Toddler Throwing Food? A Registered Dietitian's Tips

When my son was about a year old, feeding him was a chore. He seemed to survive on a diet of air and watermelon. To add insult to injury, I offered him all kinds of foods, and many of them would en...

Today's Kids are Losing Handwriting Skills: Does it Matter?

Children today are struggling with handwriting skills more than past generations. Kindergarten teachers have noticed the shift, reporting that incoming students find fine motor skills challenging. ...

How to Improve at Reading Comprehension: A Parent's Guide

The phrase "Kids today can't read" is a refrain often heard in recent education news.  Children are turning away from reading for pleasure, with only 14% of 13-year-olds reporting they read for fun...

Do Kids Today Have Kindergarten Skills? Teachers Weigh In

Recent reporting highlights concerning news that children today head to the kindergarten classroom without the essential skills they need to succeed. Some blame the recent COVID pandemic, while oth...

3 Phrases Montessori Teachers Use to Build a Growth Mindset

"I did it!" my student said with a satisfied grin after reading a word for the first time. Triumphs like this are an everyday occurrence for little ones. I could've responded with "Good job!" Inste...

5 Montessori Discipline Hacks to Try at Home

"But what are we having for dinner!?" my 4-year-old demanded. He was tired, hungry, and about to lose his cool. Taking a deep breath, I asked, "Do you want to help me? You can help chop some cucumb...

Your Baby's Physical Development: A Month by Month Chart

Your baby stands on wobbly legs, arms extended for balance. You squat a few steps away, arms wide open, your heart pounding, just waiting for them to take that first step. One of the greatest joys ...

Is My Child Ready for Kindergarten? A Teacher's Checklist

Entering kindergarten is an exciting milestone. Often considered the first year of "real" school, kindergarten marks the beginning of formal academics, navigating relationships with classmates, and...

How Much Screen Time is Too Much?

"Ok, time for supper!" you call cheerfully and ask your child to turn off the tablet. Your sweet child turns into a monster, screaming, yelling, and crying that they want more screen time. You sigh...

The Answer to “I’m Bored!” (Sometimes, Nothing Is Best)

Feeling bored is almost foreign to parents. We're busy with work, chores, and looking after our kids, with barely a moment for ourselves. For children, being bored is an important rite of passage. ...

A Pediatric Physical Therapist on W-Sitting Position

In recent years, w-sitting has been getting a lot of attention from worried parents on social media. While some experts say that w-sitting may create problems for children, others say it's no cause...

Why Kids Love Spinning in Circles

As a child, I remember spinning excessively until the room would spin. Now, as a mom, all I need to feel dizzy is watch my own three children spin around happily. Why do kids love spinning so much?...

What Is Free Range Parenting? (And Could it Cure Anxiety?)

"A child who thinks he can't do anything on his own eventually can't," wrote Lenore Skenazy in a polarizing 2008 New York Sun column. In the column, she wrote about letting her 9-year-old ride the ...

Teaching Your Child How to Wipe: Potty Training 2

So, you're making progress with potty training, and there's only one last skill to master: how to wipe. Many children still request help with wiping long after they go to the bathroom independently...

38 Screen Free Activities for Every Age and Stage

How do you say no to screen time when you're frazzled and trying to make it through the day? As tempting as it is to hand over your phone or turn on the TV, too much screen time isn't good. What ca...

Nature Deficit Disorder: Why Playing Outside is Essential for Your Child's Health

Could spending more time outdoors make your child happier and healthier? Journalist and author Richard Louv argues that people, especially children, need to spend less time indoors and more time in...

Why It’s Important for Parents to Say “No”

Many parents today want to offer their children a different childhood than the one they had. Instead of "Because I said so!" and traditional, discipline-heavy parenting, parents want to build an em...

Your Guide to Toddler Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a normal developmental milestone for babies and toddlers. I remember leaving my oldest crying at my mother-in-law's house, whom he loves, before heading off to work. Watching ...

I Struggle to Play with My Child; Am I a Bad Parent?

"Mama, play with me!" your little one insists, grabbing your hand. Meanwhile, dishes are stacked in the sink, you need to make dinner, and you're not feeling very playful. Immediately, you feel gui...

25 Children's Obstacle Course Ideas

An obstacle course provides hours of active fun, building your little one's gross motor skills and creativity. Building an obstacle course for kids doesn't have to be a complex endeavor. With a few...

Our Certifications: For Your Family and the Planet

At Piccalio, we make safe and sustainable furniture that's good for you, your family, and the planet. Every promise we make is backed up by certifications that guarantee quality, safety, and our co...

Harvard Study on Chores: Untangling the Research

In 2016, Julie Lythcott-Haim's TED Talk went viral. The former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford University and author of the bestselling book How to Raise an Adult used data from an 80-year Harvard stu...

How to Teach Digital Media Literacy to Your Young Child

Saying "I saw it on YouTube, must be true," sarcastically is a joke my children recently learned from their uncle. While it sounds silly, learning not to trust everything they see online is an esse...

Myopia in Children: Why this Eye Condition is On the Rise?

"Myopia is progressive, irreversible and on the rise," says Sabrina Gaan, Doctor of Optometry. In the 1970s, about 25% of Americans were nearsighted, or had myopia. By 2017, that number rose to nea...

Does My Infant Need a Baby Helmet? What Parents Need to Know

Babies in helmets to correct head shape are now a common sight, leading many parents to wonder if their baby needs one. The little bald spot on the back of an infant's head is so common it's almost...

The True Costs of Fast Furniture: Plus, Alternative Options

Purchasing furniture is a costly endeavor no matter where you look, making low-cost options enticing. While buying affordable furniture may save you in the short term, there are impacts that can ha...

When Do Babies Get Their First Tooth?

Are you wondering when to expect your baby's first tooth? While baby teeth don't come in on a strict schedule, knowing the pattern and general timeline can help. This way, you can support your baby...

The Crunchy Moms Phenomenon Explained

Also known as a "granola mom," crunchy moms are famous for living a natural lifestyle. From avoiding toxins to cooking from scratch, some may go as far as to eschew traditional medicine. These moms...