admin answers:

Well done, that’s pretty amazing.

I wouldn’t be worried about it – sounds like she’ll do really well when it comes time for preschool. Gifted kids show their talents early. Try exposing her to real world things away from the flashcards – take her out to the park and ask her the colors of stuff or count things along with her. Bringing the world into that context will further support the work you’ve been doing so far with her at home.

admin answers:

That happened to my friend’s son – I think at 18 months. She was like you – traumatized! – but he was totally fine. I think they check to make sure the tooth came out clean (that there isn’t any piece of the tooth left behind) and MAYBE do an xray to make sure there is no damage inside the gum (not sure if I am remembering that correctly…) but really it is not a big deal. My friends son had no problems eating, speaking, etc. He’s in 3rd grade now…he’s teeth are fine, he’s fine…

I can only imagine how stressed you are/were…but it really will be fine.

Oh – one other thing…we have a friend who is a dentist and our little boy hit his mouth once and it was bleeding like crazy – our friend told us mouths tend to bleed like CRAZY, so it always looks way worse than it really is and freaks the parents out, but meanwhile the child is really fine.

Hope that helps!

Good luck!

admin answers:

My son didn’t talk much at all until after 18 mos (he was 7wks premature) and now you can’t stop him from talking!!! My nephew didn’t walk until 17 mos. And he was a full term baby!
Even if your son hadn’t been premature, i wouldnt worry. All kids develop differently and those books you read are just ‘averages’. It doesnt mean your child is behind. Please try not to compare him with other children. I know it is hard not to do that because i was guilty as charged and constantly worried about my son’s development and he is just fine!
I wouldnt worry at all. He sounds just fine!

admin answers:

Hi there Rebecca.

I have worked as a paediatric occupational therapist in the recent past, and I worked with many children like your son. Your best thing to do would be see your son’s paediatrician who may be able to refer on to other appropriate services.

For ways to help him, try breaking tasks down so they are very simple. Things like practicing fastening buttons on a garment on his lap (as this is much easier than when he is wearing the clothes). I worked with children Developmental Coordination Disorder/Dyspraxia, and they had a lot of difficulty with dressing. Does he have any difficulties with gross motor skills, such as running and jumping, as those are signs of DCD.

Try and make the learning fun. Things like dressing – don’t do it when you are in a rush to get dressed in the morning. Allow him to do it at his own pace – find some pyjamas with buttons perhaps, as getting dressed for bed is less stressful than getting dressed for school.

I also think it is worth speaking to the headteacher/principal at your son’s school and reiterating your concerns.

Good luck.

admin answers:

One thing I always do when I’m first learning the eating habits of a child, I have a day care in my home, is to only give them about 2 bites of food at a time. You never know when a child will throw a whole plate of food on the floor, or try to shove as much food as they can in their mouths and choke. To me it’s just easier to sit there with them and put each individual bite of food on their booster seat tray, or plate, than to clean mop my kitchen floor every snack and meal time. Another thing is I just keep telling them no when they throw food or spit food, they need to know that you don’t like it, and then praise them big time when they keep the food on the tray or plate. That’s all I can suggest, if it were my child throwing food, I would probably smack their hand to get their attention, but that would be unwise in your situation. Take care and good luck, and bless you for being a foster family.

admin answers:

I would say that your grandson almost definately has sensory integration issues with either the tactile sense (the way it feels) or his sense of taste (or probably both). It is very common in premature babies who often have an immature central nervous system at birth. My daughter had (has) this and she too gagged and even vommited up certain foods and would not put food (or anything else for that matter) in her mouth.

I will give you some suggestions that worked for us but first I want to strongly encourage you to seek out professional help as sensory issues can be very difficult and they don’t tend to go away on their own. The best person to see would either be a speech therapist or an occupational therapist that deals with food issues in children. Make sure that they are expeienced with sensory issues as the strategies used can be very different from other types of therapy.

It took 10 months of solid work with our daughter but now she will eat almost anything (still working on wobbly textures like egg and jello). Here are some things that worked for us that may also work for your daughter/son:

1. Don’t listen to anyone tell you that “he will eat when he is hungry enough”. This is not true for kids with sensory issues. My daughter would have starved if not for the formula she was drinking. Make sure that he gets plenty of whatever nutrition he will eat/drink while you are trying new foods.

