Walking on Eggshells: Parenting an Explosive Child
It is important to clarify that a child with violent behavior due to neurological or sensory disorders is not intentionally abusing their parent. However, the emotional and psychological impact on the caregiver is strikingly similar to that of victims of intimate partner violence.
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Throw This, Not That
Some children just love to throw stuff, and it’s a powerful developmental drive. We don’t want to hurt people or break stuff, but constantly fighting a toddler with that impulse often leads to frustration for both the adult and the child. Our immediate, instinct is to say, “Stop throwing stuff!” But what if we paused…
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DIY Light Box for Early Intervention
A DIY Light Table for Sensory Seekers I know what it feels like to be out of ideas. When our foster son entered our lives, he was a vibrant, intense sensory seeker. He needed high-octane input, often chewing on non-food items, bumping, crashing, and constantly moving. He struggled to settle and focus on quiet activities.…
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Challenging Behavior: Dealing with Children who Bite
As a teacher and foster parent, I have seen biting behaviors resolve through team-based plans and specific strategies. When these strategies were consistently in place, the biting behavior disappeared. I realized that adults often want the child to simply “stop,” but the most effective interventions begin by changing the environment to reduce triggers like stress,…
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Challenging Behavior: Self-Injury
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for a small child hurting himself. It’s a difficult situation but it can improve over time. Early Intervention providers working with families going through this need to remember to be supportive and encourage them to focus on one thing at a time one day at a time.
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Songs with Purpose: “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe” for Sensory Regulation
It offered a fast, intense burst of movement followed by a moment of structured stillness. The older siblings could easily join in, and we could execute it anywhere—in a hallway, outside a restaurant, or even at the park—without needing any specialized equipment.
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Offering Support to Families without Judgement
I cried after that session. Stressful situations profoundly affect a parent’s ability to think clearly. As professions, we must be aware of how our helpful information might land on sensitive parents. When parents are overwhelmed, even the most helpful advice can feel like a stinging accusation.
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The Pillow Sandwich: Deep Pressure and Sensory Regulation at Home
My foster child actively sought this deep pressure. When he was feeling over-excited, overwhelmed, or just needed a reset, he had a request: “Pillow Sandwich!” This was a simple, family-led intervention that provided therapeutic compression.
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Haircut Tips for Little Boys Part 2: Autism
Instead of forcing him to “sit still,” I shifted the entire experience to meet him where he was. Here is the step-by-step strategy we used to turn a something that caused a violent meltdown into a manageable routine:
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The Quiet Explorer: Not Letting Our “Easy” Baby Get Lost in the Noise
I spent so much time putting out fires. The meltdowns. The sensory spirals. The “heavy work” sessions just to get through a grocery run. Because her brother’s needs were so loud, I often found myself exhaling in relief when I looked at Little Pumpkin. She was the “easy” one. She was our go-with-the-flow cuddle bug…
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Christmas Shopping with Discovery Toys 2025
You have arrived at the party! Step 1. Shop on the Discovery Toys Website by clicking the link below. When you go to the Discovery Toys website, you can You May Prefer to Browse the Catalog PDF File Below. Step 2. Contact me (if you want to) Still don’t know what to order? How about…
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Small Business Saturday: The Value is in the Experience
If you choose to shop through me, you’re doing something great: you’re supporting me, a local Hattiesburg small business owner. It’s a win-win: quality play for your child, and support for your neighbor
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What Is Special Instruction?
This is a four part series diving into the answer to that question using the Division of Early Childhood Position Statement as a reference.
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Behavior Charts: Pros and Cons
When I was in school, the system for managing behavior was simple, if harsh: write your name on the chalkboard, and check marks and a possible paddling would follow. Later, when I became a mother, my child’s classroom (as well as everyone else’s) employed a color-coded traffic light chart. Everyone seemed to love this system.…
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What a Ketchup and Mayonnaise Sandwich Taught Me about Early Intervention
She pointed to the ketchup. Okay, —a bit strange, but whatever brings comfort. Then she pointed to the mayonnaise.
Ketchup. Mayonnaise. On white bread. This is where my inner dialogue—screamed, No, that’s gross. I draw the line.
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Simple Tools in Early Intervention: The Mirror
Language starts long before the first word is spoken; it begins with awareness, body movement, and imitation. The mirror is so powerful because it provides immediate visual feedback—a principle supported by speech-language research.
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Parenting by Experience: From Diapers to Digital Devices
Our experiences with the first child—whether navigating the physical milestones of infancy or the digital dangers of adolescence—shape us profoundly. We learn, we adjust, and we seek out tools that help us create loving boundaries for all our children. Let me share my “First Draft” parenting lessons with you, so you can we can enjoy…
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Sensory Play: Stretchy Bands
For a sensory-seeking child who is always looking for movement, if that movement comes in the form of a fun, voluntary activity—like using an elastic band to play with—that is an improvement.
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Health Information Resources in Early Intervention: Children’s Hospitals
We are not expected to be medical doctors, but we are expected to be informed team members. Utilizing these health libraries ensures our practice—and our resource sharing—is grounded in reliable information.
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Find Your Professional Association in Early Intervention
If you are currently working in early intervention, I urge you to join your dedicated professional organization today. It’s not just an expense; it’s an investment in your professional competence and longevity, helping you continuously build your value and ensure your knowledge remains up to date.
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