The easiest way to tell if your baby has an ear infection-or any other illness, for that matter, is a change in his mood.

If your baby turns fussy, or starts crying more than usual, be on the lookout for a problem.  He may develop a fever as well.  Ear infections tend to strike after a common cold or sinus infection.   You may also notice the following symptoms:

• a baby tugging at his ears more so than usual.
• diarrhea or vomiting.
• reduced appetite because of the gastrointestinal upset or pain while swallowing.   Your baby may take a drink of the bottle/breast and pull away after taking a few sips/drinks.
• a yellowish or whitish fluid draining from the ear.
• an unpleasant smell from the ear.
• difficulty sleeping.
• a yellowish drainage from the tear ducts as well.

These infections can set in within 4 hours.  You may think you were just at the doctor because your baby didn’t act quite right, how could it be an ear infection?  It happens that quick because the eustachian tubes which connects the infant’s middle ear to the back of the nose, is blocked.  When a baby is born, their eustachian tubes are more horizontal and will elongate and grow more vertical as the child ages.  The horizontal growth of these tubes is a perfect breeding ground for germs since it has no elevation.

Ear infections are the second most commonly diagnosed illnesses in children in the U.S.   You may feel you are all alone in this journey of ear infections but on those lonely and stressful, sleepless nights, know you have someone else close by feeling the same way, helpless because you don’t have the answer as to why your baby is in pain, can’t eat, and awake.  Believe me, when my children were infants, I wondered why the pediatrician’s office didn’t have a reserved parking space for me outside of her office because it seemed we were there often.  Hang in there and know this will be a distant memory someday.

The gift of parenting starts with the dreams of parenthood.  Will I have a boy or a girl, who will she look like, who’s personality will she be most like, what will he choose as a profession, etc.?  After the dreaming and planning comes reality of the responsibility we have as parents.  There is not anyone in the world who can tell you what overwhelming feelings you will have to nurture, protect, provide, and so on for this little angel once you hold your baby for the first time after delivery.  Nobody!  All these sweet,
little angels come with a clean slate to each of us and it is our job to fulfill all of their every need.

Choosing to invest in their early childhood development has a great return if you know what the outcome will be.  Because the neural circuitry of the child’s development undergoes explosive growth in the first five years of the child’s life, children need experiences of a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment.  The infant must have regular interactions with parents and caregivers enabling them to recognize and respond to facial expressions, spoken language, colors, shapes, sounds, texture, and other kinds of environmental signals.  To offer infants the “serve and return” interactions, we are aiding them in the neural circuitry growth potential of developing their brain to support the child’s ongoing emotional, social and cognitive development.  These little people are born with the desire to be cuddled, talked to, and to have someone make facial expressions to them.  It may not seem like it, but as you offer feedback, you are encouraging development in a positive and effective way.  By interacting with a child, you are helping to shape his/her self-confidence and self-control; you might be encouraging their curiosity therefore creating a foundation to ask questions to further their knowledge of our awesome world, and aiding in the social development.  Without positive interaction to our children in the first five year’s of their life, a child’s success in their future and productive adulthood is not as promising.

Let’s face it in today’s world the need for childcare is a reality with a two-parent working household.  Choosing a top quality facility is first on the list.  Caregivers should show affection, speak directly to the children, make eye contact, and the overall tone of the facility should be calm.  Is there engaging material that is age-appropriate?  Did you feel invited when you walked in and as you toured the facility?  What does the indoor and outdoor play spaces look like?  Don’t be afraid to ask about the daily schedules in each classroom and the curriculum.  Your child needs to be stimulated and challenged to develop their language, math, science art, music, movement, and dramatic play skills as they age.  All of these areas develop more gracefully with a sound foundation of the “serve and return” interactions in early infancy and in return, your child will enter grade school standing tall and more than ready to engage in elementary education because of it.    Your investment on your child’s care will create a tremendous return guaranteed.

For further reading, see what the State of Nebraska’s take is on the first five years of a child’s life and the quality of care offered @ www.firstfivenebraska.org.

