True toys have no bells or whistles, they do not do anything and you do not turn them on. Most toys today have taken the fun out of imaginative play. Manipulating toys and giving them life develops reasoning and problem-solving skills as well as creates a base of simple knowledge of how things work. Infants Rattles – Fine motor development toy of the century. Grasping, repetitive motion that creates a desired outcome, music, hand-eye coordination and focusing visually on a moving object are all part of infant learning. Have rattles handy in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes and sounds. One-…

Has your young toddler started carrying around a favorite stuffed animal or blankie? Their attachment to this beloved object is normal—and can even be helpful! These “lovies” allow your little one to soothe him or herself in stressful moments and provide comfort or courage. The feeling of security is so important for a child during the transitional time of toddlerhood. Just what is the magic behind the tattered blankie, soft pup-pup or fuzzy little froggy? These lovies help our toddlers to control their insecurities or frustrations. Many children select a lovey that is soft, comforting and …

The first time your preschooler blurted out “bad words” or other unacceptable language you were probably pretty surprised—and may have even laughed out loud. We may wonder: what happened to our eager-to-please, angelic sweethearts? As our little ones grow bigger, their curiosity to test and push boundaries grows bigger, too. As parents, we know that rude language and other maddening behavior will quickly lose its charm and humor. Instances like this provide the perfect time to lay the foundation for better behavior. Here are a few simple steps to curb the rudeness. Establish the rules. Let …

According to research conducted by the National Center for Summer Learning, which is based at the Johns Hopkins School of Education in Baltimore, Maryland, summer learning loss accounts for about two-thirds of the difference in the likelihood of a student pursuing a college preparatory path in high school. As these findings indicate, keeping children's brains challenged throughout the summer is crucial, since the lack of learning that occurs during these months has both short-term and long-term consequences. Keeping a child's day consistent throughout the summer months keeps the brain focused…

Though we’ve heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day—especially for children—it is often a casualty of morning mayhem. Start your child’s day off with a nutritious and energy-boosting breakfast. Children - and grown-ups too - who consistently eat balanced breakfasts have more energy, better diets, perform better and are less likely to be anxious or irritable. We’re busy with our daily routines and sometimes it seems difficult to find healthy foods that children enjoy. Serving up a balanced breakfast is actually easier than it seems! Trying these nutritious breakfast tips …

Chores are a valuable life activity for everyone. They help fulfill our basic need to feel needed and contribute to our household. Helping others, and doing a good job at it, helps boost children’s self-esteem while making them feel more confident, competent and valuable. However, getting children to put down the toys, turn off the television and get off the couch to help clean, declutter and spruce up the house isn’t an easy chore in itself! Here are some great ways to motivate children of any age to consistently get their chores done, while minimizing the moaning and groaning.   Keep a list…

A good night’s sleep is essential for both you and your baby.  The sooner your little one is sleeping well through the night, the sooner you can return to a beneficial sleep routine as well. Newborns tend to wake frequently during the night until they reach about three months of age.  This is when most babies begin to sleep for longer periods of time and develop a regular sleep pattern.  By six months of age, most babies are able to sleep through the night, which can be anywhere from five hours on. To help your baby reach the “sleeping through the night” goal, be sure to establish a set …

Our energy-filled children can exhaust even the most active of grandparents—and us for that matter! If we are lucky enough to be able to count on beloved grandma,  great-auntie or another older family member to provide care for our little ones while we steal a few hours for ourselves, a night away or even just a less chaotic run to the market, a few advance preparations may help put our minds at ease. Consider setting up the pack-n-play or nap area and a changing area on the main level to help alleviate the extra trips up and down the stairs for diaper changes, clean bibs, forgotten binkies …

Many new parents wonder, “When should I take my child to the dentist for the first time?” According to the American Dental Association, your child should have their first dental visit by their first birthday, or sometime within six months of when they get their first tooth. When looking for a dentist for your child, you may choose to go to your regular family dentist or a pediatric dentist. There are advantages to both, such as familiarity with your family dentist and specialized training for children with the pediatric dentist. The most important aspect to consider is that you and your child…

Children who attend preschool are better served when their parents pack their lunches. Why?  Because the process of choosing, packing and providing healthy meal choices is in the hands of parents; not a caterer or packaged meal plan provider. This is especially important if your child is a picky eater. The Strategy: Let your child be a part of a healthy food conversation.  Discuss the week’s menus and the specific ingredients.  Read cookbooks and magazines – or just look at the interesting pictures. Engage your child while at the food store and give them choices. For example, “Let’s pick a …

