Tag Archives: child development

Rett Syndrome: A Brief Overview

Rett Syndrome was first described in 1966 by Dr. Andreas Rett, an Austrian physician. Because it is caused by mutations on the X chromosome (specifically, on the MECP2 gene), it almost exclusively occurs in females. Females have two X chromosomes, so the mutation found on one chromosome is somewhat compensated for by the other. In males, however, mutations on the X chromosome cannot be compensated for by the Y chromosome. So males with the condition will most likely die prior to or shortly after birth. Rett Syndrome is found in every race and social economic class. It affects one in … Continue reading →

Discipline is Not a Bad Word

During my last parenting class we discussed discipline and I want to share some of the key points with you. When some people hear the word discipline they shrink back or become very angry. Sometimes these reactions are due to memories of ineffective or even abusive discipline that they may have experienced as a child. Real discipline is not abuse, and it entails much more than just spanking. Discipline is an expression of our love for our children. Discipline sets healthy boundaries and issues consequences when those boundaries are broken. Children are not adults and should not be expected to … Continue reading →

Child Care

Single Parents often face tremendous problems in finding quality childcare for their children. Many parents have to work non-conventional, or not 9-5 hours when daycare centers are closed or relatives are not available to watch the children. Sometimes parents must leave their young children home alone because they can not afford the high cost of quality care, or the center closes before the parent can pick the child up. The decision to leave a child alone is often made by parents who are in anguish about the lack of childcare options available to them, while trying to balance the needs … Continue reading →

To Give or Not to Give-An Allowance-That Is

In my last article I discussed age appropriate chores and the benefits to the children and family unit that doing house and yard work together can bring. Many parents ponder paying their children an allowance for their hard work. I have heard good arguments both for and against giving an allowance in response to chores. On the yes side, proponents of giving an allowance for chores argue that paying for children to do housework helps them to have a sense of accomplishment. Earning an allowance for chores teaches them the principles of working for pay, which will become a reality … Continue reading →

Children Can Do Chores

Keeping the home clean and organized can be a major challenge for a single working parent. Enlisting the help of your children to help take care of the many responsibilities can help them to learn necessary life skills, create more free time for play together and learn teamwork. Since children will one day grow to be adults, performing chores can help them to grow to be responsible, self-sufficient adults. Assigning chores for children to do can help instill a sense of ownership in both the family and the home, which is important especially for children of divorce who may travel … Continue reading →

Successful Single Parent Families

All too often single parent families are assaulted with dreadful statistics about how our children are doomed to failure because there are not two parents in the household. Dual parent families struggle with problems that negatively affect children for life too. I do not advocate that living in single parent families is more ideal than in double parent families, but if up to 50% of our nation’s children are going to be living in single parent families at some point in their lives, then let’s give these families some realistic tools and opportunities to create healthy happy families, and stop … Continue reading →

Discipline With The Better Behavior Wheel

Every child at some time disobeys the family rules whether it is fighting with a sibling, not making their bed, or not telling a parent where they are going. Then parents are required to provide some type of discipline. Often the parent ends up feeling like the bad guy, gives a consequence that is too severe, or doesn’t even discipline the behavior because they are tired and worn out. Enter the Better Behavior Wheel. The Better Behavior Wheel is a behavior modification device that was created by Julie Butler, a mother of four. She was tired of the constant fighting … Continue reading →

Precocious Puberty: How it Could Affect Your Child

Precocious Puberty is a condition where a child enters into his or her sexual development too early. What is not commonly known is that children with neurological disorders of every kind are twenty times more likely to experience early-onset puberty than neuro-typical kids. A study found that children with various forms of autistic disorder typically have higher levels of testosterone in their family members than that of non-autistic children. This elevated level of testosterone has been shown to be a risk factor, and it’s prenatal. What is too early? For girls, any signs of sexual development prior to age eight … Continue reading →

Being Prepared

My mother was diagnosed with lung cancer last week. The doctors have not given her a prognosis about how much longer she can expect to live, and we are very hopeful that she will be healed. She has started chemotherapy and will begin radiation therapy soon as well. I am a former smoker and am concerned about the effects and potential genetic predisposition to cancer that runs in our family. My grandmother and aunt both died from lung cancer, and did not smoke except for social occasions. I have been thinking a lot over the past few days about my … Continue reading →

Play Piano for Power!

Want to enhance higher brain function in children? Encourage their brain development and intellectual ability? Provide an on-going workout for their smart muscles which could give lifelong health benefits, including recreation, relaxation, and enjoyment? Two words: Piano Lessons. About 10 years ago, a study published in Neurological Research (Feb 1997) demonstrated that piano instruction is superior to computer instruction for enhancing abstract reasoning skills in preschoolers. The study was conducted by a psychologist, Dr Frances Rauscher of the University of Wisconsin, and a physicist, Dr Gordon Shaw of the University of California at Irvine. I think it is interesting that … Continue reading →