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Diaper Changes
May 25, 2022
Each diaper change is an opportunity – to build relationships, and for language development, face-time, and touch. Help parents to use each diaper change in the first few months to let their baby see their face, listen to their voice, and begin to observe how their baby is trying to communicate. Small moments add up!…Read More
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Helping Parents Identify Sleep Cues
May 18, 2022
It can be helpful to explain to parents of newborns some signs their infant is ready to sleep again. These include having a far-off stare, pulling on ears, rubbing eyes, or sudden, loud crying. Remind parents to begin the sleep routine at the first sign that their newborn may be tired. Download printable flyer>
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Comparisons
May 11, 2022
Practicing early numeracy skills for pre-K and kindergarten comes naturally in the exam room. Show your patient their growth chart and talk about how the curve represents them getting bigger. Compare it to last year and then show them how they compare to a younger sibling. See this video for more information: Download printable…Read More
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Avoid Negative Labels
May 4, 2022
In the toddler years, it’s important to help parents to address their child’s behavior without labeling their child. This looks something like, “What you did was not OK, we don’t hit,” versus “You were very bad.” How parents label their children can impact how children see themselves as they grow, and even increase unwanted behavior.…Read More
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Teeth Brushing
April 27, 2022
Many children fight teeth brushing. While parents may tell you that their children don’t like it, you know it matters to their health. Try suggesting that parents brush alongside their toddlers or take turns letting the child brush their teeth and then brushing their child’s teeth. Singing songs can help too, or a toothbrush with…Read More
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Joint Attention
April 20, 2022
You may know that joint attention is an important part of screening for autism, but it’s also important to explain to parents why sharing attention and focus is an important part of communication. Try asking parents to notice whether their infant involves them in an activity, or if they can get their baby to look…Read More
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Parentese
April 13, 2022
Research shows that babies learn language best through high pitched, sing-song, exaggerated speech. This type of voice – parentese – uses real words and appropriate grammar, and may come naturally to many parents. If it does not, try incorporating it in infant visits when you can. And try offering parents a quick explanation on why…Read More
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Mistakes
April 6, 2022
Research shows that children with a growth mindset – the belief that intelligence is not fixed and that they can work hard and practice to improve – understand mistakes as opportunities to learn. In your visits, you can try taking a simple mistake – like closing the computer when you still need it, or dropping…Read More
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Activity: What’s the Feeling
March 30, 2022
From our partners at VROOM, here’s a fun activity to try in your next visit with a 3-year-old: Make a face and ask your patient to try and guess what you’re feeling—like sad, tired, excited, surprised or scared. Then take turns and ask your patient to make a face while you guess what they are feeling.…Read More
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Development of Memory
March 23, 2022
Caregivers may have noticed their baby’s developing memory – like crying when they see the doctor or remembering hand movements to their favorite song or game. In your visits, you can build on this by asking the baby to follow simple directions, like touching their toes, giving a high five, or making an animal sound.…Read More
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Independent Feeding
March 16, 2022
Learning to feed themselves is important for babies’ regulation and fine motor skills. Being able to stop when they’re done allows babies to control how much they eat – and learn their bodies’ own signs of fullness. Feeding can exercise the small muscles in a baby’s hand and assist in learning the pincer grasp –…Read More
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Ping Pong Talk
March 9, 2022
Many new parents are thrilled to hear their baby’s first coos and noises! Encourage them to respond back as if they are having a conversation with an adult. They can respond by imitating the noise the baby made, or by saying something like, “tell me more.” Then they can pause and wait for the baby…Read More
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Getting Out the Door on Time
March 2, 2022
For many families, getting out the door to school each morning can be a source of stress and conflict. For preschoolers, you can help parents promote autonomy and self-regulation skills by suggesting that they create a simple picture schedule of the morning activities to empower their child to be “in charge” of their own behavior.…Read More
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Time-Outs
February 23, 2022
Time-outs are an often misunderstood and misused technique for discipline. Here are a few quick ways to explain time-outs to caregivers: It’s a pause or body break, not a punishment. It’s meant to interrupt physically aggressive behavior only. It’s short: 30-60 seconds. Time-outs are not a replacement for caregiver soothing. Learning to pause and calm…Read More
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Positive Opposites
February 16, 2022
Quick tip to promote positive opposites: When you hear parents commenting on challenging behaviors in the visit, model how they can ask for the behavior they want to see instead. Try things like, “please keep your body on the table,” instead of “stop moving,” or, “please hold this,” instead of “stop touching that.” See this…Read More