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תרומה מקומית מרגשת: ‘חיבוקי כיס’ לחיילים בארץ מילדי “גן שלנו” בשרמן אוקס

• Views 16
• אין תגובות
• 2024 במאי
• Updated:22 – 2023 בנובמבר
• – מערכת שבוע ישראלי By

שלום לקוראים … שמי אילנית מאיר ואני בעלת “גן שלנו” בשרמן אוקס. בימים 

קשים אלה רצינו להראות את ההערצה והאהבה שלנו לחיילי וחיילות צה״ל.

המצב בארץ מאוד קשה להסבר לקטנטנים שלנו (גילאי שנה וחצי- חמש) ולכן החלטנו 

לבקש את עזרתם במשהו שהם מאד אוהבים ויודעים לתת.

ביקשנו מהם לתת מהאהבה שלהם לאנשים ששומרים על ארץ ישראל. אמרנו להם

שישראל זקוקה בימים האלה להרבה מאוד אהבה.

כמובן שהילדים הטהורים והקסומים שלנו רצו לתת את האהבה שלהם מכל הלב

לישראל.

לפני כשבוע, ביקשתי ממספר אמהות בגן להתנדב ולסרוג לנו לבבות אדומים 

קטנים מצמר. הלבבות האלה נועדו להיות חיבוקי הכיס שלנו

לכל חייל וחיילת. בנוסף ערכנו איסוף תרומות  לגרביים וכובעים צבאיים מכל משפחות הגן. ההיענות הייתה נהדרת.

השבוע החלטנו לחבר את הכל ביחד.כל ילד בגן בחר לב אדום מצמר , נישק את הלב

וטמן אותו בגרב/ כובע עם המון אהבה כחיבוק כיס   לחיילים.   את הגרביים וכובעים ארזנו בשקיות אריזה מיוחדות בצורה ‏‏אינדיבידואלית. לכל 

שקית צורפה ברכה  מהמשפחות   בגן ובקשה מכל חייל /חיילת לשמור את הלב האדום שקיבלו בכיס כחיבוק אהבה מהקטנים שלנו. 

התקווה שלנו היא שחיבוק הכיס הזה יעזור לשמור על כל חייל וחיילת שיקבלו אותו .מקווה שהלב האדום מלא אהבה מהקטנים שלנו יעזור לכל אחד לחזור בשלום 

למשפחתו . 

חיבוק כיס הוא אחד הפרוייקטים בגן שלנו שבאמת נגע לליבי.

מקווה שזה יגע בליבכם גם!

נקווה לימים טובים יותר, אילנית 

ליצירת קשר:

ganshelanupreschool@yahoo.com

שרמן אוקס: ״הגן שלנו״ מעניק לילידיכם חוויה יהודית שלא יקבלו במקום אחר

• Views 180
• אין תגובות
• ביולי 2024
• Updated:31 – ביולי 2024
• – מערכת שבוע ישראלי By

במקום שהילדים יעברו מ”הגן שלנו” בטרום חובה לגן חובה בבית הספר, קליפורניה מציעה תוכנית הנקראת Universal TK לילדים בני 4. בעוד שלהורים אכן מדובר בלימודי חינם, עבור הילדים מדובר בהפסד משמעותי  * אילנית מאיר  מסבירה למה

עד עכשיו, לילדינו היה מעבר נוח מאוד מהבתים שלנו לעולם הגדול. בסימן המוכנות הראשון, רשמנו אותם לגן וצפינו בהם משגשגים בסביבה המספקת טיפול, חינוך יהודי וטעימה מהתרבות הישראלית שגרמה לחוויה להרגיש כמו בית עבורנו ועבורם. בין הגילים 2-5 בגן שלנו השקענו בבסיס החינוכי שלהם ועשינו כמיטב יכולתנו לשמר על העברית שכל כך חשובה לנו כשאנו חיים בגולה. עד שהגיעו לגן חובה, ילדינו כבר שלטו בעברית ואנגלית כאחד, להוטים לכבוש את העולם ומושרשים ביהדותם. עם חגים, מסורות ואהבת ישראל בלב, הם שמו את התיקים על הגב ונכנסו לגן חובה, בו קיווינו והתפללנו שלא ישכחו מי הם ומאיפה הם באים.

בשנתיים האחרונות המסלול הזה נפגע והילדים שלנו אינם נהנים מאותם דברים מהם נהנו בעבר. במקום שהילדים יעברו מהגן שלנו בטרום חובה לגן חובה בבית הספר, קליפורניה מציעה תוכנית הנקראת Universal TK לילדים קטנטנים בני 4. בעוד שלהורים אכן מדובר בלימודי חינם, הרי עבור הילדים מדובר בהפסד משמעותי. התוכנית הזאת עדיין מאוד חדשה ואינה מגובשת עבור קבוצת גיל זו. בכיתות יש עד 24 ילדים עם מורה אחת וסיייעת וזה הבדל משמעותי עבור ילדים המגיעים מקבוצות קטנות. קבוצות גדולות משמעותן פחות מהכל, פחות תשומת לב, פחות אחד על אחד, פחות עזרה, פחות העשרה וכמובן פחות יהדות. 

