If you're the parent of a three- to six-year-old, you're probably already hearing, "How many days left until Christmas?" Help shorten the wait for your preschooler with these Christmas crafts from "The Preschooler's Busy Book" (Meadowbrook Press) by Trish Kuffner.

CHRISTMAS PLACEMATS

Cut up old greeting cards, glue the artwork onto a piece of construction paper or light cardboard, and cover it with clear contact paper. You can also have your child cut his or her gift wishes from a catalog or magazine and glue them onto paper to make a wish-list place mat.

GLITTER BALLS

Pour glitter into a shallow dish. Spread glue evenly over a Styrofoam ball and roll it in glitter. Let the ball dry and attach a thread for hanging it on the Christmas tree.

CHRISTMAS TREE PICTURE

Cut out a Christmas tree from green construction paper. Use a paper hole punch to punch out dots from various colors of construction paper. Glue the dots to the tree for decoration and add sequins or glitter and a star at the top.

PAPER PLATE WREATH

Cut a hole in the center of a green paper plate. Cut or tear red and green tissue paper into small pieces. Have your child twist or crumple the paper into small balls and glue them onto the plate. Add a ribbon bow.

"The Preschooler's Busy Book" contains 365 activities for three- to six-year-olds, using things found around the home. It shows parents and day-care providers how to prevent boredom and keep preschoolers occupied. It can be found in bookstores everywhere or ordered online at www.MeadowbrookPress.com.

When It's Too Cool for Your Pre-Schooler to Play Outside

All children love frolicking in the snow. But there comes a time when the temperature makes such excursions unpleasant, even dangerous. "Staying inside on brutal winter days is not only advisable but necessary," says Trish Kuffner, author of "The Preschooler's Busy Book: 365 Creative Games and Activities to Keep Your 3- to 6-Year-Old Busy" (Meadowbrook Press).

"But you don't have to feel trapped at home with your preschooler," Kuffner says." By using a little creativity, you can make the time inside more than just tolerable. It
can be fun." From "The Preschooler's Busy Book" and "The Wiggle & Giggle Busy Book," Kuffner offers these unique games for adults to play with their preschoolers on those bitterly frigid days.

INDOOR SANDBOX

It may be a blizzard outside, but your preschooler will think that it's a day at the beach. Create an indoor sandbox by filling a cardboard box or plastic baby bath
with puffed wheat or rice cereal. Uncooked rice can be inexpensive when bought in bulk, and it makes an interesting road surface for wheeled toys. Use buckets,
shovels, measuring cups, spoons or bowls for toys.

LIVING ROOM PICNIC

Brighten the day by making it summer inside. Spread a tablecloth on the floor of your living room. Use paper plates to serve your preschooler a picnic lunch. Dress in shorts or bathing suits. And don't forget your sunglasses.

SUPER SUDS

Put a few drops of liquid detergent into a bowl and fill it halfway with water. Use an eggbeater to whip up some suds in the soapy water, or use a straw to blow some really big bubbles. This also works well at the kitchen sink. Fill the sink with soapy water and pull up a chair for your child to stand on as he plays.

As a variation, fill the sink with warm soapy water. Give your child spoons, a whisk and plastic dishes. Let her have fun with the water.

MEMORY

This game not only entertains your preschooler, it will sharpen her memory. Create two identical sets of index cards with letters, colors, shapes or numbers. Start out with only a few cards. Place all the cards facedown on the table. Have your child turn over one card, then put it back facedown on the table. Then have your child pick the corresponding matching card.

At first, your child may only guess, but it won't take long for her to get the idea. Add more cards as your child gets better. You can also determine the number of tries allowed. Or make a game of this between two or more children.

INDOOR SNOWBALL FIGHT!

This activity is great for four or more children.

