The Parenting Cafe
  • About
    • The Parenting Cafe Story
    • About Sonja Preston
    • Testimonials
  • Dunstan Baby Language
  • Articles
  • Contact
  • Facebook Icon
  • Instagram Icon
  • Menu Menu
  • 0Shopping Cart
Two young children playing in the creek
Sonja Preston

Developing a Curious Child

April 29, 2019/in 1 - 3 Years, 3 - 5 Years, 4 - 12 Months, Intellectual, Motor Developement, Social - Emotional /by Sonja Preston

“Oh he’s into everything” complains a Mother. “She’s always pulling things apart”, states a Dad. It’s always said to me like a complaint, as if it’s a bad thing to have a curious child!

Curious children are GREAT – it means their developing brain is seeking to understand, to know how and why things work (or don’t work), to understand ‘what happens if I do xyz…..’ and does the same thing happen if I do it twice, or 12 times? A curious child is the result of a learning brain, and that’s a GREAT thing! People who are curious are the ones who become explorers, researchers, musical composers or inventors. This may be in any field of science, music, the environment, the arts etc Or it may be in the social world, or understanding how people interact or communicate – so many possibilities!

How do we assist the growth of curiosity in our developing children?

Read more

https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/10183085725_f4ec3bab54_z.jpg 425 640 Sonja Preston https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/TPC-Logo.svg Sonja Preston2019-04-29 14:40:402019-04-29 14:36:56Developing a Curious Child
Sonja Preston

Communicating with Babies – What Parents Need to Know.

April 15, 2019/in 1 - 3 Years, 4 - 12 Months, Birth - 3 Months, Language /by Sonja Preston

Babies begin communicating with us from the moment they are born – it’s just that we may not understand what they are saying yet!

 

It’s interesting isn’t it that if you were going to have an extended holiday in Spain or France, you’d probably make the effort to learn even a few basic words and phrases of Spanish or French. Yet when we are pregnant not many people learn how to communicate with the ‘soon to be here’ baby!

 

I’ve personally seen the huge benefits parents get when they DO learn how to do this, and the spin-off benefits to their baby such as: Read more

https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/dad-talking-with-baby.jpg 426 640 Sonja Preston https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/TPC-Logo.svg Sonja Preston2019-04-15 15:30:582019-04-15 15:26:54Communicating with Babies – What Parents Need to Know.
Image of a nice kids bed in a neat room
Luke Hopkins

When Do I Move my Toddler into a Bed?

April 8, 2019/in 1 - 3 Years, 3 - 5 Years, Parents /by Luke Hopkins

This is a question many parents wonder about. There is no ‘right’ time to move them into a bed, and your decision may be based on a variety of things….

  • You may have a new baby arriving and know that they will only sleep in a bassinet for the first few months;
  • You may be concerned that your toddler is attempting to climb out of their cot;
  • The toddler may be indicating that they want a big bed like their sister/ brother/ cousin, or
  • You may be renovating and want to include the child’s bedroom in that.

There are many reasons ‘why’ you might want to move them. From a safety point of view, they can stay in the cot until they are getting too big for it, or until they start to climb out – as then they may be at risk of falling or injury.

Whatever your reason for moving them, here are a few suggestions to make the transition easier:

Read more

https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/11785724296_5c3ce42561_b.jpg 823 1024 Luke Hopkins https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/TPC-Logo.svg Luke Hopkins2019-04-08 14:40:062019-04-08 14:34:35When Do I Move my Toddler into a Bed?
Sonja Preston

Every day when I spend time with you, my life gets better and better.

April 1, 2019/in 1 - 3 Years, 3 - 5 Years, 4 - 12 Months, Birth - 3 Months, Parents, Social - Emotional /by Sonja Preston

Yesterday as I was walking along the street in the mall area, I was walking near a Mother and her daughter aged about 4. They were holding hands, and the Mum looked at the little girl and said: “Every day when I spend time with you, my life gets better and better.” The daughter beamed a big smile to her Mum.

 

I said to the mother: “What a beautiful thing you just said to her – it’s such a positive message.’ And the Mum beamed back to me.

 

There are two things which are truly wonderful about the happening…..

 

The first is that the mother clearly cares deeply about her daughter and is taking steps to ensure that the daughter knows she is loved and valued, on a regularly basis. She told her daughter that this continues to happen each and every day – giving her daughter the message that their love and connection will continue, and that it is an important thing. Read more

https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/mother-and-daughter-in-pink.jpg 428 640 Sonja Preston https://theparentingcafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/TPC-Logo.svg Sonja Preston2019-04-01 09:05:422019-04-01 09:32:08Every day when I spend time with you, my life gets better and better.

Looking for a particular topic?

Discover Articles by Age or Topic

  • 1 – 3 Years (109)
  • 3 – 5 Years (110)
  • 4 – 12 Months (82)
  • Birth – 3 Months (51)
  • Frontpage Article (1)
  • Intellectual (50)
  • Language (49)
  • Motor Developement (30)
  • News (1)
  • Parents (50)
  • Pre-Natal (11)
  • Social – Emotional (78)
  • Uncategorized (4)
Popular
  • Bright Shiny ThingsMay 18, 2020 - 6:00 am
  • little-sponges-little-earsLittle Sponges, Little Ears – How we talk in front...November 22, 2013 - 3:47 pm
  • hugging-child-by-subharnabDoes your child know you love them?November 29, 2013 - 4:30 pm
  • Kid asking questionsHow (and why) a 3 year old drives you nuts with their constant...December 6, 2013 - 4:43 pm
  • The Influence of MediaThe Influence of MediaJanuary 13, 2014 - 7:43 am
Recent
  • Bright Shiny ThingsMay 18, 2020 - 6:00 am
  • 8 ways to enjoy messy play at home8 Ways to Enjoy Messy Play at HomeMay 13, 2020 - 6:00 am
  • Helle & Sonja – Sisters reunited after 40 years.The Missing SisterMay 4, 2020 - 6:00 am
  • Go to BedGo to Bed! – How to Get Children to Stay in BedApril 27, 2020 - 6:00 am
  • Friends are the Sunshine in LifeApril 6, 2020 - 1:00 pm
Comments
Tags
anxiety behavior Behaviour books calm calm and consistent challenges communication connection consequences conversation development discipline Emotions exercise Expressive language Family frustration fun Gratitude help Language learning Love model modelling nurturing parenting Parents personality play problem solving Reading resilience share Sleep Social Emotional Development sounds speech stress support teach temperament time TV

The Parenting Cafe Logo

Get in touch

+61 (0) 412 888 052
(Business Hours Only – AEST)

sonja@theparentingcafe.com.au

Facebook Icon Instagram Icon

 

Privacy Policy

Scroll to top