Month: December 2015

Teaching Handwriting In Three Simple Stages

Parents and teachers are consistently surprised that there is a natural developmental progression in between scribbling and being a completely independent writer.  Knowing the three stages of handwriting makes any writing lesson less frustrating for teachers as well as kids.  Building skills rather than doing drills just works better! Stage One:  An adult demonstrates how…… Continue reading Teaching Handwriting In Three Simple Stages

Good Posture: Is it Vestibular or Proprioceptive?

These two senses that baffle parents when kids with sensory processing issues struggle with posture and efficient, safe movement can often be confused. They are not the same, but they can both affect postural control.  Here is my attempt to make things a bit clearer on this foggy morning in NY. Proprioception (and it’s close…… Continue reading Good Posture: Is it Vestibular or Proprioceptive?

Another Baby Lost to Crying

There was a news story here in NY about another newborn allegedly choked to death by a father that couldn’t take all the crying.  This is a recurring story that has to end.  If that family knew how easily The Happiest Baby on the Block techniques could have calmed down their baby, he would still…… Continue reading Another Baby Lost to Crying

Good Posture for Kids With Feeding Issues Matters

Feeding challenges are a huge source of concern for parents of children with low tone, autism, and a host of other issues.  Improving how a child sits when eating isn’t magically going to solve every problem for every child, but ignoring the benefits of good positioning will make most feeding problems worse.  Even problems not…… Continue reading Good Posture for Kids With Feeding Issues Matters

Is HWT Gray Block Paper All You Need?

HWT Gray Block paper does so many amazing things all at once to help a young child learn to write.  I had to take the Handwriting Without Tears assessment class twice to really understand why it works.  All you have to do is read this blog post. This paper is intended for children that write…… Continue reading Is HWT Gray Block Paper All You Need?

Toddler Demands? Give it in Fantasy!

When a toddler wants pizza for dinner every night or to stay home and play on the iPad instead of going to school, you have to decide what to say. Your basic choices are: ridicule: “That’s silly!  “I’d like a fancy car, but this is reality.” reason and clever repackaging:  “If you want to grow…… Continue reading Toddler Demands? Give it in Fantasy!

Develop Pincer Grasp With Ziploc Bags

Toddlers love snacks.  OTs love refining a child’s grasp.  Mash the two together and you get….the Ziploc snack bag.  Try serving a tiny portion of your child’s fave crunchy snack in a small bag that has a zipper closure and watch their fingertip control take off! Here are the important points to make this safe…… Continue reading Develop Pincer Grasp With Ziploc Bags

The Safest Crib Bumper Might Be Deeper Sleep

Most pediatricians will tell you to avoid all crib bumpers.  The American Academy of Pediatrics feels that no bumper is 100% safe. They discourage parents from using even the most breathable mesh fabric, tied onto your child’s crib.  I totally believe parent reports that a baby that isn’t swaddled can get a limb caught over…… Continue reading The Safest Crib Bumper Might Be Deeper Sleep

The Difference Between “The Hold” and The Happiest Baby on the Block? Sleep!!!

I love it when baby calming is in the news!  This week “the hold”, pediatrician Dr. Robert Hamilton’s method for calming newborns, received a lot of attention.  I watched the video, just like a few million parents and professionals.  Then I thought about how this fits in with The Happiest Baby techniques that I am…… Continue reading The Difference Between “The Hold” and The Happiest Baby on the Block? Sleep!!!

Toddlers and Holiday Decorations: Another Approach to “Don’t Touch That!”

I watched a toddler laugh in unbridled glee yesterday, amazed at the garland and lights draped on his staircase.  You don’t get more holiday cheer than that sound!  He wanted to touch every nutcracker and every candle.  I had to think on my feet when answering his grandmother’s question: “How do I get him to…… Continue reading Toddlers and Holiday Decorations: Another Approach to “Don’t Touch That!”

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