When you imagine a pediatrician writing a prescription, you probably think of medication. But did you know that pediatricians are now being urged to prescribe something arguably far more important?
Whether you’re at the beach, by the pool, or simply in the comfort of your bathtub, playtime in the water is a wonderful opportunity for you and your little one
When the Harvard Center on the Developing Child released the 5 steps of serve and return, we knew we had to share it! Every BabySparks instructional video incorporates serve and
Babies actively take in everything from the world around them. The colors, shapes, smells, textures – it’s all new and exciting to developing brains. However, your baby doesn’t yet understand
Transitional Objects: How Your Child’s Favorite Stuffed Animal Promotes Social Emotional Development
What is a Transitional Object? Transitional objects are chosen possessions that offer security and comfort to a child. They’re often soft and huggable items, such as teddy bears and blankets,
Babies go through several stages of emotional development from birth through age three. These stages continue to transform as your toddler becomes a child, teenager, and adult. In the early
Let’s face it, we all love pictures! Babies, toddlers, and even most adults would prefer to learn through pictures, symbols, and illustrations instead of words or auditory cues. Our brains
In every household, at one point or another, a purging of toys happens. Maybe it’s a seasonal cleaning or just an itch to donate. Regardless of the reason, when the
From a development perspective, this is one of the most exciting months of the first year! Babies at this age are generally happy, except when experiencing their first bouts of
At some point during this month, most babies are able to keep their head upright while being held in a vertical position. They are also learning to control movements of
During this month, muscles get more flexible and primitive reflexes begin to give way to voluntary movements. Babies will begin to open their hands and look at them with interest,
Picture yourself at the local playground. Just beyond the sounds of children laughing and the squeaking of swings, you might also hear some familiar commands, such as “slow down!”, “not
Once babies are one month old, they become much more aware of their surroundings. They look more closely at things that are interesting and may even stop eating to get
Imagine you’re playing peek-a-boo with your baby. At first, he is delighted: Every time you pull your hands away from your face his eyes widen, he laughs, and then he
Baby talk – that high-pitched, sing-song way we tend to speak to babies. It feels automatic, almost instinctual. Research shows that adults around the world do it. People who lack
Are little ones born with a built-in ability to learn language? Or is language all about learning from others? These questions are part of the classic nature versus nurture debate,
It’s common for autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), to affect a child’s cognitive skills – in different ways and to varying degrees. Cognitive strengths can include attention to detail,
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is usually associated with social, language, and behavioral challenges. Issues with motor skills are less talked-about, but it’s common for both gross and fine
Type “educational baby videos” into a search bar and you’ll see about 200 million results. Despite experts warning against screen time in babyhood, developers of these videos claim they’ll give
Difficulty with social and emotional skills is a hallmark of autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research suggests that this may be because certain areas of the brain that are
What is autism? Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), includes a cluster of neurological disorders that affect people in different ways and to varying degrees. In general, ASD interferes with
A smile. A laugh. A hug. Children with Down syndrome (DS) are seen as cheerful, affectionate, and sociable. Positive interactions with others is a common strength for little ones with
If you’re a parent of a child with Down syndrome (DS), you may wonder how DS will affect his motor development. While every child with DS is different, it’s common
One of the goals of early childhood is getting a child ready to venture out in an educational environment, where new skills and friends await her. Because intellectual disability is
Not all little ones develop at the same rate, which is why milestones are based on averages or age ranges. But sometimes a parent or caregiver may suspect that a
If you pay attention to your little one, you’ll notice that he plays in different ways, often with the very same toy. If you’ve ever wondered why he does this,
Chances are you’ve heard the word mindfulness. In casual conversation, social media and research, mindfulness (or, put simply, observing the present moment without analyzing it) is gaining popularity as more
When we talk about child development, we often focus on the usual superstars: The brain for processing information, arms and legs for moving, hands for grasping… We don’t talk as
Like many areas of development, language tends to evolve in similar ways for most children. When they’re first learning words, though, there can be a divide: Some toddlers prefer a
In infancy, your little one’s eyes play at least three big roles: Learn how to focus, track, perceive depth, and discriminate visual information. Take in rich sensory information that helps
Disagreeing with your partner about parenting is a common issue couples face after having children. Deciding on a set of “rules,” so to speak, can help you create a positive
Do you have plans to visit family this summer? Head to the beach for a week? Take a vacation? Just because you’re taking a break from everyday life doesn’t mean
