Parents are important, but not in all the ways we think we are. We called our third child Annaelle, which in addition to being a pretty name, also means in Hebrew, "Please God." I often joke that we were actually saying, "Please God, let this one be easier than the other two!" She's thirteen months...

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for.
 -Georgia O'Keeffe Art is a natural, and indeed a universal means of communication, especially among children. It is a language unto itself; and in the context of art therapy, the artist's...

Dinner needed to be ready soon. My son and I had just gotten home from a long day. Would he - a 2 1/2 year old at the time - be able to entertain himself - let alone keep himself out of trouble, in the time I needed to get a quick meal together? Though...

Under normal circumstances, development is a complicated process that unfolds in early childhood in sometimes contradictory ways. For example, a typical six-year-old may be highly attuned to people's subtle changes in emotions, but only able to verbally describe people in the black and white terms of either a "good" or a "bad guy." When we...

Homework requires disciplined attention and executive skills, which are often areas of weakness for children with ADHD. Because of this, homework battles often ensue. The best way to conquer homework and minimize battles is to establish consistent routines that become habits over time. It is critical to stick to the program with solid commitment. It...

Starting Kindergarten is the beginning of an educational adventure. For some, it will be their first exposure to school. For others, it will initiate being in a whole new school environment. Transitions to new school experiences are opportunities for excitement and anticipation. They are also times children can feel worried, scared, and apprehensive. This article...

"Caps, caps for sale!," you say with your best pitch-man voice. Your child is riveted and thus begins a wonderful interaction between you and your child - and some silly monkeys. The reading of Caps for Sale - and others of its ilk, are a cherished part of daily life with young children. What if...

Having your child join you when you are running errands, such as grocery shopping, can be a great opportunity for you to bond with and teach your child important skills. However, many parents report that having their child tag along with them to the store often turns out to be a stressful experience for both...

"The single best childhood predictor of adult adaptation is not school grades and not classroom behavior, but rather, the adequacy with which the child gets along with other children" (Hartup, W 1992). Social competence is a broad term that describes a child that usually gets along with others, expresses opinions and feelings respectfully, demonstrates a...

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for. -Georgia O'Keeffe Art is a natural, and indeed a universal means of communication, especially among children. It is a language unto itself; and in the context of art therapy, the artist's...