שמי אילנית מאיר אני מנהלת וגננת ראשית ב”גן שלנו”. אני מורה מוסמכת במדינת קליפורניה ולימדתי רמות גיל רבות לאורך הקריירה שלי בבתי ספר ציבוריים ופרטיים. 

לאורך השנים בגן שלנו ראיתי את ההשפעה שהילדים שלנו מקבלים מתוכנית הלימוד המושקעת שלנו ומה הם צריכים על מנת להצליח מבחינה אקדמאית. בחרתי ללמד כיתת טרום חובה (Pre-K) בסנטר שלנו מכיוון שאני מאמינה שזו השנה הקריטית ביותר בחינוך מוקדם. מאחר וזו השנה האחרונה לפני שהם מתחילים חינוך חובה, אני רואה בכך הזדמנות להעניק לילדים בסיס מוצק לפני שהם מתחילים את מסעם. 

כגננת ראשית בגן חובה בעבר ומנסיוני, אני יודעת למה הם הזדקקו בשנים הבאות ועיצבתי את התוכנית שלנו כך שלא רק תעמוד ביעדים ההתפתחותיים אלא שגם תספק הרבה יותר. 

בגן שלנו אנו מציעים תכנית טרום-חובה (Pre-K) המבוססת על פיתוח מיומנויות אוריינות ומתמטיקה מתקדמות. תוכנית הלימודים שלנו עומדת בדרישות קליפורניה לבני 4 ואינה נעצרת שם. אנו חושפים את ילדינו למדע ומעודדים חקירה ותחזיות. אנו מציעים קבוצות קטנות המאפשרות לנו לעבוד באמת עם ילדינו כדי לשלוט במיומנויות הבסיסיות כדי שיוכלו להתקדם ולהפוך לחושבים ביקורתיים ועצמאיים. אנו שואפים לתת לילדינו את הכלים להם יזדקקו על מנת להצליח בגן בביטחון ובמוכנות. המורים שלנו מסוגלים להקדיש זמן לכל ילד כדי שאף אחד לא ילך לאיבוד וגם לספק את האהבה והטיפוח שאנו מאמינים שעדיין נחוצים בגיל כה מוקדם. את כל זה אנחנו עושים בסביבה יהודית/ישראלית שחושפת אותם לעברית וממלאה אותם בחוויות כמו קבלת שבת בכל שבוע, בניית סוכה, סדר פסח, יום העצמאות, ט”ו בשבט ועוד הרבה יותר. אנו יודעים שבגיל 4 ילדים מתחילים לזכור דברים בצורה עקבית יותר ולכן כל חוויה חשובה.  זיכרונות אלו שיחזיקו מעמד כל החיים ויחזקו את הקשר שלהם לקהילה שלנו. אנחנו מאמינים שזה חיוני במיוחד בתקופה הזו שבה אנחנו בעצמנו צריכים להרגיש מחוברים לשורשים שלנו ולישראל.  מצער שבשל Universal TK, יותר ויותר ילדים יפסידו את זה.

הורים לילדים בגן שלנו מספרים:

קארין לנסיאנו: הגן שלנו הוא לא המרכז הרגיל שלכם. אילנית לקחה את הילדים שלי מפעוטות לילדים המוכנים לקראת גן חובה. רמת ההוראה מלימודי יהדות ועד לרמות גבוהות של מתמטיקה, קריאה וכתיבה אינה משתווה לאף בית ספר אחר שאני מכירה. כל כך חשוב שנשריש בילדינו את חשיבות היהדות במיוחד בעולם בו אנו חיים היום.   מעולם לא הרגשתי שהילד שלי מוכן יותר לעבור לגן חובה מעכשיו. הילדה שלי יכולה לקרוא ולכתוב, לצייר, מתמטיקה ועוד הרבה יותר. השיעורים שלמדה בגן שלנו הם כאלה שהגדול שלי משתמש בהם עד היום. לדוגמה, כשהיא נאבקת במשהו שהיא מנסה לשכלל היא תמיד נזכרת בציטוט המפורסם של אילנית, “תרגול הופך הכל מושלם”. שיעורים קטנים לכל החיים כמו אלה שאילנית מלמדת אותם יישארו איתם לאורך שנים. למרות שהיה קל וזול יותר לשלוח את ילדיי לבית ספר ממלכתי, אני מאמינה שבכל מסגרת אחרת הילדים שלי לא היו חווים את החום, האהבה ותשומת הלב שניתנים להם בגן שלנו. האופן שבו הם פרחו במהלך השנים ב”גן שלנו” זה משהו שאני גאה לחלוק ולהמליץ עבור כל מי שמחפש מעון יום עבור ילדיו.

