In the case of babies and toddlers, it’s rarely a voluntary thing. Kids this young don’t just come up with the idea of intentionally holding their breath to get attention, or to get what they want. While breath holding frequently accompanies tantrums, it’s not something they do on purpose.

Involuntary breath holding is usually a direct result of intense crying. The child begins to cry, and at some point, she fails to inhale. This is just as scary to her as it is to the parents, if not more so. If she holds her breath long enough, she passes out.

The good news is that she will start breathing again as soon as she’s out. Her body’s involuntary breathing mechanisms take over, and she comes to soon after. In this type of episode, there is no permanent damage.

Still, the first time it happens, it can be extremely worrisome. And there are certain health problems that can cause similar episodes. So if you are concerned, it’s a good idea to talk to your child’s pediatrician.

How to Handle a Breath Holding Episode

Properly handling a breath holding episode is very important. If you make a big fuss, your child is more likely to have such episodes in the future. She sees that throwing a tantrum and holding her breath get her what she wants, so she might decide to do it intentionally.

Startling your child by clapping or shouting can, in some cases, cause her to start breathing. And some parents find that placing a cold washcloth over their children’s faces will cause them to start breathing again. If you have one handy, there’s no harm in trying. But if you have to go after one, you’ll probably find that your child is breathing again by the time you return.

One of the most important things to do when facing a breath holding attack is to make sure the child doesn’t get hurt. Put her on the floor if possible, so that if she passes out she won’t fall. Remove any objects that pose a danger of injury as well.

Breath holding in children is rarely dangerous. They can’t hold their breath long enough to cause brain damage, because they will pass out and resume breathing long before that is a concern. If you find that your child is holding your breath, do your best to remain calm. If you don’t encourage the behavior, it is less likely to become a common occurrence, and your child will grow out of it before long.

By motivating preschoolers to be active when they’re young, you may be able to encourage a love of fitness that can last a lifetime. How do you go about doing so? Here are some ideas which may lead them to love being active.

Activity at Home

In the same way you may go to work, play is a child’s work. Allow your preschooler plenty of free time to play and use their imagination. Actually, you probably won’t have to do much motivating to get your preschooler to be active, but are they active for a minimum of an hour each day?

Find things your preschooler will have fun doing that will keep them active. Instead of taking them on a stroll around the local track, why not take them on a hike through the woods. Help them notice the different animals in the woods, toss rocks into a stream, or collect different leaves. This will make the walk much more enjoyable than trudging around a track.

Take into consideration your child’s skill level when trying to find activities for them. You wouldn’t ask a toddler who’s barely walking to run up and down a basketball court. Teach them to throw and catch large balls before encouraging them to catch a baseball.

Activity at School

Does your child have access to a playground if they attend preschool or daycare? Maybe all they have is a large yard. That’s really all they need if there is room to run, roll, and dance around. It’s not necessary to have several pieces of athletic equipment – a couple of large balls, hoola hoops, and plenty of space is enough.

The Need for Activity

One of the main reasons preschoolers need to be active is that being active helps their body on many levels. It helps build strong bones and muscles. Activity also improves large and fine motor skills as well as encouraging preschoolers to be healthy.

Consider games you played as a child. Many of them had you running, jumping, and skipping. Think about the fun your preschooler could have playing Hide and Seek, Simon Says, Follow the Leader, and Freeze Tag. There are so many great active games; you are sure to find one your preschooler will enjoy.

You may not really have to do much when it comes to motivating preschoolers to be active. The problem may actually be in getting them to stop. Help them have fun while they’re active and they’re very likely to develop a love of physical activity that will translate into a love of being fit as an adult.

A few weeks before school begins, you may want to allude to the fact that school will be starting soon. Begin now to help your child become accustomed to going to bed earlier and getting up in time to get ready for school. Talk to them about how important it is that they be rested and prepared for school.

Acknowledge your children’s emotions regarding returning to school. You may want say, I understand you’re feeling uneasy about going back to school. Can you tell me what is causing you to be uneasy? Ask questions that require more than a yes or no answer. See if you can get your child to verbalize their fears. If you know what they’re concerned about, you’ll have a better idea how to help them overcome those concerns.

If this is their first year of school, they may feel apprehensive about being away from you. Let them know it’s normal to want to stay home. To help them feel better about starting school, try to take them to the school to see it and possibly meet the teacher. Show them how they will be able to make new friends and learn new things. Explain to them how going to school can be fun and that you’re very proud of them for starting school.

Perhaps they had problems with other children teasing them last year and they don’t want to see those students again. Teach your children to set boundaries and to stand up for themselves without resorting to the other student’s tactics. Help them learn to remain calm when they are teased, to walk away from trouble, and how to get help from the teacher if needed. They’ll also want to learn to stay in control of their bodies and their words rather than out of control.

