Minzoo

Parents seek ways to make kids eat vegetables

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 11:53:31 +0800

Susan Phillips' 4-year-old son Alex eats vegetables every day -- he just doesn't know it. Phillips purées his servings of green beans, spinach, sweet potatoes and squash and hides them in a peanut butter and brown sugar-sweetened porridge that she makes for him each morning.

Link

Why the family dinner is good for parents.

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 11:34:26 +0800

Actually, the link between family dinner and idyllic child-rearing is a little more complicated than our collective bending of the knee might suggest. It may be that family dinner appears to shine because parents who eat with their kids also stuff them with other forms of enrichment. Or that the benefits come not from dinner per se but from the quality of the conversation that takes place at the table (and, in theory, could happen at any time of day). Are you talking as well as listening, answering queries ("What a good question!"), and telling stories that naturally lead to useful lessons and bits of information? For more on just how the benefits of the family dinner unfold, listen to this NPR piece.

The Mac-and-Cheese Effect

Snoopy Tooth Brush Set

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 11:24:33 +0800

Would this make the kids more eager to brush their teeth? I think I remember this from when I was a kid.

Originally released in 1972, the classic Snoopy toothbrush caddy is back! This set includes toothbrush stand, Snoopy cordless power toothbrush handle, two toothbrushes and a coupon to save $1 off any Colgate kids toothpaste! Handle uses 2 AAA batteries, not included. 6.5”.

Link.

Baby golf set

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 10:30:59 +0800

This looks like fun and just might have to replace a trip to the golf course this summer. Boo hoo, we are not going home. This Baby golf set is great for playing in the garden, perfect for the next Tiger Woods. Golf caddy includes 3 golf clubs, ball, flag sun visor, all made from wood and fabric. Just not in the house!

Link.

5 Discipline Traps to Avoid

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 11:50:41 +0800

Making mistakes is part of being a parent, and discipline is an area where we slip up constantly. It's one of our most daunting tasks, and to do it well we have to make clear, sensible, big-picture decisions at exactly the same moment when we are angry, frustrated, or embarrassed. And that's just as hard as it sounds.
After 17 years of being a mom and a pediatrician, though, I've been able to learn a lot about discipline from my own experiences, and from other parents. While there are all sorts of possible blunders (like the time I forgot I'd left my daughter Natasha in time-out), here are five biggies that most of us are guilty of -- and ways to avoid these common mistakes:

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Behind Rising Health-Care Costs

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:42:52 +0800

Rising costs could be seen as a sign of progress: The cheapest medical outcome, after all, is death. Major advances in the treatment of heart disease, cancer, pulmonary disorders, and a broad range of once-fatal diseases have prolonged life, but the longer the life, the higher the medical costs. "We're not realizing cost reductions as a result of increased longevity," says Michael Thompson, principal with PriceWaterhouse Coopers. Survive a heart attack, for example, and you raise your chances of living long enough to die of cancer or Alzheimer's disease, two of the most expensive diseases. Not to mention the cost of the drugs and follow-up care you'll need to avoid another heart attack.

Link.

iFrogz Tadpole iPod Case for Kids

Mon, 16 Oct 2006 10:53:31 +0800

We seldom allow our kids to watch TV, maybe 1 hour or so a week at most. With so much else to do it always seems like such a waste of time. But there are times, like a 12 hr flight across the pacific, where having easy access to their favourite bits of video could mean the difference between parental sanity or insanity. That sounds extreme and it is but TV has this sedating effect with children which makes it perfect for those times when there is little else to do but sit in your seat. Ipod video is a perfect device for this purpose but I don't think I would feel too comfortable allowing my 3 year unbridled access, especially after eating a peanut butter sandwich. That's where the iFrogz tadpole comes in. From their website: "Tadpole, by iFrogz quickly converts your iPod™ into a portable entertainment device for your child. A rugged case and clear protective screen cover offer unmatched protection and style. Comfort grip handles make viewing easy and fun! The tadpole case engulfs the whole iPod while leaving open areas for the click wheel, iPod view screen, and various buttons and accessory points. In addition to these design elements the Tadpole has added the comfort grip handles for kid friendly and iPod safe viewing. Just as with the entire product line of silicone iFrogz cases, the tadpole is made from 100% silicone that is coated to repel dust and lint."

It's available November 1st for about $25.00US. Via Xataka.

Posters as Art Elements

Wed, 31 May 2006 13:11:29 +0800

I've always been a fan of poster art and think they might just make an interesting alternative to the standard art you hang in your childs room. These posters are from Strawberry Luna, a screen printer and designer born and raised in Philadelphia. She has a range of posters which you can purchase with a range of prices around $20.00US.

