In utero, what can a baby possibly learn about sound, language, or grammar? How about the sound of his mother’s and father’s voice, his puppy’s bark, certainly his sister’s talking, and the many sounds routine to what will soon be his daily life. Built into all these is familiarity; in most of these the baby learns the spoken word, the inflection in the voices giving  sentences “flavor,” then the magic of his own response. Thus it is quite safe to assume that verbalization is paramount, and here reading ultimately plays a most central role in linguistic development as well as the caregiver, the grammar checker.

Effects on this Unborn Life

Scientists have shown that talking, singing nursery rhymes or playing music to entertain or comfort the child in the womb is actually an important step in language development and should be encouraged. Indeed, the spoken word creates a fetal reaction, one might say, in preparation for story time as he cuddles on Mommy’s or Daddy’s lap. And it is intriguing when very young infants hear stories read to them in the womb, they settle down as if hearing something very familiar, possibly waiting for the same tone of voice and modulations. I remember reading a story to my son I had read to him before he was born, and his head deliberately turned toward me, even though I had been talking to him before the reading began.

What about “Baby Talk?”

Often adults feel silly when they talk to babies and especially when they talk to unborn babies using the sing-song style called “baby talk.” However, research has shown this is exactly how fetuses learn to use speech. In the scientific community, this “baby talk” is termed “infant-directed speech.” Infant-directed speech typically uses short, simple sentences coupled with higher pitch and exaggerated intonation. Although parents and other caregivers are quite aware babies delight in this familiar speech style, research has revealed that infant-directed speech also helps infants learn words more quickly than normal adult speech. For example, infants exposed to fluent speech with the exaggerated intonation, characteristic of infant-directed speech learned to identify words more quickly than infants who heard fluent speech spoken in a more monotone, or the deeper more stoic adult, fashion. These findings are true in unborn babies, as well. In addition it is my opinion as a mother and teacher, a combination of both baby talk and expression used in reading to babies, in and out of the womb is vital.

Encouraging Language Development

Reading to these wee unborn children, and infants alike, is one of the surest ways to encourage sentence development. It reveals examples of what sentences are, how they are constructed, and especially how those action words, verbs give life to the strings of nouns and objects. Reading divulges the riches of vocabulary, and parts of speech, like synonyms and adjectives which encourage fantasy and imagination. What a treat to think the bundle of joy all snug inside his mom will have such an incredible edge on cognition even before she holds him!

Answers to the Question

Though as infants and certainly not fetuses, children are unaware of all the nuances of language, there is exposure to them on a regular basis through the spoken word. Studies have also revealed children read to consistently, in utero and beyond, have much higher intelligence and use more of their brain than those little ones void of this integral opportunity. So, is it time for a grammar check with the children in your home; have they been read to today; do you have your free library card? Now is the time to begin!

 About Author:

Provided by grammarly.com. To expand your grammar knowledge consider visiting our page featuring English grammar rules

Children’s success in school depends on a wide range of factors that includes the quality of the relationship between their parents and teachers. Use these suggestions to partner with your children’s teachers, building strong relationships that last throughout the school year.

Show Your Support

There are many ways to show a teacher that he or she has your support. One of the most important ways is to respect the classroom schedule. Help your kids be one time and prepared, teaching them that responsibility at school extends to your home. Practice being on time for the start of school if you drop them off and for the end of the day if you pick them up. And should you sign up to volunteer in the classroom or on a field trip, follow through with your commitment – this is one of the most valuable ways to show that you care about teachers and the children in their classrooms.

Make an Appointment

A classroom is a practice in organized chaos, especially as children and parents come and go at the start and end of a typical school day. These might seem like good times to talk about your child, but teachers are often distracted and busy with discipline issues, staff meetings, and parent phone calls as well as the regular routines of a classroom. If you need to talk to the teacher about a concern you have regarding your child, it’s best to call or email and make an appointment in advance. This way, you’ll get the teacher’s full attention in order to address your needs.

Dress for Success at School

A typical school day contains a wide range of experiences and opportunities to ruin or lose really nice clothes. Before you say goodbye to your kids each morning, make sure that they’re not wearing anything that you would be sad to see with grass or paint stains. Instead, direct them to wear sturdy clothing that can stand up to active learning. In addition, keep in mind that items like coats, lunch bags, sweatshirts, hats and gloves are easily lost. Buy gently used sweatshirts or coats at local thrift stores, and stock up on inexpensive gloves in the winter while you teach your kids to keep track of these kinds of items.

