Child development can be described as how a child grows from infancy into adulthood. Usually this takes place through a predictable sequence of steps (or milestones). As your child develops, changes occur in their bodies and their brains. Development is often categorized into 4-5 “areas” that look something like this: Social development refers to how Read More
Parent Tips
Make Believe Play
Make believe play is part of a developing child’s repertoire. Its appearance signals a shift in how your child is thinking. Once your child can “play make believe”, they are capable of symbolic thinking. This means that they understand that one thing can represent another. For instance, a shoe can represent a telephone, and a Read More
Jokes and Riddles
Question: What kind of beans won’t grow in a garden? Answer: Jellybeans! Question: A faucet, lettuce and a tomato were in a race…what happened? Answer: The faucet was running, the lettuce was ahead, and the tomato was trying to ketchup! Riddles and jokes are great ways to develop skills. Riddles and jokes can: How do Read More
Imaginary Friends
Imaginary friends are common and normal As many as 65% of children up to age seven played with at least one imaginary friend at some point in their lives. Adults need not have any concern; not only are imaginary friends common and normal, but children who play with imaginary companions may have distinct developmental benefits Read More
Manners
Social development is primarily the development of social skills: The set of behaviors and attitudes that demonstrate the ability to cooperate with others, understand others’ feelings, interact positively with others, resolve conflicts respectfully, and state opinions, needs and desires appropriately. Social skills involve etiquette and manners. These are words we don’t use much anymore. But Read More
Enjoying Your Child
Enjoying your child isn’t always very easy.Difficult behaviors, like whining and tantrums, can seem to outweigh the fun times. And when you feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and angry, things can get to the point where you just don’t feel very positive about your child and may not want to spend time with them. And yet–spending positive Read More