It is generally agreed among educators that one of the best things adults can do for their children is to read to them. Parent Tips: During early infancy, reading helps babies build neural pathways that will eventually provide language development and acquisition. Reading aloud to children encourages association with happiness, love and enjoyment. All of this can lead to children’s greater interest in reading and can result in larger vocabularies and better literary skills. Choose a childcare environment that encourages storytime as an important aspect of the school’s routine. Reading aloud …

It is generally agreed among educators that one of the best things adults can do for their children is to read to them. Parent Tips: During early infancy, reading helps babies build neural pathways that will eventually provide language development and acquisition. Reading aloud to children encourages association with happiness, love and enjoyment. All of this can lead to children’s greater interest in reading and can result in larger vocabularies and better literary skills. Choose a childcare environment that encourages storytime as an important aspect of the school’s routine. Reading aloud …

Are your preschoolers turning their noses up at the same old snacks? Transform ordinary snacks into the talk of the playground. Substitute multigrain crackers for bread, and create layers of turkey, tomato and cheese for the snack that really stacks up! Use cookie cutters to add the wow factor to everyday cheese slices, bread, pineapple, wholegrain waffles, cucumber and more! Try whole wheat or flavored tortillas instead of bread. Simply spread on a little peanut butter, cream cheese or low-fat yogurt, add diced fruits or veggies, roll it up, and viola-- your little ones will be raving. Want …

Are your preschoolers turning their noses up at the same old snacks? Transform ordinary snacks into the talk of the playground. Substitute multigrain crackers for bread, and create layers of turkey, tomato and cheese for the snack that really stacks up! Use cookie cutters to add the wow factor to everyday cheese slices, bread, pineapple, wholegrain waffles, cucumber and more! Try whole wheat or flavored tortillas instead of bread. Simply spread on a little peanut butter, cream cheese or low-fat yogurt, add diced fruits or veggies, roll it up, and viola-- your little ones will be raving.

Including our children in the care of our beloved family pets can provide valuable lessons on love, kindness, gentleness and responsibility. Here are some doggone great ways (supervised, of course) children of varying ages and stages can participate. Babies can begin to learn about being gentle and soft while petting a furry pet. Little ones who are a bit too rough can practice petting a stuffed animal first — it’s important to consider the safety of our children and our pets! Toddlers can learn to brush a bunny, cat or dog. Toddlers and preschoolers can use measuring cups to fill food bowls…

Including our children in the care of our beloved family pets can provide valuable lessons on love, kindness, gentleness and responsibility. Here are some doggone great ways (supervised, of course) children of varying ages and stages can participate. Babies can begin to learn about being gentle and soft while petting a furry pet. Little ones who are a bit too rough can practice petting a stuffed animal first—it’s important to consider the safety of our children and our pets! Toddlers can learn to brush a bunny, cat or dog. Toddlers and preschoolers can use measuring cups to fill food bowls. …

An estimated five million children are in preschool programs, and the number is growing.  According to the Families and Work Institute, children benefit from quality programs with competent staff and good ratios. They suffer fewer behavioral troubles, have larger expressive vocabularies, feel close to their teachers, and enjoy more complex, less aggressive play with peers.  A high-quality preschool curriculum sets specific goals and uses learning and developmental standards that are age-appropriate. The curriculum builds on each child's interests and natural curiosity and also allows them the…

The American Academy of Pediatrics urges parents to avoid television and other electronic media for children two years of age and under; yet two thirds of infants and toddlers watch a ‘screen’ for an average of two hours per day. Older children have a similar average; however children ages eight to eighteen have an average of four hours per day. This amount of time spent in front of a computer, television, video game or the like can interfere with school work, physical activity, curious exploration, social interaction and playing. Many children also get in the (bad) habit of eating snacks …

The American Academy of Pediatrics urges parents to avoid television and other electronic media for children two years of age and under; yet two thirds of infants and toddlers watch a ‘screen’ for an average of two hours per day. Older children have a similar average; however children ages eight to eighteen have an average of four hours per day. This amount of time spent in front of a computer, television, video game or the like can interfere with school work, physical activity, curious exploration, social interaction and playing. Many children also get in the (bad) habit of eating snacks …

It’s almost inevitable that a child will throw a tantrum at some point. Here are some great tips for tantrum prevention: Incorporate relaxation time into your child’s daily schedule – play a game, visit a park, cuddle up and read a story In stressful times, do your best to remain calm – be a good example and your child may follow your lead Keep negatives to a minimum – saying “no” can cause frustration, try a phrase like “maybe later.” Be aware and sympathetic during transitions – starting school, potty training or a new sibling could be stressors. Make sure you’re listening to your child, …

