Thank you to our Parents!

Thank you for enjoying our December Community Activities with us!  We enjoy seeing families participating in the activities with their little ones.  Attending community activities with you allows our staff the opportunity to help families work through challenges that come with all children in public places.  We hope you feel our support and know you can ask for assistance with those challenges.  All children provide unique opportunities for us to grow and learn when we are in the presence of strangers!

We also want to thank those who provide the community activities for us to attend!  Bountiful and Clearfield Libraries, Flippers Gym, Tri-City Nursery, Layton Hay Rides, and Davis Early Intervention Staff.

We also want to send out a big Thank You to the parents of such amazing children.  Thank you for letting us get to know you and your children.  Thank you for welcoming us into your homes and into your lives.  Thank you for being such great advocates for such great little ones.  Thank you for doing all you can to make your children's lives extraordinary.  We love working with you!

We hope you all have a wonderful holiday season.  We will see you next year!

Love,
Davis Early Intervention Staff

Car Seat Safety

The following article is from KSL.com, please read it and keep in mind the tips for Car Seat Safety as you travel around this winter with your little ones.

"During the winter, parents need to think twice before strapping their child into a car seat with a puffy coat on. Chances are the coat is putting the child in danger. New safety changes to the LATCH system are coming in 2014.

It's cold - you're in a hurry - and you strap your child into his or her car seat with a puffy winter coat on. It's a scenario many parents are familiar with, but there is a hidden danger.

"That puffy coat in a crash could compress leaving a lot of space in that car seat, causing the child to move forward and or come out of the seat," said Stacy Johnson, Zero Fatalities spokesperson.

"Sometimes with the puffy coat or bulky coat, we might not be able to tell if it's tight on the shoulders and so we think they're snug when really they are not," Johnson said.

In the event of a crash (the harness) distributes the crash forces over the entire body of the child.

–Stacy Johnson, spokesperson, Zero Fatalities

Another common car seat mistake is the placement of the straps.

"If the child is rear-facing, it needs to be at or below their shoulders, but if the child is forward-facing then the harness needs to change and the straps need to be above the child," Johnson said.

When it comes to how tight the harness needs to be here's a helpful tip: if you can pinch the strap, it's too loose. And the chest clip needs to be at armpit level.

"In the event of a crash, (the harness) distributes the crash forces over the entire body of the child," Johnson said.

A big change in car seat safety is coming 2014 and it involves the LATCH system.

Starting in January, if a child and car seat have a combined weight of 65 pounds, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises parents to stop using the anchors because their strength cannot be guaranteed.

Instead, use the seat belt to secure the car seat, and also check to make sure the child still fits in it.

"If your child's forward-facing car seat goes to 40 pounds (and the child weighs more than 40 pounds) then they need to transfer into a booster seat," Johnson said.

Child seats weigh roughly anywhere from 15-35 pounds, so if your child weighs more than 30 pounds, you should check your car seat manual to see if you need a new seat. Also, check your car manual to find out how much strength your latch system can take — not all vehicles are the same."

Safekids.org

Safekids.org also provides information for making sure your child is safe in their car seat.  They have car seat inspection events where a technician can check your car seat to ensure it is installed correctly. The next even for our area is listed below.  Check out the safekids.org website for more information on car seat safety.

CHECK UP EVENT - SAFE KIDS SALT LAKE COUNTY - 12/20/2013 - 09:00AM-11:00AM

CHECK UP EVENT

Friday, December 20, 2013 - 9:00am to 11:00am

Address

Southeast Clinic

9340 South 700 East

Sandy

, UT84070

Flippers

I just had to jump on and post about the amazing activity at Flippers Gym!  Brittanie, owner of the gym, provided a wonderful time with great activities.  The kids who attended were able to work on large and small motor skills, cognitive learning, social skills, behaviors and listening skills.  And they had an amazing time while learning!  Brittanie has agreed to let us have a community activity at her gym again next December and she also provides classes for children with special needs.  Classes are for children ages 8 months to 3 years and are offered on Mondays and Tuesdays at 11:00 am.  You can participate in a free trial class if you would like to check it out.  Just call Flippers Gym at 801 593-8484 to schedule your free class or ask any questions.  The discounted cost for this class is $48.00/month for class two times a week.

Flippers Gym offers a variety of classes for all ages if you are looking for something for other kids in your family.

Thank you to Brittanie and her staff!  It was fun to see a room full of happy little ones!

