Dan Wuori
@DanWuori
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Dan Wuori, Ph.D. | Author, The Daycare Myth: What We Get Wrong About Early Care and Education (and What We Should Do About It) available now from @TCPress
Joined January 2013
I’m excited to share the news that my book, The Daycare Myth: What We Get Wrong About Early Care and Education (and What We Should Do About It), has been nominated for @uofl’s Grawemeyer Award in Education. The prize is awarded annually to a work that drives important
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Last week I shared a flight with a crying infant who, despite his mother’s best efforts, wasn’t easily calmed in the minutes just before and after takeoff. I was amazed by the level of anger it provoked among several fellow passengers - and one man in particular, who kept
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When and how does a baby’s love begin? . The truth is that your baby begins falling in love with you even before you meet, becoming aware of (and learning to prefer) your voice during the final months in utero. (It may feel strange, but seriously, talk to your bump.). After
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Boop! . So taken by how this little one steps in to comfort her crying sister. Watch carefully and you’ll see that she models behaviors that have almost certainly been used to comfort and distract her during times of sadness. She comes in close to make eye contact. She offers
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Treasure this moment, Dad. What you’re seeing here is a posture known as the “newborn scrunch” - legs and arms tucked in close to the chest. It mimics the fetal position most babies adopt during the final weeks in utero and provides them a sense of comfort and security after
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Here’s one of the most fascinating child development videos I’ve ever shared. As your baby learns language, they begin by approximating the examples you set. After a period of early experimentation with sound (including cries, coos and gurgles), infants begin babbling -
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Life lesson: . When you have the chance to make a child this happy, be like Uncle Steve and always do it again. 🎥 via iamstevesmooth on TT
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I couldn’t love this game any more if I tried. Watch how mom engages baby in a two step process here. There’s the gentle head tilt and the “ahhh” sound. Initially baby manages the tilt, but not the sound. So what does mom do? She adds it for her and keeps the game going.
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You’re never too busy to show kindness to a child. When this preschooler showed up for a race (on his pedal-less strider bike) at the local BMX park, his family discovered that he was the only one in his age group to attend. A group of teenagers there to compete in their own
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Read to your newborn. 📚 . With hearing developing during the final months of gestation, it’s never too early to begin reading to your baby. And this mom is giving us an absolute master class in how to do it right. Note first that she’s reading face-to-face. At this age (10
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“Hi baby girl!” . Imitation is a critical driver of early language development. I dare you not to smile at this amazing serve and return conversation between Ali and her mother.
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Here’s a story they’ll be told for the rest of their lives. ❤️
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Do babies develop accents even before they can speak conventionally? . The short answer is yes… and these linguistic markers begin even sooner than you might think. So many of you tagged me in this video yesterday featuring an infant that babbles with the same Scouse accent as
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Children learn what they live. When morning sickness overcame this mom, her toddler stepped in to provide comfort and support - modeling the very same language and behavior to which she, herself, has grown accustomed. There’s nothing being given here that this sweet little
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Your baby doesn’t need screens. 📺 . Your baby doesn’t need expensive “educational” toys. Your baby needs you. Your time. Your love. Your undivided attention. Watch this little one’s eyes as he interacts with his dad. They never once leave the most beautiful sight he knows:
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It’s like looking in a mirror. 🪞 . Check out the joint attention between this little one (10 weeks) and her big brother - who’s teaching an absolute master class in how to stimulate baby’s brain. I mean, are these two locked in or what? . Brother is at baby’s level, up close,
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Want to light up your baby’s brain? Think “serve and return.” 🎾 . Much like a tennis match, serve and return entails back and forth interaction during which adult and child trade conversational (and other expressive) turns. This father/daughter duo provide a fantastic example.
