Don’t fear toilet training! Welcoming this “signature achievement of toddlerhood” is easier to master with these incredibly helpful tips from child psychologist Dr. Heather Wittenberg. Find more potty training tips from Dr. Heather here on our blog.
Don’t dread potty training – celebrate it! Potty training is actually the signature achievement of your toddler’s development. But it’s not simple – it’s a complicated process of mastering physical, emotional, and cognitive milestones. I’ve accumulated some surefire strategies to help along the way, from my experience as a mom (I changed diapers – nonstop […]
When your baby becomes a toddler, the days of a relaxed meal in the high chair are done. Now, all she wants (and needs) is a quick bite, and then she’s off to more important things. To cover her nutritional needs, offer a variety of healthy foods anyway – but don’t force it. Here are […]
Bringing home your first baby is spectacularly exciting, wonderful – and more than a little demanding. But baby No. 2 is a bigger challenge altogether, because your toddler is still a baby, too! Helping your toddler – who has suddenly become the Big Kid – get used to this big new change will help everyone […]
I’ve got another secret to share: Working on baby’s table manners is a stealthy way to boost learning. I don’t mean fancy-shmancy teacup-holding table manners. Instead, your goal is to have baby spend as much time as possible at the family table, participating in mealtime action. Forks, spoons, and cups are tools to help keep baby […]
Childcare experts, pediatricians, dentists (and grandmas) usually frown on the use of a bottle after baby’s first birthday. And the longer you keep bottles around, the more your baby will grow attached to them. So transitioning to a cup is a good idea – and it can be done earlier than you might expect. Here’s […]
Games for Toddlers Toddlers start to learn the alphabet by exposure. Seeing, hearing and playing with letters is the best way to start learning the alphabet. 1. Letter Sort – Get out your alphabet letters (foam, magnetic, any kind). Sort by colors, shapes (curvy or straight), letters in the child’s name, or by any criteria […]
If your little Sproutlet is a fan of The Sunny Side Up Show then you probably recognize Chica. She is serious about staying healthy and having fun at the same time, which is how she came up with her very own healthy checklist. All you have to do is print it off and watch your […]
We all know that good nutrition is important, especially for growing little bodies (and brains). But you may be surprised to learn that sugar may not be the terrible culprit we’d assumed it was. Despite the rowdiness at children’s birthday parties, study after study has shown that sugar does NOT seem to cause hyperactivity. Sure, […]
Potty training is often a complicated, unpredictable adventure. One of the most challenging steps along the way is when your kiddo is dry during the day, but not at night. It’s very common. Genetics is one reason: Children with older-trained relatives have a higher chance of training later, and boys tend to train later than […]
My friend Gina has these incredibly predictable twins who used to nap like clockwork. But after their second birthdays, everything went out the window. Poor Gina had fussy, overtired toddlers who refused to nap. Afternoons became a nightmare of whining and meltdowns. None of my four babies were predictable nappers, so I shared my Five […]
Brayden came to preschool one day feeling crabby, and was coming down with a cold. So when Sophie reached for his favorite truck, Brayden hit her. Their teacher separated them and sent Brayden home to rest. Sophie’s mom was understandably upset that Sophie had been hit. A few weeks later, Brayden bit another child when […]