Grab your stroller, and head over to the Broward County Convention Center this weekend for the extravaganza known as It's a Baby & Family Expo.

More than 100 exhibitors will be on hand with products to demonstrate or sell, as well as experts offering advice on a variety of topics.

Hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday. Adult admission is $8, but grandparents and kids younger than 12 get in free. Parking is $6.

For more information, go to itsababyexpo.com.

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Maggie Cary, a national board certified teacher has been an educator for more than 17 years. She is certified in secondary education and holds a master’s degree in early childhood education.

Over the years she has mentored countless teachers and advised hundreds of parents. Cary has taught children from preschool through high school. She also offers classroom advice on website Classroom Talk.

Whether it be in the mall, on the beach, or on the sidewalk, I’m thrilled whenever I hear parents interacting and engaging their babies and toddlers in conversation. Even if children can’t talk back, speaking to them from the moment they pop out into the world (some say even before that) will enhance their vocabulary and ability to learn.

I grow concerned when I see parents simply pushing a stroller and not engaging their child. Children can understand vocabulary before they can verbalize it. When you have a baby, your communication with him or her might include simply describing what you are doing. With a toddler, you might seek more interaction, like asking questions, or describing your surroundings, situation or plans together. You might simply point to objects or actions and ask what they are called. You could provide names for new objects and actions, and reinforce those that may have been recently learned. When your child asks question after question, after question, after question ... even if it borders on annoyance, be patient and answer him. If you’re reading a book with an older child, stop and discuss and explain the meaning of unknown words.

The more you talk to your child, the faster his or her vocabulary will grow. The larger a vocabulary a child has when he or she enters school, the more able the child will be to decode and comprehend what is being read and said during class. If the teacher reads a story about someone, making haste to get away, the meaning will be lost on the child that doesn’t know what that means, and doesn’t have the experience to think to ask what it means.

I took a flight a few weeks ago and there was a very young mom sitting behind us with her daughter. This mother spent the entire flight reading, talking, and explaining words to her eighteen month old. I thought it was fantastic. I felt excited for this child who was going to be one up on many of the other children entering school. She would start her formal education with a rich vocabulary, a wealth of words and a history of being a successful learner. I imagined that one day this little girl might be a great author or statesman. It didn’t hurt one bit either, that she didn’t cry once during the flight.

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Letting go is an inevitable step in the life of a parent. But it’s emotional and downright scary when that step comes all too early.

Many working parents dread the word daycare. I used to, when I first gave birth to my son five years ago. But thanks to an absolutely wonderful daycare/preschool that my son will be graduating from this year, I no longer loathe the word.

In fact, I enrolled my five-month-old daughter at the same school last month. There were no tears -- from her or me. (Babies take their cues from their parents. If you’re OK, chances are they’ll be OK.) I know my daughter is in good hands. And that peace of mind is worth every penny I spend on daycare. (And, yes, we’re talking LOTS of pennies.)

So for all of you parents out there who are contemplating daycare, here is my personal checklist (beyond the obvious) for what to consider:

Parent policy: Do they have an open-door policy for parents who want to stop by and visit? If the answer is anything less than, “Yes, absolutely, of course!” you should look elsewhere.

Nurturing: Checking the credentials of the staff and school, as well as the student-teacher ratio should be a given (which is why I didn’t think I needed to explicitly list it). What I’m talking about is that X factor that so often cannot be taught. Do the teachers genuinely love taking care of children? Or is this just a job? The only way to really gauge this is by visiting the place and observing the teachers yourself. I know my daughter’s teachers can never love my girl the way I do – but I want them to come very close.

Stimulating environment: Infant care is more than cribs and infant-care gadgets (like swings or bouncy seats). You want your child to be able to move around (or be moved around until they can do the moving themselves) in an environment that piques all of his or her developing senses. My baby is happiest when she’s observing or engaged in an activity. Ask your center if there’s a curriculum. Yes, even young children can benefit from one. And the most important no-no? The use of television in the classroom. TV is never a substitute for stimulating activity and doesn’t belong at daycare.

Cleaning policy: Good hygiene has always been high on my list. My son knows the first thing he does when he comes home (from anywhere) is wash his hands. When he was little, I made sure to clean his toys after a play date. I expect nothing less from my daycare. So ask about the classroom policy on cleaning toys and tables. In my daughter’s class, toys are cleaned three times a day. And objects that become chew toys for a little one immediately get set aside for cleaning. Another plus: You must remove your shoes before entering the room (or wear a pair of those disposable shoe covers).

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If I bring my own reusable bags to Publix, it means I don't want any plastic.

This seems obvious to me. So why do the clerks proceed to place the things I buy in plastic bags before putting them in the reusable bag?

A gallon of milk merits its own plastic bag at my Publix. How wasteful! So do eggs and meat, which they tell me many people request.

I feel like a taskmaster as I pile up my reusable bags on the conveyor and give explicit directions at the checkout: "No plastic bags, please! Just throw everything in! If I don't have enough room, please use a paper bag!"

But they still give me plastic. I wonder what kind of instructions the clerks get as to how to bag groceries. Because besides polluting the environment, they are wasting the stores' money with their plastic generosity.

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Today is the great Dr. Seuss' birthday. And we should all celebrate his genius.

I grew up reading Seuss, of course. And when I cuddled with my little one and a good Seuss book, I couldn't help but recall hopping on my own pop. I almost can't wait to read Dr. Seuss to grandkids someday.

