In 1972, Lincoln native Mary Ann Shallcross Smith was a new mother to her first child, Keith. She made a decision that allowed her to stay home with her baby and eventually helped change the face of child care in Rhode Island. Mary Ann opened a home child care service. She enrolled in courses in early childhood and education to better serve children and families, and in 1995 earned her doctorate degree in Education (Ed.D.), Leadership and Human Development Studies from Nova Southeastern University. Today, most know Dr. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith, Ed.D, as “Dr. Day Care.” They might not know … [Read more...]
Child’s Self Portrait
Dear Dr. Day Care, My child just turned three years old and is drawing a picture of himself with his head bigger than his body and his legs and arms are coming out of his head! He didn’t draw any details like fingers or toes. Should I be alarmed at his portrait of himself? Signed, First Time Mom Dear First Time Mom, Actually, it sounds to me that your son is right on target! Most children at his age are drawing the same type of images of themselves. Did you know that children go through stages of drawing just like any other stages of development? … [Read more...]
Dinner time advice
Dear Dr. Day Care, Our 4-year-old son refuses to sit down and eat a meal with his family each evening. We are visiting family over the holidays, and I am worried that he will not cooperate. What can we do? Signed, Stressed Dinner Parents Dear Stressed, Children need to be taught rules about appropriate dinner behavior beginning at an early age. I recommend starting around 7 months old. If your son has not previously been given limits in this area, he probably has made up his own rules and acts the way he chooses. I suggest taking some time with him to re-teach him new … [Read more...]
