Month: February 2015

Start Teaching Pencil Grasp Early With Fingertip Feeding Games

Many preschoolers have difficulty holding a pencil.  Some teachers and occupational therapists don’t even suggest pencil use until kindergarten.  And the developmental progression is slowing down to reflect the limited amount of time children under 3 are getting to refine their pinch and manipulation skills that create the foundation of pencil grasp.  Standardized testing may…… Continue reading Start Teaching Pencil Grasp Early With Fingertip Feeding Games

Discipline and Toddlers 2.0: Using Kind Ignoring with Defiance and Mild Aggression

I have had a lot of interest in my first blog post on “What to say if you don’t say “no?”.   Parents have  tried my suggestion, and sometimes their child responds by following the directions.  And sometimes their child smiles and hits them.  What do you do next?  Most parents would try out my…… Continue reading Discipline and Toddlers 2.0: Using Kind Ignoring with Defiance and Mild Aggression

When Should Your Child Use a Stylus on an iPad?

Earlier I wrote a post on the App Crayon stylus to develop pencil grasp in preschoolers.  But should all preschoolers and even toddlers use a stylus?  The issue is more complicated than you might think. The App Crayon is still my favorite stylus for older toddlers.  The triangular shape and the boldly colored, non-slip grasping…… Continue reading When Should Your Child Use a Stylus on an iPad?

Move Your Baby Into a Shared Bedroom Using The Happiest Baby on the Block

One question I usually hear when teaching The Happiest Baby on the Block (THB) classes is “Can this help me when I want to move her into her sister’s room?”.  The answer is: absolutely!  Strategies that keep your newborn calm and sleeping more deeply will smooth the transition to shared bedrooms later on. Most parents…… Continue reading Move Your Baby Into a Shared Bedroom Using The Happiest Baby on the Block

Kumon Learn to Cut Books: Paper Truly Worth Snipping Up

Learning to cut with scissors isn’t easy.  Kumon’s well-designed books make it fun and successful! As a pediatric occupational therapist, I evaluate fine motor skills in young children and help children develop hand control.  After finding preschool scissors that do not cut fingers, hair or clothes (Lakeshore Learning’s own brand of safety scissor with the…… Continue reading Kumon Learn to Cut Books: Paper Truly Worth Snipping Up

Teaching Handwriting to Toddlers Isn’t as Easy as Connecting the Dots

I recently saw a preschool homework sheet with dots forming the child’s first name.  My initial thought was “Not again!”.  And then I decided to be a bit more kind.  Preschool teachers aren’t given any solid instruction in how to teach pre-writing.  They are trying their best, and hoping that the workbooks they have in…… Continue reading Teaching Handwriting to Toddlers Isn’t as Easy as Connecting the Dots

Discipline and Toddlers: What Do You Say if You Don’t Want to Constantly Say “No”?

A mother recently asked me this question, and I had to come up with a quick and useful answer.  Her daughter is a naturally curious little girl, and the mom wanted to ensure her child’s safety as she explores and experiments.  She is aware that she can say “no” 10 times before lunch, and that…… Continue reading Discipline and Toddlers: What Do You Say if You Don’t Want to Constantly Say “No”?

Exit mobile version
%%footer%%