Do your best to listen to what your child is saying by paying attention when they talk. You want them to know that you’re interested in the things that concern them. You also want to keep lines of communication open so they’ll feel comfortable coming to you with problems they may have in the future.

Students who are moving from one school to another may have an entirely different set of reasons for not wanting to start the new year. If they are shy or have self-esteem problems, your response can make a world of difference. Try to help them find activities they can excel in that will bolster their self-esteem.

School will start soon and your children may have many reasons for not wanting to return. You know the importance of talking to your children about starting school. These suggestions may help you start the conversation but you’ll also want to listen to what they have to say so the two of you can come up with solutions together.

You’ll want to prepare your child for their first day of school by taking them by to visit well ahead of their first day. This will let them see where they’ll be for a good part of the day, allow them to meet their teacher, see where they’ll sit, and become familiar with the layout of the school. You can also prepare them by creating a special goodbye routine that only the two of you share.

A goodbye routine can be anything you both agree upon. A kiss on the cheek followed by a pat on the back; it can also be a hug and a “go get’em tiger” before they get out of the car. Anything that can ease their, and your, apprehension will do the trick. Don’t forget to say “I love you”and let them know you’ll be there to pick them up at the end of the day.

Why is a goodbye routine an idea to consider? The truth is, despite your best efforts to convince them otherwise, your child may be scared that you won’t return after you drop them off at school. Some degree of separation anxiety is to be expected, particularly if your child is on the younger side of school age. Here are other things you can do to ease the anxiety:

* Try not to talk about how your child will be without you during the school day. In fact, doing so may increase the difficulty for both of you.

* Smile and act as normal as possible as you’re walking them to class. Talk about how excited it is to be going to school and what a great day they’ll have. Be sure to tell them goodbye using your special goodbye routine.

* To make separation easier for them, give them something of yours, or a photo of you, to keep during the day. If they start missing you they can look at your picture or the object and it’ll bring a smile to their face.

* Practice runs can be helpful. Take your child to a friend’s or to grandma’s house and leave them there while you go out to run errands. This will help them learn that you may leave but that you’ll always return for them.

* Plan how you can separate easily. Walk them to class their first day and plan to stick around for a few minutes. When you realize your child isn’t fixated on you, turn and walk away calmly.

* Stay strong for them. If they see you cry they’ll be more likely to follow suit. Try to hold back the tears until you’re in the privacy of your own car.

It’s normal for children to have some separation anxiety when school starts. Learn how a special goodbye routine can help separation anxiety. Before long, you may find your child eagerly looking forward to school and spending time with their new friends.

You can begin to read books on starting school the summer before they are due to start. Find books that portray school as being a place to make new friends and have fun learning. If you can find a book that includes a favorite television character, it may make the transition to school a little easier.

Begin a new routine for your child that they will follow when they start school. Having a routine will allow your child to know what to expect each night and what time to get up in the morning. Help them learn to pick out their clothes the night before as part of their routine.

If your child’s school has an open house before the school year starts, you might want to take advantage of it to familiarize your child with it. You can show them where the library, restrooms, cafeteria, and school office are. As the school year nears, you may be able to visit the classroom and meet their teacher. This will go a long way toward easing any fears they may have.

Perhaps you’ll meet other children who are visiting the classroom on the same day. Talk with the adults who brought them to school, exchange telephone numbers, and try to plan an opportunity for the children to get together before school starts. Knowing children in their class might make the first day of school less traumatic.

Acknowledge your child’s feelings and encourage them to talk about them. Try not to make them feel like a baby because they may be scared or nervous. These feelings are normal when anyone is entering a new situation, much more so when the person is young.

Help your child get plenty of rest. Plan on their getting ready with a bath, story time, and sleep early enough to be rested in the morning. You might also want to have your child’s clothing already picked out and ready for them to get dressed in the morning.

Make the first day of school something to celebrate. Get them up, dressed, have a special breakfast on a china service, and take pictures to help you both remember. Leave for school early enough that you won’t be rushed and will be able to walk your child to their classroom.

The first day or preschool or kindergarten can elicit some unusual feelings. Your child may be looking forward starting school and yet they might also be scared. By using some of these ideas, you can help your child have a first great day of school.

The biggest reason toddlers whine is because they often can’t communicate well using words. They whine to get your attention and to communicate that they want something. They may be frustrated or they may be tired. Unfortunately they soon realize that whining produces results, so they begin to use it to get their way even past the age of toddlerhood.

