“Family style” is when kids and adults sit together for a meal or snack. Food and drinks are served from shared plates, pitchers, etc. When kids eat family style, they learn independence, social skills, and other important habits, like the appropriate use of utensils...
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There are so many benefits to playing in water for kids! Here are a few reasons why! You can download this printable...
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Transitioning your baby to solid foods is an adorably messy and exciting milestone. There can be a lot to think about when the time comes, so here are some quick tips to keep in mind. You can download this printable...
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Starting your baby on solid foods can be an intimidating transition. Here is an overview of new foods to try and when to add them to your baby’s diet. You can download this printable...
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It starts with rolling, and then crawling, and before you know it your baby is walking … and running! You can support your baby through mobility transitions by encouraging and participating. You can download this printable...
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It all starts with rolling. Whether your baby rolls from tummy to back or back to tummy, or does a half-roll to the side, this means your baby is officially mobile! You can support your baby through mobility transitions by encouraging and participating! You can...
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There’s a lot to consider when choosing a pediatrician, because you want them to be the right fit for your family. Here are some things to think about. Where did they go to medical school? Are they board certified? How long have they been practicing? What hospital are...
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It’s important to feel comfortable with your pediatrician and to have an open line of communication. Well checks are a perfect time to talk about how your baby is growing and what you can expect over the following months. While your pediatrician will have a lot to...
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Developing strong and healthy bodies has to do with the food children eat, the physical activities they participate in, their ability to help themselves meet basic needs, and the ways in which they use the muscles in their bodies. The Strong & Healthy Bodies...
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The Domains of Development Growing and learning go hand in hand. As young children learn and grow, interact with the world around them, and begin to understand how they fit into their world, they experience physical, cognitive, and social-emotional...
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Help set your kids up for a great ride by making sure they have all the right equipment in place. Wearing a Properly Fitted Helmet Adjust sizing pads or fit ring until the helmet is snug Position the helmet level on their head, covering the forehead Make...
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8 Things All Parents Should Know About Play Give your children time for play and you will see all they are capable of doing when given the opportunity. Children learn through play. Play develops cognitive skills, physical abilities, new vocabulary, social skills, and...
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The Six Cs of Playtime It’s never “just play,” it’s learning. Learning that emerges through play is deep and meaningful to children because they have shaped it themselves. The Six Cs are skills that are exercised during play, that support development, and that help...
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The American Academy of Pediatrics says lots of unstructured outdoor play is critical to the health of children. That’s because outdoor play benefits children in every domain of their development. Physical Fitness Gives children the opportunity to run, jump, climb,...
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Kids should play outside! Here are 5 reasons why. When kids are given unstructured time to play alone or with other children, especially outdoors, they make up their own games, figure things out, and amuse themselves, which allows them to practice important life...
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Physical activity can start very early in life as part of your child’s everyday play! When you’re choosing activities, focus on activities that are fun. If children enjoy what they’re doing, they’re more likely to want to keep doing it!...
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Good Nutrition Where to Start A variety of grains, dairy, proteins, fruits, and veggies is a good starting point for any healthy diet, but the necessary portions of each depend upon age. Here’s a good starting point. Toddlers Grains • 3-5 ounces per day • One ounce...
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There’s no great secret to eating healthy. To help your family develop healthy eating habits, simply: Provide plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain products. Include low-fat or non-fat milk or dairy products. Choose lean meats, poultry, fish, lentils, and...
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Instead of focusing on foods your kids can’t have, help your kids think about foods they can have, and make eating them fun! Eat the Rainbow Having a variety of colors on the plate helps ensure your kids are getting different varieties of vitamins, minerals and other...
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Dance helps kids develop physically, socially and emotionally, cognitively and psychologically, because dancing involves every part of them – inside and outside.
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It’s always important to protect your children from the sun, and in the summer it’s equally important to be mindful of the heat. 80 degrees Fahrenheit or below is considered comfortable to be outside, but as the temperature rises from there it’s...
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Many of your child’s daily activities require fine motor skills. Your child can do more things for themselves when they have opportunities to practice these skills.
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Assuring your children have access to nutrient-dense foods allows them to reach their developmental milestones with strong and healthy bodies and minds!
read moreBrain development is most sensitive to a baby’s nutrition between mid-gestation and two years of age. Children who are malnourished–not just fussy eaters but truly deprived of adequate calories and protein in their diet–throughout this period do not adequately...
read moreFood is at the center of our lives. And it’s much more than the fuel that keeps us going. It can be a source of pleasure, celebration, and—sometimes—challenges. Mealtime routines helps build strong family relationships and a healthy relationship with food. Figuring...
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