AI for Parents: How AI Can Transform Bedtime Stories for Kids

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As I sat down with my five-year-old daughter, Bianca, I asked her a simple question: “What is ChatGPT?” With a bright smile, she replied, “An application with Artificial Intelligence.” Her answer perfectly encapsulates the essence of this remarkable tool that is transforming how children learn and explore the world around them.ChatGPT is more than just an application; it’s like having a virtual friend who understands what you say and can engage in meaningful conversations. Recently, I decided to ask ChatGPT to create a Christmas story featuring Santa and a unicorn for my daughters, Bianca (5 years old) and Giulia (3 years old). The result was a delightful tale that captured their imaginations, narrated by ChatGPT’s voice and accompanied by beautiful generated images. The Christmas Story Here’s the enchanting story that was brought to life:   A Magical Christmas Adventure In a magical Christmas Eve, Santa Claus was getting ready to embark on his journey around the world. His sleigh was loaded with sparkling gifts, and the reindeer were all set to go. But just before he took off, Santa heard a delicate sound coming from the enchanted forest near the North Pole. Curious, Santa went to see what was happening. And what did he find? A small, shimmering unicorn with a rainbow-colored mane was stuck in a snow bush. The unicorn had tears in its eyes and was shaking its sparkling wings. Santa gently approached and asked: – What are you doing here, little one? The unicorn replied: – My name is Luminica. I wanted to see the North Pole and your magic, but I got lost. Santa smiled widely. – Well, Luminica, it’s okay. I will help you get back home. But first, would you like to join me on my journey? The unicorn jumped for joy, and its mane began to shine brighter than the stars. Santa said: – With your light, you will guide the sleigh through the clouds! So, Luminica flew alongside the reindeer, lighting the way across the sky. Giulia and Bianca, who were watching from their window in fluffy pajamas, saw a colorful light in the sky and knew something magical was happening. When Santa arrived at their house, he left gifts under the tree and wrote a note: “Dear Giulia and Bianca, today I had a special friend, the unicorn Luminica. She sends you all her love and a magical star for sweet dreams. Always believe in magic!”And so, Giulia and Bianca fell asleep happily, dreaming of Santa Claus and his unicorn friend who brought magic and joy that Christmas night. Step-by-Step Guide for Parents to Use ChatGPT for Personalized Bedtime Stories Creating personalized bedtime stories with ChatGPT can be an enjoyable and creative activity for both parents and children. Here’s a simple guide on how to do it: Gather Ideas Together: Sit down with your child and brainstorm ideas for the story. Ask them about their favorite characters (like superheroes or animals) and settings (such as magical forests or outer space). Define Story Elements: Create a list of key elements for the story: Characters: Who will be in the story? Include their names and traits. Setting: Where does the story take place? Plot: What is the main conflict or adventure? Moral or Lesson: What message do you want to convey? Prepare Your Prompt: Organize the information into a clear prompt for ChatGPT. For example: Create a bedtime story in English about a brave bunny named Bella who explores a magical forest filled with friendly creatures and learns the importance of friendship. Use ChatGPT to Generate the Story: Open ChatGPT and input your prepared prompt. You can specify additional details such as desired length or specific events to include. Example prompt: Please generate a 10-minute bedtime story about Bella the bunny in the magical forest. Review and Customize: Once ChatGPT generates the story, read through it together with your child. If there are any parts you’d like to change or add details to (like including their pet or recent family activities), simply ask ChatGPT to modify it. For example: Great story! Can you add that Bella finds her lost toy during her adventure? Incorporate Visuals (Optional): If you want to enhance the storytelling experience further, consider using AI tools that generate images based on the story’s content. Show these images while reading to make it more engaging. Enjoy Storytime: Read the final version of the story aloud at bedtime. Encourage your child to participate by asking questions or suggesting what happens next. Learning Benefits of Storytelling with AI Engaging in storytelling through ChatGPT offers several educational benefits: Improves Listening Skills and Vocabulary: Children are exposed to new words and sentence structures. Encourages Imagination and Creative Thinking: The interactive nature allows children to develop unique storylines. Fosters Collaboration: By contributing ideas to the story, kids learn teamwork in creative processes.   By introducing tools like ChatGPT into children’s learning routines, parents can create engaging educational experiences that stimulate curiosity and creativity. As Bianca aptly described it, ChatGPT is an application powered by artificial intelligence that serves as an invaluable resource for young learners. Through interactive storytelling—now enhanced with voice narration and image generation—children not only enhance their skills but also develop a love for learning that will benefit them throughout their lives. Embracing technology responsibly allows us to empower our children to explore new ideas while nurturing their intellectual growth. Feel free to adjust any sections as needed!   This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!

