Aimee Ketchum

Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Dr. Aimee Ketchum is an Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Assistant Professor of early child development at Cedar Crest College Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program. She continues practicing her skills as a pediatric occupational therapist in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at UPMC Hospital, Lititz. Dr. Aimee Ketchum has worked as an occupational therapist specializing in pediatrics for the past 24 years, working in rehab, acute care, school systems, early intervention, brain injury, amputee, home health, skilled nursing facilities, and neonatal intensive care units. She is genuinely passionate about spreading awareness about early childhood development.

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Exersaucers: When and When NOT to Use Them

Exersaucers: When and When NOT to Use Them

Wondering whether that exersaucer is good for baby? Our occupational therapist is here with the dos and don'ts of exersaucers!

Little boy having fun and playing wooden toy drum.

Is Your Baby Gifted? Here’s What to Look For

Most parents believe their child is gifted at some point. But is your baby gifted in a way that needs extra attention? Find out here.

A group of culturally diverse kids stacked on top of each other while cuddling in close and showing how happy they are.

How to Teach Young Children to Celebrate Cultural Diversity

It is more important than ever that we teach our children to celebrate our country's rich cultural diversity. Here are some ways to begin.

Articles

Why Do Toddlers Have Tantrums?

Why Do Toddlers Have Tantrums?

Have a "threenager" at home or a tot going through the "terrible twos?" Learn why tantrums happen and some strategies you can use to tame them!

A cute little baby is sitting on the kitchen floor and is waving

When Do Babies Wave, Clap, and Point?

There are many milestones that babies reach as they grow. Are you wondering when your baby will wave, clap, and point? Take a look.

Adorable baby boy lying in his crib playing with mobile at home in the bedroom.

When Do Babies Start Grabbing Things?

When do babies start grabbing things? Here is a breakdown of this very important skill and what you need to know.

Two cute mixed race African-American and Hispanic girls, sisters 3 and 5 years old, playing together, sitting side by side on a sofa, holding dolls in their laps, wearing princess dresses and tiaras, smiling at the camera.

Diversity in the Playroom: Our Favorite Diverse Toys

Diversity in the playroom is important to raising culturally compassionate kids. Here are our favorite diverse toys.

Group of children smiling and looking at the camera

Best Books for Teaching Children About Diversity

Children begin to notice skin color & form biases as early as infancy. These books can help teach them about diversity while they're young.

Baby's first steps holding mother's hands, cute unstable walking in home nursery with cot.

When Do Babies Start Walking?

New moms often wonder when do babies start walking? Here's how the process works from birth to those first steps.

Newborn Premature Infant with Mother's Hand

6 Things a NICU Mom Wants You to Know

Having a baby in the NICU can be an overwhelming and stressful experience. Here are six things a NICU mom wants you to know.

4 Skills Children Learn from a Quality Preschool

Choosing a good preschool for your child can feel like a daunting task. Here are four things a child should learn from a quality preschool.

A group of culturally diverse kids stacked on top of each other while cuddling in close and showing how happy they are.

How to Teach Young Children to Celebrate Cultural Diversity

It is more important than ever that we teach our children to celebrate our country's rich cultural diversity. Here are some ways to begin.

Mother is playing with her little baby on the bed

10 Easy Ways to Teach Your Child Through Play

One of the easiest and most effective ways to educate our kids is to teach through play. Here are 10 easy ways to teach your child!

Mom Holding Her Sleeping Two Week Old Newborn Baby

How to Transition to Motherhood in Uncertain Times

The transition to motherhood can be very hard even in the best of times. Here's how to make the transition in times of stress or uncertainty.

Closeup of cute little toddler baby girl child sitting on toilet seat.

Potty Training the Montessori Way

There are many ways to potty train your child. Potty training the Montessori way is one method many parents prefer. Here's how to do it.

Little boy having fun and playing wooden toy drum.

Is Your Baby Gifted? Here’s What to Look For

Most parents believe their child is gifted at some point. But is your baby gifted in a way that needs extra attention? Find out here.

Cropped shot of an unrecognizable man and his wife touching her pregnant belly.

How to Encourage the Bond Between Dad and Baby During Pregnancy

The bond between dad and baby is an important one. But how soon can it start? Here are some ways to encourage the bond as early as pregnancy.

Happy mother embracing her small son at home, while boy is looking at camera.

The More You Hug Your Kids, The More Their Brains Develop

Hugging your kids isn't a hard task, but did you know that the more you hug them, the more their brains develop? Here's how and why.

Mother plays with her daughter in the bedroom

4 Ways to Promote Your Child’s Mental Health

Promoting your child's mental health is just as important as his physical health. You can start from day one with these easy tips.

Happy young mother pushing children sitting in laundry basket. Mother and children playing at home.

What Really Matters When Playing with Your Child?

As a mom, you may wonder if you are spending enough time playing with your child. Fortunately, you're doing better than you think.

Young woman talking on mobile phone while sitting at tablet with laptop and her kids. Mother working from home with her children sitting by.

Is Being a Working Mom Bad for Child Development?

Is being a working mom bad for child development? It is a question many women ask once they have children. Here's why the answer is "NO!"

Happy little girls with dirty hands and faces having fun being creative with finger painting.

How to Teach Your Child Creativity

How do you teach your child creativity? Seems impossible, but these 7 suggestions will help to foster this important skill.

Boy playing with building Blocks.

What is Executive Function and Why Should Parents be Paying Attention to It?

Executive function is a set of developmental goals all parents should be on the lookout for. Here is what you should know.

Learning to calculate, high five success, black mother and child.

How to Help Your Children Avoid Math Anxiety

Our children will grow up needing math skills for the future work force. Help them avoid math anxiety with these simple steps.

Family sitting together at the dinner table eating together.

Family Conversation Starters for Mealtimes

Connect with young children during mealtimes with these family conversation starters; it's critical for social & emotional development!

Tired stressed mother taking a nap while her child plays on her phone.

Tips for Parenting in the Digital Age

Parenting in the digital age is hard; technology and screens surround our kids. These tips will help millennial parents make sound choices.

Cute little girl sitting on the couch using a digital tablet.

Screen Time for Kids: When to Say No

These suggested screen time limitations for kids will help parents meet the WHO and AAP guidelines for limiting screens for kids under 5.

Cute little boy playing with a railroad train toy

Understanding Structured Play vs Unstructured Play

Understanding structured play vs unstructured play helps parents to provide the learning environments their children need through play.

Mother Training Her Son to Use the Potty

Physical and Emotional Readiness Signs for Potty Training

Understand your child's physical and emotional readiness signs for potty training to help you both feel more confident in this transition!

Shot of an adorable baby girl bonding with her mother at home

When do Babies Start Talking?

When do babies start talking? The foundation for your baby's speech starts earlier than you think! We're sharing things you can do to help.

Baby boy with plagiocephaly wearing a helmet.

What You Need To Know About Plagiocephaly (Flat Head Syndrome)

Learn all about plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome, including the factors that can increase it, treatment options, and how to prevent it.

Mother and baby playing in the bed and smiling.

When Do Babies Smile? Here’s How to Encourage Their First Smile

A baby's first smile is adorable, but when do babies intentionally smile? Learn when and how to encourage their first.

How to Know When it Might be Autism

How to Know When it Might be Autism

A pediatric occupational therapist talks Autism. If you're questioning if your child might be on the spectrum, here's what to look for.