Monday I went with Annika to her preschool and was able to also attend the special class for mother instruction. As I entered the room the teacher was discussing the importance of "window safety" and securing windows so children would not fall out. She said to check www.safety4Toddlers.com or email: safety@nwlink.com. Another source was "One Step Ahead", www.onestepahead.com or your local hardware store.
Pool safety was also discussed and the importance of emptying little wadding pools and buckets everyday. A child can drown in less than an inch of water. When visiting rivers, lakes, oceans be sure to have children in lie jackets. You can rent or buy from multicare for $12.00, May through September, 253-372-7729. Also the importance of sun screen. [One thing I learned from Marrianne when you are leaving areas with sand...sprinkle baby powder all over the body and sand will brush off]. Also never leave a toddler alone in a bathtub. If you have a pond in your back yard, get one of those portable gates.
Street Safety...suggestion was made to put a cantelope or watermellow in the street and show the child what happens to it when a car runs over it. I shared the time when we were having trouble with children running in the street, we got a large box, put a face on it and ran over it with our car. Most important was to be sure the child knows the meaning of the word 'street'.
Discipline is teaching and that learning will not happen when upset. Be sure to make expectations clear. She suggested that 'time out' be in a specific area each time and a minute for each year of age. If they start whining turn to them and say, "your whining is hurting my ears" then turn around and walk away. Another suggestion the teacher gave was when you are going to be busy with something for a little while like nursing, phone call, etc.; get the child involved in something they want to do first...this is called 'structure your environment'.
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