Can playing music to your baby or young child make her smarter? That was the claim of the much-hyped “Mozart Effect” several years ago, but the truth isn’t exactly black and white. Certainly, music is a great complement for stimulating babies’ brains and teaching toddlers vocabulary, but the jury’s out…
In the 18th and 19th centuries, American pioneer women spent months alone on the prairies raising their children, doing endless backbreaking chores, and protecting the homestead from countless sources of danger. Some of these women would go on to develop lifelong mental illnesses resulting from the continued stress and isolation….
Conscious eating is all the rage, with numerous movements-local first, all organic, green living, etc.-celebrating the virtues of consuming foods that are good for the body and the Earth. This is great news for American families who have an interest in following a more balanced and healthy diet, as the…
Before cliques, dating, break-ups and office politics, comes that first and developmentally vital tradition in a human being’s life: play dates. Play dates are a child’s first foray into the world of friends and social rules. Kids can learn a great deal about social interaction during play dates, which is…
The mother-child bond is critical to healthy development. Love between the two is even biochemically hard-wired. We need to take note as society moves in a direction that assumes that so long as children’s basic needs are met all is well. It isn’t. Scientific studies conclude something mothers everywhere have…
Volunteering is a great opportunity to promote family togetherness while doing something good for your community. Many volunteer activities can be fun, educational, great sources of exercise, or all of the above! It’s also a great opportunity to teach your children the value of helping others and making a positive…
A baby bottle is a baby bottle, right? Not nowadays. Companies keep introducing new, more streamlined bottles in various materials and boasting a wide range of features. Baby bottles are not just containers for baby’s nutrients; they’re also objects of comfort for little ones. Babies spend a lot of time…
Ready or not, here it comes – the time for kids to leave the nest and board a bus for school. But how do you know if your child is ready? Age is the first consideration to take into account. In most public schools and many private schools, children must…
David’s mother explained, “Whenever David doesn’t get his way he throws himself on the floor, screams, kicks and cries incessantly. What can we do to help him overcome this behavior?” TIP: What is David getting out of this behavior? First make sure that you are not rewarding this type of…
If your summer plans include a family beach vacation, then there are a few things to know before you run into those waves. Before you embark on your trip, do a few checks first. Call the hotel or property where you’re staying and inquire whether or not lifeguards are employed…