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A chromosomal condition, Down syndrome is characterized by an extra copy of genetic material in place on the 21st chromosome. This can be either complete (trisomy 21) or partial (e.g. caused by translocations).

Depending upon chance and genetic history, the effects of the extra copy may vary from person to person.

Caring for a baby or child with Down's syndrome

Generally, Down syndrome manifests at a rate of approximately 1 per 733 births.  Statistically speaking, it is more common for older parents (mothers and fathers) to produce children with Down syndrome because of increased mutagenic exposures. Frequently, people with Down syndrome exhibit some cognitive impairment as well as impairment of physical growth. Additionally, many people with Down syndrome possess a particular set of facial characteristics. The cognitive abilities of people with Down syndrome are often impaired. They may experience disabilities in the mild to moderate range.

With proper family support, enrichment therapies, and tutoring, many children with Down Syndrome have graduated from high school. http://www.nzdsa.org.nz/.  One in a thousand babies born in New Zealand has Down syndrome. That averages out to at least one baby being born with Down syndrome weekly.

While people with Down syndrome may exhibit typical characteristics of the disease, they also bear a family resemblance to their own family members. Of course, there are typical characteristics that are often seen in people with Down syndrome; however, individuals usually only exhibit a few of these. Every person is unique and possesses his or her own appearance, strengths, and abilities. You cannot judge the mental capacity of a child with Down syndrome by the extent to which s/he exhibits the typical physical characteristics.

What possible learning problems could a child with Down syndrome have?

People with Down syndrome are each unique. Their abilities vary greatly; however, there are some typical problems children with Down syndrome may face:

• Trouble translating ideas into words.
• The skill to select words but difficulty saying them aloud.
• Fine motor skills may be limited, and this may cause them to be unable to write by hand; however, they can usually use a computer keyboard.
• Can understand a lot of words but may have problems with retaining and then saying them.
• Trouble learning how to read.

What are the social difficulties that children with Down syndrome must deal with?

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Children who have Down syndrome tend to be very social.

But: Children with Down syndrome might feel socially alone because of their uniqueness.

The majority of them have a hard time keeping up with peers cognitively, emotionally and physically due to social immaturity.

It may be difficult to create relationships with non-Down’s kids.

My little one seems to have a hard time sucking. Is it possible for me to do something about it?

These are a few suggestions:

• Have patience. Babies with Down syndrome may have a protruding tongue and poor muscle tone which can make feeding time difficult and time-consuming.
• Many babies have a hard time coordinating breathing, swallowing, sucking and keeping a tight seal. To assist your child with nursing, lift your infant’s chin up.
• Be sure your baby is awake and alert at feeding time. There are babies who have difficulty eating due to being tired. They must be completely awake prior to eating so they can fully focus on the task.

What positive traits do children with Down syndrome usually have?

Here are some of the strengths children with Down syndrome may exhibit:

• Work and play well with others!
• A very friendly outlook.
• Kindness.
• Generosity.
• Attentiveness to visual stimulation.

Do children with Down Syndrome make friends easily?

In multiple ways, children with Down syndrome are just like other children. They, too, want to enjoy life, play, learn about things, and freely and safely experience emotions and moods. You should present your child with frequent opportunities to have these experiences. Play and interact with your child as you would with any other boy or girl. Assist your child by making new places and people a positive experience.

With early intervention programs, children with Down syndrome can have the best chance of success with social, language, and motor skill development.

Additional Problems with a Down’s syndrome child:

• Short attention spans are common with pupils with Down’s. Provide chunks of learning. Give direct instruction in short periods at intervals to insure successful learning. For the greatest success in learning, you should introduce new materials bit-by-bit in sequential order and measured steps.

• Easily Distracted: Down’s students are often distracted. Here are some strategies you can employ to keep distractions at a minimum:
1. Prevent students from going to the window.
2. Make sure your environment is very structured and orderly.
3. Control noise and keep a peaceful atmosphere.
4. Make your expectations and rules very clear.
5. Establish routines and keep surprises to a minimum.

• Speech and Language: Children with Down’s syndrome typically have problems with articulation and with hearing. Occasionally they will need speech/language assistance and a large amount of direct instruction. Sometimes facilitated or augmented communication techniques will help support clear communication. Utilize patience and model the correct interactions each time.

Dysgraphia is medical terminology that comes from the Greek. The prefix “dys” means ill or difficult. The root word “graph” means writing. The suffix “ia” means condition of.

Child care tips Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is termed a neurological disorder affecting handwriting by the International Dyslexia Association. This is different from the classifications used by other organizations. Nonetheless, dysgraphia is usually thought of as a neurological disorder affecting the fine motor skills in general. Affected are the ability to recognize and understand the relationship between letters and sounds, letters themselves, written words and spoken words. Therefore, constructing words and spelling will be quite difficult.

Writing Disabilities and their Affects: Naturally, if a person has a writing disability, this will negatively impact his or her ability to write in a linear and tidy fashion. Handwriting might look strange and letter, numbers and signs might be wrong or mixed up. People with Dysgraphia may have problems with punctuation. This can cause confusion and difficulty in writing well and expressively.

A person with Dysgraphia might have problems explaining and translating ideas into writing. Similarly, since Dysgraphia is a processing disorder, it may also involve problems with the processing of all kinds of visual information, such as symbols and graphs. A person with Dysgraphia might experience problems ordering such information.

Dysgraphia is not linked to intelligence level. A person may be very intelligent and still have Dysgraphia. Be that as it may, Dysgraphia is a writing disability that can exist along with other learning disabilities. Being a neurological condition, Dysgraphia may manifest as a learning disability of mild to moderate proportions.

Dysgraphia

Children and Writing Disabilities: During the course of a person’s life, the level of difficulty experienced with this processing disorder may vary. Throughout the normal development stages of the life of a person with Dysgraphia, the level and severity of the disorder may fluctuate.

Dysgraphia is usually noticed in children when they begin learning how to write. It will generally persist throughout the school years. Even with specialized and focused tutoring, a person with Dysgraphia may have problems creating letters all of a similar size and spaced correctly. Handwriting may be messed up and unorganized, with misspelling or simply incorrect words.

Fortunately, because dysgraphia is a learning disability, there are alternate teaching methods that can offer strategies that enable the student to work around the problem. Each person with Dysgraphia needs a specialized program because the disorder can affect different people in different ways. Some may have problems with writing, some with fine motor skills in general, still others might have problems remembering the shapes of letters and how they work together to form words.

Nonetheless, for both instances, the technique of special needs support must be carried out every day to obtain good results. In a few situations, more specialized classroom help can be given through a learning aid. Some possibilities are computer use instead of handwriting, the use of Dictaphones, and for reading, raised or color coded text.

10 Tips For Positive Child Care

Child care tips

1. Encourage The Child When a child does something right or well, give praise straight away. Your encouragement will show them that you believe they can do it – and give them more confidence. Did you know that if a child gets a negative message, it takes nine positive ones to wipe out the single negative?

2. Teach Them By Example Children are continually watching and learning behaviors. They take particular notice of what adults are doing and saying. Are you behaving in a way that you wish the child to emulate? Take time out to check your own behavior.

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3. Role Play Do you get mad when your child copies the bad behaviour of a playmate? Children learn their social skills through play – so teach them! Let the child take the lead and gently correct them if needed. Don’t tell them they’re doing something ‘wrong’ – it crushes self esteem.

4. Don’t Give Up!

Caring for children is exhausting, worrying and often seems like a thankless task. There is no ‘perfect babysitter’ or ‘perfect parent’. Do the best you can with what you’ve got. Accept that everyone makes mistakes sometimes and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

5. Set boundaries and stick with them Children feel much safer if they have limits and boundaries. They will constantly test them, to make sure that they are still there. Keeping those limits reassures the child that you love them and that they are safe.

