Winter weather may seem like a barrier to bringing learning outside, but even in the snow, outdoor play is beneficial. Winter brings new sights, sounds, textures, and fragrances to explore outdoors.
Learn more about the benefits of outdoor play and learning here: https://buff.ly/2RtByLP
Behavior Has Meaning - Form & Function
Children use their behaviors to communicate their wants and needs, but these cues might not always be clear.
Here are some common behaviors and ways to interpret them, so you can figure out how to respond: https://buff.ly/3RPMf6O
Healthy Weight - Why is gaining a healthy amount of weight during pregnancy important?
Gaining an appropriate amount of weight during pregnancy helps your baby grow to a healthy size. But gaining too much or too little weight may lead to serious health problems for you and your baby.
According to experts External link, gaining too much weight during pregnancy raises your chances for developing gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) and high blood pressure during pregnancy. It also increases your risk for type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure later in life. If you’re overweight or have obesity when you get pregnant, your chances for health problems may be even higher. You could also be more likely to have a cesarean section (C-section) NIH external link.
Gaining a healthy amount of weight helps you have an easier pregnancy and delivery. It may also help make it easier for you to get back to a healthy weight after delivery. Research shows that recommended amounts of weight gain during pregnancy can also lower the chances that you or your child will have obesity and weight-related problems later in life.
How much weight should I gain during my pregnancy?
How much weight you should gain depends on your body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy. BMI is a measure of your weight in relation to your height. You can use a formula to calculate your BMI NIH external link online.
It’s important to gain weight very slowly. The old myth that you’re “eating for two” is not true. During the first 3 months, your baby is only the size of a walnut and doesn’t need many extra calories. The following rate of weight gain is advised
1 to 4 pounds total in the first 3 months
2 to 4 pounds each month from 4 months until delivery
Talk to your health care professional about how much weight gain is appropriate for you. Work with him or her to set goals for your weight gain. Take into account your age, weight, and health. Track your weight at home or when you visit your health care professional.
Don’t try to lose weight if you’re pregnant. Your baby needs to be exposed to healthy foods and low-calorie beverages (particularly water) to grow properly. Some women may lose a small amount of weight at the start of pregnancy. Speak to your health care professional if this happens to you.
Taking Care of Yourself
Taking care of yourself is a huge part of being able to take care of your child, especially when they are behaving in challenging ways. When you are feeling rested and calm, you are able to respond more appropriately. By contrast, when you are feeling stressed, exhausted, or frustrated, you may find it difficult to respond to your child’s behaviors in a helpful way. Take steps to practice self-care in your daily routine.
Notice your own feelings and stress level.
Ask yourself these questions, and notice how your body feels:
How do I know when my stress level is going up?
Signs of stress may include muscle soreness, headaches, crying, feeling frustrated, sleeping more or less than normal, eating more or less than normal, and talking more loudly or shouting.
What is in my control right now?
Focus on your reactions, behaviors, thoughts, feelings, and needs.
What do I need right now to feel better?
Consider whether a drink of water, a deep breath, a walk outside, a phone call or visit with a friend or family member, or another activity might help you become calmer.
Take a break when you need it.
Take a deep breath, count to 20, or leave the room for a moment if your child can stay safe.
Don’t expect yourself to be perfect.
Everyone has bad moments sometimes, and that’s OK.
Try these ideas for taking care of yourself and reducing stress.
Get enough sleep.
Drink water.
Move your body.
Find time in the day for breaks.
Listen to music.
Talk to friends and family.
Write in a journal.
Reward yourself for a job well done.
Practice deep breathing.
Get outside.
Notice what you see, hear, feel, smell, and taste.
Strategies to Try
Make self-care a priority.
Instead of: “I don’t have time to take care of myself.”
Try: “I am important, and I need to put myself first sometimes. Doing this makes me a better parent.”
Focus on what is in your control.
Instead of: “He is not cooperating! I know he will throw a tantrum next, and we will be late again.”
Try: “I know I am very upset now. I feel the stress climbing up. What do I need?”
Challenge unhelpful thinking.
Instead of: “I should be able to stop this tantrum. I am a horrible parent.”
Try: “A deep breath will help. I am doing my best. There is no better parent for my child than me.”
Look for support for yourself.
Instead of: “I don’t have time to talk with my friends and family.”
Try: “I will make time to connect with the people who love and understand me.”
Practice gratitude.
Instead of: Focusing on what is not going well.
Try: Noticing what is going well. Each day, write down one thing you are grateful for.
Keep it fresh!
In addition to: Trying the same self-care ideas over and over again.
Try: A new self-care idea. Notice how it makes you feel.
Preventing and Responding to Eye Injuries
Eye injuries in children are very common, and most of these injuries are preventable. Review these tips to learn how to prevent common eye injuries and what to do (and not to do) when a child is injured in the eye.