As adults, we each have a unique style of artistic expression. Toddlers, though, in general, all scribble the same. Across cultures, they go through predictable stages of scribbling—from a single
When parents live separately (usually because of separation or divorce), getting both on the same page is extremely important; successful parenting involves consistency, after all. Once custody is worked out,
A baby is upset and letting the world know through a bout of crying. Wow, a completely rare occurrence, right? What the baby’s caregiver does next is key to how
Congratulations on your new baby! In the first days of life, babies follow unique behavior patterns as they face all sorts of experiences and sensations for the first time. They
If your experienced crawler made her way to the edge of a tall bed, would she fall off? What if your brand-new walker toddled to the top of a climbing
It’s a thrill to witness your little one point to a firetruck and say wed! (aka red), or hold a puzzle piece and try to articulate the word “triangle.” But
Maybe you have a great relationship with your parents and in-laws. Or maybe you feel like you might explode if they give you one more piece of parenting advice. Either way,
If you’re scrambling after a toddler to keep her from standing on tables or scaling bookshelves, you’re not alone. Toddlers LOVE to climb, and for good reason! After mastering crawling
You’re at the park with your toddler and an airplane flies overhead. He runs to you, tugs your sleeve, points up and says, “Pane!” He looks at you as you
When you think of “scaffolding,” you may envision the temporary structure at a building site that allows construction workers to get to heights they wouldn’t be able to reach on
From an infant discovering her hands to a toddler feeding herself with a fork, children’s hand-eye coordination steadily develops during the first years of life. How does hand-eye coordination work,
Sitting down as a family to eat (especially with a wiggly toddler) may seem overwhelming. You have to cook, set the table, and convince your child to eat her peas
Puzzles are a childhood mainstay. Like blocks, balls and dolls, they’re a toy that’s stood the test of time — for good reason! Puzzles support virtually every area of toddler
When it comes to vision, your baby’s development is impressive: From fuzzily making out a two-dimensional, fairly gray world at birth to seeing depth and full color with adult clarity
Bending your baby’s arms, bicycling her legs, putting her in different body positions. Why did we include these in our BabySparks development program? Exercising your baby’s large muscles, even when
When life gives your child lemons, you want her to do more than make lemonade. You want her to be able to manage and bounce back from tough situations with
We’ve written a lot about breastfeeding, but we know there are reasons for parents to go the formula route. When it comes to storing, mixing and serving baby formula safely,
“Kids and screen time” has become a buzz phrase as child development professionals grow increasingly concerned about the negative effects of screens being introduced at too young an age, and
The topic of what babies and toddlers can remember, and for how long, has captivated scientists for decades. Thanks to fascinating research we now know that a lot goes on
If you’re wondering whether your child will be right or left-handed, you may be in for a wait. Some babies and toddlers show a hand preference right away, but it’s
Imagine your little one is in elementary school, stuck trying to solve a math problem one way. Then, his teacher shows him another way to approach it. He looks at
As adults, we choose clothes that match our activities: Work clothes for work. Work-out clothes for the gym. Dress-up clothes for special events. What is our little ones’ primary activity?
Whether it’s shaking hands, kissing on the cheek, bowing, saying please, or speaking respectfully to your elders, manners are a mainstay in every culture. Yet in articles, classrooms, and kitchens
Most babies and toddlers experience separation anxiety, but those with a “slow-to-warm-up” temperament are especially shy, cautious, and wary of the unfamiliar. They prefer observing before slowly joining in. They
All little ones are challenging at times, but some are challenging most of the time. According to research on temperament, roughly 10% of children fall into the “difficult or challenging”
All of us are born with a unique way of approaching, responding to, and interacting with the world — also known as temperament. Temperament, to varying degrees, remains stable throughout
Just as we’re born with a certain eye color, hair color, and body type, we’re also born with a unique way of approaching, responding to, and interacting with the world:
When you think of a baby or toddler, the opposite of self-regulation probably comes to mind: Throwing food despite your dozen reminders not to; hitting a peer even though you
You organize a playdate for your baby, and he sits in a corner playing by himself. Or you observe toddlers at a daycare who are happily playing alongside each other,
Skin-to-skin is as simple as it sounds: Cuddling your unclothed baby against your bare chest. It’s a bang for your buck, developmentally speaking, because it’s so easy yet it benefits
W-sitting looks like this: A child sits on his bottom with his legs bent at the knees and splayed out to the sides. If you stood and looked down at
Whether it’s at a playdate, daycare, or park, toddlers and toys together usually leads to sharing squabbles. Rest assured your toddler’s sharing woes aren’t a reflection of bad parenting or
If your little one throws a fit any time another child even looks at his toys, you’re not alone. There are good reasons for why sharing is hard for toddlers.
