Imagine a newborn lying on a mat and reaching for toys hanging overhead, a toddler building a tower of blocks and knocking them down—over and over again—or a child bouncing and catching a playground ball with peers. Each child is playing and learning at the same time. They are learning …
Read More »Redefining ‘Special Needs’: Does This Often-Used Term Serve, Strengthen and Stimulate Connection?
Humans are perpetually learning. Research indicates that people aren’t limited by the amount of information they can remember. According to the ed-tech startup Synap.ac, “a lot of evidence (exists) to suggest we are more likely to remember something if we make an active effort to understand it and if we …
Read More »Eco-Anxiety & Kids
Extreme weather events, a result of human-induced changes to our global climate, are happening more frequently — and they’re causing many kids to worry about the future of our planet. Find out how to help ease your child’s fears about climate change. As a parenting coach, Rachel Duffy spends her …
Read More »Antidepressants for Children and Teens: What You Need to Know
Rates of anxiety and depression among youth have soared over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last fall, a coalition of the nation’s leading experts in pediatric health declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health. Due to structural inequities, this mental health crisis is worst among already …
Read More »Fear Less, Know More: Digital Health Platform Provides Puberty and Health Education for Parents and Kids
Early in her practice as an OB-GYN, Dr. Melisa Holmes was shocked by how many women didn’t understand their bodies and how they worked. She wanted to change that, not just for adults but for young girls, too, so they could grow up armed with both facts and confidence to …
Read More »Hold Onto the Benefits of Summer Camp Throughout the Year
If you ask parents of children who have attended summer camp, you’ll likely hear them describe how more confident and mature their children were when they returned home. The American Camp Association says that camp gives children three key benefits: confidence, curiosity and character. Camp fosters respect for other campers, …
Read More »Our Children Need Role Models Now More Than Ever
Who was your role model? As adults, we can reflect on our role models as children. Maybe it was your mom or dad, a teacher, a coach or a celebrity. A positive role model inspires children to live meaningful lives. Research findings indicate children who can identify a positive …
Read More »Ditch the New Year’s Resolutions and Focus on Setting Sustainable Goals in 2022
Even if, like my husband, you are a staunch contrarian who scoffs at the act of setting new year’s resolutions, the symbolic act of kicking 2021 to the curb will probably tempt former skeptics this January. Many of us may have slid into new habits shaped in response to our …
Read More »Advocate for Adoption Competency
Specialized training helps mental health professionals understand the needs, challenges and experiences of children and their foster, adoptive and kinship families Family relationships can be complicated. Families that come together through foster care, guardianship and adoption often experience added layers of complexity. One constant for all these families is the …
Read More »Promote Generosity and Giving in Frederick County
By Sharmilee Rahman and Michael Vyskocil Nonprofit organizations across Frederick County work each day to meet the needs of this community. During the holiday season and throughout the year, many organizations need volunteer support. If you’re looking for ways to encourage the spirit of volunteering within your family, consider volunteering …
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