Bully warning signs
If you think bullying is an older-kid issue, think again. April’s issue of Parenting: Early Years sounds the alarm on “itty-bitty bullies.” By age 3, the article explains, a child’s brain can understand another point of view, so “premeditated and purposeful aggression could begin.” But many parents and teachers take a wait-and-see approach with mean preschoolers, figuring they’ll outgrow the behavior. If you suspect your child is being bullied, look for these signs: He loved preschool but now doesn’t want to go. She no longer wants to play with a child she once liked. He becomes withdrawn, fearful or clingy. She makes derogatory remarks about herself, like “I’m stupid” or “Nobody likes me.” He comes home with unexplained boo-boos. If bullying seems likely, immediately talk to your child’s teacher or caregiver.
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— Heidi Stevens – – –
Their kids, your responsibility?
April’s Family Circle addresses a topic that has vexed parents ever since the first teenager decided to rebel: what to do when other people’s kids behave badly. Experts agree that parents should gauge their responses depending on the situation. If you’re in charge of a soccer team pizza party, by all means assume a role in disciplining anyone who’s out of line. But if you find yourself in a situation where the parent of the unruly teen is there, don’t make her feel defensive; instead, solicit her input by asking questions such as, “How do you think we should handle this?” The article points out that in today’s society, it seems less socially acceptable to corral kids who aren’t yours. But in neighborhoods of old, adults took an active role as surrogate caregivers. “Accepting the aid — and watchful eyes — of other parents can help us all breathe a collective sigh of relief,” the article states.
— Louis R. Carlozo
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In defense of peanut butter
Peanut butter has gotten a bad rap here in the U.S., with the recent product recalls and so many children struggling with peanut allergies. In Africa, however, a program called Project Peanut Butter (PPB) is experiencing great success in combating malnutrition, reports Gaetano Pollice in Kiwi, which calls its March/April issue the “annual Kiwi kuisine issue.” In the tiny, but densely populated country of Malawi, almost a quarter of the children younger than 5 die, and malnutrition is a major culprit. For decades, the United Nations and other aid organizations have offered high-nutrient food supplements, with some success. But Mark Manary, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington and founder of PPB, created a mixture of peanut paste, powdered milk, sugar, vegetable oil, and vitamins and minerals that is proving wildly successful in Malawi. This simple development of a food that doesn’t spoil and boasts remarkable child health improvement has earned the group recognition from the UN and the World Health Organization. Learn more at projectpeanutbutter.org.
— Lara Weber