Data-driven parenting

Raising Data-Driven Kids: How to Support Your Child’s Growth and Development with Evidence-Based Approaches

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Growing children in a data-driven manner involves using data and evidence to inform decision-making about a child’s education and development. This can involve tracking a child’s progress over time, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing evidence-based interventions to support their growth and development. To grow children in a data-driven manner, it is important to regularly collect and track data on their development. This might involve using standardized assessments to measure a child’s skills and abilities in areas such as reading, math, and problem-solving. By tracking a child’s progress over time, parents and educators can identify areas where the child is excelling and areas where they may need additional support. Once data has been collected and analyzed, the next step is to use the information to inform decision-making about the child’s education and development. This might involve implementing evidence-based interventions, such as tutoring or enrichment programs, to support the child’s growth and development. It could also involve working with the child’s teachers and other educators to develop an individualized plan that meets the child’s unique needs. In addition to using data to inform decision-making, it is also important to provide children with opportunities to develop their data literacy skills. This might involve teaching children how to collect and analyze data, as well as how to use data to make informed decisions. By providing children with these skills, parents and educators can help them become more confident and independent learners. Overall, growing children in a data-driven manner involves regularly collecting and tracking data on a child’s development, using the information to inform decision-making, and providing children with opportunities to develop their data literacy skills. By following these steps, parents and educators can support a child’s growth and development in a data-driven manner If you want to see an example of data-driven parenting, check out my repository of baby/toddler guides. This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!  

10 Perfect Gifts for Kids Ages 1 to 4: Delightful Ideas for Little Ones

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Uncovering the History and Meaning Behind the Tradition of Christmas Gifts The tradition of giving gifts on Christmas has its roots in several different cultural and religious practices. One of the most well-known origins of this tradition is the story of the Three Wise Men, also known as the Magi, who brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the newborn Jesus in the Christian Bible. In many cultures, the giving of gifts on Christmas is seen as a way to honor the gift of Jesus’s birth and to celebrate the spirit of giving and generosity. In other cultures, the giving of gifts on Christmas may be linked to other winter holidays or traditions, such as the celebration of the winter solstice or the exchange of gifts among family members and friends as a way of showing love and appreciation. In modern times, the giving of gifts on Christmas has become a widespread cultural practice, with many people exchanging gifts with loved ones as a way of celebrating the holiday season. The types of gifts that are given on Christmas can vary widely, and may include items such as toys, clothes, food, or other small gifts or tokens of appreciation. Why Giving Gifts to Kids is Good for Their Development and Happiness For a child, receiving a gift can be a positive and meaningful experience that helps to boost their self-esteem and feelings of worth. A gift can also be a tangible expression of love and affection from the person who gave it, which can help to strengthen the bond between the child and the giver. Receiving a gift can also be a way for a child to feel a sense of belonging and connection to others, as it is a symbol of being thought of and cared for by someone else. For children who may not have a lot of material possessions, receiving a gift can also be a way for them to feel more financially secure and able to participate in the holiday or celebration that the gift is being given for. In addition to the emotional and psychological benefits of receiving a gift, the act of giving a gift can also have positive psychological effects. Giving a gift can be a way for a child to show love and appreciation for someone else, which can help to foster feelings of gratitude and connection. It can also be a way for a child to practice generosity and selflessness, which can help to develop their sense of empathy and social responsibility.   Avoiding the Pitfalls: How to Ensure Gifts Don’t Harm Kids’ Development and Happiness While receiving a gift can generally be a positive and enjoyable experience for a child, there are certain circumstances in which a gift may have a negative impact. Some potential negative impacts of gifts on children may include: It is important for parents and caregivers to be mindful of these potential negative impacts of gifts and to try to balance the giving of gifts with other forms of love and affection, such as time spent together and words of praise and encouragement. It is important to choose age-appropriate toys that are safe and do not present any choking hazards for a one-year-old. It’s always a good idea to consider the child’s interests and developmental stage when choosing a gift. Some 3-year-olds may be more interested in imaginative play, while others may be more drawn to physical activity and construction toys. The Top 10 Must-Have Gifts for Four-Year-Olds: Fun and Educational Ideas for Little Learners   Here are ten gift ideas for 4 year olds: It’s always a good idea to consider the child’s interests and abilities when selecting a gift. Some children may prefer more active play, while others may enjoy quieter, more imaginative activities.   This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!

