You are living the highest standard of parenting; keep doing exactly what you are doing!

Did you see the article in the news the other day stating that 'Parenting guides 'make mothers feel inadequate' as they set standards too high.' At eat play grow our passion is all about inspiring your child’s development by providing you, as the parent or caregiver with tips and activity ideas to ensure you have the knowledge to make an informed decision for your child. It is important to note that we are not another parenting guide. No doubt you received someone’s opinion since the day you shared your fabulous news that you were pregnant, from strangers to friends and family. For some reason being pregnant means you are the property of others so therefore they think they have the right to tell you what they think. Well you are not the property of others, you are your own person and you stick to your ideas when deciding how you are going to parent your child. Remember your child is your child!  There is no right or wrong way; there is just your way so enjoy the ride as both you and your baby are learning together creating your very own special relationship – this is your parenting book.
 
In my classes and workshops I say to parents, “I am here to provide you with what I know (about different developmental topics) and then you can do with that information what you like, no one knows what goes on in your house and as long as you are providing a safe environment for your child to develop and grow then trust your instincts, because your instincts are right!” I have to laugh when people tell me, you are going to be a great parent as you have so much knowledge – well maybe, yes, but I am scared that too much knowledge could be a hindrance as like you I have seen the conflicting information but I guess my advantage is I have been able to learn from parents and what I have learnt is those parents who trust their instincts rather than ‘a particular way’ which is written in a book are much more in tune with their baby and they are having a lot of fun being a parent.  Watching them, I can’t wait!

No best friends primary school policy is denying children of a basic human right.

At eat play grow our passion is all about inspiring children to grow, physically and emotionally. A huge part of development and emotional growth is centred around bonding.  The bonds we make with parents, siblings, family and friends have a huge impact on who we become and the decisions we make in our lives.  Sometimes this can be positive and sometimes negative but it is all a part of discovering who we are and growing as people so we were shocked and appalled to hear that primary schools are adopting a no best friends policy to try and shield children from the pain of falling out.

Educational psychologist Gaynor Sbuttoni, who provides counseling for children in London, said the practice of teachers encouraging kids to play in large groups instead of developing tight-knit bonds is increasingly common. She said teachers have consulted her about the rights and wrongs of the policy, but stressed they should not be interfering with friendships and that it is natural for children to want a best friend.

Falling out, arguing and breaking up and making up are all part of life and if we don’t learn how to deal with sometimes painful emotions and difficulties from a young age, we lose the opportunity to learn valuable skills we need as we grow older and navigate the world around us.  

Parents are key in helping children through this process and provided the bond with a child’s parents is stable and healthy, there is no reason that a child should be unable to cope with the emotional trauma of a friendship breakdown.  In fact, a study last year from Minnesota University showed that a person who has had strong relationship with their mother as a baby is much more able to resolve relationship conflicts in later life which is why we place such huge importance on bonding during our Play Away classes.

Whether you make a best friend for life or a best friend just for Christmas is irrelevant, the beauty comes in the sharing of experience whether for a lifetime, a year or just a moment.  To make friends and break friends is a basic human right surely?

Play: handling babies with care and the benefits of yoga

Recently in the media, the public have cried in horror at the images and video clips of an apparently ‘crazy’ lady throwing a child around in her version of ‘baby yoga’ and we too, found it more than a little worrying to see crying babies being flung and twisted on their fragile, developing limbs by someone who to them, is a complete stranger.  So the first thing to point out here is that this is not baby yoga and secondly, we fail to see nothing but potential harm coming to these babies.


A baby’s body and nervous system is very fragile and it is for this reason that many health experts warn that babies should be handled with care.  Shaking a baby can lead to brain damage so throwing a baby as Lena Fokina demonstrates, is extremely dangerous.

Sadly, this kind of behaviour may also have led to a misconception about what baby yoga actually is and the enormous benefits it can have not only on baby’s development and the relationship with the parent but also, on parent’s state of mind. The benefits of yoga for both parents and babies are phenomenal. Here we explore some of those benefits and in our follow up article, we’ll be giving you ideas for yoga and play that you can try with your baby at home:

Benefits of Early Movement


When babies first leave the womb, they experience a huge shift not only physically but also mentally.  They are suddenly required to navigate a world which has become larger and air filled and in order to do so, they must learn to breathe efficiently and move efficiently, taking into account, gravity. Their spine begins to change and bends in new places and as they grow, their body has to adapt to carrying the huge weight of the head on their shoulders.