⁠ אילנה בוסקילה:  עבור ילדי להגיע ל-Pre-k בגן שלנו היה דבר בעל ערך רב ואני יכולה לראות את זה עם שלושת הילדים שלי, כשהם עברו לגן הם כבר היו מוכנים היטב, היה להם הרבה יותר ידע בכל היבט. יכולתי להשוות זאת לעומת ילדים שלא הלכו ל”גן שלנו” הילדים שלי ידעו על החגים היהודיים הרבה יותר ממה שהייתי יכולה להסביר להם בבית. הם למדו המון שירים שקשורים ליהדות מה שמאוד עזר לי, הם גם נכנסו לרוח החג הרבה יותר בגלל הקדמה. הם יודעים לספור, מתמטיקה, ABC, התנהגות נכונה וזה מאוד חשוב. הילדים שלי הגיעו לגן חובה הרבה יותר מוכנים ולא נבהלו או היו המומים מכמות הלימוד או החומר מאחר והם התרגלו לזה בטרום-חובה. אני תמיד אומרת שאפשר לראות הבדל בידע בין ילדים שהלכו לגן, “הגן שלנו” וילדים שלא.  אני אפילו לא יכולה להסביר עד כמה הקדם חובה היה חשוב לחינוך הילדים שלי ומה שאילנית עושה עבור הילדים הוא מעבר למדהים”.

הגן שלנו ממוקם בשרמן אוקס.  המרכז שלנו מציע שלוש כיתות.  18 חודשים – 2.5, 2.5-4 וכיתת טרום-k שלנו של 4-5. נשמח לעזור לך להשקיע בילד שלך.

Gan Shelanu Preschool Center

13625 Burbank Blvd. Sherman Oaks 91401 

818-266-4953

Ilanit Meir

ganshelanupreschool@yahoo.com

Shavuah Israeli Article Publish 7/31/24

Should our Investment into our Children’s Jewish Education end With Universal TK?

Up until now, our children have had a very comfortable transition from our homes into this big world. At the first sign of readiness, we sign them up for gan and watched them thrive in an environment that provided care, Jewish education and a taste of our Israeli culture which made the experience feel like home for us and for them.

Between the ages of 2-5 we invested in their educational foundation and did our best to preserve the Hebrew that we hold so dear living in the Gola.

By kindergarten, our children were fluent in both Hebrew and English, eager to take on the world and rooted by their Judaism. With holidays, traditions, and a love of Israel in their hearts, they put on their backpacks and walked into mandatory schooling where we hoped and prayed, they would not forget who they are and where they come from.

Over the last two years, this journey has been compromised and some children are not benefiting in the same ways. Instead of our children graduating from pre-k and walking into kindergarten, California has introduced a new program called universal TK , offering classes to children as early as 4 years old. What that means for parents is free childcare and education, but what it means for children is a very different story.

Universal TK classes are still very new, and a curriculum has not been set in stone for this age group. Classes are allowed to have up to 24 children with one teacher and an aide, which is a giant leap for children used to a small group setting. Large groups mean less of everything. less attention, less one on one time, less help, less enrichment and less Judaism if any!

My name is ilanit Meir, I am the director and lead pre-k teacher at Gan Shelanu preschool Center. I am a credentialed teacher in the state of California and have taught many age levels throughout my career. Over the years I have seen what children are getting from our school system and what they need to succeed academically.

I chose to teach the pre-k class in our school because I believe it to be the most crucial year in early childhood education. Being the final year before mandatory school, I see it as an opportunity to really secure a solid foundation for our students as they begin their journey. I know first-hand what they will require in the years to come and designed our program to not only meet developmental goals but to provide so much more.

At Gan Shelanu Preschool we offer a pre -k program based on developing advanced literacy and math skills. Our curriculum meets the California requirements for 4-year-olds and does not stop there. We expose our children to science and encourage investigation and predictions. We offer small groups that enable us to really work with our children to master the basic skills so they can move forward and become critical and independent thinkers. We aspire to give our children the tools they will need in order to succeed in kindergarten with confidence and readiness. Our teachers are able to take time with each child so that no one gets lost in the shuffle, and also provide the love and nurturing that we believe is still needed at such an early age.

We do all this in a Jewish/Israeli environment that exposes them to Hebrew and immerses them in experiences such as Shabbat each week, building a sukkah, Passover Seder, Yom Haatzmaut, Tu B’shvat and many more. We know that at 4 years old, children begin to remember things more consistently so every experience is important. These memories will last a lifetime and strengthen their connection to our community. We believe that is crucial especially during this time where we ourselves need to feel connected to our roots and Israel. It is unfortunate that due to Universal TK, more and more children will be missing out on this.