1 year old baby

Your 1-Year-Old Baby’s Development and Milestones

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Hey! Baby just got promoted to Toddler. Toddlerhood is a exciting period and it lasts until they reach 3 years.  Milestones When researching my content, I use official websites such as the CDC ( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). They list the below as the milestones a child should reach by the end of 1 year: Social/Emotional Milestones Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake Language/Communication Milestones Waves “bye-bye” Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it) Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving) Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup Looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket Movement/Physical Development Milestones Pulls up to stand Walks, holding on to furniture Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food UNICEF lists out these milestones: He is copying movements and gestures. Bangs objects together. Drinks from a cup and uses other objects correctly. Finds things that are hidden. He looks at the right object when it is named. Can follow simple directions and lets go of objects without help. He puts objects in containers and can take them out. Can take a few steps without support. Gets into a sitting position without support. Pulls up to stand and walks while holding onto furniture.   As they’re toddlers now, they begin to test limits by engaging in certain behaviors to drive caregiver response.    Family Guy Stewie Griffin GIFfrom Family Guy GIFs   Baby Growth    The normal growth range at 1 year old differs between boys and girls: Length Girls range from 66 – 82 cm (26-32 in.)  in height; Boys range from 68 – 83 cm (27-33 in.)  in height; Weight Girls range from 7000-13100 gr (15-29 lb.) in weight; Boys range from 7700-13300gr (17-29 lb.) in weight. For more info on this, check the Growth WHO Standards table and other baby standards here.     Baby Sleep Baby will keep the below schedule until around 16 months of age: 1st nap at 9 am; 2nd nap at 1 pm; 7 pm bedtime. It is normal for your baby to get up between 6 and 7 am in the morning, but also normal at this age to wake up between 5 to 6 am. Your baby might seem well rested ( probably slept for 11 hours during the night), but 12 hours is also achievable. There are a few things to try in order to push the wake up hour to 7 am: keep a sleep log to note down what you change in the routine and how it impacts your baby’s sleep. Get a free here; if you don’t have 80% darkness in the room, you should try harder to achieve it. I wrote here about the important room and baby sleep training prep; if your baby sleeps less than 1.5hr during the day, move bedtime 15 mins earlier each day until the baby will get on track (remember: sleep log!); if your baby sleeps more than 3hr during the day, try and cap the longest nap (so the baby will be prepared for the 12 hours night-sleep). if you tried all of these, just let the baby enjoy some crib time (don’t make light in the room until it gets as close as possible to 6:30-7 am).   Baby Feeding 1 Year – 3 meals + 2 snacks / day : BREAKFAST: Fruits LUNCH: Vegetables + Proteins SNACK: Fruits DINNER: Vegetables, Cereals, Dairy products SNACK: Vegetables Fruits: everything ; Vegetables: same as months above plus the new ones: radishes, peas, artichoke, sorrel, cabbage, nettles; Proteins: same as month above plus: fish, cheese, cream cheese, cheddar, parmesan, edam, gouda, svaiter, grana padano, emmental, pecorino, goats cheese; Cereals/ Pseudocereals: everything ; Try waiting at least 2 days after introducing new food to the baby to check for any allergic reactions. If you notice symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting it might mean that the baby is allergic to a certain food type. Don’t forget to start giving the baby water. If you use bottled water, check the level of sodium or sulphate. Look on the label to check the levels: Sodium (Na) <= 200 mg/l ; Sulphate (‘SO’ or ‘SO4’) <= 250 mg/l.   Baby Eyes Some babies will experience changes in eye color up to 1 year of age and some little ones’ eye color even continues to change hues until they’re 3 years old. Activities   Sky is the limit, there are so many activities that you can do without the need of any special toys or materials: Opening and closing a drawer Building a tower Finding the object Inserting objects Introduction to puzzles Painting Pretend games with toys Rolling a ball Spreading sand or.. flour Squeezing a wet sponge Put the top on and.. off Using a key Play with water volume and pressure Also, let the baby crawl as much a possible (don’t force them to walk just yet) as crawling is beneficial for hand-eye coordination and boosts gross and fine motor skills. Must-have toys  (Note: I participate in the affiliate amazon program. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). I may receive a small commission when you buy using my links, this helps to keep the blog alive! See disclosure for details.) When you exhaust all the activities that use no materials, get some of the below toys (for the age 1Y ), your baby will love them: Wooden Shape Sorting & Ring Stacking. Kids can count the holes then match the blocks with the pillars on the top of the wooden cart, cultivating their number learning and color sorting ability. Get them here. More Stacking, a Ring. Each ring features a different texture and weight; Textural variety is great for mouthing!; buy one here. Pull String Learning Rope. Help Develop

