Does Your Baby Hate Tummy Time?

I’ve heard a lot of moms complain about their babies pitching a fit when placed on their stomachs for “tummy time.” Tummy time is an important part of learning the skills needed to crawl, and crawling is a crucial stage in development. Not enough tummy time can lead to early motor delays, so it’s no wonder moms begin to worry when their babies refuse to play on their tummies. First of all, keep in mind that your baby should only need to be on his tummy for an hour a day (and not all at once) by the time he … Continue reading →

25 More Ways to Entertain Your Baby

Yesterday I listed 25 ways to entertain your baby. I probably use all of these suggestions in a single day and I’ve been wanting to write them down to share with other moms and dads who sometimes run out of ideas for keeping a smile on their baby’s adorable face. One of the greatest rewards of being a parent is hearing your child laugh. It is one of the greatest sounds in the world. Here are 25 more ways to hear that precious giggle. 26. Bring your baby into the kitchen and host a “cooking show.” Make lots of loud … Continue reading →

25 Ways to Entertain Your Baby

“I can’t keep this kid entertained!” exclaimed my exasperated husband. Truth be told, entertaining a baby is easy for some and difficult for others. Some of us just have an easier time getting into the “baby mindset” to figure out what will be entertaining for someone whose life is still measured in months. For the rest of us, I present this list! Just be prepared to look silly… 1. Lean over your infant and slowly move your face closer until you touch noses for a brief second, then pop back up and act surprised. 2. Play peek-a-boo by holding a … Continue reading →

Bicycling with Babies

With summer well on its way and the nice spring days adding up, the thought of getting out and bicycling around seems like a great idea. But do you know the best ways and precautions to take with cycling with an infant or young child? Here is a quick guide. First you need to make sure that your baby is old enough to take along when you are out on a bicycle. Infants under six months of age should definitely not be taken along for the ride. Their heads may be too wobbly, they can’t sit up well, and they … Continue reading →

Your Child’s Art Stories

I admit that I am not a scrap booker. I take a lot of photos but then don’t do anything official with them, other than sharing a few on our family website or Facebook. Although I got several baby books with my first child, I managed to make just one single entry, the day that my son rolled over for the first time. Still, I do like to collect my children’s artwork for posterity. I keep the very best pieces of art and donate the rest to the in-laws, because how could I possibly toss anything out that a child … Continue reading →

Activities for a Happy Baby: Your Face

As parents, we live for those moment when our babies are experiencing pure happiness. We look forward to those moments when there is no hungry cry or wet cry or fussy cry, but just that happy lopsided smile that tells you that everything is okay. One of the main things that makes your baby happy doesn’t cost a thing or require much effort. You carry it wherever you go, and you can’t easily lose it. It is your face. As humans, we are hardwired to recognize an appreciate faces. In fact, research shows that a good portion of a baby’s … Continue reading →

Taking Your Baby Out in the Snow

We are in the middle of a slow moving snowstorm, and at least a foot of snow is predicted when it is over. This afternoon, the snow stop falling briefly, and it was the perfect opportunity to take the kids out to play. If you are wondering about taking your baby out in the snow, I have a couple of guidelines to share to make sure that everyone has a great time. First of all, I don’t advise taking a baby out in the snow if he or she is very young. You might want to wait until the baby … Continue reading →

Start a Baby Book Club

If you are looking for a fun play date activity for the little kids, then this might be your idea. Start up a baby book club. Not only will the kids (and the adults) have a great time, but there will also be a lot of learning going on. A baby book club is a great way to introduce children to the love of reading, logical thinking, and some socialization, too. 1. First determine who will be in the club. Ideally, children should be near the same developmental level. You can start a club for children that are as young … Continue reading →

Simple Toys, Simple Joys: Playing with Balls

We have plenty of toys that make noise at our house, have numerous buttons, light up at a toddler’s touch, quiz you on the alphabet and sing songs. But, I am often reminded by my own kids that the simple toys are the ones that really make memories. Although the weather outside is still cold here in pennsylvania, the sun is bright today. It filled our living room turned playroom into a bright cheerful space. These are the best days to get down on the floor and explore the toy box (or should I say boxes, since in our house … Continue reading →

Field Trip Tips

Are you getting ready to explore the idea of field trips? Here are some tips that I have learned over the years with little ones. Be flexible. It is fine to aim for a certain number of activities, but flexibility will allow everyone to enjoy the trip more. Be prepared to go home when the little ones are tired, to stop for diaper changes, to skip an activity or attraction in order to spend more time at the previous one. Bring snacks. Having some refreshing snacks available is so important. Many times on a field trip, toddlers and preschoolers are … Continue reading →