Mount Sinai Parenting Center

Mount Sinai Parenting Center We’re enhancing pediatric care by promoting early (0-5) childhood development and parent-child relationships in routine primary care.

Our free, evidence-based resources empower providers and families—because every interaction can support a child’s growth. At The Mount Sinai Parenting Center, we recognize the vital role healthcare providers play in supporting families—and the many challenges that come with it. While the science is clear on the importance of the early parenting environment from birth to age five, routine pediatric care often lacks the guidance and information parents need to foster their child's social, emotional, and cognitive development. That’s why, in 2014, we created Keystones of Development to address a gap we, as providers, experienced firsthand. We built the tools we wished we had and made them available to providers—for free. Developed by our unique interdisciplinary team of physicians, developmental psychologists, educators, and social workers, our comprehensive library equips providers with practical, effective, and evidence-based resources – empowering them to strengthen parent-child relationships and guide parents through their child’s early development at every stage.

This week, try talking to families about "Positive Discipline" and modeling it in the exam room! Try "catching" good beh...
03/10/2026

This week, try talking to families about "Positive Discipline" and modeling it in the exam room! Try "catching" good behaviors you notice in the exam room ("Thank you for sitting so still on the exam table!") and asking for the behaviors you want to see, instead of telling them what not to do ("Can you please keep your hands in your lap?" instead of "Don't touch that!").

Children learn they matter from the adults who show them what mattering looks like.As Jennifer B. Wallace shared on Dr. ...
03/09/2026

Children learn they matter from the adults who show them what mattering looks like.

As Jennifer B. Wallace shared on Dr. Aliza W. Pressman Raising Good Humans podcast, when parents, caregivers, and communities feel that they matter themselves, they’re better able to model care, respect, and connection.

The result? Children grow up in environments where they feel seen, valued, and that they belong — creating a positive ripple effect for everyone involved. This kind of “ecosystem of mattering” is a powerful foundation for healthy development.

Listen to her episode (https://apple.co/3MQUZeO ) or explore her new book to learn more about the key components of mattering — and practical strategies providers can apply or share with the families they support.

1 in 5 youth will experience a mental health or learning disorder, and half show symptoms before age 14.81% say they tal...
03/06/2026

1 in 5 youth will experience a mental health or learning disorder, and half show symptoms before age 14.

81% say they talked to their child’s pediatrician about their concerns, but about half of parents wait over a year after noticing mental health concerns to seek help. And, only 29% of parents say their provider routinely asks about mental health.

Pediatric primary care providers may be the first point of contact for youth mental health concerns. Universal screening during well-visits can make all the difference in catching struggles early and connecting children and families to the support they need.

In case you missed it, check out our most recent webinar with Dr. Dave Anderson, Senior Psychologist and Vice President of Public Engagement and Education, at the Child Mind Institute , for practical strategies for identifying common childhood mental health concerns like anxiety, ADHD, and depression and best practices for talking with families about what to look for, what to expect, and how to navigate referrals with confidence and clarity! https://youtu.be/WNDL2rHEM94

1 in 5 youth will experience a mental health or learning disorder, and half show symptoms before age 14.81% say they tal...
03/06/2026

1 in 5 youth will experience a mental health or learning disorder, and half show symptoms before age 14.

81% say they talked to their child’s pediatrician about their concerns, but about half of parents wait over a year after noticing mental health concerns to seek help. And, only 29% of parents say their provider routinely asks about mental health.

Pediatric primary care providers may be the first point of contact for youth mental health concerns. Universal screening during well-visits can make all the difference in catching struggles early and connecting children and families to the support they need.

In case you missed it, check out our most recent webinar with Dr. Dave Anderson Senior Psychologist and Vice President of Public Engagement and Education at the Child Mind Institute for practical strategies for identifying common childhood mental health concerns like anxiety, ADHD, and depression and best practices for talking with families about what to look for, what to expect, and how to navigate referrals with confidence and clarity! Link in bio.

03/05/2026

Waiting time is a normal reality in every clinic. With our Sparks video series, you can start anticipatory guidance before you even walk into the room — without adding to your plate.

Short, engaging videos cover the topics parents care about (but don’t always fit into the visit): behavior, sleep, big feelings, routines, etc.

Families can watch on their phones using our printable flyer — or you can play Sparks on a waiting room TV or iPad. Start earlier. Reinforce later.

Comment “SPARKS” and we’ll DM you the flyer PDF.

03/04/2026

Messy eating at 12–24 months is totally developmentally appropriate.... and can be totally frustrating for parents!