6. Be Strong For The Child If the child tells you something bad that has happened – don’t react negatively or with anger. Work together to find a way through any problem. That way, the child will continue to trust you with their worries – and there will be many!

7. Stay Calm Learn not to react to negative or ‘bad’ behaviour. If you’re angry, let the discipline wait. Take a little time out to regain control. This will help you to work on an appropriate reaction.

8. Don’t Bribe…reward! Bribing sends the child a message that they only have to behave badly to get what they want. Reward good behaviour with a non-material treat such as reading the child a favorite story.

9. Prevent Boredom If children get bored, they start to look for mischief! Give them things to do and eventually they will be able to find their own amusement. Don’t over-do it though – kids need their own space, just like you!

10. Don’t be afraid of discipline Discipline is not shouting, smacking, or threatening punishments. It’s a quiet, calm way to teach, reinforce and show consistent behaviour. Your ‘time out’ strategy will get rid of anger and frustration allowing the discipline to be carried out in a firm, yet loving way.

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Tips for Toddler Tantrums

People who haven’t got kids often look on in horror as they see overwrought parents getting angry with an out-of-control toddler. That poor child! Run the same scene in a few years time and those same onlookers (now parents themselves) would find all of their sympathy with the parent!

Toddler tantrums are horrible. Period.

Baby Toy Kiwi Caregivers

Child experts say that tantrums are not usually caused to push parent’s to their last limit – although they often do! They are apparently a normal part of growing up. A toddler having a tantrum is learning control and independence. So it’s important that a person in charge of a complete brat takes the lead and teaches the right way to achieve that control and independence. The situation needs to be managed to reduce the stress on everyone involved – including the toddler.

Begin by simply observing when the child’s behaviour is usually best – and worst! Keep a ‘tantrum’ chart for a couple of weeks and note down obvious triggers such as feeling hungry or tired, bored or over stimulated or frustrated. See if a pattern emerges. Knowing when, where and why will help you (and anyone else who is caring for your child) to develop avoidance strategies.

Keep the chart going once you start to implement your coping strategy to identify what works and what doesn’t.

If you are a babysitter, ask the parents about tantrums, prior to taking the job. If the child has them – how are they commonly triggered and how does the parent usually deal with it?

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Once a behaviour pattern has been identified, try and avoid ‘triggers’ such as grocery shopping, during the child’s ‘bad’ times. Listen hard to your toddler and appreciate that often, a tantrum is due to a feeling or need that the child is trying to communicate to you – and sheer frustration that you’re not getting it! This could be something really simple like being hungry, thirsty or needing the bathroom.

Avoid buying a child’s good behaviour with a bribe as they will soon learn to manipulate that and it will only prolong bad behaviour.

Instead, heap praise on good behaviour and reward it in a non-materialistic way – such as reading them a favorite story or a trip to the park. Food and drink rewards can set up bad habits for later life.

Once you have set out your ‘terms’ don’t ever back down. If this means leaving the store without your groceries then so be it. If the behaviour magically rectifies by the time you reach the car – you still get in and drive home. The child needs to know that you will carry through.

The good news is that tantrums do pass. They usually diminish as the child’s ability to communicate grows. Before you know it, they’ll be onto the next stage which will bring its own new problems! Getting a handle on their behaviour as early as possible lays good foundations for making life easier in the future. Good luck!

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I’m Scared Of The Dark! Helping A Child To Overcome Night Fears

It’s very common for children to be scared of the dark. They may have always been scared – or they may have no fear for a long time and then suddenly, inexplicably develop one. Child experts believe that some children are just naturally prone to suffering from night fears. Or an experience may have created a new fear which then manifests itself as a sudden fear of the dark.

Looking For Reasons

Have there been any changes to the child’s life recently? Any of these events can trigger new fears in a child:

Death of a member of the family, friend or pet
New baby in the family
House move
New child care provider
Different pre-school schedule or a change to an existing one
Change in family status due to redundancy or similar
Have they been significantly upset by a scary story or TV program or cartoon

How To Help The Child

Don’t try to make a joke of the fear. It’s real to the child and that’s what matters. You may think you’re making light of their fear by poking fun at it, dismissing it or teasing them about it – but this is known to be unhelpful. It can make the fear last longer and worse, affect the child’s trust in you.

However small the child’s fear seems to you, always listen to them with patience and sympathy. Avoid becoming exasperated or annoyed at the child. You are there to be supportive and work towards a solution. Any sign of derision will be counter-productive.

Give the child something to ‘fight back with’. Create some form of ‘protection’ for them. This could be a superhero toy or special anti-monster potion (water in a simple spray bottle) or a cartoon character flashlight. This will give the child back some of the power that the fear takes away.

Don’t insist that the child sleeps in the dark. If you were scared of spiders, how would you like to be forced to have a tarantula on your hand?

Nightlights (timed and continuous) are available. Leave a small bedside light on until you go to bed. Give the child a flashlight to use whenever they want. The need for light usually only lasts for a short time so allow the child this simple request. Try and play it down so that the child doesn’t become totally dependent on it.

Try and avoid having the child sleep with you. This is a difficult habit to break so it’s best not to start it. If they come to you, saying they’re scared, simply take them back to bed. Check the room out and reassure them that they are quite safe. If necessary, stay until the child settles.

Try not to worry too much about the fear. It is normal and happens to a lot of children. If you deal with it calmly and in a helpful way, it should pass within a few weeks or months.
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Kanner's or Classical Autistic Disorder

Kanner’s or Classical Autistic Disorder

This is the most familiar type of autism. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition Text Revision (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) states that, at this range, children with autism may experience mild to profound mental retardation. Here are the DSM-IV manual criteria for the diagnosis of Classical Autistic Disorder.

In order to be diagnosed with autism, a person must exhibit at least six symptoms from these 3 categories. Furthermore, these symptoms must be divided as follows: two symptoms from Section 1, a minimum of one symptom from Section 2, a minimum of one symptom from Section 3.

Section 1: Social Interaction (A minimum of two)

1. Difficulties with  non-verbal cues (e.g. eye contact and facial expression).
2. Difficulty conversing with people the same age.
3. Difficulty having shared interests with the same age group.
4. Lack of ability to display reciprocity socially or emotionally.

Section 2: Communication (A minimum of one)

1. Spoken language skills that are not normally developed.
2. A pronounced lack of conversational skills (unable to start or maintain conversations).
3. Repetitious language (e.g. constant repetition of a line from a song or movie or other phrase).

Kanner's or Classical Autistic Disorder

4. Repetitious and unvarying play.

Section 3: Repetition (A minimum of one)

1. Preoccupation with at least one interest in which the amount of concentration or focus is abnormally intense.
2. Is inflexible with routines.
3. Hand wringing, hand or finger flapping and other repetitious motor movements.
4. A constant obsession with specific items.

Additionally, the child exhibits delay in one or more of these areas:
• Creative play
• Social involvement
• Practical and spontaneous use of language.

What are the Physical Characteristics of People with Autism?

In his book, “Educating Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education,” Mangal states that it is often not immediately apparent that a child is autistic based on physical appearance. This author maintains that autistic children do not differ physically from their non-disabled peers. Children with autism may exhibit very strong behavioral signs; however, they may simultaneously show no physical manifestations of the condition.

Per Thomas L. Whitman, who wrote: “The Development of Autism – A Self-Regulatory Perspective,” autistic children are quite often unusually attractive. However, there are children with autism who have some small variations in their physical characteristics and physique.

