Mar 4, 2025 | Child Development, Communication, Language, & Reading, Social & Emotional
Shadows are science! And they are great for conducting experiments. Shadows appear when an object blocks the light. Kids can make shadows with their bodies and with objects. They can affect different qualities of their shadows with how they move or by how the light...
Feb 26, 2025 | Child Development, Communication, Language, & Reading, Curiosity, Cognition, & Learning, Parents, Social & Emotional
Curiosity is incredibly important for learning. Curious kids get to know their world, the people in it, and themselves! Try these simple methods to encourage your kids’ curiosity every day. You can download this resource HERE. 1. Answer their questions. Sometimes it’s...
Feb 7, 2025 | Parents, Social & Emotional
So much of what parents say and do and how we act affects our kids. Even the energy we project has an effect. While it’s impossible to be positive all of the time, being conscious of how your own mood projects onto your kids can make an impact on their thoughts and...
Feb 7, 2025 | Child Development, Communication, Language, & Reading, Social & Emotional
“There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.”- Mr. Rogers Try these four strategies to help your kids practice being inclusive and kind. You can download this resource HERE. Put...
Feb 3, 2025 | Child Development, Communication, Language, & Reading, Parents, Social & Emotional
During the first years of life, when kids’ brains are growing and changing so much every day, how adults interact with them has a huge impact. When done well, gentle parenting builds confidence in young children and forges strong caregiver-child relationships. You can...
Jan 28, 2025 | Child Development, Communication, Language, & Reading, Social & Emotional
Compassion is tied to empathy, but it’s bigger than simply having the ability to imagine another person’s feelings. Compassion includes the desire to help and to prevent sadness or suffering. This seems really big for little kids! But kids are amazingly capable. Most...
Jan 22, 2025 | Child Development, Nutrition & Exercise
Establishing healthy self-care activities for kids doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be fun! You can download this resource HERE. 1. Drink More Water Just like plants, kids need sunshine and water. Empowering kids to stay hydrated is a habit that can last a...
Jan 15, 2025 | Child Development, Nutrition & Exercise
Mealtimes with picky eaters can be both frustrating and worrisome. Try to remember that it’s your job, as the parent, to provide a variety of healthy foods for your kids in age-appropriate servings, and it’s their job, as the kids, to decide what and how much to eat....
Dec 12, 2024 | Child Development, Communication, Language, & Reading, Nutrition & Exercise, Parents
This recipe is so simple and fun! Your kids will love making it with you. You can download this resource HERE. Supplies Rolling Pin Bread Knife Cookie Cutters Ingredients Sliced White Bread Spreadable Butter Sprinkles Make Fairy Bread Rolls Directions Lay out...
Dec 6, 2024 | Art & Music, Child Development, Curiosity, Cognition, & Learning
Building Your Power Mindfulness is so powerful, it can strengthen your brain. In fact, brain science has shown that mindfulness affects parts of the brain that help us stay calm and be good problem solvers – attributes that are useful every day as a parent!...
Dec 5, 2024 | Child Development, Communication, Language, & Reading, Parents, Play
Staying connected as a family during the holidays can be tough, even when it feels like everything we are doing is to create happy holidays for our family! Try these simple things to reconnect with your kids throughout the season and to keep your focus on the joy. You...
Nov 14, 2024 | Art & Music, Child Development, Curiosity, Cognition, & Learning
Gratitude is a powerful emotion that plays a big part in your kids’ emotional growth and overall well-being! Encouraging kids to express and practice gratitude promotes a positive mindset, boosts empathy, and strengthens their relationships with others. You can...
Oct 29, 2024 | Parents
A guest article by Marisa Crane Approximately 20% of children and adolescents are affected by mental health conditions. Mental health challenges among young people require specialized approaches for identification and care, distinct from adult strategies. Children and...
Oct 21, 2024 | Art & Music, Child Development, Curiosity, Cognition, & Learning
It’s not just arts and crafts. “Making” describes the ways hands-on, creative expression gives kids opportunities to explore, create, learn, and try something new. You can download this resource HERE. Fine Motor Skills & Hand-Eye Coordination Doing tasks that...
Oct 21, 2024 | Art & Music, Child Development, Parents
Music is one of the first ways kids experience math. Without thinking, our bodies react to music: we rock our babies, clap along, and even look toward the source of the sound. These are reactions to musical elements such as steady beat, rhythm, and melody, all of...
Sep 18, 2024 | Child Development, Parents, Social & Emotional
Meltdowns happen, it’s a fact of life with kids. And while they can be emotionally draining – for you and for them – with the right approach, you all can handle the hard moments so they become easier and easier to manage. You can download this resource...
Sep 4, 2024 | Child Development, Nutrition & Exercise, Parents
Try these healthy, energizing snacks to help get your kids from pick up time to dinnertime! You can download this resource HERE. Nut Butter, Strawberry, & Banana Quesadillas Ingredients 2 Tortillas 1/2 – 1 Banana 2 – 4 Strawberries Nut Butter of Choice...
Aug 16, 2024 | Child Development, Curiosity, Cognition, & Learning, Parents, Play
Risky play is an important part of growth and development, and instrumental in lifelong learning. You can download this resource HERE. When kids engage in risky play, they can: be challenged and solve problems connect to the outdoors direct their own play be...
Aug 12, 2024 | Child Development, Play, Social & Emotional
When kids play, they use their bodies, brains, and emotions. Because play is joyful, it positively affects kids’ physical and mental health, which in turn helps build their confidence. Here’s how. You can download this resource HERE. During play, kids: Make...
Mar 18, 2024 | Child Development, Curiosity, Cognition, & Learning, Play
When kids are allowed to play in whatever way they want – when they can choose the materials and the actions and activities – they are free to express themselves in the way they choose. You can download this resource HERE. During free play, kids use their...
Mar 4, 2024 | Child Development, Parents, Play
Guided play combines play that is kid-led with gentle instruction or suggestions from adults. It allows kids to be in control of the way they are playing, while adults help them to reach a goal or learn a new skill. It’s play with a purpose! You can download this...
Feb 7, 2024 | Communication, Language, & Reading, Parents, Social & Emotional
A good foundation of communication between you and your kids is important for developing positive, healthy relationships, and it will create a safe space for you to talk as a family about difficult topics as they get older. You can download this resource HERE. Babies...
Feb 5, 2024 | Child Development, Developmental Milestones, Parents, Social & Emotional
Self-love means appreciating yourself and treating yourself with kindness and understanding. Self-love means accepting yourself for who you are. You can download this resource HERE. Kids need to practice self-love because the way they perceive themselves plays a big...
Jan 22, 2024 | Child Development, Communication, Language, & Reading, Parents
Communicating with your kids goes beyond developing language skills. It helps them feel safe and secure in their relationships, which is the foundation for learning and development! You can download this resource HERE. Develop and encourage good communication from...
Dec 15, 2023 | Child Development, Curiosity, Cognition, & Learning, Nutrition & Exercise
Food is fuel for your kids’ brains! The foods kids eat – and the nutrients in the food – are important to your kids’ cognitive skills and brain development. Consider this: You can download this resource HERE. Kids need a high level of fat in their...
