Juno Baby - Make Music Their First Language

Juno Baby featured at New York Licensing Show with Act III

Well, we're a bit behind on our blogs...but better late than never.  Juno Baby appeared at the Licensing Show in New York last month represented by Norman Lear's Act III Licensing.  Below are a few pictures of the event!

Toddler's or Child's Fear of the Water! What to Do

As many of you know, our Way to Go, Juno DVD by Juno Baby deals with some common fears and concerns your toddler may have.  One of the topics we get the most comments on is fear of the water!  So, we've had our blog extraordinaire, Stephanie Parker write something on the subject:

It's summer time, and everyone has pulled out their swim suits.  With perfectly pleasant, sun-shiny weather, well deserved time off from work, and a little cash in your pocket it's time to hit the beach and pool side.  Unless, of course, you have a terrified toddler clinging to your legs and whimpering at the sight of anything big, blue, and wet.  If you have ever tried to go on summer vacation with an aqua-phobic child, then you know that this is no laughing matter.  Whether he/she is only a little afraid or full on terrified, dealing with a fear of the water can be a frustrating, time consuming job.  But, as always, Juno Baby is here to help with a few tips and tricks to get your little one out of the car, and into those water wings.

Start Early.

Don't wait until your child is 5 or 6 to address a fear of the water.  If your 1 yr old is showing signs of distress when he/she has to get into a bathtub, then you might want to make a trip to the beach or your local pool. Start introducing him/her to the water as soon as possible.  Take it slow, of course.  But, be persistent.  Putting something like this off can lead to a more sever phobia in the following years to come.  If the issue is never addressed, then you may even end up with an adult that can't swim, never frequents pools and beaches, and is missing out on a lot of good clean fun.

Baby Steps.

When you say you are going to take it slow, don't surprise him/her by simply tossing them in.  While this may have worked for your dad's dad back in 1922, we in modern day 08' like to avoid emotionally scarring and traumatizing our children.  Seriously.  The old sink or swim method of introducing kids to water has only about a 50% chance of actually working.  The other half is more likely to never go near water again than they are to become the next Olympic water polo champion.  So when you promise to hold his/her hand tightly as you play at the waters edge, do so.  With patience, your little one will be squealing and jumping in deeper and deeper in no time at all.

When putting these baby steps into practice, try the following:

- let him/her play in a kiddy pool when at the beach, rather than bringing them directly to the big ocean side.

- Buy them a good pair of goggles to protect their eyes and/or nose.  Sometimes kids are only afraid of getting water in places they don't want it.  A good set of ear plugs, or nose plugs can help too.

- Make sure he/she isn't suffering from what many call swimmers ear.  If the fear of water is a recent development, it may be because your child is making the connection between water and pain.

- Teach them to float before teaching them to swim.  This will help your child feel safe, because they know that anytime during the lesson they can just float to the surface and calm down.

- Join a class together.  Mommy and me (or daddy, or grandmother, etc.) swim classes can be loads of fun, educational, and very helpful to a child that is only afraid of the water because he/she feels overwhelmed and out of control.  Also, being around other children and their parents may ease any feelings of isolation.

- Water wings will give him/her the feeling of swimming without the danger of drowning.  Just be sure to ween them off before they turn 6 or 7.  By this age, your child should be able to swim on their own.  If not, another class may be in order.  Or, perhaps some one on one time at the pool is necessary.  Remember, waiting too long to teach your child to be independent in the water is more harmful than helpful.  A teen or adult that doesn't know how to swim is not only missing out on fun, but is at a disadvantage in emergency situations that may require him/her to swim.

When it's serious.

When your little one stops being afraid of the water, and starts being completely phobic, you may need to seek professional assistance.  Child therapists are trained to help with this sort of thing, and may be able to better help your little one than you can in this kind of situation.

How to recognize a problem.

Knowing the difference between fear and terror is an important part of helping your child adapt to the water.  Read below signs that can help you decide when he/she has a real problem.

- He/she cannot be soothed.  Even after being removed from the water, they are worried about it.

