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Like most adults, children are creatures of habit. Transitions from one activity to another can be difficult. Children who are asked to stop doing something they enjoy and to start a different activity may exhibit difficult behaviors. These behaviors can take the form of tantrums, avoidance, resistance, whining, or negotiation (“Can I have just 5 […]

There are few things in a parent’s life more exasperating than when children ignore our instructions. Learning to follow directions is an important life skill and is vital for school success. And around 18 months, a toddler’s thinking skills begin to change dramatically. She understands a wider variety of words and can hold onto a […]

Conflict can be uncomfortable for young children, causing anxiety or fear. This is true for many adults as well. However, it is natural, and occurs on a daily basis. It is typical for young children to experience conflict over toys, space, relationships, and power. As a parent, you are the biggest influence in your child’s […]

As adults, we’re compelled to think about other people’s perspectives before we act or speak. If we don’t consider how our words and actions will make others feel, we may end up seeming impolite or even thoughtless. When you’re able to imagine a situation from someone else’s perspective, or “put yourself in their shoes,” you […]

Communication is the sharing of information between two or more people. It takes both verbal and non-verbal forms. As one of the major developmental tasks in early childhood, learning to communicate is vital for children in order to interact with the people in their life and to have their social, emotional, and physical needs met. […]

The ability to self-regulate is an important skill for children to develop. It helps children as they learn to follow rules and understand limits. Recent research has found that kindergarten teachers rank the ability to self-regulate as the most important characteristic necessary for school readiness. There is also evidence that self-regulation levels have a stronger […]

March is National Reading Month! Of course, reading to young children introduces new vocabulary, but studies have shown that there are numerous other benefits, as well. Reading can calm your child, especially in times of stress. It promotes a longer attention span and improved ability to concentrate. It encourages communication and bonding between you and […]

As childhood obesity and attention deficit disorders in young children continue to increase, more and more research is being done about the effects of physical activity on children’s health. This research shows that regular exercise is not only vital to physical development, but also brain development in young children. Here are a few examples: Basic […]

Every morning, we get up, brush our teeth, take a shower, get dressed—it’s our morning routine, and every step of the way, we’re ensuring that our day gets off to the right start. It’s the same for young children. Research shows that even the youngest infants are healthier and show stronger executive function and self-regulation […]

Even though you see your child’s teacher every day when at drop-off and pick-up times, and you speak to them about how things are going just as often, parent-teacher conferences are still an important element of the relationship between teachers and families. So why are these meetings so important for young children? The time spent […]

  All parents want the very best for their children. For instance, does your dream for your child include high intelligence and being well-prepared to enter the workforce when the time comes? If you’re like most parents, you probably answered “Yes.” But do you have any control over how intelligence and career preparedness plays out […]

As children grow, the skills they need to learn and develop change. Normal developmental growth frequently involves children taking on and practicing milestones or challenges until they master them. But it’s also important for children to positively embrace learning, and that begins with a strong start in early childhood, that will lead to success in […]