Kids Archive

What my kids are like, and how to raise your child/children in this day and age.

Can I Give Guava To My Baby

We have some guava trees in our garden, and it is bearing plenty of fruits. It’s guava season already and Mathieu’s been snacking on it. My mother asked me the question; Can I Give Guava to my baby? And the answer is yes! How early can you introduce guava to your baby? 6 months onwards is the best time to do it.

Guava is a nutrient-rich fruit that offers several essential vitamins and minerals. It is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, potassium, and antioxidants. These nutrients play crucial roles in promoting overall health, boosting the immune system, and supporting proper growth and development in baby.

Benefits of Guava for Babies

Now that we have answered the question, Can I Give Guava to my baby, let’s check the benefits.

Vitamin C Boost: Guava is exceptionally rich in vitamin C, which supports immune function and helps in the absorption of iron. Including guava in a baby’s diet can help enhance their resistance to illnesses.

Fiber Content: Guava contains dietary fiber, aiding digestion and preventing constipation. Introducing guava to your baby’s diet may help regulate their bowel movements and promote a healthy digestive system.

Antioxidant Protection: The antioxidants found in guava, such as lycopene and beta-carotene, can provide protection against cellular damage caused by free radicals. These compounds contribute to maintaining good eye health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

Essential Nutrients: Guava also provides essential nutrients like folate, potassium, and vitamin A, which are crucial for proper growth, brain development, and maintaining healthy skin and eyes.

Guidelines when introducing guava to your baby

Introducing Guava to Your Baby’s Diet: When introducing guava to your baby, it is important to follow a few guidelines:

Age and Readiness: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends introducing solid foods, including fruits, around 6 months of age. Before introducing guava or any new food, ensure that your baby has reached the appropriate developmental milestones and shows signs of readiness, such as sitting up with minimal support and displaying an interest in food.
Allergies: Guava is not a common allergenic fruit. However, it’s always important to be cautious when introducing any new food to your baby. Start by offering a small amount of guava puree or mashed guava and observe for any adverse reactions, such as rashes, hives, or digestive issues. If there is a family history of food allergies, consult with your pediatrician before introducing guava.
Preparation: To introduce guava, start by choosing a ripe fruit with a soft texture. Wash the fruit thoroughly and remove the skin and seeds. Mash the guava or puree it to a smooth consistency, ensuring there are no lumps that could pose a choking hazard. Mix the puree with breast milk, formula, or water to achieve the desired consistency.
Quantity and Frequency: Begin by offering a small amount of guava puree once a day, gradually increasing the portion size as your baby gets accustomed to the taste and texture. Remember that breast milk or formula should remain the primary source of nutrition for babies until the age of one.

Conclusion: Guava is generally considered safe and nutritious for babies, offering a range of health benefits. With its high vitamin C content, fiber, and essential nutrients, guava can be a valuable addition to a baby’s diet. However, always ensure that your baby is developmentally ready for solid foods and monitor for any signs of allergies or adverse reactions. As with any new food, it’s best to consult with your pediatrician before introducing guava or any other fruit to your baby’s diet.

DIY Flashcards to Help Your Kids To Read

Marius is already enrolled as kinder though he can;t recognize all alphabet yet. Sabi ko nga minsan, no read/ no write ang bata na ito. But I know he can learn easily, kailangan kang talaga kaunting push and syempre watch signs that he’s already interested in learning. And I have seen that he is ready for CVC so here’s the DIY flashcards I did for him:

And here are the patterns I used for this flashcard:

You can download a copy of the pattern I did here (CLICK EACH TO SEE)

CVC words with picture from letter A to P

CVC words with picture from letter Q to Z

Numbers words (English and Tagalog)

Tagalog bilang na may kasamang picture

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5 Ways You Can Help Your Kids to Manage Stress from Home School During the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way of life for many people but one group that is especially affected is children. As a way to prevent the spreading of the coronavirus, schools all around the world began shifting from offline to online. While the change was necessary for the health and safety of children, it has negatively impacted their mental health. Here are a few things that you can do to help your child manage the stress that they have gotten from home-schooling during the pandemic.

Plan and create a schedule for your kids

Home-schooling or learning from home can disrupt your child’s daily schedule. Their school hours may end up getting longer, and they might find less time for other things. This can cause stress for them because they may feel like their days are getting too hectic. You can try to plan and create a daily routine for your kids so that they can gain back control of their own time.
You do not have to create a strict schedule for your kids because that might cause more stress, trying to follow the schedule. Instead, loosely set time frames for your child so that they know what to do and when they should do it. For example, set a time for breakfast before classes begin but it does not have to be at exactly 7 AM. If you have older kids, you can also allow them to create their own schedule, as long as it is manageable.

Set realistic goals for their academics

Having to achieve a specific goal might be the biggest cause of stress for kids going through home-schooling. You may already have a certain expectation for your child’s academics before the pandemic. However, for some kids, home-schooling may not be the best way to study. Your child may have experienced difficulties with learning from home, even when they had no issues learning in school.
It is important to understand your child’s abilities and how home-schooling could affect them. Some may prosper from it while others might not. Rather than expecting high marks or good grades from your child, you should set realistic goals for them to achieve. This can relieve the burden your child might feel when it comes to their academics, thus relieving their stress.

Keep your kids engaged with different studying techniques

As mentioned before, home-schooling can have a different effect on kids. Your child may not be able to study as well as other kids, even if they are studying from the comfort of their own home. They might have a hard time understanding the lesson due to the distance, or they may get too distracted too easily. This can cause stress for them, especially when they start to feel like they are behind on lessons.
A good way to help your child out is to allow them to try different studying methods and techniques. Maybe your child is a visual learner and can learn better through videos, or perhaps they are a tactile learner. Try to understand your child’s learning habits to determine what type of lessons would work the best for them. Remember that when your child can understand the lesson better, they will be more confident in class, and thus, they will not be as stressed-out during school.

Allow your kids to take breaks

When the kids were back in school, they had a clear distinction between study time and playtime. However, your kids might not have the same clear distinction now because of how hectic online classes can get. It is important that you set break times for them, in between lessons and after classes end. This will allow them to get a breather in between their classes and clear their minds before the next lesson starts.

You can give your child some treats during their break, some cut fruits or their favorite sweet snack like biscuit with a glass of Cowhead milk on the side, or hot chocolate from Cadbury. Some parents will even allow their kids to browse the web during their break, and that is fine because that might be what your child wants to do. However, it is better if you can reduce their screen time and encourage more movement during their breaks. Perhaps they can try some simple stretching in their room, or you can get them to take a quick walk with you outside to get some fresh air.

Communicate with your kids and get them to share their thoughts

One of the most important things that you should do to help your child handle their stress is to talk to them. Communicate with your child and let them share what they are going through during this difficult time. Some kids may have trouble sharing their thoughts and emotions, so try to be understanding and encourage them to talk to you whenever they feel like it. When they do begin to share, try to empathize with them. Let them know that their worries are valid and that you are open to helping them overcome their problems. This is not only good for managing stress but for also great for their overall health.

You should make it clear to your child that they can talk to you whenever they want to, and they should not worry about bothering you. You can also set a time in the day to chat with your child and encourage them to share their thoughts. It could be in the morning during breakfast, or before bedtime, while you have a cup of tea, warm milk.