- The fear is completely disproportionate to all common sense and reason.  (i.e.  fear would be whining, fussing, and avoidance.  phobia would be crying, screaming, and panicked struggling even after the water is gone form sight.)

-  They aren't simply afraid of pools and oceans, but anything containing a substantial amount of water.  (i.e.  a bathtub or small kiddy pool)

Remember to have patience and always exercise caution when introducing your child to the water.  Always keep a sharp eye out, whether they are in the water or out of it.  And, have fun.

This blog post was provided by Stephanie Parker - our blog writer extraordinaire!

Second Languages for your Baby, Toddler, or Child - When to Start

Many of our customers who have purchased our DVDs for the foreign language tracks and flash cards have been asking us to write a blog about teaching children a second language.  Well, here we are!

The idea of teaching your little one a second, or even a third language may seem daunting and even unnecessary at first.  Where would he/she use it?  Wouldn't it be easier when he/she's older?  They don't teach it in his/her school.  How would I even begin?

The good news.

As intimidating as these and other questions can be, once you start, you'll find that it isn't as difficult as you may think.  Seriously.  Children's capacity for absorbing information is far greater than that of adults due to the flexibility and incredible attentiveness that their developing brains possess.  If immersed early on, children can not only learn how to understand the basic rules of other languages, but can even begin to pick up subtle nuances in pronunciation that are typically exclusive to natives.

Still not convinced it's worth it?  Let's look at just a few of the benefits to teaching your child to speak another language.

Research has shown that the process of learning another languages actually enhances the brains capacity to learn and develop.  Most children introduced to new cultures and languages before the age of six have shown a greater aptitude for learning and have significantly 'out performed' their peers in standardized tests and other academic assessments.

A study conducted by neurologists at University College London showed that children who were learning second languages were actually increasing the grey matter - the tissue directly related to processing information - in their brains.  And, whats more, the younger the students were, the more additional grey matter they developed.

Will I be inhibiting his/her ability to learn their native language?

No.  In fact, it typically enables your child to learn their own language faster and better than they normally would.  Learning multiple languages at a time only helps your child understand the concept of language itself, and how it functions across many cultures.

So how do you get started?

If you or your partner are fluent in another language, then try to begin there.  Speak to your child in both languages as equally as possible.  Total immersion is the best way to learn a language at any age.

What if we only speak one language?

Single-language homes simply have to be more creative when it comes to teaching your child a second language.  Here are a few things to try.

Videos, games, and computer programs, oh my!

Use technology to your advantage.  Their are numerous programs out their that will help your child to experience another language both visually and audibly.  Maybe even you and your partner can get in on the act by sitting and learning along side them.  Make it fun.  Spend quality time with your little one while you are singing, playing, listening, and clicking your way to another culture.

Make it a play date.

Another great way to immerse your little one into a foreign tongue is to organize a playgroup with children who speak the language you want him/her to learn.  Make it a mutually beneficial experience by involving children who also want to learn your child's native language.

Hire your very own bilingual Mary Poppins.

Good nannies/sitters come from all cultures.  Hire someone that will speak in both your child's and their own language.  Just be sure you have thoroughly checked this person's references, and can trust that they aren't being inappropriate when they know you cannot understand them, or aren't around.

Sign up.

Enrolling your little one in a bilingual class is also a very good option.  You might even decide to attend with him/her and learn something you can both share.   

So, there you have it.  Learning/teaching a second language isn't all that hard when you start young and stay creative.  Now get out there and try something new.  You might be surprised at what you and your little one can accomplish when you learn together.

This blog post was provided by Stephanie Parker - our blog writer extraordinaire!

Liar Liar! Is your little one telling you fibs and lies?

It happens everyday, kids lying  to their teachers, friends, babysitters, and yes, even you.  It could be to cover a mistake, to get someone else in trouble, or just to pass the time.  It isn't all that uncommon.  In fact, it's to be expected.  But, does this make it all acceptable somehow?  Shouldn't parents be concerned that their children are learning to break trust and discard moral values?  On the other hand though, they are only kids, and the lies they tell seem so small and insignificant.        