2. Start with the spoon (it is no point trying to feed him if he can’t tolerate the spoon in his mouth). Disassociate the spoon with food; put some out with his toys and encourage him to play with them several times a day. Let him bang them, shake them, ‘feed’ his teddies; whatever it takes for him to like them. When he is comfortable with this try just touching the spoon to his lips (several times a day). When he is comfortable with this try putting the spoon in her mouth (just once but several times a day). Start moving the spoon around and gradually increasing the time the spoon is in his mouth. When he is comfortable with all of this, then start adding food.

3. Try brushing (electric toothbrushes are great) his teeth , gums and tongue before each meal (you don’t need toothpaste) or using a ‘Nuk’ brand gum massager (looks like a tiny nobly egg on the end of a toothbrush) or massage his mouth with your finger (DON’T put your finger between his teeth!). This will desensitize his mouth and get him ready for eating.

4. Introduce new foods SLOWLY. If he will have a little rice cereal in a bottle I would start with that. Then try to get him to eat/drink it from a spoon at the same consistency as the bottle. When she will do that slowly thicken it until it is the consistancy of baby food then SLOWLY start to add flavour.

5. Stick to one food (or one flavour of baby food) at a time; once he is happy eating that you can try introducing a new food. If you find he has trouble transitioning from one food to the next try giving a food that he likes with 1 teaspoon of the new food added in. When he is happy with that add 2 teaspoons and so on till he is happy to eat the new food.

6. Use whatever you need to get him to eat – if distracting her with the television or singing to him while he eats helps then do it. If dipping everything in tomato sauce works, do it. You can always wean him off those things at a later date.

7. If you get stuck on a particularly difficult food try giving 1 teaspoon of the food, as the first food of the day, every morning for 15 days. Never give any more than 1 teaspoon even if he seems to like it. At the end of the 15 days he will probably happily eat the food (if he doesn’t, try again in a month or 2).

8. Try to make meal times happy and relaxed. He will be much more willing to try new things if he feels he can trust you.

9. Be kind to yourself: Remember that your child’s food issues are no reflection on your parenting; the fact that he will only eat mashed potato and yoghurt does NOT make you a bad parent.

10. Try not to focus too much on what he eats at any one meal; instead judge his diet by what he eats over the day or week. Realise that the food issues will probably not resolve very quickly. Be patient and set long term goals.

I wish you the very best of luck. It is not an easy issue.

admin answers:

Try the leap frog product line. My children seems to catch on pretty quick, when they play with them all the products are great, it seems to grasp all aspects of todler learning skills. God bless you and good luck

admin answers:

I attached a link to a website that has all the general language milestones that a child should meet by certain ages. If you are ever concerned about your child, for any reason, do not hesitate to call their doctor. That’s what you pay them for.

admin answers:

I’m sure she will be fine. The best thing is to let her be barefoot as much as possible, but they look like the are a nice durable shoe for when she needs shoes.

admin answers:

One day I put a blanket over some chairs and made a fort, I couldn’t believe how much my 4 year old loved playing in such a simple thing and it kept her busy for quite some time. Get some leggos the bigger sized ones and spill them out on the floor. Here are some things I found on the internet. You just gotta let them be kids make a mess and have fun……. A nice walk outdoors and exploring things you find (leaves, bugs, rocks) is another good idea or just walking around in your front yard, put some muddie buddies or snow pants on them and boots, warm jacket and let them explore your front yard or a walk around the block, a visit to a relatives house or someone that you could have a play date with. Our daycare takes our kids outside everyday no matter what weather and they have a blast of course they are dressed in the appropriate gear before going out, put on some snow pants or muddy buddies (pants with rain coat material), a hat, boots, and a warm jacket, gloves.
Here is the stuff I found on activities for indoors.
Make playdough
Koolaid Claydough

1 package Koolaid (the kind where you add the sugar yourself)
1 cup flour
1/4 cup (yes, CUP) salt
1 tbsp oil
1/2 tbsp alum/cream of tartar
1/2 cup hot water

You can get the hot water by boiling a kettle or by running
your hot tap very hot, which is what I do. Dissolve everything
except the flour in the water. It has to be good and hot to
dissolve all that salt. Then add the flour, mix, and knead.
Resist the temptation to add a little more flour because it’s
too sticky just keep kneading.

