“The true essence of Valentine Day is true love. It is supposed to be a day when lovers, married couples, reaffirm their love and genuine affection for one another. It is not only for married couples; singles also partake in the celebration by spreading what is called agape love. Valentine day should teach us about sacrifice.” -www.vanguardngr.com/2018/02/true-meaning-valentine-day/ As February 14 creeps up on our calendars, our culture begins to shift their thoughts toward LOVE. Who can actually avoid the elaborately celebrated holiday of Valentines with all the advertisements of flowers, jewelry, candy, teddy bears, and cards flooding our media and stores? Valentine’s Day may not represent the ooey-gooey emotions lavished on you by a significant other, but it can still be packed full of love. Did you know there are several types of love? Eros: Romantic love Philia: Friendship love Storge: A Family love - represented between parents and children Agape: God’s love; selfless and unconditional I think I speak for all of us when I say, “We desire to be loved by others.” But how good are we at giving love? Do we make intentional choices to love others in the same fashion we want to be loved? How good are we at sacrificing our own desires to honor someone else’s? That puts a real spin on Valentine’s Day. Instead of focusing on how I am receiving love, I will focus on how I can give love. Although I am personally challenged to examine my life in all 4 areas of love, I am going to focus today on Storge Love: A family love. I read an article recently that said, “THE MOST IMPORTANT THING CHILDREN NEED IS JUST LOVE. That’s not just sentiment, it’s fact. Parenting research has proven time and time again loving your children is the one thing that makes all the difference – in so many important ways.” Please take time to read this short article on the benefits of showing love to your child... https://www.parent.com/blogs/conversations/the-most-important-thing-children-need-is-just-love My commitment this Valentine’s is to examine how I express love within the four types of love mentioned above. How do I show my husband I honor and respect him? How will I express my gratitude toward friends? How will I love my children (even when they are not loveable)? How will I represent selfless and unconditional expressions to my community? Let’s be real, this is a lot easier said than done. I hope this Valentine’s Day you will take this challenge with me, Instead of focusing on how I am receiving love, I will focus on how I can give love. On behalf of the Parents as Teacher Educators at High Grove Early Childhood we commit to express Philia: Friendship love to you and your families. Our desire is to equip you to become the best parent/teacher your child could ever have! Happy Valentine’s Day! February is Dental Health Month! Let’s Talk About Baby Teeth A baby’s 20 primary teeth are already present in the jaws at birth and typically begin to appear when a baby is between 6 months and 1 year. Most children have a full set of 20 primary teeth by the time they are 3. Every child is different, but usually the first teeth to come in are located in the top and bottom front of their mouth. When teeth first come in, some babies may have sore or tender gums. Gently rubbing your child's gums with a clean finger, a small, cool spoon or a wet gauze pad can be soothing. You can also give the baby a clean teething ring to chew on. If your child is still cranky and in pain, consult your dentist or physician. Why Baby Teeth Matter Baby teeth are very important to your child’s health and development. They help him or her chew, speak and smile. They also hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums. When a baby tooth is lost too early, the permanent teeth can drift into the empty space and make it difficult for other adult teeth to find room when they come in. This can make teeth crooked or crowded. That’s why starting infants off with good oral care can help protect their teeth for decades to come. When should I start taking my child to the dentist? After the first tooth comes in and no later than the first birthday. A dental visit at an early age is a "well-baby checkup" for the teeth. Besides checking for cavities and other problems, the dentist can show you how to clean the child's teeth properly and how to handle habits like thumb sucking. How To Care For Your Child’s Teeth It’s important to care for your baby’s teeth from the start. Here's what to do: Begin cleaning your baby’s mouth during the first few days after birth by wiping the gums with a clean, moist gauze pad or washcloth. As soon as teeth appear, decay can occur. A baby’s front four teeth usually push through the gums at about 6 months of age, although some children don’t have their first tooth until 12 or 14 months. For children younger than 3 years, start brushing their teeth as soon as they begin to come into the mouth by using fluoride toothpaste in an amount no more than a smear or the size of a grain of rice. Brush teeth thoroughly twice per day (morning and night) or as directed by a dentist or physician. Supervise children’s brushing to ensure that they use the appropriate amount of toothpaste. For children 3 to 6 years of age, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Brush teeth thoroughly twice per day (morning and night) or as directed by a dentist or physician. Supervise children’s brushing and remind them not to swallow the toothpaste. Until you’re comfortable that your child can brush on his or her own, continue to brush your child's teeth twice a day with a child-size toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. When your child has two teeth that touch, you should begin cleaning between their teeth daily. Source: Mouth Healthy/American Dental Association |
AuthorThe parent educators with Grandview Parents As Teachers have over 100 years of cummulative early childhood and home visiting experience. Archives
September 2023
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