New parents are often shocked at how tired they are. After all, newborns don’t DO much. They eat, sleep, pee and poop, and that is about it. But they do it around the clock and they aren’t very experienced with any of it. Dr. Karp’s 5 S’s can help all of you learn…… Continue reading New Baby? Exhausted? Try Dr. Karp’s 5 S’s To Pull Things Together
Category: parenting
Stop All The Whining With The Fast Food Rule
Whining is a “fingernails on a chalkboard” experience for most adults. We often give in to a whining child, just to avoid hearing that noise. Or we explode and scare them (and ourselves) with the anger that whining can trigger. What can you do? What would you say if I told you that I use…… Continue reading Stop All The Whining With The Fast Food Rule
Hypermobility, Sleep, And The Hidden Problems With Blankets
Everyone knows that sleep is important. Research in sleep science (yes, this is a thing) tells us that our brains are working to digest the day’s learning, the immune system is active during sleep, and our bodies are repairing and renewing tissues and organs while we slumber. As much as we need sleep, kids need…… Continue reading Hypermobility, Sleep, And The Hidden Problems With Blankets
Potty Training Boys: Do You Teach Standing Up Or Sitting Down?
Training children for bladder control before bowel control is often easier for quite a few reasons: More frequent bathroom trips = more opportunities for success, digestion and diet issues don’t stall success, and urination is usually a painless, phobia-free, and quick experience. In general, families that hire me as a consultant are encouraged to…… Continue reading Potty Training Boys: Do You Teach Standing Up Or Sitting Down?
How To Stop Your Baby From Throwing Things (Most of the Time!)
After the adorable infant period of dropping objects from the high chair to see you scoop them up, most children devolve into a throwing stage. Commonly seen at the 11-16 month developmental level, this is different behavior but it can be just as maddening. Maybe more. Today, I am going to give you both…… Continue reading How To Stop Your Baby From Throwing Things (Most of the Time!)
Automoblox: For the Discriminating Preschool Gearhead
These cars and trucks are so well crafted and have such sophisticated styling that they even impress adults. They certainly have made me a big fan! Automoblox are small vehicles that your 3-6 year-old child assembles by themselves or with some initial help. They have small pieces, so they are not for children…… Continue reading Automoblox: For the Discriminating Preschool Gearhead
Holidays Hints For Sensitive Kids
The stores are full, your inbox is too, and you are wondering how to handle your sensitive child’s reactions to family and school events. You are not alone. Everyone knows about the “holiday blues”, where our dreams and expectations come up against real life: awkward family relationships, conflicting demands on our time and finances, etc.…… Continue reading Holidays Hints For Sensitive Kids
Why You Still Need the 5S’s, Even If You Bought a SNOO
OK, I won’t make you wait to get the answer to this question: your newborn won’t spend all day, every day, in the SNOO! Don’t know what the SNOO is? The SNOO smart sleeper was designed by pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp as a bassinet that uses many of his fabulous Happiest Baby on…… Continue reading Why You Still Need the 5S’s, Even If You Bought a SNOO
OT and Non-Disabled Gifted Children
I was asked to write another guest post for Therapro, the fantastic OT equipment and materials company that I have been using for clinic and home items for years. This time the subject is gifted children: Do Gifted But Non-Disabled Children Need Occupational Therapy?. The first time you encounter a young gifted child, you may…… Continue reading OT and Non-Disabled Gifted Children
The Elf on the Shelf Could Get Your Child to Write a Letter to Santa!
‘Tis the season, and Elf On The Shelf is back for more fun! Some parents adore the concept and cannot wait to move that little elf around the house every night, and others mock him and his expanding merchandising. Now that he is getting kids to write and draw, and parents will be able…… Continue reading The Elf on the Shelf Could Get Your Child to Write a Letter to Santa!