Gan Shelanu Preschool is located in Sherman Oaks. Our center offers three classes. 18months – 2.5, 2.5-4 and our pre-k class of 4-5. We look forward to helping you invest in your child.

Parent Testimonials:

Zeehavit Mimran

I feel that the best investment we did is to put our kids into a Jewish preschool it’s crucial for us to raise our kids on Jewish values in a foreign country it’s not a matter of price for us its mandatory

Karin Lantsiano

First, let me start by saying that Gan Shelanu is not your ordinary center. Ilanit has taken my 1 children from toddlers to grown and prepared preschoolers. The level of teaching anywhere from Judaic studies to the high levels of math, reading and writing is like no other school that I know of. It is so important that we still in our children the importance of Judaism in today’s world and Gan Shelanu paints every holiday in vibrant colors

Ilanit has a special way, that even we as parents don’t know how to educate our children in fun and memorable ways

I have never felt that my child was more prepared to go on to the next level as a kindergartener. My child can read and write, draw, do simple, math, and so much more. The lessons taught at Gan Shelanu are ones that my oldest still uses today. For example, when she struggles with something she’s trying to perfect she is always reminded by Ilanit’s famous quote, “practice makes perfect“ Little lifelong lessons like the ones Ilanit teaches them will stick with them for years to come

Although it would’ve been easier and cheaper to send my children to a public-school setting, I believe that in any other setting my children wouldn’t have experienced the warmth, love, and attention given to them at Gan Shelanu. The way they’ve flourished over the years at this daycare is something I am proud to share and recommend with anyone who is looking for a daycare for their children

Ilana Buskila

at Gan Shelanu was very valuable and I can see it with my 3 kids, when they moved Coming to Pre-k to kindergarten they were already prepared very well, they had much more knowledge in every aspect to compare to children that didn’t went specifically to Gan Shelanu My kids knew about the Jewish holidays way more than what I would explain at home, learned lots of songs related to Judaism which was very helpful for me, they also got into holiday spirit much more because of the pre k proper behavior which is very important ,They know their numbers, math, ABC

My kids came to kindergarten much more prepared and didn’t got scared or overwhelmed of the amount of study or material as they got used to it in pre-k, I always say that you can see a difference in knowledge between kids that went to Gan Shelanu and kids that didn’t

Sincerely I can’t even express how the pre k was important for my kids education.

Toddler Fever With No Symptoms

For centuries, a high fever in a child could mean death, but today fevers due to serious illness can usually be treated. Fevers without symptoms worry many parents who don’t know what is making their child ill or how to help them feel better.

1. Significance Pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene of DrGreene.com states that children run fevers when they are fighting some type of infection, most often a mild viral illness but occasionally more serious infections.
2. Roseola According to pediatrician and child development expert Dr. Benjamin Spock, doctors often suspect roseola when a toddler suddenly begins to run a high fever without exhibiting other symptoms. Roseola is a common childhood viral infection that causes an asymptomatic fever that lasts three or four days and a lacy, red rash that appears when the fever breaks.
3. Urinary tract, ear infections Urinary tract infections and ear infections can also cause fever without symptoms, so it’s important to have your doctor check for them.
4. Prevention/Solution If a child’s fever is above 102 degress, parents can take steps to reduce the fever by removing excess blankets and clothing from the child and by offering them acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help lower the fever.
5. Warning You should always call your healthcare provide when you child develops a high fever, even if he doesn’t appear seriously ill.

What Is Considered a Fever in a Toddler?

When toddlers are getting sick, one of the first signs in a fever. Identifying the fever and finding out the underlying cause is the key to knowing what is going on in your child’s body.

1. Identification A fever in a toddler is identified as a body temperature of 101 degress Fahrenheit or higher. Anything below this is just considered an elevated body temperature.
2. Causes An upper respiratory tract infection is the most common cause of fever in toddlers; it is viral-caused and often must resolve itself. However, fever is a common sign of just about type of illness.
3. Misconceptions Many people believe that an elevated body temperature must always be treated with medication. Medication should generally only be used to resolve discomfort associated with a fever or if the temperature rises to 101 or higher.
4. Warning If your child has the shivers along with a fever, the cause might be a bacterial infection, in which case he needs to be seen by a doctor.
5. Medications If your child has a sustained fever or 101.3 or higher and is showing signs of discomfort, the most common medications for fever are acetaminophen, sold under the brand name Tylenol, and ibuprofen, sold under the brand name Motrin.

Is A Low Grade Fever Normal When Teething

When your baby’s teeth start erupting from the gums, you’ll notice that she may be feeling a little off color from her normal self. Some babies experience very few troubling symptoms whereas others suffer each time a tooth emerges, until it’s safely through. When you notice a low-grade fever, it could mean that she is teething, but it could also be an indicator that something else is going on, such as a viral infection, so it’s important to rule out other possibilities before simply accepting that it’s a teething issue.

