childhood development

We Need to Talk About Screens

A hypothesis: If screens helped children learn to talk, and screen usage increased over the Covid-19 pandemic, then, today’s toddlers would have better language skills than expected. In fact, the opposite is true. “Covid babies” babble less and take fewer conversational turns source Raise your hand if you feel personally victimized by the screen time guidelines put out by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)? Go ahead and put both hands up if you’ve got a covid baby or two.

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Favorite things for 25-36 months

Have you heard about the terrible twos? This age does not have to be terrible; though at times, you might be terrified. Yes, two year olds can be tiny tyrants: demanding their way and saying “no” to everything. They’re also incredibly curious and silly. If you can meet their curiosity with wonder and their silliness with fun, you’ll both have a great time. At two years old: Your kiddo should be walking confidently and learning to run, too; walking up and down stairs holding on to a rail; and climbing up and down on furniture.

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Favorite things for 13-24 months

The best toys for 1-year-olds are those that stimulate their senses, foster their cognitive, emotional, and social development, and promote their creativity and imagination. Light the candle! Your baby is 1 year old, but other than cakes to smash, what else can your baby play with now? As your baby grows into a toddler their curiosity and need for exploration also grows. The right toys serve as tools in a child’s “job” of play.

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Did you know babies can play?

…as soon as babies figure out that they can move and interact with things in their environment, they will love exploring infant-friendly toys! Congratulations! You’ve had a baby. Now you will ask yourself, maybe for the first time, but definitely not the last, “What do I do with this kid?” The first 3 months can be a bit of a blur or a slog or some sort of combo: a blurring slog or a slogging blur.

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