Apr 17, 2023 | Child Development, Curiosity, Cognition, & Learning, Play
Sometimes, kids can’t answer right away when we ask, “What are you doing?” Because sometimes, they don’t know yet! Sometimes, they’re just busy doing. You can download this resource HERE. When kids are engaged this way, in independent, self-directed play, they are...
Apr 14, 2023 | Communication, Language, & Reading, Parents, Social & Emotional, Transitions
Transitions are hard. For young kids, feelings of anxiety or worry that pop up during transition times can lead to whining and stalling, tantrums and meltdowns – behaviors that don’t feel good for anyone. While every kid experiences transitions differently,...
Mar 13, 2023 | Child Development, Developmental Milestones, Social & Emotional
Relationships that are tied to family, culture, and community help kids develop a sense of belonging, and once kids have a sense of their own identity, they can also recognize and appreciate the differences in others and build skills for interacting effectively with...
Mar 2, 2023 | Child Development, Developmental Milestones, Social & Emotional
Self-confidence and self-awareness are key signs of emotional intelligence – the ability to perceive, interpret, demonstrate, control, evaluate, and use emotions to communicate with and relate to others. This means that as kids develop a sense of identity, they also...
Feb 22, 2023 | Child Development, Communication, Language, & Reading, Curiosity, Cognition, & Learning, Developmental Milestones
Your kids’ first attempt at the writing process is called emergent writing, and it begins when they’re as young as 2 years old! When kids create drawings and symbolic markings, they are imitating the act of writing to represent their thoughts and ideas. You can...
Feb 1, 2023 | Child Development, Nutrition & Exercise, Parents
Whether it’s time for breakfast or snack time, toast is a hearty, healthy, warm, and fun choice. These kid-friendly recipes will be fun for you to make and eat together! You can download this resource HERE. Primary Ingredients to Have on Hand Whole Wheat Bread Nut...
Jan 20, 2023 | Child Development, Nutrition & Exercise, Parents, Play
Though it can be difficult to squeeze an extra activity into an already busy schedule, making time to move together is important because active parents raise active kids. And active kids typically continue to be active throughout their lives, which leads to lifelong...
Nov 18, 2022 | Child Development, Developmental Milestones, Nutrition & Exercise, Play
Memories of joyful and meaningful play experiences can bind families together emotionally, even long after the kids have grown up. These five essential elements of play outline why play provides kids with rich experiences that create these lasting memories. You can...
Nov 15, 2022 | Child Development, Developmental Milestones, Nutrition & Exercise, Play
One of the many, many benefits of music is that it offers a safe and dependable place to feel our feelings. When we are afraid, sad, or really happy, we can invite music in that reflects what we’re feeling. For kids, music increases a sense of emotional security,...
Oct 25, 2022 | Child Development, Communication, Language, & Reading, Developmental Milestones, Social & Emotional
Why should reading and sharing stories with your babies and toddlers find a place in your day-to-day routine? You can download this resource HERE. Shared reading helps babies and toddlers learn new words and understand the language they hear. These learning...
Oct 19, 2022 | Child Development, Communication, Language, & Reading, Developmental Milestones, Social & Emotional
Let your kids choose to read books that are interesting to them, even if it’s not something you would have read when you were little. Here’s why: You can download this resource HERE. Self-ExpressionYou can help your kids explore their interests and by gently...
Oct 18, 2022 | Child Development, Developmental Milestones, Nutrition & Exercise, Play
Child development takes place simultaneously across every domain; the domains all support one another. That means all the elements of your kids’ health are connected – their physical health is a part of their mental health and vice versa. You can download this...
Oct 18, 2022 | Child Development, Communication, Language, & Reading, Developmental Milestones, Social & Emotional
Parents have a lot on their minds. We are literally influencing the architecture of our kids’ developing brains, so it’s no wonder we pour our physical, mental, and emotional resources into their wellbeing and overlook the importance of taking care of ourselves!...
Oct 6, 2022 | Child Development, Communication, Language, & Reading, Developmental Milestones, Social & Emotional
Taking a few minutes to engage in simple, everyday relaxation techniques can help sustain your energy throughout your day. Even kids can relax and focus if you use movement, sound, and a little bit of silliness! Rules to Relax By Make it FunPlan multiple activities so...
Sep 7, 2022 | Child Development, Curiosity, Cognition, & Learning, Developmental Milestones
Kids learn and strengthen their learning by doing. Look for these signs as your kids learn to foster curiosity, demonstrate self regulation, and show an understanding of symbolic representation! You can download this infographic...
Aug 24, 2022 | Child Development, Kindergarten, Providers & Educators, Social & Emotional
Many people focus on the basics of letter and number recognition or reading skills when they think of kindergarten readiness, but being “ready” for kindergarten is a lot more than that – it encompasses all skills and strengths your kids have developed! This includes...
Aug 23, 2022 | Child Development, Developmental Milestones, Math & Science
Supporting your kids’ cognition – what they think and what they know – is vital to learning new knowledge and skills. Developing early math skills helps with logical and abstract thinking, and teaches kids how to analyze, understand, and organize the world around...
Aug 10, 2022 | Child Development, Curiosity, Cognition, & Learning, Developmental Milestones, Nutrition & Exercise
Promoting physical health and development, including daily living skills, enables your kids to explore and function in their environment, which supports their development in all other domains. Your kids will demonstrate they are developing their daily living skills...
Aug 2, 2022 | Child Development, Developmental Milestones
Self-help skills are involved in every Domain of Development. As your kids learn these skills they also develop independence, which helps them thrive in their world as they continue to grow! Birth-6 Months Communicates hunger, fear, and discomfort by crying Learns to...
Jul 6, 2022 | Child Development, Curiosity, Cognition, & Learning, Play, Providers & Educators
Kids really do grow better outside. Here are five easy ways to add outside play to your family’s everyday activities! 1. Relocate a favorite indoor activity outside, including reading, drawing, or playing with toys. 2. Make outdoor time family time by scheduling...
Jun 20, 2022 | Child Development, Communication, Language, & Reading, Providers & Educators, Uncategorized
You can download this infographic HERE. Child development takes place simultaneously across every domain; they all support one another. Physical health, which we call Strong & Healthy Bodies, exists very closely with social-emotional development, which is Sense of...
Jun 15, 2022 | Child Development, Communication, Language, & Reading, Developmental Milestones
Your kids will demonstrate this list to show they are developing their social skills and building authentic relationships! You can download this infographic...
Jun 8, 2022 | Child Development, Communication, Language, & Reading, Parents, Providers & Educators, Social & Emotional
Careful listening helps kids feel heard. Language that communicates careful listening when kids have strong emotions is similar to paraphrasing, but in a way that signals you’re trying to understand their feelings. You can download this infographic HERE....
May 13, 2022 | Parents, Providers & Educators
You can download this infographic HERE. Want to know more about what we’ve accomplished with the preschool development grant so far? Learn more...
May 4, 2022 | Child Development, Communication, Language, & Reading, Parents, Play, Providers & Educators
You can download this infographic HERE. Relationship-building is the process of establishing emotional connections with others that are based on trust and intimacy. Through relationships, kids discover who they are and learn to understand others. Here’s how you can...
