Being a new parent can be both exciting and extremely nerve wracking at the same time. Truthfully there is no “right” way to do things and there isn’t going to be a miracle solution. If you are a new parent, hopefully a few words of encouragement can help put your mind at ease. 

The most important thing to remember is that there is no ideal or perfect parent. With that being said here are some encouraging words from real parents:

“Trust your instincts more than what others will tell you ‘is the right thing to do’”

“Saying ‘no’ isn’t easy. Being a parent doesn’t always mean that your kids are happy with you. Being your kids biggest fan is the most important part of the job! Choose your battles carefully, making sure it is really worth the fight.”

“Do not judge other parents (and their parenting styles) and their kids. You have no idea what goes on in their life. Also, make sure you keep your other identities in life- as wife, friend, employee, etc.”

If you want to read more quotes from real parents, or add your own advice, read here! https://community.today.com/parentingteam/post/words-of-wisdom-for-new-parents-from-real-parents

Kaitlyn Vitucci, UConn KIDS Research Assistant

The teen years can be difficult for both the parents and teenagers themselves. Teenagers naturally start to develop some sense of independence, and this can make parenting especially difficult. While teenagers start to explore new activities and find themselves they naturally start to pull away, however it’s still important to maintain a healthy parent-child relationship. With this in mind, there are a few ways to help!

One of the most important things is to validate their feelings. Rather than simply trying to give solutions or tell them whatever they’re upset about isn’t a big deal, just listen to them and give them an understanding ear. This makes it a lot easier for the teen themselves to confide in their parental figure. 

Parents typically set the rules and boundaries for their teens, and sometimes the teens don’t listen, regardless it’s important to explain your rules and why they’re set in place. This can give a sense of respect and understanding between the parent and child. 

It’s not uncommon for teens to have emotional outbursts, or anyone of any age, but it’s important for the parent to control their emotions in response. It might be easier for an adult to control their emotions and emotional responses, so it’s crucial to calm down before responding. If you find that you might need some more time to cool down, take a break and talk about the issue at hand at a better time. 

Hopefully some of these tips helped and if you’re interested in reading click here!

https://childmind.org/article/tips-communicating-with-teen/

Kaitlyn Vitucci, Research Assistant UConn KIDS

 

Emily Jackson is a doctoral candidate and research assistant in Dr. Bernard Grela’s Child Language Lab in the Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences department. She is an OSEP scholar in the Early Childhood Intervention Doctoral Consortium (ECiDC) and is interested in early childhood language development, parent perspectives and experiences, and IDEA Part C Early Intervention services. Emily is collecting data for her dissertation study titled, Cultural variation in parental ethnotheories on early childhood language development and disorders: Exploring Hispanic and non-Hispanic parents’ perspectives (BRANY IRB #23-281-910). The purpose of this research study is to improve speech language pathologists’ understanding of cultural variation in Hispanic and non-Hispanic, white parental beliefs and practices related to young children’s language development.

The is a one-time commitment of about 2 hours total. The study can be conducted in person or online based on participant’s preference. Parent volunteers will have their child’s language evaluated by a licensed speech language pathologist using a standardized language assessment (about 20-30 minutes). Parents will answer questions to assess the language skills of children under 36 months. Children 3-5 years old will be asked to participate in a language assessment by answering questions about pictures. Parents will then participate in an audio-recorded interview about their beliefs and practices related to their children’s language development (about 1 hour). The study will conclude with parents completing a series of online surveys (about 20 minutes).

 

Emily’s research has focused on culturally responsive practices in speech language pathology. Emily also works as an early intervention SLP conducting evaluations and providing home visiting services to parents of children under 3 years old who have developmental delays or disabilities. This clinical work has inspired her research as she aims to better understand cultural variation in parents’ experiences to shape recommendations for SLPs and related service providers.

 

In her free time, Emily enjoys playing ice hockey in the winter and going to the beach in the summer.

Jasleen Kaur, UConn KIDS Research Assistant

Discover the captivating journey of childhood development through the lens of play in this article. Learn about one of the founding fathers of child psychology, Jean Piaget and his thrilling research when it comes to infants and toddlers.  From Jean Piaget’s groundbreaking observations to modern research unveiling the innate cognitive abilities of infants, delve into the fascinating world of children’s minds.

