Importance Of Reading

     Reading to your  babies is very important for them to develop their speech skills. Even if they have no idea what the story is about, the only thing that matters is that they are hearing the words.

     At just a few months old, an infant is able to look at pictures, listen to your voice, and point to objects on cardboard pages. By drawing attention to pictures and associating words with both pictures and real world objects, your child will learn the importance of language. 

Learning To Walk

     My son Hayden just turned one year old, and now hes walking like crazy! Its very scary because just a year ago he was a newborn that i could hold, cuddle, and wouldn't move much. Now i cant hold him without him wanting to get down and move around. I didnt think he was going to walk for awhile, but he is! Dont rush your kids into walking, they will eventually do it when they are ready. Help your child to start walking though, arrange the furniture so their steps will take them around the room. When they fall, do not make a big deal out of it, just encourage them to get up and try again. When your child does begin to walk, block off stairs and other dangerous areas with baby gates, pad sharp edges on tables, and cover your electrical outlets. Then have fun watching your child grow and get into everything!

Written by Ryley Beckwith (Hope Academy Student)

Baby Skin Tags

     Acrochordon also commonly known as a skin tag are very common. Both males and females can equally get them, even small, little babies. When babies get them, depending on the place of the skin tag, doctors recommend removing it especially if it is uncomfortable. That's what they didn't do with my daughters. Hers was right on her private parts and every time she would try to pass stool it would cause her extreme pain. The doctor told us to do many different things, like put Desitin or A&D ointment on her bottom. That helped with the rash but the skin tag was still there.

     We were going to the doctor at least twice a week and they told us the same thing every time which was, "It will just go away". I couldn't just let her scream bloody murder every time she passed stool so i finally said, "Really help me or you'll lose me as a patient!". They finally gave me advice that helped. They told me to give her a bath every night, put A&D ointment on after every diaper change, even if only wet, and to just make sure she is always clean down there. Shes happier than ever! The lesson to learn is that skin tags can be treated and to always be assertive with your child's pediatrician if nothing is being done.

Written by a Hope Academy Student.

Example of a skin tag:

Caring For Tear Duct Blockage

     My experience when I first saw my sons watery right eye was being worried and scared. I didn't know what to do. I learned it was a blocked tear duct. Its when the eyes drainage system for tears is either partially or completely obstructed. The doctor said it was nothing to worry about and just massage it and it will eventually get better. The way to massage it is to put your finger to the corner of the baby's eye and massage it in a circular shape. Massage puts pressure on the lacrimal sac to pop open the membrane at the bottom of the tear duct.

Written by Tina Yang. (Hope Academy Student)

Example of a blocked tear duct: