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Fine Motor
Hand Strength & Dexterity in Babies & Toddlers (Part 2): Building Hand Muscles
24 November, 2019 by BabySparks in Fine Motor
Hand Strength & Dexterity in Babies & Toddlers (Part 2): Building Hand Muscles
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Hand strength and dexterity contribute to your baby’s overall strength, coordination, and ability to play with a variety of objects and toys. Without strong hands and fine-tuned finger movements, your

Fine Motor
Hand Strength & Dexterity in Babies & Toddlers (Part 1): Why Is It So Important?
13 November, 2019 by BabySparks in Fine Motor
Hand Strength & Dexterity in Babies & Toddlers (Part 1): Why Is It So Important?
1 Like!

Your baby’s hands get into everything as she grows because they’re the best tools for exploring the world around her. Her hands and fingers help her feel textures, look at

Cognitive
Food Storage Containers: A Hidden Wonderland of Learning
10 November, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Food Storage Containers: A Hidden Wonderland of Learning
1 Like!

If your toddler is like most, he’ll love digging into your food storage container cabinet. Through the eyes of a little one, there’s so much to explore in there. To

Cognitive
The Many Benefits of Ball Play
7 November, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
The Many Benefits of Ball Play
1 Like!

The ball is a classic toy that can be traced back to the beginning of civilization. While some parents are always on the lookout for the latest trends in toys

Cognitive
Cooking with Your Toddler
30 October, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Cooking with Your Toddler
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When you imagine cooking with your toddler, you might envision spilled ingredients, overly-salted soup, and a child with sauce all over his clothes. We get it, inviting your clumsy toddler

Cognitive
How Dumping and Filling Up Containers Helps Your Child Learn
28 October, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
How Dumping and Filling Up Containers Helps Your Child Learn
1 Like!

You notice your little one sitting on the floor looking at her box of blocks. After several seconds, she picks it up, turns it upside-down, and watches the blocks spill

Cognitive
Developmental Benefits of Sand Play
21 October, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Developmental Benefits of Sand Play
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There’s nothing quite like watching a baby play in the sand for the first time. Watching her eyes widen as she scoops it up and slowly lets it trickle through

Cognitive
Childcare Success Tips: Making the Most of Your Little One’s Childcare Setting
18 October, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Childcare Success Tips: Making the Most of Your Little One’s Childcare Setting
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Putting your baby or toddler in a childcare program can be a nerve-wracking experience for both you and your little one. However, the right childcare program can help your baby

Cognitive
Why the American Academy of Pediatrics Tells Pediatricians to “Prescribe Play”
16 October, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Why the American Academy of Pediatrics Tells Pediatricians to “Prescribe Play”
1 Like!

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?

Cognitive
Why Blocks are the Ultimate Toy
30 September, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Why Blocks are the Ultimate Toy
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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

Cognitive
Rolling, Sitting, Moving – Many Possibilities: A Snapshot of Your 6 Month-Old
26 September, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Rolling, Sitting, Moving – Many Possibilities: A Snapshot of Your 6 Month-Old
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Cognitive
The Desire to Move Starts: A Snapshot of Your 5 Month-Old
25 September, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
The Desire to Move Starts: A Snapshot of Your 5 Month-Old
1 Like!

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

Fine Motor
These Feet are Delicious! A Snapshot of Your 4 Month-Old
25 September, 2019 by BabySparks in Fine Motor
These Feet are Delicious! A Snapshot of Your 4 Month-Old
1 Like!
Fine Motor
These Legs and Arms Belong to Me?! A Snapshot of Your 3 Month-Old
24 September, 2019 by BabySparks in Fine Motor
These Legs and Arms Belong to Me?! A Snapshot of Your 3 Month-Old
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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

Fine Motor
Not Just a Pretty Face – Personality Too: A Snapshot of Your 2 Month-Old
23 September, 2019 by BabySparks in Fine Motor
Not Just a Pretty Face – Personality Too: A Snapshot of Your 2 Month-Old
1 Like!

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,

Fine Motor
Autism & Motor Development
29 August, 2019 by BabySparks in Fine Motor
Autism & Motor Development
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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

Cognitive
4 Types of Play: How is Your Child Playing Today?
31 July, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
4 Types of Play: How is Your Child Playing Today?
2 Like!

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,

Fine Motor
Your Child’s Feet: Unsung Heroes of Development!
26 July, 2019 by BabySparks in Fine Motor
Your Child’s Feet: Unsung Heroes of Development!
1 Like!

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

Cognitive
Using BabySparks on Vacation
2 July, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Using BabySparks on Vacation
1 Like!

Do you have plans to visit family this holiday season? Head to the beach for a week this summer? Take a vacation? Just because you’re taking a break from everyday

Cognitive
Toddler Stages of Scribbling
1 July, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Toddler Stages of Scribbling
2 Like!

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

Cognitive
Study Spotlight: The Visual Cliff
7 June, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Study Spotlight: The Visual Cliff
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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

Cognitive
Climbing: Why this Impressive Skill is Good for Your Child
22 May, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Climbing: Why this Impressive Skill is Good for Your Child
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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

Cognitive
Scaffolding: A Supportive Approach to Helping Your Child Learn
16 May, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Scaffolding: A Supportive Approach to Helping Your Child Learn
2 Like!

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

Cognitive
Hand-Eye Coordination: How the Eyes, Brain & Hands Work Together
14 May, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Hand-Eye Coordination: How the Eyes, Brain & Hands Work Together
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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,

Cognitive
Family Meals: The Many Benefits for Children
9 May, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Family Meals: The Many Benefits for Children
1 Like!

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

Cognitive
The Power of Puzzles
3 May, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
The Power of Puzzles
3 Like!

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

Fine Motor
What is Visual Tracking & Why is it Important?
24 April, 2019 by BabySparks in Fine Motor
What is Visual Tracking & Why is it Important?
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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

Fine Motor
Benefits of Infant Exercises
16 April, 2019 by BabySparks in Fine Motor
Benefits of Infant Exercises
10 Like!

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

Fine Motor
Developing a Dominant Hand
19 March, 2019 by BabySparks in Fine Motor
Developing a Dominant Hand
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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

Fine Motor
What is W-Sitting & Why to Discourage It
7 March, 2019 by BabySparks in Fine Motor
What is W-Sitting & Why to Discourage It
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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

Cognitive
Why Mirrors are Good for Your Baby’s Development
4 March, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Why Mirrors are Good for Your Baby’s Development
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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

Fine Motor
How Gross Motor Skills Support Fine Motor Development
1 March, 2019 by BabySparks in Fine Motor
How Gross Motor Skills Support Fine Motor Development
1 Like!

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

Cognitive
Developmental Benefits of Bath Time
25 February, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Developmental Benefits of Bath Time
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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

Fine Motor
Your Baby’s Vestibular System
22 February, 2019 by BabySparks in Fine Motor
Your Baby’s Vestibular System
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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

Cognitive
Your Baby’s Proprioceptive Sense
22 February, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Your Baby’s Proprioceptive Sense
1 Like!

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

Fine Motor
Your Baby’s Sense of Touch
22 February, 2019 by BabySparks in Fine Motor
Your Baby’s Sense of Touch
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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

Cognitive
Sensory Integration: How the Senses Work Together
21 February, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Sensory Integration: How the Senses Work Together
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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

Cognitive
Motor Planning: Learning How to Use the Body
21 February, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Motor Planning: Learning How to Use the Body
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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

Cognitive
Reading Milestones: 0-24 Months
15 February, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Reading Milestones: 0-24 Months
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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

Cognitive
Developmental Benefits of Baby & Toddler Art
15 February, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Developmental Benefits of Baby & Toddler Art
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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.

Cognitive
Benefits of Reading to Your Toddler
15 February, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Benefits of Reading to Your Toddler
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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

Cognitive
Benefits of Reading to Your Infant
14 February, 2019 by BabySparks in Cognitive
Benefits of Reading to Your Infant
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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

Fine Motor
Throwing: A Fundamental Movement Skill
2 March, 2018 by BabySparks in Fine Motor
Throwing: A Fundamental Movement Skill
2 Like!

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?

Fine Motor
Cruising: Preparing Baby for First Independent Steps
10 August, 2017 by BabySparks in Fine Motor
Cruising: Preparing Baby for First Independent Steps
2 Like!

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

Fine Motor
Crawling: A Key Step for Sensory-Motor Integration, Fine Motor Skills & Oral Motor Development
24 April, 2017 by BabySparks in Fine Motor
Crawling: A Key Step for Sensory-Motor Integration, Fine Motor Skills & Oral Motor Development
1 Like!

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

Fine Motor
Hands: Our Most Incredible Tools!
31 March, 2017 by BabySparks in Fine Motor
Hands: Our Most Incredible Tools!
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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

Fine Motor
Fine Motor Skills & Your Baby’s First Year of Life
15 June, 2016 by BabySparks in Fine Motor
Fine Motor Skills & Your Baby’s First Year of Life
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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