Interaction Between Father and Child

Since the day of my daughter’s arrival I've been watching an interaction between my husband and our offspring; a father and a child. I've been searching for the fathers’ voices for the feedback to learn what is the best for both of them. I came across with the web which I absolutely love http://www.askdrsears.com .  When you go to Parenting section, and under Fathering you click on “10 tips to help fathers become disciplinarians.” I found it as very true and useful. To make it easier I put the abstract below. 

“…Fathers become disciplinarians in much the same way that mothers do. The more we are exposed to well behaved and poorly behaved children, we realize that fathers don't start becoming disciplinarians early enough.

1. Start early. Spending time with your baby will pay off as the years go by. Get connected to your baby, and discipline will naturally follow.
   
   
2. Start at the bottom. Most men who climb the corporate ladder work their way into a position of authority by beginning at the bottom. Fathering works the same way. "But what has diapering to do with discipline?" you may wonder. Baby-care helps you learn more about your baby. Change baby, bathe baby, dress baby, play with baby. Every interaction with your baby helps you learn to read your baby. Here's some male math: over the first two to three years your baby will need around 5,000 diaper changes. If you change diapers twenty percent of the time, that's a thousand chances to interact with your baby. Initially, managing a squirmy body and smelly bottom might not be your thing. Eventually, you will discover that diapering could be a learning experience for your baby and you. You start "at the bottom" connecting ways to hold baby's attention and learn to softly convey a "father in charge" message.  FATHER TO FATHER ADVISE - Your children are watching television after dinner. You sit down next to them and offer a suggestion: "Mom needs a break, so she's going for a walk. How about we all work together and clean up the kitchen? If everyone helps, we can finish quickly and surprise her." Everybody benefits from this plan: Your wife gets a clean kitchen, and the kids and you get a chance to spend some time together and share the fun of pleasing mom. 
3. Be trustworthy. In general dads seem to have more concerns and more problems with discipline than do moms. When the fathers were asked, what they most wanted to learn about discipline they responded, "I want to be an authority figure in our home. I want my child to look up to me with respect and obey me." Ii is true that fathers should be authority figures, but just because you're the man of the house doesn't automatically mean you are going to get the respect you want. Some dads believe that a child must obey simply because, "I am the dad, you're the child, and that's that." It's not that simple. A child will obey people he trusts. Trust doesn't come automatically with the title of father. It has to be earned. True authority means a child obeys because he wants to, not just because he has to. Authority based on fear disappears when the child leaves the parent's presence. True authority leaves a more lasting impression. For whom would you do better work, the boss you trust or the boss you fear? So how do you get a child to trust you as an authority figure? Before you could become an authority figure, your children first had to regard you as a comfort figure. This means I have to be available to them—touch their needs, share their triumphs. By becoming a nurturing father you begin teaching your baby to trust you.
   
   
4. Provide structure. From nine months to two years babies' drive to explore exceeds their mental ability to contain themselves. Impulsive behaviors, such as yanking lamp cords, darting into streets in pursuit of a ball and climbing up on counters to explore cabinets are all part of the normal behavior of growing toddlers. Father helps provide the framework that contains a child's impulsive behavior. Children want and need limits set by a person whom they trust, one in authority. When you provide structure in a child's life, the child feels more secure because you channel her energies in a meaningful direction. As coach of St. Louis Rams—the Superbowl champs—Dick Vermeil once said, "Coaching begins at home."
   
