very important. It is a much bigger part of our lives then I thought until I stopped to think about it. Songs lighten our day when we are singing in the shower, cooking together, humming a tune while doing housework or singing along as loud as we can when the music is turned up in our car!
I think music is absolutely important to a child's development. It teaches children language and rhythm. The Benefits of singing to and with your child are endless. So, sing on...



How Song and Dance Encourage Social Development
Research by the Content Manager
You're probably already enriching your child's life with music and dance.
Whether you're singing a lullaby to help him drop off to sleep, or making
him laugh by dancing to the latest Top 10 hit, music and dance bring you and
your child closer. But did you know they can also help him develop skills
that will last a lifetime?

When a child hears music, especially coming from you, it encourages him to
listen closely and repeat the sounds he hears. Such careful listening and
mimicry will certainly help him when he goes to school * where almost every
learning experience includes listening and responding appropriately.

Don't worry so much about what type of music you share with your child. Your
child doesn't have to love Mozart to reap the rewards of early music
appreciation. Simple and silly songs are just as important. The constant
repetition and rhyme in many children's songs can help your child learn
numbers, letters, words and concepts. For example, songs that lead children
in clapping, jumping and other motions can help your child associate the
words he hears with the actions he performs.

Music is often a child's introduction to the arts and creative expression.
Children who make their own music or invent their own dances learn how to
communicate ideas and emotions without words. Singing and dancing are also
great lessons in social interaction. When children sing, dance or play
music together (and with their parents) they're practicing give-and-take,
cooperation and concentration.

There are many reasons to make music an important part of your child's life,
and just as many ways to do so.

1. Sing to and with your child
2. Attend musical events together
3. Encourage your child to dance and act out the words of songs
4. Expose your child to different kinds of music * children's songs,
classical, jazz, the list is endless

But most of all, make music fun. The rest will follow.

Activities To Do With Your Infant and Toddler

All grown up and ready to go
As your toddler begins to walk and learns new words, she will want to practice all of these things over and over again. Toddlers love repetition and this is how they learn and master new things. Toddlers have lots of energy, are very curious about everything and it can be a challenge trying to keep them busy. Below are a few activities you can try with your toddler that will support his development and maybe even help burn off some of that excess energy!

Activities for you and your toddler

Encourage fine motor development. Provide your toddler with fat crayons or non-toxic, washable markers, and let him scribble on paper. This will get him interested in and give him practice drawing, coloring, and writing.

via:
http://onetoughjob.org/communication.aspx

Spend time outside. Your toddler will want to run and climb, and the outdoors is a great place for her to do this. Help her climb and play on an age appropriate playground structure. You can also engage your child outdoors by playing with a ball, or introducing her to a bicycle or riding toy that is safe and appropriate for her age and size.

Use rhythm and rhyme. A great way to stimulate your toddler's language development is with rhythmic rhymes. Sit with him on your knees facing you and recite simple rhymes. Don't worry, if you don't know any, you can make them up as you go along! You can also listen to music and hold his hands and dance.


Toys and games. At this age, there are many things your toddler can play with. She will like blocks and toys that can be stacked. She may also like push, pull, and riding toys, such as a miniature stroller or cars and trains. You can also engage her with simple puzzles. She may also like to ‘help’ you with what you are doing; for example, if you are cooking, give her some pots and pans to play with.


Read to your child. Reading to your child is one of the best gifts you can give him. Pick simple sturdy books with bright pictures and let him help turn the pages while you read the words on each page. Wordless books are also great at this age, and you can make up your own story.