It’s adorable to watch your toddler move her hips to her favorite song, but did you know that dancing with your child is good for her (and you!) in many
Did you make your bed this morning? How about a cup of coffee? Maybe you went to work and completed a multi-step project. All of these examples have at least
Ah, milestones. They’re a source of both excitement and anxiety. Watching your little one take her first steps is thrilling, but if she’s a late walker you may worry about
Reading is jam-packed with developmental benefits, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you do it regularly, starting in infancy. Whether you’re reading to a newbornor a 24 month-old,
From marks on a paper to purposeful drawing (even though the “dog” she draws may still look like a blob), your child’s artwork steadily evolves during her first two years.
Should you really start reading to your baby when she’s a newborn? She doesn’t even know what you’re saying! No matter, say child development experts. Reading to an infant, even
Taking time each day to massage your baby by gently pressing, rubbing, or kneading different parts of his body isn’t just a sweet way to spend time with him. It’s
Epigen-what? Put simply, epigenetics is the study of how environmental influences can switch genes on and off. Epigenetics is shedding light on the age-old nature versus nurture debate by showing
Welcome to the roller coaster! Full of exciting milestones, the toddler years are also prime time for frustrating parenting moments as your little one tests limits and deals with big
Entrusting your little one to a childcare program is a big step. While it’s important to choose a quality one, it’s also helpful to find one that’s a good fit
There are lots of benefits to choosing a childcare program like daycare or preschool for your little one. In order to reap those benefits, though, quality matters. To help you
Setting up childcare for your baby or toddler is a big decision. You want her to be safe, happy, and in an environment where she can thrive. An increasingly popular
Child-development professionals have long suspected that screen time with hand-held electronic devices like smart phones and tablets can negatively affect children’s development. Now, science is beginning to agree. Last year,
When we began BabySparks, research showed that 700-1,000 new neural connections were formed every second during a child’s early years. We were impressed. But new research shows that number is
At BabySparks we’re all about enhancing your baby’s learning from the minute he’s born. But that isn’t when learning begins. In fact, when he’s born he’s already acquired knowledge about
The importance of good nutrition for your child cannot be understated. It builds her immune system, keeps her at a healthy weight, and contributes to optimal development. When you’re feeding
Introducing your baby to the world of food is exciting, but it comes with lots of questions: When do I introduce solids? What type of food do I feed him
With so much buzz and shifting advice about food allergies, you may feel worried and confused: What’s the best way to safely introduce common allergenic foods? We’ve got you covered
When your baby can sit, that’s your cue to introduce solid foods. It’s an exciting, messy milestone that also brings concerns about food allergies. Let’s take a look at what
Discipline is all about rules and consequences, right? It’s serious stuff. Not always! When it comes to teaching your little one how you expect him to behave, tossing in silliness
Discipline at zero months old? What is that? According to authoritative parenting principles, discipline is less about correcting behavior and more about teaching children skills that help them behave according
You’re either born with a sense of humor or you’re not, right? Wrong, say humor researchers (yes, that’s a thing!). Not only have they discovered that humor can be taught,
“Laughter is the best medicine” isn’t just a cute catchphrase; it’s a well-researched fact. The benefits of a sense of humor stretch from language and social skills to emotional and
You want to raise a happy, well-adjusted and independent child who is equipped with skills to succeed in life. The question is, how? The answer depends on who you ask.
Parenting style is a popular topic, with new advice popping up every day. It’s a hot topic, too, as experts debate the merits of being a “tiger mom” or a
The baby and toddler years are a time of rapid growth and development, with endless opportunities to say things like, “Good job! You’re so smart!” This kind of praise boosts
Renowned physician and educator Maria Montessori said: “Play is the work of the child.” Indeed, play is central to your child’s physical, cognitive, language, sensory, social and emotional development. But
It’s always a good idea to check in with your child’s pediatrician if you’re having a hard time potty training, but these are some of the most common issues that
According the organization Safe Kids Worldwide, in the US more than 10,000 children are seen in emergency departments every day for the kinds of injuries that commonly happen at home,
Have you chased your newly running toddler in the park today? Had a dance party in the living room? Tossed balls in the yard? If not, go for it, because
Pick a weekend to potty-train and check it off your list by Monday. Sounds amazing, right? In reality, it may take a bit more time (8 weeks or so) for
In the 1960s, Pediatrician T. Berry Brazelton developed a “Child-Oriented” potty training (CO) method because he was concerned that parents were pushing their children to potty train before they were
We’ve all heard a story about an 18 month-old toddler spontaneously potty training himself and wondered, Is he a magical unicorn? The truth is, potty training usually requires you to
Potty training usually isn’t something parents look forward to, but most are eager to get the job done. No matter which potty training method you choose to follow, it’s important
The idea of changing your little one’s last diaper is thrilling, isn’t it? Before you get there, of course, you need to go through potty training. It’s usually not a
When parents of toddlers talk about throwing, it’s often about discipline: How do I teach my child not to throw food on the floor, or toys at her little brother?