To avoid having problems with whiny school-aged children, or worse – whiny teens, you’ll want to stop them before it becomes a habit. Here are six ideas you can use that may nip this bad habit in the bud before it has an opportunity to bloom.

1. Ignore the whining.

As much as it may grate on your nerves, if you don’t react when they start whining, they’ll learn that they won’t get what they want that way. If you constantly give in when they begin whining, they’ll have won and will continue to use it to get their way.

2. Explain that you don’t understand.

If your child starts to whine, tell them you can’t understand. To help you understand, they need to speak calmly, quietly, and in a normal tone of voice. When they can speak to you in a normal voice, then you can listen to what they say and decide whether or not to give them what they wanted.

3. Teach them simple sign language.

If your toddler can’t talk much yet, teaching them simple sign language can help them communicate what they want without the whine. Go online or to the local library to find a book on baby sign language. Teaching them signs for hungry, thirsty, and paying attention to body signals like rubbing the eyes to tell you they are tired can help tremendously when stopping the whining train from leaving the station.

4. Distract them.

When they start whining, don’t give in to them. Instead, try distracting them by singing a song, reciting the alphabet, or offering them something else.

5. Put them down for a nap.

Being over-tired is one of the reasons toddlers whine. If you know they’re tired, having them take a nap may help both of you.

6. Tell them what you expect of them.

Even though they’re young, that doesn’t mean they can’t learn. Explain to them that you expect them to sit still in the buggy without whining and asking you for everything. If they have behaved well, you may want to allow them a “prize” for their good behavior.
Whining is a common activity of nearly all toddlers, and even some adults. Using one or more of these tips to stop your toddler from whining may be what you need for peace in your home. Just remember, if you don’t do anything, the whining is sure to continue.

1. Use adult language. Speak to your baby in real words to give your baby a better understanding of how to talk rather than making up words or nonsensical sounds.

2. Talk directly to your toddler. Look at them while you talk. Spend time talking to them; ask them questions even if they don’t have a very big vocabulary.

3. Be sure to tell them what you’re doing. If it’s time to change their clothes for bedtime, tell them. “Off with your shoes. Remove your pants and shirt.” Repeating this each time you change them helps them learn to use labels for their clothing.

4. Read to them as often as possible. Picture dictionaries can introduce them to new words. Point to the pictures in the book and name each one. Read simple stories using expression in your voice for the different characters. Your toddler will love it!

5. Try not to talk or mumble to yourself which can confuse your toddler. They may begin to think that words are meaningless if someone isn’t responding when you talk.

6. Play repeating games with your toddler. Start out with simple words. Point to a toy they like and say “toy.” Ask them if they would like the toy and then ask them if they can say “toy.” If they try, praise them whether they can say the word or not. Then give them the toy. Repeat with other things they point to and indicate they want.

7. Leave the television off as much as possible. Parking your toddler in front of a TV for a short while won’t hurt them, but leaving them there for hours can. In fact, some experts have determined that watching television earlier than age two can be a contributing factor to developing Attention Deficit Disorder. If you can’t be with them physically, put them somewhere safe and let them play with their toys.

8. Be patient. Babies all learn at different rates so don’t get too discouraged if your toddler doesn’t learn to speak as quickly as another child. It may not seem like it, but your toddler will be talking when they’re ready. Of course, then you may wish they didn’t talk so much!

9. See the doctor. If you think your toddler is way behind their peers in speaking, you may want to see your child’s pediatrician. They will be able to test your toddler to see if there is a physical reason for them not speaking. If there is a problem, they will be able to give you the best advice for getting your toddler past the problem.

10. Love them as they are. If you put too much pressure on them to talk before they’re ready, it could do more harm than you realize. It’ll happen, just wait and see.

Try not to stress out about whether your toddler is talking or not. Unless your doctor gives you a reason why they won’t, you can expect your toddler to begin talking when they’re good and ready. Until then, talk to them, read to them, and keep on loving them!

Fortunately, there are many color mixing experiments that toddlers can do at home. And they are very inexpensive. Here are some to try.

Mixing Colors “By Hand”

Young children love to finger paint. There’s just something about the feeling of wet paint on the hands that they can’t resist.

It’s easy to turn finger painting into a color mixing lesson. Try putting one color of paint on one of your toddler’s hands and another color on the other. Then have him rub them together three or four times. When he pulls his hands apart, a whole new color will be there.

Once your child has gotten accustomed to the idea of mixing colors, he might like to try to mix his own unique shades. Give him plenty of paper and paint in primary colors and let him work with minimal guidance. He’ll quickly realize what works and what produces dull blacks and browns.