Have a Picnic in your house:
It’s amazing how much your child learns with each activity—even at a Teddy Bear Picnic!

Materials:
• 1 or 2 teddy bears

• Sandwiches, drinks, cookies, and other treats

• Picnic basket

• Picnic blanket

What to do:
1. Have your child find his teddy bears and tell them they’re going on a picnic.
2. Prepare sandwiches, snacks, and drinks together.
3. Pack the food into a picnic basket. Be sure to include a picnic blanket.
4. Hike to the park with your teddy bears and basket, and find a nice picnic spot or have one in your living room. Enjoy your lunch together while chatting about all sorts of things, and don’t forget to include the bears in the conversation!

Letter Search
Your child will have fun running around the house searching for letter cards you’ve hidden. Each time he finds a letter he must say it aloud. Once he finds all the letters he can be rewarded with a small prize.

Mystery Box *
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Kids love a mystery. Create a mystery out of a simple box by hiding something mysterious inside!

Materials:
• Several non-breakable items familiar to your child such as his shoe, toy, doll, special cup, favorite book, and so on

• Paper bag

• Small box such as a shoebox

• Tape

What to do:
1. Collect several familiar items and place them in a paper bag so your child can’t see them.
2. Tell your child to close his eyes, then remove one item from the bag and place it in the box.
3. Close the lid, tape the box shut, and give it to your child to hold.
4. Tell him there’s something mysterious inside.
5. Let him feel the weight, shake the box, and think about it for a while.
6. Give him a clue about what’s inside and let him guess what it is.
7. Continue giving clues until he guesses the item correctly.
8. Open the box, reveal the item, and play again!

Safety: Be sure all items are safe to handle and not breakable.

Finger or sponge painting buy washable finger paints and use white paper plates (a great way to teach the colors too… )
We have snacktime, and then they might help me with some chores sweeping, dusting, etc.
During meal prep times, or whiny times, I have a few solutions…they sit at the table and do puzzles, pull out pots and pans and other kitchen gadgetry.
Box of playclothes for dress up
books I took from the library on creative ideas for kids that are filled with simple and fun things to do.
Construction paper, tape, scissors. They could play with this stuff for hours
macaroni tubes and string for making necklaces
the paintwithwater coloring books
helping to make bread, playing with the “real” dough
rubber food and play dishes
tape, art paper, scissors
lacing cards
simple puzzles
duplos (not swallowable) or legos
blowing bubbles
playdough
house made out of refrigerator box
playing with sudsy water
Your child will learn about letters and letter shapes when you make easy ABC bread snacks together.

All the senses come into play when you make bread letters with your child. She’ll be helping you measure and mix the ingredients, knead the dough, and form the letters, perhaps copying them from a letter chart or letter tiles. While she’s enjoying herself, she will also be taking in the delicious aromas that surround her and, when they come out of the oven, finally tasting the yummy results. Say the letters aloud as you shape the dough and you have created a complete sensory experience for your child.

What you need:

1 tbsp. Quick-acting yeast
1 cup water
1 tsp. Sugar
2 cups flour
1 tbsp. Oil
Utensils:

measuring cup
wooden spoon
bowl
plastic knives and forks
craft sticks
wooden board
baking sheet
What to do:

The parent should preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and be in charge of using the oven.
Measure the water, sugar, and yeast into a bowl and mix. Wait two or three minutes for the yeast to soften.
Stir in one cup of flour. Then add the oil, salt and remaining cup of flour.
Sprinkle flour onto the wooden board. Place the dough on the board, and knead for about five minutes. You can add a bit of flour to the dough if it begins to stick to your hands.
Put the dough into the bowl and cover it, letting it rise for about 45 minutes.
Punch the dough down, and work it into a ball. Next, separate the dough into smaller portions.
Using the plastic knives, forks, and craft sticks, shape the dough into letters. You might shape the dough into the letters in your child’s name, in the names of other family members, even in the names of family pets.
Place your letter shapes on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.
What your child can do:

Help you measure, pour, and mix the ingredients.
Test the yeast with a finger to see if it’s soft.
Sprinkle flour onto the board and knead the dough.
Decide what letters shapes to make.
Help you shape the dough into letters, using letter tiles or an alphabet chart as a guide if needed.
Peek at the dough periodically to see how it’s rising.
Teaching Tips:
While you’re waiting for the dough to rise and the letters to bake, read an alphabet book together and sing the ABC song.