Yoga movements help babies chart a more direct path of growth and development. Babies who have the opportunity to explore movement have greater confidence and ability when it comes time to sitting, crawling, and walking. Babies who move with freedom as well as intentional guidance learn early about relating to gravity and relating to people.

Parents and caregivers play an essential role in a baby's early movements. Dr. Richard Walls, a pediatrician in La Jolla, California, says the evidence is clear that sustained physical contact and activity with an adult is a primary stimulus of growth in young children. Doing yoga with a baby fosters this beneficial interaction.

According to psychiatrist Erik Erikson, whose Eight Stages of Development are widely taught basics to understanding growing children; learning trust is the basis of healthy social-emotional development. The physical contact of a loving adult fosters trust and starts baby on the lifelong journey of learning about relationships—to one's self, to others, and to the world. This contact encourages use of the parasympathetic nervous system thereby resisting stress, bolsters his immunity, circulation, and physical growth. Other psychological studies have shown that when a strong bond is formed with the primary care-giver, a child is given the security required to go away and explore the world, fostering self-confidence and self-esteem they are given the feeling that a safety net exists to which they can return.

Baby yoga classes nurture the parent/child bonding, deepens parents' observations of their babies' growth, and helps parents actively participate in their babies' neuromuscular development. They allow parents a place to focus, relax, and enjoy movement with their children, under the guidance of an educated yoga teacher.

Spatial Awareness Space, or ether, is the medium through which people connect to all things, according to Ayurveda, an ancient sister science to yoga. A baby reaches through space to tug at mom's earring or plead for dad to share his sweet potatoes. But it usually takes a few months before babies are comfortable leaving the arms of a loving adult to be set down for movement.

Doing yoga with an older baby who can sit, crawl, or walk excites activity on many levels and encourages a baby’s first social interactions. A child's vision is stimulated, fostering both spatial differentiation and depth perception. She may start to imitate her parents and learn by example. Yoga encourages exploration of range of motion, an important expression of potential.

Sharing yoga mindfulness and yoga moves with a baby will launch her education about relationships. Whether bolstering spatial differentiation, depth perception, range of motion, or interpersonal trust, practicing yoga moves with a baby is a boon to her neuromuscular development and to the parent-child bonding experience.

The Five Senses of a Baby.

Your child explores the world using the five senses. She notices the simplicity and loveliness of the everyday.  He notices the things that as adults we walk past and take for granted. She will look, listen, touch, smell and taste with intention. He will experience for the first, second and third time as if there is nothing better in this world than the moment he is in right now. Using the five senses to learn about the world she is living in will connect neurons in the brain building the foundations for later learning and development.

Whether he is mesmerised by his fists, or soothed by the sound of a nursery rhyme or the smell of your skin baby’s sensory explorations are constant. Keep things interesting for her but keep things simple. Try to avoid a lot of sensory stimulation at once; this is overwhelming and perhaps a little scary. Your baby’s first toy is his hands as he feels with his mouth, tasting with his tongue. Then with delight he finds his second toy – his feet.

Provide new sensations for her to experience; look for things in nature and around you rather than for things in a local toy store. Tickle her with a feather, let her smell a flower and play with a wooden spoon.  When it is raining watch the drips fall down the window, listen to the sounds of sticks tapping and provide messy play letting fingers get dirty. Lay him down and take notice of things he is seeing, touching and exploring. Acknowledge and encourage this innate awareness rather than provide another toy which will distract from the original sensory play.

Throughout the early years allowing your child to be continually aware of her surroundings using the five senses will help for your baby to find her own unique place in the world – keep it interesting but remember keep it simple.

Create a rainbow of fruits and vegetables!

It is a well known fact that fruit and vegetables are good for us; you may be aware that we need to eat at least 2 servings of fruit and 3 servings of vegetables a day; you may know that a serving size is a good handful. . . . But do you know which fruit and vegetables contain which vitamins and why they are so good for us?

