Ages & Stages

While it’s understandable that your child might miss some school days, you want to make sure those sick days don’t turn into chronic absenteeism. If your child begins to miss multiple days of school, it’s important to consider why he or she doesn’t want to go. Are they truly sick, or is there another underlying reason? ...

While the constant glow of the screen might be harmful, in moderation, kids are engaging in skills they could use for the future. Parents can provide a variety of opportunities for play to help children use their minds in different ways. ...

Standardized growth charts have been around for about 40 years and were originally designed to help doctors monitor a baby’s growth and help spot any issues early on. According to Cleveland Clinic Children's, there is no such thing as “good” and “bad” numbers; what matters most is consistency. ...

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Many games not only help kids have fun, but also learn. Randy Kulman, founder and president of LearningWorks for Kids, an organization that helps inform and instruct parents on how to enrich and enhance their kids’ digital playtime, provides the following games to try on smart devices. ...

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School open houses provide parents with the opportunity to meet their child’s teacher, see their classroom environment and learn more about the upcoming academic year. Follow these tips to make the most out of your child's open house and start the school year off right. ...

The community safety fair, held in Independence, provides an opportunity for people with autism and their families to engage with first responders while accessing safety resources in a safe, fun and family-friendly environment. There will be free resources and tools to help keep your child safe. Find out how to prepare for an emergency, meet your local first responders, get information about community safety programs, tour emergency vehicles, and receive swim and water safety lessons. ...

Welcoming a new baby into the world is a time full of emotions — joy, excitement and perhaps even a little anxiety. To some, the first year can seem even more challenging the second time around. Now, you’ve got a new baby and their older sibling to care for. How do you manage all of their needs at once? Here is some advice from parenting experts, as well as experienced parents themselves, on how to survive the first year — again. ...