Halloween With Sensory Sensitive Kids: The (Sensory) Tricks of the Holiday

Sensory sensitive kids aren’t always able to handle the excitement of Halloween without a little support.  Here are some strategies to help parents create as much fun as possible, and what to do when there are more bumps in the night (or day) than expected: Costumes, especially masks and hats, aren’t always willingly worn.  Your…… Continue reading Halloween With Sensory Sensitive Kids: The (Sensory) Tricks of the Holiday

Preschool Pencils That Develop Hand Control (and with tips that won’t constantly break!)

Most preschoolers with older siblings are aware that the “big kids” use pencils for their homework.  Just like the fight to avoid the booster seat, older toddlers and preschoolers aspire to the next stage of development.  The problem with using #2 pencils before kindergarten?  Many children do not have the required small muscle strength and…… Continue reading Preschool Pencils That Develop Hand Control (and with tips that won’t constantly break!)

Prepare Your Toddler Before Bringing a New Baby Home

Look at it as if your spouse announced that a new, younger, and more vulnerable wife was joining your family: ” She will need a lot of my close attention at first.  That doesn’t mean I don’t love you just as much, sweetie, but I won’t be as available to you as I used to…… Continue reading Prepare Your Toddler Before Bringing a New Baby Home

When to Stop Using the Infant Swing with Your Newborn

Weaning the swing can happen earlier than weaning swaddling.  Somewhere about 2.5 months old (adjust for prematurity if needed), many newborns no longer get more peaceful while swinging.  There will always be babies that prefer to be jiggled on your shoulder or in your lap from the beginning. There will also be babies a bit…… Continue reading When to Stop Using the Infant Swing with Your Newborn

Kids With Low Muscle Tone Can Sit For Dinner: A Multi-Course Strategy

Low muscle tone can create so many different issues during mealtime.  Staying still and safe in a chair can be a real issue for these kids, and yet many are seen to be just “behaving badly”. Here is a roadmap to navigate mealtimes when your child has issues with wriggling, sliding, falling or leaping up…… Continue reading Kids With Low Muscle Tone Can Sit For Dinner: A Multi-Course Strategy

How To Get Your Toddler To Wait For Anything (Hint: They hear the Word “Wait” as “No”)

Telling your toddler to wait for anything can be almost counterproductive.  You say “In a minute” and they start whining more, not less.  I think that is why so many parents just hand over the cookie, iPhone, car keys (just kidding about the keys; wanted to make sure you were awake!).   Toddlers do not…… Continue reading How To Get Your Toddler To Wait For Anything (Hint: They hear the Word “Wait” as “No”)