When it comes to screen time, it's all about "right-sizing," says Dr. Patrice Harris, a child psychiatrist who is a former president of the American Medical Association. That means making sure your child has time free of any technology to do such thi …
Are your young children fighting, hitting and/or biting each other? What can you do to stop it? First, you need to start focusing on times when they are getting along, says Matt Sanders, founder of Triple P (Positive Parenting Program). You should m …
Do you know your teen's user names and passwords on social media? If the answer is "No," you aren't really in charge, says Dr. Robert Simmons, CEO of the See Forever Foundation. To hear Dr. Simmons discuss what to do if you feel your child is spendi …
When you are touring a child care center, the first thing you should look for is how teachers are interacting with children, says Monica Walley, Professional Development Project Director at the Institute of Excellence in Early Care and Education at P …
Physical touch when it comes to your newborn is so important. It has a calming and regulating effect on your baby, says Dr. Neil Boris, an infant/toddler developmental specialist. Want to hear more from Dr. Boris and other local and national experts …
A smartphone can put the entire world in a child's hands -- the good and the bad. If you want your child to have a phone so you can call them, consider buying a flip phone, says Dwayne Bryant, president of Inner Vison International. You are able to s …
How should you discipline your child? Parents ask that question all the time. Here are six quick tips: 1. Don't confuse discipline with punishment. Discipline guides children. Punishment hurts them. Consequences teach them. The consequence also has …
How do you get your child to try new foods? Getting children to eat healthy foods can be frustrating. Kristen Curley, an instructional designer at Palm Beach State College's Institute of Excellence in Early Care and Education, recommends making new f …
Families need to schedule times when they go "screen free"--putting down the smartphones and tablets and shutting off computers. How do you do it? Hear from a couple of the experts featured in the "Ask an Expert" series created by Children's Services …
All children should know that if they see someone having problems in the water, they need to- reach, throw, don't go. Reach out to them with something they can grab and lay down to make sure you don't fall into the water. Or throw them something tha …
You are exhausted and your baby won't stop crying. Should you let your baby "cry it out" in their crib until they fall asleep? Experts say it is not recommended to leave your young child to cry themselves to sleep. While it might sometimes work, it …
Here are some quick tips on the documents you need when you are enrolling your 4-year-old in Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK). VPK is a free, educational program open to all 4-year-olds that's offered at almost 400 locations throughout Palm Beach Coun …
Is there a way that I could tell if my child has Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? The disorder can take on two different types, says Dr. Patrice Harris, a child psychiatrist and past president of the American Medical Association. The …
So if you have a baby on the way, how can you get your older child ready for the big change for your family? First, recognize that you might prepare a 5-year-old differently than a 2-year-old for a baby's arrival, says Dr. Neil Boris, who specialize …
Let's face it--when your child has a fit in public, it's probably not the first time it's happened. They probably have been having meltdowns at home, says Matt Sanders, the founder of Triple P (the Positive Parenting Program). First, do you have a r …
It's easy to hand your toddler a smartphone to keep them quiet during a meal out at a restaurant. It's a quick solution, but it could have negative long-term effects on your toddler. Children under the age of 2 should not interact technology such as …
Does your child struggle with preschool drop-off? Kristen Curley, an instructional designer at Palm Beach State College's Institute of Excellence in Early Care and Education, says this is a common challenge for parents. You can help your child by ass …
Should my preschooler be on a smartphone or tablet? Maybe five to 10 minutes for educational purposes, but otherwise, preschoolers shouldn't be on screens, says Monica Walley, Professional Development Project Director at the Institute of Excellence i …
Got a fussy baby? Get some quick tips from Holly Mandich, a registered nurse clinical manager at Wellington Regional Medical Center. Have you checked your baby's diaper? If the diaper isn't dirty, pick up your baby to console him/her. Still not work …
Finding quality time with your child can be hard, especially for working parents. But did you know that as little as five minutes of uninterrupted play can reduce power struggles by up to 50 percent? Listen to Kristen Curley, an instructional designe …
If you are watching television and your children are on their smartphones, you have lost an opportunity to bond, says Dr. Xavier Amador, a psychologist and founder of the LEAP Foundation. Hear more from Dr. Amador about how technology can affect you …
What if your young child is constantly grabbing things from other children? Learning to ask for their turn is a vital social skill for toddlers. Kristen Curley, an instructional designer at Palm Beach State College's Institute of Excellence in Early …
Are your young children fighting all the time? There are some simple ways to address it. First, start focusing when they are getting along- taking turns, sharing toys, says Professor Matt Sanders, the founder of Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) …
How can you get a three-year-old to listen to you? First, take the word "get" out of your question, says Kristen Curley with the Institute of Excellence in Child Care and Education at Palm Beach State College. The word "get" implies you have control …