Gifted Or Disordered? The Unrecognized Behavioral Traits of Young Gifted Children
Here is a short list of many common behavioral characteristics of gifted children that get labeled as “disordered”: Spontaneous. Very. Boundless enthusiasm. Intense focus on passions. Highly energetic. This is the child who doesn’t seem to need as much sleep or downtime as peers. Constantly asking questions. Constantly. Insatiably curious. Everything is interesting,…… Continue reading Gifted Or Disordered? The Unrecognized Behavioral Traits of Young Gifted Children
Helping Little Kids Cut With Scissors
I am very proud to share my latest post on Therapro, a terrific company that I have used for years to find quality therapy equipment. They were nice enough to allow me to be a guest blogger this month, and so I wanted my readers to have the chance to go over there…… Continue reading Helping Little Kids Cut With Scissors
Why Eating From a Pouch Isn’t Helping Your Child As Much As You Think
Sucking food from a pouch has become a common way to funnel fruits, veggies and even protein into young children. Few kids are eating them because they have oral motor or sensory processing problems that don’t allow them to eat solid food. Most of the pouch kids are picky eaters or eating a…… Continue reading Why Eating From a Pouch Isn’t Helping Your Child As Much As You Think
Make Wiping Your Child’s Nose Easier With Boogie Wipes
It is cold and flu season here in the states, and I have already seen my share of snot-caked little faces. Little children get more colds than older kids and adults, and they can turn into an agitated mess when you say “Honey, I need to wipe your nose”. These wipes are going to make…… Continue reading Make Wiping Your Child’s Nose Easier With Boogie Wipes
A Simple Strategy To Improve Your Child’s Posture In A Stokke Tripp Trapp or Special Tomato Chair
The Tripp Trapp chair: The one therapists often recommend. These well-designed seats can be wonderful for kids that need solid foot support. Even the best hip and chest strapping doesn’t always mean that a child is actively using their feet for postural control. You will never guess what the secret weapon is to keep…… Continue reading A Simple Strategy To Improve Your Child’s Posture In A Stokke Tripp Trapp or Special Tomato Chair
Help Your Special Needs Toddler Make The Transition To School Routines
Many developmentally delayed toddlers move their therapeutic and educational services to a toddler developmental group, A.K.A. special needs program, when they are between 18 and 30 months old. Not all of them slide into the routine easily. There can be a few tears and a lot of complaining about fitting into a schedule…… Continue reading Help Your Special Needs Toddler Make The Transition To School Routines
Should Hypermobile Kids Sit On Therapy Balls For Schoolwork?
They are everywhere; colorful therapy balls have migrated from the clinic to the classroom. You can buy a base or a whole chair with a ball attached. But do kids with hypermobility benefit from using them, or will they create more problems than they solve? Hypermobility in infants and very young children is common,…… Continue reading Should Hypermobile Kids Sit On Therapy Balls For Schoolwork?
Have More Halloween Fun When Kids Don’t or Can’t Trick-Or-Treat
Kids big and little are anticipating Halloween, but this holiday isn’t always enjoyable for children with ASD, SPD, anxiety or motor issues. Putting on a costume can be difficult for some kids to tolerate and nearly impossible for kids that have mobility issues. Kids with endurance and mobility issues struggle to walk up to…… Continue reading Have More Halloween Fun When Kids Don’t or Can’t Trick-Or-Treat
Is Your Gifted Child Is A Perfectionist?
Do you know a child who is always trying to get to “perfect”? Being called a perfectionist is almost universally a criticism in our society. It doesn’t have to be. Some kids that are reaching for the ultimate aren’t unnecessarily stressing them selves out. They may gifted. The gifted child is capable of seeing…… Continue reading Is Your Gifted Child Is A Perfectionist?
An Affordable Sensory-Friendly Clothing Line Has Arrived!
Here in the US, kids are getting ready to start the school year. A mom mentioned to me that Target is now carrying sensory-friendly clothing by Cat and Jack; attractive and functional clothes for kids who find tags, seams and textured clothing uncomfortable. I went to check them out online. Here is what I…… Continue reading An Affordable Sensory-Friendly Clothing Line Has Arrived!