Some doctors are reluctant to agree that teething causes a rise in body temperature since there seems to be no genuine correlation. However, ask a parent who has been kept awake in the night with a feverish baby who develops no other viral symptoms, but pops a tooth, and you’re bound to receive a different answer entirely.

The truth is, children develop temperatures for a variety of reasons. A fever is a body’s natural response to something that is upsetting the normal balance of things in the body, and given that children have such small bodies, it’s no wonder that a fever will take hold to try to rid it of any potential for illness. Parents commonly worry about fevers and panic. They go into damage control and try to bring the fever down at any cost, but it’s important to remember that fevers are a protective mechanism; more the policeman than the culprit.

As for if a low-grade fever is ‘normal’ when teething, well you may not receive a definitive response from a medical professional. In such cases, they may simply reassure you that the fever is nothing to worry about knowing that the child is teething and provide advice on what to do about the teething issues in general.

A low-grade fever is categorized as temperatures ranging from 100.4 F (38 C) to 102 F (39 C). Whether or not you use a thermometer is up to you, but parents are generally good at knowing if their child feels unusually hot or not.

If the symptoms, including the fever, remain mild and don’t worsen over a few hours, then there is usually nothing to be concerned about. However, if you need more reassurance, you must see a medical professional, even if purely for your own peace of mind. No one can blame a parent for caring.

To remedy the temperature, simply administer baby formulations of mild pain relievers and always follow the correct dosage. Try to make baby as comfortable as possible and avoid panicking, even though this is difficult when your child is screaming and appears to be suffering.

We’ve all been through teething, which doesn’t make it any easier when you watch your baby experience it, and with your support and love, fever or no fever, she will sail through it and emerge a more toothy, smiley child.

When Is a Fever Dangerous for a Toddler?

Toddlers should generally have a temperature of between 97 and 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. While 98.6 degrees is the standard for a normal body temperature, some individuals tend to run higher or lower. Activity levels and hot days can also affect temperature. Therefore, anything below 100.4 isn’t usually defined as a fever. The American Academy of Pediatrics provides guidelines for taking temperatures of toddlers. They recommend using a digital thermometer either rectally or in the armpit for ages 3 months to 3 years. Under the arm can give you a general idea, but it may be a few degrees off.

1. High Fever Contact your pediatrician if your toddler has a temperature of 103 degrees or higher. If the fever reaches 105 degrees, you should go to a hospital right away. Fevers over 107 degrees are very dangerous and can cause long-term damage to the body. Remember that the method you use to take your toddler’s temperature at home can affect whether you get an accurate reading.
2. Long-Term Fever A low-grade fever can be cause for concern if it doesn’t go away. This can be a sign of a dangerous infection or illness that hasn’t yet presented other symptoms. You should call your pediatrician if your toddler has a fever of 101 degrees or higher for more than a day. The doctor might ask you to come in or tell you to try home remedies and wait a little longer. Don’t ignore a fever that lasts for days or weeks, even if there are no other symptoms.
3. Vaccinations Children often get fevers after they receive vaccinations. A low-grade fever that only lasts for a day or two isn’t considered dangerous. It can be treated with acetaminophen if there are no other significant symptoms. However, if it reaches 102 degrees F or higher, it could signify an adverse reaction. See your doctor or go to a hospital if your toddler has a high fever within 72 hours of a vaccination. Other side effects to watch for include convulsions, extreme sleepiness and high-pitched wailing that lasts for a few hours
4. Accompanying Symptoms Other symptoms that occur along with a fever can help you determine how dangerous it is. Contact your doctor if you notice a significant change in behavior. Get care immediately if there’s difficulty breathing, a strange rash or spots on the skin, or a change in level of consciousness. Children sometimes have febrile seizures when their body temperature rises. Although these aren’t harmful, you should see your pediatrician right away or go to a hospital, because the cause of the fever needs to be treated.
5. Monitoring Fevers Some doctors prefer that you don’t use home remedies to treat a fever unless the child is uncomfortable. Artificially reducing it may impair the body’s natural defense system. You also can’t keep track of how high the fever is or how long it lasts if a medication is taken to lower it. However, acetaminophen is helpful if your toddler is having trouble sleeping or eating because he feels ill. To monitor a fever, take the child’s temperature every four hours when she’s awake.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Brief Version

What is hand, foot and mouth disease?

Your child may have hand, foot, and mouth disease. if your child has:

• Small, painful sores in his mouth
• Small water blisters or red spots on the palms of his hands and soles of the feet. You may also see these on the webs between the fingers and toes.
• Five or fewer blisters on each hand or foot
• Low-grade fever between 100°F and 102°F

This happens most often in children 6 months to 4 years old.