December Activities

This post will have two sections, one listing the community activities Davis Early Intervention will be attending to provide support as needed for your family to enjoy the activity together.  The second section will list other community activities available to families in Davis County.  We hope you enjoy your Holiday Season!

Community Activities with Davis Early Intervention
December 2nd:
     Bountiful Library Puppet Show at 5:30 and 7:00 pm
     Clearfield Library Puppet Show at 7:00 pm

December 3rd:
     Flipper's Gym  (only available for families in Davis Early Intervention)

December 5th:
     Bountiful ELC Activity at 9:30 and 11:00 am (Only available for families in Davis Early Intervention)
     Layton ELC Activity at 9:30 and 11:00 am (Only available for families in Davis Early Intervention)

December 7th:
     Tri-City Nursery Open House from 1:00 - 4:00
 
December 9th:
     Layton ELC Activity at 9:30 and 11:00 am (Only available for families in Davis Early Intervention)
     Tri-City Nursery Open House from 6:00 - 8:00 pm

December 11th:
     Layton Hay Rides at Layton Commons Park from 6:00 - 8:00 pm


Additional Community Activities:

November 30th - December 31st:
     Ogden's Christmas Village on 25th Street in Ogden

December 2nd:
     Christmas Lighting and Electric Light Parade on the City Block in Kaysville - 6:00 pm

     City Hall Lighting Ceremony at City Hall in West Point - 6:00 pm

     Tri-City Nursery Open House from 6:00 - 8:00 pm

December 4th:
     Utah Easy 2 Love Special Time with Santa at Station Park - 6:00 - 8:00 pm  This will be time for      children with delays and disabilities to see Santa.  You can also learn more about Utah Easy 2 Love - a support group for families raising children with special needs. If you would like more information, email utaheasy2love@gmail.com or check out their blog at utaheasytolove.blogspot.com

December 6th:
     Clipper Light Parade on Bountiful Main Street - 6:00 - 8:00 pm

December 7th:
     Breakfast with Santa at the Wight House Reception Center in Bountiful from 8:00 - 11:00 (I'm not sure if there is a cost for this)

December 9th:
     Christmas on Onion Street at City Hall in West Bountiful - 5:00 pm.  Fun activities for the kids and a chance to see Santa!

December 10th:
     Storytelling Night at the Museum at Whitaker Museum in Centerville - 7:00 pm

December 14th:
     Tri-City Nursery Open House - 1:00 - 4:00

December 31st:
     New Year's Eve Celebration at Davis High - Beginning at 6:00 pm

Read With a Purpose

Adapted from the blog www.learning-through-play.com by Cari Ebert, SLP

I have always said that parents are a child’s first and most important toy, but I believe books are a close second.  Long before a child can walk, talk or use a spoon, we can introduce books and expand our child’s world.  One of the primary goals for parents should be to instill a love for books in our children.  As a pediatric speech-language pathologist I often hear parents say that their young child doesn't like books or doesn't like to be read to.  There are many strategies we can implement early on to facilitate a life-long love of books and reading.  Below are strategies that will help parents become intentional play partners and facilitate pre-literacy skills by learning how to Read with a Purpose.

• Be sure to select books that are appropriate for your child– think about board books vs. paper books and storybooks vs. picture books.  Many very young children do not have the attention span for a storybook yet and will do better with simple picture books.
• Teach your child to respect books.  If your child tears the pages, then 2 things need to happen.  First, no more paper books – board books only. Second, book time needs to be a shared activity so you can show your child how to interact appropriately with books. 
• Introduce touch and feel books to encourage pointing and use books with flaps to make reading time more interactive.
• Follow your child’s lead when choosing books.
• Future learning depends on your child’s ability to read, so make books a part of your child’s daily routine from a very young age.
• If your child doesn't like to be read to, choose picture books instead of story books and remember that you don’t always have to read the words on the page.  Instead just talk in an animated way about the pictures. 
• When looking at picture books, you can look at the pages in any order so this allows your child to stay “in control.”  Don’t worry about looking at every page in the book.  Strive to make book time a positive interaction time and your child will likely want more of it!
• Try having your child sit or stand in front of you when looking at books and hold the book near your face so she can watch your face as you talk.  This will help keep your child engaged and focused on you.
• Produce a variety of sound effects and use an animated voice to capture and maintain your child’s attention.
• Convey emotion in your voice when you read.  Your happy voice should sound distinctly different from your sad voice.
• Clearly articulate each word as your read.
• When reading predictable storybooks be sure to pause and allow your child the opportunity to complete the phrase.  “Brown bear brown bear what do you _______ (see)?  I see a purple cat looking at ________ (me).” 
• If your child is having difficulty producing certain speech sounds, be sure to select books that incorporate that specific sound into the story.  So if your child has difficulty saying the “sh” sound then pick out books about sharks, ships and shadows.
• Make sure books are available all the time.  Keep a book bag in the car next to the car seat, keep small books in your purse or diaper bag, and place book baskets in different rooms of the house. 