Before parents default to spoon-feeding, remind them: messy self-feeding = motor skills + sensory learning + autonomy.

Here are a few quick tips you can share with families:
🗣️ “It's normal toddler behavior, not acting out.”
🗣️ “Next time, try offering smaller portions at a time so they're less prone to throwing it on the ground.”
🗣️ “If your family uses utensils, go ahead and offer one, even if most of the food ends up on the tray. That practice matters.”
🗣️ “If your child loves the mess, try encouraging it elsewhere— like in the sandbox or at bath time.”

Want backup between visits? Have families text SPARKS to 274 448 for our video series and ongoing developmental tips.

Potty training challenges are rarely about skill — they’re about readiness and relationship. Before offering strategies ...
03/03/2026

Potty training challenges are rarely about skill — they’re about readiness and relationship. Before offering strategies or methods, anchor families in this:

1️⃣ There’s no rush.
Potty training isn’t tied to a specific birthday, school deadline, or developmental milestone. Readiness matters more than age.

2️⃣ Don’t let it become a power struggle.
Success depends on readiness — on both the child’s and the parent’s side — regardless of the method a family chooses. Once it becomes a battle of wills, progress stalls.

When you normalize this in the exam room, you reduce pressure — and protect the parent-child relationship in the process.

03/02/2026

Feel like you don't have enough time in your visits to share all of the anticipatory guidance you'd like to with families? We're excited to announce a new collaboration with Lantern - a FREE texting service for the families you serve that can extend your well-child visits! Have families sign up for Lantern by texting SPARKS to 274-448. They'll get evidence-based support (which includes our Sparks video series) around their child's health, development and learning sent directly to their phone every week! Encourage your families to sign up today!

Parental guilt doesn’t always sound like “I feel guilty.” Often, it’s:• “Everything just feels so hard.”• “I’m ashamed t...
02/27/2026

Parental guilt doesn’t always sound like “I feel guilty.” Often, it’s:
• “Everything just feels so hard.”
• “I’m ashamed to say I sometimes wish I didn’t have children.”
• “I feel like I’m not the parent I wanted to be.”

It’s more common than we think— in a 2021 survey, about 65% of parents and guardians reported experiencing loneliness.

Make space for parents to share, validate their feelings, and remind them they are not alone. Sometimes just being present is the most powerful support.

In your visits, help parents shift from 🎬 Director to 👀 Audience Member.When kids lead play, they build agency, motor pl...
02/26/2026

In your visits, help parents shift from 🎬 Director to 👀 Audience Member.

When kids lead play, they build agency, motor planning, problem-solving skills, and creativity.

Try modeling it in the exam room!
🩺 Hand them an instrument, like your stethoscope, safely.
⏳ Wait 30 seconds and watch what they do.
🗣️ Point it out to the parent: “See how they’re testing its weight? That’s their brain building a map of how to use tools. They learn from following their own curiosity.”

How do you model child-led play?

If it feels like you’re seeing more anxiety in your exam rooms… you are.National Survey of Children’s Health data shows ...
02/24/2026

If it feels like you’re seeing more anxiety in your exam rooms… you are.

National Survey of Children’s Health data shows childhood anxiety rose from 7.1% in 2016 to 10.6% in 2022 — while some physical health conditions declined.

Pediatric primary care has become one of the first places families turn with worry, sleep struggles, somatic complaints, and school refusal. The hard part? Anxiety rarely walks in labeled clearly. And referral isn’t always the first step.

Join Dr. Dave Anderson from Child Mind Institute for our upcoming FREE webinar for providers coming up this Friday, 2/27 at 12pm EST - Mental Health 101: Screening, Prevention, and Support in Pediatric Primary Care Settings - to gain clarity on what to screen for, when to monitor, and when to refer.

Save your spot here: https://bit.ly/4aLeUDB

Can’t attend live? Register to receive the recording and follow-up resources.

Ping pong isn’t just a sport — it’s also a model for language development. Think about a moment you observed in the exam...
02/23/2026

Ping pong isn’t just a sport — it’s also a model for language development. Think about a moment you observed in the exam room:

Baby babbles…Parent leans in: “Tell me more!”
Baby squeals…Parent smiles and responds back.

That back-and-forth rally of conversation is how babies learn best. Every coo, smile, and sound is a serve. When caregivers return it, they’re building neural connections for communication, connection, and future learning.

Encourage families to keep the rally going — respond, imitate, expand. That simple exchange is doing more than they realize. 🏓

Address

New York, NY
10029

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12122412772

Website

https://linktr.ee/mountsinaiparentingcenter

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