Executive function is a set of mental skills that act as a command center in the brain. They help us plan, manage time, control emotions, and get tasks done. They’re also important for staying focused and solving problems. So struggling with executive function can have a big impact on kids.
Trouble with executive skills is common in kids who learn and think differently. And all kids with ADHD struggle with it. Read more ›
Is your child having trouble developing friendships? Help him feel more confident with these tips and activities for making friends at school. Read more ›
What would childhood be without time to play? Play, it turns out, is essential to growing up healthy. Research shows that active, creative play benefits just about every aspect of child development. Read more ›
Stereotypical gendered parenting differences remain entrenched in American households. In some cases parents may simply be unaware that they are parenting daughters in ways that are different from sons. Things are changing slowly, but gender stereotypes are still entrenched in parenting practices. Read more ›
Parents today often look for teachable moments – and opportunities abound. When reading a book with a child, for example, it might mean discussing story plots with him. If she isn’t allowed to play a videogame, it means explaining why. Read more ›
First 5 California understands today’s parents face many challenges and tough choices as they raise their kids. First 5 California, also known as the California Children and Families Commission, supports the healthy development of children, from prenatal through age 5, and enriches the lives of their families and communities. Read more ›
In The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson offer a revolutionary approach to child rearing with twelve key strategies that foster healthy brain development, leading to calmer, happier children. Read more ›
At its heart, Strengthening Families is about how families are supported to build key protective factors that enable children to thrive. The five protective factors at the foundation of Strengthening Families also offer a framework for changes at the systems, policy and practice level – locally, statewide and nationally. Read more ›
Digital picture books have been a godsend during the pandemic. With libraries shuttered and bookstores a nonessential trip, many parents have downloaded book after book on tablets and smartphones to keep their little ones reading.
But when the pandemic is over, many parents will face a dilemma. Should they revert back to print or stick with e-books? Do kids absorb and learn to read more from one format versus the other? Read more ›
In the United States, an estimated 15 percent of children ages 3 to 17 have developmental delays or disabilities; in children’s first years, some of these delays may be evident in late acquisition of skills like crawling, walking and talking. Research shows that early help from experts in the form of speech, physical or occupational therapy and support from pediatric specialists can have profound results for children and often help them meet the same milestones as their peers. Read more ›
