Healthy Families/DHD#10

11/25/2025

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is excited to offer new and expecting parents, as well as professionals who work with families across the state, the chance to attend a free virtual baby fair. The virtual events will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 9am-11am and Wednesday, December 3, 2025, from 6pm-8pm.

To register for the event, please visit https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/virtual-baby-fair. At this free virtual baby fair, parents can learn how to be better prepared for their best adventure yet! They will have an opportunity to learn about available resources, important health and safety information and can ask experts questions.

If anyone is unable to attend the virtual Baby Fairs scheduled this winter, MDHHS invites you to explore their On-Demand Baby Fair – available online 24/7: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/virtual-baby-fair/virtual-baby-fair-ondemand.

11/25/2025

Did you know our team collaborates with Munson Healthcare and other healthcare providers for Healthy Futures? ✨

Healthy Futures is a free program for anyone who is pregnant or parenting an infant. While you’re pregnant, you will receive monthly newsletters that are tailored to your expected due date or your child's age. After your baby is born, home visits from our Healthy Futures nurses are offered to help with feeding, sleep, and other postpartum needs. 🌙

To learn more about the program, visit our website www.gtcountymi.gov/631/Healthy-Futures.

11/25/2025

Oh my, the amazing work that is happening here!

11/25/2025

You gotta love the wonder on this baby's face.

11/17/2025

Great Start Fun in December.

FREE Admission Days at COGNiTiON Science Center!

Cognition is welcoming families with Community Days, offering free admission to residents of surrounding counties on select dates! It’s a great chance for hands-on fun, learning, and exploration for kids and families.

All events run 1–5 PM at 232 N. Michigan Ave, Beulah

🗓️ Upcoming Dates:
• Nov 16 – Antrim & Kalkaska (This Sunday!)
• Nov 23 – Benzie
• Dec 7 – Leelanau
• Dec 14 – Grand Traverse
• Jan 11 – Manistee
• Jan 18 – Wexford & Missaukee

📣 Antrim and Kalkaska families – your day is THIS Sunday, Nov 16! Don’t miss out on this fun, free opportunity to visit Cognition!

11/08/2025

Key Developmental Milestones from Birth to Age 5

Understanding developmental milestones helps parents support their child’s growth and celebrate progress along the way.

Birth to 1 year: Babies learn to roll, sit, crawl, and begin forming sounds and simple words. They start to recognize familiar faces and respond to social cues.

1 to 2 years: Toddlers begin walking confidently, stacking blocks, and using simple phrases. They show curiosity, start asserting independence, and explore cause-and-effect through play.

2 to 3 years: Language expands rapidly, and children begin forming short sentences. They develop fine motor skills like drawing simple shapes, practice sharing, and start understanding emotions in themselves and others.

3 to 4 years: Children can hop, climb, and balance more confidently. Imaginative play flourishes, problem-solving skills emerge, and they can follow multi-step directions. Social skills improve as they engage in cooperative play with peers.

4 to 5 years: Kids refine motor skills, speak clearly, count, and recognize letters and numbers. They begin showing empathy, expressing thoughts and feelings, and developing self-regulation strategies to manage emotions and behavior.

These milestones are general guides — each child grows at their own pace. Early recognition and support, including play-based learning and intervention when needed, help children reach their full potential while fostering confidence and curiosity.

11/02/2025

The Power of Responsive Parenting

Responsive parenting is about seeing your child as a relationship to nurture, not a problem to fix. When we shift our mindset from “What’s wrong with my child?” to “How can I support my child and our connection?” everything changes.

This approach focuses on understanding your child’s needs, emotions, and cues rather than trying to control behavior or eliminate challenges. It’s about meeting your child where they are, offering guidance, and responding with empathy and patience.

For example, instead of scolding a toddler for throwing blocks, you might say, “I see you’re frustrated. Let’s figure out a way to play safely together.” This teaches problem-solving, emotional regulation, and connection — all while nurturing the parent-child bond.

Responsive parenting encourages curiosity, emotional awareness, and trust. Children feel safe to express themselves, make mistakes, and learn from experiences because they know they are supported, not punished.

Over time, this mindset builds a strong, secure attachment that helps children develop confidence, resilience, and social-emotional skills that last a lifetime. Parenting becomes less about correcting behaviors and more about growing together.

11/02/2025

Raising More Than Just a Happy Child

Every parent wants their child to be happy — but true happiness doesn’t come from avoiding discomfort. It comes from resilience. Instead of focusing on raising a child who is always happy, let’s focus on raising a child who can express all their emotions in healthy ways, learn from their mistakes, and try again after they fail.

Resilience means teaching them that it’s okay to cry, to be angry, or to feel disappointed — emotions aren’t problems to fix, they’re experiences to move through. It’s giving them space to feel deeply and tools to regulate gently. When we allow our children to feel without shame, we build their confidence in navigating life’s ups and downs.

It also means helping them set respectful boundaries and understand the boundaries of others. Teaching them to stand up for themselves — with kindness and strength — gives them the courage to stay true to who they are. And when we nurture empathy, they learn that caring for others doesn’t mean losing themselves in the process.

A resilient child doesn’t need to be happy all the time. They need to feel safe enough to be real — to stumble, to learn, to grow, and to know they are loved through it all. That’s the foundation for lifelong emotional health.

11/02/2025

Hey, you! Yes, you!! You are wonderful and you're doing great!! 🥳👏💖

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@‌hand_in_hand_parenting is a non-profit offering effective connection-based tools every adult in a child’s life can use—so connection grows, and everyone thrives. 🌟

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11/02/2025

The November Activity Calendar is here! 🍁

Packed with playgroups, storytimes, crafts, and fun family moments all month long — perfect for our littlest learners and their grownups! 🧡

Check it out and join the fun! view a printable version here - http://bit.ly/3JmcFx5🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