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January 2023

Health

Teaching Your Children Good Oral Hygiene

In hopes to avoid having their children contribute to a nationwide average of about half when it comes to adolescent tooth decay, parents are tasked with developing methods to ensure their children are spending ample time in front of the mirror with toothbrush in hand. While it’s true that dental hygiene is an important part of most adults’ routines, it doesn’t come so naturally for children. In most instances, it requires parents to do something unique to encourage their children to brush. This can be done through making it fun by any means possible, making brushing a morning and nightly family tradition or allowing their children to express themselves through things like their toothbrush or toothpaste flavor. Whatever the tactic might be, it’s up to parents to ensure they’re putting in the best effort to enforce their children to establish these routines. If you are one of the many parents struggling with this, please see the resource featured alongside this post for more information on how to aid your little ones.

Teaching Your Children Good Oral Hygiene provided by Sycamore Hills Dentistry, the best dentistry if you’re searching for a dentist fort wayne

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Home

Household Chemical Storage Guide

While the dullness of household chores will often leave families unmotivated, it’s work that must be done. This work is made easier with the help of many disinfecting products and other household cleaners. Though these products are used so candidly, few of the users ever stop to consider their chemical make-up, which can cause harm if not handled or stored properly. Smarter storage is the one of the most important elements of limiting the dangers these products can impose. Convenience is always preferred but is seldom the safest option. Finding a healthy balance between the two is where a family should reside. It can be difficult to find a convenient spot for these items to sit when they are in excess. Few families will ever take inventory of their current selection and will allow excess to form, opening up the opportunity for more harm. Smart and selective storage, then, is the safest option for your family. For more information on how to be smarter and more selective in your home, read on to the resource accompanying this post.

Household Chemical Storage Guide from SolvChem Custom Packaging Division, an organization specializing in industrial chemical services

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Parenting

The Parent-Student Relationship In College Searches

Has your child begun expressing interest in attending college? If so, their aspirations might outweigh their resources. For example, if a student is interested in attending a private school rather than a public one, their family might not be able to support just how much more expensive these colleges are compared to their public counterparts. That said, many private schools offer generous scholarships to potential students. This type of scholarship aid is not guaranteed, but its potential availability is something to consider as your child evaluates options. The same can be said for public schools as well, as there are a number of potential scholarship options out there. Planning for your child’s future college experience can be stressful for everyone involved. Having open, candid discussions about the cost of attendance, being transparent about finances and helping your teen explore ways to realize goals can make the process smoother and more rewarding in the long run. To learn more about the ways you can ease into these discussions with your child, inspect the resource paired alongside this post.

The Parent-Student Relationship In College Searches for more information on the college search process, be sure to check out the Encourage App

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Family

Benefits of Reading to Children to Stimulate Their Young Minds

Children’s brains are like a sponge; they tend to absorb all the information that surrounds them, whether they are watching a video, spending time with family, or learning new things by reading or interacting with objects. That’s why implementing the habit of reading from a young age is so beneficial for them. They will not only find entertainment from hearing new stories, but they also start to understand a bit more about the world around them.

As parents, we want our children to have access to one-of-a-kind opportunities, and they should not miss the experience of having a book in their hands, transporting their imagination to a whole new world. One of the benefits that we have in today’s society is that there are a lot of ways in which we can access books. You can crack open a physical book or utilize interactive books online. Make sure to attempt multiple avenues to determine which one your child enjoys the most. Once they connect to reading in a way that resonates with their learning style, they will love the activity more and more.

Once that happens, they will enjoy the benefits of reading from a young age and begin to effectively stimulate their minds in different ways. Below, we will discuss the three most important benefits of reading from a young age and how it can help your children’s development.

Improved Vocabulary

When it comes to reading, this is one of the main advantages that come to mind. When you read to your child on a regular basis, they will be better positioned to develop a more robust vocabulary than children who do not implement reading into their regular routines. According to a study done at Cornerstone University, “It’s much easier to learn vocabulary from a book than from memorizing words in the dictionary. That’s because you’re learning the words contextually.” The benefits of reading go much further than just a more colorful vocabulary. Your children will, in turn, be more talkative about their day, the stories they read, and even their feelings.

Better Understanding of the World Around Them

Another wonderful benefit of children reading from a young age is that their minds start to understand the world surrounding them—from simple things, such as learning about animals or nature, to more complicated themes of fantasy and history. When children open a book, they will be transported into a new environment that they get to safely explore their curiosity through. Jeff Lindberg, the author of Coney – A Trip to Luna Park, describes how illustration can bring new environments to life for the impressionable minds of young children. When discussing his motivation for writing the hit children’s book, Mr. Lindberg stated, “I wanted to create a book that would show children (and adults) what the world of Luna Park might have looked like from a child’s, and rabbit’s, perspective…I hope that it can inspire children “of all ages” to explore their creativity”. In today’s environment, where children cannot explore the real world as safely as they used to be believed to be able to, a book allows children to navigate their curiosity in a safe and productive manner.

Creates a Bond with Your Children

If, as a parent, you are worried about connecting with your child, look no further than reading with them for the solution. Make sure to include regularly-scheduled reading time in your family’s routine and start developing that special bond with your children. They will not only appreciate you making them a priority, but it will also improve their emotional skills from a young age. Experts at the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation stated that “reading with your children is a powerful tool for early literacy. It also creates an important bond and can play an essential role in brain development.” An excuse to spend more time with your child that also benefits their neurological development? Sounds like a win-win to us!

Amidst the modern parenting of iPads, television, and YouTube, don’t underestimate the power of cracking open a good book with your little ones. The benefits are truly unmatched.

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Infographic created by Big Blue Swim School, Offering Personalized Kids Swim Lessons Dulles, VA

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