To the casual observer a child who is drawing or coloring in,  is just scribbling. The marks seem to be haphazard, almost meaningless. But there is more going on in your young child’s mind as s/he engages in the physical act of drawing and coloring.

In fact, examining a child’s drawing gives us important insights into how drawing fits into the overall physical, emotional and cognitive development of the young child. From toddlerhood through to primary school, children choose to draw and color, but the process actually starts much earlier – during toddlerhood.

At around the age of 18 months, toddlers become interested in scribbling. It appears to provide sensory enjoyment, but the child is also interested in the marks that are made. The act of doodling or scribbling can serve several useful purposes for the young child. Small muscle coordination and control improve with practice, cognitive abilities are exercised, opportunities for social interaction arise, and the physical movements provide emotional release.

Because a toddler’s small muscle control is not fully developed, he or she may approach the coloring sheet by grasping the marker with his or her fist and may have difficulty placing the marks exactly where he or she wants them. Movements are typically large, involving the entire arm with very little finger or wrist control. This is because the pattern of physical development proceeds from the center of the trunk outward.

With practice, the toddler will naturally improve his or her control, full control, however, will not be achieved until much later. Some toddlers will rest their forearm on the drawing surface to give them additional control. A rhythmic, repetitive, scrubbing motion is common among two-year-olds, providing sensory enjoyment and making drawing a very physical act.

By providing children with the materials and opportunities to scribble a parent can promote physical skills. Just as babbling is a natural way to gain language, scribbling is a natural gateway to muscle control and coordination.

Intellectually toddlers are concerned with both the process and results of their art. They do not intend to represent objects at first. Instead, they are concerned with color and line. However, they may look at the marks and scribbles they have made and, in surprise, recognize a shape and name it. While they may not have intended to draw a car, a house or a tree, the scribbles suggest the shapes. Children interpret, rather than intend. This is called fortuitous realism and becomes common as a child approaches three years of age.

As a parent you can encourage your child to draw and color by offering him or her opportunities to do so.  Let them loose on blank sheets of paper or provide them with a coloring book or coloring sheets, many of which  are available online. Little boys may enjoy coloring images of  cars and trucks or of favorite characters such as Pokemon and at sites like Pokemon Coloring Pages you’ll find the best colouring Pokemons

Little girls on the other hand tend to prefer images of fairies and princesses and these too are plentiful online.

Remember to always supervise toddlers while they draw and color – due to the choking hazard that crayons pose.

Baby carriages were first designed in Europe. They have become popular and are invariably seen everywhere. They are a means of transporting infants and children when you are walking. They are a safer way of transporting children. People often have to travel with their children either because they cannot be left back somewhere or they wish to take them with them. Carrying children in baby carriages is easier. The baby carriages are bucket shaped carriages on wheels. They can be pushed in front of you. There are also other kinds of baby carriages which is a means of carrying the children with ease with you. These are called hip carriers, soft front carriers, backpack carriers, and baby slings.

Baby carriages are manufactured using a variety of materials. They come in a variety of attractive designs and in different models. The models differ in the rigidity, support and comfort they offer. Stroller is used to transport infants between 3 months and up to 3 or even 4 years. Strollers are often called buggies or push chairs. They are different from prams where the baby is in front of you facing you so that you will be able to always watch the baby. Strollers resemble a wheel chair with the baby facing forward and in front of you. Normally strollers are designed for carrying one child. Strollers that can carry two children are also available. The age gap of the children should be small. Recently strollers that can accommodate three children have been brought out in the market.

The stroller is designed for easy maneuverability. This is aided by its free wheels allowing it to be turned around within small spaces. The Maclaren Quest stroller gives an instance of a stroller that is meant for babies 3 months and old with an underneath storage basket for holding goodies. The stroller also has such safety features as rain cover, shoulder strap and hood. Its seat can be reclined in 4 positions and has adjustable 5 point safety harness.

Strollers are available in the market in a range of models. They come with different features as well as weight. It is easier to purchase the stroller online.

Accidents, though not intentional, happen without warning. A major category of accidents is traffic collision. This leads to injuries, deaths and damage to properties. The United States has relatively better safety standards. Modern technological advances have been deployed in both the vehicles and traffic management. Yet the number of dead exceeds 40,000 per year. No doubt, the traffic accident rates and causality rates have declined. Still the number of people affected by traffic collision is also increasing. The increase in the population, and more traffic and travelers mean more casualties.

Safety devices and systems are of two types – the active and the passive safety devices and systems. The active safety devices and systems are those that require the occupant of the vehicle to act such as fastening seat belt. The passive safety devices and systems are those that operate on its own such as air bags on sudden jerks or collision.

