• What to Expect
• Child Care
• Domestic Abuse
• Paying the Bills

By the time a child is 5, his or her brain has grown to be about 90% of the weight of an adult brain. This growing brain watches and learns quickly and permanently.

A child between the ages or 2-8 will be GREATLY impacted by everything he sees or experiences.

Feelings are shown in a family by hugging, playing with and reading to the child. Families that show affection to each other show the child how to be care about others.

The child aged 2-4 will normally throw tantrums. Children aged 5-8 will state why they want something or why they believe something. Parents need to listen to the reasons even if they do not agree (and smile through the tantrums!)

Children can accept consistent limits that are set by an affectionate family.

The family must discuss reasonable limits of behavior. Regardless of the tantrums of the young child or the reasoning of the older child, the family and other caregivers must help the child understand what is allowed and what is not allowed.

Reading and learning words is THE MAJOR BRAIN ACTIVITY of the child. A child who learns how to use words at an early age will do well in life. Make sure that the child has many opportunities to learn words. Television is not a tool for teaching the brain how to learn words, speak and think. Television is entertainment. Read to your child or have them read to you. Reading boosts their brain activity and helps families bond.

Conflicts between brothers and sisters and other playmates are normal. When parents can avoid taking sides, the conflicts often take care of themselves. As the child grows, he or she must learn how to handle upset feeling in safe ways. (see Social Skills, Behavior and School).

For many families, child care is a necessity. When looking for child care the parents should ask for:

• a written copy of policies and procedures;
• a written list of the names of other persons who have used or are using the child care services;
• emergency plans if something goes wrong; and
• a license or accreditation.

Once you have selected a child care provider, talk to the caregiver briefly every day about your child and ask your child about the child care.

See www.childcareaware.org for more information.

Children living in an abusive and violent family situation are often isolated. No one talks to them and they don't talk to anyone about abuse and violence. Just observing violence creates a serious health problem for the observers who watch their mothers being beaten or their brothers and sisters physically hurt by someone. If your child experiences this, he/she will accept violence and abuse as the way to solve problems. He or she will be quicker to attack someone. Violence causes violence; abuse leads to more abuse.

Being a victim of violence or being abused by a family member directly affects the way we feel and the way we look at the world.

A child who sees a serious episode of violence often experiences nightmares or anxiety attacks. They may also withdraw into themselves.

Finding the money to raise children is a major struggle for many families.

One useful way to deal with financial problems is to minimize predictable child-related expenses. For example, children quickly grow out of car seats and clothes, but the 2 to 8 year old will gain very little from new toys because they have such a short attention span.

Unfortunately, this kind of reduction in expenses is not enough for many families. Bring the financial issues to the attention of your doctor or nurse so that they can help you find the help you need.

We have tried to make the How's Your Health error-free. However, those involved in its preparation can not warrant that all of the information is accurate and complete. When you use How's Your Health as a guide for your health and medical care, be sure to discuss any questions about it with your doctor, nurse, or other health care worker.