   
5. Give positive messages. Kandis was a high-need baby from birth. She cried a lot, was hard to console, became irritated at the slightest setback and withdrew from cuddling by arching her back. She was a restless and unpredictable sleeper, and she resisted any attempts at scheduling. Not only was she a tense baby, but her irritability affected her parents' marriage so that they became increasingly irritated at each other. Mark, the father, would make comments such as, "Yeah, she sure isn't my favorite child." Or he would call her "cry baby." He seldom held her, would never kiss her, or even talk to her in a positive manner. It was all negative attention. Mark never smiled or laughed with her, and when exasperated he would sit her on the couch and angrily tell her to "shut up." By the time Kandis was two, she was a difficult child, yet her nurturing and patient mother had hung in with her the whole time. I met with Mark for a father-to-father rap session and impressed upon him how high-need babies are ultra sensitive and pick up the prevailing vibrations coming from their parents. Because Mark interpreted Kandis's behavior as negative, he reflected this back to her, and she became more negative in his presence. I suggested that for the next two weeks he should try giving her nothing but positive attention. Mark was skeptical, but he agreed that something had to change. Here is the progress report I received from his wife: "His efforts were strained at first. I could tell it wasn't easy for him. But Kandis picked up on it right away and returned the positive attention. Believe me, the change in her happened almost overnight—from whining, lethargic and sickly, to happy, bubbly, laughing, silly, and healthy. She gained almost three pounds in one month. People would say things like, 'Does she do anything else besides smile all day?' or 'She sure is a happy kid.' The good feelings snowballed. The more Kandis smiled at daddy, the more sincere and affectionate daddy became. Kandis sure loves her daddy and daddy definitely loves her. Mark thought he was doing the right thing by being tough. He doesn't like to admit he was wrong, but now he knows the loving approach is better."
   
   
6. Be a role model. Dads, remember, you are bringing up someone else's future husband or wife, mother or father. The attitudes you instill in your baby and child are the building blocks for that adult person. Children learn by example. The best way to build character is to model the qualities you want to see in your children. You can't model what you don't do. One father said: This realization taught me a valuable lesson. In order to discipline my children, I had to discipline myself.
   
   
7. Become involved in your child's activities. Dads, to know and enjoy your child, join your child's team. Don't be a distant dad. Volunteer to coach your child's favorite sport, or try a stint as a scoutmaster. "But sports are not my thing," you say "and I don't know anything about scouting." You don't have to be an expert; you just have to be there. Besides, you're guaranteed to be smarter and more skilled than the kids (well, most of them). Consider what your child learns in a team sport: success and failure, strikeouts and home runs, pulling up a mate, pulling himself up after a putdown (or put-out), teamwork, starting at the bottom and working his way up the batting order, how to deal with his own and someone else's mistakes, how to win and lose gracefully, and how to get along in a group. That's sports! That's life!
   
   
8. Model healthy sexuality. Dads, the first male your son or daughter meets is you. In fact studies suggest that fathers, more than mothers, affect a child's attitudes towards sexuality. Babies and young children identify readily with mother from birth, but how they experience their relationship to father is crucial to the development of sexual identity. Boys need a father who is nurturing in order to value their own masculinity. A father who is available and who enjoys being a man gives his son a healthy sexual role model to follow. Studies show that a boy needs to perceive his father as an active disciplinarian and family decision-maker in order to develop a strong male identity. Paternal behavior that is macho without tenderness is associated with non-masculine behavior in sons. And remember, dads, it isn't how masculine or how nurturing you feel—it's how your son perceives you that counts. You have to show and tell them you love them. Paternal nurturance is also important for daughters. It contributes to her enjoying being a woman. Fathers give daughters their first experiences relating to the opposite sex. When father is "out of the loop," passive, non-nurturing, uninvolved in family life, the daughter misses out on early lessons about balanced male-female relationships. She won't feel comfortable talking with boys or, later, young men, and they will sense her discomfort. She is at risk for problems in relationships with men. In her search for love, the result may be promiscuity, abusive relationships, or an unhappy marriage. Dads, remember, your daughter will at some time in her life seek out a male model. Be that model for her. One of the most powerful influences on children's sexual identity is the way they perceive the relationship between their parents. If a man is loving toward his wife, supportive, and available, the daughter is more likely to value her own femininity and the mothering role. She feels, "Dad respects mom for being a woman and a mother." Dad's attitude toward his wife also shapes his son's attitude toward women. As one woman whose marriage was disintegrating said bitterly, "Our marriage is failing because my husband's father didn't do his job."
   
