The Importance of Fine Motor Skill Development
From the first time your baby reaches for your finger to the day they proudly zip up their coat all by themselves, fine motor skills are quietly working behind the scenes. These tiny, coordinated movements of the hands and fingers help your child do some pretty big things—like feeding themselves, playing with toys, drawing, and […]
Setting Age-Appropriate Expectations for Children
By: Cristina Moreno, Bilingual Outreach Specialist, Penfield Children’s Center I love being a parent, but I also sometimes really miss parts of my life before being a parent. It is not so much the alone time or the staying up late and getting up at a time of my choosing that I miss, but rather […]
The Benefits of Understanding Touchpoints – A Theory of Child Development by T. Berry Brazelton
“Touchpoints” is a theory of childhood development based on more than 60 years of ground-breaking research by Dr. T. Berry Brazelton — a pediatrician, professor, and expert on child development — and colleagues at Boston Children’s Hospital and communities around the world. This theory looks at predictable periods of regression and disorganization (called “touchpoints”) that […]
Early Childhood Development is Key to a Strong Foundation for Life
By Maggie Dietrich, Physical Therapist at Penfield Children’s Center Being a parent is one of the most challenging and exhausting things you’ll ever do, but it is also one of the most rewarding. The decisions you make today have a lasting impact on their lives and help shape how future generations think and act. Talk […]
Guide To Early Language Development
Gini Schulist, M.S., CCC-SLP and Vladimir Bjelic, M.S., CCC-SLP From birth, children start engaging with their surroundings through sounds and gestures. The first three years are pivotal for speech and language growth due to rapid brain development. Here’s a snapshot of what to expect: 0-6 Months Coos and gurgles Uses cries to signal needs Smiles […]
How Puzzles Can Help Your Childs Development
Puzzles are a popular and challenging activity for young children and adults alike. At any age, puzzles offer the chance to work toward a goal and, literally, piece together a story or narrative. With fun shapes and bright colors, large-piece puzzles are a favorite among small children, but they also offer an array of developmental […]
Promoting Cognitive Development Through Play
Cognitive development refers to the way in which a child learns, solves problems, acquires knowledge about the surrounding environment and increases the ability to interact with it. Children acquire different cognitive skills as they meet certain developmental milestones. As a parent, you can help your child improve cognitive development in memory, concentration, attention, perception, imagination […]
Developmental Milestones In Early Childhood How To Recognize and Address Developmental Delays
Parents, caretakers, physicians, and early childhood educators play a crucial role in monitoring developmental milestones in early childhood and identifying children with suspected delays. Recognizing and addressing these issues early can help children access and benefit from essential services. While every child is unique and develops at their own pace, most children acquire new skills […]
The Effects Of Music On Childhood Development
Since nearly the beginning of human history, music has been used as a force for healing. Aristotle taught that “When we hear (music and poetry) our very soul is altered.” From Hippocrates to Native American medicine men, people have long used singing and playing instruments to cure. In modern times, scholars and doctors have researched […]