Encourage independence with simple games

Your child is learning through play. Here are simple games to play with your toddler which will encourage her to explore her world.

• An empty plastic bottle and a few buttons or small stones will give your child hours of entertainment. Toddlers love to put items in containers. Just make sure your child does not swallow or put any of the small objects in her mouth or nose!
• Use boxes and pillows to create an obstacle course for your child in your house or garden.
• Let your child place a small ball in a bowl and shake it about. It’s lots of fun for toddlers
• Stack items on top of each other and watch your baby knock it down. Then build it again and let her knock it down once more.

Your health during your pregnancy

Your health and your baby’s health are the most important things in your life while you are pregnant.  Visit your local clinic as soon as you find out you are pregnant.  The clinic nurse and doctor will let you know when you must visit the clinic again.  But, if you notice any of the symptoms below happening to you, go to the clinic immediately.

• If you are very tired and cannot take a deep breath  
• If your arms and face are swollen more than normal 
• If the baby inside you is moving very little or if he is not moving at all 
• If you see blood in your underwear 
• If you have a bad headache
• If you have a bad stomach pain or you are vomiting 
• If you have a high fever or you have a fit 

Your breastmilk is magic

Breast milk is the best possible food you can feed your baby! It’s magic because it gives your baby all the vitamins he needs to grow strong and big. Your breast milk protects your baby from getting sick.

You should ONLY breastfeed during the first 6 months of your baby’s life. Start as soon as possible after your baby is born – don’t wait for more than half an hour. The first time you breastfeed your baby you are protecting him from sickness.

After the first time you breastfeed, let your baby feed at least 10 times every 24 hours. Your baby is growing fast and he needs as much milk as possible! If you have trouble breastfeeding, ask for help at your local clinic or in your community.

Making Toys at home

Making toys at home 

Your child learns while playing.  Toys help your child to develop the muscles in his hands and to control his movement. The best part is that there are toys all around your house – you just need to use your imagination! Here are some ideas:

•  For healthy hands, give your child some newspaper to tear up or a clothes peg to pinch together.
• Children one year old and older, love to pick up shells, buttons, bottle tops and small stones and put them in a container like a mug – and then take them out again!
• Find some empty containers of different sizes and let your child stack them up, one on top of the other, and then to knock them down.
• When your child gets a bit older, let him group and sort through different items like clothes, lids and boxes. Talk to him and show him what is the same and what is different.
• A pot and a wooden spoon make a great drum and your child will have fun making music!

Love your baby with skin contact

Love your baby with skin contact 

Your baby loves the feel of your skin on her skin.  Very important things happen when you hold her close to your chest. 

• She is receiving warmth, breast milk, comfort and protection – all the things she needs!  
• When she lies on your chest even her lungs will function better because she isn’t cold.  
• She can hear your heartbeat and your voice which calms her and helps her grow well.   
• Having your baby rest on your chest helps your breasts make more milk for her to drink and she will grow strong. 
• Skin to skin contact is especially important if your baby was born with a lower birth weight.  

Let your baby spend as much time as possible lying skin on skin on your chest from the moment she is born.

Feeding healthy brains

Food is fuel for your child’s body and brain. Up until age seven, your child is growing very fast. He needs the best possible food to grow healthy and do well at school. Pap, bread and porridge are not enough for growing children. Try and give your child these foods every day:

• Fruit and vegetables are very important.  Children love to eat sweet potatoes, carrots, butternut, amadumbe and spinach – and you can grow them at home! Also give your child wild green leaves like imifio and morogo.
• Put a spoon of peanut butter in their porridge for energy to learn and play.
• Milk, eggs, beans, lentils and peas help children grow strong bones and teeth.
• Don’t give your child too many sweets or fizzy cold drinks.
• Too many salty foods like powdered soup and Aromat is also not healthy for children.
• Your child needs plenty of clean water to drink every day
• Remember, babies under 6 months should only have breast milk or formula.

Special Time With Your Child

Special time means spending time with your child in a meaningful way. When you spend time with your child you are building a positive relationship with her, which will make her feel supported and loved. The more supported and loved she feels, the less likely she will become involved in negative behaviours.

Your child is learning while she is playing. Special time supports your child to explore her world and learn to solve problems through play. Special time means spending time with your child while she plays but allowing her to choose the activity. By paying attention to her, you are showing her she is loved and appreciated and what she is doing is important to you. Try and spend at least five minutes in special time with your child every day. Here are some tips:

• Tell your child it’s special play time and let her decide the game she wants to play 
• Sit close to your child and give her your full attention 
• Don’t show your child how to play. She will learn it by herself!
• Praise your child when she does something you like. 
• If your child does something you don’t like, ignore it by looking away until she stops.
• Only interrupt your child if she does something dangerous or breaks a home rule.