Let me ask you this. What are some key things we look for in professionals in society? How the people present themselves to us makes a big difference in how we perceive them or allow them into our comfort zone. Does the person have torn or tight-fitting clothing? Is the person trying to make a statement with themselves with body art or piercings? How is the person’s hygiene and makeup? Does the person have a calming demeanor or aggressive approach?

Keep in mind I am not against body art or piercings, tight clothing or dreadlocks, etc. I do believe there is a profession or place in society for these choices, but not in the child care industry.

At Rosewood Academy, our goal in our staff is to provide you with people who truly possess a true passion to make a difference in the eyes of the children. This begins at your first meeting. When you tour our center, you visualize and feel each teacher’s innate desire to be here. They are dressed in Rosewood Academy’s attire with modest khaki’s, jeans and/or dress pants. We want the staff to dress in clothing that allows them to interact with the children on the child’s level. We also believe in the childcare industry, the staff will get dirty from crafts and or messes because they are fully engaged with your child. Our staff believes they are here to make a positive example for the children of our future.

Are the children engaged with their friends and teachers? Inside each classroom, we have organization with circle time and centers, based on the knowledge the children learn during circle time. We allow the children to play and learn within the organized play and this prevents frustration amongst little people. Children want boundaries and rules. They were born with a clean slate and desire direction. To witness total chaos in a classroom is to forecast a breeding ground for low self-esteem, tension and a negative learning environment. This allows for violence and aggressive dispositions as well.

You will witness the teachers interacting with the children within the classroom and on our inside or outside playground. The staff organizes games within the classroom and outside as well.

Is your childcare provider no more than a “glorified babysitter” who promises the world but lacks the substance of a positive and nurturing learning environment? Should this person not possess the same professional qualities you are looking for in a traditional childcare environment? It’s all within your decision to secure a positive and professional learning environment for your sweet little angel.

This blog will be one of a series. Stay tuned for future blogs.

I am always able to read your comments. I would love to hear your input on this subject or any other subjects covered.

As a parent, you witness firsthand this little person who has developed from infancy to the age of which he is now, from dependent to independent. And as his parent, you realize your child’s capabilities therefore it makes it more concrete when you can hold in your hand or witness with your eyes, something as thoughtful as a handmade/homemade gift. Every time you glance at the gift your heart goes pitter patter with excitement knowing the gift was made from little hands and with a heart, overflowing with love. Priceless!

Enjoy your holidays and the family time you are blessed with.

During these first few weeks, to be a fly on the wall would be quite interesting to say the least.  We have some new children of which we are transporting to school and that joined us at Rosewood Academy for just this purpose as well as our “seasoned” children (who have been with Rosewood for their Pre-K education).  Each child is precious in their own way.

The children were asking for math problems so they could add double-digits, wanting us to challenge them to spell words, gloated about their manners when one sneezed, etc.  The sneezing conversation was more entertaining than not.  Supposedly, girls sneeze by sneezing inside their shirts/tops and boys sneeze into the crease of their elbows.   Mr. Carl is always quite entertained at the conversations these little people can have.

The investment you have made to your child’s early education is priceless when you can witness their solid self-esteem, broad shoulders, and smiles on their face as they conquer challenges in our awesome world, to be all they can be.  As each of these children digest and devour each year in school, it will become obvious the sound foundation you made possible with the love you have for your precious blessings.

All I will end with is WOW!  How blessed are we!!

Choosing the perfect childcare setting for your baby can prove taxing in many ways.

Which is better, a provider who is licensed in the state of Nebraska for a Child Care Home 1:  2 infants (6 wks. -18 mo.) and 6 children (2 yrs. – 12 yrs.) or a child care center, licensed for 160 children, with classrooms that center around your child’s specific age? 

