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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25 Questions to Spark Curiosity
Spark your child’s curiosity and imagination by asking them one of these open-ended questions. Jon the fun by coming up…
5 Ways to Build Math into Your Child’s Day
Math is everywhere. That’s great news for parents, because we can talk with our kids about math in fun, natural ways. And…
How to Support your Child’s Curiosity
Have you ever noticed your child watch a truck driving by or pick up a ladybug? That is an example of how your…
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…
Help Your Child Build Fine Motor Skills
Many of your child’s daily activities require fine motor skills. Your child can do more things for themselves when they…
Nutritious Foods for Strong & Healthy Bodies
Assuring your children have access to nutrient-dense foods allows them to reach their developmental milestones with strong…
4 Ways to Foster Emotional Development
Learn 4 ways you can encourage your child to express their feelings and support their emotional development.
Epigenetics and Child Development
What is epigenetics and how does it relate to child development?
Building Social and Emotional Skills at Home
Building Social and Emotional Skills at Home School classrooms are busy places where young children learn all sorts of…
13 Things Babies Learn When We Read To Them
How to Create a Literate Home
The “literate home” for this age child only needs a few inexpensive materials, but parent involvement is key. Your young…
5 Ways to Raise a Reader… Starting from Birth
Zero to Three’s National Parent Survey shows that nearly half of parents (45%) think that reading to children starts to…
How Curiosity Leads to Learning
“WHAT’S THIS?” At 3 months, Tessa has good control over her neck muscles. Sitting on her mother’s…
How Your Child Learns and Grows Through Play
How Your Child Learns and Grows Through Play from Birth to Three When you make time to play each day, you are giving your…
Nine Elements That Power Positive Parenting
Parenting comes with mistakes and missteps. What makes a parent great is recognizing when things haven’t gone right and…
How does nutrition affect the developing brain?
Brain development is most sensitive to a baby’s nutrition between mid-gestation and two years of age. Children who are…
Healthy Mealtimes: Feeding Your Baby and Toddler Right from the Start
Food is at the center of our lives. And it’s much more than the fuel that keeps us going. It can be a source of pleasure,…
What’s Going On in Your Baby’s Mind in the First Year?
There’s a lot going on in babies’ minds in the first year of life, and their early experiences in the world affect how…
Feelings: The Foundation of Healthy Child Development
It’s important for parents to help their child learn how to cope with their feelings. Learn how parents are their child’s…
Help Your Child Learn To Resolve Conflict
Help Your Child Learn to Resolve Conflicts in a Healthy, Appropriate Way Teddy and Brian, both 2-year-olds, love the book…
Infant Sleep Safety
Ask any new mom or dad what they find most difficult in a child’s first year, and they will probably mention sleep…
Tips on Nurturing Your Child’s Curiosity
The more curious a child is, the more he learns. Nurturing your child’s curiosity is one of the most important ways you can…
Why Do Babies Like Boxes Best?
Why Do Babies Like Boxes Best? It is Ella’s first birthday, and her mom is excited. She places a brightly wrapped present…
Best Books to Read to Infants and Toddlers
Many families are familiar with classic books like Goodnight Moon and read them over and over with their very…
Here’s to Healthy Eating: Habits to Start and Habits to Avoid
Is your child struggling to try to new foods? Ask them if they can lick it! As silly as it sounds, even licking a new food…
Top Five Ways to Enjoy Every Moment With Your Little One This Summer
Summer means sunshine, bright colors, warm weather and outdoor fun. Here are some simple tips to help you and your baby…
The Case of Brain Science and Guided Play
Why Play? Monkeys play. Dogs play. Rats play. Even octopuses play. And without any instruction, children of all races and…
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…
From Feelings to Friendships: Nurturing Healthy Social-Emotional Development in the Early Years
The bond between a parent and child builds the child’s ability to form relationships with others, express emotions, and…
How To Help Your Child Develop Empathy
Empathy is the ability to imagine how someone else is feeling in a particular situation and respond with care. This is a…
For Parents: How to Prepare Babies for Their First Babysitter
Helping your baby develop a relationship with her babysitter is a gift to her. She learns that her community is filled with…
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?…
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…
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…
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…
“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…
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…
Questions to Ask Child Care Providers
Be sure to ask: Are you licensed? By using a licensed provider, you have peace of mind knowing the program is inspected at…
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…