I am planning to make a few photo eye play files for my daughter with the songs/poems I am using to help her with languages and poetry rhyme. My question is:

Is there a function in LR that allows you to do that?

Or would I just create the graphics in Photoshop and combine it with an audio file that I am interested in using?

Are you aware of any specific guidlines for the colors/shapes that can be used for it? Or any simple shape/contrasting color would do?

Is it better to stick with the same shape/color for the whole duration of one song/poem, or changing shapes/colors sometime in the middle is also OK?

I was not able to find much about this method, but my daughter seem to like a few files that were posted and it helps her concentration... Do you have any links to the articles or more info about this ( apart from the Twiddle Wink website)?

Any other thoughts/suggestions?

Thank you so much in advance!

Congratulations, kizudo! What a great news, and I think there is nothing better for a child then to ahve a brother or sister, or more 

Hi,

I am the mother of a 25 month old. He loves to eat healthy food. Green beans are one of his favorite foods.

I would love to have a healthy kids recipe exchange. I have many recipes I can contribute - everything from homemade crackers to fruit juice sweetened cookies and cakes. Should we just start posting recipes here? Or would you like direct email? Is there a particular type of recipe you are most interested in?

Way to go, Lisa! I think we can either start posting here, or start a thread for different kind of healthy recipes. This way it will be accessible for everyone ( better then  just a PM to one person), and it will be easy to refer to.

Looking forward!

Nice recipe idea, kizudo!

Preeti,

My files are GD math day by day, and they are in the Little Math Format, as Little Math makes it easy to manage them and to create random presentation and dot placement.

We started on the reading, using the LR curriculum, which I like a lot, as it makes it easy, and leaves me time to prepare other learning activities for my baby girl Evangeline.

We also started on GD Math about a month ago, and we had a few days break here and there, since we were travelling.

I also do some Chinese and Russian with her, -- listening to songs and children audio stories in these languages, some power point presentations and speaking to her.

Daddy plays music to her and started showing her some notes, but it was not consistent just yet, we still trying to find a good balanced schedule 

It seems like a lot, but these are just dispersed through the day few minutes of each activity, so it is not boring, and having her day flowing and interesting. She is much happier, when I do activities with her, and more content to play on her own after that and have some independent play with her toys or cloth books...

Yes, I would be happy to exchange tips and see each other's progress. So nice to have you here!

Congratulations with your new baby! So great, you definetly have a good headstart with materials for teaching now!

Looking forward to your Portugese contributions! My husband lived in Brazil for many years, and would love our little girl to speak Portugese, he is willing to teach her ( even though he is not a native speaker, but he speaks good), so having some materials available will be so wonderful!

Great having you a part of community!

[research that points specifically to MSG as the cause of both ADHD and autism]

The premise that nutrition affects children's ability to learn is not new. The link has been recognized for some time through scientific evidence and, more recently, through controlled research studies. This research on the link between nutrition and learning from the prenatal through school years only shows the importance of nutrition as a tool in learning.



Here is some info from this site I found:

Agree with that! So actually thought to add a little something to my previous post. As you noted MSG is an important ingredient of many commercial products, in this particular case we looked into a salad dressings.

Here is an interesting information on link between MSG and ADD ( Attention Deficit Disorder) ( I will just summarise it and put some links):

 

Decreased Levels of dopamine have been recently linked to ADHD:

http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/health/feeds/hscout/2007/08/06/hscout607086.html

The link between MSG and ADHD now becomes even clearer - since glutamate in animal studies decreased dopamine.

In the December 2003 issue the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, it was reported that researchers found increased levels of glutamate in the brains of children who suffered from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).  In those same children, levels of Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA), were decreased.  

Here is what the Center for Science in the Public Interest has to say about ADD:

http://cspinet.org/diet.html



In addition there is new research that points specifically to MSG as the cause of both ADHD and autism - both unheard of before 1950....

There some more infor on MSG on the http://www.msgtruth.org/

 

 

[very careful giving commercial salad dressings to your child]

Yes! Cool.

 Through trial and error, I figured out that salad that is cut tiny or julienned works best with him and a combination of creamy and savory salad dressing (Ott's Famous and HV Ranch), though now, I alter it and modify the mix - adding Asian, etc. Not drenched, moist, though. At first he would only eat it if it sat a little while and got a bit soft, but now he eats it. II think persistence pays off, more than anything. I tell him it's refreshing, like wind in his tummy and he gets excited.

