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Do you remember what it’s like to be young? To be silly and carefree, when your only job is to learn and have fun? Back then, it was all about the journey and never the destination. Living in the moment was your only choice, and you couldn’t help but be present for every astonishing and […]

 Neuroscientists say that the noggin power required to play tea party – or any other kind of pretend play – is very complex. Here’s what it takes: The desire to play nicely with friends. The skills to follow the social “rules” of the party. The ability to communicate. And last but certainly not least, the willingness […]

I love babies. Babies do a lot of adorable things – cooing, smiling, laughing, and snuggling. But there’s something babies can’t do – read. But you’d never know it. We’re surrounded by messages that make us think babies are supposed to be doing “academic” work younger and younger. And that worries us. Are our babies […]

The new language isn’t Spanish, or Chinese. Here’s a hint: 010111000011110001111. The new language is digital. Kids today are born into a digital world — my 1-year-old can’t speak English yet, but he’s absorbing every move I make as I interact with my smartphone. It’s no wonder children are fluent in the language of tech. […]

It’s Important to Find the Time to Go Outside Dear friends and families: When you arrive home today, please do an experiment. Stand outside in front of your home and listen. What do you hear? Do you hear children playing? Unfortunately, the answer is probably no. The fact is that children are not playing outside […]

Kimberly Clayton Blaine, the Go-To Mon, talks about the benefits of your child experiencing the wonders of the outdoors. Click play to watch the video.

Today, it took me 25 minutes – instead of the usual 5 – to empty the dishwasher. Why? Because my 2-year-old daughter was “helping” me. Spoons were dropped, reorganized and placed back in the dishwasher. Cups were used for an impromptu tea party. Big bowls became hats. Fun was had by all. I know what […]

By Dr. Heather Wittenberg My husband and I used to forbid the words “restaurant” and “children” from being used in the same sentence. French fries scarfed while running around after the kids resulted in a sure-fire case of indigestion. “Why are we doing this?” we wondered. It was so much easier to stay at home. […]

The word “sharing” doesn’t usually conjure up images of fun and happy play in the mind of preschoolers’ parents. More often, sharing means protests of “mine!” and guaranteed hurt feelings. But sharing doesn’t have to be dreaded. The best way to teach sharing is by simply having fun with it. Preschoolers are deeply involved in […]

Any parent of a preschooler knows the subject of sharing warrants an entire how-to manual. So although our four-part series on sharing is all wrapped up today, just in time for the holidays, we hope you’ll refer back to it – and print and upload our adorable sharing activities – throughout 2012.  But first, check […]

Your newborn baby is ready to care and share, right from the start. Yes – the very start. Neonatal nurses know that the sound of a crying newborn will trigger “sympathetic crying” in the other newborns.  It’s part of your baby’s “hardware” that includes specific brain circuits for caring and sharing.  New research – summarized […]

The word “sharing” doesn’t usually conjure up images of fun, happy play in the mind of preschoolers’ parents. More often, sharing means protests of “mine!” and guaranteed hurt feelings. But sharing doesn’t have to be dreaded. The best way to teach sharing is by simply having fun with it. Preschoolers are deeply involved in their […]