Good Beginnings That Last A Lifetime
Our language is a complex system of sounds, rhythms, pitches, and syllables. In an effort to engage babies in learning and understanding language, parents and caregivers often create their own way of communicating that we know as “baby talk” or “motherese.” Babies seem to prefer listening to this “sing song” speech; but parents may wonder if baby talk helpful in teaching children language.
The excitement of the holidays can pose a challenge to your child’s sleep schedule. Traveling, spending time with family and participating in late night gatherings likely means that there have been some missed naps and stretched bedtimes. While it is fun to have more flexibility with naps and bedtimes during the holidays, you may have started to see the effects that less sleep has had on your children. As you start the New Year, this is a great time to bring back regular sleep routines and make sure that your child is getting the sleep that they need. After all, well-rested children tend to be happier children!
Traditions are a fun way to teach your children about your own childhood and your family history. You can also include other family members in discussing memories to make those old traditions seem new again.
The holiday season is often a time spent with family members and friends, creating special memories together. However, parents have shared with us that when the holidays are over, it can be challenge to keep children connected if you are not in the same city.
The holiday season is such a wonderful and fun time for your children. However, sometimes it may bring up concerns regarding giving and receiving gifts. Parents have asked us, “What if my child becomes accustomed to receiving presents?” or “How can I teach my children to be grateful for gifts, while also teaching them to find joy in giving to others?”. Here are a few simple ways that can help your child understand the meaning of exchanging gifts during the holiday season:
Many parents who work Special Time into each day with his or her child express that they see significant changes in their child’s behavior. Parents often say that their child seems to respond as if they’ve been missing an essential nutrient. In a way, they have…Special Time heals the upsets and disconnections of daily modern life. It probably […]
As your child starts to develop a self-awareness and self-esteem, they are constantly looking at you for approval and reassurance. Through support of their successes and help with their challenges, you are shaping how they feel about themselves. Beyond having reasonable expectations about their development, celebrating their uniqueness, and tuning into your child’s feelings, there are some more specific ways that you can help your child to develop a positive sense of self and “feel great.”
Fears and anxieties are often a typical part of early childhood. As children grow and learn more about their world, they can develop fears about things new or old. Whether your toddler develops a new fear of the bathtub or the vacuum cleaner, or is afraid to go to the pediatrician for a check-up, fears can develop as new things are learned and as imaginations grow.
Minimizing Power Struggles Many parents share that power struggles are a challenging part of the toddler and early years. Young children are working hard on being independent and mastering their world. However, a child’s mission to make decisions and do things on their own can often conflict with parents attempts to gain cooperation. Offering choices […]
Parenting can be one of the most difficult jobs you will ever encounter. An understanding of your beliefs and values as a parent, combined with knowledge about your child’s temperament and stage of development will allow you to access positive parenting strategies. These strategies allow you to respond with empathy and respect, modeling important skills and helping you to diffuse challenging situations. Here are some essential pieces to positive parenting…
