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Why do children – especially babies over the age of 6 months who have been breastfed – need to consume iron-rich foods? And what’s the best diet for achieving iron sufficiency? The question can be tricky, because many foods, including some with substantial iron content, contain chemical compounds that interfere with iron absorption.
Research indicates that screen time can cause sleep problems for children. Exposure to artificial light at night is part of the trouble, but so is the sleep-disturbing nature of electronic content. And individual differences mean that some children are affected more than others. Read more about the risk factors, and the steps you can take to minimize sleep disruption.
When to start solids depends on your baby’s developmental skills, and on whether or not you want to offer your baby finger foods. These evidence-based tips explain how to start babies on solid food, what to expect, and how to cope with a baby’s negative reactions.
Night wakings are a normal, healthy part of sleep. But if wakings are causing problems, there are evidence-based tactics to help us cope.
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin No need to point fingers, because we’ve all done it: Ignoring people around us while we focus on a technological device. When we ignore or snub folks with our smartphones, it’s called “phubbing,” and since many of us carry our smartphones everywhere, phubbing has become very common. But — no … Continue reading
Many parents use infant-directed speech, a register that is exaggerated, emotional, melodic, and higher-pitched. Are their babies better off? Does it help babies learn language at an earlier age?
Attachment parenting, or AP, is an approach to child-rearing intended to forge strong, secure attachments between parents and children. Inspired by the work of psychologist John Bowlby, supporters argue that babies need close, physical contact from their primary caregivers, and infants signal for this in a variety of ways.
Across cultures, kids benefit from friends. Why is friendship important? How does friendship in children develop? And what can we do to help?
Spatial skills are crucial for success in STEM and the visual arts. So what can we do help kids develop strong spatial reasoning abilities? Happily, a growing body of research points the way. Improving spatial skils is possible through a combination of physical exploration, spatial, talk, hands-on activities, and explicit instruction.
Gross motor skills include locomotory movements, object manipulation, and postural control. How do they develop, and what can we do to help?
There are many ways to play with blocks. One approach — structured block play — may be especially helpful for promoting STEM achievement.
Teaching self-control? Kids benefit when we remove temptations and distractions; offer timely reminders; and show kids how to stick to a plan.