Children are more vulnerable to accidents amongst all travelers. Being lighter and smaller than adults, they are more prone to being thrown off or dislodged on impact from collision or sudden jerks. Active seat belts as well as air bags are definitely useful. But special safety measures are required to be adopted for children according to their age, height and weight. Such safety measures are required to be adopted as per regulations in some countries. Child seat and child safety locks are part of such measures. Power window lockouts are useful to prevent the children from interfering with the windows and doors.

Infant seat belts are specifically designed for infants. These are seats that are secured to the automobile. The infant is held firmly to the infant seat belt while traveling and in the event of an accident or sudden jerks. Infant seat belts have become mandatory in some countries as part of the safety regulations. Infant safety seats are available in the market in different models. Britax Frontier Booster Car Seat offers advanced shock-absorption as well as cushioning in side impact collisions. It is easy to set up the seat.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe introduced ‘Regulation R44-04’ as the international safety standard for child and baby seats. The International Organization for Standardization too has come out in 1990 with its own safety standard called ISOFIX. The equivalent of this standard in the United States is the LACTH. ISOFIX compliant seats are available in some automobiles.

A lot of people believe that putting a toddler on a vegetarian diet isn’t healthy. But it can be perfectly safe as long as your child is getting all the proper nutrients. Some of the advantages of a lifetime of well balanced vegetarianism include lower rates of common diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and cardiac problems. If you raise your toddler on this type of diet, he or she will embrace it willingly later on.

The number one concern with vegetarian toddler food is to ensure that your child gets sufficient calories and nutrients. Your toddler needs enough calories to ensure that he has enough energy to grow and play.

It’s not easy to come up with a well-balanced vegetarian toddler menu that provides an adequate amount of protein and iron. Some toddlers are already finicky at this stage and have such small appetites that it can be hard to get them to eat enough vegetables or beans to receive all of their nutrients. Therefore, if you have a vegetarian toddler, make sure you serve nutrient-dense food.

For adults and children over four, soybeans and tofu are excellent sources of protein. For toddlers, though, these foods should not comprise their main source of protein. Instead, soybeans or tofu should be accompanied with soymilk that has been supplemented with minerals and vitamins. In addition to providing some protein, it will also improve your toddler’s diet by providing calcium and vitamins A and D, which can frequently be hard to get in a vegan diet.

Iron is a component of many vegetarian-friendly foods. Green beans, kidney beans, spinach, and lima beans are all excellent sources of iron. Unfortunately, unlike iron originating from animal products, the iron in vegetables can be tough for the body to process. You can remedy this situation if you serve a Vitamin C rich food with those beans or spinach. Some great sources of Vitamin C are oranges, red peppers, tomatoes, broccoli and cantaloupe.

Vitamin B-12 may be especially hard for vegans to get enough of. Although vegetables contain some B-12 vitamins, they are not easily absorbed by the body. Your toddler’s pediatrician can help you decide on a B-12 vitamin supplement that is suitable for toddlers.

Calcium is another important consideration for your vegetarian child’s nutrition plan. Calcium is important for strong bones and assists in ensuring the body’s normal development and growth. Give your toddler calcium-fortified soymilk, but check that it also contains other nutrients that your toddler needs for a balanced diet.

While it’s possible to raise a healthy vegetarian toddler, it can take a lot of work. It might be a good idea to add a vitamin supplement to your toddler’s diet to ensure that they get all the nutrients they need.

What ideas do you think about when you encounter the words toddler bedding? Some people wonder if they even need to do this–why can’t they just use a regular bed sheet from an adult bed? Why is it toddler specific; isn’t that going to cost a lot? You would certainly be having many questions. Answers for common questions thought of are here.

You may ask yourself if it is necessary to purchase toddler bedding. If your child is a toddler, you need to certainly buy bedding that is made especially for toddler bed. The growing baby will not sleep in a crib or playpen. So, it is necessary that a toddler bed be wrapped in bedding made from well-fitting materials of a good order. Although, if you currently use standard-sized bedding for cribs in your convertible crib or toddler bed, you should still be able to make use of you baby crib sets.

Can a regular sized bed sheet be adjusted to fit a toddler bed? You need to be certain to purchase bedding that can fit a toddler bed instead of just using an ordinary bed sheet. Sleep for your daughter will only be as good as the amount of comfort afforded by her bedding. As a toddler’s skin is very sensitive compared to an adult’s, using a regular bedding could harm the skin. In addition, a sheet that is too large can easily allow your toddler’s bed to become disorganized and this may make it difficult for her to sleep through the night.

