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Rubber Duck PARENTING DIGEST Rubber Duck
IN THIS ISSUE
DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITY: Wiggle Worm Dirt Pudding
FEATURED ARTICLE: The Effect of Tummy Time on Motor Milestones
ARTICLE: Common Toddler Feeding Concerns Part One
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Developmental Activity
of the Month

Wiggle Worm Dirt Pudding

Dirt pudding

Kids of any age love this wiggly dessert.

What you'll need:
  • 8 plastic cups
  • large mixing bowl
  • 1 Ziplock bag
  • 1 pkg Oreo cookie
  • 1 pkg gummy worms
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 pkg chocolate instant pudding
  • 1 container Cool Whip, thawed
How to make it:

1. Put Oreos in Ziplock bag and roll over with a rolling pin to crush, then set aside

2. Dump pudding mix and 2 cups milk into mixing bowl, whisk until all pudding mix is dissolved and let stand 5 minutes

3. Add cool whip and 1/2 of crushed cookies and stir until well blended

4. Place large spoonful of crushed cookies in bottom of each plastic cup and top with pudding mixture until 3/4 full.

5. Place gummy worm into top of cup so 1/2 is in the pudding and 1/2 is hanging out of the cup and spoon more crushed cookies on top to hold in place. You made add as many gummy worms as you like to each cup.

6. Top with cool whip if desired, chill and serve and wait for the giggles to start.

Tips:

You can make this a Spring science/nature lesson for your preschool and school age children by visiting this link on the importance of earthworms before or after your gummy worm dessert:

Earthworm Facts for Kids

OUR SPONSORS
ACHIEVA Early Intervention
ISSUE: #18   APRIL 2010

Dear Parenting Digest Subscriber:

We hope you've been able to get outdoors with your children and experience the awakening blossoms and fresh Spring air.

In our April issue we explore the impact of a lack of tummy time in the 0-12 month period on the development of early motor milestones, as well as answer some common questions related to toddlers and feeding concerns. Don't forget to try our Spring edible craft: Wiggle Worm Dirt Pudding!

You can explore more topics related to Gross Motor Skill Developmentas well as Typical Feeding Skillsat our Early Intervention Support website.

Remember, if you can't find an answer on our website or if you have a specific question or concern about your child, you can always contact us at  Ask A Therapist

Early Intervention Support is a place for families who are facing any challenge pertaining to their child's growth and development. It is a place where you can come to find answers and practical suggestions from licensed therapists on how to work on a variety of issues. Whether you are a parent, grandparent or therapist of a child with a disability, challenging behavior or other developmental issue-childhood is short, it should be savored and enjoyed!
FEATURED ARTICLE:

Lack of Tummy Time Shown to have an Effect on Motor Milestone Development



Noted occupational therapist, Julia Harper, MS, OTR/L, presented "Decreased Tummy Time & the Effect on Milestone Development in Infants". Ms. Harper speaks nationwide and provides therapy through her own company called Therapeeds, Inc.

Since the "Back to Sleep" campaign was put in place in the 1994, Ms. Harper states that there have been milestone delays associated with positioning, missed milestones, motor in-coordination and the general feeling that decreased tummy time experiences may be associated with these delays. Federal statistics from 2005 show a 60% increase in developmental delays in the past 10-15 years, 4.6 million diagnoses of learning disabilities, 4.4 million diagnoses of ADHD and children diagnosed with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder increased from 1 in 1000 to 1 in 150 in 2006 (that number is now as high as 1 in 100 according to the CDC in 2009). By citing these diagnoses Ms. Harper is referring to the co-morbid factor (The term co-morbid refers to a disease/disorder that occurs at the same time as another disorder but is not related to it.) of missed or delayed milestones for these children.

Many studies have been completed recently with children ages 0-12 months to determine if increased tummy time is more beneficial than time spent on a child's back in helping children reach early motor milestones in an age appropriate manner.

Click HERE to continue reading how lack of tummy time effects motor milestone development


Common Toddler Feeding Concerns: Part One

baby eating
 
Many parents worry about toddlers being "picky" and getting proper nutrition and a balanced diet during these early years. Yes, we call them the "terrible two's", but mealtimes should be a pleasant, fun experience for the child and family. By modeling good eating habits as a parent and offering healthy foods to your child most children will get through this "picky" stage. Some common questions parent's ask are dealt with below.


My 2 year old only want to eat junk food, what can I do?


If your child prefers to only eat junk food, you might want to examine your own eating habits or those of the older siblings in the household. Keep in mind that children strongly imitate their parents and if at snack time you are eating potato chips, but trying to get your child to snack on carrot sticks, there could be a problem. At snack time and mealtime, always make sure that everyone else at the table is having a bit of what your 2 year old is having. If Mom and big sister are having apple slices, chances are your 2 year old will want them too. If you as a parent are a junk good addict, make sure you do your snacking in private, because if you're eating a cookie, chances are that's what your child will want to eat as well. For toddlers keep things such as whole grain crackers and cheese, fresh fruit, easy to chew veggies, avocado, etc. on hand.


Do french fries count as a vegetable if it's all my toddler will eat?


It has been cited that 25% of toddlers eat french fries at least once per day and that ½ of all toddlers ate no veggies at lunch and 1/3 ate no veggies at dinner (the Feeding of Infants and Toddlers Study). French fries, although made from potatoes, are far from healthy. Children who are given unhealthy food choices as toddlers tend to continue this trend as they get older and it's no secret that the obesity trend in children continues to rise. Fries every now and again as a special treat are fine, anything in moderation. But, instead of fries, offer healthy alternatives like zucchini fritters/fries or sweet potato fries baked in the oven. You can find many healthy alternative recipes on the internet these days. Also offer fruits, whole grain breads and crackers and cheeses. Make veggies fun by allowing dipping in ranch dressing, hummus, tomato sauce, or guacamole...or call broccoli "Dinosaur trees" sprinkle with parmesan cheese or extra butter and encourage your child to devour the forest. Eating should be fun!


My 2 year old refuses to eat red meat, what can I do?


Many read meats are hard for toddlers to chew and even can pose a choking hazard for them. Toddlers do not have the same jaw strength as adults. Instead of steak, try softer meats such as high quality lunch meat (turkey breast, etc), fish (not just fish sticks which aren't as healthy), and lean hamburger. Keep portion sizes and bite sizes small for ease of chewing and swallowing. Never leave your toddler unattended when eating. If you do serve hot dogs as a meat, never cut them into wheels (choking hazard), cut the wheels into 4 small pieces.


Look for more common toddler feeding concerns in our next issue.

If you have concerns about your child's eating and are in the greater Pittsburgh, PA area visit the link below or call:

Thrive Place™ Child Development Center

GOOD THINGS HAPPEN HERE!
 
Thrive Place, 4070 Beechwood Blvd., Unit One Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412-521-1067
"I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden." ~Ruth Stout
 

From The Team At Early Intervention Support