Archive for March, 2010

Vision…the Window To The Child's Mind

Most of the time we just take vision for granted, but…

It is the child’s window to his mind. That’s because the optic nerve, which enters the back of the eye, is an extension of the brain. What he sees travels along this pathway to the part of the brain responsible for vision.

It is there he organizes, interprets and makes sense of his world. Just think about how much you learn by looking and observing…Okay, so sometimes we’re so busy looking that we don’t really see. That’s a different problem.

Your son’s brand new world becomes brand new to you, too, because you see it with fresh eyes. You also become more aware of sights, sounds, touches, and that new baby powder smell.

She sleeps more than she’s awake. But when she’s awake, give her a sensory-rich environment that appeals to sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste.

Sight, sound, and touch become his primary teachers in unlocking the mysteries of his new world.

Speaking of sight, just what does she see?

Unfocused eyes, struggling to work together, try to make sense of this confusing new world. Sometimes they won’t work together so they cross. This is natural in these early months.

Eyes peering out of a wobbly head dimly see his mother’s face because his acuity has not developed. It probably won’t be in the normal range until he’s about six months old. He can see her facial features, but not clearly.
Bold colors and contrasting ones like black and white hold her attention for a bit. Add blinking lights and you have a combination sure to captivate her attention, if only briefly.

He might see a moving object passing slowly in his line of vision. Make it a bold color, give it a light or a sound, and it will be easier to catch his eye.

So are there things you can do or provide that will stimulate her visual development? Sure.

A lot of them at this stage will be practical ones…like a burp cloth.

Three-ply diapers…those with a padded middle section make the best. Jazz them up with colorful ribbons, appliques, hems…even her name. You can buy them, but they are so inexpensive and EASY to make, that’s what I’d recommend. I made some for my granddaughter and mailed them to her. A few days later my son asked me where I’d gotten them. When I told him that I’d made them, he said that his wife had looked everywhere for some like them but couldn’t find any. She’d like them better than the ones she’d gotten at her showers.

Another practical gift…also simple, inexpensive, and easy to make…that enriches visual development is a colorful quilt.

Babies aren’t placed on their tummys any more for sleeping. In order to develop their muscles for head lifting and back and shoulder strengthening, needed for crawling, they need “tummy time.”

You can provide a pleasurable “tummy time” by giving her a visually applealing quilt that captures her attention.

Don’t forget books…yes, even for a newborn…cloth, board, textured…they don’t even need words.

You can provide a sensory-rich environment that will enrich your child’s visual development.


Beth is a retired teacher of the visually impaired, who lives in Nashville, Tennessee. She has created a web site http://www.child-enriching-gifts.com drawing on her experiences as a teacher and a grandmother.
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What Shall We Call The New Baby?

Choosing a name for your baby is a big job, but it can be a lot of fun. Choosing your baby’s name is important to you and your family, and it allows them to play an active role in the baby’s life even before the the baby arrives. So rather than waiting to the last minute, take your time to go through the process, and you will be sure to select a name that is perfect for your baby for a lifetime!

One of the biggest challenges a set of new parents faces is choosing a name for their new baby. This seems like an easy task and may be low on the list of priorities, when faced with the daunting world of parenthood. Even so, choosing baby names can be very frustrating and even a source of consternation for new parents.There are so many things to consider when selecting the perfect name for your child. Quite a few of parents don’t have a clue about where to begin and may feel completely overwhelmed. The best place to start is with a list.Try writing out the names and make sure to say them out loud, to to hear how they roll off the tongue. Check for any similarities to negative words or phrases that may be formed by certain name combinations.

Both parents could take a few minutes and jot down the first ten baby names that come to mind that they would consider suitable for the new baby. It’s not as hard as it sounds – it’s actually surprising, how many unique and quality names will come to mind. Make sure that you list names for both boys and girls, unless you already know the sex of your baby.The next step, after this first pass at the name choosing session, you should define some agreed upon parameters for your baby names. Think about and discuss your preferences for cultural backgrounds, family names and number of syllables. You could limit it to include only names starting with specific letters. Be sure that you keep plenty of paper handy–this could take awhile. Listen for potential names when you are in the grocery store, listening to the radio and reading the paper. You’ll be surprised at how tuned in you become.
Once the lists are complete, both parents should sit down and eliminate any names that either parent objects to. Even if there is only a couple of names remaining between the two lists, this is a good start.

Make sure to use the Internet when hunting for baby names. So much of the work is already done for you. Using any search engine, type in the phrase ‘baby names’ and a huge amount of websites will appear, giving you all kinds of baby name information. You can refine your search any way you wish. Forums are a good place to browse other people’s name ideas and post your own to get feedback as you work through your choices.As you make your way through your lists, pay special attention to the potential for teasing. Think of any negative words that may rhyme with or sound like the names you are considering. Consider letter combinations formed by the initials of any baby names on your list.

