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Get Kids Excited to Become Big Brothers and Big Sisters
Helping the youngest members of the family prepare for the arrival of a new baby is very important. After all, your child is about to become a big brother or big sister – that’s a new responsibility and a huge change for them! Even though they’ll always be your little boy or girl, they won’t … Continued
8 Questions to Ask When Picking Your Child’s Summer Camp
Parents looking to sign their kids up for summer camp literally have hundreds of options to choose from. Remember camp isn’t for everyone and that’s okay. If you feel your child is ready for a summer camp experience, keep these questions in mind while registering! What Do You Need in a Camp? It’s important to … Continued
Baby-Proofing: 14 Tips for Your Home
Your little one is movin’ and cruisin’! So what’s next? That’s right, baby proofing! Now the challenge is making sure your house is ready for your toddler’s new explorations. Follow our room-by-room tips to help protect baby from touching, grabbing, and exploring the everyday items they will now be fascinated by! It’s helpful for parents … Continued
Mindfulness to Improve Children’s Wellbeing
As more children adopt demanding schedules with increased academic work loads and an abundance of extracurricular activities, some react by showing signs of increased stress and anxiety.1 Our academic system has accelerated so children are now expected to complete school work previously given to children in higher grade levels. Early education has become less play … Continued
How to Use Books to Boost Vocabulary and Communication Skills
Caregivers can boost kids vocabulary through books by doing more than simply reading the written story to their children. Playing with books is a great way to increase communication with kids, spark their imagination, and get them to use their critical thinking skills. Next time you pull out a book try one of the below … Continued
Benefits of Family Meals for Kids
Why do family meals matter? There’s nothing quite like sharing a meal as a family. In today’s busy world of schoolwork, soccer practice, and music lessons it can be tempting to let family meals slide. However, as few as one to two family dinners a week can: Strengthen family bonds Improve communication and interpersonal skills … Continued
4 Screen-Free Indoor Activities
When the weather outside is not cooperating, keep kiddos busy with these four indoor activities! 1. Build a Fort Gather as many pillows and blankets as you can to make a fort in your basement or living room. Find objects in your house that can support the weight of blankets, such as chairs, couches, or … Continued
6 Car Games: How to Turn Car Rides into Playtime
Is car time turning into screen time for your kiddos? It doesn’t have to. In fact, you can use this valuable time to teach them about the world around them by playing car games. Turn even the shortest car rides into fun and educational experiences with these car games. Do you have a baby too? … Continued
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