Some questions answered

Q: I am a TV addict. Could keeping it on in the background while I am playing with my 6-month-old be harmful in any way?

A: It might seem like your baby isn't paying attention to the tube while you're playing, but she most likely is, says Daniel Anderson Ph.D., a professor of Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Even if it's just for a moment, your child may look up at the set and forget what she was doing. Based on his review of research on the topic, Dr. Anderson believes that this type of distraction can cause babies to have trouble concentrating on the objects in their environment and possibly even experience slower cognitive development. Noise from the television can also hinder babies' language development, says Dr. Anderson. They may confuse words coming from the set with words they're trying to speak, making it harder to express themselves. " the safest bet is to keep the TV off," he says.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says children under the age of 2 should not watch TV.

taken from Child magazine November 2000

Love and Logic® is our parent-training programme designed to develop confidence, fun and practical skills in the day-to-day care of children.

It is a practical, positive and fun approach that gives educators and parents the tools necessary for creating responsible kids.

Easy-to-learn techniques, such as offering choices, setting limits without anger, and providing consequences with empathy, make Love and Logic a powerful, life-changing approach.

For more information on this new, fun way of parenting, check out their website at www.loveandlogic.com

Our local Love and Logic® courses have started back at the Resource Centre, and are also available at other venues in Port of Spain and now in South. If you are interested in finding out more about these classes, then check out the local website at http://www.empathyfirst.com/registration.html or keep in touch with us at La Joya Paediatrics for further information. Remember, it will help you put the fun back into parenting.                                                                                                                   

Breastfeeding Workshops

Free monthly support group with The Informative Breastfeeding Service (TIBS) for encouraging breastfeeding for parents to be, and parents at the Resource Centre.

TIBS is a voluntary, non-governmental organization founded in January 1977, to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. It works to encourage parents to make the best decision for their babies' health, that is, to give them breastmilk exclusively for their first six months of life, and to continue breastfeeding after solid food is introduced up to two years of age and beyond.

La Joya Paediatrics wants to give your baby the best start in life, so we encourage you to breastfeed.

We hold free monthly Breastfeeding support meetings with an experienced lactation counselor from TIBS at the Resource Centre

Breastfeeding Support

Venue: La Joya Paediatrics Resource Centre
Date: First Wednesday of each month
Time: 12 noon to 2pm

Childbirth Education Classes and Lactation Consultancy

Our Childbirth classes are no longer being held on a Saturday morning, but there are now sessions on a Tuesday evening from 7-8pm at the La Joya Paediatrics Resource Centre. These classes are being run by Vanda Gomes, a Registered Nurse and Midwife. Vanda has been doing these classes for the last 18 years.
For more information on these classes, you can call Vanda at 682-4258.

Although Marilyn Stollmeyer no longer has her childbirth classes at the Resource Centre, she can still be contacted if you have problems with breastfeeding and need a lactation consultant.

Leading From Above the Line

Find out about our new leadership link gldfoundation.org which will tell you about the new program that seeks to develop leaders who live and lead above the ethical line. There is also a program that helps to energize our youth to awaken their human potential and to know that they can have fulfilled and satisfying lives, thus making a positive contribution to the development of society.

Guide to Reading

The following are some age-by-age activities to help your young child learn language and begin to make the connection between words and meaning.

(Courtesy the American Academy of Pediatrics)

Birth to 1 year

• Play frequently with your baby. Talk, sing, recite rhymes and do finger plays. This helps your baby learn spoken language and builds a strong foundation for reading.
• Give your baby board books or soft books to look at, chew on or bang on the table.
• look at picture books with your baby and name the objects that he sees. Say things like "See the baby!" or "Look at the puppy!"
• Snuggle with your baby in your lap and read aloud to him. He may not understand the story, but he will love to hear the sound of your voice and the rhythm of the language.

1 to 3 years

• Read to your child every day. Allow your child to pick which books he wants, even if he picks the same one time and time again!
• Let your child "read" to you by naming objects in the book or making up a story.
• Make regular trips to the library with your child. most children find it exciting to get a library card.
• Continue to talk, sing, recite rhymes and play with your child.

3 to 5 years

• By 3 to 5 years of age, most children are singing their ABC's, knowing the letters of their names. Read alphabet books with your child and point out letters as you read.
• Help your child recognize whole words as well as letters.
• Point out common, everyday things like the letters on a stop sign or the logo on a favourite restaurant.
• As you read together, ask your child to make up his own story about what is happening in the book. Keep reading as part of your child's bedtime routine.
• Some educational television shows, videos and computer programs can help your child learn to read.