A guide to choosing your family’s first pet.

Pets can make wonderful comrades. They will be your best friend, they’ll be an endless source of smiles, and they can also be support or therapy animals for children with disabilities. However, deciding to get a pet is a large commitment. So many things could influence the compatibility of a pet in your home like allergies, amount of time spent at home, and the number of family members per household. Utilize this guide to ensure that your family makes the right decision when choosing your first pet.

1.) A fish is a great starter pet for very young children. Setting a schedule for your child to feed your fish is a great way to introduce responsibility to them. It allows them to get used to a routine, while still having minimal care effort. There is still plenty of research to be done when getting a fish, however. You must first be sure that you have the correct size tank, the right environment (is it a saltwater or freshwater fish?) You also must make sure that your little guy has the proper food and supplies. Your local pet store staff will be happy to help you select what is right for your new friend.

2.) Dogs are in fact a man’s best friend. They are playful and active, and if your kids have similar personality traits, a dog could be the best choice for you. They require a ton of work, however. They need lots of attention during the day and to be taken on walks, they are also the most expensive animal to care for. Things like vaccinations, emergency visits, and ample space for them to run around, are good to take into consideration before choosing to introduce a dog into your home. They also have the longest lifespan so if you are considering a dog be sure to keep your families future plans in mind as well.

3.) Cats are great pets for people of all ages. They are normally very docile and welcoming to lots of petting and snuggles. They do however sleep for 16 to 20 hours a day, so they are best for families with busier schedules who aren’t home during the day. Rescue cats make the best companions, but you must be careful to pay attention to personalities. Some abused animals can be aggressive towards children and other pets. Be sure to ask the animal rescue facility what cat is right for your family situation.

4.)  Guinea pig, hamster, or gerbil Smaller mammals are another introductory pet. They require less effort than something larger, but are a little bit friendlier to touch. You must still take precaution when introducing a tiny pet to your little ones because they are very delicate, and over handling could cause skin irritations in some. Hamsters and Gerbils are best for less interaction, while guinea pigs are the best for a little more cuddles. Guinea pigs are very intelligent and most are welcoming to grooming by their owner, they do best with a companion of the same gender, so you may want to consider getting two.

5.)  An uncommon animal can be a fun choice as well. Pets like reptiles and arachnids are some of the more uncommon animals. It is a little bit more difficult to find care information on these animals, so they are best suited for older children and teens. Some pets like snakes require careful handling so they are best for someone who can safely do so. Extensive research is required before selecting one of these pets because they can be dangerous if they are not cared for properly.

A pet can make a great addition to your family. They teach valuable life skills and ensure companionship for years to come. Whatever pet you chose, try to follow these steps to make sure you are selecting the right pet to fit your family dynamic.

Hacks For Picky Eaters

 

We know how difficult it is to make sure a fussy eater is getting all the nutrition they need to grow big and strong. Picky eaters can be so frustrating for parents, preparing separate meals, them not wanting anything on the menu while you are out to eat; It’s enough to make you go nuts! There are ways to help promote healthy eating that your kids will love.

FREEZE IT! Kids love frozen things. An easy hack to getting them to eat fruit is to freeze it. A lot of frozen fruits can be put on a stick and frozen to give the illusion of a eating a freeze pop. For those extra stubborn eaters, try getting a freeze pop making tray, and filling it with a smoothie. These little frozen treats are healthier than regular popsicles but your child won’t know the difference!

DRY IT! Another way to get your child to eat more fruit is to buy dried fruits. Banana and strawberry chips offer a different texture than traditional fruits and sometimes the texture is what triggers your child to detest something. Freeze dried fruits taste similarly and you can even make it an entertaining experience for them by telling them how the astronauts eat freeze dried foods while in space!

DISGUISE IT! Create a dessert that is a healthier option, but looks like a sugary snack. Oatmeal cookies are far more nutritious than chocolate chip cookies, but many kids like them just the same. Introducing vanilla yogurt instead of vanilla pudding is another great option. Yogurt is rich in probiotics and calcium while pudding contains a lot of sugar.

PLAY WITH IT! Making eating into an exciting experience can be the missing puzzle piece as well. “Don’t play with your food” doesn’t always have to be the case. Treats like “ants on a log” can tell a playful story while still promoting healthy eating. Celery stock and raisins are rich in nutrients and peanut butter offers a sweeter taste, but that’s rich in protein and has less sugar than other treats.

REWARD THEM! Positive reinforcement works! Offer praises for trying new things. If they try one new thing a day for a whole week, reward them with a new toy at the end of the week, or cook them their favorite meal. Keep a chart that documents their progress so that they can have a visual representation of their achievements. You can even make it a friendly competition between siblings!

Above all patience with your child is the most important. Fussy eaters can be frustrating but making sure that you are trying healthier options with them is so important. Following these few hacks can help make sure that your little one is getting the nutrients they need, and you don’t have to worry so much!

 

Our menus meet the nutrition standards of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. We participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to improve the diets of our children and develop activities to help them acquire healthy eating habits. For additional information on Brightside’s nutritious food plan, click here.

6 Fun and Educational Cartoons You will Both Love

Whether it’s watching YouTube videos on a phone or iPad, or watching their favorite nightly show in front of the television, kids are always taking in plenty of stimuli from the technology around them. So how do you ensure that the content that your child is watching is beneficial to their development? Here is a list of the most educational television shows to watch with your child, that can make T.V. time both stimulating and instructional.

