Meeting on the 29th May 2008 at Park Childrens Centre

Calling all Dads and male carers.

There is a meeting taken place on the 29th May 2008 at Park childrens centre old Skelmersdale between 5 -6.30pm. I know its difficult to attend when dads are just finishing work, however if possible try to attend because we need your suggestions, feedback and support in finding out what servics men want from their local childrens centre.

I have ideas around what I think we should offer but feel we would benefit from consulting dads and male carers.

If you cannot attend please e-mail markgrimes@fathersandchildrenengage.co.uk I welcome all suggestions and comments

Baby development

Encouraging your baby's development
Making steps towards development
During your baby's first few years, they'll learn faster than at any other time in their life. Whether it's mastering that first little smile, taking their first tiny steps, or scribbling their first colourful picture, every new skill contributes to their all round development as they become their own little person.

Your baby is unique
Every baby is different and will learn at their own pace. So if a friend's child is already running around the house while yours has only just pulled themselves up to a wobbly upright, don't worry. It doesn't mean your baby is less intelligent or won't be as bright later on. They're just doing it their own way. However, if you're ever concerned that your baby is having difficulty in a particular area or doesn't seem to be responding to your efforts, speak to your GP or health visitor.

Learning from play
Games are a wonderful way for a baby to learn and for you to get to know each other. Even the simplest early copycat games such as taking turns to poke your tongues out at each other teaches various skills - including social interaction, fine motor skills (the ability to use small muscles), and cognitive development (learning and solving problems, in this case working out how to imitate what you're doing).

During the early stages, you'll be the one providing them with the stimulus and the demonstration they need. But as time goes on, your baby will invent games of their own to practice and explore their new skills. Both forms of play, structured and child-led, are important for their development so it's good to aim for a balance between the two.

Opening eyes and broadening minds
As your baby becomes a little older, games take on a whole new lease of life. Better coordination combined with an incredible imagination open up a whole new world of fun and play.

Here are a few suggestions of how you can help your baby discover and practice new skills while having a wonderful time!

A shape sorter - a great way to stimulate the puzzle solving instinct and teach them the mathematical basics of shape and size

Building blocks – as well as creating towers to topple, they can become literally any object in your child's eyes, great for creative play

Obstacle courses – adapted to their growing ability to crawl, walk and run, a fun obstacle course can give them lots of practice in coordination and puzzle solving

Storytime – don't be afraid to read them stories with some more advanced words than they're used to. They understand more than they can say!

Ball games – all kinds of skills can be learned from ball play. Try rolling balls around the floor, into holes, down slides, playing catch, balancing them on a spoon etc.


It's good to talk
Your baby starts recognising sounds and learning how to form them a long time before they utter that first 'mama' or 'dada'. Talking to your baby from day one provides a source of comfort as well as laying the foundations for their speech development. By taking turns to speak between their gurgles and giggles, you are helping them understand the two-way aspect of conversation, while letting them know that you're listening too.

Babies and toddlers understand more words than they're able to communicate. So don't be afraid to read them stories with words they haven't yet learned to say themselves. Learning songs together, or singing to your baby if they're not at a stage where they can join in, is a wonderful way to broaden their vocabulary and comprehension of words. And of course, it's lots of fun!

Many parents are discovering the power and effectiveness of signing with their child. This involves teaching them actions or movements for a certain words, such as food, where, more, or happy. For example, a sign for food or hunger could be putting the fingers to the mouth. Every time you mention food, or give them some food, do the sign yourself and repeat the word too. By doing this over and over again, your baby or toddler will soon pick up the meaning and before long will be able to do it themselves when they're hungry.

Baby on the move
As you notice your baby becoming stronger, you can encourage them to crawl by placing objects slightly out of reach, or sitting in front of them and beckoning them towards you. Once they've started becoming a bit more mobile, try setting up a mini soft obstacle course, with a few cushions or pillows for them to navigate. As well as providing lots of fun and giggles, it will help to develop their gross motor skills (their ability to use and coordinate larger muscle groups).

Very soon they'll be pulling themselves up to their feet and attempting to balance. Of course, some babies skip the hands and knees part and go straight to standing instead. It doesn't matter how they do it, just as long as you encourage them at every stage and give them a safe environment in which to get on their feet.

Babies get treatment for alcohol

Infants under the age of one in Scotland have been admitted to hospital with alcohol-related illness


Figures revealed under freedom of information legislation showed there were 165 under-16s admitted in the past three years with such problems.

Among those treated were two babies and a one-year-old, born to mothers with existing drink problems.

The figures showed the largest proportion affected were aged 13, with a total of 59.

'Greatest concern'

Doctors treated two 10-year-olds, 15 children aged 12, 32 aged 14, 37 aged 15, and 17 who were 16.

In addition, NHS Grampian also treated 23 infants under one with neo-natal abstinence syndrome (NAS), problems a baby experiences when withdrawing from exposure to certain substances.

Is drinking affecting more than we think?

Comments Please

Safety urged for children using the internet.

Children's organisations around the world are urging technology companies to make the internet safer

'Tragic instances'
Campaigners say the industry needs to protect children the same way it looks after other users of the internet.

They are asking for further research to make the internet safer, and for funding for a global education programme.

We continue to read of tragic instances of children being abused by sexual predators where the internet played a key part in facilitating the initial contact that led to the abuse.

Dads do you think children should use the internet under adult supervision, or be left alone when using messaging services?

Comments please

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Is it worth offering support to Males in regard to parenting?

What would you like to see on the blogg/website?

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New web site

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Stabbing in schools

There appears to be more stabbings in schools now than at any other time. Do parents need to take more responsibility over their children and search them daily, or do we leave it to schools to check.

If we leave it to the schools do we support them or feel it is a step to far?

Do we feel that young people who carry weapons should be charged by the Police?

Comments Please