It’s almost inevitable that a child will throw a tantrum at some point. Here are some great tips for tantrum prevention: Incorporate relaxation time into your child’s daily schedule – play a game, visit a park, cuddle up and read a story In stressful times, do your best to remain calm – be a good example and your child may follow your lead Keep negatives to a minimum – saying “no” can cause frustration, try a phrase like “maybe later.” Be aware and sympathetic during transitions – starting school, potty training or a new sibling could be stressors. Make sure you’re listening to your child, …

Our children come to us with a fresh look at life, full of uniqueness, purity and innocence. Each and every day, our children take joy in learning from us—not just the big life lessons, but the nuances, too. As grown-ups, we often rush through life, caught up in day to day tasks. In a blink, babies become preschoolers, and before we know it we’ll be cheering for them at their high school graduation. Consider what our children can teach us, or remind us of, if we only let them. Our children can remind us what love is—true, unconditional love. They can remind us what it means to really …

Our children come to us with a fresh look at life, full of uniqueness, purity and innocence. Each and every day, our children take joy in learning from us—not just the big life lessons, but the nuances, too. As grown-ups, we often rush through life, caught up in day to day tasks. In a blink, babies become preschoolers, and before we know it we’ll be cheering for them at their high school graduation. Consider what our children can teach us, or remind us of, if we only let them. Our children can remind us what love is—true, unconditional love. They can remind us what it means to really …

With your toddler asserting a newly discovered feeling of independence, you may find yourself at your wits’ end. Tasks that were once a piece of cake—from buckling a car seat, brushing teeth and getting dressed to grocery shopping and mealtimes—can be a big production these days. Now that your child is testing the waters of freedom—getting bigger, stronger, faster, and simultaneously discovering the word “No!”—you might wonder how to regain control. Consider these tips for guiding your child toward good behavior. Prepare your child in advance by listing each step. Instead of asking, “Are you …

With your toddler asserting a newly discovered feeling of independence, you may find yourself at your wits’ end. Tasks that were once a piece of cake — from buckling a car seat, brushing teeth and getting dressed to grocery shopping and mealtimes — can be a big production these days. Now that your child is testing the waters of freedom — getting bigger, stronger, faster, and simultaneously discovering the word “No!” — you might wonder how to regain control. Consider these tips for guiding your child toward good behavior. Prepare your child in advance by listing each step. Instead of asking, “…

Back-to-school season is here, and South Kingstown area children are probably getting excited about shopping for new clothes and being able to see their school friends. While education is an essential part of growing up, other factors like waking up earlier in the morning, brushing teeth and packing a school lunch are also important, as it helps develop an organized lifestyle and further a child's growth. It is so important for children to get into the routine of going to sleep at a reasonable time, and knowing what daily morning chores they need to accomplish each day.  In addition, the …

Back-to-school season is here, and South Kingstown area children are probably getting excited about shopping for new clothes and being able to see their school friends. While education is an essential part of growing up, other factors like waking up earlier in the morning, brushing teeth and packing a school lunch are also important, as it helps develop an organized lifestyle and further a child's growth. It is so important for children to get into the routine of going to sleep at a reasonable time, and knowing what daily morning chores they need to accomplish each day.  In addition, the …

So, kids learn through play. Fun motivates the play. Children, while not afraid of failure, LOVE success. And this success needs to be repeated. The good news is this behavior reinforces learning. Although, for adults, playing the game again, reading the book again, doing everything again ... and then repeating can be tedious. OK, we are doing well listening to Dr. Nancy. Take a look at the associated video. Does it make it you feel different when you consider that this early learning and repetition is setting the foundation for your child's educational future? To quote Kyle Pruett, MD: "…

So, kids learn through play.  Fun motivates the play.  Children, while not afraid of failure, LOVE success.  And this success needs to be repeated. The good news is this behavior reinforces learning.  Although, for adults, playing the game again, reading the book again, doing everything again...and then repeating can be tedious. OK, we are doing well listening to Dr. Nancy.  Take a look at the associated video.  Does it make it you feel different when you consider that this early learning and repetition is setting the foundation for your childs educational future? To quote Kyle Pruett, MD: "…

When we last talked to Dr. Nancy, we learned that there are five psychological urges. The urge: for safety and security to feel loved and connected to feel important / powerful / recognized to make choices for FUN These urges provide the framework for relationships with other people.  It is especially important for us, as adults, to understand these urges in the context of parenting.  Since, the child is not yet able to understand their motivations. In the associated video, Dr. Nancy talks about the relationship between learning and our need for fun.  This is the secret that drives all …