   
9. Keep connected while apart. If you travel a lot, keep in touch. Parenting is a two-person job. Single parents survive by having a support system in place. In a two-parent family children often misbehave when one parent is away. Because the family equilibrium is upset, children will tend to be defiant, show mood swings, and experience sleep disturbances. Poor behavior occurs because the parent in charge is unsupported and the children pick up on the anxiety. Children who are the most sensitive to change are the ones most likely to misbehave when dad (or mom) is away. To help your children thrive and the at-home mate survive, have a contingency plan for these times. Give "special" responsibilities for which there will be special rewards. If you have a strong-willed child, capitalize on this trait by putting him in charge of extra daily duties. The traveling parent can phone home each day to monitor the children's behavior. To help the at-home parent cope, plan ahead for fun things to do—time at the park and other out-of-home activities. Inviting friends over provides adult companionship for the at-home parent, easing the stress of overload.
   
   
10. Be a father and a provider. For most men, being a good provider is crucial to their masculinity and feelings about themselves as dads. This is what drives them to work long hours, even if their families would be happier with more of them and less of things. (A note to wives: It may help bring your husband home more if you tell him this in a tactful, loving way.) Men who are the sole wage earners in the family may feel heavy pressure, especially when double-income families are the neighborhood norm. (This may be changing. A 1994 study showed that for the first time in thirty-three years, the single income household is the fastest growing group in the U.S. population. There is a growing realization that it makes a difference to have one parent at home full-time.) If you must work long hours, try to incorporate your fathering into your work. Do some of your work at home. Take your child to work. It's healthy for her to learn about your work, and when she understands what you're doing while he's away from home, it's easier for her to accept your absence. The media has portrayed fathers as economic providers, but around the house and family they have been depicted as bumbling and optional. Even though some of these images are still around, nowadays television commercials and cartoon strips showing fathers bathing babies and taking charge of households. The media are updating dad's image in the new millennium. Fathers finally are realizing the rewards of investing themselves in their children."
    
    

     

Picky Eater and New Food

We should provide a toddler with three well-balanced meals each day.

Why? Simply because he or she is growing, needs lots of energy to play and to explore the world. Good nutrition is important to his/her overall health. It can also prevent many medical problems, including becoming overweight, developing weak bones, and developing diabetes.

What if my child has only one or two full meals each day? If your toddler has had a good breakfast and lunch, then it is okay that he doesn't want to eat much at dinner. The only time that you should worry is if your child isn't gaining weight or isn't very active.

You shouldn't worry about a toddler that:

·         Doesn’t seem like he/she eats a lot. Remember that as long as he/she is gaining weight and is active and healthy, then he/she is likely getting enough calories.

·         Only eats a few kinds of food each day, such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or chicken nuggets and french fries.

·         Won’t try any new foods. You still should keep trying to introduce new foods offered it 10 or more times.

·         Doesn’t eat a balanced diet each day. Most kids don't. As long as his/her diet seems balanced over a week or two, he/she is likely getting enough variety. If he/she really isn't, talk to your Pediatrician about a vitamin supplement.

·         Doesn’t finish everything on his/her plate. The idea that children should sit at the table until they 'clean' their plate is out of fashion. Instead, children should be taught to recognize when they are full and then stop eating. If your toddler isn't finishing what you offer, learn to offer smaller portions.

·         Doesn’t eat what you prepare for him/her. Try to avoid making elaborate meals for your toddler or offering foods with a lot of spices or sauces. Instead, keep things simple. While you shouldn't have to prepare a separate meal for your toddler every day, don't be surprised if he/she doesn't want to eat 'adult' foods.

·         Is overweight. Okay. Instead of restricting calories provide a healthy diet and encourage regular physical activity. Be sure to watch your serving and portion sizes (offer toddler size portions) and don't offer too much milk, juice, or high calorie snacks.

Feeding youngsters can be challenging. They are often picky eaters, are hesitant to try new foods, and in general, don't seem to eat very much.

You can keep trying to introduce new foods by putting a very small amount (like 1/2-1 tablespoon) on his/her plate and don't force him/her to try or finish it. Many kids won't try a new food until they have been offered it 10 or more times.

