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7 Things to Do Before Your Child Heads Back to School
Starting a new school year can be tough because it’s a big change from summer vacation. Luckily we have some tips to help you and your family before the first bell rings! Try these ideas to help prepare your child for going back to school. At Home Routines Try getting into normal school routines a … Continued
Pathways is Inspired by Children Worldwide: Pioneer Award
Research: Plagiocephaly, Torticollis & Tummy Time
Girolami G, Shiratori T, Aruin A. Anticipatory postural adjustments in children with typical motor development. Experimental Brain Research. 2010; 205:1 53-165. This study seeks to examine anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) role in the performance of activities requiring the maintenance of vertical posture and how children utilize APAs during self-induced postural perturbations. Hutchison L, Thompson J, Mitchell E. Determinants of nonsynostotic plagiocephaly: … Continued
Research: Back to Sleep Campaign & Tummy Time
American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement. Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The changing concept of sudden infant death syndrome: diagnostic coding shifts, controversies regarding the sleeping environment, and new variables to consider in reducing risk. Pediatrics. 2005; 116(5): 1245-55. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) policy statement encourages tummy time when the infant is awake … Continued
Sun Safety: Protecting Your Child
That time of year is finally here! The sun is shining and spending time outdoors seems like the norm. Read this blog to learn about sun safety for kids. There will be plenty of fun in the sun this summer, but don’t forget to protect yourself and your child from the sun’s harsh rays. Even … Continued
Playgrounds: Much More than Jungle Gyms
We absolutely love summer here at Pathways.org because it means we can finally get outside to play! It’s warmer outside, the days are longer, the sky shines brighter… who couldn’t love this? Summer mixes the perfect ingredients together for a great trip to the playground! Now, I think we can all agree that playgrounds are … Continued
3 Common Myths About Playtime for Kids
Remember what it was like to play all the time? You could be a doctor, or a teacher, or cowboy, or anything you wanted to be. Play allows your child’s imagination to run wild, which is exactly what it should be doing, because playing is great for kids! So let’s break some common misconceptions about … Continued
4th of July Safety Tips for Kids
Before you fire up the grill, light up a sparkler, launch a firework, or settle in to watch your hometown’s Independence Day parade, make sure you talk to your children about 4th of July safety tips befre they go out for celebrations. Fireworks and Sparklers Being safe around fireworks is critical for both kids and adults, … Continued
What To Do Before Bringing Your Baby Home
Congratulations, you’re having a baby! It’s totally normal to be feeling nervous and excited—but have no fear. We’ve compiled a short checklist to make sure you’re ready for bringing your baby home. Remember, the more you accomplish before bringing your baby home from the hospital, the easier the change will be. ✔ Study up on … Continued
How to Make Bath Time a Sensory Experience
Rub a dub-dub: sensory fun in the tub! Bath time is a regular part of your child’s routine that sometimes may not be as enjoyable as you would like. But instead of rushing through it, take advantage of baths for kids by turning them into a fun, sensory activity! Waterfall Station Adding cups and small … Continued
Tips for Bringing Kids to Restaurants
Family meals are important. Sometimes these meals include bringing kids to restaurants. But dining out with your little one can be tricky! We recently ran a Feeding Tips Contest and asked for the best advice on eating at a restaurant with babies and toddlers. Here are few great tips for bringing kids to restaurants from … Continued
Differences between Maternal and Paternal Book Reading to Children
Reading aloud helps children expand their vocabularies while also building their ability to think, analyze, and ask questions. It can also inspire a love of reading and learning for life. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Fathering suggests fathers and mothers may have different styles of reading to their children and both can … Continued
How Moms and Dads Reading Styles Each Help Baby
It’s a great idea to make reading aloud part of your family’s daily routine. But did you know that parents’ reading styles are different in some ways? Moms’ Typical Reading Style One study on reading styles found when moms read to children they ask more concrete questions and also label and describe objects like “what … Continued
