The Nurtured Noggins Blog
Making the Most of All Those Diaper Changes
5000. That’s the average number of times a baby will have their diaper changed in the early years. Good grief, that’s a lot of diapers! Let’s not even go there about the money spent - just take a deep breath, call it the ‘cost of living with a child’, put it in the...
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Lining up blocks… what does this tell us?
Last week we got to hang out with Megan, Josh and the grandkids! We live far apart so when we spend time together, it’s really special. And of course, since I love all things child development, it’s fun to see how the kids have grown, what they like to talk about and...
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7 reasons newborns cry (and ways to make it stop!)
Babies don’t cry to manipulate. They cry to communicate a physical condition or emotion. You won’t spoil your baby when you respond to crying. Rather, your response gives your baby a sense of security, that she knows she’s heard and understood and that you will keep her safe. It doesn’t teach her to cry more.
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Supporting emotional development
Children pick up on our emotions at an amazingly young age. Researchers have found that babies as young as 4 months can detect positive and negative emotions in our facial expressions and tone of voice.
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Baby gazes.
When we gaze into the eyes of our newborn we fall in love. And this begins from the moment the baby comes into your life, whether by biological birth, through adoption or whatever circumstance a baby comes into your world. This is how we attach to one another.
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10 things to look for when choosing child care for your baby
It’s time to make one of the more important decisions that you’ll make as a parent – finding child care for your little one. You’ve done your due diligence. You’ve asked for recommendations from friends, checked state licensing to see which providers have good...
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Make Playdough Together
Everybody loves playdough, especially me. It’s a universal soother for toddlers through grownups! It lends itself to great conversation and imaginative play (everybody makes playdough snakes and slithers them around the table…) Make a fresh batch often, changing...
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My Newborn Essential List
There are thousands of things you can buy for your baby. But what do you really NEED? Check out this list that talks about actual newborn necessities and nice-to have- items. Plus, a bonus list of helpful newborn items you won’t find on most registries.
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Children’s Books About Death
Reading can be a gentle way to face and process new ideas. By reading books about certain topics, like death, you give your child the opportunity to explore the concept, ask questions, and facilitate conversation. Here are my favorite children’s books that address death.
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The One Question About My Baby I Can’t Stand…
I love getting questions and advice from people about parenting, but this is one question I can’t stand. Let me tell you why.
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30 Encouragements for Any Baby (or Big Kid!)
Positive language helps children to succeed and thrive. But sometimes it can be hard to think of positive things to say to your baby… you’re still getting to know them after all. Here are 30 encouragements to use with you baby (or big kid!) today.
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20 Developmentally-Appropriate Activities for 6-9 Month Olds
Your baby is constantly growing and learning. At 6-9 months, you baby has a whole host of new skills! Learn 20 developmentally appropriate activities for you and your 6-9 month old to enjoy together.
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12 Fun Activities for your 3-6 Month Old
Racking your brain for how to play with your 3-6 month old? Learn 12 fun activities to do with your baby!
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20 Ways to Play with a 0-3 Month Old
We all know 0-3 month olds pretty much eat, sleep, and poop. But what do we do with them when they’re awake? Learn 20 ways to play with your 0-3 month old.
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Six Key Elements of Meaningful Play
You know it’s important for your child to play, but what exactly should the play consist of? Learn six key elements of meaningful play and how you can help enrich your child’s playtime.
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