Independent play

Independent play: 6 to 24 months

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What is Independent Play? Independent play is when children play by themselves with a parent nearby Why is important?  Play can enhance brain structure and function and promote executive function (the process of learning). Read more here. How to promote solo play? – by the parenting junkie 😉 Set up the right type of playspace. Consider separating screens from playspace Don’t overpower your child’s play Create a space where they can be alone Have only age appropriate toys on offer Examine your expectations Consider keeping them close to you Use storage that your child can manipulate Treat play as the natural birthright Don’t praise, comment or evaluate How long can babies/toddlers play by themselves? Independent play at 12 months: @thebabydatascientist How long can a 1 year old play alone? www.thebabydatascientist.com #babiesoftiktok #thebabydatascientist #independentplay ♬ Lust For Life – Iggy Pop If you enjoyed these baby play stats, you’ll find this repository useful. Make sure you bookmark it as it’s continuously growing!   This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!

Kids in Kindergarten

Illnesses in Daycare: How often is normal?

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I gathered some stats that will help us define what is “normal” in terms of illnesses in child care. What is considered to be normal? According to Mayo Clinic, an average of 7 to 8 infections a year for every kid and more (up to 12 colds a year) for children who are in child care or when they start school. It’s also typical for kids to have symptoms lasting up to 14 days. And sometimes a cough can last up to 6 weeks. That means kids can be sick for a majority of the year and still have a pretty typical immune system. I found other stats on recovery that mention a 7 to 10 days (and even earlier) recovery time, although a cough can last up to 3 weeks. When can my child return to daycare? Most centres have a 24 hour policy. If the child is symptom free for 24 hours, or has been on medication for 24 hours, and they feel better, they can return. Some centres increase this time period to 48 hours during an outbreak in order to prevent further spread of an illness. (according to this website) Another recommendation: Often, a child is not allowed to return to the centre until they’ve been fever-free (or diarrhea-free) for 24 hours. (according to this website) Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) website advise: Most children with mild colds who have no fever and who feel well enough to go to school or childcare do not need to stay home. Most colds spread in the 1-3 days before children show symptoms such as a runny nose or minor cough. (according to this brochure) Useful cold and flu stuff to have at home for babies and toddlers (Note: I participate in the affiliate amazon program. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). I may receive a small commission when you buy using my links, this helps to keep the blog alive! See disclosure for details.) Electric nasal aspirator A working thermometer, we have have both a non-contact forehead one and a flexible digital thermometer Saline spray Topical vapor rub Age appropriate fever-reducing medications When to start worrying? Jeffrey Modell Foundation’s ( that educates on Primary immunodeficiency: PI) lists out these 10 warning signs that might direct you to a  physician). PI causes children and adults to have infections that come back frequently or are unusually hard to cure.  4 or more new ear infections in one year  2 or more serious sinus infections in one year  2 or more months on antibiotics with little effect  2 or more cases of pneumonia within one year  Failure of an infant to gain weight or grow normally ( check official WHO Growth Standards here)  Recurrent, deep skin or organ abscesses  Recurrent thrush in the mouth or elsewhere on the skin after age one  Need for intravenous antibiotics to clear infections  2 or more deep-seated infections  A family history of primary immunodeficiency   The bright side A study (“Daycares have a reputation for being germ factories,” lead author Sylvana Cote of the University of Montreal, in Quebec)  found that toddlers in group child care get sick more often than toddlers who stay at home, but found those same kids get sick less often than their peers during the primary school years.   A cool visualisation related to our immune system: Pic Source: https://twitter.com/rajivshivan/status/1233692472934531073   This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!

