Parenting Playbook

Preparing children for the world . . .

When thinking about how to best prepare our children for the big wide world out there, developing resilience comes to mind. We hope our kids can feel secure and confident as they learn the skills they will need to cope with everyday challenges, disappointments,...

read more

Active listening . . .

Really listening is active. When you, the parent, really listen to what your child is trying to tell you, it’s important to let him or her know that you are willing to listen and want to understand. It is important to try to sum up what you think your child is saying...

read more

A new school year . . .

It’s that time of year again—the beginning of a new school year. Whether this is your child’s first school experience or he or she is starting sixth grade, the new school term will present new challenges. As a parent, you can help make the transition back into the...

read more

The development of inhibition . . .

Inhibition is that little voice that reminds us we might need to forego what we want right now in the interest of our long-range or larger goals. The brains of babies and young children have yet to develop this little voice of inhibition, which means they can and do...

read more

Siblings and feelings . . .

Feelings enhance life, but they can also create some complications. If you have more than one child, quite different feelings may occur during a single shared situation. One child may feel excited about going to a first soccer game, for example, while the other...

read more

Emotional competence and play . . .

To be emotionally intelligent, we need to operate a dimmer switch of sorts on our emotions rather than simply turn them on and off. In other words, emotional competence requires an ability to modulate emotions—even strong emotions—safely, respectfully, and directly....

read more

Individual attention . . .

One way parents support their children is through family activities. Children often feel nurtured and supported during times the family is interacting, such as when everyone is eating dinner together, taking a walk, watching a movie, or going to the park. But the...

read more

The brain and body working together . . .

Your preschooler is learning like a sponge soaking up water. She is learning to use her senses, move her body, regulate her behavior, and engage you in conversations. When she learns while combining more than one of these activities, her nervous system gets a better...

read more

An emerging sense of self . . .

As your toddler reaches the age of about eighteen months, he or she will realize that his or her angry “me” and loving “me” are within the same person. During this time, your toddler will also realize that the people he or she trusts and loves can also be the people...

read more

Food for parents . . .

Eating a nutritious diet is important for parents because certain foods produce key chemicals that influence emotions. Developing a habit of eating regularly and healthfully will help you control your mood and your sense of well-being, making it easier to do the hard...

read more