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January 17, 2024
Reading aloud is a great activity for kids of all ages. From birth, you can encourage families to find a few minutes every day to read to their children. Here’s why… The power of a caregiver’s voice. From birth, children find the voice of a loved caregiver to be uniquely soothing and comforting. The introduction of words. At all ages, children learn rich vocabulary from hearing words they don’t yet know. The chance to imagine. Research shows that hearing stories helps our brains to actually imagine ourselves having those experiences. Stories outside of their everyday lives can therefore help children to make new connections and stimulate curiosity and imagination. The opportunity to learn a new perspective. Understanding how others think and feel is a key benefit of reading. As children grow, studies show that reading books around feelings and perspectives can improve social relationships and conflict resolution skills.
Read moreJanuary 10, 2024
Play is an important way that children and parents can build connection, cognitive-social-emotional skills, and problem solving skills - but it can be hard for parents to know how to engage in play. From our friend and colleague - Dr. Prachi Shah, a developmental-behavioral pediatric specialist at the University of Michigan - here are 4 ways to challenge your families to find 5-10 minutes a day for “sunshine time” with their children. Choose toys that promote cooperative play Follow the child’s lead Narrate what the child is doing Mirror joy and delight This is a time of shared warmth and joy that helps children and caregivers delight in each other, and works at any age.
Read moreJanuary 3, 2024
By age 4 or 5, it’s easier for children to understand the thoughts and feelings of others, and how their actions may impact someone else. To help with sibling conflicts, suggest to parents that they: Think of their goal as guiding children to eventually resolve conflicts themselves by seeing the other person’s perspective, NOT by being the referee. Discuss how the other sibling is feeling (“What would your sister say?”) Ask children how they would feel in similar circumstances (“How would you feel if that was you?”) Help make repair (“What can we do to make this right and move on together?”)
Read moreDecember 27, 2023
A new study from the University of Cambridge and Trinity College Dublin shows that babies learn language best from rhythmic, not phonetic, information in the first few months of life. That’s why advising parents to use nursery rhymes, songs, and parentese with their baby can help promote language most effectively from day one.
Read moreDecember 20, 2023
As the holidays approach us, try sharing the science around shared meals with families. Research shows that eating together as a family - and engaging in conversation and connection - at least 4 times per week can: Encourage healthier eating habits and reduce obesity Support improved academic performance Increase self-esteem for children
Read moreDecember 13, 2023
When children are intrinsically motivated, it means they are eager to do and perform based on their own pleasure in accomplishment, rather than the appeal of external rewards. Here are key tips to support intrinsic motivation: Explain to caregivers that rewards - like stickers - are best for behaviors that kids just need practice at, like toilet training or getting dressed independently. Caregivers want to try and avoid rewards around behaviors like kindness, telling the truth, or working hard - qualities that require intrinsic motivation. Ask patients if they feel proud of themselves for accomplishments, instead of expressing your own pride. For example, you may say, “Wow, are you feeling proud of how well you’ve been doing in school?” or, “How are you feeling about how well you’ve been taking your medicine?” Express confidence in your patient's ability to do hard things. You may say something like, “I know it feels hard, but you know how to do hard things.”
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