"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood," Fred Rogers ( zerotothree.org 2018 ). Before our children develop language skills to ask questions about the world around them, they learn by using their senses. They explore and discover at their own pace through play. Play supports children's skills across all developmental domains. There a...
"I have tried many times to express my feelings, but at each attempt, I find myself tongue-tied" -Kate Cary Did you know that being tongue-tied is something more than just an experience one feels when they struggle to find words? A tongue tie is a small bit of skin tissue, called the frenulum, that attaches the bottom of your tongue to the bottom part of your mouth underneath it. When this frenulum is too short or tight, this is referred to as a ...
Sometimes it seems like our children are constantly fighting us. Everything leads to a tantrum and they won't follow directions to save their lives. You might be wondering what else to try to manage this behavior besides yelling and punishment. Here are a few strategies for improving behavior by connecting and teaching. Set up routines and rules to eliminate power struggles . Consistency is crucial for kids because it helps them feel safe and kno...
Your child has an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis, and your doctor has recommended ABA therapy, but what is that and how can it help your child? ABA Therapy stands for Applied Behavior Analysis and is one of the most common interventions for children with autism. The goal of ABA therapy is to teach skills and change behaviors. The skills taught in ABA are individualized for each child, based on their needs. ABA is a data driven approach that u...
"No two children develop alike." "Don't compare your child to someone else's child." Don't get me wrong, this advice has its place. However, there are always two sides to every coin. A range exists for when children are most ready and able to learn certain skills, and if we aren't seeing those skills there might be underlying medical or physical concerns. What's the risk? A child just might catch up with their peers as time goes on, but research ...
From the stepsisters in Disney's Cinderella to Lotso in Disney's Toy Story 3, it is not uncommon to see the role of bullies presented in family movies. Unfortunately, this behavior can happen outside of the screen. As your children take on the world, there are ways to teach them how to react to bullying, prevent it, and change their own behavior if they engage in bullying. How Children Can React to Bullies: Talk to a trusted adult, parent, or t...
Learning a new language is not an easy task. There can be a lot of barriers present in learning a second language: different conjugations, unknown pronunciations, atypical phrases, and the list goes on. However, as someone who learned a language as a child, I have come to highly appreciate my unique abilities that emerged in my youth. Let's take a look at how learning a second language helps children in school, and as they grow and develop. Resea...
Do you remember the first pet you ever owned? I remember being 5 years old when I got my first pet; a blue betta fish named Rainbow Blue. I was thrilled to have this little fish that was all mine. Every day I made sure to feed it and attend to its needs. Eventually, I got pet crabs and then a dog! Each pet we owned gave me confidence as I cared for them. It also helped me create memories that have lasted a lifetime. I learned many skills from the...
We all know the nursery rhyme rain, rain, go away, come again another day. I'll be the first to admit that rainy days get me down, but it doesn't have to be that way. I'm here to share both indoor and outdoor activities so that you and your children can make the most out of rainy days together. Outdoor Activity Ideas: Dance in the rain- this is a really simple, but fun way to spend a little time out in the rain. Play some music or sing a song tog...
Having a birth plan is a growing desire for pregnant women. First introduced in the 1980s due to increased medical births, birth plans have been a source for many women to relay their preferences during and around the time of childbirth. If you choose to have a written plan in place, take some time in the weeks before your baby arrives to decide what's important to you in your birthing experience. Below I will share different kinds of birthing pl...
Nearly two years ago my husband and I were getting ready to bring our newborn baby home from the hospital. As I put my tiny baby in his car seat for the first time I felt nervous and unsure that I was doing everything right, even though I had spent time preparing for this moment. Using a car seat properly can be an overwhelming task for parents, so I'm here to share a few tips with you to help you feel more confident in keeping your child safe in...
Recently, my husband and I took our nearly two-year-old son on a nature walk. We found a quiet stream and sat along the edge. We began tossing pebbles in the stream and our son quickly became interested in doing the same. He was so intrigued with the impact the different sizes of pebbles made on the water and the splashes they produced. It brought me back to my childhood and how simple outdoor activities are some of my favorite memories. This mad...
"Why didn't I think of that?" frequently crosses the minds of parents watching other parents handle their children successfully in the grocery store, during a playdate, or out in public. Memorizing some short basic phrases and the situations in which to use them creates confidence even in doubtful parents. 1. Say yes more than you say no . Even when you have to say no it can be done gently. For example, "I know you want a cookie, you can have one...
Nearly all children could benefit from social/emotional coaching. The purpose of social and emotional coaching is to help children learn social skills, emotional intelligence, and behaviors. These abilities can help children relate to their peers and regulate their own emotions. It might sound like a daunting task for parents and caregivers to teach children how to regulate their emotions. However, there are very simple things parents can do as t...
Summer can be a fun and exciting time for families! There are so many activities they can do together, it feels like the options are endless. At the same time, summer break can sometimes feel stressful. Changing from a structured school schedule to extra free time can be overwhelming for kids (and parents). With a little bit of planning and a few tips, you can make the transition to summer a smooth one. 1. Keep a schedule Keeping a schedule durin...
Summer is right around the corner and I, for one, could not be more excited to have some fun in the sun. From swimming to evening bike rides, there is so much to look forward to. With all this fun in mind, my thoughts have also turned to what I can do as a parent to keep my son safe during our summer activities. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind as you are preparing for summer fun with your children: 1. Water Safety Tips According to the...
"More than screen-obsessed young children, we should be concerned about tuned-out parents. " This statement jogged my memory of a photo I once saw. It was of a couple sitting up in bed, as they were illuminated by the light of their phones in the darkness of the night. Neither of them appeared to be speaking to the other. They each were focused solely on the device they held in their hands. Since then, I have seen other photos that depict ...
Imagine that you are at home with your children. You're scrolling through your social media feed while your spouse is working on their laptop. Your toddler and preschooler are watching a children's program on the television and your school-aged child is playing a game on your tablet. Suddenly the power goes out, taking the precious Wi-Fi connection with it. What do you do? How can you keep your family "entertained" without the screens that are re...
Getting our very first TV was a huge event: my sister and I could watch black-and-white shows, but only around bedtime. Fast forward a few decades, and now screens are everywhere (at work, in school, and at home; even in our bedrooms), available 24/7 and used for an endless variety of purposes. Right before the first lockdowns of 2020, a nationally representative survey found that about half of the parents said whether or not their infant or todd...
Are you tired of being stuck inside? Are you ready for spring? You are not alone! It is exciting to have warmer weather right around the corner. Children may be tired of being inside and parents are running out of ideas and activities for their children to do indoors. Here are a couple of fun and easy things to do on a beautiful spring day. Nature Collection Pick a nice sunny day to go to the park or walk around your neighborhood to do a nature c...
