DiscussionHow can I teach my son to be a gracious loser?
No one likes to lose, but it is important for young children to learn how to accept loss without feeling bitter or bad about themselves. Begin by acknowledging your son's feelings and let him know that it is okay to feel disappointed, sad, or angry when he loses. Explain that while it is okay to have these feelings, it is not okay to g...
Personal & Social Skills
My three-year old is reading. Is she gifted?
While your daughter is reading earlier than most children her age, it is difficult to determine whether she is gifted because development unfolds unevenly at this age. In other words, it is not uncommon for a child to be advanced in one area of development (e.g., language), but slower in another area of development (e.g., physical skil...
Reading & Writing
My 4-year-old can recognize letters when he's playing Letter Factory, but mixes them up at preschool and even on flashcards. Is this normal? How can I help him?
It’s normal for children to mix up letters when they are first learning about the alphabet. Children are introduced to letters in multiple contexts, and oftentimes, these letters are presented in different styles, shapes and sizes. Although the typeface used in the Letter Factory may be most familiar to your son, he is also seeing lett...
Reading & Writing
My child is in speech therapy but it's not helping. What do I do next?
After filling out all the paperwork and finding a specialist to help your child with a challenge, it can be very frustrating when you do not see progress. Keep in mind that there may be small steps, rather than big, noticeable breakthroughs. Speak with your child's speech therapist to express your concerns. Find out what reasonable goa...
Reading & Writing
My son is interested in learning how to cook, how can I get him involved in the kitchen?
Not only is cooking a fun way to spend time together, it is a great opportunity to get children interested (and even excited) about eating healthy foods. As children follow recipes and measure ingredients, they also learn important math and reading skills. Start by choosing something fun and easy to make that includes some simple steps...
Creativity & Life Skills
What are some of your favorite Valentine's Day books?
Valentine’s Day is all about love, and it is a great opportunity to talk to your toddler about the many ways in which you can show love, and of course, how much your love them! Hugs and kisses are a great way to express love, making these three books perfect for Valentine’s Day: “Hug” by Jez Alborough, “Hug Time” by Patrick McDonnell, ...
Is it safe to let my son use scissors?
As a parent, the thought of handing your small child a pair of scissors can be nerve-racking! But by 4 years of age, children are old enough to use scissors, and it is a great way for them to practice fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The most important thing is to teach your son how to use them safely and keep them out of r...
Creativity & Life Skills
How important are play dates? My son goes to preschool.
Even if your son attends preschool, play dates provide children with a wonderful opportunity to practice important social and emotional skills – some of which your son might not have the opportunity to practice in school. For example, play dates allow children to interact and play with children of different ages (whereas most of the in...
Personal & Social Skills
Since my son's sippy cup broke, he refuses to drink anything but a juice pouch. How can I transition him to a cup or water bottle?
This sounds like a frustrating dilemma. While hungry children will generally eat eventually, it is very important to keep young children hydrated. That your son has developed a preference for a particular style of pouch is probably less concerning from a nutrition standpoint than the fact that he is only drinking juice. You are probabl...
Personal & Social Skills
My two-year-old only wants to eat yogurt all day. How can I encourage her to eat other things without inciting a tantrum?
Doctors and nutritionists often advise parents to think about getting complete nutrients over the course of the day, rather than at each meal. Yogurt is at least a healthy choice and a good place to start! What do you think your child likes about yogurt? If it's the taste, perhaps introduce fruits that match her favorite flavors. If it...
Personal & Social Skills
How can I encourage my son's his love of reading? He shows little interest.
One way to encourage your son’s love of reading is to offer him a wide-variety of books that reflect his interests. Because 2-year-olds like to be independent, you might find it helpful to let your son choose what he would like to read. You can even take him to the bookstore or library and let him choose a few books on his own. Allow h...
Reading & Writing
My three year-old is reading! Is she gifted?
While your child is reading earlier than most children her age, it is difficult to determine whether your daughter is gifted because development unfolds unevenly at this age. In other words, it is not uncommon for a child to be advanced in one area of development (e.g., language), but slower in another area of development (e.g., physic...
Reading & Writing