Large Head Size

One distinguishing feature of children with autism is a large head size. Children with autism may have a normal-sized head when born; however, it may increase in size at a rapid rate later on. According to research, autistic children typically possess a head measurement that is ten percent greater than that of their non-disabled peers

Kanner's or Classical Autistic Disorder

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Excessive Hand Gestures

Children with autism may exhibit more hand gestures than normal. It is speculated that this may be because of a lack of verbal skills. Children with autism often use physical prompts such as pointing and gesturing rather than vocalizing their needs. Often they may act out with tantrums due to frustration at being unable to verbalize thoughts and needs.

Extremes in Activity Levels

Children with autism may exhibit extremes of activity levels from excessive activity to very low levels of activity. In her book, “Scientists Reveal that Autism and Hyperactivity have the Same Cause,” Dr. Angelica Ronald states that one-third of children with autism are hyperactive and inattentive.
In “Autism Is Not a Life Sentence,” by Lynley Summers and Jessica Summers, we learn that children with autism may experience periods of very low activity. It is quite common to observe a child with autism pacing, running to and fro, or running in circles for hours on end followed by hours of sitting still and staring.

Inconsistency in Motor Skills

Some children with autism are unable to perform simple tasks such as getting dressed, using eating utensils, balancing or hopping on one leg. Simultaneously, these children may also have talents such as playing music, drawing, or simply arranging their toys in a very complex manner that seem to be in the gifted range. There is no specific developmental pattern that can be applied to the development of motor skills in children with autism. They may perform at an extremely high level in some areas while being completely incapable of normal performance in other areas.

Additional Physical Characteristics

The physical characteristics of children with autism include:

• An apparent lack of interest in people
• Avoidance of eye contact
• An apparent lack of interest in toys
• Over-sized eyes and ears
• Pale skin tone
• Repetitious behavior such as head shaking and/or banging and hand-flapping
• Low muscle tone and an uneven gait
• Emotional outbursts and aggression

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS kills more than 2,000 babies in the US each year and around 45 babies in New Zealand. They are most commonly aged between 2 and 4 months and die in their sleep. The cause has always remained a mystery. Parents and Babysitters alike must read this article, and also the

However, recent breakthrough findings reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association show that SIDS is a disease. Even so, there are ways of minimizing the risk. Reading this could save a life.

How Did They Make This Discovery?

Researchers studied the brains of 31 babies who had died from SIDS and 10 who had died for other reasons. They focused on the medulla of the brain which controls involuntary actions, including breathing, controlling blood pressure and heart rate.

The medullas of SIDS babies were much more likely to have abnormalities in the nerve cells which respond to serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical that plays a major part in the regulation of breathing and sleeping.

They also found that there were more abnormalities in the SIDS boys than girls – which would help to explain why boys are twice as likely to die of SIDS.

What Does This Mean for SIDS?

It’s a huge breakthrough and may bring researchers nearer to developing a test to identify at-risk babies. At the moment, such a test is still a long way off as no early warning for SIDS has been pinpointed yet – so no-one knows what to test for yet.

But there are known methods of minimizing the risk of SIDS. These are methods that everyone caring for a baby at any time should be aware of and follow.

Back to Sleep

The Back to Sleep campaign, started in 1992 has cut deaths from SIDS by 50%. However, their safety recommendations still need spreading far and wide.

Of the 31 deceased babies examined in the recent SIDS study, a worrying 77% had been sleeping on their stomach or side, or sharing a bed with an adult – or both.

Top Recommendations For Safe Sleeping

1. Always, always place the baby on his/her back for every sleep. This applies to night time sleeping and naps and every time the baby sleeps.

2. Make sure the baby is sleeping on a firm mattress which is covered by a tight fitted sheet. Never let a baby sleep on pillows, quilts, sheepskins or anything soft.

3. Keep the entire sleeping area clear of soft toys or objects, pillows, blankets, quilts, sheepskins and pillow-style bumpers. The baby can sleep quite happily in a ‘onesie’.

4. Don’t have the baby sleep with you (or with others) in a bed, on a couch or in an armchair. If you breastfeed the baby in your bed – put him/her back into their own sleeping area once you’re done.

How Can These Help?

Put simply, SIDS babies don’t seem able to sense if oxygen is low and rouse themselves. Following the recommendations can literally save a baby’s life.

Make sure that everyone who cares for the baby follows them at every sleep.
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They Won’t Let Me Babysit! How To Break The Child / Parent Deadlock

OK kids, let’s start with you. You want to babysit. You want it more than anything and your parents just won’t let you. It seems so unfair, right? They don’t get that you can be mature and responsible. They’re treating you like a baby and you’ve had enough!

Hey Mom and Dad – it’s a scary time, isn’t it? You little baby is getting so grown-up in some ways. But in many other areas they still have a loooong way to go! They don’t seem to get what a responsible job babysitting is and you’re frightened for them. What if they hit a situation they can’t deal with? There’s no way you’re going to put them in that position…yet.

Time Out!

Everyone has to give and take here so that a solution may be reached. Let’s look at this from both sides.

Child / Teen

If you want your parents to agree to what you’re asking for – you have to know their needs first. Why are they saying ‘no’ – did you ever ask them without throwing a fit? The chances are that they are worried for you. They understand how much responsibility a babysitter takes on. Are you ready for that responsibility? Really?

OK – How would you deal with the following babysitting situations?

A child won’t stop crying
A child gets sick and needs a bath and their soiled bed changing
A child cuts himself and needs sutures. His siblings are asleep upstairs…
A child starts to choke on a peanut

See – this is why your parents worry. If you’re not able to deal with all of those…and more, then you’re not ready.

So What Can I Do To Learn These Things

Show your parents that you understand the job by wanting to learn how to do it properly. There are DVD courses available – ask them to buy you one for Christmas or a birthday.

In the meantime…

You won’t get anywhere without communicating properly. Slamming doors is not the way to impress them that you’re mature enough to babysit.

You know those chores they keep asking you to do? Do them – demonstrate that you can be disciplined and work. And then do them without being asked – that shows initiative. It might be dull but so is a lot of work – do you want this or not?

Parents

Make time to discuss why you are saying ‘no’. It won’t stop your child wanting to babysit – it just makes them crazy. If they know why you’re refusing, it gives them a chance to do something about it. Kids can reason if they know what they’re up against.

Communication is key. Kids do want to talk to you, despite the way they behave. Take the time to get to know your kids and let them know you – relationships are two-way.

Support them – if they really want this, help them to learn what they need to know.
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Hi my name is Rachel, I have been living in Hamilton for the past year doing the New Zealand Certificate in Nanny Education. I have really loved it and am now going over to America next year to do nannying. I am just looking for work over the summer, from now until February as i am planning to leave for America in February read more

http://babysitme.co.nz/profile.php?ID=1270

An orofacial cleft is a birth defect in which an opening is present in the lip and/or roof of the mouth (palate). This condition is due to incomplete development during the early formation of the fetus.
In the US, one or two in every thousand babies are born with cleft lip or cleft palate every year. It is a very common birth defect. The rate of clefts’ occurrence is higher in children of Asian, Latino, or Native American descent.

Hints for childcare workers and parents

The positive side is that both the cleft lip and cleft palate can be treated. Usually, a child born with cleft lip or palate can successfully have corrective surgery within the first year and a half of his or her life.

What you should know about oral clefting: During the first trimester of pregnancy, the palate and/or lip of the fetus may fail to fuse completely. This is the cause of an orofacial cleft. A cleft lip might look like a tiny nick in the edge of the lip only or go all the way to the nose. It can possibly go to the gums.

There are variations in the degree of cleft palate. It may consist of a soft palate defect only, or it may extend as a cleft through the hard palate. Palate and lip develop separately; therefore, a child may be born with one or the other cleft or both.

