KIDS

Books from Birth to Two-Year Olds
By Nicola McMahon

Reading to children is a very valuable activity as it helps to expand their vocabulary, concepts and ideas, how language works and most importantly develops their imaginations.

Stories can help children understand more about the world as emotions and life-situations are played out through a character in a book.

My own experience with my little girl and her mates has led me to have a greater understanding of what they like. Of course, if a book can be torn it will without doubt be torn, so I definitely recommend board books.

Actually, the kind of books that will pass the endurance test of an active toddler need to be built rather than bound!

Some examples of books that pass hers and my test include the bright and interesting Usborne range of Look and Say books, which encourage toddlers to recognize familiar objects about the beach, the town and the farm. This kind of familiar predictability builds confidence and vocabulary in toddlers.

Usborne also have a great phonetic range of books such as 'Hens Pens', 'Toad makes a Road', 'Goose on the Loose' and 'Frog on a Log'. These are a great way to introduce language and assonance.

Another good, sturdy and widely popular range is from Treehouse. Many of their books for this age are simple and interactive- there are levers to pull, flaps to lift and tabs to push. 'Little Pup' is a favourite in our house at the moment, but next week it might be back to 'Incy Spider' or 'Flap my Wings'.

That's the funny (or not so funny) thing with toddlers- you must read their favourite over and over, again and again, so make sure you like the book yourself before you get it! But luckily next week or the week after another book will become firm favourite.

I have just introduced what I hope will be a fun book for both of us. It is another Treehouse book called 'Animal Actions'.

It is a board-game book with a spinner. Whichever animal the spinner points to, you have to do the appropriate action. So far I've been standing like a flamingo on one leg and she's been monkeying around!

All the books I've mentioned above can be found in Books on the Green in Sandymount.

The local libraries are another very useful means of accessing books. There are also storytelling mornings for pre-school children, tuesday mornings at 11am at Pearse St. Library.

Childcare Directory Launched

The Childcare Directory offers a breakdown of childcare service providers in each county and what they have to offer.The Childcare Directory can be purchased for €6 from Temple Street Hospital or online at www.childcare.ie. All proceeds from the sale of the book will go to help support the Kidney Unit of the Temple Street Children's Hospital.

Co-op Child minding
By Nicola MaMahon

The basic idea of co-operative child minding is for a group of parents to get together and agree to take turns watching each other's children.

You would need to talk to other parents in your neighbourhood. If you're new to the area, or just haven't met many parents, consider advertising somewhere like the local shop, community hall, post office, supermarket or creche.

Benefits arising would come from saving money on a sitter if you use the 'time-reward' system. For example, if you mind a child for three hours one day the other parent would owe you three hours child-minding in the future. A system of IOUs could be set up to facilitate this. Guidelines around this would have to be worked out in advance and agreed by everyone.

Of course, the payback means that you'll be watching other people's children every now and then, but if you're watching your own anyhow it's not too much trouble. At least when your child is being minded you can be assured that another parent you know does it. Also, the children get to know each other and play together so it's a treat for them too.

Childcare Directory Launched

Nutrition for Toddlers
By Nicola McMahon

Did you know that children between ages 1 and 3 need 500 milligrams of calcium a day, between ages 4 and 8 they need 800 milligrams a day and between ages 9 and 13 they require 1300 milligrams a day.
Calcium is important for building strong bones, for now and as your child develops into adolescence and adulthood.
Here are some of the best sources of calcium:
One cup of yogurt contains about 380 mg.
One cup of milk contains about 300 mg.
One cup of calcium-fortified orange or apple juice contains 300 to 350 mg.
One slice of cheese has between 202 and 272 mg.
One cup of fortified soymilk contains about 257 mg.
One half-cup of cooked macaroni and cheese (from a packaged mix) contains about 181 mg.
One half-cup of frozen yogurt has 150 to 160 mg.
One slice of cheese pizza contains about 117 mg
Two figs contain about 49 mg.
One cup of cooked broccoli (or other dark green vegetables) contains about 380mg
Half a tin of salmon/sardines with bones mashed well also contain calcium.
Avocado, Broad Bean and Natural Yoghurt Recipe
Avocados contain essential fatty acids and vitamins A and E. Yoghurt will provide the calcium but this can be eaten without the yoghurt.
1 Avocado
60g broad beans (frozen)
3 tablespoons natural yoghurt
Boil beans for one minute, then drain and leave to cool.
Pop the centre from outer bean pod and add to avocado.
Mix using a blender until smooth, then stir in yoghurt. Use that day.

Mother and Child Profile

Name: Alison Gatehouse
Son's Name: William James Daunt Gatehouse
What is his date of birth? 17th October 2002
Where are you from? England and South Africa
Where do you live now? Anglesea Rd, Dublin 4.
How long have you lived there? Two years and three months
Why did you move? For work reasons
Do you like living there and why? Yes, a lot. I find that it's very child-friendly and Herbert Park is just around the corner. People here are very accepting of children so you never feel that they are not welcome.
What differences do you find between Ireland and home? Well, compared to the UK, there's more space and it's easier to get around. Also, it's more intimate and more informal here.
What do you like to do around Dublin? I really like going to the Mother and Toddler groups, to Gymboree, to the Zoo and the Aquarium in Bray. There's also a pottery and painting place in Stillorgan called Pompei Paints that is great for making presents.

By Nicola McMahon

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