1 year old baby milestones

Celebrating Milestones: A Guide to Baby’s First Year

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The tradition of celebrating baby milestones has deep historical and cultural roots. While specific practices may vary across different cultures and time periods, the underlying concept of commemorating significant developmental milestones has been prevalent for centuries.   In ancient times, many cultures believed that infants were highly vulnerable to malevolent spirits or supernatural forces. As a result, families would gather and engage in various rituals to protect and celebrate their newborns’ survival and growth. These rituals often included offerings to deities, prayers, and communal feasts.   Over time, celebrations surrounding baby milestones have become more personalized and diverse. Modern parents often organize small gatherings or parties, inviting close family members and friends to witness and participate in the joyous occasions. These celebrations provide an opportunity for loved ones to share in the parents’ pride and excitement, offering encouragement and support to both the child and their caregivers.   With the advent of social media, the documentation and sharing of baby milestones have taken on a new dimension. Parents now have the means to capture and share these special moments with a wider audience, allowing friends and relatives from afar to be a part of the celebrations virtually.     In recent years, the market for baby milestone products and services has expanded significantly. From milestone-themed clothing and accessories to specialized photography sessions and personalized keepsakes, there are now countless ways for parents to commemorate and celebrate their baby’s developmental achievements.   I vividly recall my first visit to the pediatrician with my firstborn. As the doctor inquired about my baby’s abilities, my husband and I shared a lighthearted joke, mentioning that our little one excelled in crying and going through 8 to 10 cloth diapers a day. Little did we know that our baby was capable of so much more. Understanding the expected milestones for each month of a baby’s first year is crucial in providing the necessary support and fostering their growth and development.   As you celebrate your baby’s monthly milestones, there’s a wonderful way to capture those precious moments with DataWiseDesigns by The Baby Data Scientist. Introducing our collection of adorable onesies featuring monthly numbers and funny animals. These onesies are not only incredibly cute but also serve as a delightful way to document your baby’s growth throughout their first year. Each onesie showcases a unique design, with a cute animal representing each month, and a prominently displayed number to mark your baby’s age.     Month 1: During the first month, babies are focused on adjusting to the world outside the womb. They begin to recognize familiar voices, respond to touch, and make eye contact.                       Month 2: At around two months, babies start to develop sensory awareness. They focus on objects, track them with their eyes, and exhibit social smiles. They begin to explore their surroundings by reaching out and grasping objects.                         Month 3: By the third month, babies show advancements in their motor skills. They can lift their heads during tummy time, kick their legs vigorously, and even bring their hands together.         Month 4: Around four months, babies become more vocal. They babble and coo, respond to their name, and mimic sounds they hear. They may also discover their own reflection and enjoy watching themselves.                         Month 5: By the fifth month, babies achieve new physical milestones. They can roll over from their back to their tummy and vice versa. They also develop the ability to grab and manipulate objects using their hands.                         Month 6: At six months, babies achieve the major milestone of sitting up unsupported. They may also start showing an interest in solid foods and develop the ability to chew and swallow.                         Month 7: By the seventh month, babies become more mobile. They may start crawling or scooting to explore their surroundings. They become more curious about their environment and show interest in objects and people.                         Month 8: Around eight months, babies develop the strength to pull themselves up to a standing position and may start cruising along furniture for support. They also begin to understand simple commands and respond with gestures or vocalizations.                     Months 9-12: Between nine and twelve months, babies reach the milestone of taking their first independent steps. They become more adept at communication, using gestures and imitating simple actions. They explore the world around them with a newfound sense of independence and curiosity.             Additionally, we are excited to share that DataWiseDesigns by The Baby Data Scientist is also available on Etsy. You can conveniently browse our collection of onesies with monthly numbers and funny animals, and place your order with ease: DataWiseDesigns.etsy.com   Remember, the most important aspect of celebrating baby milestones is the joy and love you share with your little one. Whether you choose professionally designed onesies or opt for a DIY approach, what truly matters is the celebration of your baby’s growth and the creation of lasting memories. So, gather your crafting supplies, explore DataWiseDesigns’ digital products, and embark on a journey of creativity and celebration as you cherish each precious milestone in your baby’s amazing journey of growth and development:                 Tracking baby milestones can lead to some funny and memorable moments for parents. Here are a few lighthearted and amusing aspects of monitoring those milestones: The “Is It Time Yet?” Dilemma: Parents eagerly anticipate each milestone and sometimes find themselves constantly wondering, “When will my baby roll over? When will they start crawling?” The anticipation

