ARTICLES
Co-Parenting Post-Divorce: Compromise Isn't Optional
The parenting journey is notably enriched with challenges, achievements, and constant learning. For divorced parents, this journey takes on additional complexity. Dissolving a marital relationship does not end the shared responsibility of raising a child. In this context, compromise emerges not just as a valuable skill but as a necessary foundation for the co-parenting relationship moving forward. Looking at circumstances from the other parent's point of view, treating them with respect as a co-parent, and letting go of the reasons you divorced are gifts you will give your child, not your ex.
Competitive Sports at a Young Age
Lace up your sneakers and take a walk with me to discuss a topic as divisive as pineapple on pizza: competitive sports for our little ones. Should you, or shouldn't you? It's not just about keeping them busy after school but shaping their young lives and emotional well-being.
Supporting Your Child's Vestibular System
Let's explore a lesser-known but essential aspect of your child's development—the vestibular system. Understanding the vestibular system, recognizing signs of potential challenges, and supporting your child can make a significant difference in their daily life.
Gross Motor Skills in Children
When urging your little one to take their very first steps or cheering them on as they ride a bike for the first time, what you're doing under the hood is coaching them in their gross motor skills. So, as a coach, let's get you up to speed on what gross motor is all about.
What Are Subscription Boxes for Kids
Finding tools that captivate children's attention while nurturing a learning environment is akin to discovering a hidden treasure. Enter the world of educational subscription boxes, a treasure trove that arrives at your doorstep, designed to enchant young minds with the thrill of exploration and discovery. Let's unbox these fun deliverables, why they might be an invaluable resource for parents, and where to find the ones that will set your child on a path of fun and learning.
Should Children Have to Share?
Sharing is a fundamental skill crucial to a child's social development and future interactions. However, sharing is often misunderstood and confused with a child’s ability to compromise. In this article, I'll explore the various aspects of sharing, provide analogies to help understand its importance and discuss the benefits and compromises associated with ownership.
Tips for Raising an Only Child
Each child is unique; what works for one family might not work for another. It's all about finding what suits your family's dynamics and your child's personality. So, in this article, I’ll tread lightly with simple everyday advice, a little stating the obvious, and some personal observations from my experience working with many only-child families over the years.
Helping Siblings Get Along
Oh, the joys and challenges of parenting, especially when your household feels more like a battlefield than a peaceful sanctuary because your kids can't seem to get along. It's a story as old as time, but that doesn't make it any easier when you're the one living it. Well, let's sit down and chat about how you can help your kids build a bridge over their troubled waters.
10 DIY Sensory Activities for Toddlers
Let's dive into crafting fun with sensory play for our little explorers. Sensory play is more than just a fun time; it's a needed part of your toddler's development. It helps them learn about their environment through their senses: touch, smell, sight, taste, and hearing. These activities can enhance motor skills, promote problem-solving, and encourage social interactions. Plus, it's a fantastic way to bond with your little one. So, grab your crafting hats because I've got ten DIY sensory play ideas that are easy to whip up at home and pack a punch in developmental benefits.
12 Tips for Traveling With Children
Traveling with young ones is an adventure with opportunities for fun, learning, and making memories. But it also comes with challenges—how do you keep them engaged, calm, and safe while helping them soak in the new experiences? Here are some simple tips from a fellow parent to make your travels smoother and enjoyable for everyone.
The Proper Use of Toys
In today's fast-paced and consumer-driven society, the idea that more is better has permeated the sanctity of childhood play. A simpler approach to playtime, emphasizing quality over quantity, is available and will benefit your little one in the long term. This post opens the conversation about the multifaceted benefits of toys for children, identifies two timeless toys that promise years of enjoyment, and explores some common challenges.
How to Talk To Kids
One of our most important roles as parents is being our children's primary communicators and educators. The way we talk to them—from infancy through adolescence—lays the foundation for their emotional intelligence, self-esteem, and perception of the world around them. Understanding and implementing best communication practices can significantly impact your child's development. Here are my thoughts from working with children for over thirty-five years.
Activities of Daily Living Skills
As parents, one of our primary goals is to help our children grow into independent, capable individuals. A significant part of this journey involves mastering activities of daily living (ADLs) skills. These skills are the everyday tasks and routines essential for self-care and independent living, such as dressing, eating, personal hygiene, and managing personal spaces. If you're looking for ways to support your child in developing these critical skills, you're in the right place. Let's dive into some friendly advice and practical tips to make this journey rewarding for you and your child.
Crafting Children's Cognitive Skills
Crafting is an outlet for creativity and a valuable tool for enhancing cognitive development in children. Skills, which include memory, attention, and problem-solving, are crucial for learning and can be nurtured through engaging and thoughtful activities. Here, I've listed some crafting activities that are enjoyable and effective for cognitive growth.
Five Kids' Crafting Ideas to Enhance Fine Motor Skills
Crafting isn't just a fun way to pass the time; it's also a fantastic way to help children develop their fine motor skills. These skills are crucial for writing, buttoning up a shirt, or cutting with scissors. Here, I've compiled a list of five popular crafting ideas that are enjoyable and beneficial for fine motor development. These projects can be done with household or low-cost items, making them accessible to everyone.
Helping Your Picky Eater
Many parents face the challenge of feeding picky eaters, whose underlying sensory processing issues often complicate meal times. Understanding these issues and adopting effective strategies can help parents successfully expand their children's eating palettes.
Helping Your Child Develop a Proper Pencil Grasp
Holding and correctly using a pencil is a pivotal milestone in a child's developmental journey, significantly impacting their writing and drawing skills, speed, and handwriting legibility. I have worked with countless children to enhance their fine motor skills in my field, focusing on effective strategies to facilitate a proper pencil grasp. Let me give you some practical tips and insights to support your child's development in this area.
The Versatile Role of The Therapy Ball
In pediatric occupational therapy, therapists continually seek innovative and practical tools to engage children in therapeutic activities that promote functional skills development. Among these tools, therapy exercise balls stand out for their versatility and effectiveness in addressing various developmental needs.
Does Brushing Help Your Child?
Have you ever heard of the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol and wondered if it may help your child with sensory challenges? It's a therapy technique that has made waves in the pediatric world, particularly for children who find the world around them a tad too intense. Let's break down what this is, where it came from, and how it might benefit your child.
Understanding The Sensory System in Children
The sensory system is foundational to how we perceive and interact with the world. In children, the development of this system is crucial for learning, behavior, and overall well-being. This article aims to shed light on the sensory system's development, common challenges, symptoms for parents to watch for, and widely used solutions.