The best part of your day is the time you spend with your child. Spend at least thirty minutes doing quality time activities with the child in your life. Quality time supports your child’s growth and boosts his or her development. Quality time with a child exercises the mind, creates an avenue for learning, and[…..]

Free Baby Formula Available for Delawareans We all want what is best for our children, and of course that includes proper and safe nutrition for our babies and toddlers. We understand the toll the low supply of baby formula has taken on Delaware families, and we are here to help guide you with trusted and[…..]

A child’s brain rapidly grows and constantly transforms. The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are a period of super-fast changes in their bodies, their brains, and their emotions. Spending quality time with kids is important to support their development. You help children learn with each moment of eye contact, each new word you[…..]

The second Saturday in June is National Family Health and Fitness Day. Here are 8 spots in Delaware that are perfect for the whole family to enjoy getting fit, spending quality time with your family, and still having fun!

The joy and excitement you feel after meeting your new baby can also be a stressful time for families. Developing a routine for eating, sleeping, bathing, and oral care may be challenging.  Did you know that it is important to clean your infants’ gums after a feeding?  Babies need help to remove bacteria and sugars[…..]

Teething begins when a tooth breaks through the gums. Teething can be a difficult time for the infant and adults.  Infants can become fussy, have trouble sleeping, drool more than normal or lose their appetite. When to expect the first tooth? The age that the first tooth appears is different for each baby.  Many babies[…..]

Cleaning your infant’s mouth soon after their birth is an important part to keeping them healthy. Cleaning your babies’ gums to clear out residue left behind from breast milk, formula or food prevents the buildup of bacteria and protects teeth when they begin to peek through and gets them ready for toothbrushing. Start by wiping[…..]

The real ghouls on Halloween are the ones who tell you don’t eat candy, don’t drink soda, eliminate sugar from your diet and pass out fruit, or sugarless candy during Halloween. Let’s be real! Halloween will always be the sweetest day of the year. Only one time a year can children can fill buckets with[…..]

The Dual Generation Center at the Stubbs Early Education Center — located at 1100 N. Pine Street, 2nd Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801 — offers opportunities for adults in parenting skills, literacy, financial education, GED preparation, and job training. The center also houses state services from the Department of Health and Social Services; the Department of[…..]

Children who spend their earliest years struggling with physical health, mental health, cultural, language, motivational, or learning challenges are already behind the curve when they start school. A new report from the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network provides information to guide the development of children in Delaware — particularly those in[…..]

When asked to do “virtual” home visits, I was admittedly anxious! I did not have a clear picture of how that was going to work out. But after my first virtual home visit, I completely relaxed and thought, “This can be successful!” I have been busy connecting families with necessary resources. I provided them with[…..]

Healthy Families Delaware (HFD) has completely transitioned to “virtual visits” to continue supporting our families. We are working with our IT department to move all clients to virtual as soon as possible. We were able to deliver supplies such as diapers, wipes, and Cribs for Kids pack n plays last week. Our family support specialists[…..]

Children throughout Delaware are out of school and now at home, due to the risks of COVID-19. During this time, it’s important to keep children active and engaged throughout the day. This not only helps with boredom, but also helps with their development. Whether your child is between the age of 0-3 years old or[…..]

It is important that you and your families have accurate information about the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. We have compiled resources to help all Delawareans understand the disease and its effects on our community.

  Obesity is a primary concern in many states. While any child is at risk, children who live in poverty-stricken areas are at a greater risk for being overweight. In fact, obesity now affects one in five children across the United States. This can put your child at risk for various health problems. The good[…..]

There will be times when parenting is hard. There is a lot of information on baby care. There are many different opinions on how to care for an infant. Babies need you to care for them. Trusted sources and home visitors know best.  You should always follow the most up to date recommendations by trusted[…..]

September means it is back to school for many of our kids! Help your child start this new school year, happy and healthy. Nutrition is a big part of development. Healthy foods make students better learners. A child who has a well-balanced meal is more alert in the classroom. They score better on tests. They[…..]

“Tired” takes on a completely new meaning as a new parent. You want to take care of your baby and do what is best for your baby. However, there will be many restless nights ahead. The stress as a new mom or parent could be more than you can handle when you are on little[…..]

Your baby is on the move! It takes time but eventually your baby will start to crawl. This is an exciting time for you and your little one. Crawling is part of growing up. It is one major milestone for your baby. Crawling is not easy! It takes muscle strength, coordination, and determination. You will[…..]

Seasons change. From sun to snowy weather, but the rules of safe sleep will always remain the same. Your baby’s safety should be top priority!  Safe sleep environments help families reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Where your baby sleeps is important to know before you bring the little one out for[…..]

Hold your baby close—it helps. The urge to hug and kiss your child and to care for your child is a form of bonding. A bond is a strong connection between a child and parent. You should interact with your child as much as possible. It is an important part of a child’s growth process.[…..]

Safe sleep starts with you! Every parent has the responsibility to share the safe sleep message. Share it with a friend. Share it with your neighbor. Share it with a stranger. The rules of safe sleep could save a baby’s life. When you log onto Instagram or Facebook, you might see a picture of your[…..]

The thought of becoming a new parent brings many emotions. You are excited about all the good moments you are going to have with little one. You are anxious about the arrival. You are scared. No one ever taught you how to care for a baby. You are worried about providing for your child and[…..]

Babies absorb what they see and hear around them. From an early age, babies can sense the feelings or moods of their parent. When you argue, your baby can feel the stress. What happens in the home can have an effect on a child’s development. Negative reactions like sadness or anger can cause your baby[…..]

Every moment is a teaching moment. You can help your child grow by creating learning moments. Talking is teaching. The words you say or the songs you sing help. It might seem like a small task — yet, your words matter. The words you say to your baby are helping them develop their own language[…..]