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July 3, 2024
We know you’re recommending sunscreen this Summer, AND we know that applying sunscreen is a pain point for parents. Here are 3 quick tips to offer parents: Let them do it! “Helping” to apply sunscreen promotes autonomy and can decrease resistance. Parents can even do it in the mirror so kids can watch. Sing a song! Distracting young children with a fun sunscreen song (or another favorite) can help them to do hard things. Pick wisely. Find a sunscreen that comes in a stick and goes on smoothly. Chalky or thick creams can cause more tantrums.
Read moreJune 26, 2024
Pacifiers are an excellent source of soothing, but eventually it’s important to limit their use to the sleep space in order to promote language development and self-regulation skills. This can also be a first step toward weaning the pacifier entirely and finding new ways to help infants soothe themselves. Recommend to families that they: After 5 months of age, keep the pacifier in the sleep space (crib) during the day so that the baby does not have access. Resist using the pacifier when children are awake, and instead help them to tolerate hard moments without sucking. Explore other ways to help soothe children - like snuggling, talking, and singing.
Read moreJune 19, 2024
Cognitive flexibility is the ability to adapt our behavior and thinking in response to our environment. It occurs in 2 main ways - the ability to think about multiple things at the same time, and the ability to think based on a change in demands or expectations. Making new and surprising connections allows children to develop executive function skills that they need for their overall health and wellness. Try these 3 tips in your next visit:Model silliness. "I'm going to check your ears now. Just kidding! I was being silly. I said I was going to check your ears, and then I checked your foot!"Pretend to make a mistake. “I can’t find my stethoscope, did you see it? It’s long and skinny, and I use it to listen to your heart. Where should I look?”Praise families who are bilingual at home. “Learning multiple languages has been shown to help children be able to think and solve problems better!”
Read moreJune 12, 2024
Offering children choices is one important way to support autonomy. Beginning at a young age, try modeling choices during the physical exam to encourage caregivers to do this at home! A few examples: Let the child choose what they want to have examined first - their eyes or their ears Ask the child if they want to sit on their caregiver’s lap or on the table Offer a choice between colors of bandages or lollipop flavors By helping parents to see their role in asking, listening to, and respecting their child’s voice, you can support confidence, independence and self-determination. To learn more about why these qualities matter to long-term child development, log back in to watch our Autonomy module.
Read moreJune 5, 2024
Families arrive in your office with a multitude of confusing messages about sleep. As a family's trusted healthcare professional, you can be prepared to dispel some of the most common sleep myths that families will encounter - like these. Myth #1 - Some babies just get up early Myth #2 - Waking through the night is unusual Myth #3 - Some children are night owls Myth #4 - The more tired the baby, the more they will sleep Myth #5 - Adding cereal to the bottle or starting solids will help a baby sleep through the night For tips on how to dispel these myths, check out our provider module on sleep here, and log back in for more resources on talking with families about healthy sleep habits.
Read moreMay 29, 2024
Lying is a common behavior among 4-5 year olds, but it ISN’T fun for parents. Caregivers can overreact to lies, and resort to punishment, threats or harsh responses. To help them to understand lying developmentally, you can reassure parents that lying demonstrates critical thinking skills and a new understanding and interest in the difference between fantasy and reality. Instead of engaging in a power struggle, you can encourage caregivers to try a relaxed reaction to lying that can make children more likely to tell the truth: Acknowledge the feeling or wish that motivated the lie. “You wanted that to be true,” or “You wish that that had happened.” State what you believe happened. “The milk was spilled on the floor,” or “It is hard not to have something you want, so sometimes we pretend we are allowed.” Move on to a solution together. “Let’s clean it up together,” or “Let’s go tell our friends that we can’t have that treat.”
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