Fill a large plastic bin with different shaped dry pastas dry beans rice whatever you can buy least expensively. Give them cups and “sand” toys and you have a winter alternative to the sandbox. (Spread a sheet under the bin they will get it everywhere then you can just gather up the sheet and dump it back in the bin.)
Books on tape and stuff like that from the library.
Camp in the house. One of our tents can be set up without the stakes so we have camp outs in the living room and make smores in the microwave. You can always drape a blanket over a table.
Make a tower from paper cups as tall as you can. Then remove the bottom piece and watch it tumble.
Subscribe or go to Family Fun’s website. They always have a ton of creative ideas to try!
Invite some friends over
Learn something new together…. A foreign language, an instrument, how to sew, candle making, jewelry making, typing, etc…..
Think up 100 things you can do besides watch TV
Ask a question and find the answer
Go to McDonald’s playland and get a soda for the morning.
Movie night – a special night a week where we rent a kid-friendly movie and eat popcorn.
Take a nap (you can always try)
Make a teepee
Let them sort your spools of thread or stick pins into your pin cushion (if you think he wouldn’t hurt himself).
Write on a white board we all like that!
Make your own word search puzzles
Make a book of favorite animals, trees, bugs, etc.
Kids’ Aerobics Video.
Play basketball with the Little Tikes basketball hoop.
Line up cans etc and get a ball and bowl
Go to the local appliance store and get large refrigerator boxes etc and make big forts (similar to McDonald’s playland…okay use your imagination). The kids can have hours of fun running through them turning off the lights and using flashlights getting dad to play monster and even sleeping in them. You can also decorate them with paint or turn them into cars etc. My kids love to “invent” stuff out of them. I have even seen playhouses made that include curtains wallpaper etc. Check your local library for “The Great Big Box Book” by Flo Ann Hedley Norvell.
Play chase
Chin up bar we put it in one of the boy’s rooms. This also helps to get out energy. – Diane
Set up an obstacle course in the living room or the basement using chairs with pillows over them (kids crawled under) different things to make circles they could step in with different feet a jump rope and a mini-trampoline.
Play racquetball in the garage or cellar (as long as you don’t mind ball marks all over your walls)
Have an indoor “snowball” fight. Divide; give each one a stack of newspapers yell go and they have to wad up the sheets of newspaper into “snowballs” and throw them. Great fun! Last part is seeing who can gather the most balls into a trash bag!
Jump on a mini trampoline
Clean out a drawer
Clean the house fold laundry do dishes vacuum the rug… – Hee Hee
Mend
Help a child re-organize or decorate his/her room
Let them sort your canned goods or jello boxes.
Plan a treasure hunt
Do a craft
Use large dry beans (limas etc.) and school glue and let him glue beans onto heavy paper or old folders. (You could dribble out a line of glue in the shape of something fun–a car for example–and then let him press the beans onto it.)
Save boxes and containers then give them a roll of foil and duct tape and let them create.
Make & send a card to someone who needs encouragement
Start a new collection of something (besides dust )
Color
Make and color paper dolls
Draw a picture together – take turns adding details
Grab a pencil a notebook and practice drawing as a family
Have him draw a picture and tell a story about it (you write down the story) and send it to Grandma.
Start early to plan homemade gift ideas for Christmas!
If he can cut give him some old magazines glue sticks paper and let him cut out pictures and glue them to paper.
Finger-paint with chocolate pudding on a paper plate then lick the plate clean
Work on family photo album together
Perform an experiment
Play with the globe
Make play dough
Make puppets
Sew
Rubber Stamp
Bake or cook
Bake cookies and invite a neighbor over to help eat them
If you have a fireplace do a hotdog roast and make s’mores.
Have a picnic inside on the floor
Play board & card games!
Make up your own game
Charades
Play ‘How many things can you remember to do?’: Give them a list of activities and make the list longer each time. For example hop to the door knock on it 2 times crawl under the dining room table and do the crab walk back to me. If they successfully complete this then I name 5 things the next time.
Bake some goodies to take to your community’s firemen or policemen & attach a card telling them how much you appreciate their work to keep us safe
Make a treat or meal for someone going through a hard time
Write a letter to a relative/friend
Play dress up
Put a blanket on the floor and pretend you are on boat fishing etc…
Play post office
Playing ‘restaurant’: make the menus set the table take orders serve (& clean up)
Play school: you are the student & kids take turns being the teacher
Play store
Have a tea party
Sing
Worship the Lord sing dance play instruments to God
Grab a pillow and a blanket and lay them in your lap and sing with them. (I just enjoyed this moment with my two-year-old.)
Make music (pots and pans etc)
Write your own praise songs with everyone contributing lines; make your own instruments to play as you sing!
Tell a story (can’t use a book).
Listen to a story on tape (we love Adventure in Odyssey!)
Play cars
Give them a wide roll of masking tape and let them go to town making “roads” for Matchbox cars.
Play cars
Yahtzee or Uno
K’nex!
Legos are a major attraction and my kids spend hours creating cars etc…
Puzzles are contagious. Just start one on the table and they won’t be able to keep away from it!
Learn to do tricks with a yo yo
Fill the tub or sink w/water & float boats
Long playtime in the bath (I use the baby monitor so I can keep an ear out for any trouble he may have or for if he needs me).
“Washing” dishes at the sink–get a big pan of soapy water some plastic bowls and cups and let him stand on a chair and play. This would keep some of my kids busy for 45 minutes or so.
Write a story
Write postcards or better yet a letter
Make a family “newspaper” of recent events or happenings
6 months ago

