In the realm of psychology, we encounter a diverse range of personalities. From the laid-back free spirits to the ones who seem to have swallowed an entire do-it-yourself instruction manual, we all know someone who is, well, a tad uptight. But let us not be too quick to judge! As clinical child psychologists, we are fascinated by the intricate workings of the human mind, and even uptightness has its place in the grand tapestry of personalities. Join us on this whimsical exploration as we unravel the causes of uptightness, appreciate its quirks, and reveal how it can actually bring positive changes to a person's life.

Your five-year-old is coming into their own and soaking up everything like a sponge! They might enjoy potty humor and love to tell wild, imaginative stories, but they also want to contribute in real ways to your family. Whether they’re following your instructions on how to set the table or pulling weeds from the garden, they love to help out in meaningful ways.

Early Childhood Development: Your 5-Year-Old Preschooler and What to Expect

Vocabulary Development

Your child’s vocabulary is still growing and growing! On average, a five-year-old will know roughly 2,000 words.(2) The back-and-forth conversations are also getting longer, and typically five-year-olds say sentences that are at least five words long.(2) And boy do five-year-olds love to share their opinions! (1) Ask them questions, listen closely to their thoughtful explanations, and encourage them to tell stories. At this age, children also have longer attention spans, so they can follow multi-step instructions and do more complex projects.(1)

The new year can feel like a wonderful new start. It’s a chance to reevaluate our goals and lifestyles. We can consider changes that we want to make to better ourselves and make a plan to bring those changes to fruition.

Many people set New Year’s resolutions, adults and children alike. Maybe you’ve decided that you want to set new goals this year with your kids but you aren’t quite sure how to do that well. This article will outline some strategies to set your family up for success and include ideas on what resolutions may be good for your kids.

7 Good Principles to Follow

Along with the tradition of setting New Year’s resolutions comes the common problem of those goals falling by the wayside after a couple of months (or even just a few weeks). So how can you avoid the pitfalls of goal setting and not give up too early? Here are 7 tips.

Children can feel stress around the holidays for a variety of reasons. The number of people at the gatherings may make them uncomfortable. Or the change in routine may give them anxiety. They feel unsure of what to expect and that in turn makes them feel stressed.

You may not even know exactly what about the holidays seems to trigger your child. You just know that this time of year is difficult for them, and you want to help in any way you can.

Here are some tips to help make this holiday as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

First, Make Sure That You Are Taking Care of Yourself

Calm, like stress, is contagious. Whatever you are feeling, your children are going to be feeling too. So be sure to preemptively take some time to yourself this holiday season.(1) Spend a few minutes a few days doing something relaxing that you enjoy like reading a book or going for a walk.

You’re tired of the fights at mealtime. You don’t feel good about serving plain pasta with butter for dinner again. But you also don’t want to argue every time you sit down to eat. You just want your child to eat a nutritious meal without all the theatrics and protests.

Mealtimes with young children can be incredibly frustrating. They have short attention spans, they reject the food you’re serving, and they won’t eat much (or at all, for that matter!)

Sound familiar?

Many parents go through difficult phases with their young children rejecting food. Could sensory differences be one reason why?

The holidays can be a great time to reconnect with family and take part in our favorite traditions.

However, it can also be a time filled with loud conversations and crowded living rooms. Which some of us really enjoy, but others of us don’t quite feel the same.

If your child has a sensory processing disorder or just feels easily overwhelmed in loud spaces, the holidays may pose some challenges. Even as adults, sometimes holiday celebrations can get overwhelming.

Don’t worry. If you dread the holidays each year because of how stimulating they are for your child, there are some steps that you can take to help them. This article is split into what you should do before an event, at the event, and after sensory overload sets in.

Armed with the right knowledge, this holiday season could be the best one yet. Let’s get started!

Children learn many valuable skills during the preschool years. They’re learning how to communicate with and listen to others and how to follow directions. They’re developing fine and gross motor skills, and engaging with other children in cooperative play.

The point of preschool is to teach children important skills that will lay the groundwork for their future success. Skills like reading, writing, school readiness, and social skills like how to cooperate with others are all explored in preschool.(1)

You may be excited to spend time with your four-year-old because they’re just so darn fun! Whether you’re doing art projects together, playing age-appropriate games, or enjoying outdoor pastimes like catch, you’ve noticed how active, chatty, and interested in the world your four-year-old is.

