Hello Safe Parents!
I wanted to share with you a great article I was re- reading from the Alive Academy (September 2006 issue) by Dr. Joey Shulman. For those of you who are not familiar with Dr. Joey, I highly recommend you visit her website at http://www.drjoey.com/. She is a registered dietician, author and expert extraodinaire. She regularly speaks at internationally recognized conferences and events with the regards to children and nutrition. I have quite enjoyed all 3 of her books and recommend them to clients continually. Here is an excerpt the Sept. 06 article she wrote for the Alive Academy of Natural Health.
"From age ont to age three, the average amount of TV watched daily increases 63 percent, from 2.2 hours to 3.6 hours."
"43% of children under the age of two watch TV every day and 26 percent have TV's in their bedroom."
" The average Canadian chid watches 15.5 hours of TV each week and spends five hours per week playing video games and surfing the internet."
"In Ontario the number of schools with physical educaiton teaches has droppped 26 percent in give years."
" Only 18 percent of American elementary schools have a full time physical education teacher."
" By high school gradulation, the average teen will have spent more time watching TV than being in the classroom."
So here's the facts and now its time for personal reflection. Where is your family right now? How do you view TV time? Is it an important part of your life? How do you view physical activity and family movement? Is it an important part of your life? Take a moment to write down your thoughts. Possibly you would like to set a goal to increase family physical activity by biking or walking more together. Maybe an extra active playday and picnic at the park? Writing down your thoughts will assist in reaching your goals. Review them once a week or two.
Enjoy!
~Amanda
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
We're On Facebook! & Program Update
Join our SAFE PARENT group on facebook (www.facebook.com) and stay connected with other parents, caregivers and infant and child professionals! Feel free to post any questions you may have, or stories you may like to share with other parents and families.
We are currently under going some updates, including updating our manual. This extensive manual is currently only offered to course participants of our 3 hour workshop, however will be made available in January 2009 to purchase even if you are not able to attend one of our Ottawa based courses. I am also very excited to inform you that podcasts will be made available in the Fall of 2008, including important information from our first aid and CPR manual.
Here's to looking forward to more exciting news to come from DeGrace Energetics and our Safe Parent program! Look for upcoming blogs on more exciting news in making our Safe Parent program more accessible for all families!
~A
We are currently under going some updates, including updating our manual. This extensive manual is currently only offered to course participants of our 3 hour workshop, however will be made available in January 2009 to purchase even if you are not able to attend one of our Ottawa based courses. I am also very excited to inform you that podcasts will be made available in the Fall of 2008, including important information from our first aid and CPR manual.
Here's to looking forward to more exciting news to come from DeGrace Energetics and our Safe Parent program! Look for upcoming blogs on more exciting news in making our Safe Parent program more accessible for all families!
~A
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Family Information Sheet
Hello Safe Parents!
It has been a while since my last post, and I know that I have not been posting as much as I have intended to. I recently completed a fantastic Hatha Yoga teacher training course at Rama Lotus Yoga Centre in Ottawa (www.ottawayoga.com) and dedicated many of the last few months to allowing myself to grow as an individual and absorb all the knowledge I could from the course.
But....I am back and have full intentions to continue posting and sharing on a regular basis. We also now have a facebook group and I look forward to seeing some of you there!
Below you will find a Family Information Sheet that is included in our Safe Parent manual. The intention of this is to create a place for you to write down information to share with your baby-sitter should you be able to find a spare moment to enjoy a nice dinner sans enfants! If you have the same sitter regularly I suggest filling out the family information sheet and leaving a copy at your home by the phone and give a copy to the sitter to keep with them. So what are you waiting for?! Call the baby-sitter and plan a night or afternoon out with your spouse, friends, or take an afternoon yoga class and stop off for some tea on your own!
Family Information Sheet
Family Name: _________________
Parents Name: _________________
Parents Work Numbers: __________________ ____________________
Custody Information: __________________________
Children’s Names and Age:
1) ______________________________
2) ______________________________
3) ______________________________
4) ______________________________
5) ______________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________
Description of House: _____________________________________________________
Phone Number: _____________________
Cellular Phone: _____________________ _____________________
Emergency Contacts:
*full name, address, phone number, relation
1) _______________________________________________________________________
2) ________________________________________________________________________
Police Department: __________________________
Ambulance: _____________________________
Fire Department: _________________________
Is your area serviced with 911?
Poison Control Centre: ___________________
Children’s Doctor (name and contact number): __________________________________
Children’s Allergies, Medications, Special Needs
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Children’s Routines:
Meals, Snacks and Feedings:
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Water Safety 101
It can take less than a minute, however that minute may live with you for the rest of your life. Did you know that most individuals who drown did not even intend to get wet? Did you know that by the time you run to the closet to get a new towel your child may have drowned in just an inch or two of water? Did you know that if there is enough water to cover an individual’s mouth and nose while laying on their front that they can drown, regardless of their age? Do I have your attention now?
Backyard Swim Pools
Backyard swim pools (regardless of the size and whether they are custom built, inflatable or child size) that are not secured with an appropriate fence height and lock are a hazard that is asking for a child to drown. What can be more enticing to a small child than a nice cool pool on a hot day with toys, splashing and water fun?
Did you know that most children who drown did not even intend to get wet or go in the water, nor did their parents? Toddlers are at an extremely high risk for drowning and have been so for many years. It takes one turn of your head for a child to drown, active safety supervision cannot be emphasized enough.