Right around the time your toddler picks up her pace to run, she begins experimenting with jumping. Jumping enhances several developing skills, which we’ll explore below. First, let’s take a
Once your baby masters walking, it’s only a matter of time before he’s off and running! Let’s take a look at when and how running develops, and why it’s an
Imagine it’s summer and you’re about to get into a swimming pool with your 2 year-old, who is holding his favorite toy—a small, stuffed giraffe with a rattle inside. He
Your baby is born with a fully-formed set of baby teeth just below the surface of her gums. It’s important to start taking care of those teeth, even before they
Most milestones, like crawling, walking and talking are pure excitement. Teething, on the other hand, can be both exciting and a rough ride. It’s undeniably adorable to see that classic
Whether it’s waving goodbye when you walk out the door, clapping when you act silly, or lifting his arms when he wants you to pick him up, gestures are a
Hearing your child say her first word is a thrilling moment, and a huge step in her expressive language development. Every toddler’s speech develops at a different rate. It’s normal
Like any parent, you want to raise a happy child, and research tells us you can take steps to do that. One of those steps, and arguably the most important,
Imagine a ten year-old boy. He enjoys going to school and playing sports. Ever since he was in preschool he’s loved art, and he often draws in his spare time.
If you have a colicky baby, you’re well-acquainted with the so-called “witching hours” in the late afternoon or evening. These hours are primetime for most babies with colic, and parents
If you’re a nursing mom, you may be wondering how to eat to provide the best possible nutrition for your baby. The good news is that breastmilk is truly a
If you recently gave birth, you may be anxious to lose some post-pregnancy pounds, have more energy, and beat the baby blues. One way to tackle all three is to
It’s common to experience the Baby Blues after giving birth—a brief period of adjustment when you feel down and weepy and moody. In fact, up to 80% of women experience
Throughout your pregnancy you prepared for your baby’s arrival. You set up a nursery, bought a stroller (and many other things), and stocked up on diapers. If you planned to
If you’re a new mom and wondering why you feel so sad after the highly-anticipated arrival of your baby, you may be dealing with the baby blues. You may not
By the time your child begins speaking, her receptive language development (making sense of sounds, speech, and visual cues) is already well under way. Receptive language is one of three
Failure is often described as the opposite of success, but not many successful people have soared to the top without making mistakes, learning from them, and bouncing back along the
Your baby’s first steps are a thrilling moment, for you and for her! While you proudly film her toddling and toppling around the room, she relishes a new, more efficient
You’re home from the hospital with your baby and settling into a new normal. You’re probably tired, establishing new routines for your family, and wondering when you’ll be able to
It’s 5 o’clock and while many people are leaving work and getting ready to unwind, you’re gearing up for another long stretch of your baby crying inconsolably for no apparent
Have you ever wondered why so many babies spit up after feedings, sending their parents scrambling for burp cloths? It turns out this painless spitting up is a common type
Night terrors is one of the toughest child sleep issues a parent can face. If you’ve experienced your child having one, you know the scene: You jolt awake to the
You may have read our article about IQ (intelligence quotient) and be using our smart baby tips, but did you know that as your child goes through school, forms relationships,
Your little one laughs hysterically one minute and rolls on the floor kicking and screaming the next. Is your head spinning yet? Welcome to the world of her emotions, which
During your baby’s first year, his emotions grew from simple reactions to how he was feeling in the moment to beginning to understand the meaning of emotions and how to
The topic of emotional development is gaining popularity as researchers, child development professionals and parents are paying increasingly more attention to its role in children’s wellbeing and future success in
By the time your child begins speaking, her receptive language development—what she hears and understands—is already well under way. Receptive language is often described as one of three areas of
One day your teenager will debate you on the logic of your rules, using words, facial expressions and gestures to communicate his thoughts, feelings and ideas. That’s expressive language in
Here at BabySparks we talk a lot about interacting with your baby. In fact, we designed our entire program around back-and-forth between you and your little one. Research shows that engaging
Never has anything lived up to its name quite like the pacifier! It can pacify an upset baby in seconds, and can help the entire family get some much-needed sleep
When we think of language, we tend to think of using and understanding words. Language, though, is full of social nuances that surpass words. Imagine you arrive home and see
Pulling up to stand was exciting for your little one. Suddenly he could see his surroundings like never before. To explore in this new, upright position, he starts shuffling his
Baby shoes are a big business these days! A miniature version of Dad’s favorite sneakers may be adorable, but research shows that it’s best for babies (and older kids, too)
Encouraging your toddler’s burgeoning independence sets her on a path towards self-reliance, builds her ability to plan and accomplish sequential tasks, and strengthens her fine motor skills. Here’s a guide of age-appropriate self-care tasks
Life with a toddler is busy. Getting out of the house, mealtimes and bedtimes are each a full production involving several steps. Does it make your head spin to imagine
Long before your baby utters his first word, he will speak by babbling. These adorable, non-sensical sounds are actually his way of making sense of using his voice box, mouth
You’ll have your first conversation with your baby long before her first word. Babbling starts around 5 months, and research shows that responding to your baby’s babbling in a meaningful way
