Hiccups, They Do A Baby Good
What’s the deal with hiccups? According to a new study, it just might be babies practicing their breathing. Listen now to learn more.
Resources
Car Seats: Do's And Don'ts
It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child. It can also feel like it takes a village to install a child’s car seat correctly. There’s a lot more to car seats than meets the eye, and knowing what to look for and how to use them as instructed can literally save lives. Here are some important things to keep in mind.
Resources
Knockoff car seats are infiltrating the market, and they could be deadly (Washington Post)
The 5 worst car seat mistakes parents are making (Washington Post)
Welcome to Kids in Safety Seats! (KISS) (Maryland Dept. of Health)
The 5 worst car seat mistakes parents are making (Washington Post)
Welcome to Kids in Safety Seats! (KISS) (Maryland Dept. of Health)
Screen Time Is Not Learning Time For Toddlers
New research from Vanderbilt University shows very young children may be captivated by screens, but they are not able to learn from them. When it comes to learning, that time is better spent talking to your child.
Resources
Why your toddler can't learn from a screen (The Hechinger Report)
Toddler brains resist learning from screens, even video chat (Vanderbilt University)
Toddler brains resist learning from screens, even video chat (Vanderbilt University)
Counting On Baby's Brains
Research from Johns Hopkins University finds that babies may be able to count...sort of. Even though they can’t yet say words like one, two, or three, the babies studied seemed to understand that counting indicates quantity.
Resources
Locking Up Parents Hurts Kids
The U.S. has the largest population of incarcerated people in the whole world. Accordingly, there are approximately five million children in the U.S. who have a parent in jail, prison, or on parole. When a person is imprisoned the impact is vast; it is felt by their family, their community, and, sadly, their children.
Resources
Children of Incarcerated Parents, A Shared Sentence (The Annie E. Casey Foundation)
Effects of Parental Incarceration on Young Children (U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services)
Effects of Parental Incarceration on Young Children (U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services)
A Little Anxious When It's Dark
Does your child suffer from nyctophobia? Probably. Even though it sounds alarming, nyctophobia is known as "afraid of the dark." Typically, children develop a fear of the dark between the ages of two and four, when children begin to use their imaginations, ask lots of questions, and become anxious about the unknown. It’s important to recognize this phenomenon and to respond accordingly. Listen here to learn more.
Resources
Is Your Toddler Afraid of the Dark? (What to Expect)
End Your Child's Fear of the Dark with These 9 Sure Fire Tips! (AT Parenting Survival)
The 10 Second Trick to Help Toddlers Conquer Fear of the Dark (A Mother Far From Home)
End Your Child's Fear of the Dark with These 9 Sure Fire Tips! (AT Parenting Survival)
The 10 Second Trick to Help Toddlers Conquer Fear of the Dark (A Mother Far From Home)
Adjusting To A New Sibling
When that second child comes along it can be hard for an older sibling. After all, who wants to share the spotlight? But, don’t lose hope. Here are a few strategies to help ease your child’s transition to becoming a big brother or sister.
Resources
Helping your toddler adjust to a new baby (What to Expect)
How to help your firstborn adapt to baby (Parents)
11 expert way to help your firstborn adjust to the new baby (Motherly)
How to help your firstborn adapt to baby (Parents)
11 expert way to help your firstborn adjust to the new baby (Motherly)
The State Of Grandparents
A Pew Research Center survey of American grandparents found that spending time with grandchildren can be not only a necessity but also a joy. Indeed, over half of American grandparents believe having more time with family, and specifically grandchildren, is the best part of growing older. Listen here to learn more.
Resources
The Health Benefits of Having (and Being) Grandparents (U.S. News & Daily Report)
5 Facts About American Grandparents (Pew Research Center)
5 Facts About American Grandparents (Pew Research Center)
Outdoor Play
While the importance of outdoor play is well known, results from a study done in the UK reveal that children today are spending much less time outdoors than is recommended. Listen now to learn more.
Resources
Paternity Leave & Child Development
The push for paternity leave continues to intensify. Research shows the benefits of paternity leave to both newborns and families. What are the implications of this, and how does it affect child development? Listen here to learn more.