The best nutrition advice to keep your child healthy 
includes encouraging him/her to:

·         Eat a variety of foods.

·         Balance the food you eat with physical activity.

·         Choose a diet with plenty of grain products, vegetables and fruits.

·         Choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.

·         Choose a diet moderate in sugars and salt.

·         Choose a diet that provides enough calcium and iron to meet their growing body's requirements.

The best way to promote good nutrition is starting from yourself by setting a good example for your child. Healthy eating habits and regular exercise should be a regular part of your family's life. It is much easier if everyone in the house follows these guidelines, than if your child has to do it alone.

Additional tips for caregivers:

• Use lean meats and skim or low fat dairy products.
• Use unsaturated vegetable oils and margarines.
• Read the nutrition label on foods to check for the amount and type of fat it includes.
• Limit foods that contain a large amount of saturated fats.
• Limit foods high in sugar and avoid adding extra sugar to your foods.

To prevent child from being too full you must remember:

• Do not let your child to drink more than 16-24 ounces of milk each day.
• Do not let your child to drink more than 4-6 ounces of juice each day.
• Do not let your child to fill up on sweets and snacks.
• Do not force your child to eat when he/she is not hungry.
• Do not give your child servings that are too big. The average toddler serving is about 1/4 of an adult serving size. Don't go by the serving size listed on nutrition labels, as these are mainly for older children and adults.

To prevent feeding problems we also need to remember:

• Not to use food as a bribe or reward for desired behaviors.
• Avoid punishing your child for not eating well.
• Limit mealtime conversation to positive and pleasant topics.
• Avoid discussing or commenting on your child's poor eating habits while at the table.
• Limit snacks to two nutritious snacks each day.
• Not to prepare more than one meal for your child. If the child doesn't want to eat what was prepared for the rest of the family, then he/she should not be forced to, but you should also not give him/her something else to eat. He/she will not starve after missing a single meal, and providing alternatives to the prepared meal will just cause more problems after.

Food Pyramid

There is not a toddler food pyramid. The Kids' Food Pyramid is for children aged 2-6 years, but you can still use it to guide what your younger toddler eats, including 6 servings of grains, 3 servings of vegetables, 2 servings of fruits, 2 servings from the milk/dairy group, 2 servings from the meat and protein group, and a limited amount of fats and sweets. Just remember that the serving sizes will be smaller for younger toddlers and are equal to about 1/4 an adult's serving size.

The Basics of a Toddler's Diet is about 1300 calories each day. Bigger kids will need a little more and smaller kids a little less. A good hint is - 40 calories each day for each inch of his /her height.

Although you shouldn't usually count calories, knowing how many calories your toddler needs can help when planning his/her diet and can also help reassure you that your child is getting enough to eat.

A common problem is observed in a kid who don't eat much, but drinks 4 cups of milk and 3 cups of juice each day. That can add up to 1350 calories, which is probably more than he/she needs for all day. It is not surprising then that this child wouldn't be hungry for other foods.

If the parent follows the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations as to how much milk and juice he/she drinks, that will take care of:

·         300-455 calories (about 19 calories per ounce) from whole cow's milk (or a similar amount from breastmilk if you are breastfeeding your toddler 2-3 times a day) if he/she is drinking 16-24 ounces a day. Remember to not give low fat milk until your child is 2-3 years old and don't overdo it on milk. If he/she gets up to 48 ounces of milk a day, then he/she is getting over 900 calories a day just from milk, which is almost 70% of the number of calories he/she needs all day.

·         60-90 calories (about 15 calories per ounce) from juice. Don't overdo it on juice either. If your child is drinking 2-3 10 ounce sippie cups of juice that is giving him 300-450 extra calories.

·         So you now have only another 550-950 calories to get in him/her, divided between three meals and two snacks. That is very little if you look bellow at the number of calories in foods kids usually eat.