Brave Your Child’s Backpack

Even with the increase of technology use between teachers and families, there are still quite a lot of papers that can be found shoved in your children’s backpacks. These papers often contain important information for parents, and one way to stay informed is to help your children clean out their backpacks each day. Make this exercise part of your homework routine to keep you and your children organized and up to date all year long!

About Author:

Kelly Wilson taught fourth, fifth and sixth graders for ten years before becoming a freelance writer. Visit Dr. Brett Johnson, an Oregon City dentist for more information about raising healthy, happy kids.

A friend recently had her first baby. After nine long months of shopping for nursery furniture, picking out miniature dresses and shoes, and finding the perfect name, baby Hanna arrived.

My friend and her husband are very protective, as this is their firstborn. And as new parents, there’s plenty to keep them up at night, but one thing that can keep their minds at ease – making sure they purchase playthings that take advantage of semiconductor testing.

The Advantages of Semiconductor Testing

Circuits are found in everyday electronic devices from television remotes to baby mobiles. Semiconductor testing can keep circuits grounded and products safe for kids and adults alike.

We all heard the stories a few years back about mass recalls of lead-tainted plastic toys, and it seems there’s something in the news each week that stores are asking parents to return for any number of reasons — from small parts that detach, to certain chemicals found in paint.

Following the mass lead-inspired recall, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 was passed. This law set strict standards for children’s toys to eliminate certain chemicals that have been linked with health problems and improve toy testing.

Improving Toy Standards

Since then, parents have also become more vigilant in holding companies accountable for safety. There’s even an available iPhone app to alert tech-friendly moms and dads of any recalls immediately as they become available.

The 2008 act and modern toy testing has improved the way that toys today are made, so parents can feel safe giving their newborn, toddler or child any of the playthings they receive from generous grandparents or that happen to fall into the cart on a trip to Wal-Mart.

A Wealth of Information

From making sure the baby sitter is certified in first aid to checking that junior’s handheld gaming device was semiconductor tested, parents are constantly under pressure to do what’s best for their children.

New parents can easily become overwhelmed with all of the options available to keep their child safe and healthy. Before bringing baby home, a game plan is key. There is plenty of literature to prepare parents-to-be for what to expect when they’re expecting and after bringing baby home.

My friends were lucky to get involved in a program through a local teaching hospital early on. Monthly meetings throughout the pregnancy discussed topics like changing diapers, finding a daycare, and budgeting for baby, so they felt ready when little Hanna was finally born.

While they couldn’t prepare for everything before the baby was born, making safety a priority early on through modern conveniences has allowed them to set the tone for a happy, healthy childhood for their growing baby girl.

About Author:

This guest post brought to you by Michelle Anderson, who blogs on semiconductor testing and medical product testing.

The Red Rock Fertility Center would like to invite you to a FREE Fertility Seminar

Come enjoy some good organic caffeine free tea, listen to an informational talk on infertility by either  Dr. Eva Littman (Saturday mornings) or Noushi Mortazavi, APN (Tuesday Evenings,) and cap it off with a tour of our state of the art IVF facilities!!!
Attending the seminar is a great way to learn about the process and get to know the experts behind it. Also, if you decide to become a new patient, you will receive a $300 discount on Ultra IVF packages not covered by insurance…

Where: Red Rock Fertility Center
Located at 6420 Medical Center St. Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Across from Southern Hills Hospital, Major cross streets Fort Apache and Sunset or Durango-Sunset/215 W exit

We offer two separate seminars:

Tuesday evenings with Noushi Mortazavi, APN focusing on natural family planning techniques 

Saturday mornings with Dr. Eva Littman discussing advanced assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization.

Start your journey towards a NEW LIFE today!!!! Call 702-948-7778 to RSVP for a certain date. Space is reserved on a first come first serve basis.

(Attendees: please do not wear any cologne, perfume, or aftershave to the event. Even though we have an advanced HEPA Air filtration system in the center, we try to keep the levels of VOC’s (noxious airborne compounds) to a minimum to ensure the best possible conditions for our embryos. Thank you.)

For many couples, preparing for IVF treatments can be extremely stressful. Others feel that most of their anxiety was already “spent” while they were trying to conceive for prolonged periods of time, and seeking solutions at fertility appointments. Both of these groups have something in common though – preparing for IVF practically and emotionally can help you feel good while you are undergoing IVF, and some steps can maximize your chances of conceiving.

If you are wondering how to get pregnant more quickly through IVF, the answer is more similar to conceiving naturally than you may think. Any couple trying to get pregnant should live a healthy lifestyle – a good diet, plenty of physical activity, and a sufficient amount of sleep. Start taking folic acid supplements before you start IVF. Avoiding substances that can harm your fertility and your baby once you are pregnant, like cigarettes and alcohol, is just as important for those having IVF. Many doctors also recommend that women avoid stress as much as possible during IVF, to increase the chances of getting pregnant.