There are three general categories of cleft defects:
1/ Cleft lip alone.
2/ Cleft palate alone.
3/ A combination of cleft lip and cleft palate.

Clefts may be one-sided (unilateral) or two-sided (bilateral). Boys will more typically have cleft lip without cleft palate. Girls will more typically have cleft palate without cleft lip.

Generally speaking, it is much easier to identify a cleft lip because it can be seen; whereas, a cleft palate cannot. Cleft lips are normally found during a prenatal ultrasound, but it is more difficult to discover a cleft palate, since it may not show up in an ultrasound.

Cleft condition may be identified in-utero; however, it cannot be treated until after the baby is born and a physician has examined and diagnosed the condition.

Infants who have only a cleft lip will generally have fewer problems eating than those who have a cleft palate. A newly born infant may have feeding difficulty if it suffers from a cleft palate. Usually, the palate keeps food and liquids from going into the nose. When a baby has a cleft palate that has not been repaired, it can cause problems sucking on a standard nipple. In this case, it is necessary to provide a special nipple and bottle and position the baby properly for feeding. The caregiver learns how to feed the baby using these techniques before going home from the hospital. The child’s physician will keep a close eye on how much the child weighs.

The typical age period for repair of a cleft lip is between three and six months. If a child has a very wide cleft in the lip, s/he may need a procedure known as lip adhesion or it may be necessary to utilize a device known as a molding plate, which will draw the parts of the lip closer so that they can be repaired. When a child has a cleft lip that has been repaired, there will be a scar on the lip beneath the nose. Surgery is completed while under general anesthesia and in a hospital.

The normal age at which a cleft palate is repaired is in the range of nine months to one year. In repairing the palate, soft palate muscles on either side are connected. This creates the normal barrier between the nose and the mouth. The patient is hospitalized for two nights after cleft palate surgery, which is done using general anesthesia.

Congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV), also known as club foot, [1] is a congenital deformity in which one or both feet are affected. [2] The affected foot appears to be rotated inward at the ankle. There are two different classifications of TEV: Postural TEV or Structural TEV.

for both Dysgraphia and Club Foot Article

If left untreated, a person with this condition will look like they are walking on their ankles, or on the sides of their feet. It is not an unusual birth defect, happening in almost one in each 1,000 live births. About half of the people have bilateral clubfoot. In the majority of situations, it is an isolated dysmelia. This afflicts men more frequently than women by a ratio of 2:1. Animals, especially horses, are afflicted with a condition with an identical name.

Clubfoot cases are classified according to the cause of the problem. Genetic factors, like Edwards syndrome, in which three copies of chromosome 18 are present, are what cause structural cTEV. Other causes of Structural cTEV include growth arrests at approximately 9 weeks and compartment syndrome of the affected limb. The influence of genetics is significantly greater when there is a family history. In the past, it was thought that postural cTEV could be brought on by external factors in the last trimester, such as intrauterine compression from oligohydramnios or from amniotic band syndrome.

However, this is in direct opposition to findings that cTEV does not occur more often than normal when there is restricted intrauterine space. [4] In addition, another known cause is breech presentation. [citation required] cTEV is seen fairly regularly in those with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome as well as some other connective tissue disorders, like Loeys-Dietz Syndrome (see www.loeys-dietzsyndromecanada.org). TEV might be linked with additional birth defects like spina bifida cystica.

Aspergers Disorder is a lifelong condition that is usually not diagnosed until a child attends school. Usually the child does not exhibit a cognitive delay of any kind and can actually have above normal intelligence. This is the primary reason that a child remains undiagnosed until he or she attends school and is expected to socialize. Social inadequacy characterizes this disorder, as opposed to mental retardation, which is present in other kinds of autism.

Aspergers Disorder

The following criteria are utilized in order to make the diagnosis of Asperger’s Disorder, per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition Text Revision (American Psychiatric Association, 2000):

Social Interaction Impairment (A minimum of two):

1. Inability to understand non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions, or maintaining eye contact.
2. Difficulty in establishing social relationships with others of the same age.
3. Lack of ability to enjoy interests that others of the same age enjoy.
4. Lack of ability to demonstrate social or emotional reciprocity.

Repetition (A minimum of one):

1. An intense involvement with one or more interests, the focus or concentration of which is not normal.
2. Is inflexible when it comes to routines.
3. Repetitive motor movements, such as hand or finger flapping and hand wringing.
4. Continual involvement with certain items.

Social, academic, or occupational dysfunction can occur as a result of this disorder. Language and cognitive abilities are not delayed, and self help skills develop normally.

Child Disintegrative Disorder

Info about Aspergers Disorder in Children

Severe mental retardation is present with this kind of autism, and up to age of two, the child develops normally. The child exhibits age-appropriate development in such areas as verbal communication, non-verbal communication, social relationships, play, and adaptive behavior (American Psychiatric Association, 2000).

Prior to the age of 10, the child will exhibit a loss of these developed areas in a minimum of two of the following areas:

1. Language that is meaningful or friendly
2. Social Skills
3. Toilet control (bladder and bowels)
4. Play
5. Motor Skills

In addition, the child will exhibit impairment in a minimum of two of the following areas:

1. Social Interactions (for example with nonverbal behaviors)
2. Communication (for example with spoken language)
3. Repetitive behavior (interests and motor gestures that are limited in scope)

This kind of autism is less prevalent than Classical Autistic Disorder and is noted more frequently in males (American Psychiatric Association, 2000).

All infomation for this article gathered By Tessa Bishop Invercargill New Zealand

A number of abilities are affected by cerebral palsy, which is why this condition is sometimes described as a group of disorders. The constellation of symptoms it presents may affect thinking, seeing, hearing, learning, movement, and other brain and nervous system functions.

Bunnie in a cup, babysitter graphic

Spastic,  ataxic,  dyskinetic, hypotonic, and mixed are among the possible varieties of cerebral palsy.

Both injuries and abnormalities of the brain can result in cerebral palsy. The majority of these issues manifest as the baby develops in the uterus, but they can occur at any time before a child turns two, a time during which the child’s brain is still developing.

Some people with cerebral palsy have low levels of oxygen (hypoxia) in some parts of the brain. The reason that this happens is unknown.

Babies born prematurely are slightly more likely to develop cerebral palsy.

There are several conditions that may cause the onset of cerebral palsy in early infancy. They include:
• Severe jaundice
• Head injury
• Bleeding in the brain
• Infections in the mother during pregnancy (e.g. rubella)
• Brain infections, such as encephalitis, meningitis, herpes simplex infections

Sometimes the cause of cerebral palsy remains a mystery.

People with cerebral palsy may exhibit a variety of symptoms, and each case is different.

Symptoms Vary
• They may be quite mild or severe
• They might involve only one side of the body or both
• It is possible for symptoms to be more pronounced in either the arms or legs.

Alternately, symptoms may involve both the arms and legs. It is typical for symptoms to be seen before a child reaches the age of two. Sometimes symptoms manifest as early as 3 months. Developmental stages such as rolling, sitting, crawling and walking may be delayed, and this may give parents a clue to problems. Cerebral palsy can take many forms. Occasionally, a patient will present with multiple symptoms.

In the most common type of cerebral palsy (spastic type), the muscles are quite tight and incapable of stretching. Additional tightening may occur over time.