Crumple up several sheets of paper to make snowballs. Before play begins, create a safe zone to which the children may run. Have one player hide behind a couch or chair with the snowballs, while the other players pretend to ice-skate, ski, or play in the snow. With a shout of "Snowball fight!" the hidden player begins to throw snowballs at the players, who must run to the safe zone before a snowball hits them. If the snowball thrower doesn't hit a player with a snowball, he must return to his hiding place, and play resumes. If a player is hit, he becomes the hidden player.

Trish Kuffner's "The Preschooler's Busy Book" and "The Wiggle & Giggle Busy Book" both contain 356 fun, physical activities to help their children develop an active lifestyle at an early age. Copies of this book and the other titles in her Busy Book series are available at bookstores everywhere or by ordering online at www.MeadowbrookPress.com.

Here’s the straight poop on potty training for parents facing the biggest bowl challenge of their parenting careers (so far):

* Potty training requires patience – the kind that would qualify you for canonization. Setbacks, challenges, back-sliding and accidents are all normal, even for children who do “potty train in one day,” Crane says. Losing patience with your child or the process will only further frustrate you and upset your child, possibly to the point of rejecting the potty altogether.

* Recognize the signs that your child is ready to be potty trained. If she dances, jumps up and down or grabs her private parts when she has to go, or pulls at her diaper when she’s soiled it, she may be ready to start training. She’ll also need to be able to stay clean and dry for three to five hours at a time. If she doesn’t show the signs, don’t push it. Waiting until the child is ready means better chances of success.

* Making it fun can make your child more successful. Toddlers love to play and imagine, so turning the process into a game – one that involves incentives and rewards – can help, Crane says. Toddlers are less likely to resist if they enjoy the process, which is why the author’s “Potty Party” concept has proved popular with many parents and kids. Follow up the fun strategy with strong doses of positive reinforcement in the form of praise and rewards.

* Be sure the potty fits the child. Most toddlers are too small to safely use adult toilets and it’s not unusual for them to be afraid to even try. Training potties to the rescue. Sure they’re conspicuous in your powder room and cleaning them can be worse than cleaning an adult toilet. But the scaled-down size of a training potty enhances the child’s safety and suits their sense of self better than an intimidating adult toilet.

Crane favors the Boon Potty Bench. “At just 7 inches high, it’s the perfect height for a toddler’s comfort level and the two enclosed side storage spaces come in handy for organizing potty training supplies,” she says. “It’s also easy to clean. The bowl part is a drawer that slides out quickly and easily. Dump it, clean it and slide it back into place.” The bench is available at Babies “R” Us and other retailers nationwide. Check out www.booninc.com to find a seller near you.

“Parents should remember not to stress themselves or their child over potty training,” Crane advises. “Your child will learn to use the potty at his own pace and in his own way.”

And when he does, don’t be embarrassed if you find yourself a little choked up as your child leaves his diapers – and babyhood – behind.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Babies are virtual learning machines. Research shows that even the smallest newborns spend every waking moment learning. And they learn best through play with age-appropriate toys and loving interaction with their caregivers.

“It’s important to focus on ways to nurture babies’ changing needs through the multiple stages of their development,” says Ryan Gunnigle, president and CEO of Kids II, Inc., an infant and toddler toy and baby gear company. “Parents often look to get some help from toys to keep their babies engaged. Products that adapt as babies grow and their sense of play evolves are the ones to seek out for both versatility and value.”

So, this holiday, what type of toy and play is best for the baby in your life? Recent research by Kids II sheds some light on how to help babies play through multiple phases of development.

Newborns

Newborn babies spend a lot of floor time lying on their backs. Because of this stationary position, it is important to engage baby in visual and auditory stimulation. To do this, place toys and other stimulating objects hanging overhead whether from a play gym’s bar or a bouncer seat’s toy bar. Products that have dancing lights that help develop eye tracking or long-playing melodies tend to provide the best stimulation at this stage.

