"All About Me"

There's never a time to feel alone when eating.  Just take it from a kid.  Grab your food, find the closest mirror, and delve into some good tastes and sweet conversation.  Make it what you want it to be.  Do as Jude does!  Savour each bite, and yuck it up!  Looks like fun, doesn't it?  I know I had a blast just watching this honey enjoying his own company.
Bon Appetite!,
Bubbie and Jude
Related Articles:
Why Possessiveness Is A Good Sign 
Toddlers Crafts/All About Me 
Mirrors 

Dental Care for Infants and Toddlers

My all-time favorite brush-your-teeth song has to be, "Brush Your Teeth" performed by Raffi!  Jude loves to watch it too, as he practices brushing his teeth. At this age brushing means sucking and chewing on the bristles until all of the flavored toothpaste is gone. I don't know about you, but I prefer rinsing and spitting!



Keeping them clean,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Any tricks on getting the kids to brush their teeth?
Related Articles/Video
Brush Your Teeth by Raffi Video
Toddler Dental Care
Oral Care Products For Infants And Toddlers

Do One Nice Thing!

Thought I'd take a minute to talk about a wonderful Card Recycle Program.  Driving home from visiting my dad tonight, I was listening to 980 a.m. talk radio, and they were discussing "Do One Nice Thing's" website:
http://www.doonenicething.com/d1nt-ideas.php
On their list of "nice thing's to do", they suggest sending your used, all-occasion cards to St. Jude's Ranch.
At  St. Jude's Ranch for abused and neglected children, kids will redesign and sell your cards to raise funds. Click on link below for details:
http://www.stjudesranch.org/help_card.php

I've already started a pile of holiday cards myself!  As an added incentive to you, I'd like to offer an Original Shnoozles' Book, Audio Book and 3 bookmarks, to the first 30 people who write and tell me they'll donate some of their used all-occasion cards to this worthwhile cause.  I am not being paid or reimbursed in any way by anyone for doing this.  Just thought it was "a nice thing to do!"



Best holiday wishes,
Eileen

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

When Toddlers Are Ready To Color

Do you know that Crayola offers crayons which sit in holders "shaped for a child's first palm grasp?"  And do you know if Crayola knows that these "Ta Doodles" have other uses...such as spinning?  Yes, Jude showed me how, with just a flick of the wrist, these "Ta Doodles" can spin on the very same paper I wanted him to draw on.  One of these days, Jude will actually use these for their intended purpose, but for now he's loving his three, lean, mean spinning machines?
Best,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. How do your grandkids change-up the play with their toys?
Related Articles:
Crayola Beginnings Website
Teaching Toddlers To Color
Turn Your Photo Into A Coloring Page by Crayola ( I thought this was pretty neat.  Haven't tried it yet.  Sounds like you need to get a code from their coloring box, to do this.  Let me know if any of you try it.  I'd like to know how it works!)

Potty Training

Potty training time! A time for all good parents to come to the aid of their toddlers, by helping them understand when, where, why and how to go potty.  I think it's a safe bet to say, this is not what it's supposed to look like!  After Jude removed all that was in his way, he stepped right into the potty to see if he could fit...standing, of course.  Hmm, don't think that he's willing or able to do the deed, just yet!

Best,

Bubbie and Jude

P.S. At what age did you begin potty training your little ones?

Related Articles:

Potty Throne Chairs (had to share this...too funny!)

Toilet Training Your Child

Scholastic Holiday Book Giveaway

The Scholastic Holiday Book Giveaway Winner is:
Marci J
Great big thanks to everyone who entered to win six outstanding Scholastic books!
Happy holidays and a wonderful New Year,
Eileen

When should babies learn to use eating utensils?

e-How.com showed me the way!  A little late, but next time Jude eats over, I won't need the carpet cleaner.  You see, if you scroll down to rule number two, you will read as I did, "Consider lining the floor beneath your baby's highchair with a garbage bag or plastic shower curtain liner to catch food your little one will inevitably drop or throw."  Now why didn't I think of that  before offering this newbie-fork-user, pasta with lots of tomato sauce?  Next time around, the curtain comes out and down, and I'll be lined with the garbage bag!
Ready and waiting,
Bubbie
P.S.  What tricks have you used to help your kids or grandkids use eating utensils?
Related article: "How to Teach a Baby to Use a Fork"

Cleaning Up Can Be Fun For Kids

Toy storage bins seem to have taken the place of the big, old toy chests.  When I first saw this, I thought it was a fantastic idea.  Categorizing toys into their own bins!  What could be better, or simpler?  Stuffed dolls in one, balls in another, etc., etc. Twelve opportunities for separation!  Wow!  And this probably would work out swell, as long as there are no toddlers within arms reach of the unit!  Once in contact, there must be this little voice in their heads that say, "Tear that sucker apart!  Dump it all!  Leave no bins unturned!" When all is said and done, there lies the opportunity to sing my favorite song, "It's Clean Up Time Again!"   
Ah kids, 'ya gotta' love 'em!
I know I do,
Bubbie
P.S.  How do you encourage your grandchildren to clean up after themselves?

Related Articles:
Making Clean-Up Fun For Kids
Clean-Up Songs

Learning Through Imitation

"Imitation is the sincerest of flattery!"  Quoted from Charles Caleb Colton , and being practiced by Jude, the 20-month- old copycat .  This is where parenting really gets to be fun !  Not only do toddlers want to imitate you, but in turn, they want you to imitate them.  Good thing I'm only the grand mom, because at this point that boy can out bend me, out spin me, and yes, out dance me!  
Simon Says, "bye for now,"
Bubbie
P.S.  Share some fun copycat moments you've had with your grandchildren.
Related Articles:
Video/Games To Encourage Imitation 
Children Learn By Imitating Behavior Of Parents 
Quotes From Charles Caleb Colton 

Say "Yes" To Play

Discovering what your hands can do can be pretty funny, especially when you blow raspberries into your palms and feel the tickle!  Jude came up with this new game in the middle of "Open Shut Them !"  We were on "creep them, creep them, creep them, creep them, right up to your chin," when all of a sudden Jude thought I needed some comic relief.  He was so right!  Oh, and if you're tempted to try this yourself, the wetter the better!  (Just a little coaching tip from a toddler who knows!)
 :O)
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. What fantastic discoveries  have you watched your grandchildren come up with?
Related Articles:
What Young Children Learn Through Play 
Words to Open Shut Them 

How And When To Teach Reading And Writing?

Texting?  He's barely talking!  Does this mean he's reading ?  And who's he writing to?  Could it be the cute red-head he played with on the slide today?  How did she get his number?  Wait a dog-gone minute here.  That's my phone, and stop pushing the buttons! You're about to call England again!  Whew!  Kids!  Can't leave them alone with your phone for a second!
Best to be watching them,
Bubbie
P.S.  When did your cuties show signs of interest in reading and writing?

Related Articles:
When and How Can I Teach My Child to Read?
How to Teach My Pre-Schooler to Write?

Helping Children Learn To Share

Not another call for me!  Why isn't the phone ever for him?  And they're all crank calls!  No one ever answers!  This sharing thing is becoming a bit much.  He's even feeding me his half eaten pieces of dried cereal, whether I want them or not!  Last week he brought me his balls, books and blocks...all at once!  I'd like to say he shares with children  in the same way, but he's not there just yet. Today Bubbie, tomorrow the world!
Taking one day at a time,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. What were the first signs of sharing from your kids and/or grandkids?

