Author Archives: Dr. Robert Needlman
- Developmental Santa: Best Gifts for School Aged Kids
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School age kids are all about getting things done. The famous psychologist, Erik Erikson, wrote (famously) that the core of development at this age is the crisis of “industry versus inferiority.” In other words, children need to feel capable and competent. They need to make things, know things, and master skills. You can plug into this powerful drive when picking out the perfect presents for the kids on your list.
- Developmental Santa: Best Gifts for Toddlers (Language and Imagination)
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Around 18-months of age babies start adding words much more quickly — sometimes several in one day. At the same time, they start showing a lot more imagination when they play. They feed their dolls and tuck them into bed. They also become magicians who can transform a wooden block into a car, airplane, telephone, sandwich, or a cup of tea all by pretending! Symbolic thinking is the great achievement of the toddler years—even more remarkable than walking. Make believe play and language have a strong connection because they both rely on symbols—things that stand for other things.
- Developmental Santa: Best Gifts for Toddlers (Temperament and Physical Development)
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From one to two years of age, children are changing along every dimension. Each developmental change can inspire a “best gift.” More and more, toddlers are individus with their own particular joys and wants.
- Playful Parenting Helps Nurture the “What If?”
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I know this isn’t an original thought, but it recently occurred to me that children at play and scientists at work have a lot in common. Both seem to start with the same question, What if? What if I put this big block on top of this little one? What if I’m the mommy and you’re the baby? What if I drop a heavy ball and a light ball? Which one hits the ground first?
- Giving Children Space to Grow
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My friend is a pediatrician and mother of three children. As it turns out, they are all star students. The oldest two are attending famous universities, and the youngest has been accepted to a top school as well. Not that getting into a great college is the only index of success, or even the best one. But it is notable that all three children have chosen to play the academic game, and all are finding success.