All About Play
Is there a link between how children play and how they learn? Decades of research show that play is important for helping children develop physically, socially, and emotionally. Encouraging children to play often and in various settings can help them learn to interact and cooperate with others, develop stronger peer relationships, and find ways to […]
Shows Evidence of the Emotion of Pride (30-36 Months)
Sometime between years 2 and 3, children gain the ability to evaluate their own behavior against a standard. As children learn about the expectations other people have of them, they gain a better sense of the rules and standards of their family and culture and begin to internalize them. When children meet or exceed the […]
Are You Okay, Daddy?
Big feelings from little ones Some days, it just doesn’t pay to be an adult. Your boss gives you another project. A client rejects your work. And as you walk towards your car, you see that the slow leak in the tire has finally become a full-fledged flat. When you arrive home, there is nothing […]
May Experience and Express Guilty Feelings (27-36 Months)
Sometime between years 2 and 3, children gain the ability to evaluate their own behavior against a standard. As children learn about the expectations other people have of them, they gain a better sense of the rules and standards of their family and culture and begin to internalize them. When children fail to meet the […]
Morning Madness: Valuing a Child’s Emotions
Learning how to communicate and handle feelings are big skills for young children. Sometimes those feelings are hard to recognize, and parents have to tune in to their children’s emotional cues to be able to help. When parents and caregivers honor a child’s emotions, the child feels safe in expressing emotions. References: Izard, C. E., […]
Life with Baby Brother
New Baby is Home! When a new baby arrives, life changes for everyone. These changes are especially big for an older brother or sister. Suddenly, they don’t have Mom and Dad to themselves anymore, and they’re getting less attention. They also have to learn how to act around a new baby who cries a lot […]
Tantrums Happen: Connecting during Emotional Moments
Temper tantrums are a normal and very common part of growing up. Ignore those eye-rolling critics. Your child’s extreme display of kicking, screaming, and crying is not a bad rap on your parenting skills. Viewed another way, tantrums can offer a great “parenting moment” to help your child learn to deal with strong emotions. So, […]
Tantrums Happen
Here Comes a Tantrum! When you least expect it…Tantrums happen! No matter how hard you try to understand your child’s needs, sometimes you can’t prevent a kid from kicking, screaming, and crying. It’s not fun for you or your child, and it can be a helpless and embarrassing feeling, especially at your favorite restaurant or […]
Recognizing Emotions
Connecting through giggles and tears. Emotional moments, whether happy, sad, or fearful, are when kids naturally turn to you for support. How you deal with these moments can help your child learn how to handle strong feelings now and in years to come. When a child is filled with giggles or overwhelmed with tears, use […]
All About Praise
Is there a right way to praise a young child? Is there such a thing as too much praise? Researchers have explored the role of praise in healthy child development and have a new view of praise as a tool to encourage effort, cope with failure, and support your child as they grow and learn.