Dates to Remember

January 19th. Playgroups begin

February

12th-15th. Winter

break. Center closed

14th. Happy Valentine’s

Day

MILFORD FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER

JUDY LOBDELL, EDITOR January 2016

Milford Family Resource

Center Staff::

Program Manager:

Peggy Kelly

Parent Educators:

Kathy Aspinwall

Judy Lobdell

Anne Mundy

The Milford Family

Resource Center

@Mathewson School

466 West River Street

Milford, CT 06461

(203)783-3626

mfrc@milforded.org

As we turn our thoughts to wintertime activities, and we spend more time indoors, it is

important to remember that play is tremendously beneficial to children. Play is the way a child

learns about himself and the world around him. Play can help a child learn about self-control,

problem-solving, and co-operation; it can also enhance self-esteem and reduce stress, for

adults, as well as children, and what better way to fend off cabin fever than taking some time

for recreation.

With these thoughts in mind, here are some inexpensive ways to have that fun:

Blow bubbles. In the tub, outside or in the sink. You can make your own concoction or

purchase it in a toy store. Be creative and try different ‘bubble blowers’, such as a potato

masher, a slotted spoon, etc.

Build an outdoor snow fort or an indoor one, using sheets, tables, etc.

Play a game of charades. Even toddlers can play this game with a little help.

Turn on some music and dance your sillies out. You can get creative and use scarves and/

or homemade instruments.

Shaving cream on a glass shower door, if you have one, can provide extended shower time

fun; (while providing supervision, you can make this activity even more fun by reading

some stories, while your child creates works of art). If you don’t have a glass shower

door consider using shaving cream or vanilla pudding, with food coloring added, on

a washable table top.

Finally, read, read, and read! A trip to the library or bookstore can be a great way to quell

that cabin fever.

Winter Play Activities

Serve right-sized portions. Parents often overestimate how much food a child should eat. A

couple of tablespoons is plenty to start with.

Have family meals together. Set your toddler's place at the family table - it's good for kids

of this age to see their parents and siblings eating together and eating the right foods. Children eat

a more nutritious diet, with more fruits and vegetables, when they regularly have family meals.

Continued on page 2

Tips for Feeding Toddlers

Tips...Continued from page 1

Create positive peer pressure. Toddlers are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables if they see their peers eat-

ing them, so look for opportunities where your child can eat healthy with friends.

Let kids feed themselves. Children should start finger feeding around 9 months and try using utensils by 15-

18 months. Provide many opportunities for this, but make sure your child eats enough so that the

experience doesn't lead to frustration. When you're controlling the fork or spoon, resist the urge to slip in

one more bite. And as your toddler gets the hang of eating, step back and let your child take over.* *From http://www.cyh.com/

New addition to our library:

The Happy Kid Handbook (How to Raise joyful Children in a Stressful World) by Katie Hurley, LCSW. In her

book, Katie Hurley outlines and examines issues that serve to nurture happiness in our children, as well as those

issues creating barriers to that happiness. Part 1 of her book explores the importance of: knowing your child’s tem-

perament and approach to things, and understanding emotions, as well as building empathy and embracing differ-

ences. Through a myriad of examples from personal experiences and her practice, along with suggestions for activi-

ties and games, Hurley delves into the emotional lives of children to offer insights into fostering a healthy emotion-

ally environment. In Part 2, Hurly offers some helpful strategies for overcoming some of those barriers to happi-

ness, such as stress, anxiety, and frustration.

Car Seat Recommendations for Children

Rear-Facing Car Seat Birth – 12 Months

Your child under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat. There are different types of rear-facing

car seats: Infant-only seats can only be used rear-facing.

Convertible and All-in-one car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, al-

lowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time.

1 – 3 Years

Keep your child rear-facing as long as possible. It’s the best way to keep him or her safe. Your child should remain

in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufac-

turer. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, your child is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat

with a harness and tether.

Forward-Facing Car Seat 1 - 3 Years

Keep your child rear-facing as long as possible. It’s the best way to keep him or her safe. Your child should re-

main in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s

manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, your child is ready to travel in a forward-facing

car seat with a harness and tether.

4 - 7 Years

Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether until he or she reaches the top height or

weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seat with

a harness, it’s time to travel in a booster seat, but still in the back seat.

Booster Seat

4 - 7 Years

Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether until he or she reaches the top height or

weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seat with

a harness, it’s time to travel in a booster seat, but still in the back seat.

Seat Belt

8 - 12 Years

Keep your child in a booster seat until he or she is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. For a seat belt to fit

properly the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snugly

across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face. Remember: your child should still ride in the back

seat because it’s safer there.

For further information you can visit their website: http://www.safercar.gov/parents/CarSeats/Right-Seat-Age

-And-Size-Recommendations.htm

We still have openings in certain playgroups at our center.

You can call 203 783-3626 or email mfrc@milforded.org

for further information.

CHRISTMAS THANKS TO SANTA’S HELPERS

Once again, we at the Milford Family Resource Center wish to thank everyone who so generously

contributed Christmas Gifts for the 130 children and their parents who requested assistance.

We had the awesome privilege of distributing the gifts. The parents expressed sincere appreciation.

They want you to thank YOU

So from the bottom of our hearts…. thank you to: The Central Office Staff of the Milford Public Schools, particularly Peggy Oakes and Jeff Hathaway

Parishioners of St. Mary’s Church, particularly Bob Lessard

Parishioners of First United Church of Christ, White Gift Program

Students and Staff of Foran High School, particularly Stephanie Gillian

The staff of Rainbow Gardens Restaurant, particularly Jon and Heather

W.O.M.E.N’S INC., particularly Nikki Wayne

Toys for Tots and the Milford Fire Department

Boy Scouts

And finally, the wonderful staff of SUBWAY (see photo below)