• Abnormal walk (gait): arms tucked in toward the sides, knees crossed or touching, legs make “scissors” movements, walk on the toes
• Joints are tight and do not open up all the way (called joint contracture)
• Muscle weakness or loss of movement in a group of muscles (paralysis)
• The symptoms may affect one arm or leg, one side of the body, both legs, or both arms and legs

The following symptoms may occur in other types of cerebral palsy:
• Abnormal movements (twisting, jerking, or writhing) of the hands, feet, arms, or legs while awake, which gets worse during periods of stress
• Tremors
• Unsteady gait
• Loss of coordination
• Floppy muscles, particularly at rest, and joints that move around too much

Other brain and nervous system symptoms:
• Reduced intelligence or learning disabilities are common; however, intelligence can be normal
• Speech problems (dysarthria)
• Hearing or vision problems
• Seizures
• Pain, especially in adults (which can be difficult to manage)

Eating and digestive symptoms:
• Difficulty sucking or feeding in infants, or chewing and swallowing in older children and adults
• Problems swallowing (at all ages)
• Vomiting or constipation

Other symptoms:
• Increased drooling
• Slower than normal growth
• Irregular breathing
• Urinary incontinence

Complications:
• Bone thinning or osteoporosis
• Bowel obstruction
• Hip dislocation and arthritis in the hip joint
• Injuries from falls
• Joint contractures
• Pneumonia caused by choking
• Poor nutrition
• Decreased communication skills (sometimes)
• Decreased intellect (sometimes)
• Scoliosis
• Seizures (in about fifty percent of patients)
• Social stigma

10 Tips For Positive Child Care

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1. Encourage The Child

When a child does something right or well, give praise straight away. Your encouragement will show them that you believe they can do it – and give them more confidence. Did you know that if a child gets a negative message, it takes nine positive ones to wipe out the single negative?

2. Teach Them By Example

Children are continually watching and learning behaviors. They take particular notice of what adults are doing and saying. Are you behaving in a way that you wish the child to emulate? Take time out to check your own behavior.

3. Role Play

Do you get mad when your child copies the bad behaviour of a playmate? Children learn their social skills through play – so teach them! Let the child take the lead and gently correct them if needed. Don’t tell them they’re doing something ‘wrong’ – it crushes self esteem.

4. Don’t Give Up!

Caring for children is exhausting, worrying and often seems like a thankless task. There is no ‘perfect babysitter’ or ‘perfect parent’. Do the best you can with what you’ve got. Accept that everyone makes mistakes sometimes and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

5. Set boundaries and stick with them

Children feel much safer if they have limits and boundaries. They will constantly test them, to make sure that they are still there. Keeping those limits reassures the child that you love them and that they are safe.

6. Be Strong For The Child

If the child tells you something bad that has happened – don’t react negatively or with anger. Work together to find a way through any problem. That way, the child will continue to trust you with their worries – and there will be many!

7. Stay Calm

Learn not to react to negative or ‘bad’ behaviour. If you’re angry, let the discipline wait. Take a little time out to regain control. This will help you to work on an appropriate reaction.

8. Don’t Bribe…reward!

Bribing sends the child a message that they only have to behave badly to get what they want. Reward good behaviour with a non-material treat such as reading the child a favorite story.

9. Prevent Boredom

If children get bored, they start to look for mischief! Give them things to do and eventually they will be able to find their own amusement. Don’t over-do it though – kids need their own space, just like you!

10. Don’t be afraid of discipline

Discipline is not shouting, smacking, or threatening punishments. It’s a quiet, calm way to teach, reinforce and show consistent behaviour. Your ‘time out’ strategy will get rid of anger and frustration allowing the discipline to be carried out in a firm, yet loving way.
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For free babysitting tips, advice and how to claim a first aid book and babysitters handbook, visit www.superbabysitting.com

It is safe to say that infants are the most confusing children when it comes to babysitting. Since they cannot walk or talk (or if they can, they cannot do it well), they cannot communicate their needs to you. It can be quite tiring because they need a lot more care than older children. Most likely you will not be asked to babysit a child who is younger than three months old, so this article will encompass babies who are between three and twelve months of age. I will discuss their abilities and how you should take care of them.

Three Month old Babies

Three-month-old babies are able to smile and they enjoy doing it. Some of them are able to hold up their heads, but others cannot, so when you pick them up, be very careful. Since their hearing, language, and smell are developing, you should talk to the baby. They like the sound of the human voice. Do not feel silly because you think they do not understand you. I have found that babies are less likely to cry if you talk to them. Usually they must eat every 3-4 hours. The parents will let you know when the baby should be fed.

Four Month Old Babies

Babies who are 4 months old are not eating as often any more. Since they like to watch other people, if you are doing something with older children, put the baby in a location where it can see you. Although they can normally sit up by themselves for one or two seconds, stay right beside them. Do not walk away and leave them sitting up. They will fall and then, of course, they will cry. Most babies make many sounds at this stage, so you will have to learn to recognize happy sounds as well as those that indicate that the baby is unhappy.

Make Time To Love Your Partner After Baby Has Arrived

After the arrival of a new baby, it is all to easy to neglect your partner …

Life has changed Big Time – baby has arrived. You feel proud, full of happiness but tired out and find it very difficult to make time for quality time with your partner. This is the danger time when relationships can start to come apart. It is essential that you reaffirm your love for your partner as the new arrival can easily take up most of your time. You can generally make it so that you are both involved with the same task, for example, the bedtime story. That way, you spend time together as well as with your baby. Once baby is asleep, it can be difficult for you to make the effort to spend time with your partner – do it! Even if it is just for a few minutes.

In order to make more quality time for each other, at some point you will need to find a babysitter NZ so that you can go out – to the restaurant, cinema, theatre, or whatever. But the big problem then is to decide who to trust to do the job. You may be lucky enough to live near family, they are often more than willing to look after your baby, especially if they have had a family.

But if that is not the case you will have to find a professional babysitter. That can be very time consuming and they may not always be available. When choosing a babysitter, always check their credentials very carefully. Take up references and talk with people who use their services. Ask these people about punctuality, reliability, has their child ever seemed upset about the sitter and so on. Interview the potential sitter, find out about their training and double check with the trainers that they have really been and how they fared. Ask the sitter what they would do in cases of emergency to establish how they would react. If there is an agency in your region, most of that will have been done, but it is still worth interviewing the sitter before the first visit to find out their character for yourself.

A good alternative to this is to join or set up a babysitting circle in your neighbourhood. You will undoubtedly get to know many of the other families with babies and toddlers who live close to you. They will all be in the same situation and want free time themselves, sometimes at short notice – many of them will be willing to babysit for you in return for the same favor from yourself. But a circle like this needs committment – beware of the ones who come up with excuses or never seem to be available to take their turn. Usually though, the circle will work perfectly and not only will you have baby time, you have time to love your partner as well, keeping your relationship strong.

Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only, we can not accept any liability for any decision you make when organising care for your child.
If you wish to use this article on your own web site, please ensure the following credit appears, including the links …

Avoid the bedtime battles – Super Babysitting makes it quick and easy to get babysitting advice and tips. To get your babysitting DVD course visit the Super Babysitting web site right now!

Hey, I’m Lara. I live in Mt Albert,  Auckland New Zealand.

I’m an honest, bubbly and reliable person, currently freshly-graduated from secondary school and living at home with my parents/family. Looking for any type of babysitting jobs.

Being the 6th child of 9, I’m used to being surrounded with kids, as well as having to babysit them.

I currently have a part-time job coaching recreational gymnastics to 5-10 year old children, and love it! I’ve also volunteered as a leader at my church’s children programme – on Sundays as well as during their holiday programmes (40+kids).

I’m a very artsy fartsy person and in my spare time enjoy knitting, painting, sewing, photography and baking (not the best cook, but I try my best!)

My Usual Rate is: $13 per hour

As well as babysitting I’m also happy to discuss your need in the following areas.
Daytime Help
Elderly Care
House sitter
Home Help
Special Needs Care
Pet sitting

Babysitter Mt Albert, Auckland to view my profile and get my contact details

http://babysitme.co.nz/profile.php?ID=1172

Babysitme.co.nz offers a service for people looking for a babysitter or caregiver NZ where they pay $4.95 and have full access for 1 hour, they view as many profiles with contact details as they can in that time.