1.5 yearls old baby

Celebrating Your Child’s 1.5 Years Old Milestones: What to Expect and How to Support Their Development

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As a parent, it’s amazing to see how fast your child grows and develops. By the time your little one reaches 1.5 years old, they have achieved many milestones and are well on their way to becoming a more independent and curious toddler. In this article, we’ll discuss the 1.5 years old milestones to expect and ways you can support your child’s development. At this age, children are becoming more confident on their feet and are able to walk in various directions, including forwards, backwards, and sideways, while experiencing fewer falls. Additionally, they may be attempting to run short distances and are able to build towers with 3 or 4 blocks. They are also developing their fine motor skills and can cover or uncover containers of different shapes with low-pressure lids. While some children may take a bit longer, they may also begin to draw vertical lines. Your child’s vocabulary is expanding, with an average of 10 to 20 adjectives, verbs, and nouns in their repertoire. They may also be starting to form simple phrases by putting two words together. Their attention span is also increasing, allowing them to follow a short narration or story. While socializing with other children is still limited, they are becoming more open to parallel play, which is playing alongside others. They may also enjoy social games with adults, such as imitation and chasing games. In addition, their imaginative play is becoming more elaborate, including feeding their teddy bear or putting their doll to sleep with cooing sounds. Cognitive Milestones: At 1.5 years old, your child’s cognitive abilities have significantly improved. They can now understand simple instructions and can follow basic commands. They can also recognize familiar objects and people and may begin to point at objects when you name them. Additionally, your toddler may start to show an interest in books and can flip pages and point to pictures. To support your child’s cognitive development, continue to expose them to different environments and experiences. Engage in activities that encourage their curiosity and exploration, such as reading books, playing with toys, and taking walks outside. Also, consider joining parent and toddler groups, where your child can socialize and learn with other kids their age. Physical Milestones: By 1.5 years old, your child has likely developed better control over their movements and is more confident in their ability to walk and run. They may also begin to climb stairs with assistance and can stack blocks or toys. At this age, your child’s fine motor skills are also improving, allowing them to scribble with crayons and feed themselves with a spoon or fork. To help your child’s physical development, provide plenty of opportunities for physical activity and play. Set up a safe and secure play area where your toddler can climb, crawl, and explore. Encourage your child to engage in different types of play, such as kicking a ball, playing with bubbles, or dancing to music. Social-Emotional Milestones: At 1.5 years old, your child is developing a stronger sense of self and may begin to show more independence. They may also start to display a range of emotions, including happiness, frustration, and sadness. Additionally, your toddler may show an interest in playing with other children, although they may still prefer parallel play over interactive play. To support your child’s social-emotional development, provide plenty of positive reinforcement and praise when they demonstrate positive behaviors. Help your child learn to express their emotions by teaching them basic emotional vocabulary, such as happy, sad, and angry. Encourage your child to play and interact with other children by arranging playdates or attending toddler groups. Toddler Nutrition: At 1.5 years old, your child’s nutritional needs are changing as they transition from a baby to a toddler. Encourage a balanced and healthy diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Also, make sure your child is getting enough calcium, iron, and other important nutrients. To support your child’s nutrition, offer a variety of healthy foods at each meal and snack time. Limit sugary drinks and foods and avoid foods that are high in salt or saturated fats. Finally, make mealtime a positive and enjoyable experience for your child by sitting down to eat together and modeling healthy eating habits. In conclusion, your child’s 1.5 years old milestones mark a significant period in their development. By understanding what to expect and how to support your child’s development, you can help them grow into a healthy, happy, and well-rounded toddler. Remember, each child develops at their own pace, so be patient, be supportive,and enjoy the journey of watching your child grow and thrive. With love, patience, and consistency, you can help your child reach their full potential and achieve many more milestones in the years to come.