A virus causes this disease. The fever goes away by the 3rd or 4th day. The mouth sores go away in 7 days. The rash on the hands and feet can last 10 days.

How can I take care of my child?

Helping the pain.

• If your child is very young, put 1/2 teaspoon antacid solution in the front of the mouth four times a day after meals.
• Children over age 4 can use 1 teaspoon of an antacid solution as a mouthwash after meals.
• Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) if your child’s mouth really hurts, or for fever over 102° F. No aspirin.

Feeding your child.

• Give soft foods, like yogurt, cottage cheese, and Jell-O.
• Use a cup instead of a bottle
• Cold drinks, milkshakes, Popsicles, and sherbet can feel good.
• Stay away from citrus, salty, or spicy foods

Spreading hand, foot, and mouth disease

• Your child’s playmates may get the disease in 3 to 6 days
• Your child may go back to school when the fever goes away.

Call your child’s doctor right away if:

• Your child has not urinated for more than 8 hours.
• Your child acts very sick.

Call your child’s doctor during office hours if:

• The fever lasts more than 3 days.
• You have other concerns or questions.

Returns to normal. While most children are contagious from 2 days before to 2 days after the rash, avoiding other children is unnecessary.

When should I call my child’s health care provider?

Call IMMEDIATELY if:

• Your child has not urinated for more than 8 hours.
• Your child starts acting very sick.

Call during office hours if:

• The fever lasts more than 3 days.
• You have other concerns or questions.

Written by B.D. Schmitt, M.D., author of “Your Child’s Health,” Bantam Books.

This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

Croup Brief Version

What is a croupy cough?

A croupy cough is when your child has a tight, “barking” cough and usually a hoarse voice.

What is stridor?

Stridor is when your child breathes in, you hear a harsh, raspy sound. This happens with severe croup.

What causes croup?

Croup is a viral infection of the vocal cords. Stridor occurs as the opening between the cords becomes more narrow.

How can I take care of my child?

First Aid for Attacks of Stridor With Croup

• Inhale warm mist. Warm, moist air seems to work best to relax the vocal cords and break the stridor. Take your child into a foggy bathroom. Have a warm shower running with the bathroom door closed. If your child continues to have stridor 20 minutes after mist treatment, call 911
• Cold air. If it is cold outside, take your child outdoors. Holding your child in front of an open refrigerator may help too.

Home Care for a Croupy Cough Without Stridor

• Humidifier. Dry air usually makes coughs worse. Keep your child’s bedroom humid. (Use a humidifier if the air is dry.)
• Warm fluids for coughing spasms. Warm drinks (such as warm apple juice or warm lemonade) may relax the vocal cords and loosen up sticky mucus. You can give warm fluids to children over 4 months old.
• Cough medicines. Medicines are less helpful than mist or warm fluids. Give 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of corn syrup to thin secretions.

Call your child’s doctor right away if:

• Breathing becomes difficult (when your child is not coughing).
• Your child starts drooling or having a lot of trouble swallowing.
• The warm mist fails to clear up the stridor in 20 minutes.
• Your child starts acting very sick.

Call your child’s doctor during office hours if:

• A fever lasts more than 3 days.
• Croup lasts more than 10 days.
• You have other questions or concerns.

Potty training: How to get the job done Potty training is a major milestone. Get the facts on timing, technique and handling the inevitable accidents.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Potty training is a big step for kids and parents alike. The secret to success? Patience- perhaps more patience than you ever imagined.

Is it time?

Potty-training success hinges on physical and emotional readiness, not a specific age. Many kids show interest in potty training by age 2, but others might not be ready until age 2 1/2 or even older – and there’s no rush. If you start potty training too early, it might take longer to train your child.

Is your child ready? Ask yourself these questions:

• Does your child seem interested in the potty chair or toilet, or in wearing underwear?
• Can your child understand and follow basic directions?
• Does your child tell you through words, facial expressions or posture when he or she needs to go?
• Does your child stay dry for periods of two hours or longer during the day?
• Does your child complain about wet or dirty diapers?
• Can your child pull down his or her pants and pull them up again?
• Can your child sit on and rise from a potty chair?

If you answered mostly yes, your child might be ready for potty training. If you answered mostly no, you might want to wait awhile- especially if your child has recently faced or is about to face a major change, such as a move or the arrival of a new sibling. A toddler who opposes potty training today might be open to the idea in a few months. There’s no need to postpone potty training if your child has a chronic medical condition but is able to use the toilet normally. Be aware that the process might take longer, however.

Ready, set, go!

When you decide it’s time to begin potty training, set your child up for success. Start by maintaining a sense of humor and a positive attitude- and recruiting all of your child’s caregivers to do the same. Then follow these practical steps.

