Latest Posts
#91 How to Keep a Positive Tone Even When Setting Limits with Lenora Edwards
Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #91 How to Keep a Positive Tone Even When Setting Limits with Lenora Edwards Ever thought about how the way we talk to our kids goes beyond just words? The tone we use, the pauses we make, and the inflection in our...
When Parenting Fears Overwhelm
I’ll never forget the stress I felt about miscarriage when I was pregnant. Every day I worried the pregnancy might end. I remember counting down the days to when I’d be past the first trimester, longing for it to come. I was sure once I made it past that date, my...
Unlock what your child reveals through their artwork
A given for many parents is a refrigerator plastered with photos and children's artwork. You can learn a lot from their drawings. Children’s art gives us insight into their development - the way they hold a marker, the amount of space they use on a page, the...
Becoming a parent
The moment a pregnancy test is positive or the foster/adoption approval comes through, you begin to wonder... What am I going to do? What does it feel like to be a parent? How will I be the same and how will I be different? Will I still be able to be spontaneous, do...
How to raise kind kids
We all want to teach kids to be kind and compassionate with others. When does this begin? When they start playing with others? When they have the cognitive capacity to share? Does it happen naturally or do you have to 'teach' it? Recent research tells us that infants...
3 Things That Every Parent Does Naturally
Even people who say they have "no clue what to do with babies" will instinctively do exactly what's necessary to enhance development as they singsong talk, make faces and gaze at their face as they hold them. We act differently with infants than we do with adults or...
The slow-fast experience of parenting
How does time go slow and fast at the same time? I love the Slow Food Fast recipe column in the Wall Street Journal. It features recipes from notable chefs across the country representing traditional and regional cuisines - recipes simple enough to cook at home...
6 Things to know BEFORE your baby begins child care
Odds are, someone else will care for your baby at some time in the first year. The average length of maternity/paternity leave in US is 12 weeks (often unpaid) with many moms returning to work when the baby is 6 weeks of age. In fact, of the 12 million infants and...
24 One-minute parenting lessons it took a lifetime to learn
We had 3 babies in four years. Then when those 3 were teens, we started fostering babies. And while I may have thought I was ready to be a parent with that first pregnancy, I was not. No matter what you think you already know going in, the experience of being a parent...
July 4th Fun!
Last minute thoughts as you celebrate July 4th... In our small town there's quite a to-do about July 4th! The barricades have been set aside for about a week now in preparation for the annual parade that draws tons of folks from the surrounding areas. My...
Parenting 101: Expectations vs reality
All I ever really wanted to be when I grew up was a mom. Like many little girls, I played 'house' all the time as a kid, treating my baby dolls with love and care, teaching them and handing out discipline when they needed it. As a teenager, I did lots of...
International travel with a baby
Travel. What a fun thing to do with your baby! But sometimes it can be a little tricky. We just got back from a vacation to Italy. Wow, what a wonderful experience! Not sure I’ve ever seen so much beauty and history (and so many people from all over the world)...
“Loose Parts” Play: Problem solving and creativity with everyday stuff
Every moment your baby is awake they are learning something. You know this already. But when it comes to “teaching” your baby, it’s easy to put learning into categories — when you go to the park, she’s learning about trees and flowers, when you read a book, she’s...
The things you can only enjoy when you’re pregnant…
Pregnancy is an amazing time. While there are definitely some discomforts along the way, let’s celebrate some really wonderful things that you can ONLY experience during pregnancy… Permission to focus on...
4 Easy ways to encourage pretend play
Cadence loves to pretend to be “Grump Cera”, a baby dinosaur from the movie Land Before Time and she’s got it down! For over a year she's focused on this one character, honing her dinosaur skills as she plays. Note how she holds her body, kicks her foot slightly about...
10 Reasons to go on a walk with your baby right now
Today’s a good day for a walk with your baby. Lots of good reasons to do so – most importantly for you, it’s good for the soul to get outside! And for your kids, whether they’re walking on their own two feet or riding in a stroller, there’s so much to learn from a...
Making the most of all those diaper changes
How to Support Your Baby’s Developmental Growth During Routine 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...
Lining up blocks… what does this tell us?
Block Play! 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...
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.
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.
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.
10 things to look for when choosing child care for your baby
How to Choose a Childcare Center for My New 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...
Make Playdough Together
Best Playdough Recipe Ever 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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
20 Developmentally-Appropriate Activities for Your 6-9 Month Old
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.
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!
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.
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.
The Significance of Creative Movement for Kids
Creative movement is an excellent tool for engaging children. Learn how and why creative movement should be used at home and in school.
Ready to read?
Reading readiness begins with babies. Learn key concepts your baby and toddler are ready to learn today.
Why should I read to my baby or toddler?
Why is it so important to read to babies? Learn 5 ways you can help your 0-3 year old child learn to read.
The Power of Mirror Play
Learn how mirrors can have a powerful impact on a child’s development.
Top 5 Baby Toys You Already Own
Want to engage your baby with stimulating toys? Check out these 5 baby toys you already have.
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Meet Ann
I'm a child development specialist, parent coach and teacher trainer. I've cared for countless babies in child development programs, plus 3 kids, 3 grand babies and 5 foster babies! I LOVE babies and would come hold yours if I could. ❤️
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