Parenting

What Does A Two Year Old Need?

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Dr. Corinne Masur

In a recent Dear Prudence column, a mother asked if she needed to move her 2 year old from the day care the child was currently attending. It was a daycare the mother had chosen – a small in-home day care with a loving director and two warm assistants, where the children played all day with the exception of some organized story time and song time. The mother’s mother-in-law was insisting that the child was not getting enough academic stimulation.

Well, what DOES a two year old need? Does a toddler need academic stimulation? And for that matter, does a toddler need socialization with other children? Continue reading →

Tips for Parents of Picky Eaters

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Dr. Corinne Masur

Just now I heard Katie Workman talking on the radio about picky eaters. What a great subject! Some of her advice and mine:

1. Eat with your children. As soon as they start eating solid food, pull the high chair up to the table and let your children eats meals with you. Let them see you eating and enjoying all sorts of food. When they are toddlers, give them little bits when they ask. Make sure they see you eat and enjoy a variety of vegetables, fruits, salads, etc. Continue reading →

New This Week: The Specifics on How Much Frustration to Allow Your Baby to Feel

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Dr. Corinne Masur

A reader of this blog suggested to me that it would be helpful for parents of young children if we were more specific – particularly about such things as when to help our children and when to wait and see whether they are capable of doing certain things themselves. In the spirit of specifics, we present:
A Guide to Raising Competent and Confident Children by Allowing Them to Experience Frustration Continue reading →

Life Lessons from Legos

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Dr. Fran Martin

I have always been a fan of children’s movies. This likely started when I was first taken to see Disney movies as a child. These were VERY special occasions for me – a real treat. Back then, they were only released every seven years which definitely heightened the excitement of seeing each new or old one. My personal favorite was Lady and the Tramp, a quintessential love story (in my mind/memory anyway). I loved taking my own children to animated films as well – all time favorites included Aladdin, Little Mermaid, An American Tail (with Feivel Mousekowitz) and The Incredibles. Continue reading →

Holiday Gift Giving

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Dr. Corinne Masur

When it comes to the holidays do we just go on auto pilot? Do what our own families did? Or do we try to think about what kind of holiday we want to provide for our children?

Parents often struggle over when to start giving gifts to their children and how to do so in a thoughtful way. Their own early experiences often influence what they want for their children at the holidays – whether this means following the traditions of their own families – or doing the opposite. Continue reading →