Early Childhood Development: Your 4 Year Old Preschooler and What to Expect

Vocabulary Development

You may have noticed that your child loves to talk! Some children are naturally chatty and enjoy having back-and-forth conversations or telling stories.(1) You might find your conversations are getting more interesting (and funny!) as well, as on average, a four-year-old will know roughly 1,500 words!(6) Your exchanges may include longer, more complicated and varied phrases, which is fun for both of you!

Kindness is a skill that we have to teach our children. Just like we teach them how to ride a bike or how to do addition, they also need direction on how to be thoughtful to others.

While most children have a strong sense of empathy and compassion, kindness is the process of putting those feelings into action. It’s taking our feelings a step further and doing something nice that will make someone else happy.

The best way that children learn this is through practice. We need to work alongside them to help them think of ways to be kind and then follow through with that plan. If you’re needing some more ideas on how to practice kindness with your child, you’re in the right place!

The brain is the most complex and fascinating organ in the human body. There are so many parts working together to allow your preschooler to walk, talk, play, and feel.

The left side of the brain, for example, is responsible for speech and logical thinking. It’s literal and logical and loves order and organization.(3) When your preschooler is working on a puzzle, for example, it’s a great left brain exercise!(11)

The right side of the brain is responsible for spatial thinking, reading nonverbal cues, and processing emotions. (3,4) Rather than being detail-oriented like the left brain, it cares about the big picture. Think of it as the more emotional and experiential of the two hemispheres.(3) Playing a matching game with your child is a great right brain exercise!(11)

When children are very young, they’re right-hemisphere dominant, especially in their first three years of life. (3) Have you noticed how young children are so good at being focused in the present moment? They’re taken with the most ordinary things — the color of the fall leaves on the ground, a lady bug crawling on a bench, a tremendously smooth rock. Everything seems to delight and surprise them. Until, of course, a wave of very big emotions crashes over them and the tears or tantrums start.

When children become emotionally flooded, their right brains are working in overdrive.(3) Their more logical left brain isn’t working in sync with the right hemisphere.(3)

Three-year-olds are such curious, playful, imaginative individuals!

Seeing your child grow right before your very eyes is wonderful and exciting. And watching them interact with you and others is such a gift.

Conversations have started to feel more interesting as your preschooler can say longer sentences and have more back-and-forth interaction with you. They also continue to come into their own, engaging in problem-solving and imaginative play.

Early Childhood Development: Your Young Preschooler at 3 Years Old

Vocabulary Development

Speech is yet another thing that children develop at their own pace. But a child between the ages of 3 and 4 will typically be able to say between 500 and 900 words!(2) By now, they’ll be able to talk in longer sentences of roughly 4 to 5 words, leading to real conversations with you.(4)

Potty training is a major milestone and a huge sign of growth and development!

Using the toilet is a learned skill. It takes physiological, cognitive, verbal and social readiness to be able to do it.(2) For something we all do every day, probably without really thinking about it, it takes an amazing amount of work for small children! And teaching a child to use the toilet really is a skill worth celebrating.

You know that your child already knows how to pee and poop. But in order for them to be potty trained, they need to be able to recognize the physical sensation of having to go to the bathroom. They also need to be able to tell you so that with help, they can make it to the toilet.(2)

Using a toilet and bathroom hygiene are important skills to learn! When you potty train, you help your child develop their independence and increase their confidence. You also teach them related hygiene skills like flushing and washing their hands.(4)

Poop and pee may not be your favorite topic of polite discussion. But explaining bodily functions in plain terms to your toddler sure does help with potty training!

If you’re noticing signs of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in your child or if they’ve recently been diagnosed with OCD, it can be difficult to know what to do.

This mental illness is often misunderstood because of its representation in the media. It’s often described as simply liking a clean room or keeping things a certain way. Clinical OCD is much more intense than this. It often needs professional intervention for the person to be able to live a normal life.

So, what are the signs and symptoms of OCD in children? How can you help after a diagnosis of childhood OCD? It’s all outlined here.

October is here and with its arrival comes World Mental Health Day on October 10th.