You receive a call from a new client, but she tells you she has twin boys. Oh wow, you are thinking. Two children of different ages would actually be more difficult to handle. You believe they will want to be playmates, enjoy the same activities, as well as have the same friends, so it will be easy to babysit them. Unfortunately, this probably won’t be the situation. Some twins are very compatible, playing together with toys without fighting and being little angels. But they probably won’t be any better that another set of children you are a babysitter for. Here are some issues that you may deal with, and advice for handling them.

Fussing about toys. In some homes, this might not be any trouble, if their parents just purchase double everything. But actually if they do, there is probably one out of the two that both children will prefer. The color is different, a broken wheel on one of them, etc. Handle this the same way you would deal with any other children arguing about a toy. Don’t treat one twin better than the other, as this will cause problems with the mistreated child. Give a time limit, or encourage the one who had it first to share. “Suzie gets a turn for 15 minutes when your 15 minutes are up.” Probably, after both children take their turn, they will have decided to play with another toy.

Sibling Rivalry. The rivalry between siblings is undeniable. I think sibling rivalry is usually worse between twins when compared to siblings who are not the same age. Twins usually are compared to each other, and occasionally parents, teachers, friends, or actually even strangers label them. Jane might be considered the sociable and intelligent one, but Mary might be considered the pretty one who excels in sports. This will be a problem for the twins, and cause fights at different times. The best thing to do about fights or a child that is upset because they are thought to be “not as good as another child” is to have children take a seat and say something good about each other. Both of the children will then listen to the nice things about themselves, and will probably feel better, and after everything, then the fight will be over.

Twins Babies. Watching twin babies or toddlers is harder than anything. Specifically if neither one is a walker. If you don’t think you can do this, don’t pick up both babies at the same time. It will not hurt a baby forever if they are crying in their crib for 2 minutes while you pick up the other one and take him to the living room. Just be certain that both babies are safe in their cribs, playpens, seats, or anywhere else before you let them stay by themselves.

While babysitting for twins, these are just some of the things you need to know. Don’t be afraid to call for help if you need it, and ask the parents lots of questions before they leave. As usual, judge each situation as best as you can.

Hi there my name is Rebekah,

I live in Franklin, in the Gisborne/Hawkes Bay Area.
I am a mature minded 17 year old and I have been around children my whole life. I have always been great with children.

I am advancing this quality to go to university next year to become qualified in early childhood and primary teaching. As I am still in high school (7th form),

I am doing a childcare PORSE programme which gets me started on becoming what I wanna do. I am very motivated towards this subject and take it very seriously.

I have a St Johns Basic First Aid Certificate, and I’m also available Live In as a Nanny/Au Pair and House sitting.

Rates: $12 per hour

Housesitting Babysitter Franklin Gisborne NZ to view my profile and get my contact details

http://babysitme.co.nz/profile.php?ID=1167

Babysitme.co.nz offers a service for people looking for a babysitter or caregiver where they pay $4.95 and have full access for 1 hour, they view as many profiles with contact details as they can in that time.

Hello, I’ve been babysitting for about four years on and off.

I have looked after a range of ages.

In 2009, I had the pleasure to work at a Private Summer Camp in Texas. I spent the summer teaching swimming and looking after girls aged 5 to 16. I have American Red Cross First Aid 2009 American Red Cross Swim Instructor 2009

I’m available to babysit Sunday to Thursday after 5.30pm and anytime on Friday and Saturday. References available upon request.

Rate: $15/Hr

Please contact me via email unless urgent.

Amanda

Babysitter & Day help + Ellerslie, Auckland to view my profile and get my contact details

http://babysitme.co.nz/profile.php?ID=1164

Babysitme.co.nz offers a service for people looking for a babysitter or caregiver where they pay $4.95 and have full access for 1 hour, they view as many profiles with contact details as they can in that time.

My name is Amber.

I’m 19 year old studying Education and Performing Arts. Recently I finished studying at Excel School of Performing Arts, during which I toured NZ performing and teaching in schools and churches nationwide.

I am a very trustworthy, reliable and energetic person who has vast experiences with children, both in teaching and childcare. After leading at Peter Snell Youth Village Holiday Camps for 4 years and working for Bluepoint After School Care for all of 2008

I have found working with children always rewarding, and let’s be honest, adults really have as much fun playing with kids toys as they do.

My work hours and pay are flexible depending on your families needs.
Babysitting
Daytime Help
Elderly Care
Housesitter
Home Help
Special Needs Care
First Aid Certificate

Babysitter Elderly Care Special Needs Care Hibiscus Coast, Auckland to view my profile and get my contact details

http://babysitme.co.nz/profile.php?ID=1135

Babysitme.co.nz offers a service for people looking for a babysitter or caregiver where they pay $4.95 and have full access for 1 hour, they view as many profiles with contact details as they can in that time.

I am a stay at home mum to 4 (2 at school) and am opening my home up to babies and pre schoolers whose mum/parent needs a break.

If you do not want your child in day care, then I could be a good option for you for 1-2 hours babysitting. Whether they want to attend the gym, go shopping, get a hair cut or a coffee, or just need a nap.

Times would need to be negotiated on a weekly basis to fit around my own children. Day times preferred. I have also worked in the past as a nanny in London and Germany.

My home is very child friendly with lots of toys and a large back yard. We do have 1 friendly dog and 2 cats. We are smoke free.

Babysitting
Daytime Help
Elderly Care
Pet Sitting
First Aid Certificate

Babysitter Mt Albert, Auckland to view my profile and get my contact details

http://babysitme.co.nz/profile.php?ID=1163

Babysitme.co.nz offers a service for people looking for a babysitter or caregiver where they pay $4.95 and have full access for 1 hour, they view as many profiles with contact details as they can in that time.

If you are a babysitme babysitter, you can register for free here and if you would like to write a blog post, and supply me with the url to your babysitter profile url at www.babysitme.co.nz your babysitter profile it will look something like

http://www.babysitme.co.nz/profile.php?ID=3010

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Hello! I’m a reliable, fun, child-loving study-abroad student (from the States) at the University of Auckland looking to babysit your child(ren)!

I have taught pre-school summer session at Montessori School, and I am an experienced babysitter (ages 1-13).

I also have limited experience working with autistic children and students with learning dis/abilities.

I’m also happy and able to help with cleaning, cooking, tutoring, petsitting, and really about anything you would need.

I truly love children and I hope you’ll give me the chance to meet yours.

If you have any more questions, I would be more than happy to provide more information about my qualifications, interests, availability, etc.
References also available.

HomeHelp, Babysitter, Special Needs, Parnell Auckland to view my profile and get my contact details

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Babysitme offers a service for people looking for a babysitter or Special Needs caregiver where they pay $4.95 and have full access for 1 hour, they view as many profiles with contact details as they can in that time.

I am 22 years old, have recently returned from the UK and hold a degree in English and Women’s Studies. I am starting teacher training next year.

I have been babysitting, on and off, since I was 15 but lost contact with most referees while in the UK.

I love kids and I’m both playful and responsible. I am able to cook for kids, anything from after-school snacks, lunch packing to healthy dinners (including vegetarian, vegan and allergies).

I have a basic first aid cert but need to do my renewal course. I am also available to do homework help and tutoring. I am experienced with dyslexic and autistic children.