Avoid Sickness this Winter

^{This blog post was submitted by Joan Littleford, a nurse with Davis Early Intervention.}

^{Managing Viral Infections}

Coughs, runny and stuffy noses, and other cold symptoms can make your child miserable — but they usually aren’t serious. Most are caused by viruses, and get better with time and rest. Antibiotics are rarely needed, and may do more harm than good.

Understanding your child’s symptoms

When viruses infect your child’s respiratory system (nose, throat, and chest), they can cause any or all of these symptoms:

                        runny or stuffy nose • headache

                        coughing • body aches

                        sore throat • fever

                        sneezing • chills

                        watery eyes • tiredness

It’s normal for the symptoms of viral infection to last up to 14 days, sometimes even longer. For most children, the worst is over in about 10 days, although the cough may last for 3 weeks. Remember, antibiotics won’t make a viral illness get better faster. Usually, they just need to run their course. It’s best to just wait and watch

What can I do to help my child feel better?

A viral infection usually lasts only a week or two. But when your child is feeling rotten, this can seem like a long time! Here are some tips to help ease symptoms and help your child get better faster:

                        Rest. Resting is one of the best things your child can do to get better. Keep your child home from school or day care.

                        Drink lots of water and other fluids. Water thins mucus and helps ease coughs, stuffy noses, and sore throats. Other fluids — even milk — are usually okay too.

                        Use a humidifier. Use a cool mist humidifier around children

                Stay away from smoke. Smoke worsens symptoms and slows recovery. Don’t let anyone smoke in the house. And if you smoke, try to take a break for a few days, or smoke only outside.

How can I keep my family from getting sick?

Colds and other viral infections are common. Almost everyone has at least one cold a year — and kids often have as many as 12! To help limit the number of colds your family gets, follow these tips:

                Wash your hands often or use a sanitizing hand cleanser. And remind your children — and their caregivers — to wash their hands often, too. This is one of the best things you can do to stay well and prevent the spread of viruses.

                        Avoid crowds. If your child goes to day care, try to find a day care with fewer children in a room. And if you can, avoid crowded public places during cold and flu season.

                        Get a flu shot every year. Make sure everyone in your family does, too. It doesn’t prevent common colds and coughs — it only prevents the flu. But avoiding the flu has been proven to prevent both common and serious complications.

                Avoid smoke. If you smoke, do everything you can to quit. And avoid second-hand smoke

                 

Call your doctor about worsening symptoms or symptoms that are not getting better by 14 days.  A doctor can make sure nothing is seriously wrong, prescribe medicine if needed and explain what to do to feel better. 

(Taken from Intermountain Health Care website)

If you or your child are sick please remember to cancel your visit with your early intervention provider

Criteria for Choosing a Good Store-Bought Toy

This information is taken from a workshop by Cari Ebert called The Power of Play: Effective Play-Based Therapy and Early Intervention.  Cari is a Speech Language Pathologist who works in the field of Early Intervention in Kansas City.  Her passion is to "empower parents and pediatric therapists who want to gain an appreciation of the power of play in the development of young children."  Consider these criteria as you look for Christmas presents for your little ones.

Top 10 Criteria for Choosing a Good Store-Bought Toy

1. Select toys without batteries.  The more the toy does, the less the child does.  battery operated toys limit creativity and imagination.  We want the child to provide the power and the imagination.
2. Choose simple toys that can be used in a variety of ways.  These toys are more likely to grow with the child.  For example, nesting cups can be used to stack, to nest, in the tub or sand box, to match like colored items, as a hat, etc.
3. Look for toys that encourage active play instead of passive entertainment.  Is the toy entertaining or does it have actual play value?
4. Select toys that are safe and durable.  We want toys that are constructed well and will hold up to lots of use.
5. Choose toys that can be easily manipulated.  We want the child to be successful during play time while challenging his abilities just enough.
6. Seek out toys that are made of natural materials. Children need a break from cold, hard plastic toys.
7. Select toys that are interesting to your child, but expose him to new toys as well.  
8. Look for toys that allow the child to learn naturally through exploration and encourage problem solving.  Avoid toys that force-feed academics.
9. Select toys that spark the child's imagination.
10. Choose toys that are interesting to the adult too so cross-generational play can be fostered.

