Ages & Stages

Sign language can help ease frustration for children between the ages of eight months and 2 years. At this age, children begin to know what they want, need and feel, but don't always have the oral-motor and verbal skills to express themselves. Basic sign language can help decrease frustration for both caregiver and child, promote early language skills and enhance the bond between the infant and those who sign. ...

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There aren’t any magic tricks that we can use to prevent all tantrums, but there are some tips to help avoid some of the outbursts that may be happening more regularly. Learn how to identify causes of tantrums and several ways to use communication to diffuse the situation and get your child what he or she needs. ...

With many schools and parents putting more emphasis on unity, empathy and caring for others, kids often are left with the desire to do good. Since it can be hard to come up with concrete ways for small hands to make a big difference, here are 50 acts of kindness for kids of all ages to do year-round.  ...

A lisp — which is a sound substitution or distortion in which the “s” and “z” sounds are produced inefficiently — is one of the most common articulation errors targeted in speech-language therapy. Learn about the two different types of lisps and how they are treated. ...

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Evidence exists linking genetic factors to a variety of speech and language difficulties. Researchers already have identified more than 400 genes linked to hearing loss, and ongoing studies investigate genetic links to stuttering, voice disorders and language disorders. Learn more, including what parents should do if there are genetic tendencies in the family. ...

In honor of National Game and Puzzle Week 2019 — which takes place November 24-30 — we’ve rounded up some great new puzzles, card and board games for all ages. Plan to spend some extra family time enjoying these fun options. ...

Joint attention — the ability to shift your attention between an object or event and your communication partner — is a skill that many children who are on the autism spectrum do not develop on their own. If kids are only focusing on one thing at a time, they aren't learning to communicate with others about shared experiences, to read facial expressions and understand gestures, or picking up new vocabulary and concepts. ...

Have fun this month with a visit to your local library, museum or area attraction, many of which offer storytimes, crafts, and other fun activities for young children. ...