Have you been curious about where to get resources for World Mental Health Day for your home or classroom? Or are you just looking for tips on how to support your child’s mental well-being?

You’re in the right place! I’ve outlined great answers to both questions below.

Putting a toddler to bed can be tricky.

And if your toddler is between the ages of 2 and 4, they’ll likely need about 10 to 14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period.(4)

So how can you make naps or bedtime a treat, not a battle?

It may take some trial and error, and it will definitely take a whole lot of patience and love. But after experimenting with different approaches, you’ll get your toddler’s nap and bedtime routines down pat.

First things first, let’s make sure your toddler’s room is set up safely so they can sleep soundly. They are, after all, notorious explorers. So all that baby proofing you did may need to be kicked up a notch once you have an active toddler.

Does your toddler change their mind about foods at the drop of a hat? One day they love peas and carrots and the next they’re looking at them with utter disgust? Welcome to toddlerhood and the joys of trying to get your little one to eat!

Feeding a toddler can feel – like many things at this age – overwhelming or frustrating.

Assuming your toddler doesn’t have any known allergies, they can eat from all the basic food groups. If your family has a history of food allergies, talk to your child’s pediatrician about how to start introducing foods to your toddler.(1)

A diagnosis of social anxiety with selective mutism (SM) can be hard to navigate.

Especially if you’re an extrovert or you just enjoy social interactions, it can be hard to put yourself in the shoes of a child that feels intense anxiety in those same circumstances. Or your child may not be able to articulate their feelings and tell you exactly what’s wrong when you go out in public.

This article will not only give you a better idea of how to spot this disorder but also the best methods for treating it.

Let’s dive into it.

How fast children grow! Your child is already almost three years old. You may be wondering where the time goes.

At this stage, you probably can’t get your toddler to stop asking questions and asserting his independence! And with good reason. There are many things your toddler can do by himself at this age and the wide world fascinates him.

Watch in amazement as your toddler tackles so many tasks all on his own! He can ride a tricycle, put on his shoes, brush his teeth and say his name.

You’ve done such a great job helping him grow. And the learning will only continue. The world delights and surprises him at every turn.

Let’s see what else you can expect from your 31- to 36-month-old and how you can encourage his healthy development.

Have you ever wondered about the funny things toddlers do?

Maybe you’ve chuckled because your toddler carries rocks around in her purse or insists on playing with a potato instead of other children.

What looks like plain old silliness to you is actually the exploration of play schemas!

Play is how your child learns.(1) And it’s so important for healthy brain development that it’s actually been recognized as a basic human right all children should have access to by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.(2)

That’s right – play has been deemed a right that all children should have access to in addition to rest, leisure, and love.(2)

Suicidal thoughts and ideation are always serious problems. If you or your child are struggling with suicide, reach out for help right away by calling a suicide hotline or reaching out to a mental health provider.

Suicide is a tough topic. It’s even tougher when we’re talking about suicide in childhood.

However, it’s an important one to understand because prevention means that precious, young lives are saved.

So, what are the signs of suicidal thoughts or behaviors in children? How can you help a child who is thinking about suicide? Let’s dig into it.

If you’re the parent of a toddler, chances are you’ve seen your fair share of temper tantrums, dealt with hitting or biting, or gotten into power struggles with your child.

While the toddler years are a wonderful time of exploration and development, they also can be trying on parents or caregivers.

One minute your child is being oh-so-sweet and angelic and the next they’re throwing a fit in the middle of the frozen food aisle.

Let’s tackle 5 tricky (but common) toddler behaviors and gain insight into why they occur.

A new backpack, a different classroom, and an excited little learner–the new school year brings many changes and excitement for most children.

For other children, however, it can be a source of anxiety. Maybe they enjoyed the previous year but feel scared of the unknown of the new year. Or maybe your family has moved and they know they will have to make new friends.

Whatever the reason for the anxiety is, there are ways that you can help your child. Even if the anxiety is just normal, first day jitters, a little preparation can go a long way.

Toddlers have a reputation for being stubborn, independent, defiant and frustrating—in addition to being to being painfully cute, of course. And for good reason! At this age, your child is going through tremendous cognitive growth. They’re realizing they’re an individual who can make an impact on their environment—and all that curiosity can lead to magical discoveries. (As well as a little mischief!)

