Your baby's story time can be fun and exciting -- and vastly beneficial to her development. Here's how you can help Baby grasp important skills for her future.academy of pediatricsamerican academy of pediatricsvice presidenterikson institutejoseph zangameredith corporationuniversity of rochester'sijzendoornsazerzangaSkills Your Baby Learns from Story Timeit's very important that you carry out story time in a way that helps him learn more words. Blewitt, a professor of psychology at Villanova University in Philadelphia, researches early vocabulary learning, and suggests that a child whose vocabularyYour baby's story time can be fun and exciting -- and vastly beneficial to her development. Here's how you can help Baby grasp important skills for her future.Close the lid on your kid's embarrassing bathroom blab once and for all.children's memorial hospitaljonathan pochylymichele borbaparents magazineuniversity of nebraska medical centerteddy bearomahadiscipline strategiescamp firenebraskaHow To Handle A Potty MouthChildren see that certain language lends itself to getting attention," explains William Warzak, Ph.D., professor of psychology in the pediatrics department at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, in Omaha. "If you keep things matter-ofClose the lid on your kid's embarrassing bathroom blab once and for all.Whether your kid is shy or (ahem) spirited, there are ways to manage his quirks and develop his positive qualities.big brotherfederal wayhelen nevilleparents magazinemary annnorwalk connecticutfairfax virginiageorge mason universityjim taylorgrocery storeUnderstanding Your Toddler's Traitsexpress feelings openly and stand up for oneself in social situations," says Todd B. Kashdan, Ph.D., professor of psychology at George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia. How to Bring out His Best: Encourage your child to ask for what sheWhether your kid is shy or (ahem) spirited, there are ways to manage his quirks and develop his positive qualities.Help your infant chill out in situations that send her nerves into overdrive.chapel hilluniversity of north carolina'sgettysburg collegemason city iowaparents magazineuniversity parkresearch scientistaurora illinoisheart ratepaid attentionRelax, Baby: How to Soothe Baby's Nervescan tailor how best to help him soothe himself, says Cynthia A. Stifter, Ph.D., professor of human development and psychology at Penn State, in University Park. For instance, allow plenty of time to introduce a shy or high-needs baby to the sitterHelp your infant chill out in situations that send her nerves into overdrive.She sure is a charmer, but your 12-pound mega-cutie also does a thing or two that makes you say "Huh?" Let us explain your baby's lovable quirks.bernard cohenjohns hopkins children's centermonell chemical senses centernew havennew york cityparents magazinetanya remer altmannuniversity of california-daviswestlake village californiayale university school of medicineUnderstanding Your Baby's Quirkscan experience many wonderful touch sensations when they suck on their body parts, says Ross Thompson, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of California-Davis. While babies love to suck anything they can get their lips on -- toys, the remoteShe sure is a charmer, but your 12-pound mega-cutie also does a thing or two that makes you say "Huh?" Let us explain your baby's lovable quirks.Here's some fabulous news for busy moms: Your preschooler would be thrilled to pitch in around the house. (For starters, try calling chores "family games.")michele borbaparents magazinedry ingredientstrash canaltruistic behaviorstring cheesepillow fightstring beanspure joydirty clothesMake Chores Funturns out that the little sweethearts also come into the world with a natural inclination to be kind, even selfless. German psychology researcher Felix Warneken, PhD, showed that 18-month-olds exhibit altruistic behavior. In one experiment, Dr. WarnekenHere's some fabulous news for busy moms: Your preschooler would be thrilled to pitch in around the house. (For starters, try calling chores "family games.")From elephants in nurseries to the Obama girls, here's what people will be buzzing about in the year ahead.jessica alba'swhite housecutting edgepasta dishimmune systemside effectsann taylorchristian siriano'sh&mhenry thomasTop Parenting Trends of 2009narrows the range of pretend play options or scenarios the child will engage in," says R. Keith Sawyer, PhD, a professor of psychology who studies creativity in children at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. "However, if you get your child aFrom elephants in nurseries to the Obama girls, here's what people will be buzzing about in the year ahead.Your 3-year-old is a complex person now -- with thoughts, interests, and greater control of her body. She's also got a longer attention span, so she can focus on make-believe, games, craft projects, and more. Here, 14 gifts that experts -- and kids -- love.arts and craftschildren's hospitalplay-dohalbert einstein college of medicinecollege of medicinemeredith corporationnew york cityst louis missouriwashington university in st louisboard gamesBest Gifts for 3-Year-Oldsexperts love it: "Play-Doh has so many uses, especially if you add tools," says R. Keith Sawyer, PhD, a professor of psychology who studies creativity in children at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. "It uses fine motor skills and imaginationYour 3-year-old is a complex person now -- with thoughts, interests, and greater control of her body. She's also got a longer attention span, so she can focus on make-believe, games, craft projects, and more. Here, 14 gifts that experts -- and kids -- love.Identifying attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in girls can be more difficult because they're not "supposed" to have it.california berkeleyhyperactivity disordermeredith corporationstephen hinshawuniversity of californiaberkeleyThe Stigma of ADHD for Girls: Child Mind Institute VideoDr. Stephen Hinshaw is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and a member of the Child Mind Institute's Scientific Research Council. He discussesIdentifying attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in girls can be more difficult because they're not "supposed" to have it.reading bookschildren's booksbill martindr seussjarrett krosoczkajudith viorstkaren katzkatherine patersonmark teaguemo willemsThrive in 2025: Hit the Books!tend to respond better to basic drawings and bold colors," he says. A recent study in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology came to a similar conclusion. Among the two groups of children observed, 20-month-olds and 30- to 36-month-olds