It will certainly be a welcomed idea, to ask friends and family for their thoughts and ideas. But beware! Your parents are from another generation and they may have their own ideaswhen it comes to good baby name choices. Siblings can be very original with their ideas. Just remember, that getting opinions on your baby names can be helpful, but at the end of the day, what you name your baby is up to you. This is your legacy here. If certain people have a different opinion about a name that is high on your list, you are the one who has the final say. Once people get to know your baby and form an affectionate bond, you will find that they quickly forget any negative connotation they may have had with the name, and come to love the baby, name and all!!


StorkandVeil.com has been a long time source for gifts for babies and continues to help parents and families of new babies celebrate the arrival of a new family member. For more on the gifts and accessories available, visit http://www.StorkandVeil.com.
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Reasons To Buy Silver Baby Rattles As A Gift

If you are looking for a toy to buy a baby you may like to consider purchasing something made from silver. This is a precious metal which could add an extra special something to your choice. There are quite a few types of baby toys that you could select. A couple of Interesting options that you could think about buying is a baby rattle or maybe a toy ring for your child.

There is a wide range of toys that are made from silver. This can be something that is both functional as well as practical.

Baby Rattles

Baby rattles are a great gift idea to buy for an infant. You can choose to buy one for any special occasion or you can decide to buy one just because you see one and know that your little one would have lots of fun playing with it.

These toys can be a great investment if you decide to buy from one of the well known stores that supply quality products. You could even make this toy into a wonderful heirloom for the future. This could be presented at the baby’s christening and then kept as a super keepsake. In the future when your little one grows up, you can then present it to their own newborn baby. This could be the start of a beautiful tradition that could be shared from generation to generation.

A Silver Baby Ring

If you prefer the look and style of a baby ring, you will find that they can come in a range of sizes. The best thing to do is to look at the styles that are on offer so that you can pick the best one. You will want to find one that is big enough so that your baby can hold it in their little fingers without any difficult. These rings can be a mixture of a baby teether as well as a toy rattle.

The first place that you should start looking is on the internet. Compare all the different offers that are available and you are sure to find the perfect silver baby toy.
There are some great choices of baby rattles available today. Find out more about buying silver baby rattles online today.


Linda Bennett has varied interests including reading, singing and amateur dramatics.
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Baby toys are something that can be functional as well as pretty to look at. Good examples of the type of plaything that can encompass both of these things are toys made from silver. This is an item that is excellent as a gift idea that you can present on a special occasion like a christening or baby’s first birthday. Wonderful choices of silver toys are baby rattles and silver baby rings.

Silver Baby Rattles

There are a lot of different types of baby rattles that you can now get which are produced from silver. If you really want to push the boat out, you could possibly order a rattle from one of the well know department stores like Tiffany’s or Harrods. There you will get something that is manufactured from solid silver and it’s going to surely last forever. This could become a beautiful memento that you’ll be happy to give to your kid while they are a baby and then again once they turn into a grownup. Contemplate establishing a family tradition and this can be something which could be handed from generation to generation.

These rattles are still playthings and should definitely still be used as such. If you don’t have that much money to shell out, you’ll will be happy to know that you can still discover fantastic choices of toys made in silver that will not be too expensive.

A Silver Baby Ring

There are lots of silver baby rings that you could also choose to invest in. They can be toys that are big enough for your baby to grip firmly in their hands or you can find something that will slip easily over their wrist. If you want something that is multi functional then you can buy a baby ring that also works as a toy rattle.

Whatever your final decision is, you will be happy with the wide range of silver toys that are on offer. Any one of these would make a great gift idea. Take a look on the web to find out more about prices and availability.

There are some great choices of baby rattles available today. Find out more about buying silver baby rattles online today.

Linda Bennett has varied interests including reading, singing and amateur dramatics.
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If you are searching for a toy to buy for a little baby, you may like to think about buying one of the many different types of baby rattles that are on sale in stores or online. These toys come in all shapes and sizes and can be made from a whole variety of materials and fabrics.

A baby rattle is the perfect toy for any child for several reasons. It is fun to play with. It can be colourful. It can be educational and it can help to improve several of a child’s senses. Here is just one example of the sort of baby rattle that you can find to buy which will surely keep a baby entertained for hours on end.

Reasons To Buy A Baby Wrist Rattle

There are lots of rattles that can be attached to your child’s wrist safely. They are usually made from soft woollen fabrics, similar to the fabrics used to make socks. Some of these toys have little toy animals attached with a rattle inside them. A child can learn very quickly that if they move their wrists, they will be able to hear a sound.

A good example of this sort of rattle is called the Lamaze garden wrist rattle. These are very popular with parents because they are fun for babies to play with and they are very easy to look after. If you are looking for a great gift idea for your child or for a friend’s child, then buying a baby wrist rattle could be the solution. Compare and contrast what is on offer on the internet and you may be lucky enough to find a great bargain.

All you need to do is to evaluate the different prices and you are sure to find the right rattle for your baby and within your budget.

There are some great choices of baby wrist rattles available today. Find out more about buying the best baby rattles online today.


Linda Bennett has varied interests including reading, singing and amateur dramatics.
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