Why Every Kid Should Have a Toy Wagon

With the increasing sedentary lifestyle of the modern world, it is hard to get kids today to appreciate things we had when we were growing up. Simple things like a red wagon made playing outside fun. You can haul all of your outside toys, sports equipment, or just enjoy pulling it over different terrain.

Giving a kid a toy wagon is a great idea. Imagine taking your family for a picnic and loading some food into the wagon. By having your kid help take food, you're giving him or her a role in the family unit. You're helping improve the child's self esteem and self worth. I'm not suggesting you give a child heavy labor, but have him or her take something easy to pull, like desert. If it is something the child likes, then they will feel even more responsibility. Not only is it a great outing for the family, it will also build the child's character.

Kids wagons also begin to teach children how to be responsible for something like an automobile. It is one of the largest toys you can give them, so they will feel more responsibility towards it. Teach your child to keep it clean and to repaint it when it gets chipped. Make sure you reward them for their efforts. This will help reaffirm the behavior, and it will become intuitive to them when they get older. Personal pride is an important thing to teach, and it can be embodied in how children are taught to care for their toys.

It's never been easier to find the right one for your child. There is a huge selection of Radio Flyer wagons available, as well as other small companies and private craftsmen. Some have a full metal body while others include wood sides. Some even come with a detachable canopy for those hot summer days. Why keep your kids cooped up inside when they should be exploring? It's great for siblings. Your oldest can tow around your youngest, enforcing their family bond. Send your kids on adventures together. If you only have one kid, give them something to do with their best friend or neighbor.

Toy wagons can teach your child how to be responsible and encourage them to play outside. It has been a cherished tradition for children all over. When your children grow up, hold onto their old wagon and give it to them when they have their own children. Those red wagons can become a family treasure.

Tom Stevens is a father and loves playing baseball with his sons. He enjoys blogging about kids' toys and recreation. For more info on kids toy wagons, check here. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_D_Stevens

Tips on Potty Training Boys and Girls

It can be especially exciting and challenging for a parent once their child is ready for potty training. Potty training both boys and girls has its own unique challenges. Unlike other developmental areas, boys and girls are different when it comes to potty training. It is not uncommon for a little girl to be ready to potty train at the very early age of 2. Boys are usually about a year behind and are sometimes not ready until 3 or even 4 years old. The most important thing is to not rush your child. Potty training is challenging enough without the added stress of the child not being ready.

You will know when you child is ready when they start telling you they need to potty or when they are telling you that they have already pottied. Most parents get frustrated when the child tells them after the fact, but that is still a very positive step even if the child has already gone in their diaper. Another exciting step is when they child wants to be changed. When they do not want the soiled diaper on their skin. When it makes them uncomfortable, then that is a good sign. I am in no way saying you should leave your child in a soiled diaper. This can lead to bad diaper rash, blisters, and the child being miserable. I am just saying that when the child asks to be changed, then they are associating the potty with discomfort and are looking for a way to get rid of that discomfort.

One major tip is to get the child a potty that sits on the ground. Most children are more comfortable when their feet are touching the ground. We want the child to be comfortable and at ease when they sit on the potty. Another major question is, do you potty train a boy standing or sitting? The over whelming answer for a boy is to train him sitting down. Some dad's might not like this, but it is the easiest way for a boy to learn. Most grown men have a hard time hitting the toilet. It would be especially difficult for a little guy who has no experience with control his urine stream. This is an added stress that neither mom or dad need.

Obviously, girls will be potty trained sitting down. Another mojor key to success when potty training is the excessive amount of praise. Most parents only want to praise a child for actually going potty in the potty. For the best results, praise the child for the behavior of sitting on the potty, not just going in the potty. You want to make sure the actually sitting on the potty is fun and becomes a habit. The best way to do this is to give your child lots of praise and encouragement. Once they like sitting on the potty, the actual act of using it will come.

Amy Thomas is an expert on potty training. She invites you to learn more about potty training boys and girls. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_A_Thomas

Teaching Children About The Dangers Of a Fire In The Home

All parents have an internal gauge to protect and defend their children at any cost. However, we sometimes forget to teach our children the things they need to know to protect themselves. That's why it's important to always teach your children about the dangers of fire and what to do about preventing one and escaping from one if it were to happen in your home.

If you are using a fireplace or woodstove inside your home, it is of the utmost important to practice diligent safety precautions to avoid dangerous accidents that can cause injury and damage to your home. This is especially true if you have children living in, or visiting your house. Having an open flame of any type simply means you will need to be more diligent in making sure all safety precautions are followed and never allow those areas where that open flame is to go without supervision.

You must teach children about the dangers of fires in the home. Explain to them that fires are helpful for heating the home in a more environmentally friendly and efficient way and that's why you use them. Also explain to them the need to be extremely careful around any open flame in the home. Show your children proper safety techniques by following them and using them yourself. Always use protective equipment when tending to an open flame, and use a fireplace cage and other protective measures - especially when children are present. Explain to your children that they shouldn't play with burning logs or anything hot, and that if they see a spark or see anything outside the wood stove burning, to tell an adult immediately. The most important thing to remember is that you should never leave a child unattended by a burning fireplace or wood stove.

Along these same lines you should also teach your children the dangers of playing with and using lighters and matches. Sometimes we assume our children just know these things are dangerous and forget they are curious creatures and like to explore and find out things on their own. Most homes have lighters, matches and sometimes torches just lying around within reach. Because kids see us casually using these items and sometimes think they should be able to use them as well it is beneficial to make sure these are kept in places beyond the reach of children.

Once a kid is old enough to reach the matches and lighters they are normally old enough to use them responsibly. It is at this point parents should teach their kids how to use them. Being taught how to start a fire or correctly light the barbecue is a great way to teach safety when it comes to fire.

By practicing safe techniques in and around your home, you will protect your family and your belongings from unnecessary damage. Beyond this, you will teach your children to exhibit safe practices inside your house, and when they are not with you. It's of the utmost importance to teach children how to behave safely around any fire. The best way you can do this is to practice safety when handling open flames to set an example for the children in your home.

Teaching your child about fire safety should be one of the first things you do, especially if you have any type of open flame in your home for heating. You can check out http://www.nashvillechimneyexperts.com/ for more great information on general fire safety for your home.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Maddux