superheroes pj masks

Impersonating a superhero means learning perseverance and courage

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2 studies, 2 views on the impact of superheroes over kids   There are 2 primary studies that looked into the development impact of superheroes on kids: The 1st study suggest that parents may need to help their preschool children filter the messages arising from superhero media in order to minimize aggressive behavior outcomes and promote defending gestures on behalf of their most vulnerable peers. The batman effect study proves that positive effect is an active cognitive strategy that moves us forward with confidence as we stay in the stressful situation but with our alter-ego leading the charge: adopting an alter ego can also help children concentrate on a complex card game, in which they had to follow complex rules that kept on changing.   Sailor Moon was my superhero obsession when I was a kid. Back in the day, all my friends had a favourite superhero to impersonate when we were playing together mimicking the cartoon. It was non-violent fun and games. I don’t recall any bad scenes while playing and mimicking Sailor Moon (maybe that more girls wanted to be “the Sailor Moon” at the same time”). via GIPHY Fast forward to 2022, Bianca, my 3 years old toddler, loves PJ Masks. They are 3 superheroes for the little ones: by day, they go to school like all the other kids their age. By night, this brave band of heroes dons their magic pyjamas, and sets out to face fiendish villains to stop them messing with your day! I read in this study that “Kids pick up on the aggressive themes and not the defending ones.” and I panicked a bit. 5 min later I realised that: I was Sailor Moon and I “punished” evil forces in the name of the moon. So, maybe the truth lies somewhere in between. As I am a true believer that “All models are wrong, but some are useful“, I look deeper into the matter: The Batman effect study investigated the benefits of self-distancing on young children’s perseverance: 180 four- and six-year-old children were asked to complete a repetitive task for 10 minutes while having the option to take breaks by playing an extremely attractive video game. Six-year-olds persevered longer than four-year-olds. Nonetheless, across both ages, children who impersonated an exemplar other – in this case, a character, such as Batman—spent the most time working, followed by children who took a third-person perspective on the self, or finally, a first-person perspective. Alternative explanations, implications, and future research directions are discussed. Results [wpdatachart id=1] The results of the study were analyzed by applying Analysis Of Variance ( ANOVA ) on the percentage of time on a task and comparing the 3 groups: self-immersed, 3rd person, and exemplar. ANOVA is normally used to analyze experimental studies. Analysis of Variance is a generalization of the hypothesis test for equality of means. Here, you have multiple populations, and you want to see if any of the population means are different from the other means. That means that the null hypothesis is that ALL the population means are equal to each other. The alternative hypothesis is that at least two of the means are not equal. Across both ages, children who impersonated an exemplar other – in this case a character, such as Batman—spent the most time working, followed by children who took a third-person perspective on the self, or finally, a first-person perspective. Interesting, right? Another article investigated the matter and concluded that some studies measure with low facts that boys are more impacted , others that there might be positive effects.   (Note: I participate in the affiliate amazon program. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). I may receive a small commission when you buy using my links, this helps to keep the blog alive! See disclosure for details.) Do you want to understand the basic concepts of statistics? Get this book: If you want to design and analyze your own experiments, then get this one: My view on this I like superheroes and I like to think that they can be 100% beneficial for kids… On the other hand, I saw plenty of almost-violent toddlers at the playground and none were wearing a cape. The parents should stop the aggressiveness. What I personally take away from this study, is that a toddler needs more clarification about what a superhero is.  Superhero stories are often complex, but preschoolers may not fully understand the complexities behind the violence or aggression they witness. Superheroes represent the good, so it’s handy to explain the opposite of bad :). Exposure to superheroes ( and screen time)  should be allowed in moderation. We should not be afraid of one single study. Kids’ personalities will give the general trend: if a toddler expressed aggressiveness, then yes, maybe exposure to superheroes is something negative for that kid. If your child’s aggressive acts are frequent and severe, or your efforts to curb them have no effect, you’ll need to consult your pediatrician or a trained mental health professional, such as a child psychologist or psychiatrist.   My summary on this is that we all need a superhero in our lives…   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Sailor Moon Memes (@sailormoon.memes)   If you suffer from Sailor Moon nostalgia, you can get something on Amazon. Bianca has the 3 PJ Masks costumes, the watch, and another amulet. She loves them all…   This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!

