Month: October 2016

When Can You Start Toilet Training?

Just like walking, children cannot be toilet trained before they are physically ready.  That usually happens around 18 months. But like walking, some children are physically ready a bit earlier.  WAIT!  Using the toilet by yourself is so much more than physical readiness. Potty training is a complex skill, with cognitive, sensory, motor and behavioral…… Continue reading When Can You Start Toilet Training?

Review: Kumon Sticker Books For Toddlers

Children love stickers.  Kumon has created great sticker books for the 2’s or children performing at that level.  I have the vehicle-themed book, but they have a zoo-themed book as well.  I use their scissor books every week, maybe even every day with the 3’s and 4’s.  I wanted to see what they came up…… Continue reading Review: Kumon Sticker Books For Toddlers

CMV: The Potentially Disabling Virus Your OB Isn’t Mentioning

The New York Times ran a moving story in their October 25, 2016 issue about children who contract cytomegalovirus (CMV)  from their mothers while in utero.  CMV is a Greater Threat for Infants Than Zika, but far Less Often Discussed reminded me of the children I have treated with CMV:  multiply-disabled, with parents that didn’t…… Continue reading CMV: The Potentially Disabling Virus Your OB Isn’t Mentioning

Finger Awareness and Math Skills: Recent Research, and “Where is Thumbkin?”

  The Atlantic magazine ran a terrific article, Why Kids Should Use Their Fingers in Math Class, and I am still blown away with the connections they make between brain activity during finger movements and during math calculation and comprehension.  Let me get out my hands and count the ways I could use this information!…… Continue reading Finger Awareness and Math Skills: Recent Research, and “Where is Thumbkin?”

The Ten Most Common Mistakes Parents Make During Toilet Training

Since writing The Practical Guide To Toilet Training Your Child With Low Muscle Tone, I have been asked for a list of missteps that happen on the way to success.  Here they are: Ignoring their own readiness issues.  Parents who are unaware of their own lack of readiness will not be able to be the…… Continue reading The Ten Most Common Mistakes Parents Make During Toilet Training

Waiting for Toilet Training Readiness? Create It Instead!

    I just watched a therapist on YouTube tell parents how to look for toilet training readiness signs.  From her limited description, you would have a better chance of finding truffles in France! The signs of readiness in special needs children can be subtle, so do not ignore moves such as going behind the…… Continue reading Waiting for Toilet Training Readiness? Create It Instead!

Why “Hand-Over-Hand” Assistance Doesn’t Work With So Many Special Needs Children

This method of teaching fine motor skills has never worked well for me in Early Intervention.  In my professional experience, it has been a popular technique for many special educators.  But they aren’t always getting the results they want.  Very often, the scenario is as follows:  I get a call from a concerned parent, telling…… Continue reading Why “Hand-Over-Hand” Assistance Doesn’t Work With So Many Special Needs Children

Teach Your Kindergartener How To Erase Like a Big Kid

Does it matter how a child erases their mistake?  You are probably thinking that I ran out of topics for my blog this week.  Not exactly. I was thinking about what makes my handwriting posts different than other bloggers that publish posts on early writing skills.  I like to look at all the details when…… Continue reading Teach Your Kindergartener How To Erase Like a Big Kid

Can You Toilet Train a Non-Verbal Child?

Parents of non-verbal children often delay toilet training, assuming that these kids need more communication skills to be successful.  I disagree.  I think children and their parents need other skills more.  Here are my thoughts about what really matters for these kids: Their parents need excellent observation skills.  A child that cannot easily communicate their…… Continue reading Can You Toilet Train a Non-Verbal Child?

Does Handwriting Have An Uncertain Future in School?

I have read two reviews of Anne Trubek’s book The History and Uncertain Future of Handwriting, one of them in the New York Times The Story of How Handwriting Evolved, and May Soon Die Off.  I have not read her book yet, but since I work with young children, I spend plenty of time with “boots…… Continue reading Does Handwriting Have An Uncertain Future in School?

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