Your 25-month-old will start to play pretend, stand on their tiptoes, blow you a kiss, and find new ways to surprise you each and every day!

Most of us reflect fondly on some of the friends that we had in our childhood. Whether it was a friend that lived just down the block that we biked to see every day or a friend we made at summer camp and have kept in touch with ever since. Friendships can be one of the sweetest parts of childhood.

Today, however, we are seeing more and more children struggle to establish and maintain healthy friendships. The pandemic and lockdowns drastically changed children’s social lives. For months on end, most children only interacted with their siblings or even no children at all.

Now, as many children have transitioned back to in-person learning and full daycare and preschool, they may have social skills to catch up on.

So, how do we help bridge this gap? Let’s dig into it.

If you have a toddler, you’ve witnessed firsthand how incredibly active they are and how fast they learn! So many amazing milestones are reached during the toddler years — from walking to talking to using their fingers to eat.

Toddlers can be larger than life. With their big feelings, bigger tantrums, and daily skill acquisition — you may be marveling at all the new things they’re learning and doing.

Every day is different with a toddler. And it’s in part because their brains are so incredibly malleable and developing at a wildly rapid pace.

So what’s going on inside that genius little mind of theirs?

Most of us really enjoy being at home. It's a place with all our favorite things. It contains familiar faces and special memories. It houses our family members and pets that we love. It’s a safe and comfortable place to be.

This love of familiarity is often felt by our children as well. They like having their own space, a reprieve from an often demanding outside world.

Sometimes, however, it's more than that. What if your child never wants to leave? What if leaving their home or safe space causes them to spiral out of control, having panic attacks or uncontrollable irrational fears? It may seem like something more than average anxiety. It may be panic disorder with agoraphobia.(1)

Your baby is more than a year and a half old now, and boy does she have a lot to say! As your toddler’s vocabulary continues to grow, so does her confidence. You may find her testing limits, exerting her independence, and strutting her stuff everywhere she goes!

Between 19 and 24 months, you’ll notice your child is going through so many amazing changes. The chubby baby you know and love is growing up so fast! She’s gaining muscle, a more defined jawline, and getting both taller and leaner.

As she’s mastering skills like walking, running and climbing stairs, her personality is also developing. Soon it will become more obvious if you have a daredevil or more careful child on your hands. One thing’s for sure–your toddler will keep you on your toes as she engages in pretend play, feels big emotions, and continues exploring the wide world.

Feeding your baby can seem incredibly complicated. There are so many breastfeeding and formula feeding charts out there. For something so basic to sustain life — it can seem impossible to keep track of it all!

Know that the first few weeks at home with your baby will likely be a tired haze. But over time, you’ll learn how to tell when your infant needs to eat, sleep, be changed or cuddled. You’ll learn your baby’s cues and settle into a routine together.

How Do I Know When my Baby Is Hungry?

Contrary to what you may think, crying is actually a late sign of hunger.(1) Other signs, such as licking their lips, sticking their tongue out, rooting, opening their mouth, sucking, putting their hand to their mouth repeatedly, or being fussy will show up first.(2)

So those cute movements your infant is making? Pay close attention to them! They may actually be your baby trying to say — feed me!

Days full of adventures may be the best part of summer. Whether you’re basking in the sun or hiding from the weather indoors, there is so much fun to be had. Some of us get to spend extra time with our children, maybe even take them on outings to the zoo or park.

In all the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to push bedtime back by just one hour today and maybe 45 minutes tomorrow.

While all the time spent exploring, learning, and enjoying each other’s’ company is a wonderful part of summer, sticking to a sleep schedule is also important. Our children’s bodies and brains thrive on adequate sleep. High-quality sleep habits are as essential a need as food or water.

Let’s dive into the benefits of children getting consistent, quality sleep.

If you’re a first-time parent, you may not know a lot about infants’ sleep needs. In fact, the only thing you may know about sleep is you won’t be getting a lot of it.

If you have questions like…

• Can newborns sleep too much?

• Should I keep my newborn awake during the day?

• Is swaddling safe?

• When do I stop swaddling?

• How do I sleep train my baby?

Then this blog is for you!