Tummy Time

Doctors recommend tummy time two to three times a day to help babies develop strength, balance and coordination. Research reveals that keeping more toys and activities around baby while he is on his tummy helps keep him engaged in play longer. Three-dimensional surface features found on some play mats, such as crinkle and textured flaps, provide baby with additional tactile stimulation. Once baby moves past tummy time, he will become even more curious of the world around him and will crave more movement.

Active Discovery

Between about four and six months, babies are at the active discovery stage -- between lying and sitting up. Parents may find babies are less interested in standard gyms at this stage because they tend to roll away from the gym once they are able to move on their own. Kids II research has shown that adults often find themselves continually standing near babies as they play in these traditional gyms – constantly repositioning them under the toy bars. Infant play environments like the Bright Starts Baby’s PlayPlace help babies develop through play by keeping them totally engaged in the fun, using soft fold-up walls accompanied by adjustable toy bars and stimulating toys to help ensure babies stay focused on the fun and don’t roll away.

Crawling

At this stage of development, baby is ready and rearing to go. Flexible infant play environments, such as Baby’s PlayPlace can actually grow with baby as it is easily converted into an extra-long, soft tunnel. Toys hanging from toy bars and sides panels provide fun interaction as baby crawls through, encouraging crawling and exploration. Preventing injury is important, so try to choose toys that also offer protective elements.

Active Play

Once babies can fully sit up, they require 360 degrees of stimulation, Kids II research indicates. Toys and play environments that are versatile are ideal for this stage of baby’s development because they provide constant stimulation for baby even when he is actively discovering his surroundings. Babies need extra space to give them room for playtime and stimulation now that they are moving around, so choosing products that can expand and cover large floor areas providing a soft place for play are ideal.

For additional information on Baby’s PlayPlace and other developmentally appropriate toys and products for infants and toddlers, visit www.brightstarts.com.

“There are all kinds of quick and easy options for working a warm breakfast into your morning routine,” says Guy Beardsmore, corporate chef for Sargento Foods Inc. “If you’re really crunched for time, consider meal options like quiche and breakfast casseroles. They both allow for the majority of the prep work to be done the night before and can be cooked virtually hands-free in the morning while you go about your routine.”

Don’t let the thought of leftovers discourage you from making a larger breakfast dish such as a quiche or strata. According to the American Egg Board, if refrigerated and stored properly, leftovers containing cooked egg can be reheated and enjoyed within two to three days. Be sure to divide large amounts of leftovers into small, shallow containers promptly after you serve them and refrigerate them immediately so that they’ll cool quickly. For an additional measure of safety, thoroughly reheat all leftovers to 165 degrees Fahrenheit before serving.

Chef Beardsmore suggests that tackling the morning time-crunch is as simple as looking for ways to tweak traditional hot breakfast favorites that will help you enjoy the same great tastes on a tight schedule. “There’s always a shortcut,” says Beardsmore. “Think about your classic plate of eggs, bacon and toast: if you scramble the eggs with new Sargento Bistro Blends Shredded Sharp Wisconsin & Vermont Cheddar Cheese with Real Bacon while you toast two pieces of bread, you can have a delicious, portable sandwich version of the same meal in five minutes!”

Consider some of these additional options for a warm, satisfying breakfast when you’re on-the-go:

* Just because it’s quick doesn’t mean it can’t be decadent. Open a package of refrigerated crescent rolls, separate the triangles and brush with melted butter. Add in some turkey and Cheddar cheese slices, jam or even chocolate chips for delicious breakfast croissants on the go.

* Don’t forget about the classic bowl of instant oatmeal when you’re looking for easy, warm breakfast options. Spice up this old favorite with dried fruit or crushed nuts. For those really short on time: drizzle very hot tap water over instant oatmeal for a warm and soothing breakfast in five seconds.

* For those savory breakfast cravings, try melting shredded Cheddar cheese with bacon over an English muffin using the toaster oven or even the microwave.

