BEHAVIOUR
Consoling baby does not mean spoiling him
You may be wondering whether to let your baby cry occasionally to avoid spoiling him. An American researcher answers no to this question. According to her, meeting your child’s needs is a good way to give them the tools to manage their emotions.
When a baby comes into the world, many of their skills are still developing. For example, he needs the help of his parents to learn to control his feelings. Also, crying is her only way to communicate her distress to you.
If you respond to your baby’s crying, he will learn to recognize the feeling of calming down and the ways to achieve it. This learning will serve him later to better control his behavior.
By reacting to your child’s crying, you are also teaching him the basics of relating to others. He knows then that he can trust you and he understands that he deserves to have his needs taken care of. Studies have also shown positive effects on cognitive functioning, language development and self-esteem.
Conversely, babies who are neglected may exhibit behavioral, developmental and relationship problems. The researcher therefore recommends responding quickly to your baby’s crying during the first 6 months of his life, while taking into account his temperament and the culture of your family.
Source: The Conversation
HEALTH
Dental care: Quebec children better covered
Since 1er December, parents of children under 12 can take advantage of the new Canadian Dental Benefit if they meet certain criteria.
This new benefit, which will be paid twice by June 30, 2024, covers the costs associated with dental care for children who do not have access to private insurance. All types of care provided by a dental health professional in Canada since 1er October 2022 are eligible.
The amount of the benefit varies between $260 and $650 per child, depending on family income. In addition, the money can be paid before the start of dental treatment. It is also recommended to make an appointment with the dentist before filing a request.
In Quebec, the Régie de l’assurance maladie already pays for some dental care for children under 10 years old. However, several treatments such as cleaning, scaling, fluoride application or orthodontics are not covered. Moreover, not all dentists accept health insurance cards. The new Canadian dental benefit is therefore more advantageous for Quebec parents.
To qualify for this benefit, you must meet the following conditions:
- receive the Canada child benefit;
- have a family income of less than $90,000 per year;
- not having access to private dental insurance;
- apply for the benefit for care that is not fully covered by the RAMQ;
- have completed a tax return.
Sources: Protégez-Vous and Government of Canada
SURVEY
Accessibility and quality of childcare services
Nearly 3 out of 4 preschool children attend a daycare service in Quebec. If the majority of parents are satisfied with their child’s daycare, finding this place has not been easy, reveals a survey carried out by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
According to the survey data, of the children who go to daycare, 35% attend a CPE, 19% an unsubsidized daycare, 18% a subsidized family environment and 16% a subsidized daycare. In addition, about 90% of toddlers go to daycare 5 days a week and 72% spend an average of less than 9 hours a day there.
Moreover, 88% of families have a high level of satisfaction with their childcare environment. A third of parents don’t want to change anything. However, some parents would like more affordable rates, fewer staff changes, more educational activities and fewer service interruptions.
Finally, the parents of 80% of toddlers had to look or were still looking for a place in a daycare center at the time of the survey. Of this number, 91% wanted a place in a subsidized setting and 74% a place in a CPE. Of the parents looking for a place, 47% found the process somewhat or very difficult. This was especially true for parents of a first child or for those who needed a place to start in the winter or spring.
Sources: Government of Quebec and Institute of Statistics
RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
3 initiatives to discover
Video clips to make everyday life with a child easier
Unir pour Grandir has produced five short practical video clips for parents. These capsules gently address various topics, such as crises at the grocery store, routines, communication, family time and screens. The suggested tips are illustrated by concrete examples in which the parents can recognize themselves. To see the capsules: cjebn.com/unir-pour-grandir
Online tool to facilitate breastfeeding
This fall, Sainte-Justine Hospital launched AllaitWEB, an online tool to help women who are having difficulty with breastfeeding. A few clicks are enough to obtain expert advice and solutions adapted to the breastfeeding problem experienced by the new mother. To consult AllaitWEB: chusj.org
Podcast for the mental health of children aged 6 to 8
La puce à l’oreille and the Petits Trésors Foundation present the podcast Souris se confides. Intended for children aged 6 to 8, the three episodes of this podcast gently address the theme of worry. The children will discover the worries of Souris, a 7-year-old rabbit who has changed schools and is having difficulty making friends. To listen to the podcast: lpalo.com
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Photos: GettyImages/LightFieldStudios, PIKSEL, fizkes and Hispanolistic