Month: March 2015

The Newborn Exercise Your Baby Really Needs…And Why He Isn’t Getting It

Last year I wrote a post on the Bumbo chair, but this time I feel it is time to write a post about the early days of baby positioning, before anyone would put a baby in a bouncing saucer.  I recently published an article locally on why tummy time is now fussy time.  This is…… Continue reading The Newborn Exercise Your Baby Really Needs…And Why He Isn’t Getting It

NPR’s Interview With the Author of “Raising Kids Who Want to Read” Raises Questions As Well

NPR posted an interview with Daniel T. Willingham, the author of “Raising Kids Who Love to Read”, and I will read his book with excitement for more details and suggestions.  I am wondering if anyone developing education policy is thinking about this issue in the same way as the author.  My takeaway message from the…… Continue reading NPR’s Interview With the Author of “Raising Kids Who Want to Read” Raises Questions As Well

Preschool Finger Play Songs for Hand Strengthening and Sensory Awareness

Children with sensory processing issues and low muscle tone can really struggle with the finger play games that are used in circle time at school.   Following the sequence of the movements using the right finger patterns can be confusing. Achieving the right finger and wrist angles takes strength and stability all the way from…… Continue reading Preschool Finger Play Songs for Hand Strengthening and Sensory Awareness

Swaddle at Night, but Get Moving During the Day

A correctly swaddled baby that is also using white noise and all the other Happiest Baby strategies can sleep amazingly long periods at night.  But as your baby goes from a 2 week-old to a 2-month-old, they are up and awake for longer periods of the the day.  Nobody wants to swaddle them all day,…… Continue reading Swaddle at Night, but Get Moving During the Day

Toddler Cooperation Blossoms When You Give Things Away for Free

Toddlers are tough negotiators.  They also remember the feeling they got during their last negotiation with you.  Here is one way to improve a toddler’s attitude: make easy trades that they will fondly remember. Most toddlers balk at simple requests.  Sometimes they resist the specific request, sometimes it is just that their default setting is…… Continue reading Toddler Cooperation Blossoms When You Give Things Away for Free

NPR’s Article on Blocks as Tools for Math and Social Skills Should Inspire Teachers and Parents

Today NPR is running a story on the way block play in preschool can teach children much more about math and getting along in life than you might have thought .  http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2015/02/06/384347659/behold-the-humble-block-tools-of-the-trade No one loves blocks more than occupational therapists, but it is increasingly harder to find them in family rooms and playrooms.  I often…… Continue reading NPR’s Article on Blocks as Tools for Math and Social Skills Should Inspire Teachers and Parents

Taming Toddler Tantrums Using Sympathetic Reframing

  The most challenging aspect of using The Happiest Toddler on the Block might be the need to use just enough emotion and emphasis when stating their issues back to them (the Fast Food Rule), but then modeling a cool, calm and rational state in your reply when you are tired and frustrated by a…… Continue reading Taming Toddler Tantrums Using Sympathetic Reframing

Exit mobile version
%%footer%%