I would be very careful giving commercial salad dressings to your child!

Most of them ( if not all) are not recommended for healthy adult’s diet. Much less for children or babies. Lets take Ranch dressing for instance, it is owned by Clorox (!?) of cleaning detergent fame, and they are boasting of its extremely long shelf life ( I think something like 150 days!), which is not a good news in itself. If they put the cocktail of preservatives, which prevents this stuff from getting spoiled for 5 months, what would it do to our body?

Let’s take a peek into its ingredients…

For starters, a serving is about 140 calories, 130 of them from fat! In fact, there are 14 grams of fat (22% of the maximum daily allowance) and 2.5 of those are saturated fats. Sat fats are what drive up bad cholesterol levels in blood. Fats in itself might not be too bad for the growing toddler, but you do want to chose fats that you give, and stir to better fats… However this is not the main problem. Here is the list of typical Ranch ingredients:
Soybean Oil, Water, Egg Yolk, Sugar, Salt, Cultured Nonfat Buttermilk, Natural Flavors (Soy), Spices. Less than 1% of Dried Garlic, Dried Onion, Vinegar, Phosphoric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Modified Food Starch, Monosodium Glutamate, Artificial Flavors, Disodium Phosphate, Sorbic Acid and Calcium Disodium EDTA as Preservatives, Disodium Inosinate and Disodium Guanylate.

Soybean Oil – oil is actually a healthy idea to add to a salad dressing because it help the body absorb some vitamins better. Just hopefully non-GMO soy beans are used….
Natural Flavors (Soy) – It’s a natural flavor, and it’s based on soy. We are not sure on what it is exactly….
Spices – no names
phosphoric acid (E338) -An artificial additive that provides a tangy taste for a much cheaper price than lemons. It is also used in soft drinks. Some studies have linked it to lowering bone density. Definetly not so good for a growing child.
Xanthan Gum (E415) – increases the viscosity of a liquid.
Modified Food Starch – an additive used as a thickening agent, stabilizer, or an emulsifier. In salad dressing it behaves as an emulsifier to keep oil and water from separating.
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) (E621) – used as a flavor enhancer. In the past was derived from wheat gluten, but now it is mostly made from bacterial fermentation. Some people are sensitive to MSG. Lots of allergies linked to MSG usageArtificial Flavors  This doesn’t look too good…
Disodium Phosphate - additive used as an emulsifier.  Also increases shelf life.
Sorbic Acid (E200) – antimicrobial agents often used as preservatives. Prevents the growth of mold, yeast and fungi. Derived from the fruit of the European Mountain-ash (Sorbus aucuparia )
Calcium Disodium EDTA - A preservative with a mildly salty taste.  May cause kidney damage, and blood in urine.
Disodium Inosinate (E631) and Disodium Guanylate (E627) - a food additive used as a flavor enhancer in order to lessen salt content. It is produced from dried fish/seaweed. Used in conjunction with MSG. Not safe for babies and young children, and should generally be avoided by asthmatics and people with gout.

This is just a short overview… I would think it would be safer and better to prepare a home-made simple salad dressing, which would have a shorter shelf life    , will have the ingredients you will chose to give your child, and will have the nutritional value to it… Here for example just one idea for the substitute salad dressing ( I think this one is from All Recipes website)

•   1 cup low-fat sour cream
•   1/2 cup buttermilk
•   1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
•   1/2 teaspoon dried chives
•   1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
•   1/4 teaspoon dried dill weed
•   1/4 teaspoon onion powder
•   1/8 teaspoon salt
•   1/8 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper


   Place sour cream and buttermilk into a mixing bowl. Season with parsley, chives, garlic powder, dill, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk together until smooth. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving. Its pretty easy, and you can modify it.


Children acquire tastes. They would not know the difference between commercial and homemade salad dressing, if they have not tried the commercial one. And later in life, when they have established healthy cravings and tastes, if given choices they will go for better and healthier ones. But it is our responsibility as parents to help them to build that. In the long run, it will result in healthier person.

[When Daddy holds my hand."]

            Here is something inspirational for Father's Day:

            Upon a rocky trail one day
   I met a friendly pair,
   A father & his little lad--
   A storm was in the air.

   The precipice was dangerous,
   The wind was coming on,
   But on that child's trusting face
   Was joyfulness & calm.