Product

Calories

american cheese (one slice) apple (1/2 small apple) banana (1/2) beef, ground ( ounces) bologna (1 slice) bread (1/2 - 1 slice) breakfast cereal (1/4-1/2 cup) chicken nuggets (3 - 6 pieces) eggs (1/2 - 1 egg) french fries (7 - 15 steak fries) french fries (8 - 17 Funky Fries) fruit cocktail, canned (1/4 ounce) Grahm Crackers (1 - 2 sheets) grape jelly (1 tablespoon) hot dog (1/2 - 1 hotdog) ice cream (1/2 cup) Macaroni & Cheese (2 1/2 ounces) mozzarella cheese (1 ounce) pancakes (1) peanut butter (1 tbspoon) pizza, cheese (1/2 - 1 slice) Pop Tart (1/2 - 1 pastry) popsicle (1) pudding (1/2 cup) vegetables (1 tbsp per year of age) yogurt (1/3 cup)

45 calories 40 calories 50 calories 85 calories 90 calories 20-40 calories 40-80 calories 105-210 calories 35-70 calories 60 - 120 calories 150-300 calories 50 calories 60-120 calories 50 calories 60-120 calories 135 calories 260 calories 80 calories 60 calories 95 calories 140-290 calories 1-200 calories 70 calories 110 calories 25 calories 50 calories

Sample Diet

Breakfast

·         1/2 cup (4 ounces) of cereal, + 1/4 cup of milk + 4 oz of orange juice = 230 calories.

·         Or a slice of bread with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter and jelly + 4 oz of orange juice = 250 calories.

Lunch

·         1/2 sandwich (one slice of bread - 40 calories) + 1 slice of luncheon meat, e.g. bologna (90 calories) and cheese (45 calories) = 175 calories.

·         Or a tuna fish sandwich (add 1/2 tablespoon of mayo to the tuna to get 50 extra calories).

·         Or a sliced and quartered hot dog + water, juice or milk.

Dinner

·         1-2 ounces of chicken (75-100 calories) or beef (120-165 calories) + 2-3 tablespoons of vegetables (50-75 calories) + some bread (40 calories) + 1/2 cup of milk (76 calories) = 361-456 calories.

Snacks

·         Your child will likely need a couple of small snacks mid-morning and in the early afternoon. These might include 1/2 cup of milk (76 calories) or juice (60 calories) + 2-3 tablespoons of fruit (50-75 calories), or a slice of cheese (45 calories). Alternatives might include some jelly, pudding, or yogurt.

            This sample diet will give your child well over 1000 calories. In reality, he/she may not eat 3 full meals each day though. Many toddlers just eat one good meal a day and it is usually still fine. If he/she eats a good breakfast (250 calories), a small lunch and dinner (100 calories each), has a couple of snacks (150 calories each), 16 ounces of milk (300 calories), and 6 ounces of juice (90 calories), then he/she is still getting almost 1200 calories.

            The Food Guide Pyramid was designed by the US Dept. of Agriculture to promote healthy nutrition in children age of 2 - 6 years. It is just a general guide. The focal emphasis is on the five major food groups, all of which are required for good health. The second emphasizes is that fat, oily and sweet food should be used with a big caution.

            After the age of two or three years, you can begin to use 2%, low fat, or skim milk instead of whole milk. Your child's diet should resemble that of the rest of the families, with 3 meals and 2 nutritious snacks each day. You should limit milk and dairy products to about 16-24 oz each day and juice to about 4-6 oz each day and offer a variety of foods to encourage good eating habits later.

            Feeding practices - avoid giving large amounts of sweet desserts, soft drinks, fruit-flavored drinks, sugarcoated cereals, chips or candy, as they have little nutritional value. Also avoid giving foods that your child can choke on, such as raw carrots, peanuts, whole grapes, tough meats, popcorn, chewing gum or hard candy.

What counts as one serving?

To ensure good nutrition in your child and that they grow up healthy, they will need to eat a large variety of food. The amount of food is much less important. Remember that your child's appetite may decrease and become pickier over the next few years as his growth rate slows. As long as they are gaining weight and have a normal activity level, then you have little to worry about. You can still offer them a variety of foods, but can decrease the serving sizes if they don't eat a lot.