 Explore how play shapes cognition, from understanding object permanence to fostering counterfactual reasoning skills crucial for future planning. Unlock the secrets behind the seemingly aimless activities of childhood and uncover their profound impact on learning and development. Prepare to be inspired by the transformative power of play in shaping the minds of tomorrow.

To read more about these fainting topics, click here.

 

Jasleen Kaur, UConn KIDS Research Assistant

Welcome back to Trivia Tuesday!

This weeks question is…True or false: Object permanence is a milestone in childhood development in which children understand that an object exists even when it’s not visible

A. True
B. False

Last weeks question was…”True or false: There are multiple types of development milestones children go through- some sensory development, ex. A sense of smell, begins in utero” The answer is true!

Tune in next week to find out the answer to this weeks question!

Most people have their one favorite stuffed animal from their childhood… some of us even still have them! Stuffed animals are known to bring people joy and are filled with fond memories from being a part of a play routine to even having it as a cuddle buddy! What does this do for child development?

In the article, The stuffed animal sleepover: enhancement of reading and the duration of the effect, dives into research examining the stuffed animal sleepover program. This program is designed to help children’s reading habits by having their stuffed animals move throughout a library at night. Library staff would take pictures of the children’s toys engaging in activities throughout the library to insight joy within the art of reading. The article investigates how effective this program is at promoting reading for young children and other benefits associated with it. By taking the strategies used in this program, you can do this at home with your little ones!

 

To read more, click here!

Mikayla Clemens

Research Assistant, UConn KIDS

 

Jasleen Kaur is a research assistant at UCONN Kids from Southington, Connecticut.  She is a sophomore Computer Science major at the University of Connecticut, with a minor in Engineering Management.  This is Jasleen’s first semester working as a research assistant with UConn KIDS, and is ecstatic to meet the UConn KIDS community and get involved.  

 

Jasleen cultivated her interest in working with kids through tutoring younger children, as well as babysitting. After graduation she plans on pursuing a career in Artificial Intelligence, as well as pursuing higher education in Machine Learning.  

 

In her free time, Jasleen loves to read, travel, and spend time with family.  She loves to play board games, cook with her siblings, as well as some photography.  Occasionally she likes to indulge in some sweet treats especially at the UConn Dairy Bar.

 

In exploring the intersection of parenting and technology, the speaker goes into depth about the complex landscape of modern family life, where digital technologies symbolize both hope and fear. With the vast increase in the use of social media and other digital medias, Sonia Livingstone, a social psychologist observes the differences and new approaches to parenting in the 21st century.  

Drawing from interviews with diverse families, they highlight the importance of parents anchoring their decisions in their core values while actively engaging with their children in navigating the digital world. Families who approach technology with confidence prioritize shared decision-making, listening to their children’s perspectives, and finding ways to incorporate digital activities that align with their beliefs and interests. The speaker advocates for society to support parents by dispelling fear-based narratives, fostering digital literacy in education, and providing ample positive digital content.

Ultimately, the message underscores the need for a collaborative approach to parenting in the digital age, where understanding, empowerment, and shared experiences can guide families toward navigating the complexities of the digital future with resilience and creativity. Are you ready to shape your family’s digital future?

 

Watch the full TEDTalk here.

 

Jasleen Kaur, UCONN KIDS

Although risky play can be a bit dangerous and be nerve wracking to watch, children not only love it but they seek it out. There are six categories of risky play, as defined in the article: great heights, rapid speeds, dangerous tools, dangerous elements, rough and tumble, and disappearing/getting lost. But the main question is: why do children desire to engage in such risky behavior?

From an evolutionary perspective, risky play is beneficial because one of the most significant functions is to regulate fear and anger. While engaging in risky behaviors, young children put themselves in positions of fear at manageable levels. This teaches them that they can manage their fear and overcome it. On top of this, children might experience anger but must overcome it in order to keep playing. 

Even though allowing your child to engage in risky play is worrying, it’s extremely beneficial and important that they do. Children are capable of knowing their own limits and not attempting something they don’t feel ready to do. All in all, the benefits of risky play far outweigh the potential risks.

To read more, click here!

Kaitlyn Vitucci
Research Assistant, UConn KIDS