Did you know that early, age-appropriate music experiences can enrich a child’s language, literacy, social development, cognition, attention span, mathematical, motor and self-regulation skills?
Meeting the Needs of a Newborn Baby in the First Three Months
Modern day society presents new mothers and their newborns with many different challenges. Many women are trying to fulfill their role as mom, wife, professional, student, daughter, sister, etc in a fast paced world influenced by instant gratification, social media, and technology. I find that it is increasingly difficult for a new mom to care for and nurture her child and their unique bond the way nature intended.
Using Signs, Gestures and Manual Communication with Your Baby
If I sign with my child, won’t that stop him/her from developing speech? NO! In fact, research and experience shows that it actually helps facilitate speech in both children with typically developing speech/language skills as well as those with disorders of speech or language. Here are just 2 resources (one professional and one layman) that support this idea: Millar, D.C., …
Your Child’s Eye Safety & What To Do In An Emergency
Help Keep Your Child’s Eyes Safe Your child’s eyes are their windows to the world so it is important that we keep them protected. Every year thousands of children under the age of 5 suffer from eye injuries. These injuries can damage sight and even cause blindness. Eye injuries can happen at home, at play or in the car. They …
Have You Had Your Baby’s Eyes Checked?
Healthy eyes and good vision play a critical role in how infants and children learn to see. Eye and vision problems can lead to developmental delays if not caught early on. Therefore, the American Optometric Association is recommending that infants have their first eye exam around 6 months of age, again at 3 years, and then before starting school. At …
Strategies to Get Your Child to Wear Glasses
Involve your child in selecting eyewear (frames). If they have a say in the style they will be more inclined to wear them. Make sure the frames are fitted properly and are comfortable for your child. No one wants to wear an uncomfortable pair of glasses. Explain to your child the benefits of wearing glasses. Be positive (and stay positive) …
Minor Head Injuries: Symptoms, Treatments, & What’s Normal
Minor head injuries are common in childhood and are usually not a serious problem. If your child suffers from a blow to the head because of a fall, a motor vehicle crash, or a sports injury, it could cause the brain to have trouble working normally for a short time. Sometimes being forcefully shaken may also cause a minor head …
Tips for Organizing Toys and De-Cluttering Play Space
Toys, toys everywhere! But, how many times do we hear “Mom, there is nothing to do!” or “Dad, where is my….”? As therapists we go into homes and often prefer to work with the toys a child has in his own environment but so often when we go to work on a puzzle or shape sorter we hear the parent …
Why Vitamin D is So Important for Toddlers & Children
Mounting research is prompting news reports on the recommended daily allowance for Vitamin D. In the past it was believed that we get enough Vitamin D from sunlight and foods (specifically vitamin D fortified milk, oily fish, shrimp and eggs). Baby formula is also fortified with Vitamin D however children that are breastfed may need a supplement, depending upon the …
The Importance of Tactile Exploration for Feeding
Teaching a baby how to eat and enjoy food is a fun and exciting milestone for many parents. It is essential for us as parents to be patient, to allow our baby to take the lead, and to see our baby’s food as much more than a way to satisfy hunger. Food and the act of feeding can and should …