I. Grain group

6 servings a day, e.g.:

1 slice of bread,

1/2 cup of cooked rice or pasta,

1/2 cup of cooked cereal, and

1 ounce of ready to eat cereal

II. Vegetable group

3 servings a day, e.g.:

1/2 cup of chopped or raw vegetables, or

1 cup of raw leafy vegetables

III. Fruit group

2 servings a day, e.g.:

1 piece of fruit or melon wedge,

3/4 cup of 100% fruit juice,

1/2 cup of canned fruit, or

1/4 cup of dried fruit.

IV. Milk group

2 servings a day, e.g.:

1 cup of milk or yogurt or

2 ounces of cheese

V. Meat group

2 servings a day, e.g.

2 to 3 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry or fish,

1/2 cup of cooked dry beans.

You can substitute

2 tablespoons of peanut butter or 1 egg for 1 ounce of meat.

Fats, Oils and Sweets

No more than 30% of your diet should come from fats. For a 1600 calorie diet, that would equal 53g of fat each day, with most preschool children requiring even less. The type of fat that you eat is also important. Saturated fats in foods such as meats, dairy products, coconut, palm and palm kernal oil, raise cholesterol more than unsaturated fats, which are found in olive, peanut, and canola oils, or polyunsaturated fats in safflower, sunflower, corn, soybean and cottonseed oils. Limit saturated fats to no more than 10% of daily calories.

Sugars supply is a large amount of calories, with little nutritional value. They include white sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, honey and molasses and foods like candy, soft drinks, jams, and jellies.

References:

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/107/5/1210.full

http://www.pediatricsdigest.mobi/content/117/2/544.full

http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/nutrition/kids_food_guide_pyramid.html

Jak Byc Dwujezycznym? How to Promote Bilingualism!

Jak pomoc dziecku byc dwujezycznym? Proste. Spiewaj mu piosenki z Twojego dziecinstwa i baw sie w zabawy, ktore pamietasz.

Jedna z mam kolezanek mojej coreczki zapytala mnie dzis, czy pamietam piosenki i zabawy ze swojego dziecinstwa, czy spiewam je Basi i bawie sie z nia. Oczywiscie tak. Moim wielkim pragnieniem i dazeniem jest, aby Basia byla w pelni dwujezyczna. Jedna z latwych a skutecznych metod jest zapamietywanie tekstow. Ponizej znajdziesz kilka przykladow piosenek i zabaw. Dobrej zabawy!

How to promote bilingualism? Very simple! By singing rhymes, songs or playing games which you remember with your child.

Today a friend of mine asked me if I remember any Polish children's rhymes, songs or games from my childhood and if I sing them to my daughter Barbara. Of course I do! My wish for Barbara is to be a fluent bilingual speaker. One of the easy way to learn vocabulary is to memorize the lyrics. Here are  some with translation just to get an idea. Enjoy!

Balonik

Zabawa w kole

(Polski)
Baloniku nasz malutki,
Rośnij, duzy
Okrąglutki.
Balon urosł,
Że aż strach,
Przebrał miarę
No i ... TRACH!

A Little Balloon

Circle Game

(English)
Our little balloon
Is growing, growing big
More round and round.
The balloon is growing
That was going
Much too far
And… POP!

Ojciec Wirgiliusz

Piosenka/Zabawa

(Polski)
Ojciec Wirgiliusz
Uczył dzieci swoje,
A miał ich wszystkich
Sto dwadzieścia troje.
Róbcie waszystko to co ja
To co ja, to co ja,
Róbcie wszystko to co ja,
To co ja.

Father Virgilius

Children's Song

(English)
Father Virgilius
Was teaching his children,
He had one hundred and
Twenty three of them.
Please do children, as I do,
As I do, as I do.
Please do children, as I do,
As I do.

Wio Koniku

Piosenka/Zabawa

(Polski)
Wio koniku, a jak się postarasz,
na kolację zajedziemy akurat.
Tobie owsa nasypiemy zaraz,
a ja smaczną kolacyję bedę jadł.

