The day had come. He had learned how to climb out of his crib, and it was time for a “big kid bed.” So how do you know when it’s the ideal time? And how do you make this transition as easy as possible for everyone?
Parents are no longer parents. They have become reading specialists, math support, school counselors, librarians and principals. They are being asked to extend themselves into new roles, and the pressure is building for everyone.
The connections between grandparents and grandchildren can be magical; and Lauren Grabois Fischer’s new book, Life, is a touching exploration about family traditions and experiences shared from generation to generation. The book considers the big ideas about life from both a grandparents’ and a child’s perspective, and demonstrates how much we have in common no matter our age or experience.
We’re all well aware that little ones can have really big emotions. But how come they equate to an epic tantrum on so many occasions? One of the biggest reasons kids have meltdowns is because they don’t understand what to do with all those big feelings—and unfortunately taking a deep breath isn’t yet in their toolkit! That’s where the idea of a calm-down corner comes into play, a method of helping kids process emotions that’s proven to be much more effective than the time outs you may have sat in as a kid.
Seniors, especially those who live alone, need regular social interactions to stay mentally and emotionally healthy. While using a traditional home phone is a great way to stay in touch, introduce your elderly loved one to senior-friendly technology that will give them more ways to connect with friends and family.
When your kid’s in the middle of a tantrum, it can be tough to keep yourself from having your own meltdown too. “Meltdowns are terrible, nasty things, but they’re a fact of childhood,” says Ray Levy, PhD, a Dallas-based clinical psychologist and co-author of Try and Make Me! Simple Strategies That Turn Off the Tantrums and Create Cooperation. “Young kids—namely those between the ages of 1 and 4—haven’t developed good coping skills yet. They tend to just lose it instead.” Keep reading to learn more about the causes and types of toddler tantrums, with tips for dealing with particularly nasty ones.
Most parents acknowledge that the quiet consistency of a bedtime routine is comforting and calming for their children, but parents rarely reflect on the effect the bedtime routine has on themselves. At least one research study suggests that regular routines buffer/decrease parenting stress, which in turn has a positive effect on children’s emotions, behavioral regulation and readiness to learn.
Unfortunately, long hours of screen time has become mandatory with e-learning. But online games, social media and other tempting distractions could make it difficult to focus on class Zoom sessions. Below are tips from experts to ensure kids get the most out of school even though they’re at home.
With so much focus on back-to-school this fall, it’s important for parents to remember that many kids might have other milestones on their mind! Young kids face many daily challenges in early childhood, and reading books that support them as they take on new tasks can open discussions and relieve anxiety. To help encourage them in their sweet, coming-of-age achievements, try the new ‘I Can Do It’ books, featured in the Caribu app.
Across the globe, grandparents and grandchildren who are separated due to the COVID-19 pandemic are using the Caribu app to connect with their loved ones. Caribu offers many meaningful and exciting ways to enhance family video-calls: online books, games, puzzles, and coloring pages that you can share together in a virtual playdate.