Eye injury statistics
Eye injuries are the most common cause of permanent vision loss in young children (0-4 years). Playground equipment and hazards in and around the home are often involved in eye injuries in young children. Eye injuries in children often occur during play. Children account for one-third of all emergency department eye injury visits.
Common Causes of Eye Injuries for Young Children
Eye injuries occur in all parts of the eye: inside the eye, on the eyelid, under the eye, and around the eye. Everyday items like a pencil, a fork, or even a toothbrush can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Running or playing with a sharp object in hand is a common cause of eye injuries. Outside the classroom, power equipment like a lawnmower can send pieces of rocks and twigs flying in the child's direction, putting the face and eyes at risk. Chemicals like cleaners and hand sanitizers can also cause serious eye injuries.
Some common causes of eye injuries in young children include:
Flying objects like toy rockets, darts, fireworks, bungee cords, and projectiles from toy guns
Sticks, branches, and stones
Toys with antennas
Crayons, pencils, and pens
Sharp edges of furniture (countertops, tables)
Kitchen utensils
Tools and equipment (garden tools, lawn mowers, screwdrivers, nails, and screws)
Household and classroom cleaners and chemicals (hand sanitizer, bleach, dish detergent, laundry and dishwasher pellets, and nail polish remover)
Bites or scratches from pets
Sports (especially basketball, soccer, and baseball)
Projectile toys are a leading cause of vision loss.
Projectile toys are one of the leading causes of vision-threatening eye injury in young children. Projectile guns, darts, and rockets — even those with foam tips — are not safe for children. These kinds of toys are never appropriate for a Head Start or child care setting. Give families a list of toys that cannot be brought to early childhood programs, including rockets, toy guns, slingshots, water guns, and BB guns. Use the list as an opportunity for educating families about preventing eye injuries.
Preventing Eye Injuries
Head Start staff and families can prevent eye injuries when they understand the causes of eye injuries, supervise children, and set up rules for safe play.
Follow these tips to prevent eye injuries:
Actively supervise children at all times.
Give and enforce rules for safely using toys, games, and other items in the classroom or home-based setting.
Make sure a child never aims a toy at another child.
Keep toys with small parts and sharp edges away from young children. Toys with edges or points — even toy blocks — need supervision during play.
Do not allow dangerous toys to be brought into the classroom or out to the playground.
Follow suggested age guidelines. Remember that age labeling is for ability levels and safety.
Look for the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) designation on toys.
Check the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website for recalls on toys and equipment that aren't safe.
Have safety goggles for children to wear while playing sports. Starting this habit at a young age will help children continue to wear safety goggles as they get older.
Encourage wearing sunglasses that block 100% of UV-A and UV-B sunrays when playing outside on sunny days.
Eye Safety and Hand Sanitizer
Some children have been injured by getting alcohol-based hand sanitizer in their eyes. The chemicals can cause serious injury to the eye.
Safely store sanitizers and all household chemicals away from children. Adults should pump hand sanitizer for children. Do not place sanitizer pumps where children can reach them. Do not use stands that pump the sanitizer at a child's eye level. Try to prevent children from rubbing their eyes after using hand sanitizer. Provide first aid if a child gets hand sanitizer in their eye. Flush the eyes with water and get immediate medical care.
Responding to Eye Injuries
Injuries to the eye can cause permanent vision loss. Act quickly if a child is injured in or near their eye. Learn what caused the injury, apply appropriate first aid, and get immediate medical help.
Administer the proper type of first aid, depending on the cause of injury:
Chemical: Rinse the eye immediately for at least 15 minutes with water OR hold the child's face under a faucet to rinse the eye.
Foreign body in the eye: Allow the eye to tear or rinse out the eye with a commercial eyewash or water to dislodge the particle. Do not try to remove the particle with tweezers.
Blow to the eye: Seek medical care if the child complains of pain, has blurred vision, has blood in the eye, or has any change in the appearance of the eye, including discolored skin around the eye.
Cut or puncture to the eye
Do not rinse the eye or try to remove any particles or objects lodged in the eye.
Cover the eye with an eye shield or with a paper or plastic foam cup from the brow to the cheekbone. Secure it in place with first-aid tape.
Do not allow the child to rub their eye.
Do not bandage or place pressure on the eye.
Seek immediate medical care.
Keep the following items in your first-aid kit:
Eye wash for chemical contact with the eyes. This can be a commercial eye wash or saline solution. Water will also work in an emergency, but not for cuts or punctures. Small paper or plastic foam cups, and first-aid tape Eye shield Phone numbers for emergency services, the closest hospital emergency department, Poison Control, and an ophthalmologist or optometrist