Is toddler bedding available at many places? You would get a huge variety of bedding choices in the market. You can usually find toddler bedding wherever baby bedding is sold, both online and in stores. If you want to keep the present design of a child’s room, you can always find a toddler crib bedding to meet your current taste and style. Maya toddler nursery bedding sets are toddler sized sets of the trendy and popular Maya crib bedding by Trend Lab. Available in various styles, colors, designs, etc., toddler bedding is specifically created with toddlers in mind.

Will you find bedding for your little one costly? Some of the toddler bedding is expensive as it is made of best quality materials that make certain about the protection and relaxation your child must get. If your child is going to outgrow her toddler bed quickly, there are cheaper bedding sets available.

How many toddler crib sets will I need to purchase? In most instances, two sets will be enough–one to put on the bed while the other is being washed. It isn’t necessary to buy large amounts of bedding sets for an only child. On the other hand, you should probably buy more than two bedding sets if you have infants;  this way, you can reuse them when those children become toddlers.

While purchasing toddler bedding, make sure that you are pleased with the quality and softness of the materials so that your children will be provided with the greatest comfort. You will be at peace, knowing that you have given your child the most comfortable sleeping experience.

It is great to watch your child develop. Every parent awaits in anticipation to see these moments. Your baby’s body needs to get prepared for any particular action. External factors are involved in this development as it varies within each baby.

Nutrition plays a vital role in development. Sleep is the maximum growth period. Realize that new born babies sleep almost all day. Duration of sleep varies with age. Your baby is always growing so at this age take care of what you feed. When he reaches one year, he will begin to pick things up, try getting into a standing position, feed himself and clap his hands. His muscles also increase day by day.

If you feed your baby with more nutritious food, growth and development will be faster. A malnourished baby does not develop soon. At the time your baby reaches 13 to 15 months, he will play with his toys and try to talk. He will also walk without support. Some babies walk during 6 months. This is very unusual. Toys play important part in developing babies. Your baby will move his hands and legs and try to dance if you play a bosendorfer piano . When he reaches 18 to 20 months, he will not only walk but run and walk up stairs. Now he can feed himself very well and play with building blocks. Also he will like to look at cartoons and watch television. At this age your baby will say quite a lot of words and do a lot of mischief.

As soon as your baby reaches his second birthday, he will become more active and get indulged in mischief quite often messing things around. Now this is your part to maintain safety precautions at home. Since every child is different, you need to be more or less careful about your baby. At this time your baby will dump and fall into everything and hurt himself too often. See to it that he does not hurt his head because head is still very sensitive and internal injury might affect later.

Taking great care can help your baby develop better and you can enjoy watching him as he grows.

If you have children of the toddler or pre-school age then you will know that travelling becomes more and more difficult as they get older as they like to carry their own things. However, carrying your own bag through the airport becomes much less exciting when they realise how tiring the task can be. After all the journey to the departure gate can be much too far for little legs. Trunki is the latest travel craze to sweep the nation, and the answer to your child’s travel problems.

The Trunki ride on suitcase is a new breed of child sized luggage which doubles up as a ride-on toy, which is just perfect for when their little legs get tired. The sturdy case is made of the same material as adult luggage and is built to last. It’s light enough for a small child to carry (just four pounds when empty) but strong enough for them to sit on and be pulled along by mum or dad or even an older sibling.

The wheels will roll smoothly on tile or low-pile carpets and the brightly colored cases can even carry more than one child!

The 18×18x12 case is approved as airplane hand luggage and is big enough for your child’s snacks, games and even spare clothes. So it’s perfect for keeping them entertained during the flight as well. Please be aware though, if you are planning a long trip, or you need to pack bulky clothes like sweaters, then you might need an additional bag to put those in.

The Trunki ride on suitcase comes in a variety of colours and styles and is sure to turn heads as you pull your little one through the airport.

Now you have learned why the Trunki ride on suitcase is the latest travel craze visit http://www.trunkirideonsuitcase.com to find out how you can get free shipping today!

Accidents in the home are the primary cause of death among children in the US. Toddlers in particular are curious and want to explore their surroundings with their new found mobility. But all too often, their curiosity gets them into trouble.

Many of these injuries, though, can be easily avoided. Some basic precautions are all it takes. If you want to keep your child from harm, follow these toddler safety tips for your peace of mind.

Throughout the Home

* Large pieces of furniture that are prone to tipping, like a shelving unit, should be fastened to the wall using brackets.

* Doorknob covers are required for any room that you don’t want your toddler to enter, for safety reasons or otherwise. They will also keep him from leaving the house unsupervised.

