One Thing for Today: STRENGTH

Photo: Chiến Phạm on Unsplash
One Thing for Baby: Tummy Time Workout
Tummy time helps babies gain strength and learn to balance.
When your baby is awake, put him on his tummy and play with him. A younger baby can lift his head in this position and turn it side to side.
TIP: If your little one doesn't like tummy time, lay on your back or recline and place your baby chest to chest. This will help him get used to the position and encourage him to lift his head and look around.
An older baby is ready to put weight through his forearms and look around, or even push arms straight.
When your baby is awake, put him on his tummy and play with him. A younger baby can lift his head in this position and turn it side to side.
TIP: If your little one doesn't like tummy time, lay on your back or recline and place your baby chest to chest. This will help him get used to the position and encourage him to lift his head and look around.
An older baby is ready to put weight through his forearms and look around, or even push arms straight.
One Thing for Toddler: Stairs Workout
Photo: Giorgia Doglioni / Unsplash | Photo: Rohit Farmer / Unsplash |
Toddlers who are cruising and walking still crawl sometimes. And that’s great. Crawling is a good workout.
One way to increase strength is to let your toddler crawl up the stairs.
This works arms, legs, and both sides of the body. Just take a look at how big those stairs are compared to the size of a toddler's legs. Could you climb stairs that big all day long? Give your little one a chance and she will want to do it over and over again!
One way to increase strength is to let your toddler crawl up the stairs.
This works arms, legs, and both sides of the body. Just take a look at how big those stairs are compared to the size of a toddler's legs. Could you climb stairs that big all day long? Give your little one a chance and she will want to do it over and over again!
One Thing for Preschooler: Work Workout
Preschoolers like to see the results of their efforts.
What can you encourage your preschooler to do for work that will build strength? Think of something that will make them stand back and say, “Wow! I just did all that!”
Preschoolers usually like repetition, especially if there is a goal in sight. So have your little one stack all of the cans in the next room, move the pile of firewood, carry 40 books or magazines up the stairs one at a time, or move some rocks from one bin to another.
When the job is complete, be sure to offer praise and let him know he is a great help - even if you plan to have him reverse the process in a day, or a week, or a month.
What can you encourage your preschooler to do for work that will build strength? Think of something that will make them stand back and say, “Wow! I just did all that!”
Preschoolers usually like repetition, especially if there is a goal in sight. So have your little one stack all of the cans in the next room, move the pile of firewood, carry 40 books or magazines up the stairs one at a time, or move some rocks from one bin to another.
When the job is complete, be sure to offer praise and let him know he is a great help - even if you plan to have him reverse the process in a day, or a week, or a month.
One Thing for Parents: Inner Strength
Strength isn’t only for muscles. True strength is inside of us. This strength, determination, resilience helps us to make the most out of challenging situations. It inspires us to make these uncertain days meaningful, not only for our children but for ourselves. A friend posted on social media today that she’s home with a 5-week-old baby and feeling anxious. Someone suggested she list all of the things she’s grateful for to shift her focus from the unknown to what is known and what is good.
What gives you strength?
What are you grateful for?
What are you grateful for?
I’m thankful for work that keeps me connected to my community even though we must be at a distance for now. I’m thankful for living in these current times of technology where I can see hear the faces and see the voices of those I love. I’m thankful for the creative projects I can focus on that literally transport me to new worlds. Lastly, I’m thankful to be witnessing people come together and support each other all around the world. |
Thank you for reading this today. Keep doing what you do best, loving your child.
With love,
Angela
With love,
Angela