I’ve got another secret to share: Working on baby’s table manners is a stealthy way to boost learning. I don’t mean fancy-shmancy teacup-holding table manners. Instead, your goal is to have baby spend as much time as possible at the family table, participating in mealtime action. Forks, spoons, and cups are tools to help keep baby […]

Childcare experts, pediatricians, dentists (and grandmas) usually frown on the use of a bottle after baby’s first birthday. And the longer you keep bottles around, the more your baby will grow attached to them. So transitioning to a cup is a good idea – and it can be done earlier than you might expect. Here’s […]

We all know that good nutrition is important, especially for growing little bodies (and brains). But you may be surprised to learn that sugar may not be the terrible culprit we’d assumed it was. Despite the rowdiness at children’s birthday parties, study after study has shown that sugar does NOT seem to cause hyperactivity. Sure, […]

Learning is best when it’s fun, meaningful – and incognito! With a little help from technology, you can cleverly disguise important school readiness skills to help prepare your child this year. Here are some helpful tech tips to give your young child a jump start on five important early literacy skills they’ll need for school. […]

Your child’s little tummy is easily filled. The more junk food he eats, the less room there is for the wide range of protein, good fats, fruits, veggies and whole grains he needs for the rapid growth his body undergoes every day. Nutritional deficiencies can quickly build, making your child fatigued, irritable and crabby; not […]

I figured both my kids would love reading since I did. Not so much. It was a humbling blow when my first daughter didn’t want to sit still for an entire story. Apparently kids aren’t born readers. So, what’s a parent to do? Anything to raise a reader, including standing on your head. (It won’t […]

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Talking with you –in real time –is the highlight of my work here. In our latest chat, we brainstormed about getting fun summer schedules under control, and the importance of establishing a strong relationship with your child’s teacher even BEFORE school starts. We also shared how saying goodbye on that first day of school is […]

We’re still enjoying the summer sun and fun, but a new school year is fast approaching!  Now is the time to start preparing to make the switch.  You can help excite your children about the school season and avoid a last-minute back-to-school frenzy by trying these tips. Talk it up!  Talk to your child about […]

Potty training is often a complicated, unpredictable adventure. One of the most challenging steps along the way is when your kiddo is dry during the day, but not at night. It’s very common. Genetics is one reason: Children with older-trained relatives have a higher chance of training later, and boys tend to train later than […]

With summer wrapping up, you might find yourself and your children needing to make a few adjustments to get ready for the school year. We want to make this transition a smooth one, so we are inviting you to join a live Twitter discussion on back to school readiness! Day: Wednesday August 15, 2012 Time: […]

 My two-year-old has a 10 p.m. bedtime. It happened gradually, over the summer. Longer, relaxed days, keeping up with her older siblings, and special outings and occasions have all pushed her usual 8 p.m. bedtime to this ridiculously late point. It’s gotta stop. I can picture us during the first week of school: bleary-eyed children […]