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Once Upon a Child

Examining child and family

Child Development
How to Enjoy Halloween with Young Children

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on October 7, 2024

Halloween offers parents an opportunity to introduce their young children to small doses of slightly scary stuff to strengthen their emotional regulation skill-set.

Halloween offers parents an opportunity to introduce their young children to small doses of slightly scary stuff to strengthen their emotional regulation skill-set.

Education
Speed Bumps on the Road Back to School

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on August 19, 2024

From excessive heat to the lingering pandemic impact on learning, this summer has been tough on many families. Ease the back-to-school transition by taking a few proactive steps.

From excessive heat to the lingering pandemic impact on learning, this summer has been tough on many families. Ease the back-to-school transition by taking a few proactive steps.

Emotions
On Being Angry: Handling the Toughest Big Emotion

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on May 13, 2024

Anger is a big emotion; learning to manage it will help young children avoid trouble in kindergarten and beyond. Self-regulation is a teachable skill that requires practice.

Anger is a big emotion; learning to manage it will help young children avoid trouble in kindergarten and beyond. Self-regulation is a teachable skill that requires practice.

Education
Post-Pandemic: Will the Kids Ever Catch Up?

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on March 6, 2024

A drastic reduction in social activities during lockdown was harmful across the developmental spectrum. Can this be fixed? Parents can help.

A drastic reduction in social activities during lockdown was harmful across the developmental spectrum. Can this be fixed? Parents can help.

Media
Screens and Young Children: The Latest Science Isn’t All Gloom

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on January 2, 2024

An update on the effects on young kids of the most significant advance (or disruption) of interpersonal discourse since the invention of the telephone: digital media.

An update on the effects on young kids of the most significant advance (or disruption) of interpersonal discourse since the invention of the telephone: digital media.

Shyness
There’s Nothing Wrong With “Shy”

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on July 31, 2023

By providing guidance and support, parents can help their “shy” child stay comfortable and ultimately find their way in the post-pandemic world.

By providing guidance and support, parents can help their “shy” child stay comfortable and ultimately find their way in the post-pandemic world.

Teamwork
Parent Teacher Collaboration: Not All It Can Be

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on February 20, 2023

Collaboration between parents and teachers is crucial to students' success. There are some key things parents should remember when fostering healthier parent-teacher collaboration.

Collaboration between parents and teachers is crucial to students' success. There are some key things parents should remember when fostering healthier parent-teacher collaboration.

Resilience
Has Resilience Arrived at Your House?

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on November 28, 2022

Many kids still aren't catching up in school after the pandemic, despite all our talk about their "resilience." How do we support kids' learning and emotional growth?

Many kids still aren't catching up in school after the pandemic, despite all our talk about their "resilience." How do we support kids' learning and emotional growth?

Decision-Making
Tips on Kids' Boredom, Chores, and Decision-Making

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on September 19, 2022

We pretty much all agree that prevention is the best medicine, and most parents of young children are already doing the best they can. But none of us get it all right all the time.

We pretty much all agree that prevention is the best medicine, and most parents of young children are already doing the best they can. But none of us get it all right all the time.

Confidence
Nurturing Self-Awareness in Children

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on March 30, 2022

Although adults often think the use of pronouns announces self-awareness, children as young as infants can begin developing this essential social-emotional skill.

Although adults often think the use of pronouns announces self-awareness, children as young as infants can begin developing this essential social-emotional skill.