Dude

Dude, talk about awesome! Christopher Aslan's newest book, Dude, illustrated by Emily Mullock is another home-run hit. Dude is a pretty simple book with an even simpler concept, but the way it is carried out really makes Dude a book parents and kids are going to enjoy.

On each page, the Dude character is illustrated in a different situation, using the word "dude" to express his different feelings. We see everything from exhaustion and surprise, to awe and amazement. There are more than 25 different scenarios for Dude, and even more opportunities for you and your child to have fun saying "dude" in a rainbow of different ways.

My six year old son loves putting himself into the book, pretending to be Dude and then trying all the different voices Dude would use in each situation. My husband stands firm in his jealously in not having thought of this concept himself. Then, when I told my best friend about the book, she laughed and was amused and entertained by the idea. Simply put, this simple book brings so much to everyone!

This is the third book I've seen by Christopher Aslan and I already can't wait to see what he comes up with next. I think we are looking at another legendary children's author, to sit high with the likes of Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle and Sandra Boynton (just to name a few of our household favorites).

If you are interested in purchasing Dude by Christopher Aslan, visit Dude on Amazon.com to purchase your copy today!

Baby Signing 1-2-3

When my son was born, I knew nothing about baby signing. The older he got, the more I started seeing topics on the internet about the benefits of baby signing. As mothers, we want our children to be the smartest, most intelligent child on the block. However, I thought I had cheated him out of this language skill because I didn't start him as soon as I could have. Then I was introduced to Baby Signing 1-2-3 by Nancy Cadjan, and to my surprise, it really doesn't matter when you begin baby signing because children of all ages will benefit from the use of ASL (American Sign Language).

Baby Signing 1-2-3 is arranged in a very comprehensive way. The first part of the book addresses your child's developmental stages and the appropriate signing that can be used during that time. For those with children who develop at a slower pace either mentally or physically, an entire chapter is designed on how to modify the signing used during that child's individual development. The actual signs used during the developmental stages are contained in the second half of the book, and those same words are bolded in the text in the chapters from the first half of the book. This design makes it incredibly easy to reference the stage you are in with your child.

Since my son is four now, the stages of development aren't the most important parts of the book for our situation, but he can still learn signs in the order in which he would have if I had introduced ASL to him as an infant. Much like our children's own speech development and their capacity to understand, learning the signs he would have learned from stage one still applies. Words like mommy, daddy, milk and more are great starters even for the older child. The best thing is we can learn more signs at a quicker pace now that he is older.

Baby Signing 1-2-3 has been a great tool for my both my son and myself, and we've both enjoyed sitting down and learning signs together. He actually picks up the book and asks for me to help him learn. The added benefit is that once our next child is born, both my older son and I will be able to help baby learn ASL at a much younger age with the great help of Baby Signing 1-2-3. I highly recommend Baby Signing 1-2-3 for any individuals who are new to ASL and want to teach themselves and their children this life long, beneficial communication tool.

Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Toddlers and Preschoolers: 8-minute Routines to Help Your Child Grow Smarter, Be Happier, and Behave Better

If you've been looking for a fun and loving way to help your children learn and improve their development, look no further than Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Toddlers and Preschoolers. New studies show that young kids learn best through play and need at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity each day. There's no better way to engage your child than through the simple practice of yoga.

Excerpt from Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Toddlers and Preschoolers
by Helen Garabedian
Reprinted with permission

Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Toddlers and Preschoolers: 8-minute Routines to Help Your Child Grow Smarter, Be Happier, and Behave Better

Crane Pose

Building Balance Yoga

If you stopped to think about all the times you need me to balance throughout the day you'd be really surprised! Crane pose helps me improve my balance. It can make daily activities, like getting dressed, easier and fun.

Watch Me

• Invite your toddler to stand with her feet a fist distance apart .
• Stand next to your toddler and space your feet hip distance apart.
• Lift one knee up to hip height. Hold the hands of a younger toddler if needed.

Say n' ... Play

Ready… Stand tall with feet apart and pull your tummy in.

Crane Pose ... Inhale as you lift one knee up to hip height.

Crane Pose ... Hold Crane pose. Allow hands come onto hips, or hold a younger toddler's hand.

That's it, Crane Pose! ... Invite your toddler to gaze at a non-moving object to help her hold Crane Pose.

Flap your wings. ... If your toddler is still in Crane pose, begin to flap your arms like they are wings. Invite your toddler to mimic you!

Good! ... Foot lowers. Let both feet rest on the floor for a moment.

Repeat once before switching to the other leg.

