Steps 2 Grow - JOURNAL

Let Your Kiddo Go Naked! The Benefits Of Diaper-Free Time

6/10/2021

It's a given that most babies wear diapers in western culture. But diapers may be trapping more than your baby's waste! Diapers are bulky and that bag of warm pee holds a baby’s hips wider than natural positioning. This can impact a baby’s mobility as they are learning to roll, crawl, and walk. Both disposable and cloth diapers have been scientifically shown to negatively affect an infant’s walking patterns. Read on to learn more...

How to make messy play and little less.... messy.

4/15/2021

Do you cringe at the thought of sensory bins and rice potentially going everywhere? Do finger (or toe!) paints cause immediate anxiety? I know so many moms who feel complete overwhelm by the thought of messy sensory play and the amount of prep work and cleanup that results. The solution is often avoiding it. But messy sensory play is so important for a child’s development! And there ARE ways to make it less messy and more tolerable for you, while still maintaining the awesome developments benefits it provides your kids.

Tantrum or Sensory Meltdown: Which one is it?

3/31/2021

Sensory meltdowns are often mistaken for tantrums, and for good reason! They look incredibly similar. But they are very different and it is important for us to know which one we are dealing with, so that we can identify our kids' needs and respond appropriately. Read on to learn how to identify whether it is a tantrum or sensory meltdown, triggers of sensory meltdowns, and what to do to help your child manage sensory stimuli and prevent meltdowns from happening.

How to boost your child's development during your daily "have-to's"

2/16/2021

One of the most relieving messages I give parents is that many of the motor skills we want our kids to develop are built into normal everyday activities. In other words, we can enrich the most mundane moments of the day with brain boosting elements that will further support your baby’s development of body awareness, motor planning, and motor skills. Without having to think about it too much! Here's how...

Retained Primitive Reflexes: Could they be impacting your child's development?

1/10/2021

You know those special moments when your baby wraps their teeny fingers around your thumb? Or the cute fencing position your baby gets into when they turn their head to the side? Those are 2 of the many primitive reflexes (palmar and asymmetric tonic neck reflex) your baby is born with. These reflexes typically disappear on their own, but sometimes they don't, and development can get hung up.

How To Help Your Baby Learn To Crawl

8/1/2020

Crawling seems to be one of the milestones that creates the most questions and concerns among parents. So, let's dive into it a little bit! When and how crawling develops, the experiences and skills your baby needs to master first, and what you can do to support the natural progression of crawling skills.

6 Developmentally Beneficial Things You Want On Your Baby Registry

8/1/2020

Gosh, how do you choose what to put on your baby registry when there are so many options out there!? And so many great marketing teams convincing you that you need lots of gadgets for your baby! Well, here are 7 things you will definitely want handy when baby arrives, all of which offer developmental benefits and great learning opportunities for your new nine pound nugget.

5 Things You Don't Need On Your Baby Registry

7/24/2020

It is so hard to know what you need in preparation for baby, what gear is the most beneficial for baby, and, on the other hand, what is just a really well marketed product? Especially if this is baby #1. There is a huge industry that takes advantage of new moms and moms-to-be wondering these things. But not you! Not this time! Because I am about to share with you 5 products you will now think twice about putting on your wish-list.

20 Simple And Fun Core Strengthening Activities For Toddlers And Preschoolers

7/13/2020

Have you ever heard the term postural stability? It is a fancy developmental term that isn't really talked about, until it becomes a problem. Postural stability is a child's ability to maintain an erect upright posture without fatiguing, which requires core strength! And having adequate core strength and postural stability is crucial for development to stay on track. Let's chat why core strength is important, signs your child may have poor postural stability, and activities you can do to boost stamina and strength.

W-Sitting: Why It Happens And What To Do

7/11/2020

You've seen the position, right? A child sitting with their heels on the outside of their bottom. The position makes hurt just looking at it! But let's chat about it, because many parents wonder if this is an "okay" position for their child to be in. To be perfectly honest, doctors and pediatric healthcare professionals debate on how bad, or not so bad, W-sitting is for a child's anatomy and development. As a pediatric occupational therapist who specializes in teaching children how to use their bodies better, here is my take...