Did you catch the Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony? We all enjoyed watching most of it as a family and thought it was spectacular. Did you find yourself bouncing or rocking along to the music? Recent research shows that bouncing your baby to music may affect his later music preference in life. We have this story, plus more this past week. Catch up on what you might have missed.
August 4th
Baby Blog Week in Review: July 28th Through August 3rd
Safety and summer fun have been two themes occurring in the Baby Blog for last week. From tougher toy standards and new information about you baby and second-hand smoke, to fun in the baby pool and enjoyment through volunteering, you’ll find a variety of information and opinion. Some of it might even be controversial. Add your comment!
August 5th
Rocking and Bouncing Can Affect Your Baby’s Music Preference
Did you know that the way you rock and bounce your baby can affect his sense of rhythm and even what type of music he prefers? Researchers at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada studied how babies perceive music. Since parents usually bounce or rock their babies while singing to them, the researchers wanted to see if there was any connection to the development of rhythm or later preference for music in the babies.
August 6th
Is Air Conditioning Harmful for Your Baby?
In the summer, especially in some parts of the world, air conditioning seems a necessity. Hot and humid temperatures make us all uncomfortable. But could turning on the air conditioning be harmful for your new baby? Could all of that cold air cause a chill or weaken her immune system? Could it cause Asthma later in life? Keep reading for the answers.
August 7th
Are you worried about the safety of your children’s toys? Massive recalls of toys containing lead have brought the issue of toy safety to the forefront of our minds, and many parents are concerned that this information wasn’t available previously. Also in the news is the presence of certain chemicals in plastic that have been seen to interrupt endocrine function leading to growth problems and problems with adult reproduction.
August 8th
Link Between Second-Hand Smoke and Allergies
Here is another warning against exposing your baby to second-hand smoke. A recent study took a look at infants who are exposed to second-hand smoke and found a link between that exposure and the risk of developing allergies, both indoor inhalant allergies and food allergies. Since food allergies can easily be deadly and inhalant allergies can lead to asthma, the results of this study are important to note.
August 9th
Preschoolers and ADHD Research
ADHD is a common condition that is often identified when a child starts preschool for the first time. It is characterized by the inability of the child to pay attention or focus. Your preschool teacher may discuss the possibility of your child having the condition, but you should have any diagnosis done by a professional before you accept the possibility that your child has ADHD.
August 10th
Backyard Preschool Summer Olympics
Why should the little ones miss out on all of the Summer Olympic fun? You can host a backyard preschool olympics that will be sure to be a great time for everyone. The kids will learn all about moving their bodies and working as a team. They can gain confidence in their abilities, as well as a little exercise. Why not plan a backyard preschool summer olympics for your next preschool playdate, birthday party or moms camp? You can hold it for one day only, or host the event for a few days. It is up to you.