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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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
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…
Language Skills & Reading with Under-Threes
Why should reading and sharing stories with your babies and toddlers find a place in your day-to-day routine?
The Benefits of Letting Kids Choose What to Read
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:
Making Connections: Physical Activity & Mental Health
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…
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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,…
Physical and Social-Emotional Health Work Together
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…
Foundations for Social Development
You can download this infographic HERE.Your kids will demonstrate this list to show they are developing their social skills and building authentic relationships!
Language for Validating Feelings
You can download this infographic HERE.Careful listening helps kids feel heard. Language that communicates careful listening when kids have strong emotions is similar…
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
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
You can download this infographic HERE.Your baby’s body language can tell you how they are feeling and what they may need. Responding to their body language helps…
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…
Receptive and Expressive Language
You can download this infographic HERE.Language is an important part of development, and it’s not just about the ability to say words. Expressive and receptive language…
Meaningful Learning Experiences
You can download this infographic HERE. Learning new things is easier for kids when the new part connects to something they already know a little bit about. When kids can…
Cold Weather Safety
You can download this infographic HERE.It might be cold, but that doesn’t mean you can’t play outside. There’s fun to be had and exploring to do – just bundle up!
Benefits of Family Style Meals and Snacks
You can download this infographic HERE.“Family style” is when kids and adults sit together for a meal or snack. Food and drinks are served from shared plates, pitchers, etc….
Supporting Kids Who Are Slow To Warm Up
You can download this infographic HERE.Many kids are “slow to warm up,” meaning they are uneasy or cautious in new situations or with unfamiliar people. As babies,…
Facilitating Learning Experiences
You can download this infographic HERE.Learning experiences build on existing knowledge (something familiar) and invite children to extend their thinking in a way that…
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…
What Confidence Looks Like in Kids
Developing self-confidence begins at birth, and it starts with building trust. When babies feel safe and secure, they trust the people and the world around them. Then, they…
Curiosity Leads to Confidence
Confidence comes from who we believe and know ourselves to be, and what we believe and know we can do. This belief and this knowledge come from having experiences, and by…
Learning at Home
You can download this infographic HERE.Emotional and physical environments matter because they affect how we feel, how we relate to others, and our ability to focus on…
10 Things Kids Learn Playing With Blocks
You can download this infographic HERE.Blocks are both a great learning tool and toy for kiddos!
5 Ways to Play in the Mud
Help your kids connect to their world – by playing in the mud! Mud may be messy, but it’s also a raw, everyday material that offers unique, hands-on sensory experiences and…
Early Childhood Care and Education Settings
You can download this infographic HERE.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…
Benefits Of Water Play
You can download this infographic HERE.There are so many benefits to playing in water for kids!
Tips For Transitioning Your Baby To Solid Foods
You can download this infographic HERE.Transitioning your baby to solid foods is an adorably messy and exciting milestone. There can be a lot to think about when the time…
Starting Baby on Solid Foods
You can download this infographic HERE.Starting your baby on solid foods can be an intimidating transition. This overview of new foods to try and when to add them to your…