On the Go with Helen

When helping your child get dressed, use Crane pose to encourage him to lift a foot while putting on his pants, socks or sneakers. Say 'Crane pose' and your toddler will know it time to lift a leg for dressing. Crane pose makes getting dressed fun!

Yogi Wogi Says

Yogi Wogi says, let's count in Spanish while we do Crane pose! While holding one knee up in Crane pose count aloud in Spanish (or substitute another language) with your preschooler.

1. Uno Crane (oo-no)
2. Dos Crane (dose)
3. Tres Crane (trace)
4. Cuatro Crane (kwat-ro)
5. Cinco Crane (sink-o)
6. Seis Crane (saze)
7. Siete Crane (see-yet-eh)
8. Ocho Crane (och-o)
9. Nueve Crane (new-eh-veh)
10. Diez Crane (dee-ace)

Whenever you (or your child) drop the lifted knee and foot, it's time to either begin again or move onto the next pose. Counting Spanish Crane introduces your child to Spanish (or another secondary language in your home.)

Sunshine

Building Balance Yoga

Sunshine is similar to yoga's Warrior One pose. In Sunshine I develop strength, stability and physical confidence.

Watch Me

After teaching this pose to hundreds of toddlers, I discovered it is easiest to break Sunshine up into several mini-steps.

• Stand across from or next to your toddler.
• As you inhale, lift one knee up to hip-height as in Crane pose.
• As you exhale, drop the lifted foot in front of you and make a big 'BOOM' sound!
• As you inhale, notice the distance between the front and back heel. Your feet should be spaced close to a leg's length apart.
• As you exhale bend the front knee until it forms a right angle. Look to see that the ankle is positioned below the knee.
• Turn your shoulders forward to help square your hips.
• When and if your toddler appears ready, you can show him how to inhale as his arms raise overhead. To ensure good alignment hands are a smidge more than shoulder-distance apart.

Say n' ... Play

Ready for Sunshine! ... Stand diagonally from your toddler.

Lift one knee up ... Lift one knee up to hip height (as in Crane pose.)

BOOM! ... Drop the lifted foot one leg's length forward and onto the floor! For toddlers, leg-length apart is only 15-30 inches.

Good Job! ... Make eye contact with your toddler and check foot/knee alignment. Give assistance as needed.

Arms up! ... Hands float overhead and are spaced a smidge more than shoulder- distance apart.

Sunshine, sunshine… ... Enjoy the pose for several breaths.

Let your toddler come out of the pose in any way they wish.

Repeat allowing the other foot to drop forward into Sunshine.

On the Go with Helen

My son now loves to do Sunshine pose with me. But when he first started, I noticed his back heel didn't always touch the floor. Then I figured out a little trick that would help him drop the heel of the back foot. I'd invite Andrew to look back over his shoulder on the same side as the lifted back heel. The twisting motion of the uppermost torso has helped drop the back heel of not only my son, but lots of other toddlers too!

Yogi Wogi Says

Yogi Wogi says, float your lifted knee and foot backwards instead of forward. Before you to make sure the area behind you is open. This is a super-duper way to challenge and improve your older toddler's core strength and balance.

Yogi Yogi Feet

Building Balance Yoga

Yogi Yogi Feet is a fun standing pose that improves my ability to balance. Older toddlers and preschoolers can begin to learn their right from left with your guidance during this fun Itsy Bitsy Yoga activity.

Watch Me

• Yogi Yogi Feet is Itsy Bitsy Yoga's version of the "Hokey Pokey."
• Stand next to or 18-24 inches in front of your toddler.
• Younger toddlers may want to hold your hand as they explore balance during Yogi Yogi
  Feet.
• Begin the Say n' Play and encourage your toddler to join you!

Say n' ... Play

You put your left foot in. ... Swing left foot forward.

Lift one knee up ... You put your left foot out. Left feet swing backs (or to the start position.)

You put your left foot in. ... Swing left foot forward.

And circle it about. ... Circle the left foot in the air once before placing in on the floor.

You do the Yogi Yogi ... Hands dance up and down as in the Hokey Pokey.

Sunshine, sunshine… ... Enjoy the pose for several breaths.

and you turn yourself around. ... Twist to each side (or turn around once.)

That's what it's all about! ... Clap hands together three times.

Practice Yogi Yogi Feet twice with each foot.

On the Go with Helen

I like to sing Yogi Yogi Feet to my toddler when we are stuck in traffic. It's a fun way to keep him from being completely sedentary while cooped up during a car ride that's taking longer than expected.

Yogi Wogi Says

Yogi Wogi says, let's see how far can your foot go forwards and backwards in Yogi Yogi Feet. This will challenge and further develops your toddler's sense of balance.