Go, Go Horsey!

Nursery Rhyme

(English)
Go, go horsey! And if you do well,
We will be home right  away.
You will get lots of oat  at once,
And I will enjoy a yummy-yummy supper.

Idzie rak
Rymowanka/Zabawa

(Polski)
Idzie rak,
Nieborak.
Jak uszczypnie,
Będzie znak.

A Crab Comes
Nursery Rhyme

(English)
A crab comes
Poor fellow,
When it pinches you
It will leave a mark!

A-a-a, kotki dwa
Usypianka

(Polski)
A-a-a, a-a-a,
były sobie kotki dwa.
A-a-a, kotki dwa,
szarobure, szarobure obydwa.
*
Ach, śpij, kochanie,
jesli gwiazdke z nieba chcesz - dostaniesz.
Wszystkie dzieci, nawet złe,
pogrążone są we śnie,
a ty jedna tylko nie.
*
A-a-a, a-a-a,
były sobie kotki dwa.
A-a-a, kotki dwa,
szarobure, szarobure obydwa.
*
Ach, śpij, bo właśnie
księżyc ziewa i za chwilę zaśnie.
A gdy rano przyjdzie świt
księzycowi będzie wstyd,
ze on zasnąl, a nie ty.

Ah-Ah-Ah, Two Litlle Kittens

Lullaby
(English)
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah,
There were once two little kittens.
Ah-ah-ah, two little kittens,
They were both grayish-brown.
*
Oh, sleep, my darling,
If you wish for a star I'll give it to you.
All children, even the bad ones,
Are already asleep,
Only you are not.
*
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah,
There were once two little kittens.
Ah-ah-ah, two little kittens,
They were both grayish-brown.
*
Oh, close your eyes please!
The moon is yawning and he will soon fall asleep.
And when the morning comes
He will be really ashamed,
That he fell asleep and you did not.

Wlazł Kotek Na Płotek i Mruga

Piosenka/Zabawa

(Polski)
Wlazł kotek na płotek i mruga,
i mruga,
ładna to piosenka niedługa,
niedługa.
*
Nie długa, nie krótka, lecz w sam raz,
lecz w sam raz.
Zaspiewaj koteczku jeszcze raz,
jeszcze raz.

A Kitten Sits on a Fence

Children's Song

(English)
A kitten sits on the fence and he blinks,
And he blinks.
It's a very pretty song, and it's not long,
It's not long.
*
Not long and not short, but just right,
But just right.
Come on, little kitten, sing it again,
Sing it again.

Biedroneczka mała
Zabawa paluszkami
(Polski)
Biedroneczka mała
Robaczki spotkała

*
Z tym się przywitała
Tego pogłaskała
Temu pomachała
Tego zabrać chciała
Tego pożegnała

*
I do nieba poleciała.

A Little Ladybird

Finger Play

(English)
A little ladybird,
Met few little worms:

*
She greeted this one
Stroked this one
Waved to this one
Wanted to grab this one
Said goodbye to this one...

*
And flew up to the sky.

Kosi Kosi Lapci

Rymowanka/Zabawa

(Polski)
Kosi kosi łapci,
pojedziem do babci.
Babcia da nam mleczka,
a dziadzius ciasteczka.

Clap, Clap, Little Hands
Nursery Rhyme

(English)
Clap, clap, little hands,
We will go to Grandma's.
Granny will give us milk,
And Grandpa some cookies.

Dobrej nocy

Usypianka

(Polski)
Dobrej nocy, i sza,
do bialego śpij dnia.
Śpij dziecino, oczka zmruż,
Śpij do wschodu rannych zorz.
*
Mama zaś będzie tu
Śpiewać piosnki do snu.
Mama zaś będzie tu
Śpiewać piosnki do snu.
*
Gwiazdki w górze już lśnią,
Wszystkie dzieci już śpią,
Więc i ty swe oczka zmruż,
Śpij do wschodu rannych zorz.
*
Jutro znów w ranny czas
Zbudzi cię slońka blask.
Jutro znów w ranny czas
Zbudzi cię slońka blask.

