Big Kid Bed
Congratulations! You child is ready to graduate to a "big kid" bed. But are you ready? Listen for information that will help the transition to toddler bed go smoothly.
Resources
Big Kid Beds: When to Make the Switch (Healthy Children.org)
Ask Dr. Sears: From Crib to Bed (Parenting.com)
Ask Dr. Sears: From Crib to Bed (Parenting.com)
Early Head Start
Robin Parker is a single mom living in Anne Arundel County. When her children were one and two years old, she found herself in a difficult spot. Affordable safe quality child care was out of reach for the struggling family. But one program changed the odds. Learn more about the ways Early Head Start makes a big difference.
Resources
Maryland’s Network of Family Support Centers (Maryland Family Network)
Find your Local Early Head Start Center (Maryland Family Network)
Maryland Head Start Association
Early Head Start National Resource Center
Self-Control
Self-control can be hard. New ways of dieting, exercising and saving money are seem to always be in the news. But a recent study demonstrates that adults who learn self-control as very young children grow up healthier and with few financial problems. Learn more.
Resources
A gradient of childhood self-control predicts health, wealth, and public safety (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)
For Kids, Self-Control Factors into Future Success (NPR)
Promoting Self-Control: It Might Not Be What You Think (Huffington Post)
For Kids, Self-Control Factors into Future Success (NPR)
Promoting Self-Control: It Might Not Be What You Think (Huffington Post)
Napping
Babies love to nap and they love to learn. All that sleeping just might be making them better learners.
Resources
Timely Sleep Facilitates Declarative Memory Consolidation in Infants (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)
Napping Helps Infants Form Memories, Study Shows (Baltimore Sun)
Napping Helps Infants Form Memories, Study Shows (Baltimore Sun)
Double The Love
Having twins (or more) can be double the fun. From time to time it can also be doubly overwhelming. Fortunately help is out there from experts and other parents of multiples.
Resources
Preparing for Twins (HealthyChildren.org)
Connecting and Supporting Multiple Birth Families (Multiples of America)
Connecting and Supporting Multiple Birth Families (Multiples of America)
Baby's First Dental Visit
Whether it’s baby’s first tooth or an older child with all 32, there’s nothing like a little one’s healthy smile. Protecting that grin starts early. Find out when to start and how to make the first dentist visit go well.
Resources
The Big Authority on Little Teeth (American Academy of Pediatric Dentists)
Anatomy and Development of Mouth and Teeth (Stanford Children’s Health)
Taking Care of Your Teeth (Nemours Foundation)
Anatomy and Development of Mouth and Teeth (Stanford Children’s Health)
Taking Care of Your Teeth (Nemours Foundation)
Language Rich Child Care
A language rich environment gives children the foundation to arrive at school ready to learn. But parents aren’t the only ones who can have a major impact on school readiness. Early childhood educators play a big part in supporting language and communication development for infants and toddlers.
Resources
Early Childhood Educators Hold the Key to Children's Communication Skills (Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute)
Talk Box: Creating Language-Rich Environments for Preschool and School-Age Children (YourAlberta)
Talk Box: Creating Language-Rich Environments for Preschool and School-Age Children (YourAlberta)
Childhood Obesity
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that almost one-third of American young children are overweight. In fact, one in five between the ages of two and five are already overweight or obese. What can parents do to reverse this trend?
Resources
Childhood Obesity Facts (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Childhood Obesity Prevention Resources (NAEYC)
Let’s Move! (Let's Move)
Childhood Obesity Prevention Resources (NAEYC)
Let’s Move! (Let's Move)
To Santa Or Not To Santa?
Some parents struggle with whether to make Santa Claus a part of their holiday tradition. Is it lying to the child? Will children think you betrayed them when they find out the truth? Find out what the experts have to say.
Resources
Yes or No to Santa Claus? (Child Care Exchange)
Is It Okay to Lie About Santa? (PBS Parents)
The Truth About Santa (New York Times)
Is It Okay to Lie About Santa? (PBS Parents)
The Truth About Santa (New York Times)
Little Sibling. Big Changes.
When you're a toddler the world revolves around you. The arrival of a new little brother or sister is exciting - for grown-ups. But for the first born it can be stressful and scary. Life as you've known it has changed. Learn ways to ease the adjustment for big siblings as your family grows.
Resources
New Sibling: Preparing Your Older Child (Mayo Clinic)
Preparing Very Young Children for a New Sibling (Zero to Three)
Video: My Child is Jealous of our New Baby-How Can We Help Them Adjust? (NHS Choices—U.K. )
Preparing Very Young Children for a New Sibling (Zero to Three)
Video: My Child is Jealous of our New Baby-How Can We Help Them Adjust? (NHS Choices—U.K. )