Using colour as a guideline you will find a list of common fruit and vegetables with the key vitamin or mineral that they contain and why it is worth eating a variety everyday. Use colour to stimulate your child's interest in eating fruit and vegetables while learning why they are good for us- have fun!

Using colour to give meaning to fruits and vegetables:

Red to keep a healthy heart: 

Apple

 The skin of an apple is a great source of fibre, which is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system.

Strawberry

 Strawberries contain a small amount of calcium which help to build strong bones.

Tomato

 Rich in lycopene which helps to prevent cardiovascular disease and cancers. Lycopene absorption increases when a tomato is cooked.

                               

Yellow for energy and digestion:

Banana

 A good source of vitamin B6 which helps the body to produce antibodies to fight infection. A banana is best eaten ripe, when the skin is freckled brown.

Pineapple

 A sweet treat which contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps to aid digestion and reduce inflammation.

Sweetcorn

Contains the B Vitamin Folate which can not be made by the body and must come from the diet. Folate plays a role in make DNA (makes up our genes) and RNA (needed to make proteins). 

Green for health and vitality:

Kiwifruit

 Full of vitamin C which is important for the formation of collagen. This is a strengthens bones and secures teeth into the gums.

Broccoli

Contains beta-carotene; a pro-vitamin which is converted to an active form of vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A plays a role in your eyes adjusting to being able to see in the dark.

Spinach

 Filled with Iron so especially important for vegetarians. Iron is a component of haemoglobin which plays a role in transporting oxygen around the body.

Purple to live long and healthy:

Beetroot

 Filled with phytochemicals that have an antioxidant effect that protects cells from cancer and cardiovascular disease. 

Plums

Are a good source of vitamin C and also potassium. Potassium helps the body store blood sugar in the form of glycogen. This is the main source of energy to get muscles working.

Grapes

Purple grapes contain antioxidants that protect against cancer; they are also high in vitamin C.

Orange to prevent disease such as cancer:

Carrot

   A medium carrot gives a substantial amount of vitamin A. It also provides Vitamin B1 which has an important role in helping the body convert carbohydrates and fats into energy.

Orange

  Filled with Vitamin C an orange or a glass of orange juice at meal time will increase absorption of iron in the body. Remember it is better to eat the fruit than drink a juice as juice is high in sugar.

Pumpkin

The colour orange provides antioxidants that will give a healthy heart, improve vision and keep a healthy immune system.

Games for teaching:

It is important to teach the children from a young age why eating fruit and vegetables is so good for us. Find pictures of different fruits and vegetables, cut out the pictures and use them in the following games:

 1. Create a salad or use skewers to make a kebab with the pictures. Ask your child what they would like in their salad and on their kebab through imagery. You never know what new recipe you may get!

 2. Talk about the different fruits and vegetables and what they are good for in the body. Ask your child to place the picture on a body part that the fruit/vegetable is good for. E.g. carrots are filled with vitamin A which is good for our eyesight.  

3.  Take a picture of the fruit/vegetable and ask your child to match the picture with a real piece of the fruit/vegetable. Start with the piece in its whole form and then try it in different ways. E.g. sliced apple, grated carrot and mashed banana. Once matched - taste it!

Create a rainbow of fruit and vegetables for summer and turn eating into a healthy fun part of your day!

Taking some time for you – celebrating Mother’s Day 2011

If you are reading this you must have found a spare minute in your day – well done! Now can you please try something? Breathe. Close your eyes and take a long inhalation through your nose and see if you can match the length of your inhalation with your exhalation out through your nose. Repeat three times. Try not to open your eyes but feel the breath expanding from deep within your belly and rising up through your chest; hold that for a brief second and then release out through your nose. Repeat three more times. How do you feel? 

It is a moment like this which can help you get through your day, have energy to play with your child, have energy to be a wife but most importantly have energy to be yourself. I once read somewhere that if a woman gives up one part of herself – whether it is the woman in her, the mother in her or the wife in her then the other two parts will suffer. I thought this was very powerful. Can you please try something else? Take some time to think “how can I reconnect to me?” Living a life where you put yourself first is not living a selfish life but one that will benefit others in it. A happy you will equal a happy family – that is one of the most important things to remember of all.