1.) Dinosaur Train, is a PBS show created by Craig Bartlett, (who also wrote the 90s hit Hey Arnold!) features a curious young Tyrannosaurus rex named Buddy who, together with his adopted Pteranodon family, takes the Dinosaur Train to explore his time period, and have adventures with all kinds of dinosaurs. We know that kids love dinosaurs, but this show makes learning about them educational and fun.

2.) Max & Ruby on Nickelodeon is based on the book series by Rosemary Wells. It naturally mimics the natural relationship between siblings by following the adventures of two bunnies Max, (3 yrs old) and Ruby (7 yrs old). The pair have very different personality traits and use their strengths to resolve a conflict. This is a great show that displays to your child how to effectively resolve arguments.

3.) Curious George on PBS Kids, is about a brown monkey named George, who is brought from his home in Africa by “The Man with The Yellow Hat” to live with him in a giant city. It soothes the tired parent’s soul. George is best for younger kids since most of what the show focuses on are simple lessons like learning shapes, numbers, and colors.

4.) Sid the Science Kid is another PBS show. The main character in the show is Sid, an inquisitive youngster who uses comedy to tackle questions kids have about basic scientific principles and why things work the way they do. He tries to answer questions and solve problems with the help of his classmates. This show promotes an analytical approach to life and promotes many early scientific lessons like gravity.

5.) The Wonder Pets is a Nickelodeon show that’s been on the air for quite a while. The premise is simple, it’s about baby animals saving the world. The musical element of the show is enough to proclaim its benefits for children. A 10 member live orchestra performs on each episode of the show following the children. It is a wonderful introduction to classical style music and can add a dash of cultural gain to your child’s everyday life.

6.) The Backyardigans centers around an assortment of neighboring playmates depicted as bipedal, anthropomorphic animals: Uniqua, Pablo, Tyrone, Austin, and Tasha. Designed to encourage imaginative play. The animals are constantly speaking directly to the viewers in a call-and-response manner, prompting a reaction from your child and encouraging their engagement in problem-solving.

Advancements in technology have been making it easier and easier for children to get a hold of video stimuli, but by monitoring what your child watches and giving them educational options; they can progress rapidly in many of the areas that these television shows promote like conflict resolution, curiosity, history, and science.

The Benefits of Play for Children

Playtime for kids is unbelievably important. Fun is the way that children develop social skills with their peers that will carry them through life. On the playground when an argument ensues, or teasing is present, your child is faced with decisions on how to handle these situations. Teachers can step in and show them the correct response then it becomes a learning experience as well.

Some may think that playing alone, on the other hand, encourages children to shy away from others. However,  playing alone also helps kids socially, as it develops a strong sense of independence, promotes creativity and imagination and alleviates boredom when they devise their own entertainment. When a child plays alone on the playground, they can also learn social cues by observing other kids’ interactions without being part of them.

Aside from the communicative know-how they obtain, there are also obvious physical benefits to play time. Encouraging children to play sports and be active individuals is equally as meaningful to their advancement. A sport teaches children teamwork and playing on a jungle gym or in a tree house facilitates an imaginative quality. These are the skills that help guide them into more abstract careers like creative writing or graphic design. Lethargy becomes the norm when children are not encouraged to go outside. Kids can become less capable physically if they aren’t encouraged to be active.

Playground equipment like climbers and overhead hanging apparatuses present kids with physical challenges, and free play encourages them to take risks. When kids take that risk and overcome the challenge, they develop a sense of accomplishment that leads to higher self-esteem. Free play also encourages children to develop skills that build self-confidence, such as conflict resolution and imaginative dramatic play. 

Work and play should work in tandem with each other to ensure that our children are balanced in every aspect of their development.

Keeping your Kids Warm and Healthy this Winter Season.

Because we are in the middle of the coldest part of the year, it’s very important to keep your kids bundled up to shield against viruses and the flu. Colder temperatures can weaken an immune system.  We all know how important it is to keep our heads warm, but children actually lose more heat from their head than adults, so if your ears are chilly, it’s likely that your child could be twice as cold.

Other important parts of the body to keep bundled up and dry are the small extremities like the fingers, toes, and nose. These are the most likely to be affected by hypothermia so make sure that your kids’ fingers and toes are nice and toasty. On those particularly frigid days, throw a hand warmer in each glove or shoe. It’s an inexpensive extra measure to ensure your child’s safety, and the warmers usually last around 8 hours.

A scarf is a great way to keep the neck and face warm, but it can actually be a hazard for very young children if tied too tight. A good alternative is to incorporate a turtleneck into their winter wardrobe. It’s an extra precaution, but it’s just as effective.

Those consecutive frigid dry days can really take its toll on our sinuses as well. If you notice that your children are having nose bleeds more often in the winter time, it’s a good idea to invest in a humidifier. Not only is this easier on their noses and avoids a bloody (sometimes scary for your child) mess, but it also helps to protect against complications from a cold like sinus infections.

If you follow these few steps, it will help get you and your child through the winter with ease, and then before you know it, it’ll be spring, and you’ll be looking for tips on how to deal with seasonal allergies. Until then, stay warm!

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