The work of young children is to build language and social skills, much of which happen through family relationships, play and social interaction with peers. With kids spending so much more time at home and online, it’s important to create lots of opportunities for our young children to practice these skills in other ways. Read more ›
Many parents note that one silver lining of these scary and unprecedented times is the opportunity to spend much more time with their children. However, this increased attention can sometimes lead to more worries: is my child delayed? Are they reacting to the anxiety of these times? Or am I just more concerned and sensitive because of my own personal stress? Read more ›
Allowing your child to play is a must! A healthy balance between children playing on their own and having structured play with parents is important for early learning and development. Read more ›
At each age in a child’s life, there are predictable levels of skill to expect. We have outlined the developmental milestones for ages 1 to 18—a checklist you can use as you observe your child growing up, and a guide to use with your pediatrician or your child’s teacher. Read more ›
Did you know that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a Parent Information section with information on common parenting challenges? Among those resources are videos of the positive parenting skills. Read more ›
The use of science to inform learning and development can have profound results for children, particularly those in their first few years of life.
So say the experts—among them Randa Grob-Zakhary, a resident of Switzerland who holds doctoral degrees in neuroscience and medicine from Johns Hopkins University. Read more ›
Adoption is a lifelong process. Families often need additional support at various times after placement and after the adoption is legally finalized. Families may need services as a child develops and as normal development, adjustment, and adoption-related issues arise. Read more ›
The National Quality Improvement Center for Adoption and Guardianship Support and Preservation (QIC-AG) has developed two fact sheets about adoption tailored for teachers and pediatric healthcare providers. The fact sheets are designed to raise awareness about the unique needs of children who have been adopted, and to provide concrete tips on how these professionals can effectively work with these children. Read more ›
Child-adult relationships that are responsive and attentive—with lots of back and forth interactions—build a strong foundation in a child’s brain for all future learning and development. This is called “serve and return,” and it takes two to play! Follow these 5 steps to practice serve and return with your child. Read more ›
The first 3 years of life, when the brain is developing and maturing, is the most intensive period for acquiring speech and language skills. These skills develop best in a world that is rich with sounds, sights, and consistent exposure to the speech and language of others. Read more ›
