July 2009
1 post
Play Ball! What Kids in Sports Want from Their...
By Cynthia A. Frosch, PhD
I attended the Society for Research in Child Development conference this year in Denver, Colorado. Over 6500 attended the event and learned about the latest research on children’s development. As I walked around the exhibit hall, a certain poster caught my eye. The poster, presented by Dr. Jens Omli of the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota,...
June 2009
1 post
Get Ready to Play!
by Cynthia A. Frosch, PhD
My son learned a new game this week. It’s called “Mr. Fox.” Someone plays the role of Mr. Fox— standing at the front of the room while a group of excited children calls out “What time is it, Mr. Fox?” If Mr. Fox answers “2:00,” then the children take two steps closer to him. 4:00 – they take 4 steps closer and so on. At some point, the children ask “What time is...
May 2009
1 post
Television, Videos, and Babies
By Cynthia A. Frosch, PhD
For many parents of young children, television is a big part of daily life. Whether it is PBS, The Disney Channel, or assorted DVDs such as Brainy BabyTM, Baby EinsteinTM, or Clifford, babies are receiving airtime. What is interesting here is that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends NO television for children under 2. But the research on babies and TV...
March 2009
1 post
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Guarding the Baby: How Mothers Influence Fathers’...
By Cynthia A. Frosch, Ph.D.
The idea of maternal gatekeeping is not exactly new. Historically mothers have been the primary caregivers for their children. But times have changed, as have family roles. Many mothers say they want their partners to be actively involved in childrearing. But is this really true? Does a mother’s behavior actively support the father’s involvement? And if so,...
February 2009
1 post
Staying in Bounds
By Cynthia A. Frosch, Ph.D. Having recently watched the Super Bowl with my 5-year-old son, I was struck by what went on when a player went out of bounds. The play stopped, the order of the game ceased temporarily, and often the player was thrown out of his own territory into the territory of another. Family life is a lot like football—there are players (mother, father, children, or some...
January 2009
8 posts
12 Ways to Prevent Behavior Problems Before They...
By Cynthia A Frosch, Ph.D. 1. Don’t hit. Teach gentle hands by using gentle hands. 2. Recognize and respect that you child has his own unique perspective, needs, and desires 3. Find a way to say YES. Think carefully about your reasons for saying no. Control? Not wanting to deal? Think of the possibilities of saying yes to your child. Yes, you can wear socks that don’t match; yes, you can...
The READY Approach To Using Books In Everyday Life
By Cynthia A. Frosch, PhD
Most parents know the power of reading with their children. Yet, when given a book, many parents think they have to follow the words exactly and stick to the storyline.
But books are about more than just “reading” words! Books offer a window into the lives of others and can support children as they face a variety of issues and challenges. For example, a book about anger...
Get READY to Read
15 Easy Ways to Encourage Literacy By Cynthia A. Frosch, PhD 1. Cut giant alphabet letters out of poster board – the neon colors work especially well. Hide them around the house (or around your yard) and go on a letter search. The letters will fold or stack flat for storage. You can even have them laminated.
2. Make an alphabet train using bins or bags labeled with each letter of the...
A READY Look at Toddler Biting
By Cynthia A. Frosch, Ph.D. Several years ago, at the annual meeting of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC, November 2001), a variety of researchers and early childhood professionals gathered together to learn about topics ranging from quality child care to how to include fathers in children’s lives. One particularly hot topic was biting behavior in young children....
Promoting Smooth Transitions
By Cynthia A. Frosch, P.h.D Have you ever noticed how difficult it is for many young children to move (or transition) between activities or environments? For example, while on the playground, 4-year-old Maddie may be playful, content, and social. But when it’s time to change to something else (say to line up, go inside, or settle in for quiet time), she may become angry, frustrated, sad, or...
Tips for Promoting Smooth Transitions at Home and...
By Cynthia A. Frosch, Ph.D. 1. Offer a stable and predictable environment. When children feel like they know what happens in their day and when, transitions may be easier. For example, keeping evening activities consistent and routine (maybe with a bath, teeth brushing, and story) may help with the transition to bedtime. 2. Warning time is essential, and frequent reminders can be helpful....
Eight Steps To Building Secure Attachment...
A READY Approach for Parents and Childcare Providers By Cynthia A Frosch, Ph.D. 1. Talk about emotions. In The READY Method, we emphasize the importance of emotional communication—using words like happy, sad, mad, excited, etc. in everyday talk with children. Since attachments are emotional bonds, emotion talk can foster security and understanding between adults and children. 2. View...
What Factors Affect Children’s Relationships?
By Cynthia A. Frosch, Ph.D. There are a variety of factors that may affect the types of relationships young children form. For example, infants who have more difficult temperaments (intense, easily distressed) may have relationships with their caregivers that are marked by more crying and a need to stay closer by. Yet, according to researchers like Alan Sroufe and Sarah Mangelsdorf, infant...
Why Early Relationships Matter: An Overview of...
By Cynthia A. Frosch, Ph.D. When you think of how the word “attachment” is used in society, you may conjure up an image of two teenage sweethearts “attached at the hip.” You may envision Charles Schultz’s character Linus affectionately “attached” to his blanket. Or your neighbor who seems “attached” to his classic car. Despite these uses of the word attachment, when child development researchers...