Is TV Harmful for Baby's Language Skills?

"Mother is a verb. It's something you do. Not just who you are."

- Cheryl Lacey Donovan

Morning, Mommy! Survived the weekend? Great, because I’ve got some real head-scratchers and fun projects for you today. Who needs rest, right?

Today’s Mommy scoop:

• TV and Toddlers: Language disaster?

• Ribbon Storage: feeling extra organized

• Holiday Recipe: Challah Bread Pudding 🍞

• Snowman Mason Jar: Because DIY is cheaper than therapy ☃️

Little Scholars & Growing Giggles

Is TV Harmful for Baby's Language Skills?

Ever wondered if letting your little one listen to the TV is a good idea for their language development?

Let's dive into what the experts say about this modern parenting dilemma.

Background Noise: More Harmful Than Helpful

The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against TV for kids under 2.

Their brains are rapidly absorbing language, but TV as background noise can be more of a distraction than a help.

Real-life conversations are crucial for language development, as TV noise can hinder this process, especially in infants who struggle to differentiate sounds.

Screen Time and Brain Development

A study revealed that kids exposed to TV during meals at age 2 had a significant drop in verbal IQ by kindergarten.

With American kids experiencing an average of over 232 minutes of background TV noise daily, it's concerning, especially for vulnerable babies and toddlers.

The Importance of In-Person Language

Face-to-face interaction is vital for babies. It helps them understand language nuances like body language and vocal tone.

For instance, saying "I love you" while pointing to yourself and then to your baby teaches them the meaning of words, unlike hearing it from a TV.

Boosting Baby's Language Skills Actively

You don't have to block out hours for direct conversation. Here are some fun and effective ways to enrich your baby's language environment:

• Read Aloud: Incorporate reading into your daily routine. It can be anything - stories, newspapers, or signs.

• Sing to Your Baby: Singing is not only fun but also helps in calming your baby and activating their brain for language absorption.

• Narrate Your Day: Talk about your daily activities like laundry or cooking. Describe colors, textures, and your actions.

• Group Conversations: Let your baby listen in when you're chatting with others. They'll hear various voices and expressions.

• Guided Tours: Describe your surroundings during walks. Point out different objects, colors, and people.

While TV might seem like a convenient speech companion, real-life interactions are far more beneficial for your little one's language development.

Let's chat and sing our way to helping our babies thrive in the world of words! 🗣️👶💕

Keep reading here.

Together with Relatable

Search Party: Chaos at the Park

Your search for the perfect family game is over. Search Party: Chaos at the Park is an epic 3-D pop-up search-and-find adventure. 

The people of Chaos City amusement park are in trouble and it's up to you to follow the characters around the park to help answer questions and solve mysteries! 

Over the course of 15 missions, you'll sabotage mad scientists, help parkgoers find love, and more. With fun pop-up structures and a highly intricate board packed with hidden objects and kooky characters, including 300 hidden items, the whole family will have a blast. 

The game is perfect for players 8+, so parents, siblings, cousins, and friends can all get searching together. Find it at Walmart, Target, Amazon, and Relatable.com. 

Brought to you by What Do You Meme? Family, a Relatable brand.

Mom's Mic: This Week’s Poll 🎤 

Poll Results From 12/8

What kind of role does your partner play in parenting?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Co-parenting equally (43%)

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Supports in certain areas (35%)

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Mostly hands-off, focusing more on providing (16%)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ We are a single-parent family (6%)

Featured Response 😊 

That's awesome, momma! Sounds like you and your husband make a great team - those boys are lucky to have both of you! 💪💙 - Danielle 🙂 

Mom Hack

Ribbon Storage Hack

Mom Hack

Transform a basic paper towel holder into a ribbon organizer!

Simply stack your gift-wrapping ribbons on it for a tidy and accessible setup.

It's a budget-friendly solution, especially when you place it alongside your other wrapping supplies like paper and tape.

Mom’s Menu

🍞 Cozy Challah Bread Pudding: A Holiday Delight! 🎉

I've got a mouth-watering recipe that's perfect for Hanukkah, or any cozy breakfast occasion.

It's Challah Bread Pudding, and trust me, it's a family favorite in the making!

Why You'll Love It

• 🍯 The combination of fluffy challah bread with a rich, flavorful custard makes every bite heavenly.

• 🥜 Crunchy walnuts add a delightful texture that complements the soft bread pudding.

Ingredients 📝

• 4 large eggs

• 1 cup whole milk

• 3 tablespoons honey

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

• 1 loaf challah (about 1 pound), chopped into 1-inch cubes

Instructions 👩‍🍳

1. Preheat your oven to 350F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.

3. Add the challah cubes and walnuts, stirring to coat evenly.

4. Transfer the mixture to your baking dish, pressing down lightly.

5. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes until golden brown and set.

Note 📌

This recipe is as versatile as it is delicious – serve it as a decadent dessert or a special breakfast treat. It's sure to bring smiles to your family's faces!

And there you have it, a simple yet scrumptious dish that's sure to become a holiday staple in your home. Enjoy, and happy cooking! 🌟

Full recipe here.

Daily DIY (Winter Edition)

Snowman Mason Jar

Create a festive Snowman Mason Jar using a glass jar, white paint, fabric for the scarf, and craft foam for the face.

1. Paint the jar white, then add large black buttons for the body and two small ones for the eyes.

2. Cut an orange foam carrot nose and use black paint for the mouth.

3. For the hat, cut a felt circle, fit it over the jar lid, and secure.

A fun and easy holiday craft perfect for your home decor or gifting!

The tutorial is here.

Mom’s Choice

Let's talk about the Haakaa Manual Breast Pump - a real game changer for breastfeeding! 🍼 

This nifty little pump is all about making your life easier.

Imagine collecting milk effortlessly… It’s like having an extra pair of hands, without the bulk and noise of an electric pump.

Plus, it's a breeze to clean, and who doesn't love that?

Haakaa Manual Breast Pump

Game

Tiny Faces, Big Names

"You were the first friend I ever had," the actor captioned this throwback snapshot of himself with his brother. Who is he?
(Answer below)

Mom’s Meme 🤣

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Answer

It's Ryan Reynolds!