OCTOBER 2012

Welcome to the October 2012 Camden Macarthur Local Child Care & Services Directory.

This month we welcome Speak-a-boo! Speech Pathology to our Additional Needs Directory and Australian Music Schools to our Resources for Parents Directory.

This month our parent resource is about Toddlers & Eating. As a mum of 3 I know how hard it can be make sure you little ones are getting enough of the right foods and to stop meal times become a battle. We hope this information helps.

WIN...WIN.... ....this month we have a family pass of 4 tickets to give away to the Sydney Youth Orchestras concert valued at $60.00.

For your chance to win simply email us to go into the draw and tell us if you have used our newsletter or site to find or look for care or other child related information.

Speak-a-boo! Speech Pathology Speak a Boo! Speech Pathology is a paediatric practice dedicated to local children with communication difficulties.  Here at Speak a Boo! Speech Pathology we are committed to delivering holistic, caring therapy to children with speech and language difficulties.

All our therapists are Medicare and Health Fund approved service providers. We are a registered service provider with FaHCSIA for  Autism Initiative and Better Start program. 

We aim to provide highly professional therapy that is individually tailored to each child and their family.  We are strong believers in incorporating all aspects of a child into therapy and we have extensive knowledge of complementary disciplines such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, behavioural optometry, naturopathy and many more.  We want to find the best fit for you and your child!

If your child has difficulty in any of the following areas, please don't hesitate to contact us to discuss your concerns.  Areas that our team specialises in include:

• Speech sound disorders/Articulation difficulties
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Down Syndrome and children with developmental delay
• Expressive and receptive language (talking and understanding)
• Play and social skills
• Literacy (reading, spelling and comprehension skills)
• Stuttering
• Language delays/disorders
• Higher level language skills (text type construction, forming verbal and written sentences, using grammar and word structures correctly)

 For more information contact us.

Australian Music Schools

Maternitywear.com.au
Spring is in the air and soon you will be feeling that heat, be prepared with a cool summer dress @ maternitywear.com.au we have a great range of new season dresses at prices that won't break your budget in regular sizes and also catering for larger sizes so why wait for that unbearable heat when you can save 20% now on new summer maternity clothes just enter LOCAL CHILDCARE in the coupon at checkout before 31st October and receive 20% off all non sale items.

Why not check out our new range of briefs and bras from the famous European brand range of Cantaloop maternity intimates of briefs, nursing and pregnancy bras, nursing camisoles and tanks so comfortable you won't know you are wearing them and all at introductory prices with savings off the normal prices.

So why not go to http://www.maternitywear.com.au/ and browse through the entire range.

Pied Piper Kindergarten OPENING JANUARY 2013
Catering for 70 children per day from 0-6 years old, open 6.30am to 6.30pm, conveniently located, modern purpose build centre. Accepting waitlist now.

Partners In Care Early Learning Centre
We are so confident that you will love our Early Learning Centre and our team at Partners In Care that we are offering any family looking for Childcare a 2 WEEK FREE TRIAL AT OUR CHILDCARE CENTRE* NO ENROLMENT BOND

Eating & Toddlers

After the age of 12 to 18 months, there is a definite change in children's eating patterns as their growth slows down and they require less food. It is common for parents to be concerned that their toddlers are not eating enough or seem to be becoming fussy with the type of food they will eat.

Toddler eating behaviour:

• eat less 
• like to each frequently
• may become fussy with their food
• like to handle and explore their food
• may develop strong likes and dislikes...and frequently change their minds about what they like and what they don't like!
• frequently mimic the eating behavours of their parents

Meal times

Parents need to provide a safe, comfortable environment, and food that is nutritious and appropriate to the age and stage of your toddler.

Remember toddlers enjoy:

• eating with the family and they will often try to eat from other people's plates
• eating without interference from others as they will use a spoon as well as their fingers - but be prepared for a bit of a mess and meal times to be time consuming
• eating small meals or snacks at regular intervals
• helping with simple food preparation - toddlers will often snack on the food as they help you
• having things ready straight away - they don't like to wait for anything so BEFORE sitting your toddlers in their high chair have their food ready to eat
• having food preferences that seem boring to us as adults e.g. will only eat carrots for a week or beans
• helping to serve their own meal 
• drinking milk and juice - this can decrease their appetite - so limit these types of drinks or add water to dilute the concentration

Things to remember:

• Aim to make mealtimes enjoyable for the whole family ... not a battleground
• If your family normally eats their evening meal late, your toddler may be tired and will need to eat earlier
• Provide a variety of foods 
• Encourage safe eating habits - always get your child to sit down to eat
• Praise your child for eating a range of foods rather than the quantity of food they eat
• Try to model a health approach to nutrition by trying to avoid offering foods low in nutrition such as chips, biscuits or lollies
• Be realistic about what you expect your toddler to eat
• Keep food simple for example finger foods such as pieces of fruit
• Reduce distractions during mealtime - turn off the television

Toddlers like attention:

• if behaviour is positive - praise
• if behaviour is disruptive ue distractions, or remove them from the table and re-offer once again a short time later
• always wash your hands and your toddler's hands prior to handling food

Reassure yourself with the following thoughts, young children:

• eat when hungry
• never starve to death from refusing food

If Still Concerned

Keeping a record of what your toddler eats for a week can be helpful. You might find:

• They eat more food than you thought they did
• There is a pattern of too much milk or juice that is decreasing their appetite
• Too many snack foods are being allowed between meals