Dealing with Messy Eaters

February 11, 2020

As children learn about food, taste, texture, eating, and table manners, they will often create a mess along the way. Read below for tips on how to deal with messy eaters and encourage good habits. 1. Expect Mess with Toddlers Playing with food is how toddlers explore the world of food and eating. To understand…

Making Meaningful Connections with Everyday Items

February 4, 2020

This tip of the week comes from Lisa Zaretsky, an Early Childhood educator and founder of her own program, playAGAIN. Children are endlessly resourceful, imaginative, and curious. They adore an empty cardboard box because it has such potential: it can be anything, for anyone. Read below to learn about open-ended, re-purposed items and how to use…

Preparing Your Child for a Doctor's Visit

January 28, 2020

This week’s tip comes from Jennifer Reeves, a Child Life Specialist at Mount Sinai. A visit to the doctor, routine as it may be, can be difficult for many children. It is not uncommon for them to express anxiety the moment they step into the building. You are your child’s biggest support. Below are some…

Getting Kids to Listen

January 21, 2020

A lot goes into helping your child become a good listener and following your requests. Feeling “ignored” as parents and caregivers can be extremely frustrating, and it can be difficult to stay cool. Read below for some tips on how to get kids to listen: 1. Ask the “right” way. Get down to eye level and…

How to Help Your Child With Transitions

January 14, 2020

Small changes in routine can be particularly difficult for some children. Read below for a few tips on making transitions easier for your child: 1. Create Predictable Routines Routines that happen around the same time and in the same way each day reduce power struggles. Allow your child to anticipate what will happen next to…

Brain Building Activities to Try This Winter

January 7, 2020

When winter weather has you stuck inside at times, you can use everyday moments to foster your child’s development in playful ways. Read below for some ideas: 1. Make it count – Kids love to count everything! Try playing a game where you choose an object and count how many of them you can find…

Tip of the Week