Traditionally Recognized Good Toys for Toddlers

Blocks                                       Stacking towers                  Balls

Wooden puzzles                      Shape Sorters                      Pegboards

Pounding sets                          Activity Boxes                    Lacing Beads

Musical Instruments             Push-pull toys                     Ride-on toys

Chalk and Chalkboard           Art supplies                         Fisher Price Barn

Toy Vehicles                           Toy tools                              Play figures

Household objects                  Puppets                                Toy food and dishes

Baby doll and accessories      Stuffed animals                   Books

Cari's Favorite Toys for Toddlers

Velcro Food                                                         Muffin tins                           

Empty bottle and wooden clothespins            Hot Wheels cars and a wrapping paper tube

Basket and balls                                                 Container "blocks"

Small cookie sheet and magnets                      Mickey Mouse paint samples from Home Depot

Random objects/manipulatives                       Tub of dry beans, lentils, macaroni, or rice

Toy animals                                                        Large cardboard boxes (big enough to get inside)

100 piece cookie cutter set & play dough       Any activity based on the premise "put in, dump                                                                               out and do it again"

Toys with multiple identical pieces                  Car ramps

Memory Game cards and mailboxes              Empty containers (Huggies wipes, yogurt, etc.)

Crocodile Dentist game                                     Bubbles

Tunnel and Parachute                                      Magna Doodle

Puzzles with doors                                             Board books with flaps

Soft blocks                                                          Wooden blocks

Buckets                                                               Non-plastic toys

Dollhouse                                                            Flashlight

Mirror

Two Things

New Parent Breakfast
The New Parent Breakfast for parents and grandparents of children with Down Syndrome is Saturday, November 16th at 10:00 am at the Intermountain Medical Center Doty Education Building.  In addition to a light brunch and meeting each other, we will have a presentation by Mandy Zeschke from the Davis School District, Davis Early Intervention.  She will talk about the importance of early intervention and related issues.  Please RSVP by email to newborn@usdf.org or on our Facebook Invite.  Hope to see you there!

There is also a volunteer opportunity.  Volunteers are needed to help with the Newborn Breakfast.  These are held once a quarter in Salt Lake.  Responsibilities would include working on invitations, organizing location and food, attending the event and helping with clean-up.  If you are interested, please contact info@usdf.com

Play…it’s all about the relationship

by CARI Ebert on NOVEMBER 20, 2012

With the holidays right around the corner, parents are busy looking for the best deals on electronics and toys for their kids.  Most adults tend to believe that young children benefit most from high-tech educational toys.  However, young children learn best through play and we do not need to force-feed academics to toddlers and preschoolers, despite what the ads on TV say.  What really matters most is the interactions that occur during playtime.  As adults we should strive to spend more time and less money with our children.  Sitting down on the floor and playing is the key to building a happy, successful playtime experience.  We can foster a lifetime love of learning by providing young children with positive playtime experiences because playtime experiences = learning experiences.  This is true because very young children do not learn best through “direct instruction” but rather through play that is relevant and meaningful to their life. 

Follow your child’s lead by playing with things that are of interest to him/her.  Try not to take over the play by being the teacher, director, or conductor, but rather nourish playtime by being a play partner.  Put your phones, tablets and other electronic devices away for a few minutes while you play with your child – I promise those devices will still be there in 15 minutes.  By doing this, you are saying “I want to be truly present with my child” and not allow technology to interrupt your time spent together. 

Allow your self to play like a kid again and you will be amazed how your young child will respond.  People have always made playtime all about the TOY, but it is the RELATIONSHIP that is fostered during the play exchange that really matters most.

Alternative Communication and Weight Bearing

I want to share information regarding two topics we frequently cover with families involved in Early Intervention:  Signing and Weight Bearing

Using Signs as an Alternative Form of Communication:                             
We often hear from parents how frustrated their child is because they cannot verbally talk.  Talking is the main goal, but how do we alleviate that frustration now?  The use of signs has proven through research and clinical application to be a short term alternative to alleviate frustration.

Early in our kids lives we rely on social gestures for communication, such as raising their arms up to let us know they want up, waving hello or goodbye, or pointing to indicate a want.  Gestures such as these and early signs can be learned quickly and provide a great opportunity to understand how communication works.  For example, I signed apple and then my mom would give me an apple.  When kids understand that communication gets results this can make a huge difference in their motivation to communicate in a variety of forms with those around them.