It can be a difficult call to make when your little one flat out fibs to your face.  Do you punish him/er?  Should you let it slide?  Are there really any small "stories", or is every infraction of the truth a major deal?  These kinds of question can often lead to frustration and inconsistencies in parenting, which then can lead to a loss of respect from your child, and ultimately... one very disobedient youngster.  But, before you panic with indecision, let's try to get our heads around why kids lie.

fiction vs. reality
It may sound like a load of psycho-babble, but sometimes children just can't get their head out of the clouds.  Many kids, when faced with a question like "what happened?", or "who did that?" don't understand that what you are looking for is reality.  In fact, until they are at least  3, science has shown us that their brains aren't even equipped to understand such intangible and philosophical concepts.  In other words, they are actually physically incapable of grasping the idea of 'truth'.  So, when you ask direct questions, like the examples above, they simply respond with whatever they can come up with at the time.  For particularly sharp children, they may be aware that they are speaking of an unrealistic event, a fantasy, if you will.  While other kids don't really even differentiate.  They don't think it's real.  They don't thinl it isn't.  It's just their answer.

To be more specific, it isn't that they truly believe that a dragon messed up their room, but more like they don't see why that isn't a good answer.  After all, It meets their standards.  It's funny.  It's imaginative.  And, it keeps them from being responsible.

Filling in the blanks
Probably the most common reason for a child to spin tales is plain old forgetfulness.  We see this even in adults.  Sometimes, when you just aren't sure what happened, you fill in the blanks with what you think might be true.  Also, on occasion, we may knowingly invent something or 'pin' a misdeed on someone else just to be exonerated.  It happens a good deal more than you think.  If your kids and their friends were playing last week, and somehow crayon got on the wall, odds are your child is going to point the finger elsewhere.  Don't try to pretend  you've never done it.

Guilt
Much like many adults, unfortunately, children don't respond well to feelings of guilt.  Rather than embrace the feeling and try to correct the wrongdoing, they will often paint stories that resemble what they wish would have happened.  This doesn't make it so, but it allows them to play a mental trick on themselves that can alleviate their shame and help them avoid further embarrassment by owning up and apologizing.  Obviously, this isn't the best course of action, but it rewards them with the instant relief they were seeking.

So, knowing this, it may now be easier to know just how to react when your child tells a lie.  Let's go over a few possible responses together.

Know your goals and pick your battles.
While children may be extremely accustomed to fibbing, that doesn't necessarily make them good at it.  It is often painfully obvious to parents exactly what happened, who is responsible, and which party needs to apologize/make it right.  So, why interrogate the child?  If your only goal is to get him/her to fess up, you should reconsider your motives.  It is important to teach your child how to accept responsibility, but verbally pounding a confession out of him/her is only going to teach them to be afraid of getting caught and to try and avoid this at all cost.  Instead, try circumventing the whole  'flashlight in the eyes, where were you on the night of - fill in the blank - routine'.  Call your child on what you know to be true and talk with them about why it isn't right, and how to make things right.  Doing this will not only encourage them to just be honest with you from the start, but it also starts them on the road to learning how to apologize and forgive.  This method removes the fear from the situation, and replaces it with understanding and trust.

Praise makes perfect.
Ok, so you probably can't eliminate negative reinforcement from your day entirely, but the praise vs. criticism method has it's value.  When you reward your child for telling the truth with a smile and a 'thank you, sweety' you are giving him/her a reason to continue being honest.  And while you may  think that scolding can have the same effect, it actually tends to generate the opposite result.  Most parents will agree that the more you tell your child 'no', the less they pay attention.  The theory here is that children will try to repeat behavior that rewards them with positive attention, tune out all that which is negative or otherwise inhibiting of their free will.  It is only in the absence of positive feedback that children begin to settle for, and even seek out negative attention.    