toddler indoor activities 2 year old

Indoor toddler activities for a 2 year old

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In this post I am listing the scientific benefits of spending time outdoors and why it’s a good thing for both kids and adults. Now, I’ll write about how indoors can also be fun and educational for toddlers. When indoors, we have to be careful with the amount of screentime a toddler is exposed to. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages media use by children younger than 2 and recommends limiting older children’s screen time to no more than one or two hours a day. (More on this here). When she has to stay indoors all day, Bianca, my eldest ( 2 years and 9 months today), has the below schedule: wakes up around 8 has breakfast at 9 morning activity ( cooking, painting) at 10 snack around 10:30 dancing at 11 independent play while mum prepares lunch 12 lunch time around 12:30 nap time 13-15 (1.5 hr – 2 hr) evening activities / English cartoons ( Romanian is her first language, but she knows plenty English words from books and cartoons) around 15:30 snack time at 16:00 independent play ( sensory activities: she likes water a lot) / crafts with mum at 17 dinner around 18 independent play at 19 bath time at  20 bedtime routine (reading 2/3 books and practicing English) at 20:30 bedtime between 20:30 and 21:00   Below, I have posted some videos and pics to show our indoor activities. They are super fun, but independent play is key! You should encourage your toddler to play by themselves daily ( in an incremental manner). They also need to explore the world with their tiny eyes. Make sure you give them toys age appropriate, so it won’t get dangerous, boring or frustrating when they play by themselves.   (Note: I participate in the affiliate amazon program. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). I may receive a small commission when you buy using my links, this helps to keep the blog alive! See disclosure for details.)   Indoor Toddler Activity 1 – Cooking:   Our kitchen helpers: Little helper learning tower The perfect multi food processor, Bosch MUM   Indoor Toddler Activity 2 – Painting:  Toddler painting set    Indoor Toddler Activity 3 – Crafts: One of my few hobbies is creating interior design pieces with paint and lichen / moss. Bianca helps me and really enjoys the activity. I’ll create a separate post on it, but I’ll drop below some pics and what you need if you want to try it at home: lichen & moss glue gun and sticks acrylic paint paint brush set   Indoor Toddler Activity 4- Sensory activities: This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!