Rates are negotiable for long term, overnight and repeat clients. I look forward to hearing from you soon.,

Babysitting
Daytime Help
Petsitter
Special Needs Care
First Aid Certificate

Babysitter & Special Needs Care + Ponsonby, Auckland to view my profile and get my contact details

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Babysitme.co.nz offers a service for people looking for a Special Needs Care,  home help, babysitters etc  in NZ where they pay $4.95 and have full access for 1 hour, they view as many profiles with contact details as they can in that time.

Granny Nanny at your service!

I am very experienced in all age groups, specialising in babies.

Originally a Karitane Nurse, for the last decade I have Nannied and Babysat in Palmerston North, Hawkes Bay and Tauranga.

Well qualified in ECE (3), I hold a current First Aid Certificate and attend ongoing professional courses as a PORSE Nanny Educator. I have a comprehensive CV and many references. I am also experienced in elderly care, having nursed my mother and elderly husband in earlier years. I am currently available weekdays and most weekday evenings as well as some weekends.

Baby to Eldery Care First Aid Certificated Tauranga NZ to view my profile and get my contact details

http://babysitme.co.nz/profile.php?ID=1137

Babysitme.co.nz offers a service for people looking for a babysitter or caregiver where they pay $4.95 and have full access for 1 hour, they view as many profiles with contact details as they can in that time.

Hello, my name is Stef,

I am available to do baby sitting, and house cleaning including bathrooms, vacuuming, etc and ironing.

I can also help with other domestic jobs such as errand running, cooking dinner, etc. I have two children of my own, and a lot of experience of looking after other children in the past 9 years.

I am a very friendly, helpful, honest, reliable person. I have a current First Aid Certificate and a full license.

Ref’s available. Thanks for taking the time to look at my profile.

Babysitter & Day help + Tauranga to view my profile and get my contact details

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Babysitme.co.nz offers a service for people looking for a babysitter or caregiver where they pay $4.95 and have full access for 1 hour, they view as many profiles with contact details as they can in that time.

When the phone rings, should I answer it?

Check with the parents. Since they may want to call you to make sure everything is alright, that is a good question to ask. Sometimes an answering machine is present and you can monitor the call. Normally I allow that to answer the calls, but I monitor the call to find out who is calling. Caller ID is another helpful feature. If you do not recognize the number of the incoming call, do not answer the phone.

Answering the phone, and not taking a message correctly could cause a problem, and it may not be appropriate to let someone know that parents aren’t home.

Answering the phone can cause a host of problems, so better not to do it.

Hi I’m Veronique

I have been Director of  Holiday camps and have done many baby sitting for all ages. I can help with school work as well as french lessons.

I am french but I am fluent in English. I have been in New Zealand for 4 years and lived 7 years in the UK before arriving here.

I am responsible and reliable. I have done a course in France which entitles me to look after kids all ages.

I am free most night, please give me a call. Rate is $15 per hour for one kid, $20 for 2 kids.

I have a St Johns Basic First Aid Certificate.

Looking forward to hear from you!

Homework French Lessons Childcare, Babysitter Ellerslie Auckland to view my profile and get my contact details

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Hi my name is SJ

I have almost 10 years experience in babysitting and i have also worked in a boarding school.

I charge $15 an hour for up to 3 children (depending on ages though) and after that the price is negotiable.

I have a full drivers license and my own 5 seater car. I have experience with new borns as well as older kids.

I am outgoing and i love kids. i am happy to stay over night or if you live locally and come home at 2am i don’t mind driving home. I can take the kids during the day or at night.

I have done various first aid courses but all of my certificates have now lapsed. If you have any questions give me a call or text or email and i will respond!

Babysitter Eden Tce, Auckland to view my profile and get my contact details

http://babysitme.co.nz/profile.php?ID=1117

Babysitme.co.nz  offers a service for people looking for a babysitter or caregiver where they pay $4.95 and have full access for 1 hour, they view as many profiles with contact details as they can in that time.

I am a mother of 5, and now a Nana of 4.

I have trained as a nurse, and in 2002 I got my degree in teaching.

An accident last March left me with a slight disability in my ankle and I cannot teach any more. I would be happy to work in West Auckland in almost any district from Avondale to Helensville.

I can also handle a child with Special needs and have Certificates for this.

I get on well with the elderly and would be happy to help with shopping, outings, library visits etc.

I am NOT interested in doing anyone’s housework.

I am available Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm for caring for the elderly, but obviously for babysitting this would include evening hours when required.

Babysitting
Daytime Help
Elderly Care
Special Needs Care
First Aid Certificate

Babysitter Day help elderly care Massey West Auckland to view my profile and get my contact details

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What should I do if the parents are drunk when they get home and they are supposed to drive me home?

Do not get into a vehicle with them. Speak with your parents in advance so that if that situation arises, you can call them. You can tell the parents that one of your patents called while they were out and said that they would come and get you. If they ask the reason for that, you can always say that you and your family are going somewhere afterward, such as out to eat or to visit a relative. Advise them that you will phone your parent when you are ready to be picked up. If for any reason your parents will not be available that night, check with a family friend or neighbor to see if you can call them in that situation.

I’m Sam.

Qualified Nanny with the Wellington Nannies Collage.

I’ve, Cert 3 in Early Childhood Studies.

Now Working for PORSE, as an In-Home Educator, work within my own home. I’ve a First Aid Cert and Swim Safe Cert.

I enjoy taking children on outings,such as the pool, park and doing craft at home for the wet days.

I currently look after three children in my home (Boy 3yrs, Girl 19mths,Girl 9mths) and have one space free for a child over the age of 2years,

$7 per hour for In-Home… and $10 a day for house/pet sitting.

Thank you.

Babysitter House sitting Nanny/Au Pair Newlands, Wellington to view my profile and get my contact details

http://babysitme.co.nz/profile.php?ID=367

Babysitme.co.nz offers a service for people looking for a babysitter Nanny/Au Pair caregiver where they pay $4.95 and have full access for 1 hour, they view as many profiles with contact details as they can in that time.

How do I know how much to charge to babysit?

Several factors affect the answer to that question. The area in which you reside is a major factor. Pay could be from $15 to $19 per hour if you live in a ritzy area. For those who reside in a middle class neighborhood, $10 to $15 dollars an hour should cover it.

How many children you are babysitting should be considered.

Babysitting on nights like New Years Eve can be most lucrative. Years ago for the year 2000 New Years Eve, I babysat 5 children from 5 families, and was paid and was paid $150 per family.

Are you babysitting for 2 or more families?

Are you babysitting at your home or theirs?

Whose paying to get you home, or does the job involve you staying over and feeding children the next morning?

Your age is also something that has a bearing on how much you charge. Now that I am 18, I get paid more than I did when I was 13.

My best advice is check with your friends to find out what they charge per hour. This will give you a better feel for how much to charge.

Especially if the children were less than perfect, it can be a tricky question to be asked “How were the kids?” Do you let the children get away with whatever they did, or do you tell the parents that their children were brats? Or should every little detail be told so the children get upset, the parents get upset and you look like a tattle tale? It isn’t easy telling the parents their children were acting up, especially when the parents believe their children can do no wrong. The children’s behavior should come up in certain situations and here’s an explanation of when.

If household items are broken. The parents need to be told if the children broke anything other than a pencil or something insignificant. If the blame isn’t placed where it belongs, the wrong child might be blamed. Since the parents don’t know, they might all be punished for it. If the details aren’t explained, they may decide you are the irresponsible one.

Injuring a sibling. If a sibling is hurt while you’re watching the children, you might be blamed. You should report several types of situations to the family, especially when a child hurts another child and it leaves a mark of any kind. If one child is hurt, leaving a mark on the body, the situation needs to be explained to the parents and blame placed on the child that did it, and there are several reasons for this. This should be stopped right away.