* For a quick crowd pleaser, make a few extra pancakes with a weekend batch, and refrigerate in plastic bags. In the morning, heat up the pancakes and microwave with frozen sausage links. Wrap each link in a pancake for a hearty breakfast that can be eaten in the car or on the way to the bus stop.

For another great way to start the day with a warm meal when you’re short on time, try your hand at breakfast wraps. This easy favorite is sure to appeal to the “grab-it-and-go” mentality of your morning routine.

The holidays are upon us and if you haven’t found a present for the newest little one in your life yet, don’t give in to the temptation to get another stuffed animal or cute outfit. Babies are learning machines and thrive on stimulation, so you’ll want to look for a gift that will engage them. How about one that will teach them how to read before they can even talk?

“The best time to learn any aspect of language is during the infant and toddler years when there is a natural window of opportunity for learning language,” says Bob Titzer, Ph.D., an infant researcher who explains that when a child is between the ages of 3 months and 5 years, he or she experiences tens of thousands of synapses, or connections in the brain, which “makes the child capable not only of learning to understand and speak our language at a high level, but to learn the written word naturally and easily as well.”

Dr. Titzer proved this to be true in the early 1990s with the help of his then infant daughter Aleka, who is now 16-years-old and a sophomore in college. Aleka was born around the same time her father was studying the latest theories of brain development in infants.

Knowing that infants learn through many different sensory systems at the same time, when Aleka was 3 months and 8 days old, her father started showing her flash cards with simple words on them, as well as videotape of babies engaging in the action on the card and a voice in the background that would say what they were doing. “This allowed her to make connections between the visual, auditory, and sensory areas of the brain, he explains. “Eventually we reached the point where I would hold up the word ‘clap,’ and Alexa would clap. ‘Arms Up’ and she’d point her hands towards the sky. She loved seeing how excited her mother and I got when she read the cards to us.”

Just a few years after successfully teaching Aleka how to read, Dr. Titzer started sharing the method he used to teach her with other parents through the “Your Baby Can Read! Early Language Development System,” a program that teaches children whole language and phonics using a combination of sound, sight and interaction. The core program is made up of 5 interactive DVDs, 5 starter double-side sliding word and picture cards, 1 wipe-clean word card and 1 non-toxic erasable pen.

To learn more about the program, log on to www.yourbabycanread.com or call (888) READ-888. “As a parent, you want the best for your child. Teaching them to read at an early age will open all kinds of doors in the future,” says Dr. Titzer.

You wash your hands with soap and hot water before filling a clean sippy cup with fresh milk for your child. If you think you’ve completely protected them from a food-borne illness, think again. Within minutes, dangerous bacteria can multiply inside that plastic cup, exposing your child to a variety of illnesses – some that could have serious long-term health implications.

A recent study by Cornell University indicates that many non-insulated sippy cups on the market today fall short of inhibiting the growth of illness-causing bacteria. Each year, more than 800,000 food-related illnesses directly affect children. The Food and Drug Administration reports that in some cases, these children will suffer long-term health problems, including kidney failure.

Children’s less mature immune systems make them especially vulnerable to bacteria carried in contaminated foods. Keep these tips and facts in mind when choosing a sippy cup for your child:

* Milk and other beverages should be served in insulated containers that maintain a temperature lower than room temperature (70 degrees Fahrenheit) – for at least as long as it takes for a child to drink the beverage. In the Cornell University study comparing the performance of sippy cups, researchers found that most allowed liquid to reach room temperature in less than four hours. Only one brand, Foogo by Thermos, a stainless steel vacuum insulated line, did better – in the Thermos products, beverages took 16 hours to reach room temperature.

* Bacteria in a non-insulated cup can double in as little as 10 minutes. Cornell researchers placed cold milk in a variety of sippy cups, added 250 bacteria per teaspoon of milk, and allowed the cups to sit at room temperature for 16 hours. At the end of the test, bacteria had multiplied in the range of 50,000 to 250,000 per teaspoon in nearly every cup. Again, the vacuum insulated Foogo cups performed better, with up to 5,000 times less bacteria than other cups after 16 hours at room temperature.

