Tips for Venturing Out

in this issue >>>

current topics >>>

Did you know?

Tips for Venturing Out

Staying Hydrated

Outdoor Play

Watermelon- Oh So Yummy!

Parents’ Book Nook

The American Academy of Pediatrics

suggests a few simple rules to protect your

little one from the dreaded sunburn. Babies

under 6 months of age should be kept out

of direct sunlight. Parents can find shade

under a tree or use protective clothing, an

umbrella or stroller canopy. When these

options aren’t available, they suggest using

small amounts of sunscreen on smaller

areas of the body, such as the face. For

babies 6 months & older, apply sunscreen

to all areas of the body--being careful

around the eyes.

Learn more tips at:

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/sa

fety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Sun-

Safety.aspx

What’s a Parent to Do?!!?

Parenting has never been an easy task.

When you imagined starting a family, you

most likely did what most parents do.

You read all the books and dreamed about

what life would look like. No one could

have possibly imagined facing a global

pandemic! The Center for Disease

Control has recently published

some safety tips for venturing out.

When making decisions, the

more closely you interact with

others and the longer that

interaction, the higher the

risk of COVID-19 spread.

or practicing social distancing? It’s

important to keep in mind that some

people have the virus and may not have

any symptoms. It is not yet known how

often people without symptoms can

transmit the virus to others. Consider

whether the activity will be indoors or

outdoors? Indoor spaces are

more risky than outdoor

spaces as there is less

ventilation and it may be

more difficult to keep

six feet apart. Summertime

is a perfect time to explore

The CDC is encouraging everyone to

consider your own personal situation and

the risk it presents for you, your family,

and your community before venturing out.

Consider the following: Is COVID-19

spreading in your community? Are you or

someone in your family at an increased

risk for severe illness? Will you come into

contact with someone who is not following

safety precautions such as mask wearing or

the outdoors! By following these safer

practices, you can substantially

reduce your risk. Trust yourself to

make healthy decisions for your

family. You’ve got this!

Learn more safety tips at:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/201

9-ncov/daily-life-coping/deciding-to-

go-out.html

New Parent Support Newsletter Issue 2/August 2020

With the Centers for Disease Control advising that the pandemic is far from over, it’s

difficult to know what to do with the conflicting information available through the

news and social media platforms. What’s a parent to do?

A great way to introduce your kiddos to seasonal fruits

while avoiding sugary drinks is to create your own!

Fruit-infused water not only looks inviting—but it

brightens up your daily routine. Add colorful straws or

berry filled ice cubes for a whole lot of fun! Remember

you are a role-model for your child. They are learning

how to do life from you! Give them a healthy start!

Watermelon: Naturally Packed with Yummy Deliciousness!!! Nutritious Superfood

One of life’s simple summer pleasures: chilled, sweet watermelon. I can

taste it now (maybe because I am eating a slice). Did you know

watermelon can be eaten year round? Is watermelon a fruit or a vegetable?

Will watermelon seeds grow in your tummy if swallowed? Is the entire

melon edible? As we enjoy the height of the local watermelon season, there

are

healthy lifestyles >>>

Staying Hydrated!

Bubble Play! Bubbles are a great way to encourage motor development, problem-solving and taking turns. The Parents as Teachers curriculum suggests new ways to create bubbles by forming shapes out of pipe cleaners or wires. Don’t worry if you’re out of store-made bubbles---just create your own out of ¼ cup of dish detergent, 8 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of corn syrup! If it’s a stormy day, you can use the bubbles inside by covering the floor with a sheet, bedspread or shower curtain. Use a large plastic container with a lid and you can easily save your bubble mixture for another day. The possibilities are endless! Your little explorer might just surprise you with new and creative ways to play. Remember…just have fun! (Bubble Play, Parents As Teachers curriculum, 24 to 36 months)

Playing outdoors is healthy for the entire family. However, it’s

especially important to stay hydrated while having fun! The

American Academy of Pediatrics warns parents to be on the look-

out for signs of dehydration. Symptoms of mild to moderate

dehydration could include playing less than usual, less frequent

urination (for infants, fewer than six wet diapers per day), dry

mouth, fewer tears when crying, a sunken soft spot of the head in

an infant or toddler, loose stools or decreased bowel movements.

Severe dehydration could include being very fussy, excessive

sleepiness, reduced urinating (1-2 times a day), wrinkled skin,

sunken eyes and/or cool, discolored hands and feet. Always notify

your pediatrican with any concerns.

Learn more at:

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-

emergencies/Pages/dehydration.aspx

some useful and fun watermelon facts

that may inspire. Watermelon provides

a lot of nutrition and the entire melon

is edible. It is fat free and low calorie.

It is full of vitamins, minerals, fiber

and phytonutrients. Watermelon seeds

are a source of protein. The red, fleshy

inside provides vitamin A, B6 and C as

well as potassium, magnesium,

thiamin and phosphorous.

Surprisingly, it can be considered

either a fruit or a vegetable and is

100% edible, even the seeds and rind.

It’s another great source of

hydration—it’s 92% water! You can

even freeze watermelon cubes and use

as ice. Watermelon is a fabulous snack

for all ages! Learn more at:

https://www.watermelon.org.

staying active >>>

Blanket Pull! Young babies enjoy being outdoors! So,

provide your baby with plenty of

opportunites to learn about the world. Put

your baby in a safe, grassy area. Next, place

a blanket or towel within reach. Place a toy

on the blanket just out of reach. Show your

baby how to grasp the end of the blanket to

pull it to get the toy. Babies love repetition

so play as long as your baby is interested!

