What feels simple to adults can be challenging for children, which is why building decision-making skills early on is so important. It often starts with small choices, like picking a red or orange sippy cup, and gradually grows into life-shaping decisions. Teaching kids to make their own choices is one of the most valuable skills […]
Social–emotional wellness—often called infant mental health by early childhood professionals—is all about how young children learn to experience and manage emotions, build secure relationships, and explore their world with confidence. Babies understand the world through the relationships they build with the adults who care for them. These connections provide love, comfort, protection, and encouragement, and […]
Our Friends at the Sparkler app chatted with Kirsten Carlone, the lead care coordinator at 211 Child Development. Kirsten’s primary role at 211 Child Development is following up with families who use Sparkler. She also provides outreach and training for families and programs across Connecticut. Why is screening important for families, and […]
From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, holiday traditions and big expectations can feel exciting and overwhelming. For many kids, especially those with sensory sensitivities, ADHD, anxiety, or autism, the change in routine can make celebrations stressful. A few small adjustments can make a big difference. Parents of children with behavioral or sensory challenges often […]
Have you ever been minding your own business only to be interrupted by your child wanting to play? What am I saying? Of course you have, you’re a parent. Taking it a step further, have you ever been asked to play with your child only to have your brain stop working? As if you […]
Two sentence horror story for introverted parents: Your child comes home from school. They’re excitedly holding an invitation to a class mates Birthday party. How are introvert parents parenting their extrovert children? Because if we attend every social event that our children want to we end up burning ourselves out. While on the other […]
Trust me when I say, it’s not just your toddler. Tantrums, hitting, biting, and screaming — while not our favorite parts of parenting — are actually normal parts of toddlerhood. Whether your little one is deep in the “terrible twos” or testing boundaries as a “threenager,” these behaviors are common. The good news? You can […]
This blog is from our partners at Sparkler. For more information about Sparkler click HERE Sparkler chatted with Jordan Dospil, who is a Senior Content Specialist at the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL), where she creates curricula for the early childhood space. She has a background as an early childhood educator. Sparkler worked […]
Just when you thought potty struggles were over, a new challenger arrives: Bedwetting. *cue battle music* Bedwetting can happen for a number of reasons and is relatively common even for school aged children. Some of the reasons can include: -sleep deeply and find it hard to wake in the night -make larger than […]
What Makes a Habit a Habit? A habit is a behavior that children repeat frequently, often without even realizing it. Many children’s habits involve touching or playing with parts of their faces or bodies. Sometimes children know they’re doing these things, while other times they do them automatically. Common Habits in Children […]
