DiscussionI'm in desperate need of tips and tricks on potty training. My 2-1/2 year old wants nothing to do with the potty.
Expert opinions on the optimal age for potty training have changed over time. The current consensus is that you can begin training earlier but that many children will not be ready until three or even four years of age. If you begin training earlier, you may be in for a long, gradual process. Look for signs of readiness, such as having ...
Personal & Social Skills
How can I make my toddler sit still for educational TV shows? She never sits down or even tries to pay attention.
While educational programs can be a fun way for many children to learn, they are not essential to your child's education. Toddlers have short attention spans and your child may not yet be ready to watch an entire movie or show. In fact, screen time may decrease, rather than increase, your child's attention span. If your concern is that...
Personal & Social Skills
What if my child refuses to wear his costume on Halloween?
Holidays such as Halloween can disrupt routines that are a comfort to young children. This may lead to a child not wanting to participate in festivities, which may include a refusal to wear a costume. It may be helpful to ask your child whether there is something about the costume that bothers him/her, and to see if it is something tha...
Personal & Social Skills
My son loves to paint but always makes a huge mess. Any tips?
Messy (or sensory) play is a fun and interesting way for children to explore and learn about the world around them, but for parents it is just so, well messy! Here are a few ways to minimize the mess. The first is to choose a location that is easy to clean up such as the kitchen, bathtub, driveway, or backyard. Lay a vinyl shower curta...
Creativity & Life Skills
Any advice on dealing with my son’s constant “Why?"
Young children love to ask “Why?”, and while it can be frustrating for parents be asked the same question over and over again, “Why?” is a reflection of children’s natural curiosity and drive to learn and explore the world around them. If you find yourself unsure of how to answer one of your child’s questions, tell him that you don’t k...
My son is sleepy at bedtime. Is reading in the morning best?
Reading to your son is important, but it doesn’t necessarily have to happen at bedtime. Some children find reading calming, which is why it is often part of children’s bedtime routines. But sitting still for long periods of time—particularly when children are tired, can be difficult for children at this age.
Reading & Writing
My child has an imaginary friend, should I be concerned?
Having an imaginary friend is more common than you might think -- approximately 40-65% of children have an imaginary friend during the preschool years. While extremely common, many parents are concerned that this type of play might be indicative of extreme shyness and difficulties establishing normal relationships with peers. Fortunate...
Personal & Social Skills
What are some ways to help learn to write letters besides tracing?
Along with having your child practice tracing and writing letters on paper, you can have your child make letters with fun materials. Head outside and have your child use a wet paintbrush to "paint" letters on a warm sidewalk, write letters in the sand with stick, or use sidewalk chalk to create driveway messages. If it's more of an in...
Reading & Writing
How can I teach my son how to handle teasing or bullying at school?
Bullying begins as early as preschool, so it’s wonderful that you want to teach your son coping strategies for dealing with a bully. One of the best ways to teach your child how to handle teasing and bullying is to model confident, respectful behavior with other people. You can also practice standing up to a bully by role playing with ...
Personal & Social Skills
Why is it important to learn about the seasons?
Learning about the seasons helps children understand the passage of time, and teaches them about change. While some seasonal changes are more obvious (like changes in the weather), there are many important subtle differences related to each season like changes in the type of food that is available. For example, in some parts of the wor...
Science
What's a good age to start summer day camp?
Most summer camps are targeted for children 3 years of age and older. Since many camps tend to be all day programs, children are often required to be potty trained. If you’re looking for something for your 2-year-old, check out the classes offered by your city’s recreation center. Or, set up weekly play dates with your friends at your ...
Personal & Social Skills
As summer vacation is approaching, I'm wanting to know of a schedule/routine that would be good for my 3 year old to keep him learning like he is in preschool.
Preschool schedules will vary depending on the type of preschool you choose. Most preschools follow a routine that provides structure and predictably, while programming in plenty of time for free play and independent discovery.
Creativity & Life Skills