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Once children enter school, their time no longer belongs to them and their family alone. Just as jobs place restrictions on adults’ lives, schools place restrictions on students’ lives, and all of those restrictions impact the way the family can schedule its time. Adjusting the Family’s Schedule When a child is ready to start school, … Read more

It’s natural to become preoccupied with your baby’s weight, veering between concerns that your baby is overweight and worrying that he’s not growing at the right pace. The good news is that a healthy, balanced diet will ensure he hits and maintains just the right weight for him, setting him on the right path for … Read more

Your baby’s diet will impact his health and affect his mood, energy levels, and sleeping patterns too. Ensuring that he is eating well will go a long way toward encouraging optimum health. And when he does get sick, there is plenty you can do to help him to recover quickly and easily. Q: My baby … Read more

How you respond Many parenting problems stem from a belief that a toddler is being willfully naughty, has an ulterior motive, or is scheming to get his own way. In reality, he does not yet have any moral reasoning skills and needs your help to understand the boundaries between “right and wrong.” While it is … Read more

Every day is a learning experience for your toddler. Sometimes he will be confident and other days anxious and uncertain. You need to be sensitive to his changes in mood and adjust your approach accordingly, until he is at an age where he is better able to manage them himself. “You may be so afraid … Read more

Q: How can we parent as a team? A: No two people agree entirely on every parenting decision, so it’s natural that your toddler will check with each of you to see which one will let him have what he wants. Being aware of this means you can present a united front. Friction can be … Read more

Q: Should I stay at home with my son or take him to day care? A: Many parents feel guilty and worried about taking their child to day care or leaving them with a nanny. However, good-quality childcare, balanced with loving and nurturing time at home, can bring huge benefits. At this age your child … Read more

For your family’s schedule to run smoothly, all family members must do their part. Preschoolers want to emulate the older members of the family, which gives you the perfect opportunity to get them involved without any hassle. All you have to do is remember to keep their involvement fun. Selecting Appropriate Tasks For you to … Read more

Weighing Activity Options for Preschoolers Back in “Participating in Enrichment Activities,” we discussed ways to select the structured activities in which each member of your family will participate. Table 1. Should You Involve Your Preschooler in an Enrichment Activity? Answer the question on behalf of your child. Enter the number of your answer a. Do … Read more

Some babies are undoubtedly persnickety, choosing the same foods over and over again, and turning up their noses at the sight of anything new. The good news is that you can still offer a delicious, varied, and healthy diet by using a few tried and tested tricks—and, of course, a little subterfuge when necessary! Q: … Read more

One of the best ways to introduce your baby to a variety of healthy foods and to discourage fussy eating is to encourage her to eat family food. So pull up her chair, and start encouraging healthy eating alongside the whole family. Q: Does it matter if my baby has tastes of foods that aren’t … Read more

Getting the behavior you want Why toddlers act the way they do Q: What motivates your toddler? A: The number one motivator for your toddler is your warm, loving attention. She wants to please and will work hard to be noticed, get your approval, and snare a cuddle or hug into the bargain. Most toddlers … Read more

Q: My daughter makes us late all the time because she wants to be independent. What can we do? A: “I do it” is your toddler’s way of telling you she is ready to be more independent. She’s experiencing a drive to use her growing dexterity and coordination to practice new skills and to keep … Read more

Your relationship with your toddler is gradually changing. He still needs your help for most tasks, and craves your approval and involvement, but is becoming more independent and outward-looking and more aware of influences in his life—he remembers who people are and what they look like. “You will see more signs of self-awareness as his … Read more

This period sees a slight plateau in the speed of development of your child’s movement skills, while his brain diverts its attention to another major priority: the development of the frontal lobes. This part of the brain plays an important part in developing rational thought, emotions, attention, and memory. “Emily loves to help me make … Read more

Whether your baby has a special diet for religious or cultural reasons, lifestyle choices, or food allergies, it is possible to offer diverse and healthy food with all of the important nutrients. Babies have slightly different needs than adults, so if there are foods you wish to avoid, it’s a good idea to get advice … Read more

You’ll be amazed by what your baby will eat. Introduce your little one to new textures and tastes as early and as often as you can to establish healthy and diverse eating habits that he will carry with him into childhood and adult life. Q: Will exotic fruits be too sophisticated for my baby’s tastebuds? … Read more

Safety in the home Things to be aware of Try getting down on your hands and knees and crawling around your home from ground level to do a safety check space by space: From around six to eight months, as your baby’s physical development accelerates, his motor skills will start to match his burgeoning curiosity. … Read more

Q: My baby is crawling everywhere. Should I be worried about hygiene? A: When your child is on the move and putting everything he finds into his mouth, hygiene can be quite a challenge. It is best to try to prevent him from putting leaves and dirt into his mouth, especially in the playground or … Read more

The importance of pictures Images play an important part in your child’s learning. His brain is developing at a rapid rate, enabling long-term memory and imagination to improve. Pictures are important triggers for both memory and pretend play, which is why picture books are so important for this age group. His skills have now developed … Read more