top of page

Resources

​​

 

Child Development

Developmental Milestones

Common Developmental Traits: 4–12 Years – Responsive Classroom · PDF

Child & Adolescent Developmental Traits by Age Chart – Responsive Classroom

CDC’s Developmental Milestones: Learn the Signs. Act Early. – CDC

Brain Development of Children from 0–6 Years: Facts Every Parent Should Know – PDF

Stages of Development and Why It Matters – Fishtown Montessori

Communication Milestones: Age Ranges – ASHA

Children’s Developmental Milestones: Gross and Fine Motor Skills – Brown University Health

Developmental Milestones by Age

From Understood

2-year-olds  ·  3-year-olds  ·  4-year-olds  ·  Kindergartners  ·  First graders  ·  Second & third graders  ·  Fourth & fifth graders

Inside Your Child’s Brain

From Parenting (GreatSchools)

Preschooler  ·  Kindergartner  ·  1st grader  ·  2nd grader  ·  3rd grader  ·  4th grader  ·  5th grader

Sensory Processing

Sensory Processing Issues – Child Mind Institute

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD): Symptoms & Treatment – Cleveland Clinic

Executive Function: The Basics

From Understood

The 3 Areas of Executive Function

What Is Executive Function?

Trouble with Executive Function at Different Ages

Executive Function Strategies for Your Child

The Difference Between ADHD and Executive Function Challenges

Executive Function: Guides & Strategies

InBrief: Executive Function – Harvard Center on the Developing Child

What Is Executive Function in Child Development? – The OT Toolbox

Executive Function Skills by Age: A Guide for Parents & Teachers – Life Skills Advocate

Tips for Parents: Executive Functioning in Daily Life: Emotional Control, Impulsivity & Practical Strategies – Davidson Institute

Helping Kids Who Struggle With Executive Functions – Child Mind Institute

Executive Functioning: Helping Children Learn Skills for Life – Brown University Health

Learning How to Learn: Tips for Developing Executive Function Skills at Home – Bright Horizons

Parent Support for Executive Functioning Skills – The Pathway 2 Success

 

Evaluations & Services

Evaluations

What Is a Neuropsychological Evaluation? – Understood

Differences Between Neuropsychological Evaluations and Autism or ADHD Testing – Thriving Wellness Center

What Is a Neuropsychological Evaluation and Its Purpose? – Themba Tutors

Parent Handout: Preparing Your Child for Testing – Explaining Brains

NYC Early Intervention

Early Intervention – INCLUDEnyc

Early Intervention Program – New York State Department of Health

NYC Preschool Special Education (CPSE)

Preschool Special Education – INCLUDEnyc

Preschool Students – NYC Public Schools

NYC School-Age Special Education (CSE)

Types of Evaluation in Special Education – INCLUDEnyc

The CSE/CPSE Process and Individualized Education Program (IEP) Development – New York State Education Department

Education Services in Westchester County

Early Intervention Program (EIP) – Westchester County Health

Preschool Special Educational Program (PEP) – Westchester County Health

OPWDD – NY Office for People With Developmental Disabilities

Student Advocacy in Westchester

 

Learning, ADHD & Autism

Learning

Understood: Learning Resources – Understood

LD Online

ADHD: Understanding & Explaining

ADDitude: Inside the ADHD Mind – ADDitude

Explaining ADHD to Kids – Explaining Brains

Explaining ADHD to Family Members – Explaining Brains

ADHD: Children’s Books

ADHD Is Our Superpower – Jessica Kingsley Publishers · Book

ADHD Is Awesome – HarperCollins · Book

ADHD: Parent Reading & Resources

Books: Smart But Scattered Kids – Book

Taking Charge of ADHD, Fourth Edition: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents – Russell Barkley · Book

12 Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD – Russell Barkley · Book

ADHD Is Awesome: The Holderness Family Guide to Thriving with ADHD – ADDitude, Video Replay & Podcast #505 · Podcast

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Information on Autism Spectrum Disorder for Families – CDC

Red Flags of ASD in Toddlers – Autism Navigator

Signs of Autism – Autism Speaks

Complete Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – Child Mind Institute

Top 25 Free Autism Resources for Parents and Caregivers (Updated 2025) – Dan Marino Foundation

 

