Perhaps, you have not heard the Australian motto for protecting young children in the sun? Australians are matter-of-fact in their approach and use the saying “Slip, Slap, Slop” before going outdoors with youngsters. Did you figure it out yet? That’s right. Slip on a hat, slap on a shirt, and slop on the sunscreen when preparing for safety in the sun. These are the basics of sun safety, but, there are many more good ideas for keeping your baby and young child safe from the sun’s harmful rays this summer.
10 Surprising Facts For Moms Expecting Multiples
You just heard the news. You went for an ultrasound, and you are expecting multiples! Your first response may be shock, fear, and an undeniable cry for help! Here are 10 surprising facts that moms carrying multiples need to know.
Lana Kelly
Editor, momstown Belleville
Montessori-Inspired At-Home Activities for momstown’s ‘Under The Sea’ Theme
As a Montessori teacher, I have a passion for hands-on learning, and believe that every child benefits from Montessori-based activities which focus on learning through the senses. So, the reason for this article is to give moms an opportunity to learn about, and to do some Montessori-inspired activities at home with their preschoolers. The momstown theme for the month of May is ‘Under the Sea’. So, have fun with these sea-markable, themed, do-it-yourself activities – Montessori style!
Lana Kelly
Editor, momstown Belleville
Oat Flax Pancakes with Steamed Cinnamon Apples
Well, here it is! Yet another yummy (and surprisingly healthy!) pancake recipe. This recipe could be considered to be a follow-up to the last article posted on raising our healthy kids. This particular article mentions ‘Eat Right Ontario’, as a popular reference for dieticians and other health care providers. I decided to check out the website and picked out this recipe which just so happened to be the …
2015 Kids Recipe Challenge Winning Recipe: 2nd place!
Free Video Series Helps Parents to Raise Healthy Kids
New research into child development demonstrates that parents and caregivers can play a critical role in ensuring their child’s individual success in all areas of development. In order for that to happen, we often need extra support, wisdom, and encouragement along the way, so that we can feel confident in our ability to give our child a healthy start and provide early intervention. This is why Dieticians of Canada and Alberta Health Care Services have created a free video series called ‘Raising Our Healthy Kids’.
Lana Kelly
Editor, momstown Belleville
EASY PEASY WHOLE WHEAT VEGETABLE GARDEN CREPES
Crepes are not just for breakfast! This spring we are planning on making an edible garden as a family. I thought it would be different to introduce our girls to crepes as a dinner dish using our own, homegrown vegetables as a filling. This recipe is super easy, and one that your whole family can cook together!
Lana Kelly,
Editor, momstown Belleville
King Cake Crepes (With a Hidden Easter Treasure Inside!)
The King Cake (sometimes shown as kingcake, kings’ cake, king’s cake, or three kings cake) is a type of cake associated in a number of countries with the festival of Epiphany at the end of the Christmas season; in other places, it is associated with the pre-Lenten celebrations of Mardi Gras/Carnival. Historically, king cakes have included a hidden treasure (typically a baby symbolic of the Christian faith). I decided to include this particular recipe, called King Cake Crepes, as a means of continuing momstown Belleville’s pancake, flapjack, and crepe recipe theme during this present Easter season. It is also a child-friendly recipe, and one that your children will enjoying nibbling on, as well as to find the hidden treasure(s) inside!
Lana Kelly
Editor, momstown Belleville
Kids Who Help in the Garden are Smarter and Healthier
Did you know that kids who garden are more than twice as likely to eat the recommended 5 servings of vegetables a day? This is just one of the reasons to include your kids in gardening during the spring and summer months. Yet, there are many other reasons for children to garden which include emotional, cognitive and physical development.
Books and Tips for Building Stress Awareness in Kids
The month of April brings showers, flowers, and sunshine. However, for children with anxiety disorders, ‘showers’ and sadness are more predominant than sunshine and happiness. Studies show that emotional and social disorders in children are said to increase by 50 percent by 2020! Although childhood fears are common, they don’t have to be a problem. It is up to us to increase our stress awareness, to be an advocate, and to help our children cope with these fears and build their self- confidence.
Lana Kelly
Editor, momstown Belleville
Autism and Food Allergies: Is There a Connection?
With National Autism Awareness Month happening in April, and Food Allergy Awareness Month coming up next month, I wanted to focus on this question: ‘Are autism and food allergies connected in some way?’ As I have had some experience in helping children with autism, as well as with food allergies (both in schools, and my own children), my answer would be a firm ‘Yes’.
Lana Kelly
Editor, momstown Belleville