Data-driven parenting

Raising Data-Driven Kids: How to Support Your Child’s Growth and Development with Evidence-Based Approaches

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Growing children in a data-driven manner involves using data and evidence to inform decision-making about a child’s education and development. This can involve tracking a child’s progress over time, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing evidence-based interventions to support their growth and development. To grow children in a data-driven manner, it is important to regularly collect and track data on their development. This might involve using standardized assessments to measure a child’s skills and abilities in areas such as reading, math, and problem-solving. By tracking a child’s progress over time, parents and educators can identify areas where the child is excelling and areas where they may need additional support. Once data has been collected and analyzed, the next step is to use the information to inform decision-making about the child’s education and development. This might involve implementing evidence-based interventions, such as tutoring or enrichment programs, to support the child’s growth and development. It could also involve working with the child’s teachers and other educators to develop an individualized plan that meets the child’s unique needs. In addition to using data to inform decision-making, it is also important to provide children with opportunities to develop their data literacy skills. This might involve teaching children how to collect and analyze data, as well as how to use data to make informed decisions. By providing children with these skills, parents and educators can help them become more confident and independent learners. Overall, growing children in a data-driven manner involves regularly collecting and tracking data on a child’s development, using the information to inform decision-making, and providing children with opportunities to develop their data literacy skills. By following these steps, parents and educators can support a child’s growth and development in a data-driven manner If you want to see an example of data-driven parenting, check out my repository of baby/toddler guides. This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!  

10 Perfect Gifts for Kids Ages 1 to 4: Delightful Ideas for Little Ones

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Uncovering the History and Meaning Behind the Tradition of Christmas Gifts The tradition of giving gifts on Christmas has its roots in several different cultural and religious practices. One of the most well-known origins of this tradition is the story of the Three Wise Men, also known as the Magi, who brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the newborn Jesus in the Christian Bible. In many cultures, the giving of gifts on Christmas is seen as a way to honor the gift of Jesus’s birth and to celebrate the spirit of giving and generosity. In other cultures, the giving of gifts on Christmas may be linked to other winter holidays or traditions, such as the celebration of the winter solstice or the exchange of gifts among family members and friends as a way of showing love and appreciation. In modern times, the giving of gifts on Christmas has become a widespread cultural practice, with many people exchanging gifts with loved ones as a way of celebrating the holiday season. The types of gifts that are given on Christmas can vary widely, and may include items such as toys, clothes, food, or other small gifts or tokens of appreciation. Why Giving Gifts to Kids is Good for Their Development and Happiness For a child, receiving a gift can be a positive and meaningful experience that helps to boost their self-esteem and feelings of worth. A gift can also be a tangible expression of love and affection from the person who gave it, which can help to strengthen the bond between the child and the giver. Receiving a gift can also be a way for a child to feel a sense of belonging and connection to others, as it is a symbol of being thought of and cared for by someone else. For children who may not have a lot of material possessions, receiving a gift can also be a way for them to feel more financially secure and able to participate in the holiday or celebration that the gift is being given for. In addition to the emotional and psychological benefits of receiving a gift, the act of giving a gift can also have positive psychological effects. Giving a gift can be a way for a child to show love and appreciation for someone else, which can help to foster feelings of gratitude and connection. It can also be a way for a child to practice generosity and selflessness, which can help to develop their sense of empathy and social responsibility.   Avoiding the Pitfalls: How to Ensure Gifts Don’t Harm Kids’ Development and Happiness While receiving a gift can generally be a positive and enjoyable experience for a child, there are certain circumstances in which a gift may have a negative impact. Some potential negative impacts of gifts on children may include: It is important for parents and caregivers to be mindful of these potential negative impacts of gifts and to try to balance the giving of gifts with other forms of love and affection, such as time spent together and words of praise and encouragement. It is important to choose age-appropriate toys that are safe and do not present any choking hazards for a one-year-old. It’s always a good idea to consider the child’s interests and developmental stage when choosing a gift. Some 3-year-olds may be more interested in imaginative play, while others may be more drawn to physical activity and construction toys. The Top 10 Must-Have Gifts for Four-Year-Olds: Fun and Educational Ideas for Little Learners   Here are ten gift ideas for 4 year olds: It’s always a good idea to consider the child’s interests and abilities when selecting a gift. Some children may prefer more active play, while others may enjoy quieter, more imaginative activities.   This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!

two babies under 3

When is scientifically the best time to have your second child?