ourdoors Ireland waterfall

Scientific Benefits of Spending Time Outdoors

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Spending time outdoors is beneficial for everyone. We hear this more and more, but what are the scientific facts behind this statement? I’ve broken up the topic into 3 sections, so you’ll see how outdoor activities positively impact our babies, toddlers and ourselves by encouraging healthy development and critical thinking skills and more. Outdoor time for babies   In Scandinavian countries, babies get at least 2 hours of outdoor time. Nordic babies are exposed to sleeping in the stroller even when the weather is not perfect (perfect = negative temperature). The Nordic perspective on this is that one sleeps better while in the cold. Sleep consultants agree that when indoors we should have our babies sleep in 68 F – 70 F / 20 C -21 C (which might be considered cold for adults), but they won’t adhere to the idea of letting a baby sleep in the stroller. Motion sleep is compared to junk food and even called “junk sleep”. I personally think that sleep should be protected as much as possible and it should happen mostly in the bed. However, it’s OK for your baby to have a cat nap in the stroller, so the baby will have a quick recharge and get some natural vitamin D every now and then. (Note: I participate in the affiliate amazon program. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). I may receive a small commission when you buy using my links, this helps to keep the blog alive! See disclosure for details.) Taking Your Baby Out for the First Time Getting outdoors with babies can be overwhelming for first time parents. On top of worrying about all the possible scenarios when your baby might fuss or even constantly cry, you’ll also concern yourself about forgetting to bring with you all the “crucial” baby stuff.  Once you’ve repeated the outdoor activities a number of times, it will become the norm. Make sure you pack once and “refresh the stock” weekly: one full outfit change (for explosive poo – this will end up around 6 months of age, or when your baby will start solids); 3-4 diapers, disposable bags,  cream, wet tissues, dry tissues; a travel baby changing pad; a blanket; formula ( if necessary); after solids are introduced, also get water and a baby food refillable pouch. Also important for outdoors activities is the right stroller. There’re so many strollers in the market. We decided over Baby Jogger Stroller with a universal platform (glider). The girls love it:     Outdoor time for toddlers   We acknowledge more and more the importance of outdoor time, but we spend less time playing outside. An UK study concluded that children spend half the time playing outside in comparison to their parents. Harvard experts researched 6 reasons why children need to play outside: Sunshine Exercise Executive function; These are the skills that help us plan, prioritize, troubleshoot, negotiate, and multitask; Taking risks Socialization Appreciation of nature I recently read an Irish article related to The Benefits of Outdoor Play and I really liked how it’s emphasized that children need to learn how to take calculated risk and that parents shouldn’t set too many limits to children’s adventurous play.  They need substantial amount of time outside to boost their creativity, self-confidence, social skills and ability to concentrate. Going outside with toddlers is not too complicated. You just need a bottle of water, napkins, disinfectant, a healthy snack, a small toy and a bit of cooperation. At this age, they might be difficult to convince to get out and then even more difficult to get them back home. Outdoor time for adults Adults also benefit from spending time outdoors. There is a study showing that it takes as little as 2 hours per week spent outdoors for a healthier and happier life. It gives us the chance to absorb some natural vitamin D by walking in the sun for 15-20 minutes a day (maybe a bit longer during the winter time).  I also stumbled upon a study on the relations between sleep, time of physical activity, and time outdoors among adult women. It’s quite interesting how they concluded that the morning time spend outdoors is a stronger predictor of sleep efficiency (as opposed to evening). Therefore, we should get into the habit of spending at least 15 min daily (in the morning) outdoors. This will improve our health and sleep! This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!

toddler s first haircut

First time haircut while Terrible Two-ing

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I’ve been dreading the first haircut – now it’s too late. Bianca is 2 years and 9 months old and very active. She likes having her hair long ( like Elsa from Frozen) but desperately needs a haircut so the hair stays out of her eyes. Today it was mummy’s salon day, so I used the occasion to thick another box: Bianca’s first haircut Last week was a disaster. She’s halfway through the terrible twos and cries very often. So… she cried when the hairdresser touched her hair. There is no general recommendation related to the first haircut age. Still, you’ll find on the internet that most kids have their first haircut between 6 months and 2 years old.   Bianca’s hair grew very slowly.  See below a hair growth timeline from 6 months old to today: Today was a haircut win. Mummy’s stylist helped a lot. Vera has 3 kids and a lot of of experience, the little car helped as well :-)) The haircut took less than 5 mins, but for me it felt like an eternity. Like all new toddler experiences, parents are more nervous than necessary. We should have faith that everything is going to be OK and trust our kids more.   (Note: I participate in the affiliate amazon program. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). I may receive a small commission when you buy using my links, this helps to keep the blog alive! See disclosure for details.)   While you’re struggling with toddler haircut, you can try some hair accessories. They’re so precious: Bianca loves Peppa pig, Minnie Mouse and Frozen. Toddler haircare When Bianca was a baby, we would have washed her hair at every wash. When she was 1 yo, I washed her hair every second wash and now it’s every 5 days. Shampoo wise, we’re using Bioderma ABCDerm from birth. When is it the time to move to something else? What are you guys using for your toddlers? Terrible twos are difficult, but kids are delicious at this age: I love her so much!     This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!