The first step to learning a language is also learning the skill of imitation.  The use of signs can increase the skill as we use both a visual and verbal reinforcement.  The ability to exaggerate or slow down the motion of a sign can also help hold the information in the child's brain for long term retention to occur.

The use of these early gestures and signs are in no way meant to become the child's primary form of communication.  We are simply trying to provide a way for the child to express his or her most basic wants and needs and allow the child to see the power of communicating.

Start with just a few signs (two or three) to help your child figure out the mysteries of communication.  Appropriate early signs like "more" "please" "eat" "drink" and "all done" are good to choose from to give your child many opportunities for success from the beginning.  Once your child demonstrates an understanding of communication by signing you can choose signs that would solve some of the daily situations that cause you the most frustration.  Families have shared that indicating if they want food or a drink or a specific toy helped them the most.

Always pair the sign with the verbal word and it is okay to help your child perform the sign while you are teaching new signs.  You want to respond as soon as your child attempts (or you help him attempt) to make the sign.

Dealing with Common Motor Delays:  Weight Bearing and Weight Shifting:
Some babies are sensitive to weight bearing or movement.  They may not put weight through their feet in standing, tolerate kneeling, or tolerate all fours.  They may not like rolling (even though you may have seen them do it once or twice).  They may sit well but not get into or out of sitting.  Often parents report those babies have always hated tummy time and that they get carried frequently throughout the day.  Generally they have very pleasant, easy-going personalities and are not delayed in any other areas of development.  If this sounds like your child, try these tips below to encourage weight bearing and weight shifting.

Weight Bearing:  You have sensors in your joints that give feedback with pressure (standing, kneeling, pushing through hands) and touch receptors that give feedback  to touch.  Some kids do not like these sensations and will cry or avoid those positions.  But with simple desensitizing exercises you can work through this and prepare your child for crawling or walking.

Feet:  Sit the baby on your lap with legs at a 90 degree angle.  Push down through his legs so you feel weight going on to his feet.  If there is a toy in front of you for your baby to reach for he will shift more weight onto his feet.  Desensitize the feet to touch by rubbing his feet with a firm pressure or with a textured surface like a washcloth.

Knees:  Kneel at a couch cushion or bottom step.  Be sure he keeps his knees in (not frogged out).  You may kneel behind him with your legs keeping his knees from splaying.

Hands:  Encourage pushing through a straight arm position over your leg.  Notice if your child avoids touching textures when finger feeding or playing and work on those textures.

Weight Shifting:  Weight shifting occurs when you move your body out of the midline position.  This includes rolling, and getting out of and into sitting.  Talk to your baby about what you are doing or sing when you try these motions, as they are new and may be a little scary at first.

Rolling Tummy to Back:  Make sure his arms are tucked in under the body.  Use a toy to encourage head turning and the body should follow.  You may want to try this on a bed first.

Rolling Back to Tummy:  Start with hands and feet tucked in and roll your baby side to side.  From laying on his back, encourage reaching across the body or put one leg across the body to start the rolling motion and then help him get onto his tummy.

Getting Out of Sitting:  Hold your baby's arms and steer them down to the ground.  He will end up on his tummy, then help adjust the legs, if needed.  You can also do this over your leg.

Getting Into Sitting:  Roll your baby to a side-lying position.  The ideal starting point is with your baby side-lying with his legs straight out (like a sitting position).  This does not work well if your baby is trying to arch or roll back, so if this happens you may need to use one hand to help sit his trunk up.  Try and aim his bottom to the ground giving lots of downward pressure to the hip that's up.  This gives him a point of stabilization so he can push with his hands and use his trunk muscles to sit up.

This information is adapted from articles in the Kids on the Move Fall/Winter 2012 Newsletter

More October Activities

The Halloween Spirit is affecting everyone in Davis County!  Here are more activities that are great for families and little ones:

Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
October 19th At 11:00 AM.

About Tumbleweeds and Shriners Hospital
These Screenings provide a special opportunity for families to enjoy Tumbleweeds programming in a safe and accepting environment. The Suditorium will have the lights slightly up and the sound adjusted, so that families with children of all ages can enjoy sensory friendly films.

This program was launched two years ago with screenings at our annual Tumbleweeds Film Festival for families affected by Autism. We've expanded the program into a monthly series at Shriners Hospital for families with special needs children. These screenings are help every 3rd Saturday of the month at 11:00 am.