Check out the Dr. Seuss catalog here, and you will be astounded at the number of books Theodor Seuss Geisel wrote. That's a lot of rhyming.

"Left foot. Right foot. Feet. Feet. Feet." Now that's a great line from The Foot Book.

And for inspiring curiosity, from Oh the Thinks You Can Think: "There are so many thinks that at Thinker can think!"

"I meant what I said and I said what I meant." Talk about determination and loyalty. (From Horton Hatches an Egg)

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” That's a lesson: Reading and imagination can take you places (From I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!)

It's hard to choose a favorite book. As a kid I loved Horton. And who doesn't wish to be as bad as that Cat, and get away with it in the end. As an adult, I came to appreciate the counting and words lessons in books like Ten Apples Up on Top and Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?

But I think I'll have to go with The Lorax. It's a story, not just a series of rhymes, that raises the level of the conversation. It opens kids eyes to consequences and responsibilities. And it's as relevant today as it was when it was written in 1971.

What's your favorite?

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Check out this funny video of babies puckering up. It's comforting to note that parents of various cultures and ethnicities all get their kicks from watching their little sourpusses squirm.

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If I left the decisions up to my daughter, she'd never play competitive sports (and she'd eat Pop Tarts at every meal).

In real life, you're not always No. 1.

Her first season of forced sports, when she was four years old, she cried every time she kicked the soccer ball. She stopped on the way from the parking lot to the soccer field, wailing that her legs hurt. And worse, she cried, "I'm sweating!''

A few years have passed, and she just completed her fourth soccer season. She's starting her second year of softball. Sports trophies line her window sill.

When basketball sign-ups came along last fall, she said she wasn't interested. I signed her up anyway. It was one of the best experiences of her little-girl life.

I learned from the years of football, soccer and baseball in my son's youth that kids need to experience being on a team, and they might not beg you to sign them up. You might have to force it on them.

They need to learn about sacrificing, and about commitment. When my now teen-age son is forced to get up for a 9 a.m. baseball practice on Saturday, he's getting a hint of adult reality.

If you read parenting articles out there, you'll find plenty of folks who shy away from competitive sports because they want their kid to always feel like a winner. I don't know what kind of idyllic life these parents must be leading, but in my world, I'm thinking I need to sign my kids up for something that will teach them about life's devastating disappointments.

Hence, I think my daughter picked up some good life lessons when her team lost almost every game last season.

Sometimes life is like that. Sometimes you get a bad call, the people on your team suck, you're tired and don't feel like playing, the coach is mean to you, someone scratches you in the face and steals the ball, and the snack parent forgets to bring treats. And the next week, you put on your uniform, and you give it your best.

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Got a preschooler? A big Elmo or Abby Cadabby fan? Start planning your trip to Busch Gardens in Tampa now.

This year, kids 5 and younger (Florida residents only) can get in free to take advantage of the new Sesame Street Safari attraction opening March 27.

But you have to register online on the Busch Gardens website. And, you have to show a certified copy of your child's birth certificate when you go to the ticket window. Regular one-day admission is $64.95 for kids 3-9. Adult tickets are $74.95. The free Preschool Pass is available until Dec. 31.

Orlando Sentinel Theme Park Ranger Dewayne Bevil has more about what to expect at the new super-kid-friendly attraction here.

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My family celebrated a birthday last week. We cut a cake, blew out candles, and took a few pictures. We sang happy birthday.

The birthday boy? Our beagle. Or as my husband and I often refer to him -- our first child. My 5-year-old son has always proudly talked about his “brother.” It usually takes teachers a while to figure out his brother has spots, fur and four legs.

Some of my first memories as a child involve pets. (Rabbits, ducks, chickens, dogs) And I always knew I wanted my children to grow up respecting and appreciating animals. For parents, it’s often one of those key decisions: How? When? What?

Here are a few things to consider:

New baby: If you already have a pet (such as a dog), be sure to take steps even before the baby is born to introduce the change to the animal. My dog was three years old when my son was born. We knew there would be an adjustment period for a dog that had had our undivided attention for three years. So we took it slowly and used the nine months of my pregnancy to get our dog used to changes in his routine and surroundings. (Lots of areas in the house became off limits.) When the baby was born, my husband brought home a baby blanket from the hospital to allow our dog to sniff it.

Age-appropriate pets: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty (ASPCA) to Animals recommends small pets, such as guinea pigs, for preschoolers (3-5 years old.). They like to be held, seldom bite and will whistle when excited or happy. Who wouldn’t like that? I guess this is why they tend to be common classroom pets too. Avoid reptiles, though, since kids this age are more susceptible to contracting salmonella because of poor hand-washing habits. Also if you do decide to get a dog after your children are born, be sure to pick a breed that has a reputation of being good around children. And it’s not about size. Chihuahuas, for example, can be very temperamental. Ditto for Lhasa Apsos. (I have a scar on my face to prove it.)

Pets as teachers: Pets can help teach children responsibility. Let your child learn to feed, bathe or care for the pet by cleaning out its cage or taking it for a walk. Having a pet like a dog or cat can also help your children learn to build trusting relationships and develop compassion and empathy.

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It's hard to imagine a hotdog coming in any other shape but the current one.

But the American Academy of Pediatrics, calling a hotdog bite "the perfect plug for a child's airway," is recommending a redesign of the dog to prevent choking.

We've all cut up hotdogs into tiny pieces, knowing about the choking potential of this food, which is so unhealthy anyway. But it seems impossible to imagine it in a circle or a square, or as a paste or thin like a piece of turkey.

Send over your ideas!

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