Physical play is the first type of play to emerge but also the least researched and most neglected by educators. However this is rapidly changing as educators realize just how vital it is from many points of view. Inbuilt psychological drives mean that children want to be able to do things for themselves and physical play leads to children becoming adept at using their bodies. Being motivated to succeed at tasks is an important factor in effective...

How can we tell if a child is developing normally in its first two years? Learn some of the basic developmental milestones in physical growth, personal and social skills, large and small motor skills and language acquisition. Discover when to seek professional help to assess development, especially for potential problems in hearing and vision. Understand that speech is the most variable area of development. Learn to recognise key motor skill developments....

Guiding behaviour in early childhood (a positive plan for discipline & caregiving) - Despite their best moments, toddlers and preschoolers often behave in ways that frustrate their parents and caregivers, and even endanger their own safety. They are not intentionally being bad but how can we guide them in a positive way? Learn why misbehaviour occurs, common reactions by caregivers, ways to stop it, and how to create and enforce a plan to bring about...

Friendship plays such an important role for children that an inability to socialize can lead to all sorts of problems. Learning to get on with others starts early and an essential part of this process involves learning to deal with conflicts. Clashes are very frequent for the under 5's and adults often find fighting children hard to cope with, moving in and breaking up conflicts so denying children the essential experience of learning to deal with...

See preschoolers engaged in activities that exemplify the extraordinary physical advancements that children make at this age. Learn about the physical characteristics of preschoolers, how gross and fine motor skills are developed, and what the typical physical milestones are. See the natural activities children are drawn to which help their physical development and get strategies to encourage these activities. Also learn about nutrition and sleep,...

Each time the doorbell rings, there are more people who have come to share Ma's wonderful cookies.

Observe how preschoolers begin to use language, mental imagery and symbolic thinking; think of past and future events; and think about their own thinking. See preschoolers as they start to clearly express themselves and grasp sophisticated mental activities, including emotion, motivation, intention and memory. Learn how neural bridges grow and strengthen a child's intellect, widely studied development theories of cognitive development and how to encourage...

"So much changes in the third year of life! This charming read-aloud-the final in the You Are series-touches on the remarkable milestones in a baby's third year, giving a whimsical and imaginative look at the many discoveries and achievements toddlers experience. From playing make-believe to their saying their ABCs to chatting up a storm, You Are Three takes the reader on a delightful journey of exploration."--

"In The Spiritual Child, psychologist Lisa Miller presents the next big idea in psychology: the science and the power of spirituality. She explains the clear, scientific link between spirituality and health and shows that children who have a positive, active relationship to spirituality: * are 40% less likely to use and abuse substances * are 60% less likely to be depressed as teenagers * are 80% less likely to have dangerous or unprotected sex...