With toys named after famous geniuses, baby-friendly smartphone games, and baby classes galore, raising a smart baby may seem like a sophisticated and expensive task. The truth is, science does
When you think of a creative person, a painter, composer or novelist likely comes to mind. We don’t always associate creativity with an executive who restructures a company, a doctor
Just as the top executive at a busy, successful company keeps everything organized and running smoothly, executive function skills allow us to focus, plan, accomplish tasks, control impulses, and manage
Around the time your baby learns to crawl, she will begin experimenting with pulling up to stand. Eventually she will be able to stand up on her own—quite an accomplishment
Your baby smiles at you and you smile back. Or you make a scene enthusiastically babbling back and forth with her in the supermarket line. Aside from generating warmth and
What do brushing your teeth, shaking someone’s hand, and reading this article have in common? A skill called “crossing the midline”. The midline is an invisible line from head to
During your baby’s first year, he discovered his hands and learned he could use them. He started crawling and you were probably two steps ahead of him, making sure the
Symbolic play (or pretend play) is a highlight of childhood. Remember when toy food and plates set the stage for an elaborate lunch served to stuffed animals? Or when picnic
Your baby is on the move! Welcome to the days of following him from room to room as he explores his world. This can be exhausting for you, but it’s
Like other gross motor milestones, rolling over is full of fuel for your baby’s development. It’s his first experience moving his entire body, and continues to strengthen his muscles, balance,
Stop and think about the complex wrist, hand and finger movements involved in things like zipping a sweatshirt, tying shoes, or using a can opener. Amazing, right? Long before these
Now that your baby has gained head control and learned to roll over, she is ready to pull herself up to sit! This exciting milestone offers her a new way
Other gross motor milestones may seem more worthy of celebration, but head control is a developmental powerhouse! It’s the precursor to moving the entire body, which starts with rolling over
Picture this: You’re finally getting out of the house with your new baby. Your pediatrician gave you the thumbs up to take her out in public, and after weeks of
Great news! Your sweet baby has graduated from the NICU and is now home. This means he can breathe, eat, regulate his body temperature, and is maintaining a healthy weight.
You might have thought breastfeeding would be a breeze. What could be easier than feeding your baby as nature intended, right? The truth is that breastfeeding can be tricky, and
As any adult who’s had trouble sleeping knows, the habits around sleep (like winding down before bed and creating a comfortable sleeping environment) play a big role in falling and
If you’re a parent of a new baby, you’re probably tired! Most new babies wake up frequently. Tiny tummies fill up and empty quickly, and babies seek comfort as they
One of the biggest questions new parents have is when to introduce different types of solid foods. As specialists in feeding, speech and language, Integrated Children’s Therapy (ICT) has a
Have you heard? The American Academy of Pediatrics issued its 2016 recommendations about screen times for children. Their report makes it clear that there are long-term negative consequences for introducing
According to March of Dimes, approximately 1 in 10 babies are born prematurely in the US each year. Definitions are evolving, but premature babies are generally those born before 37
When babies reach around 4 months of age, they have a cognitive growth spurt. Skills appear that form the foundation of a new, more advanced way of thinking. One of
What is tummy time? Simply put, tummy time is time your baby spends on their stomach while they are awake. Seems easy enough, right? As a pediatric physical therapist, I
Just like adults, babies are social creatures and seek out others for love and comfort. They communicate from the start that they seek nurturing. For a long time, the parents’
Music is a vital part of human culture. It’s how stories are told, it’s a powerful way to express emotions, and can be how we tell someone we love them.
You’ve seen it for sure. Your baby looks at your concerned face, and the bright smile washes away from hers. Or your toddler looks over at the crying child at
Hola. Bonjour. Ni hao. Hello. How many of these greetings do you recognize? Do you speak more than one language in your home? Does your child? Increasingly, the answer to
Fine motor skills are often thought of as the movements of the fingers and hands, but they also include movements of the toes, mouth, and eyes. Many important tasks related
It’s drop off time at day care. As several moms and dads prepare to leave some of the children appear concerned, some edge closer to the door, others might fuss
As you play and interact with your baby during his first months of life, you may notice that he already has a wide range of movements from the first days.
Messy play involves children engaging with substances like sand, water, clay, cooked spaghetti, and other things that are gooey or sticky. It’s no surprise that parents tend to avoid these
What do tongues, clapping and peek-a-boo have in common? Imitation, that’s what. Babies love to imitate and we love to watch. As a newborn, when swaddled and facing you, babies
As your little one looked back at you for the first time, you no doubt wondered what she saw and whether she recognized you. Scientists are also curious about what
Babies give us cues all the time, but we need to look carefully to see them. Especially to a newborn, the world can be very stimulating, with so many new
It’s probably the most common question a parent gets when their baby passes 6 months of age. Personally, I dreaded the question. The thought that my son Javi might not
Try this test: ask 5 parents when their children took their first steps. My guess is that 4 of them will be able to tell you the exact month it
For those of us who have tried to learn a new language or sport during our adulthood, Early Stimulation will quickly make a lot of sense. Sure, it is never