Is your kindergartener a picky eater? Does your child cry when you drop them off at school? Raising a kindergartener can be tough, but you are dealing with the same problems that many other parents must confront. The key to dealing with behavior iss …
Do you feel your teen is spending too much time on social media? It's important to establish time limits on social media during the week and on weekends, says Professor Matt Sanders, the founder of Triple P (Positive Parenting Program). And once you …
Does your child stress out over taking tests? First, if it's a regular occurrence or causing stress in the family, parents shouldn't be afraid to ask for help from a trained mental health professional, says Dr. Patrice Harris, former president of th …
When is a child too young to be touching a smartphone or tablet? Should preschoolers be on devices? When should a parent consider buying a smartphone for their child? All of these are common questions from parents. Hear some quick tips from experts …
Buddy the Seahorse wants you to be water safe and water smart. When it comes to pools that means: * Having a self-latching, self-closing gate. A properly working physical barrier around, on or in the pool itself is essential. * Installing alarms on …
One of the biggest struggles a lot of parents face is how much time their children should be allowed on screens--whether it's smartphones, tablets, computers or gaming systems. Get some quick tips on keeping screen time under control from local and n …
How much time should I allow my child on devices such as smartphones, tablets, computers and gaming systems? That's the question a lot of parents are asking during the pandemic as their children spend more time than ever on screens. Rather than be r …
Ever have your child throw a temper tantrum in a public place? Did you feel all eyes were on you -- judging you? Remember that your child is not doing it to you, they're doing it in front of you, said Kristen Curley with the Institute of Excellence …
The teenage years are transitional years and sometimes they can be rough--for both you and your child. How do you help them navigate puberty and the world around them? Here are five quick tips. Tip 1: Always be willing to listen and make sure yourse …
It's an amazing moment when your baby first smiles at you. But is your newborn actually smiling? While a baby might appear to be smiling within a couple of weeks after birth, this is merely the child's facial movements being misinterpreted, says ped …
To help encourage your elementary school student to get excited about reading, you should: * Design a reading spot for them- a quiet, comfortable place they can call their own while they enjoy a good book. * Encourage them to read for at least 15 mi …
When looking for a child care center for your child, what questions should you be asking? Monica Walley, Professional Development Project Director at the Institute of Excellence in Early Care and Education at Palm Beach State College, recommends firs …
Autism is a developmental disorder that impacts areas of the brain that are responsible for social interaction, communication skills, and cognitive function. Signs that a child may have autism generally appear before the child turns 3 years old. The …
How can you get your child to open up about what's going on in school? Professor Matt Sanders, the founder of the Triple P (Positive Parenting Program), says that timing is everything. One of the best ways to engage a child in conversation is to crea …
It's tough for parents to decide when to seek counseling for their teen. The best thing parents can do is to follow their gut and look for patterns to understand behavior, according to Dr. Robert Simmons, CEO of the See Forever Foundation, For more …
Temper tantrums, hitting and biting--raising a preschooler can be a struggle sometimes. Rather than reacting to your child's poor behavior, you need to develop consistent strategies to stop it from happening, according to the parenting experts who …
When kids play in water, you need a water watcher! A water watcher is a responsible adult assigned to keep an eye on the kids while they are in the pool. Don't assume that because adults are around the pool that anyone has eyes on what's going on in …
Mean texts. Gossip. Rumors. With so much access to technology, teens are at more risk than ever of being cyberbullied. What can a parent do about it? Dr. Patrice Harris, former president of the American Medical Association, says that parents need to …
Put down the smartphones. Turn off the Xbox. See what happens. Parents worry about what to do once screens are turned off, says Professor Matt Sanders, founder of Triple P (Positive Parenting Program). Your kids may surprise once they are given the …
If your child is spending too much time on social media--or any screens--you can't be afraid to act. That means setting limits and even unplugging them in some cases, says local and national advocates interviewed as part of the "Ask an Expert" series …
Do you know what the colors of beach flags mean? Let Buddy the Seahorse and his friends teach you what to do when you see a purple flag, a red flag, a yellow flag, a green flag or a red flag with a swimmer crossed out. This water safety tip is brou …
Time out"" doesn't work, says Kristen Curley, an instructional designer at Palm Beach State College's Institute of Excellence in Early Care and Education. When you put a child in ""time out,"" you are isolating them and you are not helping guide thei …
As your child grows, you need to adapt your reading strategies based on your child's age. So what does that mean? When you first start reading to your baby, focus on the pictures. Help them understand that the pictures help tell the story, according …
A common mistake that parents make when it comes to social media is allowing their children too much access. Parents need to know how to track their child's online activities, says Dwayne Bryant, president on Inner Vision International. There are ap …
