An Autism Advancement

Simple imitation exercises can help young children with autism boost their social skills, found a recent Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders study.  After a series of treatments using the technique, kids made significant improvement in bringing their parent's attention to an object through gestures and eye contact.  If your child has autism, try this at least a few times a day.

Step 1: Pullout similar toys for you both to play with, such as tow stuffed animals or a couple of trains

Step 2: Watch your child's sounds and movements, and copy them.  If he/she makes her stuffed animal jump in the air, let yours do the same.  Continue this for one or two minutes.

Step 3: Switch roles and model something new to do with the toy, such as running the train up your leg.  Repeat this three times to encourage your child to imitate you.  If he/she does follow your movements, praise him/her and return to copying their actions.  If not, gently guide them through the imitation.

Prevent Baby's Allergies

According to an article in the June 2012 issue of Parent magazine, if one parent has an allergy, chances are one in three that their child will too.  Below are ideas that may cut your child's odds of developing allergies:

1. Eat your "d": One Finnish study found that kids of women with a diet high in vitamin D during pregnancy were less likely to have asthma of allergies by age 5.  Your doctor can tell you whether you should add more D to your diet.  Some great sources: fortified orange juice, milk, and salmon.

2. Pop Probiotics:  Women who took them in their third trimester and then gave same supplement to their

baby for six months postpartum had newborns with blood markers that correlate with a lower allergy risk, one study found.  Ask your doctor about probiotics and which ones might be good for you both.

3. Avoid Cigarette Smoke: Studies show that moms who are cigarette smokers or regularly inhale secondhand smoke while pregnant are more likely to have children with respiratory allergies.

4. Choose a vaginal delivery: Researchers have found a correlation between cesarean section and childhood allergies.

Be On Time For School!

It is extremely important for your child to be on time for school every morning. The morning route will prepare your child for the day and settle them down for the morning lessons. In order to be on time in the morning do as much as possible the night before. According to, "The Mom Book Goes to School", there are somethings you can do to decrease stress on school mornings:

1. Load the car with the items you and your child need for work or school.

2. Place coats, bags, lunch boxes by the door, so you can grab them easily.

3. Design a shelf, basket, or area in which family members can place items.

4. Check the calendar in case your child needs sneakers for gym or a snack for a field trip.

5. Have your child pick out the clothes to wear the night before or lay out two outfits to choose between .

6. Set clocks ahead by ten minutes to help you stay on time in the morning.

7. Keep breakfast simple. Make hot breakfast items like, pancakes, French toast, and bacon ahead of time and reheat them. Keep muffins, fruit, or granola bars if you are running late.

8. Keep child-sized cups of milk and juice in the refrigerator so your child can get it.

9. If you are a coffee drinker, prepare you coffeemaker and set out mug, cream, and sugar.

10. Make getting dress a game or contest. Who can get completely dress first.

11. Mount an outdoor thermometer where your child child can easily see it, and teach your child how to read it and dress appropriately.

12.Banish TV in the morning to avoid wasting time.

Breakfast Benefits

What are some of the benefits of eating breakfast?  According to dietary guidelines for Americans, many children aren't getting enough calcium, vitamin D, potassium and dietary fiber, something a simple bowl of fiber-rich cereal with low-fat milk can provide.  Finally, people who eat breakfast are more likely to have a healthy weight than breakfast skippers.  Cereal is a nutritious option, according to Dayle Hayes, MS,RD, and one kids love to eat.  As a bonus, it fills that nutrient gap.  Many cereals contain whole grains that provide dietary fiber, and when combined with milk, you have got calcium, vitamin D, and potassium.  Also, most cold breakfast cereals are now fortified with a variety of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that children need.

So, get out a bowl, spoon, cereal, and milk.  There is no need to skip such an easy option for breakfast and your kids will feel and perform better throughout the morning. 

Happy Labor Day!

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

Best Education Possible, LLC wants to wish everyone a Happy Labor Day! Enjoy this holiday with family and friends and try to relax.  After all that's what Labor Day is all about.  Now that the 2012-2013 school has begun for most schools, please remember to make sure every child in your reach receives the Best Education Possible.

Yours in Education,

Debra West

Brain Power

Do we only use 10% of our brains?  It's an appealing thought, according to an article in the September 2012 issue of Family Fun Magazine. It goes on to say that we all possess an enormous, secret store of unused brain power.  But, according to Dr. Eric Chudler, a University of Washington neuroscientist and the founder of the website Neuroscience for Kids, there's no evidence to support the idea.  "When you look at some one's brain, using a functional MRI or a PET scan, you don't see any part of it that's just sitting there doing nothing,: he says.  Our minds do have plenty of untapped potential, though.  "What's great about the brain is that it's so adaptable," says Chudler. "It's forming new connections whenever we learn skills."

The Sky's the Limit

According to the September 2012 issue of Family Fun Magazine, cloudspotting, the hobby of observing and identifying cloud types, is a great way to get kids relaxing in nature.  To try it, head outdoors with a camera or smartphone and take pictures of interesting formations.  Then identify them according to type.  There are ten major types, with many variations, using a cloud almanac.  Family Fun likes the reference section on the Cloud Appreciation Society's website (cloudappreciationsociety.org) and the app Coton ( $2, Android and iOS).  You can turn your discoveries into a keepsake by printing your photographs and putting them in a journal.

This is a great family hobby suggestion that can be fun.  Nothing like spending quality time together and learning at the same time.  Try it and the sky's the limit!