* Make sure your window blinds don’t have looped cords. Young children have been known to strangle in them.

* Electrical outlets should always have protective covers. This will keep out curious fingers and small objects that can lead to electrocution.

Kitchen Safety

The cabinets and drawers in your kitchen should all have safety latches installed. This helps prevent young children from accessing your cleaning products, many of which are toxic. As well, they won’t be able to get hold of sharp objects such as knives or scissors from the drawers.

When you’re cooking, use the back burners of the stove. Any pots should have the handles turned inward so your little one can’t grab them. If the oven is on, block access to it so your little one won’t get burned.

Bathroom Safety

Just like in the kitchen, drawers and cabinets in the bathroom need child proof latches. Make sure that cleaning products and medicinal products are locked up safe from your little one’s grasp. As soon as you’re done with them, unplug appliances like your curling iron or electric shaver. Store them safely out of a child’s reach.

If you have a toddler, you need a toilet lock to keep the lid down. Because toddlers are top heavy, it’s not hard for them to fall into the toilet when they’re exploring it. Remember that a small child can drown in less than an inch of water. So it’s essential to supervise them in the bathroom at all times.

Take an objective look at your home to spot any other possible sources of danger. Take care of them right away. With these precautions and some common sense, raising toddlers can be easy and fun.

Most babies will, at some point in time, experience a case of diaper rash. This condition is painful and irritating for children. Watching the little ones suffer makes parents feel helpless. Here are some parenting tips for babies that should help parents to help their kids.

The Causes of Diaper Rash?
A babies skin is sensitive and can be prone to diaper rash. From the day they are born, even a lightly soiled diaper will cause redness to the skin.

Another common reason for a rash is food allergy. A baby's skin in the diaper area will break out if he/she eats and the subsequently eliminates a food that he happens to be allergic to.

The most common cause of diaper rash is is infrequent diaper changes. And, interestingly, some have noticed increased diaper rash when a baby is teething. Increased drooling may cause looser stools which in turn leads to a rash.

Another possibility is a sensitivity to the brand of diaper or baby wipe.

Whatever the reason, a quick call to the pediatrician is in order - especially if the baby is very young. It is possible that the doctor will want to examine the child - most likely in cases where the rash is severe.

Treating the Symptoms of Diaper Rash
Assuming that the rash is "normal", according to the pediatrician - the first line of defense is to change the baby's diaper often to keep the affected area dry. At the slightest hint of wetness or stools - make a change. This may seem a bit wasteful and unneccessary but it is essential for the skin to heal quickly and for the comfort of baby.

Airtime is also important. Leave the baby bare bottomed for as long as you can. This is a bit of a danger zone, since babies have not yet gone through the potty training process, but it is effective.

Before putting on a new diaper, generously apply an over the counter diaper rash creme to create a barrier between the skin and the diaper. When the baby wets the fresh diaper this creme will act to protect the skin for a short time until a change is made.

The goal is to keep the baby's skin as dry as possible to heal the skin. We all know that happy babies equal happy mommies!

Around one and three years of age, a toddler will frequently begin to bite others. The most common reason for this concern is that this is one of the few ways that toddlers can effectively communicate with others. Not all children are biters, however. Some grab, shove, pinch or punch. This might be just as bad!

Also, toddlers sometimes start biting because their motor skills and ability to communicate are so restricted, that they have to express themselves somehow.

It can seem funny for a young toddler to see his mommy suddenly bolt upright or for one of her playmates to begin crying. Another reason for biting is that the toddler is teething or because they just think everything should go in their mouth so why not someone’s arm? The cause might even be as basic as being hungry.

What means can you use to help your child learn not to bite? It has to be completely understood that biting is bad behaviour and can hurt others. Let them know how much pain the other kids feel when your toddler bites them. Be sure to let your toddler know that biting is not allowed, that it’s wrong, and that it makes you unhappy.

If you find that your child is biting due to frustration, give your toddler an alternative way to express to people they are having a difficult time. Although it seems a gargantuan effort for your toddler to communicate with words, this is a great time to start teaching them the right words for a situation.

For instance, “You have to let daddy know that you need something, but not by biting.” Or “Show mommy what you need, but don’t bite. You’ll hurt her if you bite, and I know you would never want to hurt mommy.” This may bring a cloak of shame of what they are about to do and they may think their actions over again before actually biting.

As parents, you shouldn’t let biting become a big issue. This is true of all behavior that you do not want to see repeated. Let your toddler know, firmly yet gently, that biting is not permitted, that it’s wrong and that it hurts everyone, grownup or child.

Visit Toddlers Now for more great tips on raising a little one.