Top Concerns For Kids Watching TV

Posted on February 27, 2012 by admin

The first two years of a child’s life is the most important time for brain development. They’re not just learning, they’re learning how to learn. Their minds are like little sponges, taking in everything each of their senses picks up on.

Why the Age Of Two Is the Cut-Off

It’s a recommendation that children under the age of two do not watch TV, and those above the age of two watch small amounts. The reason for this is because, it’s generally believed that prior to the age of two is preverbal, and children will likely not understand what they are watching, so the education value of TV is not there. Once they’ve reached the verbal age of two, the education value of TV will be enhanced, and they will likely begin not only immitating what they see, but understanding it.

Is TV Over-Stimulating For Toddlers?

Life unfolds at a much more leisurely pace than does TV. It moves slowly, allowing your child to appreciate each of his or her pure senses, and take in as much as possible. TV typically moves at break-neck speeds of colors, shapes and sounds, bombarding a child’s fine-tuned mind with inanimate objects. There hasn’t been near enough research in this area, but it’s believed this type of over-stimuli can be damaging to a young mind.

Parents Should Be Involved When TV Is Being Watched

Babies and toddlers have a required need for direct contact with parents and caregivers. It’s not a hard-and-fast rule that parents completely avoid the TV before the age of two, but in cases where TV is watched, it’s best for parents to watch with their children, and talk to them about what’s on the screen, and what it might mean to your child.

TV and ADD/ADHD

There have been a few studies concerning the connections between children growing up in front of the TV, and later being diagnosed with either ADD or ADHD. These studies have yield some ambiguous results, but none have yet conclusively tied the two together.

There was a recent study that found 10% of children who grew up watching two-or-more hours of TV a day, would later be diagnosed with either ADD or ADHD by the age of seven. The study failed to test children who did not watch TV, and such a low number as 10% does not designate a need for concern. There is also an all-encompassing study that states 8-10% of all children will be diagnosed with either ADD or ADHD by the age of seven, regardless of any other factors.

Conclusion

No parent wants harm to come to a child, and no circumstance is perfect. Be aware of what your little genius is soaking.

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Why Smoking During Pregnancy Can Put Your Baby At Risk

Posted on January 25, 2012 by admin

Smoking is known to be extremely unhealthy. Add the harmful chemicals and affects of toxic substances to an infant attempting to develop and grow as healthy as possible, and there can be serious affects caused by smoking during pregnancy.

Lack of Oxygen

Your baby is exposed to harmful chemicals, such as nicotine, carbon monoxide and tar. These chemicals can lessen the amount of oxygen you and your baby receive. During your pregnancy, this can cause your body to be ill-fitted to allow an unborn child to develop. The lack of oxygen and harmful chemicals make it difficult for a healthy placenta and uterine implant to occur. There are several possible risks.

Ectopic Pregnancy

Once an egg is fertilized, it must implant itself by adhering to the walls of the uterus. During an ectopic pregnancy, which is more common among women who smoke, the fertilized egg will adhere itself to the outside of the uterus, causing it to be unprotected, and there will be no pregnancy.

Vaginal Bleeding

It’s not uncommon for about 30% of pregnant woman to experience vaginal bleeding. The cause of this may be dissidual bleeding. This is when small amounts of blood fail to be sealed to the uterus wall. It is more common in woman who smoke.

Placental Abruption

This is when the placenta peels away, partially or almost completely, from the uterine wall before delivery. This occurs more frequently, when the body fails to receive the proper amounts of oxygen to strengthen the placenta.

Placenta Previa

This is a low-lying placenta that covers part or all of the opening of the uterus. As with placental abruption, not enough oxygen is a likely cause.

A Stillbirth

With the lack of oxygen, chemicals and possible failure of organ development, a stillbirth becomes more likely in cases where women are smokers.

Birth Defects

After a successful birth, babies born of smokers are more likely to suffer from birth defects such as cleft lip or palate.  They may be born prematurely and likely born with a low birth weight.

SIDs and Various Other Afflictions

Children of woman who smoke are more likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), are at greater risk for asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections, respiratory symptoms, and may experience slow lung growth.

The affects on an infant of a smoker, during and after pregnancy, can be very serious. Any attempt to develop and nurture a living being under these circumstances can have serious repercussions.

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What to Know About Single Parent Grants

Posted on January 9, 2012 by admin

In today’s economy, more than ever, single parents are struggling to make ends meet. But there are programs available that can offer help. In many cases they can be complicated and confusing, and in some cases, offer misinformation. However, with the right insight, there is help.

Who Can Get Help and How

Typical problem areas include food, medical care, and day-care services, but it could also include going back to school.

Being a single parent, you must be either divorced or abandoned, but there are allowances for spouses who are disabled in some cases.

Grants for College and Going Back to School

For those wanting to go back to school, single parent grants for college are offered. There is the Pell Grant and Academic Competitiveness Grant in the way of single parent education grants. These are based on income and expected family contributions. For more information, the best place to look is the financial aid offices of any college or university.

Grants Specifically for Single Mothers

One thing that is rising, in particular, are grants specifically for single mothers. The best way to find these is on the internet, by searching for “grants for single mothers.”

Types of Grants

There are two types of grants to look at: government grants and private sector grants. Each comes with their own pros and cons.

Government grants are focused around, education, child support, healthcare, food, rental and living assistance. The best place to start looking for these is on the government website benefits.gov. The problem with these grants is, the applications are complex and there is an enormous in pouring of them, so you will be placed in a competition with loads of other needy single parents. The best thing to do is to research each grant and be sure to fill out the applications exactly as they are needed. Do not give those who audit your application an easy chance to reject you.

Private Sector Grants can be looked at more along the lines of scholarships. There are fewer of them and they are more difficult to find and qualify for. However, they can be quite lucrative if you do. The best way to find these grants is on sites such as scholarships.com or even inquire at a local academic institution. Another issue of private sector grants, is there are scams out there. Several will require payment to get access to the applications or tools needed, promising great dividends, but offer little return. Many will even require a sign up, which will then bill you monthly until you take action to stop the billing. Use common sense in this area, as almost all grants will offer their applications without a fee.

For single parents, struggling to make ends meet, there is help out there, with the right knowledge and resources.

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