Child development takes place simultaneously across every domain; they all support one another. Physical health, which we call Strong & Healthy Bodies, exists very...
Language for Validating Feelings
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...
What is the Preschool Development Grant?
In 2019, Wyoming was awarded a Preschool Development Grant. With the funds, through a network of early childhood partners, the state is strategically building on existing...
Tips For Helping Kids Build Relationships
Relationship-building is the process of establishing emotional connections with others that are based on trust and intimacy. Through relationships, kids discover who they...
Meaningful Learning Experiences
Learning new things is easier for kids when the new part connects to something they already know a little bit about. When kids can connect their own experiences and...
Facilitating Learning Experiences
Learning experiences build on existing knowledge (something familiar) and invite children to extend their thinking in a way that balances safety and risk (curiosity). ...
Reciprocal Relationships
In a reciprocal relationship, each person is equally respected and valued. The relationship is balanced so that both people feel seen and heard. When you engage in a...
Learning at Home
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...
Early Childhood Care and Education Settings
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...
Accessible Environments for Little Learners
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...
Grant Writing Tips
Grant writing tips for early childhood professionals from our partners at WY Kids First!You can download this resource HERE.
8 Great Things to Know about Child Development
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...
Serve & Return
“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,...
How to Model Mindfulness
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,...
4 Ways to Teach Children Empathy
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...
When is it Safe to Go Outside?
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...
Epigenetics and Child Development
What is epigenetics and how does it relate to child development?
How Partnering With Your Child’s Caregiver Supports Healthy Development
ZERO 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...
Strong Bonds Yield Strong Learners
The 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...
Fathers as a Resource in Early Child Care Settings
Fathers—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...
Tips on Playing with Babies and Toddlers
Try 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...
Help Your Child Become a Great Problem Solver
Preschoolers 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....
“I Helped Mama Too!” Cooking With a Tiny Helper
My 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...
Explore the Great Outdoors with Your Child
Children 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...
Tips for Spending Quality Time With Your Child
Let’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...