Developmental Articles
by Andy Eig, PhD.
by Gopi K. Patel, MSE.d, Special Educator
by Barbara Greenspan, OT, Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Have You Spanked Your Children?
by Gopi K. Patel, MSE.d, Special Educator
What to Expect During the Sixth Year of Your Baby's Life.
by Gopi K. Patel, MSE.d, Special Educator
What to Expect During the Third Year of Your Baby's Life.
by Gopi K. Patel, MSE.d, Special Educator
What to Expect During the Second Year of Your Baby's Life.
by Barbara Greenspan, OT, Pediatric Occupational Therapist
What to Expect During the First Year of Your Baby's Life.
by Deanie Barth, MSPT
Psychiatric Medication and Young Children:
Is there too much pill popping?
by Andy Eig, PhD.
Exersaucers, Swings and Jumpers —
A help or hindrance to development?
by Deanie Barth, MSPT
Technology — A Chief Culprit in Language Delays
by Shari Harpaz, MS, CCC-SLP
by Gopi K. Patel, MSE.d
eBeanstalk Experts
Gopi K. Patel MSE.d
Gopi Patel has over 11 years experience working with children with special needs. She specializes in behavioral therapy, and parent training, and coordination of services for children with all types of special needs. Gopi’s undergraduate degree is in Special Education and her Master’s degree , From LIU, is in Counseling and Development. Gopi currently provides therapy to children and began a private practice focusing on Parent Counseling and Training.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I know what toys to buy my child?
- Children’s play changes according to the play materials available. Therefore many types of toys/props should be offered to children. The greater the variety of toys available, the more options children will have to expand their play skills.
see our Arts & Crafts Toys
see our Building Blocks & Stacking Toys
see our Cars & Trucks Toys
see our Dolls & Houses Toys
- How do I understand my child’s play?
- The fist thing you need to do is watch your children play.
- What do I watch for?
- Watch what he/she most frequently likes to play. What toys or materials does he/she prefer? What area of the room does she/he like to play in. Who does your child like to play with?
- How do I handle conflicts?
- Conflicts are a natural part of development. Model words for the child to use in conflict situations such as, “mine” or “stop”, even very you children can learn to use simple words as this. You may pair the verbal language with hand gesture. This gives the child a visual cue as well as verbal direction. Help the child by labeling feeling about the conflict. Teach the child to get and adult if he needs help in a conflict.
- How do I connect or join my child when he/she is playing?
- Be face to face, and share your child’s interest. Don’t anticipate your child’s needs; wait for him/her to express his needs. Join your child in what he is saying or doing—imitate his actions/sounds. Remember not to force your ways on your child, he/she has her own ideas about specific play.
- When should my 12 month old move from playing with me to play with objects?
- By the age of 10 to12 months infant’s move from social play with parent or care takers to play with objects. Please remember this is not the case for every child.
- I worry that my 20 month old does not engage in pretend play, like her peers?
- This skill increases between the ages of 18 months and 36 months. Each child is an individual, and my not do the same/or similar schemes of play as their peers. Help your child engage in pretend play by modeling how to feed a doll or put it to sleep for example.
- How long should I play with my child?
- Every day routines and life style is different for every family, therefore there aren’t a correct number of hours or minutes that is the perfect recipe for play time. Be involved in your child’s play. Spend as much time as you can each day or every other day. Do the BEST you can.
