Summertime Family Physical Activity
For many families, summertime is period when children are at home more, and parents may be looking for additional ways to keep their children active. There are many activities you can do to get moving as a family, such as outdoor play and experiences, or find ways to be active safely inside. Family Fun Outdoor …
Coming this Summer! Adolescent Mental Health: Parenting to Wellness
Adolescent Mental Health: Parenting to Wellness is a supplemental parent-education module and is part of the Thrive Initiative. Like all Thrive supplemental modules, Adolescent Mental Health: Parenting to Wellness is designed to serve as a complementary learning opportunity for parents and caregivers who have previously completed a universal parent-education program (i.e., Take Root, Sprout, Grow, …
Providing Support to your Child Before, During, and After a Move
In the United States, peak moving season typically occurs during the summer months when many families take advantage of warmer weather and the break between school years. Children who are faced with an impending move may experience a range of emotions – sadness, anger, excitement. If a move is in your family’s future, there are …
The Division of Responsibility in Feeding
What is the Division of Responsibility in Feeding? The Division of Responsibility model, created by Ellyn Satter, is a feeding method that is used to encourage children to trust and use their natural hunger cues and instincts when eating (Ellyn Satter Institute, 2015). This approach gives responsibilities to the parent and the child: parents decide …
Research Breakthrough for SIDS
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a common form of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) that occurs in infants who are less than 1 year old and usually during sleep or within a baby’s sleep area (CDC, 2021). In the United States, approximately 3,400 infants die from a SUID every year, and more than 1,000 …
Working on Socialization with your Child
Online learning, social distancing, and drastic changes in how families socialize outside of the home have decreased the number of opportunities children have to learn social skills. When children socialize with peers, they learn important skills they will use throughout their lives, like understanding expectations, sharing, or showing compassion to others around them. Below are …
Dietary Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers
Did you know the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) update the dietary guidelines for Americans every 5 years? These updates are based on new research conducted by an independent committee that strives to provide transparency and include public input when possible. The committee doesn’t just look …
Using Assertive Communication
People use different methods to communicate their perspectives and thoughts to others. Some styles of communicating are more effective than other styles, and how successful the communication is can depend on the style of communication used. There are three communication styles: passive, aggressive, and assertive. Each style assumes different levels of respect for the person …