   My own heart quaked a bit with fear
   Of what might lie ahead,
   But when I said, "Aren't you afraid?"
   The laddy shook his head,
   Astonished at my ignorance,
   "Oh, you don't understand,
   Why, Mister, I can't be afraid
   When Daddy holds my hand."   

--Alice Mortenson


Whenever you hear of a man doing a great thing, you may be sure that behind it somewhere is a great background. It may be a mother's training, a father's example, a teacher's influence, or an intense experience of his own, but it has to be there or else the great achievement does not come, no matter how favorable the opportunity.--Catherine Miles

I do not have a link to the following, as I had this article for a while, but I thought it was interesting and wanted to summarize it here:

"The London Times reports: Fathers who devote time to their sons--even as little as five minutes a day--are giving them a far greater chance to grow up as confident adults, a parenting research project has found.

Boys who feel that their fathers devote time especially to them and talk about their worries, schoolwork, and social lives almost all emerge as motivated and optimistic young men full of confidence and hope.
The study, from the “Tomorrow's Men” project supported by Oxford University and funded by “Top Man” picked out youngsters with high self-esteem, happiness, and confidence as successful "can-do” kids.
The study found little difference between the positive effects of a good relationship with a father in a standard two-parent family and with an absent father who nevertheless made the effort to make time for the family. "Whatever the shape or form of a family, if you can get it together it makes a difference."
Families who spent significant amounts of time together as a unit were also more likely to turn out confident children."

First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy! You have such a  wonderful attitude, determination to do what will be the best for your baby. I know it is difficult, especially when there were some unexpected turns in your first pregnancy. But it is definetly possible.

One thing, -- do not try to figure everything out right away. Do your best with your birth preparations, and just tackle one thing at a time. I've seen some mommies, who found out about natural birth only a few short weeks before their due date, got really inspired/convicted about it, did their best preparing their hears and bodies just for those few weeks, went ahead and did it. Of course it is not ideal, but just to show that it is possible.

You have a great advantage, -- knowing what you want with your birth and for your baby; and having a few months to get ready for your birth.

I would just tackle each issue as it comes and pray not to feel overburdened or stressed.

First of all, Dr. Brewer's diet. I did it and I will totally recommend the 100 gr of protein intake during pregnancy.

But I wanted to share that I am allergic to milk and eggs, so I did not include them in my diet. But even without them it was not that difficult to reach 100 gr protein intake. It is more about well balanced nutrition and protein then about specific foods.

 For example some vegetables have a high protein count, I  included extra nuts into my dishes, turkey has the highest protein count of the meats; I used whole wheat flower for cooking. Buckwheat makes great high protein sereal, and at the same time it is considered a diet grain, as it is the least fattening from all different grains. You can do the  search, and there are websites there, that can help you figure out the protein count of different foods. Try keeping track for a few days and you will realise, that if you eat well balanced, fresh, whole food, you will have no problem having a good protein intake.

I was not able to drink milk, but am able to drink yougurt and kefir. If you like that option, it is actually much better choice, as both of these will help you to get extra calcium your body needs, at the same time keeping your gut in good health, and your immunity boosted. One thing that many do not realise, that there are differences between different types of youghurt and kefirs. First of all, choose plain, non-sweetened, with live culture. Secondly, compare a few different brands available, the difference of protein per serving can be very significant. Another trick I did, I made my own yogurt and added some extra natural powedered milk while I was making it, so there was actually more protein per serving...

Try cooking your own foods, and avoid commercial pre-made packaged meals, they have some extras that you would not want to have and some are higher in calories that are empty or fats that are not good. When you cook yourself, you can control that.

http://www.blueribbonbaby.org has some good advice along those lines.

Oh, have to run to my baby now, but hope this helps. I will be happy to help if you have any questions... Another one, take an opportunity of Bradley Natural Birth classes, or get the book Natural Birth the Bradley Way or Husband- coached birth. It will be really big help...

 

I would definetly second lindzy on that. Just do infant activities and stimulation, change activities, etc. But what he does seem normal to me as well, also remember different children have different characters.

Autizm connected to vaccinations in a few studies, so this is something to keep in mind... If you have not vaccinated, there are hardly any records on autizm among non-vaccinated children, who were not given any medications from birth. If you did vaccinate or had some meds, it is good to check if there were any sudden changes in his behaviour after the vaccination or after the medication was given.

However if hsi character was always like that, I would not worry much at this point and will just do activities with him, show lots of love, interaction, and enjoy him! He probably just loves his mommy so much that he is happy to look at you and laugh!   