Related Articles:
Teaching Your Child To Share
Social Develpment/Toddlers

Shadow Puppets and Activities for Kids

"Find a shadow. Pick it up! All day long you'll have good luck!"
Hmm...I don't think so!  Although Jude did give it his best shot.  Funny thing about those shadows ,they just don't seem to stay still long enough to let you get a good hold on them!  A lot like a kid!  But when this kid gets a bit older, I'll bring out some sidewalk chalk, and we'll have some fun tracing each others shadows , as we strike a pose.  Can't wait!
Fun in the sun,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  Please share some of your sunny day explorations with your grandchildren!
Related Articles/Videos:
How to Make Shadow Puppets
Shadow Activities for Kids

"Mouthing" Is Normal

And the duck went quack, and the pig said, "oink" and the cow yelled, "help, help help!"  As we all learned from our kids, and now the grandkids, everything goes in the mouth!  There is actually a term for this called, "mouthing ." Fortunately, after Jude finished "mouthing" the cow, he decided to skip the rooster, pig, and duck, for something much tastier and fur-less...a banana! He was even willing to pass on the peel!
Helping 'em grow,
Bubbie
P.S. Which of the five senses did your children or your grandchildren use most?
Related Articles:
When Your Baby Puts Everything In His Mouth
Prevent Choking

How To Make And Play With Puppets

I've made sock puppets , bag puppets, and finger puppets, but it took my grandson to show me how to make a plastic cup puppet.  Pretty simple, actually. 
Step One: Find a plastic cup sitting on the bathroom sink, and pull it down.
Step Two: After examining it thoroughly, bite it, throw it, and last but not least, slip it over your hand!
Here comes the fun part: Get it to move by shaking your hand back and forth until it flies off your fingers and lands on the floor.  You then get to start over again, with sound effects and lots of giggles!
Try it!  You might like it!  Jude did!


Keeping life fun,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. How have puppets helped your kidlets growing up?
Related Articles:
Exploring Puppets 
Puppets-So Many Uses 
Fun Baby and Toddler Puppet Games 

Self-Awareness

Not only do mirrors help enlarge a room, they're also a great distraction for little ones.  Smiles break out from the time baby sees another little face staring back at them, to the moment they recognize it's "me!"  I'm not sure if Jude is at that self-awareness stage yet, but he's sure having a blast conversing with the little boy through the looking glass!  (Be sure to keep the Windex handy!)  
Happy reflections,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  What did your little ones do to let you know they had become aware of themselves?
Related Article:
What Children See When They Look In The Mirror

Toddlers Explore Through Climbing

Watching and helping Jude figure out  how to sit, stand, walk and run have not been nearly as much fun as his latest challenge ...climbing!  This is pure joy!  He's having as much fun conquering those enticing obstacles, as I am observing and spotting him!  His favorite word now is up , which is coming in very handy since everything taller than him needs scaling!  The world according to Jude has become one big jungle gym!
Happy Day-After-Thanksgiving,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  Which of your kid's, or grandkid's milestones have given you the most pleasure?
Related Articles:
Safe Exploring For Toddlers
Dealing With Climbing Toddlers
Toddler Development Milestones

Toddlers Learn How To Wash Their Hands

Hands dirty?  Too busy playing to wash up?  Do like Jude does!  Locate a dog near you, hold out your hands, and let the cleansing begin!  This takes but a minute, especially if the residue on your fingers and palms are made up of cheesy poof crumbs. The tastier your mess, the faster the clean-up.  Take it from Jude, it's a time saver!
Best,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  What shortcuts have your grandchildren taught you?
Related Article and Video:
Is A Dog's Tongue Cleaner Than A Humans?
How Do Toddlers Learn To Wash Their Hands (video)

Fine And Gross Motor Skills Activities

If car number one gets pushed off the table at 1:00 p.m., and car number two is thrown across the table just one second later, which car lands on Bubbie's foot first?  You guessed it!  Both cars miraculously hit simultaneously.  I'm thrilled to see Jude's fine motor skills , and gross motor skills  being practiced at the same time, I just have to get my reflexive skills tuned up and outta' the way!  
Watch for oncoming traffic,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  Any suggestions to help kids develop their fine, and gross motor skills?
Related Articles:
Fine Motor Activities
Gross Motor Activities