Shop
 Explore 

child development

Family

Here are 5 things a child therapist says he doesn't do while playing with his kids

Parents often do one of these things to try to make play educational, and it may surprise you.

Good Morning America|YouTube

Five things a child therapist doesn't do while playing with his kids

Being a parent is both oddly unique and similar for all who embark on that life journey. You're in a state of constant worry that you're messing up in one way or another, while simultaneously knowing that you're doing your best to raise good humans. Not everyone can be an expert in child development, and that doesn't mean they're doing anything wrong.

But when you've got the inside scoop from someone who does have a deep understanding of child development, you pay attention. A child therapist has shared a list of things that he never does while playing with his children. Even if you have this insider knowledge, a refresher like this one can be helpful.

Joshua Terhune is a child therapist and father of two who keeps his list of "don'ts" in mind when engaging in child-led play with his children. Here are five things he says he avoids while playing:

Keep ReadingShow less

parenting

Family

There's a much better way to talk to babies than baby talk

images.pexels.com

It turns out, a lot gets lost in translation when you talk to a baby in baby talk. A new study from the University of Washington found that babies who are spoken "parentese" have better language development than babies who are spoken to in "baby talk." The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Baby talk tends to consist of simplified grammar and exaggerated sounds. "What people think of as baby talk is a combination of silly sounds and words, sometimes with incorrect grammar," Naja Ferjan Ramirez an assistant professor at the department of linguistics at the University of Washington told CNN, "like 'Oooh, your shozie wozies on your widdle feets."

Keep ReadingShow less

babies

child development

He exemplified patient parenting when his daughter started having a meltdown at the store.

Young kids don't always pick the best times to have emotional meltdowns.

Parents often do one of these things to try to make play educational, and it may surprise you.

1. Asking questions while playing with his kids

2. Commanding or demanding a behavior change

3. Criticizing or judging their play

4. Using sarcasm or mockery

5. Allowing distractions to enter play

Kids' emotional reactions shouldn't be used as viral fodder.

Could regular playtime be setting kids up for a better life?

Here are 21 reasons you should encourage the kids in your life to play more all year long.

1. Kids aren't made to sit still. They're made to play.

2. Playing helps kids stay active, and active kids do better in school.

3. They’re also more well-adjusted overall.

4. And play can give them a major mood boost.

5. Play encourages healthy brain development, especially in younger kids.

6. And that emotional strength pays off down the line.

7. Meanwhile, not playing could actually shorten kids’ lives.

8. The sitting epidemic is very real, especially in our country.

9. But American kids aren’t the only ones who are affected by inactivity.

10. And kids get a little less active every year.

11. That said, kids who start out active tend to stay active.

12. Child-driven play is also where kids learn skills they'll need as adults.

13. Boys are twice as active as girls.

14. But when girls do stay active, it makes a huge difference.

15. Plus, active girls tend to become successful women.

16. That’s why it’s so important for them to have motivators they can look up to.

17. Regardless of gender, though, when it comes to test scores, active kids set the curve.

18. Regular activity also gives your kid a better chance at a more successful career.

19. What’s more, play is a great way for parents and kids to bond.

20. But if parents get in the way of kid play too much, it can offset its benefits.

21. Play is so important that it is recognized by the United Nations as a fundamental human right.

RELATED: There's a scientific (and adorable) reason why babies hiccup, according to a new study

RELATED: Here are the ways your body changes when you're pregnant that nobody talks about

Serena Williams always keeps it real about being a mom.

In July, Williams got real once again, sharing one of the tough realities of being a parent.

Missing those big moments is something a lot of parents experience — and many chimed in with words of support.

Williams is at the top of her game. That's why sharing her struggles has such an impact.