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Monday - Friday 7:30am to 5:30pm
Deborah Ellick - deborah.sugarplums@gmail.com
Tricia Britton - tricia.sugarplums@gmail.com
(301) 468-6003

Our Blog
Each month, our Founder & President, Deborah Ellick shares her thoughts and insights on topics from early childhood education and our Purposeful Play philosophy. She shares her own insights as well as research and advice from leading experts in the field.


How to Stop Nosebleeds in Toddlers and Preschoolers with Child's Head Down
A nosebleed can look dramatic fast, especially when it happens to a toddler or preschooler who is already scared. The good news is that most childhood nosebleeds are minor and can be handled at home with calm, steady first aid. The most helpful position is simple: sit the child upright and lean the child forward with the head down slightly. Do not tilt the head back. Tilting back can make blood run down the throat, which may cause coughing, gagging, vomiting, or make it harde


Why Baby Walkers Are Unsafe for Children and How a 9 Month Old Can Tip Over
A baby walker can turn a slow, curious infant into a fast-moving child in seconds. That sudden speed is the main problem. Babies do not have the balance, judgment, or motor control to manage the movement a walker gives them. At around 9 months old, many babies are sitting well, reaching, twisting, bouncing, and trying to move toward anything interesting. A walker seems like a fun way to help. It keeps the baby upright, looks entertaining, and may feel like a bridge to walking


Screen Time Negative Effects for Children Under 5 With a 3 Year Old Playing Puzzles
A preschooler can learn a lot from a screen, but a screen can also crowd out the things young brains need most: movement, sleep, language, play, and real connection. Children under 5 are in a fast stage of brain and body development. They learn by touching, climbing, pretending, asking, repeating, sorting, building, and watching the people around them. A tablet can hold attention, sometimes very well, but attention is not the same as healthy learning. This does not mean every


When Can I Take Baby on an Airplane?Answer From Jay L. Hoecker, M.D
Is air travel safe for an infant? Answer From Jay L. Hoecker, M.D. "Air travel is typically safe for most healthy, full-term infants after the first few weeks. Air travel may not be a good idea for babies born before their due date, called premature or pre-term. Babies born early may still need time for their lungs to mature. So check with a healthcare professional before flying in a pressurized cabin or visiting high-altitude places. And any infant with heart or lung problem


Why Kids Fight Getting Dressed!
Some of our parents have been sharing that their toddlers and pre school child, struggles each morning on what to wear. I have suggested...


I Need More Sleep
Meeting many new parents during the years, questions come up about health, feeding, sharing, the dos and don'ts of parenting. But lately...


Cold Weather Outdoor Play Boosts Immune System!
"Its too cold out today, can my child please stay indoors?" My response is if your child can not go outdoors, then you should stay home...


Developing early math skills
Help Your Child Develop Early Math Skills "What do you mean you are teaching my baby math?" If we give 20 tours a week, more than half...


MAKING HALLOWEEN FUN AND SAFE
Each year I am asked, "Should I take my little pumpkin out for Halloween? I want to show the neighbors my baby! " Here are a few helpful...


What are the incubation periods of some common childhood illnesses?
During cold and flu season, parents ask me questions all the time, about how long should my child stay home, is my child still...
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