Pull out the equipment

Place a potty chair in the bathroom. You might want to try a model with a removable top that can be placed directly on the toilet when your child is ready. Encourage your child to sit on the potty chair-with or without a diaper. Make sure your child’s feet rest firmly on the floor or a stool. Help your child understand how to talk about the bathroom using simple, correct terms. You might dump the contents of a dirty diaper into the potty chair to show its purpose, or let your child see family members using the toilet.

Schedule potty breaks

If your child is interested, have him or her sit on the potty chair or toilet without a diaper for a few minutes several times a day. For boys, it’s often best to master urination sitting down, and then move to standing up after bowel training is complete. Read a potty- training book or give your child a special toy to use while sitting on the potty chair or toilet. Stay with your child when he or she is in the bathroom. Even if your child simply sits there, offer praise for trying – and remind your child that he or she can try again later.

Get there-fast!

When you notice signs that your child might need to use the toilet-such as squirming, squatting or holding the genital area – respond quickly. Help your child become familiar with these signals, stop what he or she is doing and head to the toilet. Praise your child for telling you when he or she has to go. Teach girls to wipe carefully from front to back to prevent bringing germs from the rectum to the vagina or bladder. When it’s time to flush, let your child do the honors. Make sure your child washes his or her hands after using the toilet.

Consider incentives

Some kids respond to stickers or stars on a chart. For others, trips to the park or extra bedtime stories are effective. Experiment to find what works best for your child. Reinforce your child’s effort with verbal praise, such as, “How exciting! You’re learning to use the toilet just like big kids do!” Be positive even if a trip to the toilet isn’t successful.

Ditch the diapers

After several weeks of successful potty breaks, your child might be ready to trade diapers for training pants or regular underwear. Celebrate this transition. Go on a special outing. Let your child select “big kid” underwear. Call close friends or loved ones and let your child spread the news. Once your child is wearing training pants or regular underwear, avoid overalls, belts, leotards or other items that could hinder quick undressing.

Sleep soundly

Most children master daytime bladder control first, often within about two to three months of consistent toilet training. Nap and nighttime training might take months-or years longer. In the meantime, use disposable training pants or plastic mattress covers when your child sleeps.

Know when to call it quits

If your child resists using the potty chair or toilet or isn’t getting the hang of it within a few weeks, take a break. Chances are he or she isn’t ready yet. Try again in a few months.

Toilet Training Your Child: The Basics

What is toilet training?

Your child is toilet trained when, without any reminders, he walks to the potty, pulls down his pants, urinates or passes a bowel movement (BM), and pulls up his pants. Some children will learn to control their bladders first. Others will start with bowel control. Both kinds of control can be worked on simultaneously. Bladder control through the night normally happens several years later than daytime control. The gradual type of toilet training discussed here can usually be completed in 1 to 3 months, if your child is ready.

How can I help my child get ready for toilet training?

Don’t begin training until your child is clearly ready. Readiness doesn’t just happen. It involves concepts and skills you can begin teaching your child at 18 months of age or earlier. All children can be made ready for toilet. training by 3 years, most by 2 1/2 years, many by 2 years and some earlier. Ways to help a child become ready include the following:

18 months: Begin teaching about pee, poop and how the body works.

• Teach the vocabulary (pee, poop, potty, etc.).
• Clarify that everyone makes pee and poop.
• Point out when dogs or other animals are going pee or poop.
• Clarify the body’s signals when you observe them: “Your body wants to make some pee or poop.
• Praise your child for passing poop in the diaper.
• Do not refer to poop as dirty or yucky stuff.
• Make changing diapers pleasant for the child so he will come to you.
• Change your child frequently so he will prefer dry diapers.
• Teach your child to come to a parent whenever he is wet or soiled.

21 months: Begin teaching about the potty and toilet.

• Teach what the toilet and potty chair are for (“the pee or poop goes in this special place”). Demonstrate by dumping poop from diapers into the toilet
• Portray using the toilet and potty chair as a privilege.
• Have him observe toilet-trained children use the toilet or potty chair (having an older toilet-trained sibling can be very helpful).
• Buy a floor-level type potty chair. You want your child’s feet to touch the floor when he sits on the potty. This provides leverage for pushing and a sense of security. He also can get on and off whenever he wants to. Take your child with you to buy the potty chair. Make it clear that this is your child’s own special chair. Have your child help you put his name on it. Allow your child to decorate it or even paint it a different color.
• Have your child sit on the potty chair for fun. Have your child sit on it fully clothed until he is comfortable with using it as a chair. Have your child use it while eating snacks, playing games, or looking at books. Keep it in the room in which your child usually plays. Never start actual toilet training unless your child clearly has good feelings toward the potty chair. Help the child develop a sense of ownership (“my chair”).
• Then, bring his potty chair in the bathroom and have him sit on it (bare-bottom) when you sit on the toilet. Don’t allow diapers or pull-ups in the bathroom.

