January

1   - New Year's Day

27 - Family Literacy Day, Together Wee Can - "Dressed Up Book Swap"

February

2   - Ground Hog Day

14 - Valentine's Day, Together Wee Can - "Get to Know Me Valentine."

21 - Family Day

Happy New Year! 

I hope you had a chance to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends over the holidays.

We are very excited to launch the 2011 Together Wee Can events again this year.  In an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle, Wee Watch decided to "Go Green" this year and provide many opportunities for children and Providers to use their wonderful creative abilities using recycled materials and found objects.  It is always wonderful to receive pictures of smiles and creations from agency offices and Providers, and we are anxious to see where their imaginations take them this year.  Check with your Provider to find out if there are certain household recyclables they might like you to save for various activities and crafts they are planning.

This New Year why not make a few resolutions to help keep the environment healthy. Simple changes in daily routines followed throughout the year can make a difference.  Below are some simple suggestions for making changes at home:

May the year 2011 bring you happiness and success filled with peace, hope and the togetherness of your family and friends.

Sincerely,

Leslie Wilson

WEE BEGINNERS

Newborns express their need to sleep in different ways. Some fuss, cry, rub their eyes or indicate this need with individual gestures. It is best to put babies to bed when they are sleepy, but not asleep. They are more likely to fall asleep quickly and eventually learn how to get themselves to sleep. Newborns can be encouraged to sleep less during the day by exposing them to light and noise, and by playing more with them in the daytime. As evening approaches, the environment can be quieter and dimmer with less activity.

By six months of age, nighttime feedings are usually not necessary and many infants sleep through the night (70-80 percent will do so by nine months of age).  Infants typically sleep 9-12 hours during the night and take 30 minute to two-hour naps, one to four times a day - fewer as they reach age one.

When infants are put to bed drowsy but not asleep, they are more likely to become "self- soothers" which enables them to fall asleep independently at bedtime and put themselves back to sleep during the night. Those who have become accustomed to parental assistance at bedtime often become "signalers" and cry for their parents to help  them return to sleep during the night.

Sleep tips:

·         Develop regular daytime and bedtime schedules.

·         Create a consistent and enjoyable bedtime routine.

·         Establish a regular "sleep friendly" environment.

·         Encourage baby to fall asleep independently and to become a "self-soother."

Here are some suggested audio CD titles to help soothe a baby:

·         Baby Einstein:  Lullaby Classics

·         Putumayo Kids Presents:  Dreamland World Lullabies

·         African Lullaby

·         Celtic Lullabies

·         Night-Night Lullabies

WEE EXPLORERS

Toddlers need about 12-14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. When they reach about 18 months of age their naptimes will decrease to once a day lasting about one to three hours.  Naps should not occur too close to bedtime as they will probably delay sleep at night.

Many factors can lead to sleep problems. Toddlers strive for independence and an increase in their motor, cognitive and social abilities can interfere with sleep. In addition, their ability to get out of bed, separation anxiety, the need for autonomy and the development of the child's imagination can lead to sleep problems. Daytime sleepiness and behaviour problems may signal poor sleep or a sleep problem.

Parents sometimes make the mistake of thinking that keeping a child up will make him or her

sleepier for bedtime. In fact, though, children can have a harder time sleeping if they're overtired.

Establishing a bedtime routine helps children relax and get ready for sleep. For a toddler, the routine may be from 15 to 30 minutes long and include calming activities such as reading a story, bathing, and listening to soft music.

Whatever the nightly ritual is, your toddler will probably insist that it be the same every night. Just don't allow rituals to become too long or too complicated. Whenever possible, allow your toddler to make bedtime choices within the routine: which pajamas to wear, which stuffed animal to take to bed, what music to play. This gives your little one a sense of control over the routine.

Sleep tips:

·         Maintain a daily sleep schedule and consistent bedtime routine.

·         Make the bedroom environment the same every night and throughout the night.

·         Set limits that are consistent, communicated and enforced.

·         Encourage use of a security object such as a blanket or stuffed animal.

Here are some suggested book titles for children that address the struggles of going to bed:

·         "Song of Night:  It's Time to go to Bed" by Katherine Riley-Nakamura

·         "The Going-To-Bed Book"  by Sandra Boynton

·         "I Won't Go to Bed!" by Margo Linn

·         "Going to Bed" by Naomi Tarrant

WEE BUILDERS

WEE LEARNERS

Your preschooler will have sleep ups and downs - sometimes being very resistant to go to bed, and other times testing your patience by bouncing up again and again, now accompanied by arguments and negotiations.

At this age, most children will give up napping. But if they do nap, that will reduce nighttime sleep, which is about 10 to 12 hours.  If you have to drag your preschooler out of bed in the morning, an earlier bed time may be required and/or no nap during the day to get in a more balanced schedule. Also avoid altered bedtimes on the weekends.  This could cause a hard time adjusting on Monday.

Night awakenings at this age are less frequent, as most preschoolers can get themselves back to sleep. They can remember dreams more than at a younger age, too, so they may recall these upsets in vivid terms.  Don't be too worried by the dream content unless your child seems stuck on it.

Sleep tips:

·         Watch TV carefully at this age, particularly in the evening. Most children - and particularly

          bright, sensitive ones - take those images to bed, making it hard to get to sleep or to banish

          those monsters from under the bed.

·         Make your child's room inviting, decorated to his/her taste, and age-appropriate.

·         Don't lie down with your child, or if you do, only stay for a brief time.  You don't want your

          child to think he/she has to have someone lay down with him for sleep.