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Tuesday, October 22 - Halloween Milk and Cookies

Looking to meet other moms and their kids? Join us at the MOMS Club Halloween Milk and Cookies party! Some of the fun things our club does: playdates and outings, MOMS Night out, Crafty MOMS, Exercise groups, Kids' parties and lots more!

Where: Chapel Park 152 South 900 East, Layton

When: 10:00 AM

Who: MOMS Club of Layton is a local chapter of MOMS Club International, a non-profit support group offering a variety of activities for moms and their children. 

How: Rain or Shine!

Cost: Please email us with any questions at laytonmoms@hotmail.com or call Jennifer at 801-820-6024.

For more info: If you live in Layton, Hill AFB, Kaysville, Clearfield, Clinton, Fruit Heights, Sunset, Syracuse, Farmington or West Point, we invite you to join our club!

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Thursday, October 24 - Pumpkin Walk

The Centerville City Youth Council Presents the Annual Pumpkin Walk. Bring your CARVED pumpkins to Founders Park by 6:00pm. There are plenty of Hot Cider and Donuts for attendees! Head over to the Whitacker Museum afterward for more haunting fun!

Where: Founders Park
300 N 100 E Centerville

When: 7:00 AM

Who: families

How: Visit Founders Park between 7:00pm and 8:30pm to view the lighted pumpkins along the haunted paths.

Cost: ***

For more info: Prizes will be awarded at 8:30pm for the following categories: Spookiest, Funniest, Most Creative, Cutest, Best Design

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Pumpkin Haven

Where Families Play

859 West Hillfield Road , Layton Utah

Bring the entire family for a great pumpkin event! 

You can enjoy the petting zoo, bouncy house, maze, and pumpkin patch for an affordable price.  Located in a convenient location near I-15, Pumpkin Haven has something for all ages.  The pumpkin patch has pumpkins of all sizes and shapes.
The bouncy house/slide and petting zoo are fun for the elementary age children. 

Monday  10 am-8 pm
Tuesday 10 am-8 pm
Wednesday 10 am-8 pm
Thursday 10 am-8 pm
Friday 10 am- 9 pm
Saturday 10 am- 9 pm
Sunday Closed

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Join Macaroni Kid at the fountain for FREE Family Halloween Fun!!!
Pumpkin Carver, Music, Games, Activities and Costumes make a spooktacular party!!!

October 26th at 1:00-3:00

Then follow it up with Trick or Treating at Station Park 3:00-4:30pm.

Look for the orange pumpkin in the window of participating restaurants and retailers,for Trick or Treating. (While supplies last.)

Unfortunately Station Park will not be hosting any special events on Halloween!

Developing Language and Literacy in Little Ones

This information was provided by Emily Farr, SLS and found on the website www.Zerotothree.org.

Parent-Child Activities to Promote Language and Literacy 

• Go on a name safari.  Walk around your house or neighborhood with your toddler.  Point out and name different objects.  Encourage your child to repeat the words after you.  Ask your child where he wants to go next and follow his lead.  See if he points to "ask" you what an object is. 

• Make an animal book.  Cut pictures of animals from magazines or take photos of animals in your neighborhood (cats, dogs, birds, etc.).  Glue these pictures to sturdy 4x6 index cards.  Punch a hole in the upper left corner of each card and tie them together with a short piece of yarn.  Show your toddler each page, name the animal, and make its sound.  Which animal is your child’s favorite?  Which animal sound can he make first? 

• Play “can you find…”  Toddlers enjoy helping out.  Give your child a simple task: Go get your shoe.  Make sure the object is in sight.  As her receptive language (the words she understands) grows, you can ask your child to get a familiar object that is not in sight:  Can you find your dump truck.  This is a great way to help your toddler learn new words and to listen and follow directions. 

12-24 months

Young toddlers are little scientists. They are eager to figure out how everything works.  This makes the second year an exciting one, as children really begin to venture out into the world to explore, discover, and learn. 

One of the things that make this year so much fun is that toddlers are becoming more and more effective at communicating.  (In fact, “No!” becomes a favorite word and a powerful way to assert their independence.)  By the end of their second year, they will even be making simple sentences, like “more milk” or “want that”.  Toddlers have minds of their own, and strong feelings and preferences that they express with gusto.  This is the time when your child might develop a favorite story they want to hear over and over, or a favorite game or toy they want to play nonstop.

  

24-36 months

So much is happening as your child begins her third year! She may be participating in a preschool or child care program and building a relationship with her teacher or caregiver. She is probably making new friends. She is also showing you how capable and independent she is by doing lots of things for herself, like learning to put a jacket on or help with tasks like setting the table.

