Articles

These articles about child development will help you understand the many ways kids grow and learn, and how you can support, encourage, and have fun with them along the way! Sign up for our monthly newsletter and be the first to receive new articles, activities and updates!

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3 Vital Components of Social Connections

3 Vital Components of Social Connections

Social connections are the interactions, relationships, roles, and sense of connection that humans experience. Social connection is dynamic – it changes over time – and…

I is For Independent Play

I is For Independent Play

There are big benefits to independent play, which exercises imagination, creativity, persistence, patience, problem-solving skills, and much more. Here’s how to get started…

Nurture Their Thinking Skills: Part 2

Nurture Their Thinking Skills: Part 2

Kids are eager to figure out how things work. They’re like little scientists, constantly doing experiments, like throwing a ball on the ground to see if it will bounce, and…

Nurture Their Thinking Skills: Part 1

Nurture Their Thinking Skills: Part 1

Kids are eager to figure out how things work. They’re like little scientists, constantly doing experiments, like throwing a ball on the ground to see if it will bounce, and…

How to Encourage Your Baby to Roll Over

How to Encourage Your Baby to Roll Over

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.

Why Developmental Milestones are Important

Why Developmental Milestones are Important

As they grow, your kids will experience physical, cognitive, and social-emotional milestones. Reaching their developmental milestones is important because these offer clues…

The Importance of Independent Play

The Importance of Independent 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.

Supporting Kids in Transition Times

Supporting Kids in Transition Times

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…

Foundations for Emotional Intelligence

Foundations for Emotional Intelligence

Self-confidence and self-awareness are key signs of emotional intelligence – the ability to perceive, interpret, demonstrate, control, evaluate, and use emotions to…

Get Ready to Write

Get Ready to Write

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…

Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipes

Kid-Friendly Healthy Recipes

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…

4 First Steps to Becoming an Active Family

4 First Steps to Becoming an Active Family

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….

5 Essentials to Meaningful Play

5 Essentials to Meaningful 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…

Emotional Expression Through Music

Emotional Expression Through Music

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…

Social Communities Strengthen Families

Social Communities Strengthen Families

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…

Relaxation Techniques for Kids

Relaxation Techniques for Kids

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,…

Foundations for Early Learning Skills

Foundations for Early Learning Skills

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…

Self-Help Skills for Kindergarten Readiness

Self-Help Skills for Kindergarten Readiness

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…

Foundations for Developing Early Math Skills

Foundations for Developing Early Math Skills

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…

Foundations for Developing Daily Living Skills

Foundations for Developing Daily Living Skills

Promoting physical health and development, including daily living skills, enables your kids to explore and function in their environment, which supports their development in…

Self-Help Skills for Babies & Toddlers

Self-Help Skills for Babies & Toddlers

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…

5 Ways to Get Kids Outside

5 Ways to Get Kids Outside

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,…

Foundations for Social Development

Foundations for Social Development

Your kids will demonstrate this list to show they are developing their social skills and building authentic relationships!  You can download this infographic HERE.

Language for Validating Feelings

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?

What is the Preschool Development Grant?

You can download this infographic HERE.Want to know more about what we’ve accomplished with the preschool development grant so far? Learn more here.

Tips For Helping Kids Build Relationships

Tips For Helping Kids Build Relationships

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…

Interpreting Baby’s Body Language

Interpreting Baby’s Body Language

Your baby’s body language can tell you how they are feeling and what they may need. Responding to their body language helps your baby feel safe and seen, which also supports…

Exploratory Learning Experiences

Exploratory Learning Experiences

Exploratory learning experiences are all about curiosity! They engage kids in hands-on investigation of materials, ideas, and concepts. During these experiences, kids get to…