Empathy begins early.

Infants are surprisingly well attuned to the emotions of others. They study their caregivers closely, using their facial expressions to assess their moods and personal safety. They cry when other babies cry.

But it’s during the second and third years -

“No, Mommy. I have to do it. You’re not a ninja.” 🥷

I’ve written often about the roots of imaginary play, noting that your child’s first role playing is less likely to reflect imaginary situations than the household and caregiving routines to which they’re exposed each day.

“You make my heart hurt because it loves you so much.” 😍

The bond between infants and their mothers is a special one indeed - with nature playing important roles (in both directions) to help promote attachment.

After birth, mothers’ brains are flooded with chemicals

Q: How much should you assist your toddler?

A: Only as much as they need to avoid frustration and find success.

After 8-12 months of near total dependence, toddlers unlock a whole new world in which they have the language, cognition, and motor skills to begin acting on their

The period from prenatal to three is the most uniquely consequential window in all of human development.

It is during this period that the fundamental architecture of the brain is “wired” in ways that will serve to support - or hinder - your child’s longterm success in school

Reading with your baby is about so much more than the book.

It’s a time for bonding and connection. For laughter, love, and language learning…

There are so many great things happening as this father and daughter share a board book together.

Watch our hero, as she splits

The X algorithm isn’t keen on the mention of other platforms, but I’m excited to share that I’ll be doing an AMA (Ask Me Anything) next Saturday with early childhood educators across the globe. Details in the screenshots below.

The first sound I knew was your heartbeat.

The first voice I knew was yours.

I learned to gauge my safety from watching your eyes.

I learned to speak by watching your mouth.

Your love for me is almost as endless as my love for you.

Happy Mothers’ Day

I was so excited to debut content from my book, The Daycare Myth, this week in Indianapolis. If you’re looking for a keynote speaker for an upcoming event, I’d love to connect.

And don’t forget you can save 25% if you preorder the book this weekend. See details below. Teachers College Press

Your child is always watching. Listening. Learning.

And they want nothing more than to be like you.

Check out this little guy who’s joined his dad for a little jog, which he’s decided is the key to becoming muscular like his father… even pausing mid-run to check whether

Honored to spend the day in Indianapolis, keynoting at the NCAA Hall of Champions on behalf of Early Learning Indiana. So many great things happening for infants and toddlers in Indiana thanks to a $50 million gift from Lilly Endowment.

Don’t get used to that eye color quite yet… 👀

Due to lack of exposure to light in utero, many babies are born with blue or light grey eyes. But this coloration can - and often does - change over time.

Eye color is determined by melanin in the iris. After birth - and with