Teach your child the following rules at a young age. Begin now and make it a lifestyle, rules that become part of their thoughts and actions.
* ALWAYS SWIM WITH A BUDDY!
* ALWAYS WAIT FOR AN ADULT BEFORE ENTERING THE WATER!
* NEVER SWIM IN THE EVENING DUSK, EARLY MORNING OR NIGHT!
* ALWAYS STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN! (Red Cross)
* ALWAYS STOP, LOOK, GO SLOW! (Red Cross)
* ADULT SHOULD ALWAYS BE WITHIN ARMS REACH!
* A PFD, LIFEJACKET OR BUOYANT DEVICE DOES NOT SAVE LIVES. SUPERVISION IS STILL REQUIRED!
Be safe, Be Water Wise!
~Amanda
Backyard Swim Pools
Backyard swim pools (regardless of the size and whether they are custom built, inflatable or child size) that are not secured with an appropriate fence height and lock are a hazard that is asking for a child to drown. What can be more enticing to a small child than a nice cool pool on a hot day with toys, splashing and water fun?
Did you know that most children who drown did not even intend to get wet or go in the water, nor did their parents? Toddlers are at an extremely high risk for drowning and have been so for many years. It takes one turn of your head for a child to drown, active safety supervision cannot be emphasized enough.
Teach your child the following rules at a young age. Begin now and make it a lifestyle, rules that become part of their thoughts and actions.
* ALWAYS SWIM WITH A BUDDY!
* ALWAYS WAIT FOR AN ADULT BEFORE ENTERING THE WATER!
* NEVER SWIM IN THE EVENING DUSK, EARLY MORNING OR NIGHT!
* ALWAYS STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN! (Red Cross)
* ALWAYS STOP, LOOK, GO SLOW! (Red Cross)
* ADULT SHOULD ALWAYS BE WITHIN ARMS REACH!
* A PFD, LIFEJACKET OR BUOYANT DEVICE DOES NOT SAVE LIVES. SUPERVISION IS STILL REQUIRED!
Be safe, Be Water Wise!
~Amanda
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Scalds & Burns HURT!
As we all know scalds and burns can be very terrifying and painful, as well as create anxiety for ourselves and the child involved. It is very important that you remain calm and continue to talk to the child in a nurturing voice to assist in keeping the child calm and still. However, accidents can and do happen. Here are some tips in preventing burns and scalds from happening within your home.
1. Keep all hot drinks away from any children. It is also important that you teach your child from a young age that hot drinks burn and are not to be touched. Allow them to experience the heat from the drink by placing their hand close to the cup, but NOT ON IT! For the little one's repeat the word HOT and have them try to verbalize it as well. Older children may have experienced hot beverages before and understand the intensity of the heat. It is also a good idea to designate certain cups to hot beverages so your child automatically begins to recognize that certain cups are not to be touched due to the heat. NEVER, EVER place a hot drink near a child, or drink a hot beverage while playing or reading to a child. It only takes a quick movement or giggle and movement for the drink to be spilled and a burn may occur.
2. Teach your child Kitchen Safety from the get-go! Kitchens are not a place of play and young children should not be in the direct kitchen area when you are cooking. It is great to encourage older children to take part in the preparation and cooking of meals but ensure they are age appropriate skills. Teach safety first and practice it always so it becomes ROUTINE. Always use the back stove burners before the one's in the front. Ensure all cords and appliances are near the back of the counter and cords are not within reach of little curious hands.
3. Keep your tap water within a safe range, as children begin to use taps to wash their hands, etc. Set your hot water heater to 49 degress celcius and you can also purchase anti-scald devices to put on your taps.
4. Cover ALL electrical outlets (even in rooms you may not use often, or at a height you think cannot be reached). There is no reason to not take the hour to go out and purchase the plugs and go around the home with older children ensuring all are covered. It only takes a second for an accident to happen!!
1. Keep all hot drinks away from any children. It is also important that you teach your child from a young age that hot drinks burn and are not to be touched. Allow them to experience the heat from the drink by placing their hand close to the cup, but NOT ON IT! For the little one's repeat the word HOT and have them try to verbalize it as well. Older children may have experienced hot beverages before and understand the intensity of the heat. It is also a good idea to designate certain cups to hot beverages so your child automatically begins to recognize that certain cups are not to be touched due to the heat. NEVER, EVER place a hot drink near a child, or drink a hot beverage while playing or reading to a child. It only takes a quick movement or giggle and movement for the drink to be spilled and a burn may occur.
2. Teach your child Kitchen Safety from the get-go! Kitchens are not a place of play and young children should not be in the direct kitchen area when you are cooking. It is great to encourage older children to take part in the preparation and cooking of meals but ensure they are age appropriate skills. Teach safety first and practice it always so it becomes ROUTINE. Always use the back stove burners before the one's in the front. Ensure all cords and appliances are near the back of the counter and cords are not within reach of little curious hands.
3. Keep your tap water within a safe range, as children begin to use taps to wash their hands, etc. Set your hot water heater to 49 degress celcius and you can also purchase anti-scald devices to put on your taps.
4. Cover ALL electrical outlets (even in rooms you may not use often, or at a height you think cannot be reached). There is no reason to not take the hour to go out and purchase the plugs and go around the home with older children ensuring all are covered. It only takes a second for an accident to happen!!
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