No way! You can try a teething biscuit, but I would be very careful. 6 months is really very young to be giving any kind of hard foods to. Your not supposed to start cereals and baby foods until 6 months.

Absolutely agree with Nikki! There are still some pediatritians which would suggest starting solids early, but if you look for supporting evidence and into the practices of more prominent pediatritians and baby nutritionists who basing their theories on common sense scientific research, it all comes down to the ages-old principal, -- delay introducing solids till the baby is ready. There is no need to rush in most of the ordinary circumstances ( which are 99% of cases) and all the good reasons to delay in order to help your childs body to get ready for processing solids.

There were quite a few threads lately here about it, may be we can have some good information organised in one thread for an easy reference. I studied medicine and lately also had a few in-depth discussions with child nutrition researches and a leading immunologist. There is ample evidence, that connects diabetis, obesity, severe allergies, immune disorders to routine and early introduction of solids. Granted, there are some cases when it is necessary, but in those cases, it should not be just introducing any solids, or juices, but rather a very choosy and careful approach.

And the best to start with the solids in their original state, like avocado, which is a nutritional system on its own. Rather then getting commercially made baby foods. It is very easy to steam some squash or scoop some avocado, or mix some avocado and pear or carrot. But by doing it, you will be able to give your baby nutrition without compromising their well being. Would you agree that freshly mashed squash or pear is much better then pear or squash puree from a jar, that was sitting on the shelf for some time, was preserved for freshness, homogenised, sterilised, etc....

Once the baby is older and is able to have different fruits and veggies, there are also neat things you can use to prevent your baby from choking and make it easier for the baby to hold the food. They have these little mesh sacks with handles, they look like oversized pacifiers, and you put a piece of fruit inside. It works really great for a few mommies that I've seen using this recently... It also helps the baby to hold it easier....

Hope it helps.

CP, you can always download the files that you would like to have now, or as they are posted ( there will be a "grace period" so to speak, while the files are accumulating the necessary number of downloads in order to qualify for consideration to become "premium"). And once you have downloaded them they will always be stored in your downloads ( even if you change your computers, etc.), so you can use them later when you will need them.

KL, will there be a possibility to use the points afterwards to purchase the curriculum, lets say upcoming Chinese curriculum. Or may be there can be an arrangement to do so for those who collaborate on translating/locaizing somehow? Just curious....

[introducing solids]

Here is the link to the article about introducing solids:

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T032000.asp

It explains about the time schedule for it, ideas, ways to do it. It also explains the reasons why it is not so good to introduce solids too early due to possible allergies.
There are also some ideas about what to introduce first, and how to know when you baby is ready. Some recipes, explanations why some foods are better then others.

Avocados are one of the best foods to start with...

They are low in sodium and cholesterol-free, contain quite a bit of vitamin A (which is good immune booster), vitamin B-6, folic acid, niacin, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron. Ounce-for-ounce avocados contain more potassium than 45 other fruits, juices, or vegetables, including bananas, peaches, carrots, and green beans, and they are one of the only fruits that contain monounsaturated fats, which are essential for baby's development.

Avocados also are higher in calories than any other fruit or vegetable. This is a plus for babies, since feeding infants calls for foods that contain a lot of nutrition per unit of weight and volume.  For variety, avocados can be mixed with apple or pear sauce, cooked squash, or sweet potatoes.

Some other good first foods are :

applesauce, bananas, carrots ( steamed, mashed), pears, squash ( steamed, mashed), sweet potatoes

You were asking about juice....

It is generally suggested to wait with juice until your baby is at least six months of age, preferably nine months.  Juice doesn't contain any nutrients that your baby won't get more of from breastmilk.
Dr. Sears suggests to "consider juice as a delivery system for extra water, which your baby needs once she is eating solid foods, since extra water helps baby's kidneys handle the extra salt from solids."

When I was researching about the type of juice that would be the best to introduce first, I found that pediatritians and midwives generally agree that white grape juice is the most intestinal- friendly juice, since it is better absorbed and the sugar profile is easier on growing intestines. 

In general it should not be more then 4 ounces of juice per day for any baby under 12 months . And yes, it is suggested to dilute the juice at least with an equal amount of water or even more, since the primary reason you will be giving it for water intake...

I personally would wait on juice till much later, since it is not a necessary nutrition food, and you can instead give your baby other things which will be much more beneficial for him/her.


Hope it helps!

It seems like our babies are around the same age