The love we have for our children is endless, however the demands of parenting can be stressful. Sometimes stress and feeling overwhelmed are signs that you are trying to do too much. Our emotions and behavior have a big effect on our children and how they behave, which is why it’s so important that you look after yourself and your own needs.

We know it is important to support children’s emotions, but sometimes it seems like no matter what we do, it’s the wrong thing. So how can we meet our little one’s emotional needs to support them best?

Playing with your baby begins by engaging all of their senses. Their eyes, ears, nose, hands, and mouth are their tools. As they grow, they learn to use their body to make discoveries. Babies develop basic skills and become aware of how the world works around them through play.

Although technology has its benefits, it can also have effects on the quality of our relationships. Spending uninterrupted quality time with your children (even if it’s just 10 minutes) has lasting benefits.

Challenging behaviors in children is a form of communication letting us know there is an unmet need or unlearned skill. When caregivers can begin to identify what challenges a child is having, we can create a helping relationship and use different approaches to support the child and reduce that behavior.

This time of year brings about many changes that can be exciting, joyful, and challenging. Navigating the changes in schedules, expectations, and sometimes even travel can become stressful.

Do mornings feel rushed and chaotic? Are the phrases “Hurry Up!” or “Let’s Go!” common place while trying to get out of the door in the morning?” Repeatedly telling your child to hurry up can make them feel frustrated, stressed, anxious or worried. It can even cause them to freeze up and unable to think about what to do next.

Small moments with your child might not seem as important as the big events, but science tells us savoring those sweet memories can lead to greater happiness. Finding embraceable moments in the everyday activities you are already doing with your child like bathing or feeding them is one way to create lasting memories together.

Did you know there are many benefits of cooking with kids? Cooking engages all the senses – seeing, hearing, smelling, touching, and tasting – cooking with toddlers provides them with many sensory experiences that are important for brain development.

Gratitude is an advanced concept that can be tricky for toddlers and preschoolers to understand. They are naturally self-focused in their early ages and stages of development. But as children learn and grow, they become more understanding of the needs and feelings of others.