young children

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

The Value of “Grown-Up” Breaks

Let’s face it, parenting is exhausting at times.  For this reason, parents need to give themselves a “grown-up” break.  When I say a break, I mean two things:  A break can be time away from your child with the help of a caregiver, friend or family member.  Even a video.   This time allows you to recoup your patience and energy, refresh Read More

Talking to Young Children About Death

Let me start by saying, I’ve had this post ready to publish for months.  I’ve held on to it waiting for the “right” time to make it public.  The bottom line, is that this is a sad, difficult, personal topic, and there is no “right”time. The way one explains death to a child is a very personal decision. Read More

Teaching Children To Problem Solve

Learning to problem solve begins at a very young age, and is a lifelong skill that helps us as we make our way through the world.  Infants learn to problem solve as they track a toy with their eyes and slowly begin to reach out to grasp it.  Babies problem solve when they have a toy Read More

To Put A Smile On Your Face

I just heard something that put a smile on my face.  I hope it does the same for you.  I was walking home from a client thinking about the paperwork that needed to be done when I got home, when I heard an intermittent “MEOW.”  As I approached a small boy and the woman I 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

Baby, It’s Cold Outside! (Part 2)

Ok, here it is.  The long awaited list of my favorite activities to do with children when its just too cold to go out.  There are many more, but this is a great start.  Here we go… Baby Drag: Place your small child or baby (should have good neck and core strength) on a large Read More

Review: “No More Mrs. Nice Mom”

Please take a look at the article “No More Mrs. Nice Mom” in the NY Times. I’ve read the article and watched the news report and I’ll respond to them the way I do to so many others…what happened to the middle ground?! We have certainly had a trend in parenting where grown-ups want to Read More

Happy New Year!

As we enter 2011, may we all feel more empowered and appreciated, a little bit more understanding and better understood, more patient and consistent, and most importantly, happy with ourselves and our families.  Parenting is a challenging and rewarding job.  You can do it!  I am here if you need me. Be well, Dana Dana’s Kids.  Empowered Read More