Emotions & Well-Being

Mental Health

Child Mind Institute: Resources – Child Mind Institute

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network – NCTSN

Worries, Fears & Anxiety

Childhood Fears and Worries – Nemours KidsHealth

Fears & Phobias in Children: How Parents Can Help – HealthyChildren.org

Dealing with Anxiety in Children & Teens – Hey Sigmund

Child Therapist’s List of Childhood Fears by Age – Anxious Toddlers · With links to children’s stories

For Kids With Anxiety, Parents Learn to Let Them Face Their Fears – NPR

Self-Regulation & Coping with Feelings

How Can We Help Kids With Self-Regulation? – Child Mind Institute

Parent/Guardian Toolkit: Emotional Regulation – Think Give · PDF

Developmental Stages of Self-Regulation: Highlights from Leah Kuypers’ “The Zones of Regulation” Workshop – Life Skills 4 Kids

Dealing with Big Feelings: Teaching Kids How to Self-Regulate – Hey Sigmund

Big Emotions and Supporting Positive Behaviour – Just One Norfolk (NHS) · PDF

Calm-Down Tools & Feelings Books

Calm Down Kit: How to Help Your Child Build Healthy Emotional Regulation Skills – SOS Children’s Villages USA

Calm Down Box: Help Kids Self-Regulate – North Shore Family Services

Peaceful Teaching: Proactive Tools to Reduce Challenging Behaviors – From Clay · PDF

Books About Feelings for Babies and Toddlers – ZERO TO THREE · Book list

21 Awesome Kids Books About Feelings and Emotions – Childhood 101 · Book list

Co-Regulation

When Their Storm Meets Our Calm: The Art of Co-Regulation – PlayWorks Chicago

Co-Regulation – The OT Toolbox

To Co-Regulate or Co-Dysregulate: What to Do When Their Feelings or Behaviour Get Big – Hey Sigmund

Co-Regulation Visual – PDF

Resilience

A Guide to Resilience: Building Young Children’s Capacity for Resilience – Harvard Center on the Developing Child

The Secret to Raising a Resilient Kid – The New York Times

Building Resilience in Children: 20 Practical, Powerful Strategies (Backed by Science) – Hey Sigmund

Mindfulness for Children: Fun, Effective Ways to Strengthen Mind, Body, Spirit – Hey Sigmund

Building Resilience in Children 3–8 Years – Raising Children Network

Resilience Guide for Parents and Teachers – APA

Grit & Growth Mindset

The Research Behind the TED Talk: Angela Duckworth on Grit – Digital Promise

Fostering a Growth Mindset in Children – Parents

Positioning Kids & Teens to Thrive: 11 Practical, Powerful Ways to Build a Growth Mindset – Hey Sigmund

The Power of Believing That You Can Improve – Carol Dweck, TED Talk · Video

Growth Mindset for Kids: How Parents Can Encourage Growth Mindset in Children – Kiddie Matters

Well-Being & Positive Psychology

Greater Good – UC Berkeley

Conscious Parenting: A Mindful Approach to Parenting – PositivePsychology.com

 

Friendship & Social Skills

Social Skills by Age

Play Developmental Milestones – Lurie Children’s

Social and Emotional Skills at Different Ages – Understood

Friendship Lessons for All Ages & Stages – Scholastic

Making & Keeping Friends: Ages & Stages Guide – Brightline

Helping Children Make Friends: Age-by-Age Guide to Social Skills – Good to Great Parenting

Supporting Your Child’s Friendships

Friendship in Children: A Research-Based Guide to Peer Relationships – Parenting Science

What Parents Can Do to Support Friendships – HealthyChildren.org

Caring for Kids: Helping Your Child Build Meaningful Friendships – University of Michigan

Kids Who Need a Little Help to Make Friends – Child Mind Institute

Articles About Parenting and Children’s Feelings and Friendships – Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD

Dr. Friendtastic: Parenting Advice for Kids – Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD

Bullying

Is It Bullying… or Ordinary Meanness? – Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD

How to Arm Your Child Against Bullying – Child Mind Institute

My Child Is Bullying Others: What Should I Do? – Child Mind Institute

Bullying 101: The Club Crew’s Guide to Bullying Prevention – PACER Center · PDF

What Is Bullying – StopBullying.gov

 

