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Getting Preschoolers to Share…How Do You Do It?
Taking turns can be difficult at first. Do you remember that cool red fire truck you never wanted to give up? Or the doll that was too special to part with? Whatever your prized possession was, it was hard giving that toy to someone else. In preschool years, children are still learning how to share, … Continued
Fun Activities for Mother’s Day
There are lots of fun things to do on Mother’s day with your little one that will make the day together more special. This day is all about mom, and your child is excited to spend the day with you, so make the most of it! Try a new craft, game, or family activity. You … Continued
Why Are Mirrors Good for Baby?
Want a toy that will keep your baby entertained and that is also good for their development? Put your wallet away, because you probably already have this in your home: mirrors! Yes, that mirror hanging on your bathroom wall can help your baby’s development! Mirror play for babies has great benefits for social and emotional … Continued
Choosing an Eye Doctor for Your Child
Are you wondering when you should take your child to an eye doctor for their first visit? Choosing the right eye doctor for kids can be a challenge – here are a few tips to help parents navigate this. It’s recommended your child receive their first eye check up at six months, again at three … Continued
Importance of Eye Contact
Baby’s vision development is very important and even affects their other senses. Throughout the first year, baby will be looking at you a ton, so be sure to look at them, give them a lot of attention, and make eye contact! Find out what you can expect in the coming months. For the First Few … Continued
What Is a “Lovey?”
Whether it’s a stuffed animal, doll, or blanket, many children will become attached to certain objects. Sometimes these objects are called “loveys”, transitional objects, or comfort objects. Loveys can serve several purposes with your little one; they can help children transition from a familiar place or situation to an unfamiliar one with ease and give … Continued
How Kids Learn to Play: 6 Stages of Play Development
Play is all about having fun! Any activity, organized or unstructured, your child finds fun and enjoyable is considered play. But play is much more than just a fun activity for your child! As a child grows they go through different stages of play development. While playing, children learn and develop important skills they will … Continued
When Will My Baby Smile?
Is there a better sight than a happy, smiling baby? We think not! Wondering “when will my baby smile”? Typically, babies start smiling between 6 and 12 weeks, but you may notice a smile or smirk soon after baby’s born. Download our FREE app to track important milestones! Reflex Smiles These early smiles are called … Continued
What is W-Sitting?
Does your child W-Sit? W-sitting is when a child sits on their bottom with their knees bent and feet positioned outside of their hips. If you’re standing above your child, you will see their legs and body make the shape of a W. Watch our 1 minute video about W-sitting and why it matters: Is … Continued
Why is Play Important
When your child plays, they learn about them self and their surroundings. Play is important as it teaches them how to coordinate their body movements, talk with friends, apply rules, and more. But the learning process is even broader than this. What is Play? Play is more than you think; it is a way for your … Continued
What You Need to Know About Screen Time for Kids
You’re sitting in a restaurant enjoying dinner when your child becomes fussy. Rather than make a scene, you hand over your phone, turn on a YouTube video, and before you know it your child is calm and entertained. Sound familiar? With the readily available cell phones, tablets, game devices, and more, screens are not only … Continued
What is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist?
“Occupational therapy? But my child doesn’t have a job!” Just as occupational therapy helps adults perform better at their jobs, a pediatric occupational therapist helps children succeed in important areas of their lives. This includes helping children build the skills required for essential daily activities such as brushing their teeth, writing their name, or playing … Continued
Why Toddlers Hit and What to Do About It
Why do kids hit? Many parents have asked themselves this question and the answer isn’t always an easy one. Hitting doesn’t mean your child is mean or a bully. Sometimes kids hit because there is an underlying issue that’s causing them to hit. Below are three reasons your child might be hitting. They Haven’t Learned … Continued
What is Baby-Wearing?
What is Baby-Wearing? Baby-wearing simply means carrying your baby with a wrap or device that leaves your hands and arms free. Baby-wearing in different positions can help prevent your infant from developing a flat spot on their head because they are positioned vertically, and pressure is not being applied to their head for extended periods … Continued
What is a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist?
Let me guess…they help with speech and language? Yes, but they do so much more! So, what exactly is a pediatric speech language pathologist? Pediatric speech-language pathologists work to help children communicate effectively by assisting with the improvement of their verbal and non-verbal language skills. They also help with things like feeding and swallowing abilities. … Continued
Developmental Coordination Disorder and Sensory Processing Issues in Children
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a common diagnosis for children with motor skill and sensory processing difficulties in the absence of other conditions and learning issues. This disorder affects 5-6 percent of school-aged children and is more commonly diagnosed in boys.1 Children with developmental coordination disorder have trouble with both fine and gross motor movements. … Continued
Helping Your Child in Social Situations
It’s not uncommon for kids to experience separation anxiety or fear of strangers. These fears typically occur in stages and decrease gradually as kids get older, although some children might continue to struggle with certain situations. It is typical to be nervous from time to time, but if your child continues to find social situations … Continued
How Occupational Therapy Can Treat Children with Sleep Problems
Are your patients getting enough sleep? If your child is having sleep problems, considering occupational therapy for kids might be a good idea. Children regularly sleeping the number of recommended hours by the American Academy of Pediatrics is associated with better health, including: improved attention, behavior, learning, working memory, emotional regulation, quality of life, and … Continued
6 Tips to Make Diaper Changes Fun for Baby
Baby hates diaper changes? Does your baby cry, fuss, or even scream during diaper changes? You can help baby enjoy their diaper changes and make it into a sensory experience. Try these ways to help keep baby happy and having fun during diaper changes. Sing a Song and Encourage Face-to-Face Contact Favorites like “Twinkle Twinkle … Continued
Get Your Toddler Talking: 5 Ways to Add Communication to Your Daily Routine
The best thing you can do to boost your child’s language skills? Talk to them, read to them, sing to them, play with them to get your toddler talking as soon as they are ready to! The more time you spend communicating with your child, the better. Why? From the time they’re born, kids start … Continued
What is Tongue Tie?
You may have heard of a common condition called “tongue tie” in babies, which can affect baby’s feeding skills. Tongue tie, also called ankyloglossia, is when the tissue attached to the underside of the tongue and the base of the mouth is very tight, thick, or extends particularly far forward in the mouth. Because of … Continued
Feeding Difficulties in Infants with Tongue Tie and Lip Tie
Ankyloglossia, also known as tongue tie, is a congenital condition that can affect infants and children due to having a short lingual frenulum that restricts tongue movement and impacts the function of the tongue. The incidence of tongue tie affects at least 4% of infants and is most commonly diagnosed in males by a 2-3:1 … Continued
Winter Activities for Kids Who Are Bored
Baby, it’s cold outside! Not to worry. There’s plenty of fun to be had indoors during the coldest months of the year. And it’s all in the spirit of your child’s development. Check out these in-home winter activities for kids who are bored. Check out our tips for limiting kids’ screen time: Screen time with … Continued
How to Play with Your Newborn
Sometimes it’s hard to know how to play with newborn babies or what activities even count as play. Many parents and caregivers feel this way! The good news is there are lots of easy activities to do with your baby. In fact, you may have even done some already without even knowing it! Do Tummy … Continued
8 Tips to Help Your Child With Homework
We get it—no matter your child’s age, getting homework done can be a challenge. Even for children in elementary school, their homework takes time, focus, and energy to complete. So here are 8 essential tips to help a child with their homework: Minimize Distractions Make it as easy as possible for your child to focus … Continued