A Fresh Start

January 18, 2011 By Diane Constantine Leave a Comment

Here we are at the beginning of a brand new year. Last year’s triumphs and trials are history. This is a chance for us to start with a clean slate. For most of us, it will be life as usual. For some, it will mean big changes. Maybe you have a new baby or are pregnant. Maybe you or your husband have a new job. Maybe one of your children starts preschool or school this year. Whatever changes or stays the same, remember to trust it all to the Lord. Over and over again this holiday season I have been hearing how important it is to trust God when things are going well and when things don’t go well. Remember that our God is the God of the valleys as well as the God of the mountains. He didn’t take many of the saints of God out of their troubles, but rather was glorified in how they walked through the valley of weeping. I don’t mean this to be a downer, but I do want you to grow in your trust of your Heavenly Father, your Comforter, your Friend.

We want to face 2011 with a smile on our faces. Every so often someone sends me some recent ‘tricks’ or ‘stories’ from their toddlers. I thought I’d share a few I’ve seen or heard recently. [Read more…]

Brain Development and Early Learning

December 14, 2010 By Diane Constantine Leave a Comment

Child Brain Development and The Science of Early Learning

By Madeleine Fitzpatrick<

Your baby is born with most of the brain cells she will ever have, but during her first 12 months in the world, her brain will become increasingly complex. By the time she reaches the age of two, her brain will already be 75 percent of its adult weight. By the age of three, it will have reached 90 percent of its adult weight.

Almost 50 percent of the brain cells your baby is born with will wither and die during the first few years of life. This process, known as neural pruning, organizes the brain and makes it more efficient. The brain learns through experience.

[Read more…]

How to Get a Diagnosis

December 6, 2010 By Diane Constantine Leave a Comment

Step 1: Take Notes

Become the foremost researcher on your child, examining your subject in a variety of different environments and documenting all irregularities. If your child has recurring odd actions that alarm you, keep a diary of what, when and how long. If your child has emotional breakdowns or explosions, keep a chart to see if you can identify what sets them off. You want to be able to specifically document your concerns so that doctors have the most accurate idea of what’s going on and can make the most assured steps toward a diagnosis.

Step 2: Talk to Your Pediatrician

Chances are, your health insurer will require you to go through your pediatrician before tests and specialist visits anyway. But it’s just as well, because your child’s regular doctor will likely have useful insights and advice to give you. While you’re the ultimate expert in your child, the pediatrician is probably the medical professional who knows your child best — certainly better than the specialists who will pop in for a short time, look at one aspect of your child’s life, and see you again in a year. A good pediatrician with whom you have a comfortable rapport is a helpful person to have filtering all those reports and test results and guiding you as to what to do about them.

For more see: How to Get a Diagnosis

Poop Goop for Constipation

December 1, 2010 By Diane Constantine Leave a Comment

Does your child have problems with constipation? Do you want a solution other than laxatives or stool softeners? Tiffany Jensen shared two great recipes called Poop Goop.

Poop Goop 1
1 cup raisins
1 cup prunes
1/4 cup dates
8 ounces prune juice
~Mix together in a blender or food processor. Store in the refrigerator.
Use 1-2 tablespoons per day.

Poop Goop 2
1 orange
1 apple (with skin)
1 cup raisins
1 cup prunes
1/2 cup prune juice
1/2 cup orange juice
~Mix together in a blender or food processor. Store in the refrigerator.
Use 1-2 tablespoons per day.

Early Intervention

November 6, 2010 By Diane Constantine Leave a Comment

Sometimes babies are born with a condition or special need that can affect their development. Other times a condition is not apparent at birth so over time, the parents or doctors begin to wonder if the child is developing appropriately.

In either situation, a child’s developmental abilities are evaluated. Once evaluated, the child is eligible to receive the therapy or other types of early intervention he/she needs and the family can get the support and education they need.

Early intervention means finding the specific ways to help a child become as functional as possible. In some situations, the therapy a child receives at an early age enables that child to reach developmental milestones on target or close to target. In other words, early intervention can sometimes help a child catch up to peers.

Early Intervention Helps a Child with Major Developmental Areas

Physical development a child’s ability to move, see and hear
Language and speech development a child’s ability to talk and communicate
Social and emotional development a child’s ability to play, interact and relate to others
Adaptive development a child’s ability to handle self-care functions, such as feeding and dressing
Cognitive development a child’s ability to think and learn

For more information: Early Intervention Support