NUACHTÁN KINDER | June 2022
BEING A FATHER
By Students’ Activities Coordination
«Being a dad is the best job in the world, but also the hardest» is UNICEF’s slogan to talk about the importance of fathers in raising children.
Studies indicate that active fatherhood provides multiple benefits for children as they develop healthier and better. A committed and affectionate father provides better self-esteem, more social skills, supports better school performance and provides psychological well-being for his children.
Some recommendations to develop an active fatherhood:
- To participate in the daily care, upbringing and stimulation of the children.
- To be co-responsible for the upbringing, sharing with the mother the domestic tasks and care, such as: feeding, dressing, walking, putting to sleep, playing, bathing and teaching.
- Stimulate their development at every stage of their lives.
- To have an affectionate and unconditional relationship.
- Raise in a respectful way, setting limits with good treatment.
- Support the educational process, mainly in those aspects that are more difficult for them.
- Establish a relationship based on trust, so that they can turn to you whenever they need it.
- Share instances and activities that are important to your son or daughter.
- Set an example with positive practices and actions for their well-being and development.
SPHINCTER CONTROL
By Dept. of Psychopedagogy
Sphincter control or «potty training» is the process by which children are taught to control their bladder and bowels.
While most children reach this milestone between the ages of 2 and 4, each child develops at his or her own pace. Some children face additional physical, developmental, or behavioral challenges. This may cause them to take longer to learn. Even children who have learned to use the toilet often have an occasional «accident».
Toilet training takes time
It often takes a few months for children to learn to control their bowels and bladder during the day. Exactly how long it will take depends on the child.
Nighttime control takes much longer. Sometimes it can take months or even years.
Signs that your child is ready to start toilet training
Your child may be ready to begin toilet training when:
- can remain dry for several hours
- follows one- or two-step instructions
- knows that he/she needs to go to the bathroom
- uses words or gestures to tell or show you that he/she needs to use the potty
- walks to the potty and sits on it
- can pull his or her pants up and down
- wants to use the toilet or potty and wear underwear.
Techniques for sphincter control
Be prepared
Make sure you have time to devote to your child’s potty training. Choose a time when there are no major changes, such as moving to a new house or the birth of a new sibling. It may be easier during warmer months since your child will be wearing fewer clothes.
Prepare your child
Encourage your child to tell you if he or she needs to go to the bathroom. Teach him the proper words to use. Dress your child in clothes that are easy to remove, e.g., clothes with elastic or Velcro instead of pants with buttons and zippers.
Installing the potty
Make sure the potty is in a position where it is easy for your child to get on it. Make sure your child has good foot support.
Starting the new routine step-by-step
Show your child the potty. Explain the new toilet routine in simple steps.
- First, have your child sit on the potty fully clothed.
- One or two days later, take your child to the potty several times a day.
- Finally, begin the new routine with your child by setting specific times each day to go to the potty. These times could be after your child gets up, after eating, and before napping or going to bed.
Praise improvements
Encourage your child to let you know when he needs to go to the bathroom. Praise him for letting you know, even if there is an accident on the way to the potty. Don’t punish or threaten with punishment. Encouragement and support will motivate your child to keep trying and take the next step. Celebrate your child’s progress, for example, going from diapers to training underpants.
HOT SEASON: DIARRHEA AND DEHYDRATION
By Medical Service, Dr. Jorge Luis Rangel
Diarrhea is one of the most common causes of illness, especially in children under 5 years of age.
But when is it considered diarrhea? Diarrhea is considered to be the evacuation of loose stools or stool with liquids that occur 3 or more times a day.
Diarrhea is a symptom, not a disease per se, and can have many causes, from viruses and bacteria to parasites and toxins. Its main complication is dehydration, which in extreme cases can be life-threatening.
The main symptoms of dehydration are:
● Thirst
● Urinating less frequently than usual
● Dark colored urine
● Easily marked skin
● Dry mouth
● Dizziness and nausea
● Crying without tears
● Sinking eyes or cheeks
When to see a doctor?
Most diarrhea goes away on its own and it is not necessary to identify the cause.
But in some cases it is important not to delay early attention so as not to affect the quality of life of the little ones.
It is important to go to the doctor in case of presenting the following alarm signs: Fever above 38°C. Frequent vomiting (more than 3 times in one hour). More than 6 bowel movements in 24 hours. Intense abdominal pain, presence of blood. Black coloration with very bad odor. Intolerance to the oral route (vomiting everything he/she takes).
Other situations in which it is necessary to come is when the diarrhea, in spite of not having alarm data, has lasted two days or more.
What can we do to prevent dehydration?
The main thing is to replace the lost liquid. The general recommendation is one dose of «Vida Suero Oral» for each bowel movement or vomiting. The amount of such intake will depend on the age and weight, but at home we can give the amount usually taken during the day.
What should we do to prevent infectious diarrhea?
The main measure is to wash hands before eating and after going to the bathroom. Disinfecting food, avoiding putting things in the mouth and sending food that is not perishable or the most recently made food; these are the main measures we can take to take care of our health, not only of our children, but of the whole family.
