Toddler

By Aviva Patz, Studio One Networks   After a vacation, a weekend, or even a day off -- when toddlers typically run around for hours, watch more TV than usual, and stay up past their regular bedtimes -- it can be tough for them to switch back into school mode. While you can't maintain the structure of a school day during a break (it wouldn't be much of a break if you did), you can keep their love of learning alive. "During periods of time off, it's important to continue providing stimulating activities that keep your child motivated to learn," says Ron Fairchild, executive director of the Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University.

(STAFFORD COUNTY, Kan.) Eleven year-old Tatumn Watkins doesn't think of herself as a hero.  But ask anyone who was at her family reunion last weekend and they'd tell you different.  The reunion was held at a private pond in Stafford County.  Tatumn and a three year-old relative were sitting on the dock feeding fish.  That's when the three year-old fell in the water. "I tried to grab her hand but she kept going under and she wouldn't grab my hand so I just jumped in," said Tatumn.

by Denise Hnytka (WICHITA, Kan) The nation's largest pediatricians group is relaxing its stance against swimming lessons for children younger than 4. A few small studies now suggest toddlers may be less likely to drown if they've had swim lessons. That's why the American Academy of Pediatrics says it's fine to enroll children as young as one in classes. The YMCA offers parent/child classes for kids as young as two. It says the classes are popular, especially in the spring sessions.

Nini, Flippers and Go-Go juice are part of a vocabulary you'll hear while watching the drama on TLC's "Toddlers & Tiaras. "  Local pageant moms, Chelsi Koehn and Hillary Sewell, say those are words they don't use.  They enter pageants because their children want to be there. "She just wants to do it.  I don't really want to tell her no if she wants to do it," says Sewell. The two moms may go to pageants for fun, but Sewell says they're also there for the crown, "I mean every one wants their kid to win, what parent doesn't?"

An autopsy is underway to determine the cause of death for a Dodge City toddler. Crews were called to a home in the 800 block of Johnson Thursday afternoon. They found a 21-month-old not breathing. The child was pronounced dead a short time later. The Dodge City Police department is investigating the case. No other information was available.

Police in Salina are investigating the death of an 18-month-old girl. According to officials who spoke with Eyewitness News the girl was found unresponsive at her home in the 600 block of Gypsum Avenue on Monday. Police say a call to 911 was made just after 3:40 in the afternoon.  The girl died Tuesday night at Wesley Medical Center. Police say Bre'Elle Jefferson had injuries, but investigators are not saying if they contributed to her death.

The Exploited and Missing Children's Unit with the Wichita Police department is investigating a child endangerment case after two young children were found home alone overnight. A neighbor called police around 3:30 a.m. Friday, concerned that two children were inside a southeast Wichita home alone. Officers arrived to find a 2-year-old girl and a 1-year-old boy, unsupervised. Lt. Doug Nolte, Wichita Police, said the children were released to family members. Authorities have been in contact with the children's parents.

Investigators say three children playing with a lighter started a fire that led to a 2-year-old going to the hospital with smoke inhalation. Crews were called to the home on north Pershing around 12:15 Friday morning. While crews were on their way, they got the report that a person was trapped in the home. Investigators say the fire started in the home's back bedroom where four, five and seven-year-old children were playing. Fire officials say they were playing with a lighter.

A judge ruled that a Newton man accused of killing a 19-month-old boy will stand trial. Chad Carr appeared in court for a preliminary hearing Friday. Carr is charged with one count of first degree murder in the death of Vincent Hill, aggravated battery and child abuse. Hill died in late March. Autopsy results show Hill suffered from oxygen depletion (most often caused by suffocation) and blunt force trauma. Police say Chad Carr claims he called 9-1-1 when her found Hill, his girlfriend's son, not breathing in his crib.

Latest Update By Eyewitness News (HARVEY CO., Kan.) Lab evidence is stalling a homicide charge the Harvey County attorney expects to file against a man accused of child abuse. Chad Carr is charged with two counts of aggravated battery and two counts of child abuse against his girlfriend's 19-month-old son who died in late March. The North Newton man was supposed to have a preliminary hearing Thursday, but the judge moved it to the middle of May. Harvey County Attorney David Yoder says as soon as lab tests on the child's brain are back, he expects to have the evidence he needs to file homicide charges.