The Problem With How We Talk About Developmental Milestones and Child Development Right now, most doctors and parents think about child development in just two ways: Typical - Your child is fine Delayed - Your child needs help This sounds simple. But it leaves out a lot of kids who don't fit neatly into these two boxes. Baby at their Well Child visit. Developmental Milestone Interpretation: What Happens When We Only Have Two Choices When you ask your care team, "How are the

It's happened again. Another child with significant developmental concerns getting referred less than six months before their third birthday for "language delay." But here's what the intake paperwork doesn't capture: this child also refuses any solid nutrition. The parents, already overwhelmed by managing this child's needs alongside their other children's needs, have resigned themselves to continuing supplemental liquid nutrition for the foreseeable future. They're exhausted

When do babies start talking? Learn the speech development timeline from 0-24 months, what's normal vs. delayed, and when to seek help from a pediatric speech therapist.

Does your toddler melt down during transitions? Learn a simple First-Then language strategy from pediatric therapists that reduces tantrums and builds vocabulary.

Have you noticed your child seems to understand more language than they use, and that leaving places or changing activities triggers bigger reactions than you’d like? If so, you’re not alone. Many children who find it challenging to understand or use words also struggle with moving from one part of the day to the next. At NewDay Child Coaching, we believe in simple, everyday strategies that support both language growth and smoother transitions. In this post, we’ll walk you

How the Classic Game Supports Object Permanence, Taking Turns & Social Sound Play for Your Newly-Sitting Baby When Do Babies Start Sitting Up? Most babies start sitting up with support around 6 months and sit independently by 9 months, according to the CDC. When your baby sits up, they gain a whole new perspective on the world—and peek-a-boo becomes the perfect way to celebrate this milestone while building important developmental skills. When your baby starts sitting up , th

Our goal was to build an activity that keeps motivation high while helping a child strengthen motor skills, practice communication, and connect socially with their family.

Positive Parenting Strategies If you’ve ever told your toddler “Don’t touch that” only to watch them… touch it again? Rest assured, you’re not alone. For many young children, especially under age 3, auditory memory is short. They often remember the last few words you say. So “don’t touch that” can actually sound like “touch that” in their mind. The result? Confused looks, repeated touching, and frustration for everyone.

When “Easy” Kids Are Actually Shutting Down In the world of parenting—and even in schools and therapy—there’s an old saying: “The squeaky wheel gets the oil.” It’s true. The child whose needs are big and loud is impossible to ignore. The one who melts down at drop-off, screams at bedtime, or explodes when things don’t go their way...these kids keep us busy, worried, and looking for solutions. But what about the child who doesn’t squeak? The one who goes with the flow, never

Any way a person shares a thought, feeling, want, need, or idea with another human is real communication. Signs. Gestures. Speech-generating devices. Pictures. Pointing. Vocalizations. Eye gaze. All of these open the door between one mind and another—and that is what communication is all about.

Attention Picture this: you’ve just plopped down in your favorite comfy chair, sipping a hot cup of coffee. In the near distance, you watch your five-year-old and toddler playing dolls together. You smile to yourself and think— Yay! This day is finally here! My kids can happily play together. Mom sits down to relax with a hot cup of coffee...until... You take another sip of coffee and feel that rare moment of calm… until you see your toddler lean back, raise her open palm, an

Stress is energy. And when you’re holding a lot of it—rushing through your morning, skipping your own breakfast, tense about that email you forgot to send—it doesn’t just stay inside you. It bounces. It lands on your toddler, who may not know what hit them. Suddenly they’re melting down over the color of a spoon, and you’re both at your limit before 9 a.m.

Consent Starts in Childhood Have you ever tried to pet a cat and gotten swatted away? Most cats are experts in body autonomy. They give you clear signals about when they're open to connection—and when they’d prefer to be left alone. What if we applied the same respect to our children, even when they’re still babies?

Behaviors as Clues It’s time to don your investigator’s hat! 🕵️‍♂️🕵️‍♀️ When your child melts down over the “wrong” cup, or you snap at your partner after a long day—what’s really going on? Here’s a clue: these moments aren’t just about cups or conversations. They’re your nervous system’s way of saying “I’m not okay right now.” And the detective we need to consult is nestled deep in the brain: the amygdala.

Instead of asking “How do I stop this?”, a more supportive question might be:“What is this telling me about how this person is experiencing their world?” Stimming isn’t “bad” or “wrong.” It’s a communication tool. It may be a way for an Autistic person to express joy, excitement, or focus. Other times, it’s a way to self-soothe, regulate, or gain a sense of control when the world feels overwhelming. Additionally, it may just feel good!

Our kids are always watching us. Feeling us. Mirroring us. If we come at them with tension, they tense up too. If we come at them with playfulness, they’re more likely to join in. This isn’t about being a 24/7 entertainer. It’s about shifting the energy. Finding the silly. Leading with fun. Leading with joy.

The Strong-Willed Child: How to Help Them (and Your Family) Be Happy Again: Picture this: Your sweet baby has grown into a curious, confident toddler—and seemingly overnight, your once-peaceful home is now filled with power struggles. Breakfast turns into a battle. Getting dressed takes 45 minutes (with tears—maybe yours too). And everything from which cup to use to whether socks (or pants) are even necessary is up for passionate debate.

If you're looking to intrinsically motivate your toddler, don't use a bait and switch strategy!

Sick, Hungry or Tired? Don’t Mess with Tex! As Sophia Petrillo says, "Picture this": You’re in a foreign country on vacation. You don’t...

Getting hit with a ball, or other object, can hurt! Ouch! But, it's a part of a toddler's development...so, what can you do? Read on!