To shape children's behaviour, it is essential to implement a consistent routine for them, incorporating everything from play, reading, meals to cleaning. It is important for children to know what to expect for the day. If they are required to do things outside of their expectations, they can become confused and frustrated. They tend to throw tandrums to express themselves. Research has proven that children's brains are chemically altered when they experience change in their routine. The less predictable their life is, the less they are at ease and the less they are adaptable to changes as they grow older. A professional nanny or childcarer can help you design and maintain a constructive and healthy schedule for your children.

One of our placement consultants, Jackie Tong, is leaving the company after one year to pursue further studies in the UK. We would like to take this opportunity to wish her all the best in the coming years. Joanne Wong has taken over her position. Joanne is a Chinese Canadian who lived in Canada for 11 years and who speaks fluent Cantonese, Mandarin and English. She is qualified as a teacher and has taught Mandarin and English to students ranging from toddlers to adults. Joanne loves working with children and, as well as placing childminders with our clients, will be available to babysit from time to time.

Enjoy!

By the end of the children's second year, they will have already received 14 different vaccinations. Research shows that severe side affects were inflicted on a majority of infants who completed the course. These reactions included febrile convulsion, hyperesponsive episodes where the child loses consciousness and high-pitched and inconsolable crying, which can indicate encephalitis. These children had breathing difficulties, hives, brain swelling, hypotension, or low blood pressure, and anaphylaxis.

For special reports concerning this issue, visit the website, www.wddty.co.uk. You can also subscribe to their biweekly e-newsletters for updated and useful information concerning health and medical issues.

Drowning is one of the major causes of accidents resulting in serious injury and death in children. Parents should not be fooled into thinking that their child is safe just because he/she knows how to swim. In a lot of these cases accidents happened even though the child knew how to swim. Accidents in the swimming pool can happen very suddenly without warning.

It is important to make sure that your child is following a good balanced diet at least 80% of the time, don't worry too much about the other 20%, as you can't be in control of what they eat all of the time. Your priority should be to deliver balanced healthy fresh food at home, what they actually eat at school and parties is a gamble for all parents. Some child psychologists believe that if you are too strict about food at home, then your children are more likely to stray into binging unhealthy foods when they are away from home.

Establishing a healthy and relaxed relationship with food is very important. Try not to call any foods ad?or attening?as this can lead to obsessive dieting during teenage years when image can suddenly become their main focus. Some therapists believe that it's good to have a few chocolates and sweets around the house from time to time for your children to dip into if they wish. This ake it or leave it?attitude is thought to dissipate any tendency to binge on these foods when away from home.

It is important to avoid using sweet foods as treats or rewards for good behaviour or as a bribe to motivate the completion of a task or project. This is a sure way to set up a pattern of comfort eating later on in life. There are many other non-food based treats and rewards that can be used instead.

Aside from all the emotional and psychological links with foods there are a few key areas of child development that benefit from good nutrition. During childhood we have the capacity to shape and influence bones, IQ and immunity in ways that will set the scene for the rest of their life. For a more in-depth insight into the way in which food can influence child health and development turn to our book, The Food Doctor for Babies and Children.

'The Food Doctor For Babies and Children' gives invaluable information about the foods and nutrients children require for optimum health, maximum energy, immunity, brain growth and healthy bones. Including carefully researched meal planners and delicious recipes that will give your child the best start in life.

A FOOD DOCTOR RECIPE

Polenta pizzas

Method
Preheat oven to 200C/400F/Gas Mark 6. Bring the water to a simmer in a heavy based pan with the oil and salt, then pour in the polenta in a steady stream, stirring continuously until it has thickened (the mix should have the consistency of thick porridge, with no lumps!). Turn the mixture out onto a flat baking tray and place in the oven for 10 minutes until the top has crusted without browning. Spread with a thin layer of tomato puree and cut into squares or mini-rectangles. Sprinkle over the toppings and place under the grill for 5 minutes or until the top is gently bubbling.

?Copyright 2006 Ian Marber The Food Doctor. All Rights Reserved

Reproduced with kind permission of Ian Marber, MBANT Dip ION (Nutrition Consultant, author, broadcaster and health journalist.). http://www.thefooddoctor.com

Ian Marber co-founded 'The Food Doctor Nutrition clinic' in 1999. Ian is one of the UK's leading nutritionists and acknowledged expert in his field.

GENERAL HEALTH WARNING: The information and advice provided by The Food Doctor?is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Any person suffering from conditions requiring medical attention, or who have symptoms that concern them, should consult a qualified medical practitioner.

ach hour of TV viewing in children has an increase in an additional 167 calories consumption per day?

xposure to 2 or more hours of television per day increases the risk of overweight children ?

TV viewing and your child
The long long summer vacation is here! How are your kids going to spend the time? How many hours will he or she spend in front of the TV or computer?

Parents are seldom aware of the negative health effect of TV viewing on their kids. Time spent in front of the TV or computer not only displaces physical activity, but other healthy habits as well, including reading and hobbies such as playing the piano or painting.

In addition, TV watching significantly influences children's food choices and consumption. Research shows that children from families with high television viewing consumed more calories, ate fewer fruits and vegetables and more pizzas, snack foods and soft drinks. Even an exposure to a 30-second TV food ad significantly increased preschool children's preference of that particular food . Studies also reveal a positive association between increased TV viewing and increased BMI and body fatness in children and a higher adult BMI.

How TV advertisement influences children's food preference
How are kids being attracted to advertised TV food? Food ads target children of a younger and younger age. The food ads frequently use animation, stories, humour, and children's favorite cartoon characters to portray positive feelings, such as fun, happiness, attractiveness, or popularity and make it hard to resist for kids. Remember the chocolate ad which tells kids mart kids eat Smarties?

What can parents do?

1. Be firm to limit television and video time to no more than 2 hours per day.
2. Turn the TV off during dinner. Studies show that children who watch television while eating tend to overeat because their sense of hunger and satiety is diminished when they are concentrating on TV watching. Besides, it is recommended that parents take the opportunity to talk to and engage their kids during mealtimes. Experts suggest that positive mealtime communication promotes children's self esteem and enhances family relationships.
3. Educate the child to select healthy low calorie and low fat snacks (rather than high calorie and high fat ones).
4. For older children, help them choose TV programmes in advance. Keep records of viewing schedules as reminders.
5. Be a role model in TV viewing for your children. Your child watches and imitates what you do. Engage them in fun activities such as going on weekend biking trips, taking a walk after dinner, etc?rather than watching TV.
6. Seek help from a health professional if your child has snacking/eating problems.

For any further enquiries about children's eating problems, contact Tetra at 2264 8633 or visit their website: www.tetrahk.com.

List price: HK$99

List price: HK$59