Focusing your child’s physical fitness on fun activities will increase your child’s ability to move with confidence and competence.  Exercise increases overall metabolism, builds a healthy heart and lungs, strong bones and muscles, and improves coordination, balance, posture and flexibility.  Infant Encourage babies to explore activities that allow for reaching, rolling, sitting, crawling, pulling themselves up and walking.  ‘Tummy Time’ is the perfect opportunity for babies to practice lifting their heads and develop strong muscles.  Placing toys just out of reach encourages babies to reach …

Establishing a strong, open line of communication between parents and teachers is an essential part of any child’s education.  Doing so allows parents to always remain apprised of their child’s progress and, should a problem arise, allows for easy discussion on ways to address and remedy the situation.  Never hesitate to get the lines of communication flowing.  As your child’s teacher greets each new student on the first day of school, take advantage of the situation to introduce yourself as well.  Ask how and when would be the best time to contact them if you have questions or just want to …

It is important to understand the reasons behind your child’s developmentally appropriate—yet unacceptable—hitting, kicking or biting behaviors. Try to consider your child’s point of view. Some frustrations may include: She cannot fully verbally express her feelings. She does not have fully developed self control. She is defending herself from an “attack” from another child, whether it is hair pulling, toy grabbing, etc. She is experimenting with cause and her effect on the world. She’s tired. She’s hungry. She’s over stimulated. Sometimes, she may not even have a reason. These are just some …

Contrary to popular belief, discipline and punishment are not equal.  Discipline is positive and should prevent the need for punishment.  In fact, the word “discipline” is derived from the Latin “disciplina” which means teaching or education.  Discipline helps to guide children toward positive behavior, promotes self-control, encourages children to think before acting and is not damaging to their self-esteem.  Punishment, on the other hand, is negative – whether physical, verbal, withholding rewards or penalizing. Positive discipline teaches children rules and behaviors in a respectful, …

To a preschooler, a “friend” is anyone who is willing to play the way they want to play during any given period of time. Friends are just as likely to be boys as girls and may change frequently. Playing with friends is an important way for children to learn social skills including sharing and taking turns so providing your child the opportunity to make friends is helpful, worthwhile and fun! Dale Walker, a professor of child development at the University of Kansas, offers these guidelines to promote productive and enjoyable playdates. Limit the initial invitation to one or two friends at your…

Oh, how our toddlers test the limits and press our buttons! Often, it seems, toddlers are torn between wanting to be a ‘big kid’ and wanting to be babied—this can be especially intensified if there is a sibling in the mix. It is important to try to keep a sense of humor about your child’s journey to independence. Testing Limits & Pushing Buttons For a toddler, gaining independence is a whole new world! Toddlers are determined to feel like they are in control. It can be amazing to see your child grow in leaps and bounds right in front of you by making their own decisions and developing their …

Children should begin to learn to respect limits from a young age. Most boundaries for children are set for health and safety reasons and are a very important and necessary developmental tool. Children are corrected every day, which can lead them to simply "tune out" any perceived negativity or become uncooperative. Regardless of their age, most people respond better to positively communicated direction. This is especially true for children. For example, "Grandma is worried about us getting stains on her couch. Let's enjoy our snack in her kitchen instead," will generate more cooperation than…

  Pets enrich the lives of many children and families. While children raised with pets show many benefits, safety concerns should always be a determining factor when deciding to get or keep a pet in a family with young children.   Choose wisely from breeds or species that are a good fit for your family, your home and your lifestyle. Get some thoughts here.  Behavior, temperament, excitability, patience and size are important characteristics to consider in a child-friendly pet that your little one can help care for. Pets should be free of disease and regularly checked by a veterinarian. Family…

With so much information about preschools available to parents, it can be difficult to choose the right program. One approach to evaluating a school that can help parents choose is the level of emphasis on learning through play. For young children, play is the natural way to learn, according to the experts. In fact, research studies confirm that children who are allowed to play function better later in life, both socially and academically. "Young children who learn through play are more ready to make their own decisions, advocate for themselves and use creativity to solve problems as they …

Have you ever caught a glimpse of your child playing and pretending to be you, or someone you know?  Dramatic play and socio-dramatic play are important components of children's cognitive and social development.  Earlier this year, play was celebrated at The Ultimate Block Party in Central Park. By acting out real or fictional situations through dramatic play (pretend play); children are working through their feelings and their understanding of the world. Dramatic play lets them process their perception of events and/or roles.  For instance, if a child is playing house as the "mommy" – she is…