Mixing Colors in Water

Another fun color mixing project involves mixing different colors of water. This can be accomplished with clear glasses or pitchers, water and food coloring. Start out by filling the containers about half full of water and adding a different color to each one. Then have your child mix the colors as he pleases, either pouring one color directly into another or mixing colors in a separate container. Show him how to add more food coloring to change the shade or make the color more intense.

Once he’s gotten the hang of it, try quizzing him on the colors. Provide a container of water in each of the primary colors, and ask him to make a specific color by mixing two of them. This will provide valuable lessons not only in color mixing, but also in trial and error.

Coloring Food

Kids who have been exposed to color mixing might like to try their hand at coloring some of the foods they eat. Vanilla pudding and white cake frosting are good mediums for color experiments. Kids can add a drop or two of different colors of food coloring and mix until they end up with their favorite colors. And when they’re done, they can eat their creations.

Mixing colors is lots of fun for kids, and it’s very educational. It can come in handy if they decide to pursue art later in life. And any child can benefit from the reasoning and memory skills taught by color mixing experiments.

The beauty of co-sleeping with a toddler is that there are a lot more options than with an infant. With babies, the child usually sleeps in the bed, or in a sleeper attached to the bed. Here are the options for co-sleeping with toddlers. You’ll probably find one that works well for your family.

• Occasional co-sleep. This is the arrangement most people have in their households. The parents and children have their own rooms and beds, but the children are free to join mom and dad if they have a bad dream or can’t sleep.
• Family bed. Children sleep in the bed with mom and dad. This can become a strain on the marriage, but many couples make do by going to another room after the children fall asleep.
• Musical Beds. In this arrangement, there are several beds in the house that are not assigned to specific people. The sleeping arrangement for the night depends on the situation.
• Two beds for mom. This is where there are two beds, one for mom to sleep with the kids and one for mom to sleep with dad. This way, children get the benefit of co-sleep, but they know when mom and dad are to be left alone.
• Sharing a room. Instead of having the child in a family bed, they have their own bed, futon, or mattress in the same room as mom and dad.
• Sibling bed. This is when brothers and sisters share a bed instead of with the parents. If you have a younger child who has been co-sleeping, this is a good way to get them used to sleeping on their own.

You should be wary of having a baby and a toddler sleeping in the same bed. Since they are mobile, but unaware of safety hazards; a toddler could unknowingly endanger an infant. If you do choose to have more than one child in the bed, be sure they are separated and that the toddler is well aware of the rules. To stay safe without alienating your toddler, you could consider bringing a bed or mattress into your room for them to sleep on. This way they can remain close to you without endangering your other child. If your toddler has older siblings, you may consider a sibling bed so the baby can be safe with you.

When choosing sleeping arrangements in your house, be sure to choose what works best for your family. Everyone around you will probably have an opinion on your choice; you need to choose what’s best for your family, not everyone else.

What I love about crafting with my toddler is fun and rewarding for both of us. Here are some project ideas that are appropriate for a toddler’s skill level and attention span.

Paper bag puppets – This craft is fun to make and fun to play with when it’s done. Your child can make a simple one that requires no scissors or small parts by drawing a face on the base of the bag with crayons or markers. If you want to go more elaborate, you could help your child add googly eyes and construction paper ears, noses and limbs.

Floating sailboats - It’s easy to make a sailboat with your toddler. Simply use a ball of Play Doh to stand a drinking straw up on the inside of a margarine tub lid. Cut a right-angled triangle out of construction paper for the sail, decorate it, and punch three holes along the edge. Weave the straw through the holes, and you have a new toy sailboat.

Paper plate masks – Making masks out of paper plates is very easy for toddlers with a little adult help. Just cut two eye holes, and punch a hole in each side. Thread some elastic through these holes and tie the ends, and let your child decorate the mask as he chooses.

Pipe cleaner figurines – Pipe cleaners are very easy for toddlers to work with. With a little guidance, they can use them to make all sorts of animals, people and things.

Coin bank – Every toddler needs a bank to put his money in. He can create his own using an empty oatmeal box or other cylindrical box with a lid. You’ll need to cut a slot in the lid, but he can do most of the rest by himself. Just have him decorate a piece of construction paper (that you’ve cut to the right size) with markers, stickers, and other items, and help him glue it around the box.

Painting - Young artists love to paint. It can, however, get messy, so be sure to cover the work area with newspapers and the child’s clothing with a smock. Finger painting is one of the most popular art forms among toddlers, but they also love watercolors.

Crafting is a great way for toddlers and their parents to have fun together. It’s a great way to fight boredom and teach your child important skills. You can almost certainly find enough materials around the house to help your child create something, so there’s no reason that your child can’t craft any time he wishes to.