How music helps with children’s literacy skills
The Importance of Literacy for Children Literacy is one of the most important skills we develop in our early childhood years. It’s not just about being able to read in school, either. Learning how to read gives children the skills they need to learn and comprehend complex ideas that help shape them into individuals. Being […]
Child safety – a checklist to help us
We all know that curiosity and a sense of adventure are wonderful things in a child. We also know that this is exactly what can put children in danger. So how can we make the environment safer for our children so that they can explore safely? Here are some ideas from the Health Service Executive. […]
Shaping Ourselves and Our Children
“Shaping Ourselves and Our Children” SOOC is an exciting new course for parents to have fun and learn about how their children develop their emotional and social skills at home. Parents will learn how to support their children to develop these skills and how these will benefit their children later at school, in their community […]
Promoting positive behaviour in strong-minded toddlers
Promoting Positive Behaviour in toddlers and young children Be aware that challenging behaviour is perfectly normal and healthy in your child during the second year. Try to understand the reason for the behaviour, namely, that your child is probably “testing the limits” in her search for her own individuality and independence. Be aware that if […]
Babbling Babies nursery rhyme and action song book launched in Central Library, Letterkenny
A fantastic booklet developed by Lifestart Services, with the support of Donegal Library Service and HSE Health Promotion & Improvement Service, was launched in the Central Library, Letterkenny on Wednesday the 18th of April to an enthusiastic audience of adults and young children. Studies show that if babies and children are read to early, they […]
Key Messages about Attachment and Bonding
Bonding and attachment are different. Bonding is the binding love that a parent may feel for their infant, beginning even before he or she is born. The process of bonding refers to the intense emotional connection that the parent feels for the baby. Some parents feel this straight away and others take time to get […]
Attachment and bonding – the father’s role
Attachment with the father is equally as important as the attachment with the mother and contributes greatly to a child’s development. Some studies have shown that a high quality father-child relationship allows a child to take his explorations a little further. Fathers can do activities with their baby to promote attachment, whether or not they […]
Activities to encourage speech, language and communication
Birth to 2 years: Encourage the child making sounds such as ‘da’ ‘ba’ ‘ma’ Maintain eye contact with the child, imitate their sounds, laughter and facial expressions Talk to the child during feeding, bathing and dressing. Tell the child what you are doing, where you going and who you will see. Teach your child to […]
Sleep in children – what to expect
Newborns sleep between 9-18 hours per day with an average of 14.5 hours sleep. Infants (2-12 months) sleep 12-13 hours including about 3 hours of naps during the day. Toddlers (1-3 years) sleep 11-13 hours per day including naps but by 18 months most toddlers have one nap of 1-3 hours per day. Pre-school children […]