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Labeling Emotions
September 14, 2022
Learning to recognize the multitude of feelings that humans experience begins with labeling. Starting at birth, families can label their child’s feelings as an important habit to promote self regulation in the future. You can model this in visits, such as “I think you’re uncomfortable being naked on this cold scale” or “I know that…Read More
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School Concerns – Not Sitting Still
September 7, 2022
Research shows that practicing how to stop and start their bodies is an important strategy to help children strengthen self regulation. You can suggest parents build games like freeze dance, musical chairs, and red light/green light into their day to help practice these skills. This type of inhibitory control, an executive function skill, is closely…Read More
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Preparing for School
August 31, 2022
In the next few weeks, many of your patients may be headed to school for the first time. Share some tips to make the transition easier: Practice the walk or bus/train/car ride and visit the school. Talk about what to expect by reading books together. Get into the routine of early mornings at least a week…Read More
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Separation Anxiety
August 24, 2022
Practicing healthy goodbyes can help ease separation anxiety, which normally begins between 8-10 months and can reappear throughout childhood. Help parents to: Avoid sneaking out. Parents should give a quick and upbeat goodbye. Stay calm. If parents appear upset, chances are that baby will be too. Remind their baby that they will come back, and…Read More
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Baby Conversation
August 17, 2022
Back and forth conversations, like a game of catch, are how babies learn language best. Remind parents to respond to any sounds or bids for attention that their baby makes, either by repeating the same sound, or pretending that they understood what they were saying. Filling a baby’s day with words is one of the…Read More
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Activity: Hand Shapes
August 10, 2022
From our partners at VROOM, here’s a fun activity for parents of 4 year olds to do while they wait. Show a child how to make a triangle with their hands by putting their thumbs and fingers together. Then, encourage them to make other shapes with their hands and fingers. Can they make a square? A…Read More
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Water Safety
August 3, 2022
Drowning is the leading cause of death among children 1-4 years old. Here are a few tips to share with families around water safety: Before starting the bath, adults should make sure they have everything they need, so they never leave a baby alone in a bathtub. Anytime a child is around water, an adult…Read More
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The Importance of Play
July 27, 2022
This week, we are sharing a tip from Dr. Prachi Shah, a developmental-behavioral pediatric specialist at the University of Michigan. Play is important for children to build cognitive and social-emotional skills, problem solving, creativity and curiosity. Challenge your families to find 5-10 minutes a day for “sunshine time” with their children. This is a time…Read More
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Sparks: A Video Series for Parents
July 20, 2022
Meet , a parent video series that pairs with well-child visits from birth to age 5. Made BY providers, FOR providers, Sparks blends anticipatory guidance on social-emotional-cognitive development, medical, safety, sleep, and nutrition topics. Sparks is FREE and was created by the Mount Sinai Parenting Center, Zero to Three, the Brazelton Touchpoints Center, and a diverse team of leaders…Read More
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Lying
July 13, 2022
Lying is a common behavior of 4-5 year olds. As a provider, you can reassure parents that lying, while frustrating, demonstrates critical thinking skills and comes from age-appropriate confusion between fantasy and reality. The following suggestions can help create a relaxed reaction and make children more likely to tell the truth: Acknowledge the feeling or…Read More
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Setting Limits
July 6, 2022
Here are a few reminders to share with families on setting limits with toddlers. Limits: Provide structure, not punishment. Mean saying what a child can and cannot do. Need to be consistent. Should start by acknowledging feelings. Can be followed by a behavior toddlers can do instead.
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Show Delight
June 22, 2022
It’s important for caregivers to show delight in their children. Noticing that their parents or loved ones enjoy their company, delight in their presence, or take pleasure from their actions, helps to build a strong parent-child relationship and the foundation for healthy development in the future. Download printable flyer>
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Talking About Toilet Training
June 15, 2022
It can be helpful to share some developmental signs of toilet training readiness with families. These include the ability to: Follow simple instructions Stay dry for at least two hours, or through naps Recognize signs indicating the need to pee or poop However, it’s most important that the family is ready. Toilet training requires lots…Read More
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Redirecting
June 8, 2022
For younger children, removing the source of their distress and replacing it with something else can be an effective tool in managing behavior. Explain this 2 step process to parents of children around and under age 2: Acknowledge the child’s feelings, “I know you want to play with the remote control.” Provide a brief explanation,…Read More
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Drowsy But Awake
June 1, 2022
Learning to fall asleep without being rocked, fed or held, is an important way that a baby practices self-regulation skills. Suggest that parents try putting their baby to sleep awake, but drowsy, and let them practice falling asleep on their own. This may involve a little fussing or crying, but parents can be encouraged that…Read More