Ready Set Grow Connecticut Kids

The subject of vaccinations is one that can fill parents to be with fear. There are a lot of stories out there that tell of a link between autism and vaccines. But there has never been a proven link between these. You may still wonder when it is safe to vaccinate your kids, and there is an easy answer to that.

It is safe to vaccinate your kids when they are babies. It is better to not get combo vaccinations just to be (more…)

A great way to help your child to make friends is by joining a play group. These groups are usually small, help children learn to get along with one another, and offer them the opportunity to participate in new and different activities. They also help support building independence and friendships, and offer a fun outlet for both parents and children alike.

Generally, play groups are formed casually and parents discuss their goals for the group, (more…)

Fun bedtime routines your child will love involve positive time with you. Make the child the focus and keep it fun and they will look forward to bed. Do not make bedtime a chore, make it fun for you and your child. Choose something fun, then choose something that will relax the child and let them fall asleep in a relax and comfortable way.

One way to encourage the beginning routine of bedtime is to (more…)

You’ve read everything about what your child should eat and you’ve been scouring your Satellitestarinternet.com web connection nightly to read message boards about good parenting but here are a few simple things you can do now that your child will thank you for in the future:
Don’t be a Short Order Cook – If your child refuses to eat a certain food, fine…don’t force them. But make sure they understand you only cook one meal for the family and don’t make them anything special (more…)

As parents, dealing with picky eaters can be frustrating, for both you and your child. Thankfully, there are ways you can avoid this common mealtime battle. Two of the biggest and most helpful tips I was given when my oldest was just a baby, was to (1) set a positive example yourself and (2) serve very small portions at a time. So, let’s just assume your child doesn’t like peas. Instead of piling on the macaroni and cheese and forgoing the peas, try (more…)

Parents generally know what foods are healthy and what foods are not. As an adult, it may seem like a privilege or an earned reward to grab an unhealthy snack or to indulge in a favorite fast food treat. Unfortunately, our actions as parents are carefully scrutinized and imitated by our children. The old adage “do as I say, not as I do” is not an effective way to teach a child healthy eating habits. Parents have an amazing opportunity to teach (more…)

Before we begin, let me reiterate that if your child isn’t reading by the time they enter kindergarten, there’s no need to be alarmed. Every individual learns at their own rate, and it may be mid-kindergarten or even 1^st grade before it clicks. That doesn’t mean you can’t introduce your children to the love of reading at an early age, though.Storytime is a great way to bond with your child while introducing them to basic ideas like characters, plot, and language. Watching adults read is also the easiest way for children to learn the basic mechanics of reading, such as the fact that words go from left to right and front to back and that the top of the pictures matches the top of the page. If your child is especially interested, you can start teaching them about sounds and letters and the relation between the two of themthis is the basic idea of phonics. (more…)

Whether its painting or making hand puppets, every child can use arts and crafts as a way to expressive themselves creatively and imaginatively. One of the best things about art projects is that they require very little purchases, as almost anything can be art when looked at creatively. Save paper bags, popsicle sticks, cardboard boxes, tinfoil, and other items that may seem like garbage on first appearance, but reveal the makings of a masterpiece to the imaginative eye. You will need to get some crayons, colored pencils, paint, and markers if your child is interested, but make sure you teach them how to use them properly and these supplies can last for quite a while. Be sure to purchase non-toxic, washable paint and glue. (more…)

While the kitchen may not seem like the first choice for bringing a young child, cooking is actually a great way to spend some time together while learning important lessons. Among other things, cooking can teach children motor skills, science, following directions, shapes, fractions, time, and other concepts. Plus, cooking is a great way to instill nutrition in your child and get them to try new healthy foods, since it’s always more exciting to try something you’ve made yourself. Seeing and tasting the finished product is a great way to teach your child confidence and give them a sense of accomplishment.Obviously, you won’t be asking your child to slice potatoes or use the stove. It is best to start them with something they can do on their own, so let them pour water into a mix or roll cookie dough. Anything they can tear or pound usually works well. Some children will just want to start out turning the pages of the cookbook, which is fine, too. (more…)

Despite this article’s title, it’s unlikely (read: impossible) that your preschooler will develop the sort of body that Stallone or Schwarzenegger had in their prime. But the general idea of exercise in early childhood set isn’t laughable on its own. By the time American children reach the ages of five-to-eight, 40 already have at least one risk factor for heart disease. Arteriosclerosis, the hardening of the arteries, can also appear in children starting at age five. Without guidance, many children will not avoid these risk factors on their own. That’s why it’s important for you, the parent, to emphasize the importance of exercise at a young age. But what’s appropriate? (more…)