Category: Parenting

Imagine walking into a classroom full of energetic preschoolers. It can be such an overwhelming experience! This rings true whether you’re a teacher or a parent. But have you ever thought about how it can even be more challenging for a child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), whose mind and body struggle to focus and remain still?

So, just think about how crowded places and the sensory overload they entail affect them. Fortunately, there’s a solution: ADHD toys.

Studies have shown that ADHD toys offer numerous benefits to preschoolers. But what are these types of toys? How do they help ADHD and non-ADHD preschoolers exactly? Those are some of the things that we’ll talk about in this post. So, if you’re ready to learn more, please read on!

Understanding ADHD in preschoolers

Let’s try to understand ADHD more first. It’s a neurodevelopmental condition. And while it affects people of all ages, its symptoms first appear during childhood. In fact, the number of children that have been diagnosed with ADHD from the age of three to 17 has reached six million from 2016-2019.

So, if you want to know whether an individual has ADHD, observing them during their preschool years might help. Hyperactivity, difficulty sustaining attention, and impulsivity are some of the various symptoms you must keep an eye on.

Again, whether you’re a teacher or a parent, you understand how important preschool is. It’s a critical stage for acquiring language development, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and other fundamental skills. The problem is that with ADHD, these developmental milestones may become more challenging to achieve. What can you do if that’s the case? Utilize tools that can assist children as they develop during their preschool years, like the ADHD toys online or the ones you can find in toy stores.

The importance of play in preschool development

Children want to play. That’s just the way it is. What many people don’t realize, however, is that playing is more than just having fun, especially for a child. It holds immense significance in their growth and learning, particularly for preschoolers. By playing, young children get to explore and make sense of the world around them. Surely, it’s the same way you learned about the world around you as a toddler. That’s why experts recommend embracing and promoting play in order to create an environment that cultivates a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional skills.

Introduction to ADHD toys

As their name suggests, ADHD toys are specifically designed for children with ADHD. What’s great about them is that they address the unique needs and challenges associated with the condition. How do they do it? It’s by providing children with engaging and therapeutic experiences. The development of attention, focus, and self-regulation skills are what ADHD toys support.

As a teacher or parent who deals with children with ADHD, you’d be glad to know that you can find a wide range of these toys on the market. Fidget, sensory, and educational toys—you can choose based on what you think can best assist a child. Do you want something that can help children channel their excess energy and improve focus? A fidget spinner or stress ball would be a good idea.

It’s important to note, however, that while ADHD toys can be valuable in the development of children with ADHD, it’s still best to approach the condition holistically. It means that you shouldn’t make the mistake of ignoring other interventions, such as therapy and parental support.

Benefits of ADHD toys in preschool development

How do ADHD toys specifically impact the lives of preschoolers with ADHD?

Improved focus and attention span

Remember that children with ADHD find it challenging to focus and remain still? ADHD toys can engage and hold their attention. As a result, they can focus more, sustaining their attention span. Fidget spinners or stress balls, for instance, offer tactile stimulation, keeping a child’s restless hands busy and focused.

Enhanced fine and gross motor skills

In addition to improving focus and attention span, some ADHD toys enhance fine and gross motor skills by encouraging movement and coordination. Good examples are balance boards and therapy balls. A therapy putty can also be a good option in aiding motor skill development as it helps improve grip strength and hand-eye coordination. If you want to encourage movement, you can’t go wrong with resistance bands, too.

Facilitated sensory integration

Some ADHD toys offer different textures, sounds, and tactile experiences. They help stimulate and regulate sensory input by soothing sensory anxiety and regulating emotions. You can choose from sensory bottles and bins as well as textured balls and smooth wooden toys for this purpose.

Promoted social interactions and emotional regulation

Finally, but definitely not least, ADHD toys promote turn-taking, sharing, and collaborative play. And the result of that? Social skills encouragement. Not only that, but children will also learn conflict-resolution skills and build positive peer relationships.

Of course, positive peer relationships through collaborative play can help children with ADHD practice regulating their emotions. But does your child have a natural tendency to feel angry or distressed easily? ADHD toys such as stress balls, sensory pillows, and calm-down jars can also help. They can be an outlet for emotional release or a tool for children to learn self-regulation during moments of distress.

Do you want to enhance the overall well-being and development of a child with ADHD? If so, then you need the right toys incorporated into their play and learning environment.

Conclusion

ADHD toys are perfect for preschoolers with ADHD—there’s no doubt about that. Couple them with the right interventions, and they can help these kids reach their full potential, ensuring that they thrive despite the challenges their condition brings.

A baby shower is a time-honored tradition that celebrates the impending arrival of a new life, offering an opportunity for expectant parents to gather support from their loved ones. While the origins of this practice are somewhat nebulous, evidence suggests that ancient cultures engaged in similar rituals, with the Greeks and Egyptians hosting ceremonies to honor both the mother and child.