Parenting

General Parenting

10 Best Educational Parenting Websites When You Want to Skip the Fluff – Andrea Kay

Center for Effective Parenting – Dept. of Pediatrics, AK Children’s Hospital

Hey Sigmund: Parenting Resources – Hey Sigmund

Parenting Translator

Zero to Three: Resources – ZERO TO THREE

Routines

Smoother Transitions to Help Your Child Through Daily Routines – PBS

Family Routine Guide – PDF

How to Develop Flexible Thinking – PBS KIDS for Parents

The Importance of Family Routines – HealthyChildren.org

Positive Bedtime Routines: Babies, Children and Teenagers – Raising Children Network

Child Bedtime Routines Dos and Don’ts – Verywell Family

Sleep: Why It Matters

The 7 Reasons Your Kid Needs Sleep – Parents · PDF

Healthy Sleep Habits: How Many Hours Does Your Child Need? – HealthyChildren.org

Insufficient Sleep in Children – Children’s Hospital Colorado

Sleep and Memory – Harvard Medical School

How Blue Light Affects Kids’ Sleep – Sleep Foundation

Sleep: Bedtime Struggles

Helping Kids Build Healthy Habits for Better Sleep – Thriving Kids, Child Mind Institute · Podcast

Bedtime for Toddlers – HealthySteps · PDF

How to Help Kids Who Have Trouble Sleeping – Child Mind Institute

Simple and Genius Trick to Get Kids to Sleep in Their Own Bed – Dr. Eli Lebowitz · Video

Helping Our School-Age Children Sleep Better – The New York Times

Child Sleep: Put Preschool Bedtime Problems to Rest – Mayo Clinic

Preschooler & Toddler Sleep: Tips, Treatment, Prevention – Cleveland Clinic

6 Big Kid Sleep Problems – Parenting, by Meryl Davids Landau

Nightmares, Night Terrors & Bedtime Stories

Nightmares – WebMD

Night Terrors: Definition, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment – WebMD

The 56 Best Bedtime Stories of All Time – Red Tricycle · Book list

Toilet Training

A Deep Dive into Potty Learning: Everything You Need to Know to Successfully Potty Train Your Child – Dr. Sarah Bren · Podcast

Potty Training – University of Michigan Health

What to Know About Potty Training – ParentData by Emily Oster

Toilet Training (for Parents) – Nemours KidsHealth

General Potty Training Guide: Preschooler – WebMD

Screens

Screen Time & Technology – Child Mind Institute

The U.S. Surgeon General says screen time is a public health concern. Here’s what schools should know - The Social Institute 2026

Updated AAP recommendations for screen time: What parents need to know – CHOC 2026

Screen Time and Children: How to Guide Your Child – Mayo Clinic

A Parent’s Practical Guide to Managing Screen Time for Kids – CCRC

Screen-Time Recommendations for Children Under Six – ZERO TO THREE

Surgeon General’s Report on Screen Time – The Social Institute

AAP Family Media Plan – American Academy of Pediatrics

Common Sense Media

Blue Light Has a Dark Side – Harvard Health

How Technology Affects Child Development – Catherine Steiner-Adair · Video

Use Parental Controls to Manage Your Child’s iPhone or iPad – Apple Support

 

Transitions & Difficult Topics

Separation & Back to School

Preschool Prep: How to Prepare Your Toddler for Preschool – ZERO TO THREE

18 Tips for Overcoming Separation Anxiety on the First Day of Preschool – Parents

11 Children’s Books to Ease Your Child’s Separation Anxiety – Chaos & Quiet · Book list

Talking to Kids About Back-to-School Worries – Child Mind Institute

Preparing for Back-to-School at Every Age – Making Caring Common, Harvard

The Best Way to Ease the Back-to-School Transition – Understood

Preparing for a New Sibling

Preparing Your Child for a New Sibling – Child Mind Institute

New Baby Sibling – C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Michigan Medicine

Becoming a Big Brother or Sister: Children’s Books About New Siblings – Daniel Boone Regional Library · Book list

Scary or Difficult Situations

How to Cope with Traumatic News: An Illustrated Guide – ABC News (Australia)

Helping Children Cope With Frightening News – Child Mind Institute

How to Talk to Kids About Tough Topics – Sesame Workshop

A Guide for Grown-Ups Helping Children Through the Toughest Times – Sesame Street · PDF