An in-home provider is providing the care soley by herself.  There is no one to relieve her should she have a doctor’s appointment, a vacation or to take a break from a stressful moment, etc?  What if her child is sick and you have to work?  Who is watching this provider while he/she is watching your child?  Nobody!  How are you certain your children are not stuck in front of a television all day or sent outside to play without adult supervision?  If your child is not of age to talk, this could prove very scary.   How do you know the in-home provider doesn’t have strangers in their home and around your children without you knowing?

At a childcare center, we are always open for the hours we promise you.  We close for major holidays ONLY.  We aim to make your time away from work minimal or for your family’s needs alone.  You will need time off for your own vacation, your child’s or your own doctor appointment, and even a day for yourself.  Our staff watches each other.  At Rosewood Academy, we do not utilize a television unless it’s for educational purposes and/or it’s preapproved by parents to use.  All of our staff has background checks completed on them before they begin their employment with us.  Guests are not allowed at Rosewood Academy unless preapproved through management.

An in-home provider may promise you they will work on preschool acitivites while your child/ren are in her care but think about the ages she cares for and the needs of each individual baby or child in her care.  Are they really going to get the attention they deserve.  A reputable child care center has classrooms designed for your child’s age-group and a teacher: student ratio they should follow as guided by the State Licensing Agency.  This makes for a well-rounded learning environment with phenomenal care.

Remember to ask what ratios are in the child care home and in a center-setting.  In the State of Nebraska, homes licensed for child care may only have 2 infants under 18 months and 6 children 18 months – 12 years in their care at any one given time.  This provider may also have their own children in the home but must count in the ratio or his/her children are school-age.  For more information on licensing please contact the State of Nebraska Licensing Department.

If your choice of childcare “feels” right to you the minute you step inside, it’s more than likely thee best choice for your family.  Our family is your family at Rosewood Academy.

Daddy and I spent the weekend preparing Primrose for first day of school. We talked about what she would wear, laid her clothes out, her back pack is ready to go and the blanket she wants to have inside, for reassurance. Daddy asked her if she remembered what her new classroom looks like and who her teacher is? It was everything I could do to talk about what Monday morning would be like for her. I’ve been the one taking care of her since the moment she came home from the hospital, now I have to share her with her teachers at school and all the friends she will make.

Time has approached and you’ve picked out the perfect preschool for your child at Rosewood Academy. Today is the day little Primrose is to begin at Rosewood Academy. It seems like just yesterday she celebrated her first birthday and now she is three.

What WILL her typical day be like at school?

It’s great to expect a little nervousness from both the child and parents on a child’s first day of child care/school. If you step back and remember when you may have started your job and all you were expected to process in the first day, it makes it much easier to realize what your daughter might be feeling. She has a new environment to adjust to, new adults to learn to trust, little friends she has to share her space and toys with, a new napping environment, and maybe even new foods to try. All of this is outside of the security of what Primrose once knew as the plan or her daily schedule. Expect to meet some resistance and mood changes. She may appear more clingy and not so hungry. Her sleep may be interrupted at home as well. It would be like you standing on a stage to present a speech in front of a crowd of strangers. Your knees lock and your legs feel weak while your palms are sweaty. This is the same thing a little three year old goes through on their level.

I commend you for discussing the new school situation with her the weekend before she is to start. Children need the time and repetition in the thought processes, presented to them many times. Sometimes, you may have to find a different approach to present what is to change in their life if one way does not work. What works for one child may not work for another.

It’s great to go over the daily schedule with your child before school starts and then again once you’ve picked her up. Find things from throughout the day to correlate with Primrose to help with her transition, such as: “Did you have breakfast after I dropped you off today?” or “After you played at centers were you able to go outside before lunch?” Children do not need to wear a watch on the wrist to tell time, they relate a situation or time-frame to time.

