LR=Little Reader (software by brillkids)

here's a link to other acronyms:
http://forum.brillkids.com/coffee-corner-general-chat/acronyms-explained/

Also, don't be one of those parents who thinks, "They're just baby teeth, they'll get new ones".  If baby teeth are lost early it usually causes crowding and requires braces to fix.  Also the adult teeth will erupt later if the root isn't half formed, leading sometimes to speech delays, lisps, etc.  The baby teeth create a path for the adult teeth to come into the mouth naturally. 

I'm a dentist and the biggest problems we see in little children is from sleeping with milk or juice.  It causes massive decay on the front 4 top teeth, to the point where they can't be fixed, or they need tacky "chiclet" crowns made of stainless steel with a white facing.  Use a wet terrycloth to wipe their gums even before they get teeth so they get used to you touching their mouth(they will usually fight you anyways, but they do accustomate better).  Then wipe their teeth at least once a day when they come in. 

Some kids like to chew on a toothbrush, so by all means let them---just don't expect them to have the dexterity to clean their own teeth till about 6 years old.  Use a disclosing tablet or mouthwash(like Agent Cool Blue) if you don't believe me.  They leave a LOT of plaque at the gumline.  Also kids swallow toothpaste, so a non-fluoride or kids toothpaste is recommended when they're really young.  And only use a dab half the size of a pea--commercials get us to waste a lot of toothpaste. 

Also know that "fruit snacks" are really just cleverly marketed gummy bears and that junk mashes between teeth and can cause decay fast.  Since the enamel on kids teeth is a lot thinner than adult teeth, it takes less than 2 weeks to go from healthy to cavity on a tooth. 
I really recommend products with Xylitol, a natural sugar that blocks the most acidic bacteria in the mouth from utilizing sugar.  Studies show that MOTHERS who chew 3-6 pieces of xylitol gum a day from months 6-24 of a young baby's life, have kids who have 93% less cavities their WHOLE LIVES.  Mainly because they are transfering less acid-producing bacteria to their kids when they kiss them, clean their baby spoons or pacifiers by putting them in their mouths, etc. 

Our library had "Meet the Bravo Family" by Sign Enhancers.  It was on VHS tape, and looks very "80s-ish" in dress and style(hopefully that isn't too cheesy for you).  It's "narrated" by a deaf signer with vocals at the same time, which helps learn vocabulary.  There are a number of role plays the family does, and they have a section that explains interesting aspects of ASL and deaf culture.  I don't think I'd buy them, but they were worth checking out.  I'm always impressed at how quickly people can sign when they are fluent.

Don't worry about the logo testing.  It won't damage your computer, Windows is just looking for a verification(probably something developers have to pay Bill Gates for that does essentially nothing).  Mine installed fine after that. 

Just received it, it took 2 weeks.

The only thing I've seen on delaying gratification was when I was reading in "Nurture Shock" about the "Tools of the Mind" classes.  One role that kids can play is an injured victim that the fire department needs to come save.  They have to sit still in one place until the other kids arrive and save them. 

The later studies show that these kids were a lot better at impulse control and could pay attention much more easily.  It stressed the importance of play and how it affects social development.

Just think of it as if you're teaching a language that you aren't fluent in.  I'm OK if my kids surpass my abilities and bad habits!

That's interesting that the Rockafellers did that, it just seemed like a good idea to me.   So when they ask, "Can I buy X?"  We can go back and say, "Well, what did you spend your money on...hmm candy.  Well we'll just have to save up for it."

No offense, but the same material is copied into 4 different threads.  It's kind of "spammy"

I'll have to check that one out.  I have an iPhone app called "4800 ASL signs" or something like that, it cost $2.99.  It's pretty nice, for when we're on the go and I want to know a sign.  There are also songs on YouTube that have been helpful to learn new vocabulary and it's a lot more fun than rote memorization. 

The "WeSign" series uses sign to "sing" nursery rhymes, Christmas songs, and kids songs.  I thought that was useful to pick up some signs and the host explains how some signs are used (example: Jack and Jill-->changing "Jack broke his crown" to "Jack hit head" which is closer to the intended meaning.)  From this I learned how to sign "Twinkle Twinkle little star" when baby is watching YCBR.  (although they have some verses I've never heard!)

We had a friend, and her son Max got $5 for his birthday.  We had taken Max and his older brother to the mall to hang out and basically just watch them while their mother did some errands.  We love these friends to death but they are very bad with money, frequently have "past due" and "final notice" mail laying out (I think I would be more self conscious and embarassed), lost a house, etc. 

Anyways, at the mall, Max acted like he HAD to spend this money on something.  It didn't really matter what it was, he had to buy something.  I think he adopted this attitude towards money from his parents.  We asked him if there was anything that he really wanted, and he couldn't think of anything.   We explained that he could save the money and buy something bigger later, and it was obvious that this was a foreign concept.

He ended up buying some rubber ball that had these internal led lights that would go on when it was bounced. 


I've always thought about having kids keep a little notebook and be accountable for their spending, by recording what they spend their allowance to buy.  I see how few adults keep a balanced checkbook and really know where their money is going.  It's a LOT easier to spend with a debit card--quicker and less "conscious", like it's Monopoly money or something.

I agree with aangles.  I'm not sure if this is the set we had when I was a kid, but I remember it was a "100-best" that had 10 CDs.  It was a good mix and I remember hearing themes in commercials, etc and recognizing them growing up.

Gentle/pet          After seeing how my 8 month old "pets"(translated slaps) the cat, I can see where they may be the same sign.

I've seen 2 signs for gentle one is open palms facing you circling each other.

nice(a friendly person)/clean

I agree with TmS about the Trebellina video.  The Rock Bassey parts drive me nuts.  He could've just been a character with a low voice, but instead it's an affected "cartoony" voice.  It's got to be tough to sing on pitch that way.  I think the voice talent for Trebellina herself is much better, and when she talks/sings it catches my baby's attention more than the other characters, for some reason.