Be aware of your surroundings.
As much as you hate being embarrassed by your wound up tyke at the office, playground, or pta meeting, he/she hates feeling shamed by you in front of his/her peers.  There are times when immediate scolding is necessary, regardless of where you are.  But this isn't the case all of the time.  Whenever you can, try to address the situation privately, away from both family and friends.  Not only will you feel like less of a bad guy, but your child will be appreciative to.  Remember, little talks and punishments aren't about humiliation, they are about growing up and learning. 

This blog post was provided by Stephanie Parker - our blog writer extraordinaire!

Pets! Is your child, toddler, or baby ready for one?

The benefits to having a family pet aren't hard to see.  Science has shown through numerous studies that having a pet, specifically those of the 'cuddly' variety, can reduce everyday stress, and lengthen and improve the quality of your life.  Pets also provide kids with an opportunity to learn responsibility and kindness.

However, while the experience of owning a pet with your child can be both fun and rewarding, it can also become a burden.  Here are 6 tips to help you avoid the mess and stress of co-caring for an animal with your little one.

1. Be realistic.

Understand that just because your child loves and wants to care for the family cat, that doesn't mean that you won't be stuck with the burden of cleaning litter boxes, paying vet bills, and driving around the neighborhood with a flashlight and a bowl of kibble every time it escapes from the house.  While this tip may seem like a no brainer, don't be fooled.  Many parents think that certain pets are just lower maintenance than others, and that their child will be able to handle the limited responsibility.  But, while it is true that some pets are less work than others, parents have to be prepared for anything.  What happens when that tarantula gets out of its cage when your child simply goes to fee it?  Who has to clean up the mess when 'little miss' leaves the cap off her ant farm? Just be ready, no matter the pet, no matter the child's age, to come to the rescue when things don't go as planned.

2. Think age appropriate.

Because every child is different, there is no magic age at which your little one will be ready for the responsibilities that come with owning a pet.  Try to use your best judgment when deciding on the right time to introduce an animal, no matter how small, into your home.  Some children will be able to handle tasks like feeding, watering, bathing, and brushing as early as age 6 or 7.  While others, well meaning as they may be, won't.

Always try to oversee/assist your child in caring for your animal.  One day, he/she will be able to care for it on their own.  Until then, don't leave your creature's fate in the hands of a forgetful or clumsy child, no matter how loving they may be. 

3.  Let them make the choice.

Unless your pet was adopted before your child was born, or when they were only a baby, try letting them make the choice.  If your little one is in charge of picking out what type of pet they want, they are more likely to feel a sense of ownership and responsibility.  If choosing the type of pet isn't an option (i.e.  your apt. only allows fish or someone is allergic to cats) then let them pick from a limited amount of choices.

4.  Know the difference between 'your pet' and a 'family pet'.

Don't expect your child to love or care for a pet they didn't choose.  They may not develop the same emotional attachments you did with your pet becuase it was never really theirs to begin with.  Another thing to consider is that your child may simply not be an animal person.  If they didn't ask for it, they aren't required to love it.  Respect their decision and try to show them how they can respect your pet without having to like it, love it, or even care for it.  

5.  Privileges  vs.  Punishments.

Brushing fluffy should be a privileged, not a punishment.  No matter how old your little one gets, he/she will always avoid something that feels like a chore.  Make spending time with the family pet a good thing.  Whether it's feeding time, bath time, play time, or nap time, time spent with your animal should be something to be looked forward to.  If it isn't, you may want to reconsider pet ownership altogether.  So, when Ron doesn't finish his homework on time, let him know he won't get to feed or play with fido tonight.  But, when everyone behaves and finishes the things they need to do, get on the floor or go outside and enjoy your pet together!  That is what owning a pet is all about.

6.  Safety for everyone.

Be sure you go over the rules with your child before ever leaving them alone, or even partially supervised, with a pet.  This isn't just for the pet's safety, but your child's as well.

Things they should know:

- Pet food is for pets and people food is for people.  Mixing these around could cause little children to choke, and pets to become sick or even die.

