I'm Dr. Miya (said "Mee-ah") Yamada. For over thirty years I've worked with children and families in school settings, hospital settings, in educational consulting, from preschool through the elementary years and those children and families know me as “Dr. Miya”. I've watched thousands of children across whole stretches of childhood. That long view is what I value and cherish.

My doctorate is in Human Development and Psychology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. What that training gives me is a clear sense of what's typical for an age and what's a real signal worth attention. Much of what worries parents is ordinary development put into the wrong perspective. Knowing the difference gives families room to breathe and enjoy these precious years.

Having lived overseas for many years, I understand families raising children between cultures, languages, and generations with different ideas about how childhood should go. Also, working in the school setting, I can help you read between the lines of parent meetings or school reports and help you partner well with your school.

Why I work with parents rather than children is because you're the one there at 6 a.m. and at bedtime. You’re the one they come crying to at any time of the day. You understand your child’s daily life and needs better than anyone. Making little adjustments to what happens at home or how you respond is more powerful than spending an hour with your child.

A little about me…I grew up in Southern California and have lived in New York City for over 20 years. When I'm not working, you'll find me on the lookout for a new recipe to try with my husband and son or on a baseball field watching one of my son’s many games.