Simple ways to help the child alleviate the fear of a doctor Experts say the fear of a doctor is the result of several factors: the temperament of the child, his age and previous experience in clinics and hospitals. Children who are small and often ill and exposed to a number of unpleasant searches have a greater chance of developing a fear of going to the pediatrician. If we add to this the so-called developmental fear of unknown people and situations, the departure of a doctor for some parents is a nightmare. Highly in the list of stressful situations in a doctor's office is certainly vaccination and any procedure involving the needle. A child who is afraid of a doctor usually cries loudly, gives resistance, and cannot calm down. It's hardest with kids between one and four years because they already withdraw certain associations when they see a doctor or when they realize they have to go to the hospital, but they cannot logically and rationally explain that it's...

In each child, there is a natural potential for risk assessment that needs to be developed and not suppressed during childhood. What's the risk in a kid's game? A risk game can be defined as an act of enthusiasm that includes the risk of physical injury and a game that provides the ability to challenge, test and investigate the boundaries and learn about the risk of injury. So, a risky game is an important factor for children's health and development including self-confidence, social skills and physical activity. When we try to limit a child's risky game, we capture their primary need for risk, which can ironically cause children to be less secure. This is because the child learns the skills of risk management precisely through risk research in the game, thus gaining the knowledge and skills they can apply in other situations. If they have an adult who manages a risk they will never learn how to do it independently. Statistics vs. Reason During the ye...

Never leave your baby unattended while eating in case he or she chokes. Don't serve foods that could present a choking hazard, such as whole grapes, raw vegetables, hard fruits, raisins, white bread, pieces of hard cheese, hot dogs, popcorn, and hard candies. If you're unsure about whether a finger food is safe, ask yourself: Does it melt in the mouth? Some dry cereals will melt in the mouth, and so will light and flaky crackers. Is it cooked enough so that it mashes easily? Well-cooked vegetables and fruits will mash easily. So will canned fruits and vegetables. (Make sure to choose canned foods that don't have added sugar or salt). Is it naturally soft? Cottage cheese, shredded cheese, and small pieces of tofu are soft. Can it be gummed? Pieces of ripe banana and well-cooked pasta can be gummed. Making Meals Work Keep your baby's personality in mind when introducing new foods. If your baby balks at new textures, serve them in small portions...

HUGS Even the busiest parent should be able to find time for a three second hug, whether it’s first thing in the morning, straight after work or a longer cuddle before they settle down for bed. Sometimes affection can be the ¬fail-safe way to stop bad behaviour. It can lift spirits and change attitudes for both parents and their children and it’s been proven that kids feed off affection from their parents. FAMILY MEETINGS You only need to set aside around half an hour each week to see the benefits of these get-togethers. Kids feel more loved when they are listened to and taken seriously and they are also more likely to follow the rules if they feel they’ve been involved in creating them. ASK FOR HELP After a busy day at the office, the list of jobs to do when you come home can seem never-ending and setting aside time with the kids before bed seems an impossible task. So try getting them involved in jobs around the house, especially toddlers, who like to help wit...