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Sometimes the key to success is simply knowing the right tool for the job. Loving this little genius. 🎥 via baby_lovings on IG
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Wait… what?? . This newborn caught mom and grandma off guard by displaying what appeared to be some very advanced skills. After all, most babies begin crawling between 6-10 months… so seeing this at just 3 DAYS? What gives?! . What you’re seeing here IS, in fact, miraculous -
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It’s like looking in a mirror. 🪞 . Check out the joint attention between this little one (10 weeks) and her big brother - who’s teaching an absolute master class in how to stimulate baby’s brain. I mean, are these two locked in or what? . Brother is at baby’s level, up close,
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Let’s hear it for this persistent little one. She’s on a mission to use her spoon and nothing is going to stop her. 🥄 🍓 . My favorite part of this video is that - even after multiple attempts - she never once lets frustration get the better of her. While she’s still
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How long does a toddler hug last? . As long as it needs to. When this little guy encountered his favorite character at Disney, he went in for the biggest and most heartfelt hug ever. When Mom suggests it might be time to give someone else a turn, it’s Winnie the Pooh himself
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Want to see what intimacy and attachment look like during infancy? Just watch two-month-old Jose as his dad shares a book. 🧠
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My high school had a smoking area. For the kids. What’s something you experienced as a kid that would blow your children’s minds?.
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That moment you realize that your preschooler may be smarter than you. 🧠 . Loving this little problem solver. Dad has told him he can pick out a small toy… one that “fits in his hand.”. Watch as he manages to find just the loophole he needs to get his way. Too clever. ____
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Is there anything better than a baby’s laughter? . Dad has this little one in stitches as he… plants cucumbers? . What’s so funny about that? 🤔. The answer has a lot to do with baby’s expectations. Young children have strong reactions to the unexpected. When something
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Would love an update on this little guy - who went viral in 2019 after being filmed in conversation with his attentive dad. My prediction: as a rising kindergartner, his language and literacy skills are off the charts.
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What a thrill to watch your child take their first steps. But I want to spotlight something else about this video: the sheer perfection of the support system created by its adults. They teach us a lesson about learning that extends far beyond walking. If you watch closely,
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Imagine consuming primarily milk and puréed vegetables your entire life, then trying ice cream for the very first time. I can’t stop watching this little one’s reaction. 😄
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A+ Dad! . Earlier this week I wrote about the importance of “agency” - or allowing children to make choices for themselves. Today, along comes this fantastic example. What I love about this dad is that he’s laying the groundwork for this very thing - even before his daughter
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I want to talk about trust and attachment in young children. And there’s no video here for good reason. Several of you have recently tagged me to ask my thoughts on trending videos depicting parents engaging in one appalling behavior or another - in pursuit, apparently, of.
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Want to see a baby make 60 million neural connections? 🧠 . Look no further than this fantastic video. As they bide a little time in the car, our hero and his dad engage in this lovely “serve and return” interaction. And it’s hard to tell which of them is loving it more. If
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The. Best. Want to nurture your baby’s early language? It’s really not rocket science, but it does take your time and attention. First, your baby is never too young to be spoken to. It may seem odd to have a conversational partner that can’t yet respond in conventional ways.
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Let’s talk about the development of self regulation. You may have seen this recent TikTok trend in which parents covertly film themselves placing candy in front of their young children, then contrive a reason to walk away… instructing the child not to eat any until they
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T-Rex attack! 🦖 . When this little one “surprises” her mother with a dinosaur puppet, mom gives such a convincing performance that: . 1) Baby first enjoys a moment of delight over her successfully authentic roar. But then… . 2) Quickly pivots to comforting mom, showing her
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I just couldn’t love this father-daughter duet any more. 🎶 🎵 . Watch how carefully (and patiently) Dad times his participation. He only adds to the song when Baby has completed her turn - and then she extends his vocalizations right back…with one notable exception. That
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The first sound I knew was your heartbeat. The first voice I knew was yours. I learned to gauge my safety from watching your eyes. I learned to speak by watching your mouth. Your love for me is almost as endless as my love for you. Happy Mothers’ Day
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Here’s some A+ parental behavior. 🏅 . What you’re seeing is an example of sensory play. As babies grow, one of the most important things you can do as a parent is provide safe and varied opportunities for your baby to use their senses (sight, sound, taste, touch and smell) to
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If your toddler’s favorite word is “NO,” rest assured that you’re in good company. After a period of intense brain, language, motor, and skill development (that remains ongoing), toddlers have transformed from heavily-reliant newborns into something altogether different:
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Baby Beat Box! 🎤 . I got such a kick out of this serve and return interaction. Watch this little one’s focus. His eyes NEVER leave Dad’s face as he works to unravel the mystery of the noises he can make with his mouth. But the best part of this video is something Dad does.