admin answers:

A pinata! We had one for our 2 year old’s party and he loved it! Give each kid a turn instead of letting them all hit it at once. We only had 2 kids at his party and both were older. The adults loved it of course, seeing a bunch of kids try and break something open, knowing they won’t get in trouble? Hilarious! Lol, it’s good entertainment!

admin answers:

Play dough (you’ll have a little cleanup here but not bad)

mine are also into forts, and pretending they are camping, or the 3 little pigs, then one blows it down.

admin answers:

A

admin answers:

She sounds quite advanced for her age. Hope she has fun whilst learning all this.

admin answers:

He is doing quite well. Boys are usually further behind girls verbally, but it sounds as if he’s right there with the girls. As to the abc, 123s just keep saying it, that’s how he has learned everything else lol. Repetition is a great way for them to learn.
It is always possible for a child to be ahead, even at the toddler stage and beyond. The theory is that if a child is way ahead on every milestone then they are above average intellectually. You sound proud, and you should be.

admin answers:

Here are some good sites:

http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/juniors.jsp;jsessionid=LtrFk49z5S7vXYqF1C9R2lMrm851xt2NV91NjZRL2x0tnWTKdy4r!-1629903845!-900566557

http://dancewear-outlet.com/Plus_Sizes.htm

admin answers:

Hi I have similar symptoms and maybe related to FIBROMYALGIA

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/DS00079

check this out and hope you feel better

admin answers:

I would personally would not allow the girls to be alone together at all. I would also talk to your boyfriend/husband and ask him how he would feel about limiting contact with Kelly, if her bio-mom isn’t willing to no longer allow Kelly over that steps will be taken. This girl cannot/will not stop if she is still being touched by the other girl.

I would also make sure the counselor your step daughter is going to is very familiar with his topic, and is broaching it, even if slowly.

Also keep up the talks of how masturbation is a private thing that she is to do alone. If you are the only one talking to her MAKE HER PARENTS GET INVOLVED. If you are doing all the talking and helping she may not think her parents care.

As for your daughter with her being so young I wouldn’t worry to much about it. Taking her to a counselor may actually cause more harm than good. As she doesn’t understand what is going on in the first place. Like I said though I would not allow your daughter and step daughter alone at all.

You sound like you are doing a wonderful job. Might want to talk to the counselor yourself to see what you can do at home to help out.