- Treats are for special occasions.  Giving your pet too many can cause them to be sick, and sometimes ruin training efforts by confusing the 'trick = treat' system your pet is coming to understand.

- Know when to back off.  Pets can be good fun when everyone is safe and happy.  But, ignoring the warning signs that an animal has had enough could result in someone getting hurt. 

- Certain people foods should NEVER EVER be given as treats.  (i.e. dogs can die from the cocoa in chocolate)

-  Always wash your hands when you come into contact with pet urine or feces.

Owning a pet can be a dream or a nightmare, depending on the choices you make.  Play it smart and get informed before ever bringing an animal into your home.  With the right amount of teamwork, education, and love, the pet experience can bring your family a new level of happiness.

This blog post was provided by Stephanie Parker - our blog writer extraordinaire!

Water Birth - What you need to know

Many of us have heard about it, as it is becoming more and more popular among today's  young mothers, but how much do we really know about it?  The act of giving birth under water has been praised by some as being the most peaceful, and natural form child delivery one can experience, reducing stress and trauma for both mother and child.  But how does the medical community feel about it?  What are the risk factors involved?  And finally, do the benefits outweigh any of the dangers that delivering a child unconventionally may pose?

Before answering these questions, let's learn more about the water birth experience, and what it entails.

The water birth process is actually quite simple and straightforward.  When the mother begins labor she is helped into a pool or tub filled with warm water either by a mid-wife or a labor partner of some sort.  The temperature of the water should be the same as her body, or close to that.  (i.e. 90 to 100 degrees)  At the point of actual delivery, the mother may have her child emerge in or out of the water.  However, this decision should be made before hand to ensure that things move along at a smooth and steady pace.  Babies born entirely underwater are able to wait to breathe in until they reach the surface because of their familiarity with the womb's fluid state.  Essentially, they are surviving on the remaining oxygen that has been provided for them through the umbilical chord for the past 9 months.  However, it is unclear just how long after exiting the womb the chord continues to provide sufficient life support.  Doctors say that even the continued pumping motion in the chord is no guarantee that the child is still receiving what he/she needs to survive underwater.

This brings us back to our previous questions.  Just how does the medical community view water birth?

As a general rule, the medical community is not on board with the idea of bringing your child into the world under water, whether it be at home in your bathroom or a in a hospital basin.

Dr. Daniel Batton, a member of the Committee on the Fetus and Newborn of the American Academy of Pediatrics,  recently shared his medical opinion in a co-authored commentary published by Pediatrics that underwater deliveries were unsafe due to a "lack of proper randomized, controlled trials" proving otherwise.
The commentary goes on to say that, "although underwater birth was associated with a decreased need for episiotomies and pain medication as well as higher Apgar scores and less cord blood acidosis in newborns, the birthing method was determined by maternal preference, and potential confounding variables were not analyzed. Over the last several years, numerous case reports have associated underwater birth with respiratory distress, hyponatremia, infections, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, ruptured umbilical cords, seizures, tachycardia and fever (related to water temperature of the bath), and near drownings in newborns or fetuses."

When asked to defend his and his colleagues stance on the matter, Dr. Batton simply asked that those defending the underwater birthing method provide conclusive, scientifically based evidence that the infant in not in any danger during the process, and more preferably, that this experience is actually beneficial to the child as many claim.

None have met his challenge as of yet, other than to offer up more testimonials from mothers and mid-wives.  However, that is not to say that there will not studies in the future which support the idea that delivering a child into a familiar substance is as safe as, and even preferable to a traditional delivery.

For more information for and against water births check out the following articles:

'Underwater Births' - Pediatrics original commentary

'Strong Opinions vs. Science' - A letter to the editor of Pediatrics concerning the bias/unfair evaluation of underwater birth plus responses by some of the physicians.

'Water Birth' - A comprehensive list of the benefits believed to accompany an underwater birth, as well as a list of guidelines and cautions when considering it for yourself and your child.

This blog post was provided by Stephanie Parker - our blog writer extraordinaire!