Did You Know…?

• The first Mother’s Day was May 10, 1908 founded by Anna Jarvis, and was made a national holiday in 1914 by President Wilson.
• Signora Carmelina Fedele gave birth to the heaviest newborn to date: a 22 lb 8 oz boy in Italy in 1955.
• The average number of diaper changes by baby’s 2nd birthday is 7,300!
• 4.3 babies are born each second.

 

Got a minute?

Whether it’s 2 a.m. or just a couple minutes before naptime is over, we all love puzzles or brain teasers.  Here are a couple of fun 5-minute fillers!

Like jigsaw puzzles?  These are quickies!

http://www.flashpuzzlezone.com/jigsaw/people/babies/baby-bath-time/ 

http://www.flashpuzzlezone.com/jigsaw/people/babies/baby-pacifier/   

“When can my baby start doing puzzles?”

Your toddler will develop the dexterity necessary to complete a simple puzzle between 16 and 18 months old, when she’s busy figuring out how things fit together. That means she’ll be able to put a single puzzle piece into its corresponding spot — piecing together a whole piece of fruit or an animal, for instance. Most kids don’t have the cognitive ability or the patience to work on traditional puzzles with many small pieces until they’re about 36 months old — and even then, you’ll probably have to help out.

But your child can get started on puzzle-like toys before then. Babies about 10 to 12 months old love to put small items into larger containers, and are often mesmerized by shape-sorters. These toys, like the classic box with holes that fit various shaped blocks, help develop problem-solving and motor skills. Children usually master the round shape in the round hole first, and work their way up to the more difficult square and triangle. As your child gets older, playing with puzzles will improve her precise hand, finger, thumb, and wrist movements, coordination, and her ability to think spatially. Puzzles also teach patience and concentration and boost self-esteem.

Crossword Anyone?

Here’s a simple crossword puzzle that might be fun to do with a school-aged sibling either before baby arrives or just after.  It’s good to find special moments with sibs when so much attention is focused on the newest family member.

Printable Baby_Crossword_Puzzle