CAREABOUTKIDS

PARENTS: Calcium is important for a healthy mouth. Even before they come in, baby teeth and adult teeth need calcium to develop fully. And after the teeth are in, calcium may also help protect them against decay. Calicum makes jawbones strong and healthy too! Keep portable, calcium-rich foods on hand for snacks such as low-fat or fat-free string cheese or individual pudding cups with calcium added. MY WORD teeth were made to last a life time if you take care of them.

CAREABOUTKIDS

PARENTS: When reading aloud, keep certain things in mind. For instance, pre-schoolers enjoy hearing the same story over and over again. Books that repeat phrases, such as This is the House that Jack Built, are special favorites and give very young children an opportunity to participate by reading the repetitive parts with you. This lets children know that they can read and that reading can be fun. MY WORD: Reading is fun and a lifetime enjoyment.

CAREABOUTKIDS

PARENTS: The importance of play; Play is a lifetime activity, important to both physical and mental health. Children are never too old to play. Learning to play helps them in their thinking and their work. No matter how old you both become, the fun of play will remain. The most interesting objects to children are siblings. When you help children become a part of the playing process, you will always be welcome in it. A large number of toys is not as important as a balanced variety that touch upon numberous areas of development. MY WORD Play is a days work for children.

CAREABOUTKIDS

PARENTS: Pool safety: Enclose the pool completely with a barrier. Fences should be at least four feet high and have self-latching, self-closing gates. Layers of protection are important so also consider using door and pool alarms and pool safety cover. Put 9.1.1 in your speed dial of your phone. Be sure to lock or remove ladders from above-ground pools. Remove all toys from pools to avoid children being tempted to retrieve them. If a child is missing, always look in the pool or spa first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability. MY WORD. Enjoy your pool but remember it has its drawbacks.