Team Umizoomi is a new Nickelodeon kids show that’s aimed at preschoolers.  The focus is on teaching math basics to very young children.  The design and format of the show are similar to Blue’s Clues, a perennial favorite with the younger crowd.  The bright 2D and 3D graphics of Umizoomi depict a world that is based on math.  The main characters are a sister and brother, Milli and Geo, who are super heroes.  With their robot Bot, they turn math into a fun adventure that is sure to capture the imagination of children.

Visit the official Team Umizoomi website for games and activities related to the show.

Parents have recently discovered that babies can learn sign language even before they’re able to speak. Research has found that infants can learn American Sign Language (ASL) and can use it to communicate simple feeling and needs from a very young age. This can accelerate speech development, build cognitive skills and increase the bond between parent and child. There are classes available to teach parents the fundamentals of baby sign language. My Smart Hands offers online classes and has published an online dictionary for baby sign language.

See baby sign language in action in this YouTube video.

Renting a bounce house for a child’s birthday party or as a fundraiser for a school or sports team has been a popular option for quite some time.  Kids do love bounce houses, but unfortunately these inflatable fun houses are a common cause of injuries to children.  Adults who rent bounce houses should be sure to follow a few safety guidelines.

Check on the bounce house operator’s experience and training. Determine what kind of supervision is required for the bounce house.  Will the bounce house operator supervise its use, or are other adults expected to provide supervision?
 
Find out what safety precautions will be followed by the bounce house operator.  Precautions should include the following:

Even with every possible safety precaution, it’s still possible for accidents to occur in a bounce house.  Hopefully the chance of an accident is greatly decreased if these precautions followed.

According to Parents Magazine, a recent study conducted at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that about 60 percent of teenagers eat only one fruit or vegetable per day.  Poor eating habits usually start in childhood.  No parent plans on raising a picky eater or a child who will only eat “kid food” like pizza and chicken nuggets.  However, if you always let them decide on what they will eat, that’s probably what their choices will be.  If you start when they’re young, it is possible to create some healthy eating habits. 

Here are some tips for introducing your baby and toddler to veggies:

If you haven’t been serving vegetables and your child is older, introduce them into meals and insist that your child eat a small portion.  They’ll thank you for it when they’re older and learn to appreciate the importance of a healthy diet.