Can you give your friend a turn with your truck? Your cousin is sad. Can you let her hold your teddy bear? Can you share your crackers with your sister?
If you’re the parent of a toddler who bites, you may feel embarrassed, frustrated, and worried. And for group childcare providers, little ones biting brings up safety issues and parent
If you’re the parent or caregiver of a toddler who bites, rest assured that biting in toddlerhood is common, and there are reasons for it. There are also things you
Your toddler may not accomplish much with his tot-sized broom, but encouraging him to help around the house is a unique opportunity to support his language development. According to Pediatric
What’s an inexpensive and surefire way to support your little one’s development? Use mirrors! A mirror is a “toy” she’ll love from the get-go, and one that will grow with
If you sit down to type, what’s the first thing you do? Stabilize your trunk. Next you align your posture and hold your neck and shoulders still. Only then can
Sometime around her second birthday, your toddler may start refusing to sleep without a light on, or wake up crying from dreams. This is common, and there are several good
Your baby was finally sleeping for a long stretch at night, and suddenly she’s waking up regularly again. Or one day your new walker who was a nap champ starts
Babies and toddlers require a lot of sleep in a 24-hour period, and some of it needs to happen during the day. We’ll talk about how naps evolve during months
Want to raise your child to be a happy and successful adult? Equip him with a tot-sized broom. Chores pack a punch when it comes to your little one’s development,
If your toddler spends mealtimes shaking her head and pushing her plate away, you’re one of countless parents around the world who deal with a picky-eating little one. There are
Your seven month-old gobbles up everything you put in front of her. At 18 months she decides the only things she’ll eat are applesauce and crackers. What’s going on?! Not
Bath time is a fun way to wind down and get your little one squeaky clean, but it’s also great for her development. Take a look at several ways splashing
Clothes, check. Socks, check. Shoes, check. Baby, check? That’s right, you can “wear” your baby in a sling, wrap, or carrier, and child-development experts say it’s good for babies, parents,
Aside from the classic five senses (touch, sight, taste, smell and hearing), there are two less famous but equally important ones: Proprioception and the vestibular system. The classic five are
When we think of the senses, the classic five usually come to mind: Touch, sight, taste, smell and hearing. There are two other important senses, though, and they don’t always
The sense of touch is also known as the tactile sense. We receive tactile information all over our body, but especially through the mouth, hands, and feet. For your little
Our sense of taste receives information through thousands of tiny bumps on the tongue that we know as taste buds. Our taste buds can detect five basic flavors: Sweet, salty,
Other animals are considerably better at detecting scents than we are, but our sense of smell is still impressive: Research estimates that the average person can distinguish between 1 trillion
Imagine you walk into a busy restaurant to meet a friend. You scan the room for her face, and maneuver your way around tables. You give your friend a hug
Think back to learning how to drive. Remember those first days of intently focusing on your every move while jerking a car through an empty parking lot? Now, you can
Attention skills are central to learning, engaging with others, accomplishing tasks, and succeeding in school and the workplace. They develop gradually and steadily, and as a parent or caregiver you
We’re all about improving children’s futures here at BabySparks—we built an entire program around it! So when we read this recent paper, published by The Harvard University Center on the
Spatial awareness helps us do things like read a map, put together IKEA furniture, trot up spiral stairs without bumping ourselves, and follow an instruction like: The keys are inside
Put simply, narrative skills are storytelling skills. You may not think of storytelling as an important life skill, but it goes far beyond entertaining friends at a dinner party. In
We’ve already touted the benefits of being barefoot. Now let’s talk about ditching your baby’s clothes, too! Whenever it’s warm and safe to do so, consider stripping your baby down
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
As your child gains developmental skills, reading with her will evolve. Below we’ll explore that evolution from months 0-24. Yes, we said zero! The American Academy of Pediatrics and others
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 newborn or a toddler,
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.
Reading to your toddler likely involves being interrupted, skipping pages, and conversing as much as reading. Far from a waste of time, this is developmentally appropriate and just what your
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
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
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,
Blowing raspberries on your infant’s belly. Delighting your baby with a game of peek-a-boo. Surprising your mid-tantrum toddler with a silly song. Using humor with your little one (and teaching
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
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
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
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.
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 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
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
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)
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,
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
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
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
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
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