Reading together is one important way you can help your toddler make the transition from baby to big kid.  Language development also soars at this age, as children are using words to express their thoughts and feelings.  In the third year, you will continue to see a big jump in your child’s thinking skills. She will start to appreciate humor and jokes.  She will show her creativity and her problem-solving skills as she plays and interacts with you.  And, while tantrums may not disappear entirely, your toddler is also developing more self-control and coping skills as she grows.   

All ages:

Remember:  If your child is interested and involved in an activity—and having fun—he is learning!  It isn't necessary to “teach” very young children.  Formal classes and other activities that push toddlers to learn concepts before they are ready do not help their development or make them do better in school. In fact, they can even make children feel like failures when they are pushed to do something they can’t succeed at or don’t enjoy.  So treasure these days of playing, exploring, and cuddling with your little one—it is exactly what she needs to grow and learn.

Developing a Sensory Diet

This article was adapted from the Kids on the Move Fall/Winter 2012 newsletter.

Just as your child needs food throughout the course of the day, he needs a variety of sensory input, and opportunities for getting away from stimulation.  A "sensory diet" is a carefully designed, personalized activity plan the provides the sensory input a person needs to stay focused and organized throughout the day.  In the same way that you jiggle your knee or chew gum to stay awake or soak in a hot tub to unwind, children need to engage in stabilizing, focusing activities, too.  Infants, young children, teens, and adults with mild to severe sensory issues can all benefit form a personalized sensory diet.

Each child has a unique set of sensory needs.  Generally a child whose nervous system is causing her to be hyperactive needs more calming input, while the child who is more underactive or sluggish needs more arousing input.

Proprioception
Proprioceptive input (sensations from joint, muscles, and connective tissues that lead to body awareness) can be obtained by lifting, pushing and pulling heavy objects, including one's own weight.  A child can also stimulate the proprioceptive sense by engaging in activities that push joints together such as pushing something heavy or pull joints apart like hanging from monkey bars.

Some easy ways to increase your child's proprioceptive input are to:
Make a body "burrito" or "sandwich".  Firmly press on your child's arms, legs, and back with pillows or make a "burrito" by rolling her up in a blanket.

Push and pull.  A toddler or preschooler can push her own stroller, and may even be able to push a stroller or cart filled with weighted objects such as groceries.

Carry that weight. Your child can wear a backpack or fanny pack filled with toys (not too heavy!).

Mini Tramp. Your child can jump on a trampoline in the home prior to mealtime or quiet time to help provide the movement and deep input they seem to be seeking.  This is a better option for calming than an outdoor tramp as it is available whenever the child needs the input.

Vestibular
Vestibular input is the sense of movement, centered in the inner ear.  Any type of movement will stimulate the vestibular receptors, but spinning, swinging, and hanging upside down provide the most intense, longest lasting input.

Here are some easy ways to increase your child's vestibular input:
Swing.  Encourage her to swing on playground swings, trying various types of swings and movements, such as front to back and side to side.

Spin.  Have him spin using a Sit n' Spin, Dizzy Disc Jr. or office chair.  Let her run in circles and ride a carousel.  Hold your child's arm and spin in a circle as he lifts off the ground or play airplane by holding one of his arms and the leg on the same side of his body as you spin in place (only if he does not have low muscle tone).

Swinging or pulling child in a blanket.  A great way to aid calming within the home environment.  To help the child understand when the activity will be over sing the ABC's or other common song and when the song is done so is the swinging.

Bouncing on an exercise ball.

Tactile
The tactile sense detects light touch, deep pressure, texture, temperature, vibration, and pain.  This includes both the skin covering your body and the skin lining the inside of your mouth.  Oral tactile issues can contribute to picky eating and feeding difficulties.

Here are some easy ways to increase your child's tactile input:
Messy play with textures.  Have her play with foamy soap or shaving cream, and add sand for extra texture.  Have her finger paint, play with glitter glue, mix cookie dough and cake batter, and so on.  Let your child use the playground sandbox or create your own at home, filling a bin with dry beans and rice or other materials and small toys.  Cover and store the bin for future use.

Use child-friendly modeling material such as Play-Doh, Model Magic, and Sculpey (the classic Play-Doh Fun Factory provides excellent proprioceptive input as well).  Never force a child who is unwilling to touch "yucky" substances.  Let him use a paintbrush, stick or even a toy for cautious exploration.