We tell our new families, it usually takes a child two full weeks to adjust to a change. On the first day of school, the child leaves mom and dad’s arms fairly well because they anticipate fun. Come Wednesday, the child is thinking, “This is NOT fun! Mom and Dad always leave me and it seems to take way too long for them to pick up.” By Friday of the first week, Primrose will begin to understand, “Yes, mommy and daddy DO come back! I DO like this school. I like that my teachers are sweet and loving and teach me about our awesome world. I CAN handle this!” The same thing starts over again the following week, with the child becoming very sure of them selves by Friday of the second week. This transition time seems like a lifetime to parents as well because parents aren’t so sure anyone else can care for their baby the way they do. It’s all a normal reaction. Rest assured, it takes a village to raise a family! We love our job at Rosewood Academy and have a strong passion to make a difference in the eyes of the children.

After 6 years of marriage, my husband and I are divorcing and our son, Hamilton(age 3) is acting out at school with his friends and teachers.  What can we do to help him?

In a situation that is out of control for the child, you need to keep his life as “normal” as possible.  By this, I mean to maintain the same routine at your home, the other parent’s home, school and wherever Hamiltonmight spend any of his time.  It’s necessary to have the same bedtime routine, arise at the same time, etc.  This routine needs to be as “normal” as it can be at mommy and daddy’s house.

It may not seem obvious but Hamilton’s life has been turned upside down.  He doesn’t have both parents in the same house.  He won’t understand why one or the other parent is coming home anymore at this age.  He doesn’t understand why he is sleeping at two different houses, especially if he is sleeping at a totally new housing environment.

As emotionally traumatizing divorce is to parent’s who are going through it, it’s emotionally traumatizing to the children involved as well.  You may feel exhausted by the pain, but keep in mind your child’s needs come before you in this situation.  You may need to provide more attention to him, read books, spend time coloring, playing with him in what he wants to do.

Communication is great, especially in this case.  As hard as it is to communicate such pain as a divorce, it’s necessary to involve his teachers so they can be on the lookout for any changes in his behavior.  Children act out differently than adults do in times of stress.  They don’t have the experience or maturity of communicating with words, what might be troubling them.  They may use aggression, have more accidents, or communicate more emotionally.  Each child is different in a situation like divorce.

Should one or both parents bring another adult into a child’s life, keep in mind you are opening up a whole, new can of worms per say. Hamiltonis not going to understand why someone is show affection to his mommy or daddy when all he has seen before is the two of you together.  He won’t understand why this person is giving him direction or disciplining him.  When he’s only known one way of a family unit, he won’t be able to process a new situation without showing some sort of stress/emotions.

While divorce is traumatizing to all considered, it’s necessary to put your emotions aside and helpHamilton.  This little person didn’t ask for this major change in his life and needs both mom and dad’s undivided attention until things seem more “normal” for him.

Your baby’s psychological and emotional well being will benefit and mature with the ability to communicate in this manner.  Your infant will not get as frustrated trying to communicate their emotions with the ability to communicate with sign language.  Signing babies can talk back.  Just like you need words to communicate your emotions and needs/wants, so does your infant.  Using sign language as an infant’s first means of communication, a child will improve their confidence.  This confidence is important in the child’s development of psychological, emotional and educational growth.

Additional baby signing benefits:

• Promotes the development of language skills
• Reinforces language skills your child has already developed
• Increases the speed of spatial reasoning development
• Creates a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment
• May increase his/her IQ
• Teaches a second language that is formally and nationally recognized (ASL)
• Reduces unexplainable emotional outbursts
• Increases early literacy skills in your child
• Teaches a baby how to start (and participate in) a conversation

It’s best to begin teaching your baby sign language when he/she can wave bye-bye or hi.  Begin with one sign and use each opportunity to teach it.  You may feel like you are getting nowhere because your baby isn’t responding as quickly as you’d like.  Your baby is processing everything you do and it will come to them in their time.  Just be patient and keep with the same sign until it’s mastered.  For signing guidance, there are many wonderful web sites available on the Internet such as: www.lifeprint.com.  Once your baby gets his/her first sign, you will simply be amazed and excited as it’s another awesome way to communicate with your precious child and they will feel even more connected with speaking loved ones.

To sum it up, babies who sign, will speak earlier than non-signers, experience less frustration, develop larger vocabularies, become better readers, and have higher IQ’s than children the same age.