When I asked you to breathe at the beginning you were participating in an aspect of yoga – breathing connects the mind and the body. On the inhalation you are nourishing and oxygenating your body while on the exhalation you are releasing stress, tension and carbon dioxide waste. Breath control can be rejuvenating, energising and centering and one of the most valuable tools to take you through the day. Try to find short moments throughout the day where you can close your eyes and become aware of your breath; it could be while you are in the shower, waiting for the sink to fill with water for dishes or while you are waiting for the computer to load up.

People often say it is important to have a healthy work-life balance. Parenting being important work, it is also important to find a healthy parent-life balance and participating in yoga can help to find this. Breath awareness is just one aspect of yoga – it is an age old practice that has many health and wellbeing benefits. Through a strengthened body and calmed mind, benefits such as improved flexibility and stamina, increased energy and vitality, reduced stress and tension, improved circulation, metabolism and balance, improved confidence and self-esteem can be felt. This can all lead to quality sleep which will allow you to feel fresh and energised to keep up with the day to day runnings of just being you.

Yoga at home

If you can’t get to a yoga class then try introducing a few postures at home – have you ever noticed that every time a cat wakes from a nap it stretches? Try to take a stretch first thing in the morning before you doing anything else. A few suggested postures to do at home are below. Try each posture 3 times.

Chest opener

 

Stand with feet hip width apart, take an inhalation and as you exhale interlock your fingers and reach out in front of you, inhale as if you feel like someone is pulling you forward by your hands but stay grounded with your feet. Inhale and on the next exhalation stretch high up towards the ceiling, inhale and exhale to release your hands to the side and take behind you and repeat stretching your arms to the back.

Cow and Cat

Start on all fours – have your knees about two fist widths apart with feet pointing directly behind you. Spread fingers wide and place your hands just in front of your shoulders with straight arms. Ensure that the inside of your elbows are facing each other, not rotating towards the front. Sink into your back, stick your bottom out and lift your head (like a cow). Bring your spine back to neutral, tuck your head under and inhale into an arched back like a cat stretching. Repeat.

 Child's Pose

In a kneeling position spread your knees wide, keeping big toes touching. Bring the belly to rest between the thighs and forehead to the floor. Either stretch the arms in front of you with the palms toward the floor or bring the arms back alongside the thighs with the palms facing upwards. Do the most comfortable position for you and breath.

Happy Mother’s Day Mums!

- April 3^rd 2011 in the United Kingdom and May 8^th 2011 in New Zealand.

An apple a day

A friend and I were discussing the issue of cursing in front of a child the other day. I mentioned how in a social situation I really need to think before I speak with cursing surprisingly becoming part of everyday language it is easy to slip the odd one. She had a story that really shocked me.

She was in the park and overheard a child asking his mother for an apple, well most of us would be delighted by this want for fruit. But no not this mother. This is what shocked me. The mother yelled at her son, “I’m not going to get you an f*****g apple so stop asking!”

Shocked.

Is this how we teach our children about healthy foods, when they ask we curse at them? Is this appropriate language to use in front of child? I think not.

An apple is for health and well being enriched with vitamins A, C and B. This is a piece of fruit to help the fight against disease.  Filled with antioxidants to help fight against the cancer forming free radicals in our body from every day stresses.

This piece of fruit is not to be said no to, just as a child is not to be cursed at.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. But what else can we do with an apple?

·    Eat the apple and enjoy together

·    Cut the apple into pieces and use to teach counting and fractions

·    Get many different apples; feel, smell, taste and talk about the differences

·    Cut, grate, stew, mash and peel an apple; feel the different textures

·    Have an apple rolling race, red vs. green!

·    Place apples in water and use for water-play; dunk, float and swirl the apples

·    Blow an apple with a straw vs. blowing a table tennis ball, talk about the different weights

·    Cut away part of the core, place a candle in it and practice blowing out

·    Play a market game, let your child buy his or her apple with some small change

·    Count the alphabet as you turn the stalk – what letter did you get?

I think I might eat an apple now, granny smith is my favourite at the moment.

Happy crunching!