Magic Stars Craft

You will need:

·         white paper

·         white crayon

·         black tempra paint

·         children's paint brush

Using the white crayon, draw several stars on the white paper.  Let your child brush the paint over the paper and get a surprise!

WEE EXPERTS

Night terror is a sleep disruption that seems similar to a nightmare, but with a far more dramatic presentation. Though night terrors can be alarming for parents who witness them, they're not usually cause for concern or a sign of a deeper medical issue.

Night terrors usually occur about 2 or 3 hours after a child falls asleep, when sleep transitions from the deepest stage of non-REM sleep to lighter REM sleep, a stage where dreams occur. Usually this transition is a smooth one. But rarely, a child becomes agitated and frightened - and that fear reaction is a night terror.

Night terrors can be very upsetting for parents, who might feel helpless at not being able to comfort or soothe their child. The best way to handle a night terror is to wait it out patiently and make sure the child doesn't get hurt by thrashing around. Kids usually will settle down and return to sleep on their own in a few minutes.

It's best not to try to wake children during a night terror. Attempts usually don't work, and children who do wake are likely to be disoriented and confused, and may take longer to settle down and go back to sleep.

Sleep tips:

·         Reduce your child's stress.

·         Establish and stick to a bedtime routine that's simple and relaxing.

·         Make sure your child gets enough rest.

·         Prevent your child from becoming overtired by staying up too late.

Bedtime Bars

·         ¾ cup flour

·          2 cups instant oats

·         ½ cup nut Butter (Peanut or Soy) 

·         ¾ cup cinnamon Applesauce (unsweetened)

·         ¼ cup honey

·         ½ cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line or lightly grease 9x9 inch baking pan; set aside. In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour and oatmeal until well blended. In small bowl, stir together nut butter, applesauce and honey until well blended; Add to flour and oatmeal mix. Stir until well combined. Add raisins. Mix until well blended. Press dough into prepared baking pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Cool about 20 minutes. Cut into bars. Yield: 10 bars

Sleep is no less important than food, drink, or safety in the lives of children. Sleep is the power source that keeps a mind alert and calm.  Sleep promotes alertness, memory and performance. Children who get enough sleep are more likely to function better and are less prone to behavioral problems and moodiness. Most research states that a good 8 to 9 hours a night is sufficient for most school aged children.

Sleep is a vital need, essential to a child's health and growth. A bedtime ritual makes it easier for child to relax, fall asleep and sleep through the night. Children need the proper amount of sleep consistently each night to lead a productive day. Sleep not only provides an opportunity for the body to physically rest, it also consolidates a brain or reinforces what a child has learned or observed during the day.

Poor sleep habits can influence children's diet, moods, cognitive skills, and ability to carry out daily chores. Sleep deprived children tend not to do well at school. Other symptoms of sleep deprivation in children include fatigue, inattentiveness, irritability, impatience, fussiness and even aggressive behaviour.

·         Turn off the t.v. and computer 1 hour before bedtime - these are a stimulant for most children.

·         Read for 20 - 30 minutes before turning out the lights.

·         Be aware of what your child is drinking/eating before bed - chocolate and many pops/energy

          drinks contain caffeine and should be avoided 1 -2 hours before bedtime.

Bedtime Journal

Keep a small sketchpad and some pencils or crayons near your child's bed.  Younger children can draw a picture about their day, or the sweet dreams they would like to have that night.  Older children can draw comics or make their own little picture book, by creating one page every night.   Have them write about their daily experiences or hopes for the coming day.  If they are too young to write, take notes for them.  

PLAY IT SAFE - Preventing Frost Bite

Frostbite means that a part of a body has been frozen and this can be quite dangerous.  Exposure to cold temperature without adequate protection can result in frostbite.  Usually it is the face, nose, ears, fingers and toes that get frostbitten.  Frostbite can occur during any outdoor activity including play, and especially fast moving sports such as skating, skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing.  Obviously the colder and windier it is, the quicker an unprotected body part or area will freeze.

What does frostbite look like? The skin around a frostbitten area initially becomes red then pale (white) and very rarely bluish.  As the skin warms up there can be some blisters.  It is an adult's responsibility to ensure young children are protected from the cold. After all, children are busy just enjoying the winter fun. Here are some tips on how to prevent frostbite:

· Children should be dressed warmly with properly fitting clothing.  Several thin layers will help keep

  children warm.  Clothing includes thermal long underwear, turtlenecks, one or two shirts, pants, 

  sweater, coat, warm socks, boots, gloves or mittens, and of course, a hat

· Do not let children stay out in the cold too long.  Set reasonable time limits on outdoor play. This of

  course will depend on how cold it is.

· Call children inside periodically to warm up.

· If there is a cold or frostbite warning issued, be cautious about allowing children to go outdoors.

· Make sure children's clothing is dry.  Change into dry clothing immediately as wet clothing can make

  frostbite occur quicker.

The signs and symptoms of frostbite include numbness or pain in the fingers, toes, nose, cheeks or ears. Also, the skin may be blistered, hard to the touch or seem shiny.  Although prevention is best, if ever there is the possibility of frostbite, take the following steps:   

· Take the child indoors immediately.

· Call your doctor or health help line.

· Ask the child to move the affected body part to increase blood supply to that area.

· Warm the white frozen part(s) against the body.  Hold fingers to the chest, for example.

· Soak the frozen part or area in warm water (not hot water)

· Be gentle, as frozen tissue can be damaged easily.  Do not rub or break blisters and do not

  massage the frozen area or rub it with snow or ice.

· Frostbite is usually painful.  For associated pain, acetaminophen may be needed according to

  age and weight.

· If the frostbitten area does not improve, remains white or turns blue, seek medical attention.