Ages & Stages - Baby

The new baby talk

You can improve your child’s long-term development by reading to your kids  The first few years of life are very important for a baby’s long-term development. During this time, the growing brain is constantly forming new connections that will serve […]

When should you start your child’s RESP savings?

You may have just welcomed a baby to the family, but the time to begin saving is now, experts say     If you’ve just welcomed a new baby to the family, congratulations! Enjoy every moment — the coos and […]

What is PURPLE crying?

Also called colic, understanding the PURPLE period of crying will set parents’ minds at ease Babies often cry. Indeed, some babies seem to cry a lot and nothing helps. During this phase of a baby’s life, they can cry for […]

Moi Moi: Look at me!

Stuck in traffic—or waiting at the doctor’s office—with a wailing baby? The drawings from the new book MoiMoi: Look at me! will entertain your baby and maybe, just maybe, stop tears     They’re more than just aesthetically pleasing shapes—these […]

Snow day is no day to be bored

As a new parent, you probably rely on getting out with your baby to keep your sanity. This winter has been a double-whammy – both the pandemic and the snow have been keeping us indoors more than we’d like.\With a […]

Ages & Stages - Kids

Back to (virtual) school

Planning ahead for another year in virtual school? Here are five tips for effective remote learning     Will your child be attending virtual school this September? Stay ahead of the learning curve with these simple remote learning tips. Keep […]

Learning begins at home

Spending more time around the house during the pandemic? It’s an opportunity for parents and guardians to teach their children, writes Dr. Michael Ungar                                 […]

Step outside

Spending time in a backyard green space is good for kids of all ages, and can relieve stress and anxiety due to COVID-19, writes Kris Kiser You don’t have to go far to experience nature. It actually starts right outside […]

Scratch that

A common problem that affects children in daycare and school, lice can quickly be spread to whole families, Carolina Surma writes                                        […]

Beyond please and thanks

Author of Manners and Me: An EasyPeasy Guide for Kids and the Grown-Ups Who Love Them, Nancy Dorrier gives the lowdown on minding your Ps and Qs Learning good manners is important because it helps us in our relationships and […]

Ages & Stages - Prenatal

Easy tips for healthier teeth

Pregnancy can lead to dental problems in some women. Here’s how to ensure your pearly whites get the care they need   You have everything to smile about — you’re expecting a baby! But studies show that pregnancy can lead […]

Know what’s in your water

If you’re expecting or have young children in the home, it’s especially important to ensure your drinking water is safe   Even if your drinking water looks clear, it’s never completely pure. Clean water can pick up substances as it travels through […]

Baby on board? Keep your food safe

When you’re pregnant, food safety is more important than ever because you and your unborn baby are at an increased risk of foodborne illness or food poisoning. Your immune system is weakened, making it harder to fight off infections and […]

What will you feed your baby?

What do all those names really mean? Now – before baby arrives – is the time to do your research   It may seem like a far-off event, but before you know it, your new baby will be exploring the […]

No time like the present

Here are four reasons why COVID-19 shouldn’t stop you from opening an RESP   When it comes to opening an RESP for your child, earlier is better – with some savvy parents starting to save even before their child is […]

Ages & Stages - Toddler

The lice is (not) right

This winter, keep your family safe from scalp-loving critters We all want our children to make friends, but not this kind — and the chilly season means an increased risk of kids bringing home this unwanted variety from school and […]

Five outdoor fun ideas

The summer’s not over yet! Here are some ways to enjoy the outdoors   After spending so much time cooped up indoors (thanks, COVID-19), it’s no wonder we are reluctant to let go of summer. Fortunately, there’s still time left […]

Summer project: start a garden with your littles

The experts teach our readers how to grow vegetables at home It’s arguably the most popular hobby to come out of the pandemic, and it’s perfect for you and your kids to take on together. Even very little ones will […]

Get out there

Here are five ways outdoor play supports healthy child development It’s no surprise that time outdoors is important for a healthy lifestyle for children, but did you know that it also contributes to their development? While it’s important to follow public […]

Superkids

Imaginative play helps kids to grow. Here’s how   It’s important for kids to have imaginative playtime everyday, according to The Genius of Play, a non-profit initiative whose mission is to educate parents and caregivers about the benefits of play and to inspire families […]

Ages & Stages - Tweens & Teens

Dreams into reality

Parents, help your preteens discover their talents, Dan Scott writes In her book, Teach Your Children Well, child psychologist and Madeline Levine says that discovering one’s sense of self is the primary task of elementary children. By the time a […]

Looking ahead

Being prepared is the key to helping your daughter handle her first period Your daughter’s first period can be an exciting time for her, but it can also be a little scary. Everyone’s period is different, so being properly equipped […]

Dad's Corner

Confessions of an experienced dad

The ‘tutoring incident’ showed this dad columnist where his son gets his sense of humour I am not a good parent.  This is essential information required to fully appreciate the events leading up to and directly following what has become […]

The kindergarten field journal

If someone in your home is starting school this fall, worry not My gosh, the sand. It will be everywhere. And just when you think every clump has been shaken out of your kid’s sneakers, an avalanche of tiny grains […]

Ugh, dad!

Embarrassing your kid is practically a rite of passage This column was meant to be completely different.  It was supposed to be a delightful and amusing narrative describing my son’s infatuation with spending his summers with his grandparents. Specifically, it […]

Summer squeeze

Getting every last drop out of a fleeting season requires a complex formula There are few reasons why our son’s bedtime would be extended, even in the stretched sunny days of summer. Once the elusive bedtime routine is finally nailed […]

You’ll get there, champ

It took some tough love from his son to get this dad on the path to good health The world is often a place of harsh truths. Like many parents, I do my utmost to cushion the hard times in my […]