Child care expenses may be on the rise, but child care tax breaks are a blessing. In order to claim these tax credits, you must obtain the tax identification number for your child care provider. This will help verify any documentation stating the...
Infants start learning speech while still in the womb. Hearing and responding to familiar voices form the foundation for more advanced communications, later in life. Physicians use guidelines, called milestones, to assess a child's speech...
"Monkey see, monkey do." You have probably heard this statement before, and it most likely applies to your toddler. According to Geraldine Butler and Bernice Walmsley, authors of "Teach Yourself Successful Potty Training," a love for imitating,...
Whether you're looking for a night out with your spouse or need someone to watch the kids while you work, you're in the market for a babysitter. Not only are you looking for someone reliable and kind, but you're also seeking someone who is able to...
Deciding to place your child in someone else's care is hard enough. Trying to find a quality child care provider can be even harder. Many parents prefer to place their children in family child care, a day care located in someone's home, rather...
According to Kidshealth.org, around 70 percent of parents put their young children in day care. Having an infant in child care can be challenging. It is hard for many mothers to return to work after the birth of a baby. There are many advantages...
Babysitters must follow specific tax regulations that cover child care workers under the rules of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Most people who babysit are not employees of the family and must report this income as a self-employed worker or...
The crying and screaming departure during daycare drop off tears at the heart of parents. The anticipation of the meltdown is enough to cause stress, which may complicate the situation. The way you approach the drop off and the coping strategies...
Dual custody, sometimes referred to as shared custody, is an arrangement through which each parent provides a residence for their child 50 percent of the time, according to "Child Custody A to Z" by Guy J. White. The theory behind the plan is that...
Play time is learning time for children, according to Child Care Aware, a parent and child care provider information resource maintained by the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies. Your child uses toys to explore...
An infant care plan is basically an agreement between parents and their child care provider that outlines how the child will be fed, disciplined and what the routine of a day should be. This is more often done for a nanny who is only going to be...
Drowning is the second highest ranked cause of accidental death in infants. Statistics provided by InfantSwim.com indicate that the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, concludes that infant drowning falls just below automobile...
The habit of washing your hands is a simple but effective way to limit your own exposure to germs; it also decreases the possibility that you will pass along germs to others. According to the Massachusetts Office of Health and Human Services, 76...
Selecting appropriate birthday presents for toddlers can be a challenging process. Fortunately, there are great toddler birthday present ideas that span play toys to educational gifts to artistic and activity-based gifts that can keep your toddler...
If you are a working parent, you might find it difficult to find good child care during the summer months when your child is out of school. Some parents send their children to child care centers or day camps, but others prefer to find a nanny or...
Washing your hands often and keeping them clean is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of illness and infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Handwashing lowers your chances of getting sick by...
According to the National Institutes of Health, media and peer pressure can cause children to develop poor nutrition habits, which can lead to malnutrition. Malnutrition is a medical condition that involves your body not receiving enough...
When you are a quality child care provider, you make sure the children in your care have access to toys, art materials and equipment that stimulate them socially, physically and intellectually. You should take a similar approach with meal...
Parents worry about their children receiving the proper amount of sleep. This usually involves putting their children on a napping schedule. Some children have problems with napping, including an inability to fall asleep and waking up easily....
The National Institutes of Health reports that peer pressure and media can influence children to develop poor dietary habits, which can lead to malnutrition. Malnutrition is a medical condition in which the body does not get the proper nutrients...
A daycare setting or one on one babysitter will provide different environments for your child. Daycares are in a home or center, and other children are present. A babysitter will normally come to your house, and usually will not bring other kids....
There are many childhood conditions that can cause breathing problems. Wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and a tightness in the chest are all common symptoms of many of these illnesses. If a child is experiencing trouble breathing, his...
Parents often have to make decisions regarding the medical care of their children, especially in the event of an emergency. Some parents have to leave their children for extended periods of time, making it necessary to develop a medical power of...
Pulse rate, or heart rate, is the measurement of how many times a heart beats in a minute. Measuring your child's heart rate can help determine the health, wellness and fitness of your child. Heart rate, when abnormal, is also one of the first...
Coughs develop as a result of an upper respiratory tract infection and allergies. Treating a cough helps soothe your child so he can rest better. Cough medicines are not recommended for children under the age of 6, but there are many treatment...
A positive relationship between parents and child care providers establishes the foundation for a successful day care experience. When families support the day care program through active involvement and positive communication, children benefit...
Kids generally love playing outside. They roll on the lawn, walk through the garden and, if they are lucky, run through a meadow or take a walk or hike in the woods. All of these fun and healthy activities can expose your child to tick...
Many parents are interested in teaching their children to read as an aspect of early childhood home education. According to the National Institute for Literacy, children can begin learning to read long before they enter school--the core...
It may be difficult for parents and adults to think of a child's life as stressful, but, the fact is, children can and do experience many degrees of stress that can reflect poorly on their health and behavior. Divorce, marital tension, school...