Good Night
Lullaby

(English)
Good night, and hush,
Sleep 'till the morning comes.
Sleep my baby, close your eyes,
Sleep 'till the dawn will shine.
*
Mommy will be here,
Singing you a lullaby.
Mommy will be here,
Singing you a lullaby.
*
Stars in the sky are already shining,
And all children are asleep.
So you too, close your eyes,
And sleep 'till the dawn will shine.
*
Tomorrow again, early in the morning,
The sunshine will wake you up.
Tomorrow again, early in the morning,
The sunshine will wake you up.

Tu sroczka kaszke warzyla
Zabawa paluszkami

(Polski)
Tu sroczka kaszke warzyła:
temu dała na miseczke
temu dała na lyzeczke
temu dała do kubeczka
temu dała do dziobeczka
a temu malemu nic nie dala
i frrrrr... do nieba poleciala.

Here Magpie Cooked Her Porridge

Finger Play

(English)
Here Magpie cooked her porridge:
This one* she gave some in the bowl
This one* she gave some on the spoon
This one* she gave some in the cup
This one* she gave some in the beak
And this one* she gave nothing
And frrrr… straight to the sky she flew.

Panie Janie

Piosenka

(Polski)
Panie Janie! Panie Janie!
Rano wstań! Rano wstań!
Wszystkie dźwony biją
Wszystkie dźwony biją
Bim, bam, bum,

Bim, bam, bum.

Brother John

Children's Song

(English)
Are you sleeping! Are you sleeping!
Brother John! Brother John!
Morning bells are ringing,
Morning bells are ringing,
Dig, dang, dong,
Dig, dang, dong.

Stary niedźwiedź

Piosenka/Zabawa

(Polski)
Stary niedźwiedź
Mocno śpi.
Stary niedźwiedź
Mocno śpi.
*
My się go boimy
Na palcach chodzimy
Jak się zbudzi,
To nas zje.
Jak się zbudzi,
To nas zje.
*
Pierwsza godzina,
- Niedźwiedź śpi.
*
Druga godzina,
- Niedźwiedź chrapie.
*
Trzecia godzina,
- Niedźwiedź łapie!

Old Brown Bear

Children's Song

(English)
Old Brown Bear,
Is sleeping deep.
Old Brown Bear,
Is sleeping deep.
*
We are all afraid of him,
We are walking on ours tip-toes.
When he wakes up,
He will eat us up.
When he wakes up,
He will eat us up.
*
One o'clock,
- The bear is sleeping.
*
Two o'clock,
- The bear is snoring.
*
Three o'clock,
- The bear is catching!

Krakowiaczek jeden

Piosenka/Zabawa

(Polski)
Krakowiaczek jeden
mial koników siedem.
Pojechal na wojnę,
Zostal mu się jeden.
*
Krakowianka jedna
miala chlopca z drewna
a dziewczynke z wosku,
wszystko po krakowsku.

Hej!

Man from Cracow

Children's Song

(English)
A men from Cracow
Had seven horses.
But he came back from war
Only one was left.
*
A woman from Cracow
Had a boy made of wood
And a girl made of wax,
Both dressed like Cracovians*.
Hey!

Na Swiętego Mikołaja

Wiersz

(Polski)
Na Swiętego Mikołaja,
czeka dzieci cała zgraja,
Tym posłusznym da ciasteczko,
A te złe zdzieli rózeczką.

On St. Nicholas' Day
Poem

(English)
On St. Nicholas' Day,
A band of children waits;
For the good one he’ll bring some cookies,
But for the naughty one just sticks.

Jedzie pociąg z daleka
Piosenka/Zabawa

(Polski)
Jedzie pociąg z daleka
Ani chwili nie czeka
Konduktorze laskawy
Zabierz nas do Warszawy.

Train's Coming From Far, Far Away

Children's Song

(English)
Train is coming from far away
Can not wait any minute longer
Dear  conductor! Please stop!
And take us stright to Warsaw.