283 Results

Make the Most of Playtime! The Do’s and Don’ts

Play time for kids is such an important part of childhood! Playtime for kids helps them learn new things while building social skills, developing creative thinking, and learning about their interests and talents. Because life is so busy, these “Do’s” and “Don’ts” will help your family make the most of playtime!   Do Let Your … Continued

Make Teeth Brushing Fun with 6 Easy Tips

Whether it’s the shock of cold water hitting their teeth, the smell or taste of the toothpaste, or the idea that brushing their teeth is something they “have to” do, we may never know why children try to avoid brushing their teeth. What we do know, however, is many children Just. Don’t. Like. Brushing. Their. … Continued

5 Ways To Help Baby Learn and Grow This Year

New Year, Same Cute Baby! The new year encourages people to look towards the future. At Pathways.org we have many tools to help you learn more about child development, important milestones by age, and fun activities you and your child can do together to achieve those goals. Help baby learn new skills and abilities using … Continued

6 Tips for Your First Holiday Season with Baby

The holidays are an exciting excuse to spend time with family and loved ones. Your relatives will be especially excited to spend time with one of the newest members of the family, your baby! Here are some tips to prepare for baby’s first holiday: Ask Ahead If you’re unsure about the setup, ask ahead. This … Continued

Simple Sensory Activities for Baby

Are you looking for fun sensory activities for babies to add to their daily routine? Maybe even some that might excite baby’s senses? Try these ways to engage in sensory play! Many simple activities can go a long way towards developing baby’s 7 senses. Try these activities to work on baby’s sensory development. These are … Continued

Activities to Celebrate the New Year’s Eve With Kids

How is it that the New Year is almost here? If it snuck up on you too, you may be looking for New Year’s Eve activities do to with the kids. The New Year is not just a time for adults to celebrate! There are plenty of family-friendly activities that kids can participate in. Since … Continued

5 Tips for Better Playdates

Aren’t playdates great? No matter if you’re the child playing or the adults watching, they’re fun for all. A playdate gives your children an opportunity to make new friends but also allows you to talk with other grown-ups. This is a great way for your child to not only develop relationships with other children, but … Continued

Screen Free Activities for When Kids Are Bored

No time for TV! Nasty weather can sometimes keep kids stuck inside. Being cooped up inside can be frustrating for kids and parents. Often children spend more time using screens like TV and tablets than they normally would because of their limited play options. But rainy day activities don’t need to be a bummer! When … Continued

How Kids Can Help in the Kitchen

What’s one thing that brings people together? Food! And getting kids involved in the kitchen is a great bonding exercise, plus the entire family can participate! Cooking and baking can also help development in early childhood and even for your baby! Getting kids involved in the kitchen and which skills cooking with you can develop. … Continued

Using Tummy Time to Meet Milestones

Do you ever wonder why Tummy Time is so important? How does it help baby to meet developmental milestones? I mean, you probably don’t remember doing Tummy Time as a baby, if you even did it at all! And many of you didn’t, because many babies just slept on their tummies until 1992, when the … Continued

Using Putty to Exercise Hands and Fingers

Hand and finger strength are important for most activities in daily life like writing, holding objects, using devices, eating with utensils, and any other motor task that requires using your hands. Even simple play with putty can help develop fine motor skills. You can find it at the store or make your own with the … Continued

Helping Families Choose Age-Appropriate Extracurricular Activities

Many parents encourage their children to become involved in extra curricular activities as a way to promote their development. Extracurricular activities help children develop motor skills and improve physical fitness, while also building their cognitive and social skills, all of which can enhance children’s sense of well-being.1 To help children receive the most benefits from … Continued

Ideas to Make Time With Grandparents Extra Special

Grandma and Grandpa, Memaw and Pawpaw, Nana and Poppy… No matter what the nickname is in your family, many grandparents play an important role in their grandchildren’s lives. Although we feel you should always celebrate grandparents, Grandparents’ Day is officially recognized the Sunday after Labor Day in the U.S. Try these ideas for activities to … Continued

Activities to Help Your Child Wind Down

Have you heard of the 3 B’s? Bath, book, and bed. It’s a simple routine that’s great to use each night. Kids thrive off consistency and having routines is important. A bedtime routine is especially helpful because it gives your child cues that it is almost time for them to go to bed. But what … Continued

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

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