Baby delights in playing while you’re

building healthy brain connections! It’s a

win! (Blanket Pull, Parents As Teachers

curriculm. 8 to 14 months)

Did you know that outdoor play is absolutely essential to your child’s healthy brain

development? Leading experts agree that play is the important work of children. Through

play, children learn important life lessons and develop social-emotional skills as they learn

about themselves and the world around them. As children explore different interests, they

build the confidence needed to excel in life and do well in school. Parent-led play teaches

young children turn-taking skills, how to accept guidance from adults and how to follow

rules. Child-led play allows children to process their emotions, learn to solve problems

independently and discover their interests. Children need a mix of both parent-led and

child-led play; so, don’t be afraid to allow your little one to be bored. Boredom oftens

leads

leads to creative ideas and solutions!

Many parents worry when they can’t

afford to provide every learning toy on

the market. A recent study published in

the medical journal Infant Behavior

and Development (2018) found that

having fewer toys actually encouraged

higher levels of creativity! Our Home

Visitors have lots of ideas to encourage

learning through our Parents As

Teachers curriculum! Sign-up online

for free visits!

For more information on play:

https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/

series/the-development-of-play-skills-

from-birth-to-3

Get Moving! MCCS offers several opportunites to get moving

through their Outdoor Adventures program! There

are family-friendly trails both on-installation and in

the surrounding community. Eastern North Carolina

beaches offer a unique setting to explore with your

little one. Building sandcastles and splashing in the

salty water is a way to make a lifetime of memories!

Spark Curiosity! One fun idea is to grab a flashlight and

have a Nightime Scavenger Hunt! Create

a list and look for critters that only come

out at night. Notice the shape of the

moon and other objects that “glow” like

porchlights, street lamps or signs. Listen

for nighttime sounds and see if you can

guess what they are. Name the

constellations. You are only limited by

your imagination! Look for more fun

ideas at: www.kcedventures.com/blog

Outdoor Play!

Let’s Experiment! Design a rainmaker by punching holes in an

empty soda bottle or cup. You can even grab a

small colander from the kitchen. Next, allow your

child to wade in a kiddie pool, nearby creek or the

bathtub. Encourage your child to explore by

submerging the containers in the water then lifting

them up high or down low. Try different ways of

filling the containers and allowing the water to

pour out. Talk to your child about what you

observe. “You’re making rain! It’s splashing!”

Your child is learning language when you

describe the play. Valuable thinking skills are

developed through curiosity! Legs, arms, stomach

and back are strengthened as your child bends and

scoops. Play is learning! (Rainmaker activity,

Parents As Teachers curriculum, 14 to 24 months)

Learn more at:

http://www.mccslejeunenewriver.com/beach/

https://jacksonvillenc.gov/210/Trails-Greenways

https://www.nccoast.org/resource/fact-sheets/

https://www.alltrails.com/us/north-carolina

https://www.visitnc.com/hiking?spage=2&type=

&slug=hiking&interest=iFnm

Balanced and Barefoot left me feeling

nostalgic for the warm, summer days I

experienced growing up in eastern

North Carolina. My sisters and I would

often find ourselves exploring the

nearby woods with our neighborhood

friends and creating adventure after

adventure. We used sticks to build forts

and seasoned our mud pies with wild

onions. As the sun set, we would often

catch fire flies in mason jars—ever

careful to punch airholes in the lids and

letting them go before bedtime. Those

were simplier times that created a

lifetime of memories! Angela

Hanscom’s book brought it all back—

the thrill of climbing up the big slide at

the playground to the bravery needed to

tackle the monkey bars. I loved her

focus on encouraging our littles to

explore nature as a necessary means to

sensory motor development.

It was great to hear an occupational

therapist explain her perspective on why

these things are absolutely necessary to

healthy development. At times, her

writing style was a bit technical and hard

to navigate. One drawback to the book

was her view on adult supervision. I

would caution parents to take a more

realistic, balanced approach than the one

she offers on allowing children to have

hours of playtime without adult

supervision. While children do need

time to plan, create their own ideas and

let go of physical energy, parents should

be mindful of safety issues and the child

supervision regulations on their

installation and in their local

community. That said, I do think it’s

definitely worth your time to read and

consider introducing more outdoor fun.

It’s a thumbs-up for me!

-Anonymous

This month, New Parent Support Home Visitors Review Balanced and Barefoot by Angela J. Hanscom.

Parents’ Book Nook

I chose this book based on my own

beliefs about the benefits of being in

nature for people of all ages. The

title, Balanced and Barefoot

resonated with me. For myself,

outdoor activities conjure feelings of

freedom, relaxation, contentment and

inner peace. I feel calmer, more

creative and grounded when I have

unstructured time and my feet are

touching the Earth. The author,

Angela J. Hanscom promotes parents

prioritizing getting their children

outside. She proposes increasing

children’s free time away from

screens and electronics and allowing

children to explore outdoors. Hanscom

uses research studies to show how

unstructured outdoor play is vital for

children’s sensory, motor and cognitive

development and can improve

children’s psychological and physical

health. I gave this book a thumbs up! It

has numerous ideas that will help you to

help your child and nurture their

development.

My parenting tip: Remember to provide

age appropriate supervision. Then

allow nature and exploration to enhance

each family member’s sense of well

being.

-Anonymous

The ideas expressed in this newsletter and book review articles are those of their respective reviewer and do not necessarily represent the views of MCCS Camp

Lejeune - New River, USMC, or the Federal Government. The intention of these reviews are to assist service members in making selection of reading materials.