By Dr Gina Gómez de la Cuesta, Clinical Psychologist and Co-Founder of Play Included Play is fundamental to children’s learning and development. Playful experiences help develop children’s brains, and from the age of three, children can regulate their feelings, take turns, and problem-solve. Many parents are already aware of the importance of free play (unstructured playful activities) for children but are less familiar with guided play. By encouraging, coaching, and guiding children during playtime, adults can help children develop important skills more quickly. What skills does play dev ..read more

How to be your child’s advocate in the doctor’s office: navigating the healthcare maze for children with rare diseases By Lesley Holmes  As a mother of two, including a daughter diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)–a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form throughout the body's organs–I've witnessed the challenges of securing adequate care for children with rare diseases. Advocating for the health of our children, whether they have a rare disease or not, is crucial to impacting their development and health outcomes. Until there are more pediatricians and physician ..read more

Financial independence looks different depending on your age and stage in life. While becoming a parent can put a wrench in finances at any age, we decided to share with you some basic financial suggestions by age to help you plan better in the long run. Dr. Cathy Duffy, Ed.D., CMA. Cathy, a Financial Planner at Baystate Financial has graciously shared this checklist with us. Financial Independence Checklist In your 20’s Savings/Retirement Planning Open checking and savings accounts if you haven’t already done so. Learn to make a budget and use it. Start an emergency fund aiming to ..read more

Dandelion Strengths: What Can Toddlers & Preschoolers Learn? By Dr. Joanne Foster “Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.” ~ A. A. Milne Dandelions are weeds, but they look like sunny yellow flowers. When you or your toddler or preschooler sees dandelions spattered across a lawn or a single golden-hued dandelion flower poking up through a pavement crack, stop and seize the moment. What can be learned? Ways in Which Learning Can Take Root “What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have never been discovered.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Dandelions teach children about GROWTH What ..read more

Dandelion Strengths: What Can Children Learn? By Dr. Joanne Foster “Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.” ~ A. A. Milne Dandelions are weeds, but they look like sunny yellow flowers. When you or your child see dandelions spattered across a lawn or a single golden-hued dandelion flower poking up through a pavement crack, stop and seize the moment. What can be learned? Ways in Which Learning Can Take Root “What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have never been discovered.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Dandelions teach children about GROWTH What do dandelions—or flowers—need to thri ..read more

4 Postpartum Yoga Poses to Strengthen Your Core from Certified Yoga & Pre/Postnatal Instructor Melie Purdon. I am not going to lie; being asked to share poses to strengthen your core postpartum felt a little hypocritical for me since I hate doing all the things that people think of when they think of “core exercises.” But! If teaching pre and post-natal yoga for the past 6 years while also recovering from my own births taught me anything, it’s that after you have a baby, core work will never look the same, and it shouldn't! The relationship between you and your body has evolved into this ..read more

Navigating Baby Sleep Progressions: Insights into the 4-Month and 6-Month Milestones by Lauren Weber, Founder of Isla Grace Sleep The journey of parenting is a tapestry of moments, each woven with love, care, and, sometimes, sleepless nights. Among the myriad challenges parents face, sleep progressions often emerge as significant milestones, albeit ones that are frequently misunderstood. Contrary to the term "sleep regression," these phases mark profound developmental leaps in a baby's journey. Understanding and embracing these transitions can empower you as a parent to navigate them with ..read more

Preparing Your Child For Their First Pet by Rue Jyoti Pet ownership has seen significant growth in recent years, as many turn to their pets as a constant source of companionship and support for their mental health. Pew Research Center reports that more than 62% of Americans are pet owners, and nearly 35% of this demographic have more than one animal in their household. In line with this, getting a family pet is also growing in appeal, especially since pet ownership presents developmental benefits for children. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, caring for a p ..read more

By Alice Roche Cody    When our oldest son, Sean, was learning to talk, I worried constantly that something was wrong because he was slow to speak. Fearful that he’d never be able to form words, a gripping panic filled me. I dreaded every checkup because he wasn’t hitting the expected milestones. Then his pediatrician warned that if he didn’t talk in sentences within two weeks, he’d need an extensive evaluation. In the first few days, he started calling himself “Nana” and referred to his sippy cup as “Baba.” Sure enough, before the 14 days were up, he said, “Nana want baba.” Only a ..read more

Before students go to their first day of school, there’s usually a tour/open house to familiarize guardians and kids with the layout of the school, meet their teacher, and learn about expectations. Shouldn’t dance lessons be the same? To help parents and little ones feel more comfortable about putting their best foot forward on their first day of dance lessons, Phoenix’s Classic Image Dance has detailed a schedule below of what to do after you sign up your child for their first lesson. Director Shannon Wilson shares what to do two to four weeks out from your lesson, one to two weeks out ..read more