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When is scientifically the best time to have your second? byu/EFNich inScienceBasedParenting Inspired by the above reddit post and the different views on the topic of picking the best interpregnancy period,  I created the below timeline based on scientific proof of the best time to have your second baby. It adds value to the reddit post by visually summarising all the info from the reference links and also spotting some contradictory outcomes.   Insights The best period to have your second baby is between 18 and 24 months after delivering the first baby. STUDY 1 Conceiving less than 6 months after delivery was associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes for mom and baby but that waiting 24 months may not be necessary for high-income countries. STUDY 2 Children conceived less than 18 months after their mother’s previous birth or children conceived 60 or more months after their mother’s previous birth were more likely to have ASD when compared to children conceived between 18 to 59 months after their mother’s previous birth. STUDY 3 To reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and other health problems, research suggests waiting 18 to 24 months but less than five years after a live birth before attempting your next pregnancy. STUDY 4 For children conceived less than 12 months or more than 72 months after the birth of an older sibling, the risk of autism was two to three fold higher than for those conceived 36 months to 47 months later. STUDY 5 Biggest risk recorded for children conceived less than 12 month after the birth of an older sibling. STUDY 6 The risk for preterm birth was high if the interpregnancy interval was <6 months. The risk for preterm birth declined as the interval increased and reached the lowest level when the interpregnancy interval was between 12 and 23 months. For interpregnancy intervals of ≥24 months, the risk for preterm birth gradually increased. The risk for preterm birth was high if the interpregnancy interval was ≥120 months. STUDY 7 An increased risk of preterm birth for children born after IPIs of less than 13 months and >60 months relative to the reference category of 19–24 months. STUDY 8 “We compared approximately 3 million births from 1.2 million women with at least three children and discovered the risk of adverse birth outcomes after an interpregnancy interval of less than six months was no greater than for those born after an 18-23 month interval,” Dr Tessema said. “Given that the current recommendations on birth spacing is for a waiting time of at least 18 months to two years after live births, our findings are reassuring for families who conceive sooner than this. “However, we found siblings born after a greater than 60-month interval had an increased risk of adverse birth outcomes.” STUDY 9 To reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and other health problems, research suggests waiting 18 to 24 months but less than five years after a live birth before attempting your next pregnancy. Balancing concerns about infertility, people older than 35 might consider waiting 12 months before becoming pregnant again. STUDY 10 Intervals shorter than 36 months and longer than 60 months are associated with an elevated risk of infant death and other adverse outcomes. STUDY 11 Compared to individuals whose first two children were born at most 18 months apart, individuals whose children were more widely spaced had a lower divorce risk. References STUDY 1: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0255000 STUDY 2: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/features/time-between-births.html STUDY 3: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/family-planning/art-20044072 STUDY 4: https://time.com/4033506/autism-risk-siblings/ STUDY 5: https://researchonline.lshtm.ac.uk/id/eprint/4663143/7/Schummers_etal_2021_Short-interpregnancy-interval-and-pregnancy.pdf https://www.dovepress.com/association-of-short-and-long-interpregnancy-intervals-with-adverse-bi-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-IJGM STUDY 6: https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/mdhhs/Folder4/Folder15/Folder3/Folder115/Folder2/Folder215/Folder1/Folder315/200804IPI_PTB_LBW_SGA_2008-2018.pdf?rev=e978a7ae96db445ebb0a4cf6d31ea8f9 STUDY 7: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00324728.2020.1714701 STUDY 8: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210719143421.htm STUDY 9: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/family-planning/art-20044072 STUDY 10: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6667399/ STUDY 11: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6993964/   (Note: I participate in the affiliate amazon program. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). I may receive a small commission when you buy using my links, this helps to keep the blog alive! See disclosure for details.) BONUS –  a free audible book from Amazon: This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!

