Andrea Beilinson

Theories of Parent/Child Attachment A child bonds with her parents and caregivers during the first year of life. This critical first year will shape her personality and overall development.

One Family's Story of Change Not so long ago, a typical Saturday at the Taylor household consisted of video games, fast food dinner and banana splits for dessert. Evenings were spent cuddled up in front of a family DVD, munching on popcorn and guzzling soda.

Summertime means lots of outdoor play, visits to the park, playground, and pool, and playing at home. Neighborhood parks are terrific for visits, but since summer also means relaxation, wouldn't it be wonderful to have your own backyard playground so that you wouldn't have to drive or walk to a place where your children can get some exercise? Outdoor wooden playsets are perfect for installing in your own backyard so you can have the fun of a playground without the hassle of going anywhere.

Babies, toddlers, and older children learn through play, so you probably want to know what the best toys are for fostering development and educating your child while he's having fun to boot. There are so many different products available, and they are not all created equal. Wooden educational toys are durable, safe, and some are made from sustainable resources, designed to promote ecological responsibility while providing fun and learning for your child.

All children learn through play, and all children naturally choose favorites among their toys - the sets that just seem to grab and keep their attention and entertain them for hours at a time. As a parent, you want to find the best toys are for fostering development and educating your child while he's "just" having fun. Look to wooden play sets to provide durable, safe, fun toys that will engage your child's imagination and keep him entertained.

Parents are bombarded with toy selections today. Websites, major retailers, and boutiques all offer what they tout are the best and newest toys designed to get children off to a smart start in learning. It is easy to overlook, then, some of the most basic toys parents may remember from their own childhoods. Simple, wooden pull toys are a terrific choice for babies and toddlers. They stimulate physical development and are just plain fun.

It's All About Time When Sonny Koufax is unexpectedly handed a child in the movie Big Daddy, he is determined to be a "cool dad." He lets the child choose his own name (Frankenstein), bathe when he wants (never), eat what he wants (ketchup packets) and pretty much do what he wants, when he wants. Sonny figures out that this maybe isn't the best method of parenting when Frankenstein's schoolteacher tells him that of all the kids, his is, "the smelliest by far."

Parents want toys that are well made and will hold up to years of enjoyment. Children want toys that engage their imaginations and keep them entertained for hours. Luckily, the durable, interesting, and fun Maxim toys available through Quality Toys and Hobbies suit both parents' and children's needs.

A Nutritious Breakfast - A Great Way to Start the Day Amy was having trouble concentrating at school. Though she had always been a conscientious student, she began forgetting to turn in assignments, and her test scores plummeted. During parent teacher conference, Amy's teacher asked what her what she ate for breakfast. "Sometimes I eat a doughnut, but usually I just skip it," said Amy, "It doesn't seem like that big of a deal."

The moment your little one is born, he begins to learn about the world around him. How exciting, to go from a dark, still place to the world outside! Your child is constantly inundated with new sounds, sights, smells and touches that help him learn more about his new environment.