Special Topics

Starting Points to Offer Parents as Teachers Program

Starting Points is excited to announce that The Parents as Teachers(PAT) program will be starting back up. This program is an in-home program which includes personal visits for your child, The PAT program strives to ensure that all children will learn, grow and develop to realize their full potential.

PAT consists of four componenets

1. Personal Visits - These normally happen once per month. During these visits

age appropriate activities are shared. Developmental information specifically for your child is shared. All activities are designed to assist parents with meainingful interaction with their child.

2. Group Meetings - Once a month all PAT families will get together for a group meeting. Ideas between parents and information will be shared.

3. Screening - Periodically the Parent Educator will provide screenings for your child. This will enable early identification of any possible developmental delays and help determine your child's strengths.

4. Resource Network - The Parent Educator is able to link families with needed services.

REMEMBER - Parents are their child's first and most influential teachers! This program assists parents with questions and concerns so that they can be the best teachers possible.

For more information or to register for the PAT program, please call Starting Points as 873-3500

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Safe Sleep For Your Baby

What is SIDS? SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. This term describes the sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than 1 year of age.

Some people refer to SIDS as "crib death" because many babies who die of SIDS are found in their cribs. But cribs don't cause SIDS.

Since the Back to Sleep campaign began in 1994, the SIDS rate has declined by more than 50 percent.

Listed Below are several steps that parents, grandparents and caregivers can take that will greatly reduce the risk of SIDS:

Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, even for naps.
Place your baby on a firm matress, such as in a safety approved crib.
Remove soft, fluffy bedding and stuffed toys from your baby's sleep area.
Do not allow smoking around your baby.
Do not let your get to warm during sleep.
talk to childcare providers, grandparents, babysiters and all caregivers about SIDS risk.

For more information on SIDS you can visit this website:

http://www.nichd.nih.gov/SIDS

Tummy time is important to your baby's health and developement as well. When your child is awake you should spend some time watching your child as they play on their tummys. Tummy to Play Back to Sleep...http://www.childrensmn.org

When awake, your baby should spend plenty

of time on the tummy. Tummy time

strengthens the back, neck, and arm

muscles, which are needed for holding the

head upright, rolling, sitting, and crawling.

Tummy time is also good for visual and

mental stimulation because your baby is

encouraged to look around to explore the

surroundings.

The sooner you start tummy time, the sooner

your baby will get used to it, benefit from it,

and come to enjoy it. Babies who have not

spent much time on their tummies may need

extra encouragement and practice to get

used to it. Here are some ideas to help your

baby learn to enjoy tummy time.

• It works best if your baby is well rested

and happy before trying tummy time.

• Start with 5 minutes of tummy time

every time your baby is awake and

slowly work up to 20 minutes

Tumbling

STARTING POINTS PARENTS' CORNER

Bonding with Your Baby

During the first few years of your baby's life they will be forming attachments with the caregiver. The attachment is a deep bond that will last the child's lifetime. These bonds are crucial to the growth of the baby both physically and emotionally.

One way to form this bond is to show lots of love and attention to your baby. As a parent, you are the one who knows your baby best, and can take care of their needs. By responding to their needs, the bond is growing stonger.

There are some different ways to promote bonding.

1. Respond when your baby is crying. A baby can't be spoiled by too much attention.

2. Don't be afraid to hold and touch your baby.

3. Find times to just look into your baby's eyes and talk and smile at them.

4. Play games like peek-a-boo. Also read and sing to them.

5. Simple games and toys as your baby grows. When your baby is sitting on their own, spend alot of time on the floor with them.

This information was provided by www.childwelfare.gov

If you would like to receive a flyer about "Bonding with Your Baby" please call the Starting Points Center at 873-3500.