baby guides toddler

All models are wrong, but some are useful. A repository of baby guides

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Famous aphorism, which originates from 1976, was mentioned by George Box when referring to statistical models. I find “All models are wrong, but some are useful” to be applicable to all the models in our lives, but especially to how we’re supposed to raise our kids. Internet is full nowadays of guides about everything you need to know to raise a child. You’ll find in this article the most important mental and physical baby/toddler development info, so bookmark this page! (Note: I participate in the affiliate amazon program. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). I may receive a small commission when you buy using my links, this helps to keep the blog alive! See disclosure for details.)   Understanding Growth Standards for Children   The WHO Child Growth Standards were developed using data collected in the WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study by the World Health Organisation. The site presents documentation on how the physical growth curves and motor milestone windows of achievement were developed as well as application tools to support implementation of the standards. The below growth curves can guide you in the first 2 years of age:   Tracking Your Child’s First Major Gross Motor Milestones   As a first time parent I was concerned about how soon my baby girl managed to achieve the major motor milestones. The below chart sums up a comprehensive study by the World Health Organization. You’ll see that the windows of achievement are wide, there is no reason to be concerned if your baby is inside the window. Reference: WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study Group. WHO Motor Development Study: Windows of achievement for six gross motor development milestones. Acta Paediatrica Supplement 2006;450:86-95.   Tracking Mental Development Milestones in Children   I’ve mapped below the first 3 years of mental development milestones based on 3 famous books: The Wonder Weeks: A Stress-Free Guide to Your Baby’s Behavior Misbehavior is Growth: An Observant Parent’s Guide to the Toddler Years Misbehavior is Growth: An Observant Parent’s Guide to Three Year Olds      The Wonder Weeks: 10 major, predictable, age-linked changes – or leaps – during their first 20 months of babies’ lives: Below is what Amber Domoradzki observed as childhood developmental stages: Creating a Healthy Sleep Schedule for Your Baby   I really like how Dr Marc Weissbluth advises In his book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, 5th Edition: A New Step-by-Step Guide for a Good Night’s Sleep to “watch your child, not the clock”, but still tells you to try and stick to a sleep schedule. A schedule will help you obtain healthy sleep patterns. You’ll baby will give you signs when she/he will be ready to have the sleep schedule adjusted. I shared my experiences with sleep training in this article: https://thebabydatascientist.com/2-successful-sleep-training-methods-to-try/   Navigating Sleep Regressions in Infants and Toddlers   Sleep regressions; I’m not sure how real they are, but be aware that they might happen: A Step-by-Step Guide to Introducing Solids to Your Baby’s Diet Introducing solids: the cheatsheet of baby food by months. You’ll find details in this article: https://thebabydatascientist.com/introducing-solids-the-cheatsheet/ Immunization Schedule for Children 0-15 months old:   Find below immunization recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for Ages 15 months old and younger . Some countries might provide the below vaccines for free based on the national vaccination schema:   Encouraging Independent Play in Children   Solo play is encouraged and beneficial, but how long can our babies / toddlers play by themselves? at 6 months up to 5 minutes at 12 months 10 to 15 minutes at 18 months up to 20 minutes at 24 months up to 30 minutes A full article on this here: https://thebabydatascientist.com/independent-play-6-to-24-months/   OMG Are they all wrong? Well yes, it will not be 100% applicable to your child. Still, they’re useful. It’s reassuring to know what to expect and that difficult periods are normal.