Crawling 101- FAQ answered

Seeing your baby grow and achieve all of his milestones can be so exciting! But the moment you see your little one start crawling you know that the real fun has begun! As you experience all of this excitement, some questions may come up!

Here are our answers to FAQ about crawling:

When should my baby start crawling?

Typically babies crawl at around eight to ten months, but at around six months most babies start trying to move around. As babies figure out how to do that arm-leg-arm-leg crawling movement, they sometimes go backward first and then learn how to crawl forward.

It’s important to remember that all babies are unique and will develop skills at different stages, some more quickly than others. (Note: If your baby is premature he or she will probably take longer than other babies to start crawling.)

The process of learning to crawl is actually pretty complex. Babies need to coordinate their arms and legs and develop muscle strength in their arms, shoulders, and legs to support their weight. But learning to crawl will not only take gross motor skills, by crawling babies develop different abilities and skills like balance, spatial awareness, coordination, and confidence.

Is it alright if my baby crawls different from other babies?

Actually, experts say there is no “right” way to crawl, the process of learning to crawl differs between each baby. Just remember your little one will find his or her unique way to do it and the important part is that he or she is able to move around and explore his or her surroundings.

Here are four different crawling styles that your baby may experiment with:

  • “The classic”crawl- your baby moves one arm and the opposite knee forward at the same time.
  • “The crab”crawl- just like at the beach, the crab bends one knee and extends the opposite leg to scoot forward.
  • “The belly” crawl- your baby moves his body forward while dragging his belly against the floor.
  • “The rolling wonder” – your baby rolls from one place to another, because who needs crawling when rolling can get you where you need to go, right?

My baby hasn’t started crawling. Should I be worried about it?

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Three must-read books for parents!

On previous blog posts we’ve talked about great books for your little ones and now we think it’s time to recommend books for you, Mom and Dad!

It’s always good to stay informed, to understand your child’s development and find out ways to enhance it through good reads. Finding the right book is tough, though! After all, if the information it relays will impact your parenting style, it’s best to make sure it’s backed by accurate scientific research.

 

Here are three great books that we highly recommend:

  1. Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five by Dr. John Medina

brainrules

 

In his book, Dr. John Medina explains what the latest scientific research says about how to raise smart and happy children. Written in a light and friendly way, Brain Rules for Baby connects what researchers know about children’s developing brains and what parents practice every day. A must-read!

 

 

 

  1. How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character by Paul Tough

Howchildrensucceed

 

In this New York Times Bestseller, journalist Paul Tough discusses the importance of ‘non-cognitive skills’, also known as character, in creating successful outcomes for kids. He explores the available research on how parents affect their children, how human skills develop, and how character is formed. Who succeeds and who fails? Why do some children thrive and others lose their way? What can we do to steer a child – or a generation of children – towards success?

 

 

  1. Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs by Ellen Galinsky

MindintheMaking

 

How can we help children flourish in life and as life-long learners? Scholar Ellen Galinsky has spent her career researching the “essential life skills” children need to reach their full potential. These skills are: focus and self-control, perspective taking, communicating, making connections, critical thinking, taking on challenges, and self-directed, engaged learning. In her book, Galinsky describes strategies to develop these skills at home and in the classroom.

 

 

These books are part of our must-read list. How about yours? Do you have any recommendations of your own? Please share them below!

How to raise emotionally intelligent children

Can you remember the last time you felt really frustrated or sad? What techniques or skills did you use to manage your emotions?

Just like adults, children need to develop strategies for managing their emotions. Many times, toddlers and young children will bite or hit out of frustration or have a hard time calming down after an exciting day. It is a parent’s responsibility to teach them the skills needed to identify and express their feelings. Although aggressive behaviors in young children may be challenging for parents, these situations are a great learning opportunity for them to identify and express their emotions!

Research has shown the benefits that result from teaching emotional intelligence from a very young age. According to various studies, young children who participate in social-emotional skills programs show less aggression and anxiety, and become better at solving social problems. Not only do these outcomes provide a more peaceful environment for everyone, but also the benefits endure through the years! In fact, regulating emotions and not reacting in impulsive or hurtful ways is now recognized as a critical factor in children’s psychological health.

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Why being a mom is completely awesome!

As a mom, you probably know about all the kind of struggles new parents face, but the truth is that after all the chaos that the day brings, being a mom is the best thing that has happened to you! You never thought that you could love someone that much and even become a better person for him or her. Being a mom is simply AWESOME!

Here at Kinedu we came up with some great reasons why motherhood is amazing, check them out and let us know what you think.

  1. You are more empathic. Probably every time you see a mom with her newborn crying you remember those good old (scary) days! Rather than feeling annoyed because the baby won’t stop crying, you empathize with the mom. Motherhood has given you the ability to step into other parents’ shoes, and appreciate the giant job they undertake with their own kids. Becoming a mom has given you a new, essential life perspective, and your compassionate side has blossomed.
  1. You are super productive. Can you even remember those days that you didn’t have anything to do? Now you probably have a million things to do… but don’t worry, motherhood has made an efficiency expert out of you! You probably had a routine planned out for today… a week ago. Those daily naps are glory and you make them count every time! With this new ability now nothing is impossible!
  1. Being a mom helps you make great friends. You probably thought that after college making that kind of good friends would be really hard. Now, as a mom you meet new friends everywhere! From birthing class to your son’s school. You may not have the same background but you share one key element: motherhood, and it’s really easy to bond and learn new things from each other because of it.

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