Emotional and physical environments matter because they affect how we feel, how we relate to others, and our ability to focus on tasks. High-quality environments are free from hazards and dangers, and they support children to feel empowered, respected and ready to...
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Families have many options for where their children learn and grow when they are not at home. It’s important to get to know the differences and similarities between the early childhood settings, so you can choose which style works best for your family. You can...
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Learning happens when kids feel welcome and comfortable in their environment, and when they have easy access to all the tools they need. Accessible environments are designed with learners in mind and organized in such a way that everyone in the space can easily...
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Grant writing tips for early childhood professionals from our partners at WY Kids First! You can download this resource...
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In recent years, researchers have learned a lot more about how early experiences shape children. Here are 8 great things to know and remember when it comes to early child development. 1. Stress can harm children’s brains and bodies. When they are in utero and...
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“Serve and return” is about the everyday, back and forth interactions you have with your kids. It’s the practice of noticing and responding to their cues with eye contact, words, a hug, or other easy actions. These show kids that they are seen and heard, they build...
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From our earliest moments and at each developmental stage, mindfulness can be a useful tool for decreasing anxiety and promoting happiness. It’s helpful for children, parents, caregivers–everyone! The most effective way to bring mindfulness to your children is...
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Empathy is at the heart of good relationships of many kinds, and it begins with valuing other perspectives and other people. Parents can cultivate empathy in their children by showing their kids how to be empathetic and talking about why it’s important. Empathize with...
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It’s always important to protect your children from the sun, and in the summer it’s equally important to be mindful of the heat. 80 degrees Fahrenheit or below is considered comfortable to be outside, but as the temperature rises from there it’s...
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What is epigenetics and how does it relate to child...
read moreZERO TO THREE’s podcast series, Little Kids, Big Questions, addresses some of the most common (and challenging) issues facing parents of babies and toddlers. This podcast welcomes Dr. Jerlean Daniel who is the executive director of the National Association for...
read moreThe question for all of us is how we can give all babies and toddlers the best start on a life-long journey of learning? The first day of learning — when a child begins preparing for the first day in the classroom — happens much earlier than the first day of school....
read moreFathers—and men—are an important part of a child’s world. Fathers interact with children differently than mothers. They tend to engage in more physically stimulating and unpredictable play. This type of play can help children develop independence, self-regulation,...
read moreTry these tips the next time you play with your child and watch how even the simplest interactions encourage them to learn and explore the world around them. Playtime is special. Not only is it fun, but it is critical to children’s development. Play is their “work”...
read morePreschoolers who can solve their own problems feel confident and enjoy learning. They are willing to make mistakes and learn from them and keep trying until they succeed. Families can help children develop problem-solving skills by taking advantage of opportunities to...
read moreMy 2-year-old loves to cook. In her classroom she is the first one to volunteer for a cooking activity asking, “Can I help you?” At home she enjoys looking at cookbooks and suggesting projects: “Can we make challah? Now?” The challenge is...
read moreChildren are natural explorers. Set some basic boundaries, and let the child discover. The learning will come. Children use all of their senses to explore. They look and listen to observe what is happening around them, touch what they can reach, smell the fresh scents...
read moreLet’s face it—life is busy! Between work and life responsibilities, the days pass us by in the blink of an eye. Many parents worry that they don’t spend enough time with their children, wondering if this will lead to developmental delays. Some parents feel guilty...
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