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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Free Play is Playful Learning

Free Play is Playful Learning

When kids are allowed to play in whatever way they want – when they can choose the materials and the actions and activities…

Learning Through Guided Play

Learning Through Guided Play

Guided play combines play that is kid-led with gentle instruction or suggestions from adults. It allows kids to be in…

Self-Love & Young Kids

Self-Love & Young Kids

Self-love means appreciating yourself and treating yourself with kindness and understanding. Self-love means accepting…

Brain Food

Brain Food

Food is fuel for your kids’ brains! The foods kids eat – and the nutrients in the food – are important to your kids’…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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….

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! …

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! …

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…

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…

Exploratory Learning Experiences

Exploratory Learning Experiences

Exploratory learning experiences are all about curiosity! They engage kids in hands-on investigation of materials, ideas,…

Receptive and Expressive Language

Receptive and Expressive Language

Language is an important part of development, and it’s not just about the ability to say words. Expressive and receptive…

Meaningful Learning Experiences

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…

Cold Weather Safety

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…

Facilitating Learning Experiences

Facilitating Learning Experiences

You can download this infographic HERE.Learning experiences build on existing knowledge (something familiar) and invite…

Reciprocal Relationships

Reciprocal Relationships

In a reciprocal relationship, each person is equally respected and valued. The relationship is balanced so that both people…

What Confidence Looks Like in Kids

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…

Curiosity Leads to Confidence

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…

Learning at Home

Learning at Home

You can download this infographic HERE.Emotional and physical environments matter because they affect how we feel, how we…

5 Ways to Play in the Mud

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…

Benefits Of Water Play

Benefits Of Water Play

You can download this infographic HERE.There are so many benefits to playing in water for kids!   

Starting Baby on Solid Foods

Starting Baby on Solid Foods

You can download this infographic HERE.Starting your baby on solid foods can be an intimidating transition. This overview…

Curious Minds Domain

Curious Minds Domain

You can download this infographic HERE.When kids are curious, they are eager to explore and learn. The Curious Minds Domain…