Dress up.  Dress up in fun costumes to get use to the feel of unfamiliar clothing.

Check out www.familyfun.com for lots of ideas the whole family may enjoy.

October Community Activities

This is my favorite time of year!  I love the cooler weather, the beautiful colors on the trees, the smell of spices and pumpkin and, of course, chocolate baking, and the idea of curling up with a blanket and a good book!  There are also a lot of community activities at this time of year, so look at the list below and get some of these fun events in your calendar for you and your family to enjoy.  All events listed are free, unless a fee is indicated (I try to stay away from those, but still give you an idea of activities in your community).  Also, I am going to try listing activities in chronological order.

Wednesday, October 2 - Layton Fire Department Open House  5:00 - 8:00 pm at 530 North 2200 West.  Many activities for the whole family to participate.  Free rides on one of the fire engines.  The Fire Department welcomes conned food items to be brought to the event to support the local Family Connections Center food bank in Layton.  Activities are free and dinner is available to purchase.

Monday, October 7 - Ezekiel R. Dumke Free Day at Red Butte Gardens.

Monday, October 7 - Final Family First Monday in the Village at Farmington Station.  5:30 - 7:00 pm.  Activities and games provided by Family Connection Center, Boondocks, Lil' Flippers Gym and more.  

Tuesday, October 8 - MOMS Club of Weber County is hosting a free Halloween Celebration at Newgate Mall (3651 Wall Ave., Ogden) 10:00 am by the play area near Sears.  Halloween crafts and treats.  MOMS Club is a support group for stay at home moms that want to get out and socialize.

Tuesday, October 8 - Storytelling Night at the Museum at Whitaker Museum in Centerville (168 North Main Street) from 6:30 - 8:00pm.

Saturday, October 12 - Syracuse Community Yard Sale on the corner of Antelope and 2000 West from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.  You can bring stuff to sell or just go to grab a deal.

Saturday, October 12 - Monster Mash and Dash at Heritage Park in Kaysville (150 East 200 North).  Begins at 5:00 pm.  Fun Halloween activities for the family.

Monday, October 14 - Free admission to the Natural History Museum of Utah.  Make reservations to attend online beginning on October 8th at noon at nhmu.utah.edu.  If you don't have a reservation, you may still be able to attend as a limited number of drop-in tickets are available, but if you want to get right in with your little ones, the best option is to have a reservation.

Friday, October 18 - West Point Halloween Carnival at City Hall (3200 West 300 North) from 7:00 - 8:30 pm.

Saturday, October 19 - North Salt Lake City Halloween 3K.  See the website at nslcity.org for more information.

Thursday, October 24 - Go Cruisin' at Station Park in the southeast parking lot near Claire's, Johnny Rockets, and the Cinemark Theater.  Free classic car show from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Friday, October 25 - Layton Halloween Bash 2013 at Central Davis Jr. High Gym (663 North Church Street) from 5:30 - 8:00 pm.  Layton City Family Recreation presents the annual Halloween Bash with carnival style games, cake walk, costume contest, music and refreshments.

Saturday, October 26 - Clearfield Annual Boo-nanza Halloween Spooktacular inside the Clearfield Aquatic Center (825 South State) from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.  Lots of activities for all ages - even an area for age appropriate activities for little ones.  Food and drink booths.  Tickets are $0.50 each.  Most activities require one or more tickets.

Monday, October 28 - Bountiful Davis Arts Center Family Night at 28 East State Street (second floor) Farmington from 7:- 8:30 pm.

Thursday, October 31 - Bountiful Trick or Treat on Main Street from 4:00 - 6:00 pm.  Includes costume contests for kids, adults, and pets.

Remember the Storytime opportunities:

• Barnes and Noble Picture Book Wednesday on October 2 at 11:00 am at the Layton store.
• Three Little Monkeys Story and Activity time for children ages 2 - 5 at 10:30 or 11:30 am in Fruit Heights and Bountiful.
• Bountiful Library Story time for Preschool/Toddler age Wednesday or Thursday at 10:30 am
• Centerville Library Story time for Preschool/Toddler age Wednesday at 10:30 am
• Clearfield Library Story time for all ages Wednesday or Thursday at 10:30 am
• Farmington Library Story time for all ages on Thursday at 10:30 am
• Kaysville Library Story time for all ages on Tuesday or Wednesday at 10:30 am or Fridays at 11:30 am
• Layton Library Story time for all ages on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday at 11:00 am
• Syracuse Library Story time for all ages on Tuesday or Wednesday at 10:30 am