Children On Leashes

Today I walked down a New York City street and noticed three young children on leashes.  Sure, two were dressed up as cute little monkey backpacks with tails for the parents to hold on to, but still….they’re leashes.  After years working with toddlers, 2s and 3s, I get it.  They can have selective listening, can Read More

The Two Spoon Rule

Anyone who’s ever fed a baby knows that getting the spoon to their mouth before they grab it can be a challenge….and a mess.  I have a solution.  Follow the two spoon rule.  Give your child a spoon of his or her own to hold while you are feeding them.  Every now and then, dip Read More

Sippy or Straw Cup? And the Speech Therapist Says…

…Straw Cup! According to speech therapists, straw cups promote more mature oral motor development. Sippy cups encourage children to rest their tongues on the under side of the spout, which can cause what is called “tongue thrust.” Tongue thrust can lead to articulation issues. Straw cups on the other hand promote lip closure, tongue and Read More

Developmentally Savvy Gifts For Infants and Toddlers!

Check out my recent post for Savvy Auntie!  While the article is geared for aunts, it’s a great list for anyone buying items for infants and toddlers.  You’ll find my favorite developmentally appropriate picks at under $25, under $50, under $100, and “Splurge-Worthy” price points.  Enjoy!  Savvy Auntie’s founder, Melanie Notkin, is releasing her first book today.  Read More

Little Lunch Launchers

Lately I’ve been hearing the same thing from parent after parent….”My toddler/2/3 won’t stop throwing his food.  I put him in the high chair to eat and almost immediately the food is flying.  And the best part is, when I say ‘no throw,’ he laughs!”  Here are just a few  ideas that can be helpful:   Read More

“Special Needs” Products for Everyone: Bubble Bear

Have a bubble lover in the house?  Pustefix Bubble Bear is a great product for children of all ages and abilities.   For babies, blow the bubbles so that they can track  with their eyes and reach out with their hands.  Toddlers love running to catch bubbles with different parts of their body.  As toddlers become 2s and Read More

A Special Educators’ Bag of Tricks

One of the first things any child receiving special services will learn to say, whether by signing or speaking, is “open bag.”  Special service providers (occupational, speech, feeding, and physical therapists, as well as special educators), come to work in homes and schools with a literal bag of tricks.  We bring novel materials to excite Read More

My Favorite Things: Infant Bath Sponge

Afters years of working with infants, I’ve come across and created lots of tips to help ease some of the anxiety new parents often feel.  Bathing a tiny newborn is certainly one of these times.  They might as well have signs that read “slippery when wet!”  With time and experience this jobs gets easier, but Read More

My Favorite Things: Discount School Supply

Parents, grandparents, educators, caregivers……get out your pad and pen, or bookmark this site, now!  Discount School Supply is a find!  This fantastic website has everything from games to art supplies, infant toys to bikes to products for children with special needs (many of which I use with typically developing children as well).  The prices are right and Read More

My Favorite Things: Infant Toys (0-6 Months)

It’s apropos, in light of the fact that my nephew was born last Wednesday morning, that I offer a list of my favorite infant toys and some ways to use them! 1.Light Rattles and Small Rain sticks– These items encourage tracking (following objects with their eyes) and are very attractive to infants.  They make different noises and are Read More