Tummy time
Here is some excellent advice on Tummy Time from the HSE website mychild.ie https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/child-health/tummy-time-for-babies.html Getting your baby to lie and play on their tummy keeps them active. Tummy time helps to strengthen their head, neck and back muscles, and lets them experience feeling on the front of their body. Your baby needs to be physically […]
Tips on toilet training
John Sharry co-author of the Parents Plus parenting programmes gives some tips on toilet training Toilet training our two-year-old is a bit of a strain QUESTION I was wondering if you have any advice or can point me in the direction of help as I am struggling with toilet training my little girl, who is […]
Your baby’s developmental milestones
Overview In the first 5 years, your child’s brain develops more than at any other time in their life. Your child’s early experiences create millions of new connections in their brain. This period of development lays down the foundations for learning, health and behaviour throughout their life. All children develop at different rates. Some will […]
Weaning – starting your baby on solid foods
Introducing your baby to solid foods is often called weaning. This should start when your baby is around 6 months old. Breastfeeding If you are breastfeeding, you don’t need to move to formula milk when introducing solid foods. We recommend you breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. Continue to breastfeed after solid foods are introduced, up to […]
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 […]