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Don’t take it personally, Mom. Cross cultural research suggests that “Dada” is very commonly the first person that babies identify by name. And the reason may actually be beautiful. But first let’s explore the question of when a word is really a word. Language development
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Check out this expressive little one at the nail shop. 💅 . While not yet speaking conventionally, there’s little question what she is trying to convey here: she wants her nails done just like everyone else. With an animated voice and her fingers outstretched for the duration
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The internet is chock full of videos of babies trying new foods… but this one might be my new favorite. Check out the sensory overload this little guy experiences when trying his first taste of kiwi. 🥝 . Like so many other first time experiences, new foods can both delight
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I only have eyes for you, Dad. 👀 . Take a moment to admire not only this sweet “serve and return” conversation between this father and daughter - but the completely unbroken eye contact they share. Eye contact is an important early developmental milestone for your baby and key
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Want to see a baby make 60 million neural connections? 🧠 . Look no further than this fantastic video. As they bide a little time in the car, our hero and his dad engage in this lovely “serve and return” interaction. And it’s hard to tell which of them is loving it more. If
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Empathy begins early. Infants are surprisingly well attuned to the emotions of others. They study and react to their caregivers’ expressions. They cry when other babies cry. But it’s during the second year that we really see children express empathy more fully and outwardly.
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Check out the wonderment here as this baby pays a first visit to the aquarium. 🧠🤯. Wouldn’t it be fascinating to have brain imaging available for moments like this? We don’t have a scan in this case, but baby’s face is surely a window on the activity in his/her brain - which
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Watch how this little one is able to find success with just the tiniest assist from Dad. In developmental psychology, the “Zone of Proximal Development” is that area just beyond a child/learner’s independent ability - but a space in which he/she can find success with support
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Your baby craves your attention and affection. 😍. Check out this little guy. Mom has plopped him onto the bed. His mission: Wake up Dad. But our hero has other plans. Rather than speak, he assesses the situation, curls up next to his father, and pulls his arm into position
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Think of early childhood as an apprenticeship. Young children arrive in this world as skilled observers and mimics of the significant adults in their lives. Their goal: to be more like you with each passing day. What you do, they will do. What you say, they will say - both
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New sensory experiences “light up” your child’s developing brain. I just love this video, which has gone viral in recent days, of a toddler being exposed for the first time to a new and fascinating sound: a violin being played by a street performer in Valencia. It’s almost as
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Need to soothe a fussy baby? This mom knows an important secret: skin to skin contact. Watch what happens when mom snuggles up with Baby, bringing their faces into contact. Skin to skin has a number of benefits, not least of which is the release of oxytocin, sometimes known
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Watching this little one discover the appearance of a slide and swing set in her backyard is such a joy. But it’s not even the best part of the video. For me it’s all about the opening seconds. As she approaches the back door, an inflatable beach ball blocks her path. She picks
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“We’re down by one point…” 🏀 . Dozens of you tagged me yesterday on this lovely video of a family infusing a little dramatic play into their toddler’s indoor basketball practice. There’s so much to love here. Our hero’s enthusiastic high five and “Yes, Coach!” had me
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How’s this for pre-verbal communication? . This little one finds relaxation in a good diaper pat. When dad discontinues the activity prematurely, Baby silently - but very clearly - communicates their desires: . More pats please. ❤️. Amazing. (BTW, I never presume to know what
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What you see in this video is more than a toddler picking out a bag of chips. It’s one of the earliest forms of literacy. “Environmental print” is a fancy name for the written language that surrounds children each day: familiar logos, labels, street signs, etc. Among its
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Reading with your baby is about so much more than the book. It’s a time for bonding and connection. For laughter, love, and language learning… . There are so many great things happening as this father and daughter share a board book together. Watch our hero, as she splits
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I’m sometimes asked what initially drew me to the field of early childhood education. From now on I’m just going to show people this video. Bottom line: there is no more joyful an experience than being in community with young children. Their enthusiasm, wonderment, and
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There is nothing babies love more than faces. And this is doubly true for those of their most significant caregivers. Watch how mesmerized this little one is by her mother - and how carefully she studies the shape and movement of Mom’s face as she serenades her. Turns out,
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Now here’s something special. As young children gradually internalize their inner dialogue, preschoolers often say the quiet parts out loud - offering us direct windows on their thinking. This video is a great example. As little Bella works to overcome her fear of jumping,
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Want to make your baby laugh? Do the unexpected. Earlier this week I advised that it was okay to be a little goofy with your kids. Sing the songs. Read with expression. Voice each character. This dad takes that advice to heart - literally (and impressively) voicing Goofy,
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Never forget that toddlers reflect the words, actions, and attitudes of their caregivers. What does this morning greeting tell you about this classroom?