Interactive Videos are Best

Sat, 27 May 2006 12:14:10 +0800

I have a confession to make - today my daughter and I are going to watch allot of tv. I've temporarily moved my "office" into the tv room and she is watching a series of Pooh Bear movies while I prepare for some upcoming meetings. I always feel a sense of guilt over resorting to TV to entertain her when I get busy like this - her mom is out all day as well. It happens very rarely but one time is too many.

New research indicates that parents should choose videos with high interactive content if they want their children to be educated as well as entertained by their time in front of the tube.

“By age 2, children have figured out that other people are a primary source of information about the world, and they use social cues such as facial expression and where a person looks or points to gather that information. As a result, they are more likely to learn from a person on video whom they perceive as a conversational partner,” psychologist Georgene Troseth of Vanderbilt University says. “In our study, if a video was not interactive, children were much more likely to dismiss the information being conveyed.”

“There is good evidence from other research that watching shows such as Dora the Explorer and Blue's Clues in which characters speak directly into the camera and wait for responses can positively impact children’s mental and language development,” Troseth said. “Our new findings have implications for educational television aimed at toddlers, as well as for the use of video images in research with this age group.”

One side effect of her occaisional movie watching is that it fuels her imagination. She will be a Tiger all week I think.

Source.

Keep your childs BandAid on all day

Sun, 21 May 2006 16:02:18 +0800

I don't know why I hadn't thought of this. This is a Japanese video on YouTube demonstrating how to put on a BandAid so that it stays on all day long. It's in Japanese but the visuals are pretty easy to follow so you should be able to get the gist of it. The video clip included, after the jump.

Plant-Me Pets

Sun, 21 May 2006 15:28:04 +0800

Now that the weather is warm, my daughter and I have been doing some planting in our garden. It's not a real garden as this is Asia and space is limited but it's what we have. I've been wanting to instill a bit of fun into the whole process now that the initial wonderment has worn off. I mentioned finding Nyokki plant pots a while back and they seem fun. It's a bit hard to get them shipped here so we make our own. Plant-Me Pets are another great idea. They're quirky creature sculptures made of natural latex rubber. The "eyes" are actual seeds (melon, tomato, and pumpkin seeds), and their "skin" is soft and pliable. You can squeeze their bodies and they'll squeak. Likely I can't import these here but they do look like allot of fun even if they weren't originally meant for kids (they look a little "evil"). $20.00US at Branch.

Canus Fruit Fragrance Goat's Milk Soap

Wed, 17 May 2006 15:14:11 +0800

If I bought these colorful, goat's milk soaps would I be spending bath time answering over and over why they don't actually write like the crayons downstairs? Shaped like crayons, they come in five juicy scents: cherry, orange, lemon, grape and apple. They should be gentle on your young child's skin but you should test any new soap on a small area first. A package of 5 soaps, four oz each, is $15.00US from giggle.

Retro Racing Car

Wed, 17 May 2006 13:40:07 +0800

I really love this car. If you add a pair of goggles and a helmut you have a true play racer. The look brings back memories of when I was a kid and we all had these cool racing toys. Quality toys that you could hand down to others. It has a shiny all-steel body, working steering wheel, honking horn, steel wheels and real rubber tires. I think my daughter would love to take this out to the track behind our house and play race car driver. The only problem I see are the fits that might erupt when my son is old enough and wants to ride it too. $89.00US at Land of Nod.

Kellogg's Tony the Tiger Breakfast Set

Wed, 17 May 2006 13:00:29 +0800

Though it has the look of something you might give to the kids (the coffee mug gives away the fact it's not) this Tony the Tiger Breakfast set is really meant for me. Their was a time that Frosted Flakes were my favourite start and/or end to my day. This looks like a great way to remember those careful high metabolism days of my youth. This retro styled set features a small plate, cereal bowl, and mug. All in earthenware and decorated with the original Frosted Flakes cereal box design. $29.00US. Via Uncrate.

Olivia the Pig Doll

Tue, 16 May 2006 22:41:17 +0800

Catriona loves these books so much that I just have to go out and buy this doll for her. Olivia, is the star of Ian Falconer's popular books, OLIVIA which we were introduced to by a friend. They are wonderfully illustrated stories that our daughter immediately was drawn to. I thought at first that the illustrations were a bit sullen but perhaps they are a good counterpoint to all the bright rainbow colors of other books. This doll is 10 inches tall and is fabricated from acrylic plush material. Available from Amazon.