Helping Children with Tragic Events in the News – PBS KIDS for Parents

How to Talk to Your Neurodivergent Child About Scary News – Understood

How to Talk to Kids About Scary or Tragic Events in the News – Connecticut Children’s

Talking to Youth When Scary Things Happen – National Child Traumatic Stress Network

How to Talk to Kids About Scary News – Nat Geo Kids

What to Say to Kids When the News Is Scary – NPR Life Kit · Podcast

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Families and Educators – NASP

Talking to Kids About Gun Violence – Nemours KidsHealth

Talking to Children About Death

Helping Children with Questions About Death – Dr. Tamara Soles

Explaining Death and Dying to Children – Child Bereavement UK

Explaining Death to a Child – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

How Children Understand Death & What You Should Say – HealthyChildren.org

Resources for Kids – Dougy Center

Grief Resources & Support for Families – Good Grief

A Grandparent’s Illness

Honesty, Reassurance Help Children Cope When a Grandparent Is Ill – The Seattle Times

How Can I Talk to Young Children About a Grandparent’s Cancer? – Child Mind Institute

How and When Do I Tell My Kids Their Grandma Is Dying? – Lisa Damour, PhD

The Death of a Pet

When a Pet Dies (for Parents) – Nemours KidsHealth

What to Say When a Pet Dies – WebMD

Handling the Death of Classroom Pets – Pets in the Classroom

On Their Level: How to Help a Child Grieve the Loss of a Pet – Psych Central

Divorce

How to Tell Kids You’re Getting a Divorce – Child Mind Institute

How to Tell Kids About Divorce: An Age-by-Age Guide – Today’s Parent

 

Body, Health & Safety

Body Image

Body Positivity: How to Help Kids Build a Healthy Self-Image – Children’s Hospital Colorado

Body Positivity for Kids – The Kids Mental Health Foundation

Supporting Body Positivity in Children and Teens – CHOC

Boys and Body Image – Common Sense Media

Girls and Body Image – Common Sense Media · PDF

Raising Strong Daughters – PBS KIDS for Parents

How to Help Your Daughter Have a Healthy Body Image – Child Mind Institute

27 Children’s Books That Foster a Healthy Body Image in Kids – HuffPost · Book list

Celebrating Every Body: 30 Body Image Positive Books for Mighty Girls – A Mighty Girl · Book list

Body Boundaries

Let’s Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent, and Respect – Jayneen Sanders & Sarah Jennings · Book

Body Smart, Body Safe: Talking with Young Children About Their Bodies – A Mighty Girl

7 Ways to Talk to Your Child About Good and Bad Touch – University of Michigan Health

Some Parts Are NOT for Sharing – Julie Federico · Book

Sex Education

My Kid Needs to Know What? An Age-by-Age Guide to Sex Education – And What to Do! – Hey Sigmund

Sexual Development and Behavior in Children: Information for Parents and Caregivers – NCTSN

Resources – Sex Positive Families

Talking to Your Child About Puberty – Nemours KidsHealth

Birds and Bees for Parents

Preparing for Medical Experiences and Support for Fears 

Help Kids Scared of Going to the Doctor | Child Mind Institute

Helping Children Cope During Visits to the Doctor

The Best Activities to Help Ease Kids’ Medical Anxiety | Starlight Children's Foundation

5 Ways to Help Your Child Cope with Blood Draws | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

How to Help Your Child Cope With a Medical Emergency

Preparing the Preschooler for Surgery

Preparing Children and Teens for Surgery | UC Davis Health

​​10 Tips for Talking with Your Child about Cancer | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Supporting your child's development after a cancer diagnosis

Helping Your Child Adjust to a Cancer Diagnosis

Food Allergies

Food Allergy Center Resources – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

Food Allergies (for Kids) – Nemours KidsHealth

Helping Your Kids Understand Food Allergies – PBS KIDS for Parents

The Best Food Allergy Children’s Books – Lisa Woodruff Nutrition · Book list

​

​​​**Please Note: This website includes resources that are provided for your review. Dr. Ward does not accept responsibility for any content viewed by clicking an external link.© 2026

hydrangea 3
hydrangea 1
hydrangea 5
hydrangea 4
hydrangea 2

Please Note: This website includes resources that are provided for your review. Dr. Ward does not accept responsibility for any content viewed by clicking an external link.© 2026

bottom of page