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Let’s do a picture, Paw-Paw! 📸 . This little one wanted to snap a few photos of her grandfather as they toured a sunflower field. The results are both AMAZING and the perfect encapsulation of life with a toddler. So darling. And one of the biggest laughs I’ve had all week.
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Wait… What are these?! .🖐️🤚 . Did you know that it takes about two months for your baby to discover they have hands? . What’s more, because of their innate grasping reflex, babies actually USE their hands before they realize they exist. Beginning around 8 weeks (concurrent
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You’re never too busy to show kindness to a child. When a delay in deplaning begins to make her preschooler feel anxious, this Mom thinks fast: quietly singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to avert a meltdown. The strategy works temporarily, as the three-year-old begins to
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Is it possible to spoil your baby by being too responsive? . The short answer is no. Somewhere along the way, we developed the notion that letting babies “cry it out” was good for them. In reality, it’s just the opposite. Warm and responsive relationships help infants develop
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Daddy’s home! 😍. You’re unlikely to see anything more touching today than this little one’s joyful reaction as her father arrives home from work. Watch her face as she first hears his voice and then catches a few quick glimpses as he walks through, presumably putting away his
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Parenting has so many joys. Chief among them: Experiencing the world again for the very first time. 🎃 👻 . Just watch this little guy’s awestricken expressions as his dad explains Halloween trick or treating to him. If this sweet video, posted to TT by taylorannbonnett,
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Loving this father-son duet. Watch how locked-in baby’s eye contact is as he awaits his part. 🎤 🎶 . 🎥 sweetnloewy IG
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The doors on the bus go open and shut… 🚌 🎶 . For toddlers, music and movement are more than just entertainment. Beat, rhythm, and tempo all stimulate children’s developing brains - helping body and mind to work together in coordination. Repetitive songs like “The Wheels on
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If you insist on participating in a viral baby trend, make it’s one that strengthens your bond and demonstrates your love. This one is baby approved.
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Teamwork makes the dream work! 👣 👣 . Earlier this week I posted about “cruising” - an intermediate step between crawling and independent walking in which some babies pull to standing, but still rely on furniture or other environmental supports to balance their steps. These
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Get a load of this joyful little comedian! . Researchers at the University of Bristol (UK) recently created the Early Humor Survey to explore how humor develops in very young children. They found that roughly half of the babies in the tool’s data set showed an appreciation for
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Want to see a beautiful moment? . Watch dad. The bond between parent and child is perhaps the purest form of unconditional love. And it can come with big feelings - at every stage and in both directions. It’s hard not to get a little choked up over this unexpected exchange
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“No, Brin Brin kiss it!”💋 . As they emerge from infancy, toddlers find themselves in a whole new ballgame. Once dependent on others, they now have the language and emerging skill set to begin doing all sorts of things on their own. This often leads to a period of fierce
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“I asked myself.” ❤️. You’ve probably seen this amazing video of little Willa, which has been shared far and wide on social media since its original posting in 2019. I could write 10 different posts about the reasons I love it (#HomeyDepot), but today I want to spotlight what I
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Sing with your baby! . Studies show that infants are drawn to singing - with varying high and low pitches engaging their brains longer and fully than speech alone. You don’t have to be an American Idol winner for your baby to love it. And speaking of high and low pitches,
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Here’s another little waitress incorporating authentic writing into her imaginary play. But it appears her restaurant is out of… well, everything. 😂. “Supply chain issues” are a common theme across these restaurant play videos… and likely have less to do with children’s
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It’s possible to nurture independence in your toddler while maintaining attachment, trust, and safety. There’s a video that’s gone super viral this week. Maybe you’ve seen it? . It shows a father and his toddler son walking down a path that is blocked, at a point, by a set of
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If ever there was a “look of love” this has got to be it. 😍. I mean… book? What book? . This little one ONLY has eyes for his mama. Eye contact is an important early developmental milestone and plays a number of roles for your baby. First and foremost, eye contact is
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I couldn’t love this game any more if I tried. Watch how mom engages baby in a two step process here. There’s the gentle head tilt and the “ahhh” sound. Initially baby manages the tilt, but not the sound. So what does mom do? She adds it for her and keeps the game going.