* Parents often hear about the more obvious safety concerns such as recalled toys or choking hazards. With less attention given to the seriousness of food borne illness, the symptoms can be overlooked. Additionally, food-borne illness can often be misdiagnosed as flu or common upset stomach, meaning the incidence is not accurately reported, says Dr. Rallie McAllister, a board-certified family physician and health columnist specializing in children’s nutrition. “Because parents are less likely to seek medical treatment for children with symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea and nausea, it perpetuates the problem of under-reporting,” McAllister says.

“When you consider the serious health effects these bacteria can have at levels like this, it becomes very frightening to think about how many parents take that gamble with their children’s health every day without even knowing,” says Randy W. Worobo, Ph.D., and an associate professor of Food Microbiology in the Department of Food Science and Technology at Cornell University.

Dr. McAllister offers the following advice for helping parents prevent food-borne illness:

1. Wash hands regularly.

2. Handle milk and other foods with care. Nutrient-rich foods like milk allow bacteria to thrive.

3. When in doubt, throw it out. Contaminated food can look, smell and taste perfectly normal, so don’t rely on your senses – use good sense, instead.

4. Keep high-risk foods out of the danger zone – 40 to 140 degrees F. Either keep foods and drinks colder than 40 degrees or heat to more than 140 degrees, and use an insulted container, like Foogo by Thermos, to keep them at safe temperatures for as long as possible.

To learn more about Thermos’ Foogo products, visit www.thermos.com.

Every year, the market gets flooded with new toys and games and those who do not watch Disney or Cartoon Network with their kids are at a loss regarding the current trends. I belong to this category and was considering buying a Barbie doll for my DD when she laughed and told me that it was a 'Thing of Past' for her and she now loved Hannah Montana. Who is Hannah Montana? Oh well, I took the pains to find out and it turns out that this pretty teenager and a fabulous singer is the daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus (of Achy Breaky Heart fame) of our times and has the nation grooving to her tunes.

And I also found out that a 'Hannah Montana' singing doll is the rage for this Christmas season. Hush, Hush!

And for others like me, here is a good list to refer to, about the top Christmas gifts for kids, toddlers and babies this year. Makes shopping much easier!

Top Kids' Christmas Gifts for 2007

Christmas Gifts for Toddlers - 2007

Christmas Gifts for Babies - 2007

Christmas Stocking Stuffers for Kids - 2007

With so many presents, the holiday's can turn the focus for some children into "getting" instead of "giving". Christian Children's Fund of Canada, an organization that helps children in need around the world, has some helpful hints to use during the gift-giving season as a way to instill generosity in your child:

Teach them to count their blessings. Remember those less fortunate at home and around the world. Children can identify with a child their own age in living in another country. The idea that some children don't have any toys on Christmas is a big shock for many children.
Needs vs. Wants. Help children think about those who are truly needy of gifts. Have them consider the basic items they really need everyday. Ask them what they need this Christmas not just what they want.

Develop a new giftless or gift reduced tradition. Create a new family tradition where instead of yet another gift, a gift to a child in need is made in the name of your son or daughter. Children are often excited to know that they gave a piglet or baby goat to a child their age in a poor country.

Involve them in the donation choice . Going online to www.ccfcanada.ca is a way to make donating to a charity fun. Instead of another box of chocolates, have kids select a gift for their teacher like sending school supplies in their teacher's name to a school in Sri Lanka.

Have them make a donation in your name. Suggesting children set aside money throughout the year or use the money they would spend on another tie for their Dad to purchase a duckling for a child living in poverty is a great way for parents to lead by example.

For more ways to help you involve your children in giving generously, visit www.ccfcanada.ca or call 1-800-263-5437.