Early Motherhood

When children anticipate “going to the doctor,” many become worried and apprehensive about the visit. Whether they’re going to see their primary care doctor or a specialist — and whether for a routine exam, illness, or special problem — kids are likely to have fears, and some may even feel guilty.

Some fears and guilty feelings surface easily, so that children can talk about them. Others are harbored secretly and remain unspoken. In preparation for a physician’s examination, you can help your child express these fears and overcome them.

If your child is between the ages of 3 and 6 and attends a child care center, preschool, or kindergarten program, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) suggests you look for these 10 signs to make sure your child is in a good classroom.

Children spend most of their playing and working with materials or other children. They do not wander aimlessly, and they are not expected to sit quietly for long periods of time.

The two greatest risks from most insect stings and bites are allergic reaction (which may occasionally be fatal) and infection (more likely and less serious).

CHECKLIST FOR CHILD CARE CENTERS

You should visit several child care centers before selecting one. This checklist will help you, as a parent, look at certain aspects of each center. Then compare one center with another.

Before you visit, read and be familiar with the items on this checklist. Phone the centers you would like to visit, and set up an appointment at each one, allowing yourself 20-30 minutes per visit. Let the director know the ages of your children and that you are interested in learning more about the program.

You probably have lots of concerns about the foods you give to your child. Is it a nutritious meal? Will your child eat it? Is there too much fat? But one thing that may not cross your mind as you’re slicing and dicing in the kitchen is food safety.

Why is food safety so important? Proper food preparations are necessary to prevent your family from becoming sick from food-borne illnesses caused by bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter and Listeria (which can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and dehydration). Food safety precautions include knowing how to select foods in the grocery store, how to store them, how to cook them, and how to clean up afterward.