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Your baby is a master of observation. 👀 . Watch how focused our hero is in the opening seconds of this video as she learns the rules of the new game being played before her. She sits motionless and expressionless… carefully taking it all in. And then? . She’s ready to get in
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Are you okay? ✅. Do you have self-control? ❌. I can’t quite decide what I love more about this video: mom’s expert modeling of how to de-escalate after a meltdown, or this little guy’s delightfully honest response. Like most things, the development of emotional regulation is
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“Daddy? [Where] are my boots?” 🥾 . Of all the recent videos I’ve shared this one may be my favorite. That’s because it has so many amazing toddler characteristics wrapped up in one adorable clip. Our hero is on a mission to find her boots. Dad tries valiantly to incorporate a
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There is nothing - and no one - your baby wants to be more than YOU. Don’t ever fool yourself into believing they are “too little” to notice your actions or absorb your words. You are your child’s first - and most important - teacher. So set a positive example. 🎥 This
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Don’t ever fool yourself into believing your little ones aren’t absorbing your words and learning from the examples you set. Want proof? Check out this lovely video. Big sister (helping her brother with his pajamas): “I got you.”. Little brother: “I trust you.” . Talk about
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Let’s talk about language-rich environments. One of the determining factors in both the speed at which your child develops language and the size of his/her early vocabulary is exposure to (direct & interactive) caregiver speech. Even before your baby is using language
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One of the great beauties of parenting/working with young children is getting to experience the world again, for the very first time. Watch this little guy’s moving response to hearing his first violin.
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Your baby’s brain isn’t the only one that’s developing. I’ve written a good bit about the brain development of newborns and how to stimulate it. But today I want to talk about the developing brains of parents - which research suggests also change concurrent with pregnancy and
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“Happy.” 🐥 . Here’s one of the cooler (and sweetest) things you’ll see today. Given the opportunity to touch a baby chick for the first time, this little one gives it a gentle pet, then beams with delight. But it’s the last thing he does before leaving frame that I want to
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This father and son have discovered the world’s funniest game… a joint activity that has them both in stitches. And they’re about to do it again. See if you can predict where this is going. Watch how the two communicate, even without words. And just try not to laugh.
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“The women are so strong!” . You’ll love this little one’s commentary as she watches women’s Olympic weightlifting with her father. It’s clear that she’s drawing inspiration from these female role models; a great reminder that representation matters for children. As the great
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Get a load of this sweet little “puppy!” 🐶 . Infants are masterful observers and mimics of the environments and key figures in the world around them. It’s how they learn. And that can extend beyond their human relatives. Watch how this little one practices sticking out her
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Can you cuddle your baby too much? . The short answer is no. You might have heard guidance that being too responsive to your baby will spoil them. But that’s really not the case in infancy. Indeed, being responsive to your baby’s desire for comfort is an important part of
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Happy Dance! 🎶 . There’s so much to love about this well-attuned mother-daughter duo and their backyard interaction. Mom does a lovely job of fostering independence and providing encouragement as baby descends the stairs. But the real fun begins as the pair celebrate her
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Child Development 101. 📚 . If ever there was a video that summarized child development in a nutshell this might be it. Whether it’s walking, talking, reading, writing…or tumbling, young children observe the world around them and progress gradually toward more and more
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While we can’t see this adorable little waitress’ writing - which almost certainly isn’t yet conventional - we still know what it says: pasta and orange juice. She’s already learned one of literacy’s earliest lessons, that print conveys meaning. Great to see her incorporating
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“Dig that disco sound!” 🕺 . The only thing better than dad’s improvised musical accompaniment to this book (about a musical toy box) is his toddler’s reaction. She’s already got some moves! . You don’t have to be a natural-born performer to read to your child, however. Read,
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“Usually he calls me sissy…because he loves me.” ❤️. Earlier this week I wrote about setting realistic expectations around the arrival of a new sibling - noting that newborns can be a little underwhelming as playmates. Check out this amazing big sister, who clearly got the
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“Oh, goodness!” 🎄 🎁 . When you model wonder and gratitude for your children, don’t be surprised to see it reflected back. Be the example you hope to see. Merry Christmas, friends! . 🎥 via humankind on TT
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Boop! . So taken by how this little one steps in to comfort her crying sister. Watch carefully and you’ll see that she models behaviors that have almost certainly been used to comfort and distract her during times of sadness. She comes in close to make eye contact. She offers
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