By Teresa Schaeffer

Bicycles, tricycles, scooters, rollerblades and skateboards can be a great way for children to exercise, burn off some energy, have some fun and develop a sense of independence while improving their gross motor skills at the same time but these activities are not without risk. Apart from automobiles, these activities are related to more childhood injuries than any other consumer products. The consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that there were nearly 240,000 accidents involving bicycles and tricycles alone last year.

Here are a few important things you can do to keep your child safe this summer:

• Dress your child in bright or reflective clothing so that they can be seen easily and do not allow your child to ride when it is dark.
• Never allow your child to wear headphones because they need to be able to hear oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
• Make sure the equipment is the correct size for your child and that it matches your child’s abilities. The child’s feet should touch the ground when seated on a bike and it should be a good fit for their current age.
• Make sure your child’s equipment is in good working order. It should be kept in good repair and inspected often. On bikes be sure to include the brakes, tire pressure, gears (if applicable) and check the tightness of the chain. If you don’t know much about the workings of a bike, find a local bike shop and ask for an annual tune-up.
• If your child will be riding in the street, make sure they know the rules of the road to keep them safe. Riders should understand and obey all street signs, traffic lights and crossing signals and should always ride in the direction of traffic. Never against it. They also need to always be aware of cars coming out of driveways, parking spaces and parking lots. Make sure your child and knows the following hand signals so that they can effectively and safely communicate.
  • Left turn: Left arm extended straight out
  • Right turn: Left arm bent up at the elbow, or right arm extended straight out
  • Stopping: Left arm bent down at the elbow
• Have your child wear a helmet every time they ride a bike. Be sure your child knows that riding with a helmet is non-negotiable and there are absolutely no exceptions to the rule and check to make sure that it fits properly and securely each time they ride.

Wearing a helmet is the easiest and most effective way to prevent injuries and provide life-saving protection for your child. A properly fitting helmet can reduce head injuries by up to 85%. The catch is it that it has to actually be worn. With so many different designs you can find one that is not only comfortable for your child to wear but also fits their style. Look for vents in the helmet for an extra cool ride and a dial adjustment system to make sure it has a very secure and comfortable fit.

No matter what style you choose, check that the helmet has been safety tested. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) test helmets to see if they comply with certain minimum standards and are ready to protect your child in the case of a fall or accident. Look for at least one of these certifications on any product you are considering purchasing for your child. If your child will also be skateboarding, be sure to get a dual certified helmet for both biking and skateboarding. A dual certified helmet will have stickers on the interior that say both CPSC and ASTM.

By Teresa Schaeffer

As the weather warms up, bugs come out in full force and the disease spreading tick is one of the worst of the bunch. Don’t let their small size fool you. These creepy crawlies can pack a dangerous bite when it comes to disease.

When most people think of ticks, they think of Lyme disease which is common in the northeast but these pesky bugs can carry other diseases as well including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Tularemia. Symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, joint of muscle pain and a “bulls eye” looking rash or a splotchy rash and stomach pain in the case of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

If you find an attached tick:

1. Grasp the tick as close as you can to the skin's surface with fine tipped tweezers.
2. Slowly and steadily pull straight up and away from the skin, applying steady pressure.
3. Check to see if you left any of the tick's head or mouth in the bite.
4. Clean the area with soap and water and follow up with triple antibiotic cream.

The best way to avoid Lyme and other diseases is to prevent tick bites. Ticks thrive in tall grass, brush and wooded areas. Avoiding these areas will lower your risk but not completely eliminate possible exposure. Just spending time outside, walking your dog or playing the back yard can bring you into contact with these creepy bugs. If you hike, stay in the center of the trail and away from the tips of branches where ticks gather. Use an insect repellant containing DEET on your skin, clothes and gear.

Parenting today is very different than when we were kids and requires a whole new set of standards. Let’s face it, computers, tablets and smartphones are an integral part of our everyday lives and children have access to technology at a very young age. That isn’t going to change so what should we as parents and early educators do about it?

According to a joint statement by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning, when “used intentionally and appropriately, technology and interactive media are very effective tools to support learning and development.”

But how do we as educators and parents determine what is appropriate? Lisa Guernsey, author of Screen Time: How Electronic Media—From Baby Videos to Educational Software—Affects Your Young Child provides some positive guidance for families and early educators. She suggests that parents and educators determine when and how to use various technologies based on the Three C’s: the content, the context, and the needs of the individual child.

Parents should ask themselves the following questions:

• Content—How does this help children learn, play, imagine, or explore?
• Context—What kinds of social interactions are happening? Does it complement and not interrupt my child’s learning and play?
• The Individual Child—What does this child need right now to enhance his or her growth and development? Is this technology an appropriate match with my child’s needs, abilities, interests, and development stage?

When monitoring and setting limits to your child’s use of electronic devices consider the following:

By Connie Pelton

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“I’m bored!” Most parents have heard that dreaded complaint from their child in the winter when kids are cooped up in the house. You can chase away your child’s boredom blues by creating an indoor garden together. You’ll get a jumpstart on the spring planting season and keep your kids busy. A gardening project provides children with the right combination of skills and tasks to further their development. Here are five tips to help your little gardener bring a little bit of the outdoors inside.

1. Create a Windowsill Garden

Source

Windowsill gardens are easy and kid-friendly. By using containers, kids can watch seeds grow into larger plants. Seasoned gardeners suggest growing herbs by using a long, narrow container to fit your windowsill and to catch drainage. But any leftover container you have around the house, including butter or margarine tubs or plastic cups, will work as well. You can find seeds and potting soil at your local garden store. Herbs are great for windowsill gardens as they grow pretty quickly, and you have a wide array of choices. Mint, rosemary, dill, oregano, and thyme will grow and thrive as long as you keep the soil damp and give the plants some sun. Add some natural mulch to the top to keep the plants moist.

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