Over time, this practice evolved, moving from post-birth celebrations in the Middle Ages to the modern pre-birth parties we are accustomed to today. In contemporary society, baby showers have taken on a pivotal role, serving not just as a platform for presenting gifts, but also as a means to equip expectant parents with valuable advice and emotional support.

As we delve into the intricacies of organizing a wonderful baby shower, it’s important to appreciate the historical and societal significance of this celebratory event.

1. Understand the Expectant Parents’ Preferences

Before planning the baby shower, it’s essential to consult the expectant parents about their preferences. This includes the theme, guest list, food, and location. Their comfort and happiness should be the paramount consideration. Furthermore, if you are the parents that are holding the shower, the gifts you want may be different from those that are expected. Therefore, it’s vital to communicate clearly and strive for a conscientious understanding of expectations. Most importantly, do not impose your own ideas and preferences on the expectant parents, as this may cause unnecessary stress and disappointment.

2. Choose a Suitable Date

The baby shower is normally held when the mother-to-be is around seven months pregnant. This is a safe period before the baby is born but still close enough that the pregnancy is in full bloom. However, make sure to check with the expectant parents for any scheduling conflicts or personal preferences. Consider holding the baby shower on a weekend so that guests can attend without taking time off work. For example, a Sunday brunch or afternoon tea is a popular choice for baby showers. If the expectant parents have cultural or religious restrictions, be mindful to respect their beliefs and choose a date that is suitable for them.

3. Send Invitations in Advance

Ensure to send out invitations at least a month prior to the event. This gives guests ample time to RSVP, plan their schedules, and shop for gifts. When creating the invitations, include essential details such as the date, time, location, theme (if any), and registry information. You can send out paper invitations or opt for electronic ones, depending on your budget and preference. However, it’s always a thoughtful gesture to mail paper invites to grandparents-to-be and close friends who may not be tech-savvy.

4. Decide on a Theme

A theme could be as simple as a color scheme or as elaborate as a fairy-tale setting. It’s important to involve the expectant parents in choosing the theme, as well as consider their likes and dislikes. You can also ask guests to dress according to the theme for added excitement. Some popular themes include woodland animals, book characters, and even Disney movies. While it takes a bit more effort, themes can easily make your baby shower much more memorable for your guests!

5. Plan Games and Activities

These should be light-hearted, easy to understand, and inclusive for all attendees. Some ideas include guessing the baby’s birth date and weight, creating a baby name list, or even having a DIY onesie decorating station. Make sure to also have some downtime for guests to mingle and chat with the expectant parents. From sharing parenting advice to recounting funny baby stories, this is a precious opportunity for everyone to bond and support the new parents. Furthermore, don’t forget to have a designated photographer to capture these precious moments.

6. Food and Decorations

The food and decorations should align with the theme. Consider dietary restrictions and preferences when planning the menu — resources like Serenity Kids’ Baby Shower Food Ideas can offer inspiration for wholesome and thoughtful options. You can also add a personal touch by incorporating family recipes or traditional dishes. As for decorations, you can DIY or purchase pre-made ones to match the theme. Adding personalized touches, such as baby photos of the expectant parents, can make the event even more special. Furthermore, don’t forget to have a designated area for gifts and a cute table set up for the cake and desserts.

7. Gift Registry

A gift registry can be beneficial for both the guests and the parents-to-be. It ensures that the gifts are useful and appreciated.  A gift registry also prevents duplicate presents. Moreover, it’s a helpful tool for guests who may not be familiar with what the expectant parents need or want. Be sure to include items that are practical and necessary for the baby’s arrival, such as diapers, wipes, and onesies. Still, also includes some fun and personal items like books and toys.

All in all, organizing a wonderful baby shower requires careful planning, open communication, and a genuine desire to make the expectant parents feel loved and supported.  Afterall, this is the beginning of a wonderful lifelong journey as they nurture and watch their baby grow and develop.

With these 7 things in mind, you can create a memorable and heartwarming celebration for everyone involved. Remember, it’s not just about the gifts or decorations – it’s about celebrating new life and showing love for the growing family.

Whether you are a new parent, or this is your third time, there is always something new to learn. There is no one definition of parenthood, but a little help is always appreciated.  In this points below, we will delve into some of the best advantages of a positive parenting class, especially if your child is about to enter their prepubescent stage.

When the teenage years are not far off, parents need all the help they can get. We will also be discussing one such help that every parent can avail of from a positive parenting course.  Without any further ado, let’s get into some of the benefits of positive parenting courses.

What Are Positive Parenting Courses?

This is a type of parenting course that focuses less on authoritarian and strict disciplinary parenting measures. It helps parents learn to blend affection and discipline. At the same time, it teaches them how to build a stronger parent-child relationship, so that they can have healthier communication.

In tern, the child will be more comfortable talking to their parents, making the parent more aware if potential dangers their child may be getting into.  These classes are especially helpful for parents to understand the changing hormonal balance among adolescents and to deal with the changing perspectives with them.

If you have stumbled across this article trying to find the right way to help your child as a parent, it just may be a cue for you to enroll yourself in a positive parenting class.