2 years: Begin using teaching aids.

• Read toilet learning books and watch toilet learning videos.
• Help your child pretend she’s training a doll or stuffed animal on the potty chair.
• Present underwear as a privilege. Buy special underwear and keep it in a place where the child can see it.

How do I toilet train my child?

1. Encourage practice runs to the potty. A practice un (potty sit) is encouraging your child to walk to the potty and sit there with his diapers or pants off. Your child can then be told, “Try to go, pee-pee in the potty.” Only do practice runs when your child gives a signal that looks promising, such as a certain facial expression, grunting, holding the genital area, pilling at his pants, pacing, squatting, squirming, etc. Other good times are after naps, 2 hours without urinating, or 20 minutes after meals. Say encouragingly, “The poop or pee wants to come out. Let’s use the potty.” If your child is reluctant to sit on the potty, you may want to read him a story. If your child wants to get up after 1 minute of encouragement, let him get up. Never force your child to sit there. Never physically hold your child there. Even if your child seems to be enjoying it, end each session after 5 minutes unless something is happening. Initially, keep the potty chair in the room your child usually plays in. This easy access greatly increases the chances that he will use it without your asking him. Consider owning 2 potty chairs. During toilet training, children need to wear clothing that’s conducive to using the potty. That means one layer, usually the diaper. Avoid shoes and pants. (In the wintertime, turning up the heat is helpful.) Another option (though less effective) is loose sweatpants with an elastic waistband. Avoid pants with zippers, buttons, snaps, or a belt.
2. Praise or reward your child for cooperation or any success. All cooperation with these practice sessions should be praised. For example, you might say, “You are sitting on the potty just like Mommy,” or “You’re trying real hard to go pee-pee in the potty.” If your child urinates into the potty, he can be rewarded with treats such as, animal cookies or stickers, as well as praise and hugs. Although a sense of accomplishment is enough for some children, many need treats to stay focused. Big rewards (such as going to the toy store) should be reserved for when your child walks over to the potty on his own and uses it or asks to go there with you and then uses it. Once your child uses the potty by himself two or more times, you can stop the practice runs. For the following week, continue to praise your child frequently for using the potty. Practice runs and reminders should not be necessary for more than 1 or 2 months.
3. Change your child after accidents. Change your child as soon as it’s convenient, but respond sympathetically. Say something like, “You wanted to go pee-pee in the potty, but you went pee-pee in your pants. I know that makes you sad. You like to be dry. You’ll get better at this.” If you feel a need to be critical, keep it to mild verbal disapproval and use it rarely (for example, “Big boys don’t go pee-pee in their pants,” or mention the name of another child whom he likes and who is trained). Then change your child into a dry diaper or training pants in as pleasant and nonangry a way as possible. Avoid physical punishment, yelling, or scolding. Pressure or force can make a child completely uncooperative.
4. Introduce underpants after your child starts using the potty. Regular underwear can spark motivation. Switch from diapers to underpants after your child is cooperative about sitting on the potty chair and passes urine into the toilet spontaneously 10 or more times. Take your child with you to buy the underwear and make it a reward for his success. Buy loose-fitting ones that he can easily lower and pull up by himself. Once you start using underpants, use diapers only for naps, bedtime and travel outside the home.
5. Plan a bare bottom weekend. If your child is older than 30 months and has successfully used the potty a few times with your help and clearly understands the process, commit 6 hours or a weekend exclusively to toilet training. This can usually lead to a breakthrough. Avoid interruptions or distractions during this time. Younger siblings must spend the day elsewhere. Turn off the TV and do not answer the phone. Success requires monitoring your child during these hours of training. The bare bottom technique means not wearing any diapers, pull-ups, underwear or any clothing below the waist. This causes most children to become acutely aware of their body’s plumbing. Children innately dislike pee or poop running down their legs. You and your child should stay in the vicinity of the potty chair. This can be in the kitchen or other room without a carpet. A gate may help your child stay on task. During bare bottom times, supervise your child but refrain from all practice runs and most reminders, allowing the child to learn by trial and error with your support. Create a frequent need to urinate by offering your child lots of her favorite fluids. Have just enough toys and books handy to keep your child playing near the potty chair. Keep the process upbeat with hugs, smiles and good cheer. You are your child’s coach and ally.

What if toilet training isn’t working?

There are some children who are resistant to toilet training. Your child is considered resistant if after trying to toilet train your child using the method described above:

• Your child is over 3 years old and not daytime toilet trained.
• Your child won’t sit on the potty or toilet.
• Your child holds back bowel movements.
• The approach described here isn’t working after 6 months.

If your child is resistant to toilet training, ask your health care provider for ideas and information about toilet training resistance.