1 year old baby

Your 1-Year-Old Baby’s Development and Milestones

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Hey! Baby just got promoted to Toddler. Toddlerhood is a exciting period and it lasts until they reach 3 years.  Milestones When researching my content, I use official websites such as the CDC ( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). They list the below as the milestones a child should reach by the end of 1 year: Social/Emotional Milestones Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake Language/Communication Milestones Waves “bye-bye” Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it) Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving) Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup Looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket Movement/Physical Development Milestones Pulls up to stand Walks, holding on to furniture Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food UNICEF lists out these milestones: He is copying movements and gestures. Bangs objects together. Drinks from a cup and uses other objects correctly. Finds things that are hidden. He looks at the right object when it is named. Can follow simple directions and lets go of objects without help. He puts objects in containers and can take them out. Can take a few steps without support. Gets into a sitting position without support. Pulls up to stand and walks while holding onto furniture.   As they’re toddlers now, they begin to test limits by engaging in certain behaviors to drive caregiver response.    Family Guy Stewie Griffin GIFfrom Family Guy GIFs   Baby Growth    The normal growth range at 1 year old differs between boys and girls: Length Girls range from 66 – 82 cm (26-32 in.)  in height; Boys range from 68 – 83 cm (27-33 in.)  in height; Weight Girls range from 7000-13100 gr (15-29 lb.) in weight; Boys range from 7700-13300gr (17-29 lb.) in weight. For more info on this, check the Growth WHO Standards table and other baby standards here.     Baby Sleep Baby will keep the below schedule until around 16 months of age: 1st nap at 9 am; 2nd nap at 1 pm; 7 pm bedtime. It is normal for your baby to get up between 6 and 7 am in the morning, but also normal at this age to wake up between 5 to 6 am. Your baby might seem well rested ( probably slept for 11 hours during the night), but 12 hours is also achievable. There are a few things to try in order to push the wake up hour to 7 am: keep a sleep log to note down what you change in the routine and how it impacts your baby’s sleep. Get a free here; if you don’t have 80% darkness in the room, you should try harder to achieve it. I wrote here about the important room and baby sleep training prep; if your baby sleeps less than 1.5hr during the day, move bedtime 15 mins earlier each day until the baby will get on track (remember: sleep log!); if your baby sleeps more than 3hr during the day, try and cap the longest nap (so the baby will be prepared for the 12 hours night-sleep). if you tried all of these, just let the baby enjoy some crib time (don’t make light in the room until it gets as close as possible to 6:30-7 am).   Baby Feeding 1 Year – 3 meals + 2 snacks / day : BREAKFAST: Fruits LUNCH: Vegetables + Proteins SNACK: Fruits DINNER: Vegetables, Cereals, Dairy products SNACK: Vegetables Fruits: everything ; Vegetables: same as months above plus the new ones: radishes, peas, artichoke, sorrel, cabbage, nettles; Proteins: same as month above plus: fish, cheese, cream cheese, cheddar, parmesan, edam, gouda, svaiter, grana padano, emmental, pecorino, goats cheese; Cereals/ Pseudocereals: everything ; Try waiting at least 2 days after introducing new food to the baby to check for any allergic reactions. If you notice symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting it might mean that the baby is allergic to a certain food type. Don’t forget to start giving the baby water. If you use bottled water, check the level of sodium or sulphate. Look on the label to check the levels: Sodium (Na) <= 200 mg/l ; Sulphate (‘SO’ or ‘SO4’) <= 250 mg/l.   Baby Eyes Some babies will experience changes in eye color up to 1 year of age and some little ones’ eye color even continues to change hues until they’re 3 years old. Activities   Sky is the limit, there are so many activities that you can do without the need of any special toys or materials: Opening and closing a drawer Building a tower Finding the object Inserting objects Introduction to puzzles Painting Pretend games with toys Rolling a ball Spreading sand or.. flour Squeezing a wet sponge Put the top on and.. off Using a key Play with water volume and pressure Also, let the baby crawl as much a possible (don’t force them to walk just yet) as crawling is beneficial for hand-eye coordination and boosts gross and fine motor skills. Must-have toys  (Note: I participate in the affiliate amazon program. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). I may receive a small commission when you buy using my links, this helps to keep the blog alive! See disclosure for details.) When you exhaust all the activities that use no materials, get some of the below toys (for the age 1Y ), your baby will love them: Wooden Shape Sorting & Ring Stacking. Kids can count the holes then match the blocks with the pillars on the top of the wooden cart, cultivating their number learning and color sorting ability. Get them here. More Stacking, a Ring. Each ring features a different texture and weight; Textural variety is great for mouthing!; buy one here. Pull String Learning Rope. Help Develop

