Once Upon a Child

Family Dynamics

When Young Siblings Are Rivals

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on April 29, 2026

Sibling rivalry is universal in families with more than one child. Managing sibling relationships is a skill that is challenged at every developmental stage.

Sibling rivalry is universal in families with more than one child. Managing sibling relationships is a skill that is challenged at every developmental stage.

Sleep

Managing Young Children’s Daylight Saving Time Sleep Issues

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on March 5, 2026

Daylight Saving Time can disrupt a child’s established sleep rhythms. A few practical steps can help ease the transition.

Daylight Saving Time can disrupt a child’s established sleep rhythms. A few practical steps can help ease the transition.

Parenting

Managing January Meltdowns

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on January 12, 2026

Daily routines have important positive effects on a young child’s growth and development. The holidays often disrupt those routines, and the return to normalcy can be challenging.

Daily routines have important positive effects on a young child’s growth and development. The holidays often disrupt those routines, and the return to normalcy can be challenging.

Family Dynamics

The Enduring Power of Family Traditions

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on November 13, 2025

Family traditions braid together purpose, respect, and values. They work because the joy is predictable, intentional, shared, and preserved across generations.

Family traditions braid together purpose, respect, and values. They work because the joy is predictable, intentional, shared, and preserved across generations.

Child Development

Those Precious Preschool Friendships

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on September 15, 2025

How do preschool friendships develop? A number of factors, from shared space and activities to gender and personality traits, play a role.

How do preschool friendships develop? A number of factors, from shared space and activities to gender and personality traits, play a role.

Child Development

Before the Concrete Sets: Summer, New Readers, and Screen Time

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on July 1, 2025

A child’s emotional intelligence is nurtured by their time with books. Reading fosters empathy and helps develop critical thinking skills; screen time doesn't compare.

A child’s emotional intelligence is nurtured by their time with books. Reading fosters empathy and helps develop critical thinking skills; screen time doesn't compare.

Child Development

Summer: A Perfect Storm for Overparenting

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on May 19, 2025

You can have too much of a good thing, and parent involvement is no exception. Sometimes, the best way to help your child grow is to take a step back.

You can have too much of a good thing, and parent involvement is no exception. Sometimes, the best way to help your child grow is to take a step back.

Boredom

Is Boredom Good for Kids? It Depends on Who Fixes It

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on April 7, 2025

By learning to manage boredom on their own, children develop critical life skills, such as problem-solving, emotional regulation, creativity and concentration.

By learning to manage boredom on their own, children develop critical life skills, such as problem-solving, emotional regulation, creativity and concentration.

Child Development

The Pesky Truth About Our Youngest Children and Screens

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on February 19, 2025

A new study that tracked 6,218 children between the ages of 2 and 8 found that screen time has many negative effects on young children.

A new study that tracked 6,218 children between the ages of 2 and 8 found that screen time has many negative effects on young children.

Parenting

Is Modern Parenting Uniquely Stressful?

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on January 13, 2025

The Surgeon General issued an advisory last summer on the mental health of parents. In my work with families, I see what Dr. Murthy sees—but offer slightly different solutions.

The Surgeon General issued an advisory last summer on the mental health of parents. In my work with families, I see what Dr. Murthy sees—but offer slightly different solutions.

Parenting

How to Actually Enjoy the Holidays With Young Children

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

While fun, the holidays can also be challenging for young children as their routines are eroded. By following these simple steps, families can navigate the season more smoothly.

While fun, the holidays can also be challenging for young children as their routines are eroded. By following these simple steps, families can navigate the season more smoothly.

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.

Parenting

Young Children, Extended Families, and Summer Vacations

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on June 25, 2024

By being thoughtful and proactive, parents can limit conflict and stress to give intergenerational family gatherings the best chance for success.

By being thoughtful and proactive, parents can limit conflict and stress to give intergenerational family gatherings the best chance for success.

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.

Child Development

When Did Normal Children's Behavior Become "Undesirable"?

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on October 24, 2023

So-called undesirable behaviors are developmental behaviors, each providing an opportunity to develop bedrock social and emotional coping skills.

So-called undesirable behaviors are developmental behaviors, each providing an opportunity to develop bedrock social and emotional coping skills.

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.

Child Development

Why It's So Important to Teach Kids to Be Kind

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on June 7, 2023

Kindness is the most powerful and useful of all social-emotional skills.

Kindness is the most powerful and useful of all social-emotional skills.