A recent Israeli study showed that women who were entertained by medical clowns right after the IVF transfer procedure were significantly more likely to get pregnant than those who underwent the classical IVF procedure, sans-clown. But Dr Robert Hunter from Staten Island University Hospital, New York, did not come to the conclusion that less stress increases IVF success. His study of 217 women undergoing IVF was published last year. Surprisingly, those who reported the highest stress levels were more likely to get pregnant. But, let’s face it: Whether stress helps you get pregnant, or reduces your chances, there is not all that much you can do to decide whether you’re going to be stressed or “zen” during these important moments of your life.

Let’s not forget about the men! Doctors advise men who want to become fathers through IVF to pay close attention to their lifestyle and health, just like women. In addition, men should avoid overheating the scrotum and therefore stay away from hot baths, tight synthetic underwear, and having a laptop in their, well, lap. Men should not ejaculate for two days before sperm will be collected for IVF, but they should not have gone without ejaculating for longer than five days either. If you follow this advice, you have the best chances of producing an optimal sperm sample!

Finally, IVF will require time off work, perhaps at unexpected moments – especially during the monitoring phase. Retrieval day can be any of three or four days, and you will need to take that day off work, whichever it ends up being. And transfer day carries the same story. Then, there is the fact that women are expected to be physically inactive during the first two days after transfer. This, too, may mean you cannot go to work. IVF is something that can take its toll on the whole office, and your employer will need to be aware of the process. Women having IVF have two common problems at work, and they are an excess of unwanted “advice” from people who know nothing about fertility treatments, or a lack of understanding for all those days you need to take off. If you can prepare for this in advance, do.

The bloggers at Trying To Conceive are with you from the time you start using an ovulation calendar, through those nine months and while you are contemplating weight loss after pregnancy. 

It can be a challenge to get kids ready for school and out the door in time to catch the bus. These easy breakfast suggestions will help you give your kids the nutrition they need without sacrificing taste or time!

Grilled To Go

A hot breakfast is a great way to start the day, especially when favorite ingredients are combined into a warm and filling breakfast sandwich. Start with a toasted bagel, English muffin or whole wheat bread. Cook up an egg so that the yolk is cooked through, and place it on your toasted choice of bread. Add protein in the form of bacon or ham along with cheddar or cream cheese for a nutritious breakfast that will keep them going all morning long.

Layered and Delicious

Breakfasts with a few layers are a delicious and colorful treat. Use a tall glass or an ice cream dish to layer yogurt, granola and fruit to create a healthy breakfast that looks like a dessert. Encourage your kids to play around with different ingredients, like a variety of cereals, yogurt flavors, and fruit like sliced bananas or fresh blueberries.

If you’re in a hurry, keep the yogurt in its container and add fruit or preserves along with a small amount of honey for an extra kick. Add roasted almonds, peanuts or pecans for added crunch and protein. This filling breakfast is nutritious and easy to transport!

Better Than a Burrito

Flour tortillas filled with scrambled eggs, diced meat and shredded cheese have become an increasingly popular breakfast option that might take too much time to make and assemble. Instead, consider grilling up a quick quesadilla with shredded cheese and cooked bacon or diced ham. For more of a sweet-centered breakfast, use peanut butter or cream cheese with sliced apples, bananas or strawberries for a quick, fun alternative.

Pizza for Breakfast

Mini-pizzas for breakfast are delicious and can be nutritious. Use English muffins or bagels and cover with pizza sauce if desired. Top with your choice of cheese, meats, and vegetables for a quick and filling breakfast that’s also good on the run!

A Smooth Alternative

Smoothies are wonderful for getting kids to take in the nutrition that they need. In a blender, mix regular or Greek yogurt that’s higher in protein, and add different kinds of fresh or frozen fruit as desired along with milk. Blend until the consistency is smooth and creamy, then serve for a refreshing breakfast!

Fix Food Ahead of Time

It’s great for kids and adults to have a full breakfast before heading out in the morning, but it can be difficult to make time for it during busy mornings. Instead of making breakfast each morning, fix a large batch of breakfast food on a Sunday morning, like scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes or French toast. Package these up so that they can be reheated and eaten over the next few days, saving you time without sacrificing nutrition!

About Author:

Kelly Wilson is a former elementary school teacher and the mom of two boys heading off to a new year at school. For more information about how healthy food can help your kids take care of their teeth, visit the friendly staff at Smiles Dental, a Dentist in Tumwater, WA.