Independent play

Independent play: 6 to 24 months

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What is Independent Play? Independent play is when children play by themselves with a parent nearby Why is important?  Play can enhance brain structure and function and promote executive function (the process of learning). Read more here. How to promote solo play? – by the parenting junkie 😉 Set up the right type of playspace. Consider separating screens from playspace Don’t overpower your child’s play Create a space where they can be alone Have only age appropriate toys on offer Examine your expectations Consider keeping them close to you Use storage that your child can manipulate Treat play as the natural birthright Don’t praise, comment or evaluate How long can babies/toddlers play by themselves? Independent play at 12 months: @thebabydatascientist How long can a 1 year old play alone? www.thebabydatascientist.com #babiesoftiktok #thebabydatascientist #independentplay ♬ Lust For Life – Iggy Pop If you enjoyed these baby play stats, you’ll find this repository useful. Make sure you bookmark it as it’s continuously growing!   This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!

Kids in Kindergarten

Illnesses in Daycare: How often is normal?

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I gathered some stats that will help us define what is “normal” in terms of illnesses in child care. What is considered to be normal? According to Mayo Clinic, an average of 7 to 8 infections a year for every kid and more (up to 12 colds a year) for children who are in child care or when they start school. It’s also typical for kids to have symptoms lasting up to 14 days. And sometimes a cough can last up to 6 weeks. That means kids can be sick for a majority of the year and still have a pretty typical immune system. I found other stats on recovery that mention a 7 to 10 days (and even earlier) recovery time, although a cough can last up to 3 weeks. When can my child return to daycare? Most centres have a 24 hour policy. If the child is symptom free for 24 hours, or has been on medication for 24 hours, and they feel better, they can return. Some centres increase this time period to 48 hours during an outbreak in order to prevent further spread of an illness. (according to this website) Another recommendation: Often, a child is not allowed to return to the centre until they’ve been fever-free (or diarrhea-free) for 24 hours. (according to this website) Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) website advise: Most children with mild colds who have no fever and who feel well enough to go to school or childcare do not need to stay home. Most colds spread in the 1-3 days before children show symptoms such as a runny nose or minor cough. (according to this brochure) Useful cold and flu stuff to have at home for babies and toddlers (Note: I participate in the affiliate amazon program. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). I may receive a small commission when you buy using my links, this helps to keep the blog alive! See disclosure for details.) Electric nasal aspirator A working thermometer, we have have both a non-contact forehead one and a flexible digital thermometer Saline spray Topical vapor rub Age appropriate fever-reducing medications When to start worrying? Jeffrey Modell Foundation’s ( that educates on Primary immunodeficiency: PI) lists out these 10 warning signs that might direct you to a  physician). PI causes children and adults to have infections that come back frequently or are unusually hard to cure.  4 or more new ear infections in one year  2 or more serious sinus infections in one year  2 or more months on antibiotics with little effect  2 or more cases of pneumonia within one year  Failure of an infant to gain weight or grow normally ( check official WHO Growth Standards here)  Recurrent, deep skin or organ abscesses  Recurrent thrush in the mouth or elsewhere on the skin after age one  Need for intravenous antibiotics to clear infections  2 or more deep-seated infections  A family history of primary immunodeficiency   The bright side A study (“Daycares have a reputation for being germ factories,” lead author Sylvana Cote of the University of Montreal, in Quebec)  found that toddlers in group child care get sick more often than toddlers who stay at home, but found those same kids get sick less often than their peers during the primary school years.   A cool visualisation related to our immune system: Pic Source: https://twitter.com/rajivshivan/status/1233692472934531073   This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!