Outdoor Earth Day Activities for Kids
The sun is shining bright, flowers are blooming, and summer is right around the corner. Make the most of Earth Day this year by teaching your child how important nature is through fun and engaging outdoor Earth Day activities. Use the activities listed below to not only make Earth Day fun, but also to promote … Continued
Easy Daily Activities to Help Baby Reach Milestones
Did you know the average toddler takes 14,000 steps per day? That adds up to more than 2.5 miles your little one is walking! These numbers might seem surprising, but walking is just one of the developmental milestones we see in children. We see toddlers taking awkward steps, stumbling, falling, and getting up all the … Continued
5 Tips for Sensory Friendly Haircuts
Haircuts for kids can be difficult to manage. There are many new sounds, sensations, feelings, and smells that might make children feel uneasy. Children might feel uncomfortable with all the unknown objects like hair products, scissors, hair dryers, etc. or they may not like the feeling of neck towels, smocks, or itchy hair falling on … Continued
Make Your Own Putty for Fine Motor Practice
Playing with putty is a great way for children to develop hand and finger strength along with fine motor skills. There are tons of brands and varieties of “Silly Putty” and “Play-Doh” you can buy in stores, but making your own DIY putty from ingredients in your kitchen is much more fun and a great … Continued
Valentine’s Day Crafts for Fine Motor Development
Have fun making Valentine’s Day crafts and try this heart shaped decoration with your child. Threading beads and twisting pipe cleaners are great Valentine’s day crafts ideas for learning fine motor skills that are used daily to write, draw, use small utensils, and operate computers and other digital tools. Appropriate Age: 4-5 Years What you’ll … Continued
Using Fine Motor Skills to Make a Valentine’s Day Wreath
Did you know crinkling small pieces of tissue paper is an excellent idea for arts and crafts for fine motor skills in children? Crinkling small pieces of paper uses the same three fingers necessary for gripping a pencil: the thumb, pointer, and middle fingers. Children typically develop the strength and dexterity to grip a pencil … Continued
Homemade Crafts for Kids: Valentine’s Day Card Holder
Keep little hands busy and practice motor skills with this fun Valentine’s card holder! This is a great way for your child to recycle a paper bag and get in the Valentine’s spirit. Homemade crafts for kids are a fun way to practice fine motor and organizing skills. Your child can collect all their Valentine’s … Continued
5 Ideas to Encourage Children to Be Thankful
Did you know research suggests that giving thanks has the power to make people happier? Encourage children to be thankful to foster a life filled with happiness, gratitude, and kindness. When we stop to savor and appreciate our daily lives, we become happier. Creating an attitude of gratitude in children is a challenge that goes … Continued
Saying Thank You
One of the simplest ways to show appreciation and thankfulness, saying “Thank You”. Pathways.org would like to say THANK YOU to our donors and all the people who help us in our mission of providing FREE tools to maximize all children’s development. Thank you to all the parents who help us to create our materials. … Continued
What is Animal Assisted Therapy?
What is Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)? Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is a form of therapy that uses animals in treatment to improve social, cognitive, motor, and emotional functioning. It can sometimes be referred to as “pet therapy”. What types of animals are used in therapy? Highly trained dogs and cats are most commonly used in … Continued
Great Family Halloween Activities Beyond Trick or Treating
Candy and costumes are great, but there is more than one way to appreciate the Halloween season. Read here to get some ideas about Halloween activities for the entire family. Try these Halloween activities your family can enjoy before and after the one night of trick-or-treating. Pumpkin (or any produce!) Decorating Pumpkin decorating is a … Continued
Why Food Allergies are Becoming More Common
It seems like we hear about a new food allergy or food intolerance every day. Nut allergies and other serious allergic conditions were once rare and infrequently diagnosed. Now they seem prevalent in school lunchrooms everywhere. Are food allergies on the rise? To answer this question simply: yes. The Center for Disease control estimates about … Continued