That is probably against all rules in their house and the child should be stopped from doing it. The child should not be doing that, and the parents to be aware if their actions show different. The mark could be blamed on you if you don’t tell on the child. All sorts of hassles could result because of this. If you haven’t explained to the parents what happened and who did it, they might blame you because child abuse is illegal. Remember that even if you don’t blame the children, they might blame you the next day. They might not be surprised their child did that, and most parents will be understanding. Most often the child is the one blamed for doing it.

That risk is a high one to take, so don’t go that approach. The parent should be told about it, so talk over what happened. What you were doing when that happened is something they will most likely ask. Explain it to them and ask how you should handle it if it happens again. You are likely to get called back if you show you are trying to help solve the problem.

Doing Dangerous Things. If anything dangerous is done by the child, the parents definitely needs to know. The parents should be aware of it, and you need to tell them if the child was playing with matches (especially older ones that should know better) or was doing anything that they might do again. The best way to handle it is to explain that the behavior worries you, that the child may be hurt, and ask that the rules be explained to you.

Tell the parents if you already knew the rule and the child deliberately disobeyed it more than once or twice. Rather than have the child get hurt seriously while you are in charge, it’s better to have the parents or the children a little irritated.

It generally isn’t your fault when the child misbehaves if you were doing everything you were supposed to, so remember this when things go bad. At times you might feel like it was your fault because of how the parents react. Telling parents is something they might appreciate right away. But some parents won’t mind at all. Don’t take things too personally regardless of how they turn out. Rather than having anything seriously go wrong the next time you sit for a family, it is better to have told them right away.

Childminding Caring for Older Children 1

We’ve already looked at what not to do when caring for an older child, so now we’ll look at …
What you need to do:

Open your ears. Let the child talk about their day if they want to. Do not look bored, and never interrupt the child when they tell you a story. If it is asked for, offer advice, and also ask a question or two. Begging or venting might be just what she needs to do. This will assist with relationship building for the child, the main thing to being a friend as well as a babysitter.

The child will notice if you take an interest in them. He or she should know that you really like spending time with them. Have some fun by playing games. Don’t be afraid to laugh and get into what you are doing, play what she wants to play, and just have fun. If you are enjoying yourself and giggling, then most likely the child will be joyful too. You are not boss just because you are having fun together. They will understand that you will play and do fun things if they listen to you, if you get your point across in the appropriate way.

The best you can do for the child is to talk with them. Whatever their interests are, build on them by talking about sports, movies, school, animals, etc. Think of some funny stories you have and then share them with the child. Let the child get to know you, and also really get to know the child. If it comes up, compare the length of socks you like to wear, your favorite colors, hairstyles and foods. (When speaking with children, you don’t know what the subject will end up being.)  You will be a better babysitter if you get to know them better. And if they know you better, they will feel comfortable in your presence. When talking to the children, just use your judgment. Complete details about the previous night’s love session with your boyfriend is inappropriate.

The children you babysit should be your friends; you shouldn’t be afraid of this. For the long haul, this friendship will cause your job to be more easy. When you are friends, they become less likely to argue with you over bedtimes and such. You are not a peer, and make sure the child never thinks that you are. This is not the same, and there must be separation between the two. You will have a happy client if you are able to do this.

Many people never figure out how to walk the fine line of being in charge and also being a friend. However if you babysit older children, this is necessary to do.

Your may spend a lot of time with the child, especially if you nanny for an older child. Without the child forgetting that you are in charge, find a way to make the child like you and feel comfortable around you. You are not the same as them. They are likely to no longer take orders from you, and respect your authority once you overstep that boundary into friendship because you become their peer. To keep on top of the line, here are some things to do and not to do.

What not to do:

Gossiping is something to stay away from at all times. Avoid any bad gossip. Siblings and family members should never be “bashed”, along with anyone else. Gossip is surely something a babysitter shouldn’t do, however don’t get this confused with friendly conversation. Talk about the children next door who got a dog, or about how cute their aunt’s baby is. However don’t say something negative about anybody. If children start to do this, you can just carefully tell them that they shouldn’t say these things about people, or disregard it. Choose the one you think is best, and go with it. But don’t be a part of it. This drags you downward to peer level.

Teasing is also something that results with you being at this level. Even if is friendly teasing, doing so is never a good idea. In a child’s eye, teasing is something a peer does to fit it, so you never know when it might hurt a child. Don’t appear like someone who wants to “fit in”; never be mistaken for a person like this. Safe and happy is how you want to keep the child while they are in your care.

If the children become more responsible than you, there might be a serious problem. If you give an idea for something to do, but the child says this is against the rules, for any reason, don’t force the issue. There should be plenty of alternatives for what you could do instead. Don’t tell them that it’s alright, you will keep a secret from their parents. Stepping into the peer side once again, you really need to be careful here.

Be serious. If you must tell the children to do a task (or don’t do it), say it seriously. Do not beg by saying “You Need to do this,” instead of “Why don’t you do this,” or “Come on, do this”, as all of these phrases seem like you are begging. It is important to remember that begging is not acceptable. If it is important, be firm, but for little things, these forms are okay. Follow up and use a firm voice. Tell them, again and again, if they don’t do it. There will be consequences if they don’t do what you say – they need to realize this. You are the boss, and this action will let them know that. Being pushed around is something that you should never experience in this situation.

Babysitting a Child with Special Needs 2 What to do when minding an older child.

If you must do something special for the child, let the parents show you how. You should request that they jot it down or give you information to read about it. Skills you might need to know consist of dealing with seizures, sign language, attaching a leg brace or checking to see a hearing aid is functioning. Keep practicing until you are certain you can do it the right way.

As you play with the child at that time, try not to consider him a handicap child. Children with disabilities are still children. They have normal feelings and normal needs. They desire to be liked by you, want you to believe they are special, have talent, and want you to treat them the same as normal people. Their disability doesn’t mean as much as being a person. Don’t mention their disabilities continuously. You don’t have to make an effort not to bring it up, however, you should have a normal conversation most of the time.

Don’t do tasks for the child that he should be doing on his own. Don’t let him be spoiled because you have sympathy for him. As a matter of fact, don’t feel sympathy for him. It’s best for him to do things on his own and to have confidence in himself. The more tasks he can do on his own, the more he will be able to be independent when he is grown.

Look at him as he is playing to notice what he is able to do and the type of personality he has. This will help you think of ways to have fun as you are babysitting. When making your plans, consider what he is able to do and can’t do, as well as what he enjoys doing.

Do some reading about the disability, as well, so you will learn as much as you can. If you know how to babysit children with special needs, there will be many opportunities to work as a babysitter.

Parents who have children with disabilities usually have a difficult time locating babysitters to watch their children. Babysitters fear looking after these children and some teenager’s parents don’t want their children to take on this type of challenge. This is the beginning part in an article series about caring for children who have special needs.

You must learn something about the child and the disability he has, first.

Request a visit with the parents before you are first employed as a babysitter. Take some time educating yourself about the child’s disability, and some time playing with the child or establishing the necessary skills.

You have to find out how the parent defines the disability. Typically they don’t use the term handicap anymore, since many people consider this term to mean helpless. The terms used by some people are disabled, challenged, or special needs. Say whichever one the parent prefers. Also learn what term is used to define the child’s actual disability. For example, some parents use the term deaf, some use the term hearing impaired, but some use the term hearing challenged. I actually heard someone say “sound challenged” at one time! Say this word over and over so you will remember this.

When you become acquainted with the parent, ask them what the child is able to do and what kind of help is needed. Is there something you should be instructing him to do ? If a child is beginning to learn how to lace up his shoes, he might need assistance, however you should allow him to try as much as possible. What does this disability consist of, anyhow? What kind of warning signs should you look for?