Here are the top most convincing benefits that will make you enroll in a class today.

1. Creating Healthy Boundaries

It is not possible for any parent to have a healthy relationship with a child without establishing a healthy boundary. Yes, every parent is worried about their little one and doesn’t wish for them to be in any trouble. Therefore, parents take it upon themselves to overtly shelter them at all costs, even if that means interrupting their personal space and making them feel utterly uncomfortable.

It is not the intention but the action which creates a bad impact. In such a positive parenting class, you will learn how to channel this overprotective energy into creating healthy boundaries and creating a comfortable space. With this comfort, children are more likely to come to you and express their troubles. Every child needs safe boundries to try new things and fail, without major risk to their health and well being.

2. Improve Communication

With the changing times and generations, language barriers grow. Trends, culture, and political scenarios change and different in every decade. So, what was quite the norm in your time might not suit them. A positive parenting class will give you a few comfortable parent-child lingo and cues, which will help you approach a certain difficult topic with ease.

This will also show your child that you understand their predicament and they can come to you regarding any trouble. Communication alongside the healthy body makes the parent ‘friend like’ but not a ‘friend,’ which helps maintain discipline amidst all.

3. Emotional Regulation

Parent or child, something that makes us all human is emotions. Getting overwhelmed with emotions is common for both, and it is not fair to always expect the parent to suppress their feelings. In the long run, this can cause mental health issues for the parent. A healthy positive parenting approach will will never ask you to bury your own emotions for the sake of the child. Rather, they would expect you to handle your emotions first in a positive manner and then find ways to express them to your child.

Learning to dealing with emotions properly ensures that no parent leaves their feelings unattended.  As a result, kids see a more emotional side of their parents. This not only provides a positive example for how children should deal with their own emotions, it’s strengthens the bond between parent and child.  They learn that their mom or dad is also a human being and finds the strength to share their complicated feelings as well.  This leads to healthy introspection and emotional regulation during or after conflicts.

How To Find The Right Positive Parenting Course

Every parenting course will have its own goal, and here is how you can find one that fits your goal.

Research: Look for reputable parenting courses online or through local community centers.

Reviews: Read reviews or testimonials from other parents who have taken the course.

Curriculum: Review the course content to see if it covers your specific needs and challenges.

Evidence-Based: Choose courses grounded in research and evidence-based techniques.

Credentials: Ensure instructors are experienced and certified in child development or parenting education.

Flexibility: Opt for courses that fit your schedule, whether in-person or online.

Cost: Consider the course cost and whether it offers value for your investment.

Support: Check if the course includes ongoing support or resources after completion.

Related Reading

Learn more by reading the book Parenting from the Inside Out and discover how you can use your own past child experiences to be a better parent.

The learning process is significant, and everyone has their own individual styles that work for them. As a parent, caregiver, or family member, you want to ensure that the children in your care experience an environment that is conducive to learning and self-discovery. However, learning should be an exciting experience.

Engaging in fun-filled learning activities is an efficient tactic that can help teach your kids new things and nurture their curiosity. Discover some fun ways to promote learning with your child that will encourage a positive outlook toward education and help you build plenty of valuable memories together.

Learning Through Games

Learning can sometimes be intimidating, but incorporating games that are beneficial to kids of all ages into the rotation can positively impact your child’s education. Playing games that are both fun and interactive makes learning easy and enjoyable. Games also encourage children to acquire positive social and cognitive skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and strategy formulation. Scrabble is an example of a learning game you can play with your child that helps improve vocabulary and spelling skills.

Cooking Together

Cooking is a valuable skill for everyone, and what better way to teach a child than by cooking together? It can help children learn about measurements, nutrition, following instructions, and other skills essential to their development. When you cook with your child, they’ll also get the chance to learn about teamwork and communication while enhancing their problem-solving skills. Furthermore, children are more likely to eat the food they have prepared themselves, encouraging healthy eating and an affinity for trying new foods.

Create an Exploration Jar

There are many benefits of physical activity for child development. Exploring different items is an effective way for children to learn about the world around them. You can create an exploration jar with your child that consists of various items such as feathers, rocks, shells, and buttons. This jar helps enhance your child’s observational and analytical skills as they learn to identify and differentiate between various objects.

Movie Night

Movie night can be a fun activity that encourages learning. You can choose a movie that aligns with what your child is learning in school. Watching educational documentaries and movies together can help children think critically, understand important concepts, and gain new perspectives.

Schedule a Field Trip

Field trips are an exciting way to learn and explore new things with your child. Field trips are experiential activities that help cultivate a love of learning and encourage children to ask questions, seek answers, and engage in active discussions. You can visit historical sites, museums, the zoo, or any location that interests your child.

Help Them Learn Both Inside and Outside the Classroom

These fun-filled ways to promote learning with your child can help instill a love for knowledge that will stay with them for a lifetime. It’s important to remember that children learn both in and outside the classroom. Engage with your child creatively, make learning enjoyable, and create an atmosphere that encourages curiosity and exploration. Happy learning!