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As the winter months are here, keeping children healthy during this time requires a combination of proper hygiene, nutrition, outdoor activity, and immune-boosting habits. Here are some effective tips: 1. Dress in Layers Proper clothing: Ensure children wear warm, breathable layers. Layering allows for better temperature regulation. Don’t forget hats, gloves, scarves, and waterproof boots…

Dealing with picky eaters can be one of the more challenging aspects of parenting, especially when it feels like your child is only interested in a narrow range of foods. It’s important to remember that picky eating is a common phase for many children, and it usually improves with time. Here are some practical tips…

Engaging young children in conversation can be both fun and rewarding, as it helps build their language skills and fosters connections. Kids are naturally curious, and they love to share their thoughts, even if they don’t always make complete sense! Here are some creative, playful, and effective ways to engage young children in meaningful conversations:…

Sensory play is vital for young children’s development, engaging their senses and promoting learning in important ways. Sensory play offers numerous benefits for young children, including: Cognitive Development: Engaging with different materials promotes problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Language Skills: Describing sensory experiences helps expand vocabulary and improve communication. Social Skills: Cooperative play encourages sharing,…

With Halloween being just around the corner, here are some essential Halloween safety tips for parents to ensure a fun and safe experience for everyone: Costume Safety Choose Bright Colors: Opt for costumes in bright colors or add reflective tape to help increase visibility. Proper Fit: Ensure costumes fit well to prevent tripping. Avoid long, flowing…

Teaching toddlers essential skills like recognizing colors, shapes, and letters can be a delightful experience for both parents and children. By incorporating fun games into your learning routine, you can turn education into playtime! Here are some exciting games to help your little one learn while having fun. Color Games Color Matching Gather a selection…

Traveling with young children can be an adventure! Here are some tips to help make the journey smoother: Plan Ahead: Research your destination for family-friendly activities and accommodations. Look for places with amenities like cribs or kitchenettes. Pack Smart: Bring essentials like snacks, toys, and a favorite blanket. Consider packing a small backpack for your…

Building a strong bond with your toddler can be a rewarding journey! Here are some effective ways to nurture that connection: 1. Spend Quality Time Together: Dedicate uninterrupted time to play and engage in activities your toddler enjoys. This could be anything from building blocks to reading stories. 2. Be Present: Put away distractions like…

As parents, finding nutritious and appealing lunch options for toddlers and preschoolers can be a challenge, especially when dealing with dietary restrictions. If you’re looking for nut-free lunch ideas perfect for daycare, you’re in the right place! Here is some fun, healthy, and easy-to-make lunch ideas that your little ones will love. Mini Wraps Wraps…

Fall in Connecticut is a wonderful time for outdoor activities and enjoying seasonal events with young children. Here are some fun ideas to make the most of the autumn season: Apple Picking: Many orchards in Connecticut offer apple picking in the fall. It’s a fun way for kids to enjoy the outdoors and learn about…

Dealing with a toddler’s tantrum can be one of the most challenging aspects of parenting. As your little one navigates big emotions and developing communication skills, tantrums can become a frequent occurrence. Here’s a guide to help you through those stormy tantrum days. Stay Calm Yourself: Your own calm demeanor can help soothe your toddler.…

Ever wondered why your preschooler seems to need a nap in the middle of the day? You might think it’s just an extra bit of downtime, but napping plays a crucial role in their development and overall well-being. Here’s a closer look at why those afternoon z’s are so important for your little one. 1.…

Rainy days can be a great opportunity for indoor fun with young children! Here are some engaging activities to keep them entertained: Indoor Obstacle Course: Create a simple course using pillows, chairs, and blankets. Kids can crawl under, jump over, or climb through various obstacles. Arts and Crafts: Get creative with supplies like colored paper,…

    Developing thinking skills in preschoolers is crucial for their cognitive growth and problem-solving abilities. Here are some fun activities that can help build these essential thinking skills:       Sorting Games: Use different colored blocks or objects and have kids sort them by color, size, or shape. This helps with categorization and…

      Effective communication with young children can lay a strong foundation for their emotional and social development. Here are some strategies to foster positive and effective communication:     Use Simple Language: Keep your words simple and clear. Young children are still learning language, so avoid complex sentences. Be Patient: Give children time…

If you’re dealing with a toddler who bites, you’re not alone. Biting is a common behavior among toddlers, but it can be quite distressing and challenging to manage. Here are some strategies to help you navigate this phase:   Understanding Why Toddlers Bite: Exploring the  World: Toddlers use their mouths to explore objects and people…

Dealing with challenging bedtime routines can be a common struggle for parents. Establishing a consistent and positive bedtime routine is crucial for children’s well-being and helps create a peaceful bedtime experience. Here are some tips for parents to manage challenging bedtime routines: Consistency is key: Maintain a consistent bedtime schedule. Going to bed and waking…

Creating and sticking to New Year’s resolutions can be challenging, but with the right approach and mindset, you can increase your chances of success. Here are some tips to help you make and keep your New Year’s resolutions: Set Realistic Goals: Be specific about what you want to achieve. Make sure your goals are realistic…

As the weather is changing and it’s getting colder, some of us are limiting our outdoor play. It is so important to continue to move our bodies. The benefits of being active include building strong muscles and bones, decreases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, having better sleep and maintaining a healthy weight. Here…

Nutrition in young children: Good nutrition is important for people of all ages but it is especially important for children. Children need good nutrition for proper growth and development and it is important to eat a variety of foods to consume the necessary nutrients each day. MyPlate is an image that illustrates nutritious eating practices.…

Summer is the favorite time of year for many children. After spending so many months cooped up inside trying to avoid the cold, most kids are eager to get outside and enjoy the weather. Not to mention getting a break from school and getting to enjoy summertime activities like swimming and barbecues. While we’re all…

Whether it’s something common like broccoli or a food that you think everyone should love, having a child who is a fussy eater can be a bit of a roadblock for most parents. Believe it or not, it is actually extremely common for most children to go through this difficult eating phase. It might be…

The sun is starting to shine and that cold winter chill is on its way out. You know what that means, summer is right around the corner! By now we’re all tired of spending our days cooped up inside and we can’t wait to get out and enjoy the weather. With that in mind, we’ve…

It’s no secret that kids are constantly learning and developing with just about everything they do. The old saying is that kids are a lot like sponges and have a tendency to absorb everything around them. As parents, it’s our job to make sure our children are doing the most they can in order to…

Lets face it, raising a child can be a bit nerve wracking. Between work, school, and daily life it can feel impossible to find any time to make sure your little one is developing properly. To help make things a little easier for you, here are the five main areas of child development that you…

By Anne Nguyen, Education Coordinator As the pandemic continues and we see the numbers of infection rise, it is always a concern for parents that the children are not wearing their masks correctly. We understand that it can be a struggle for young children to understand the importance of masks or practice social distancing. We…

Having enjoyed my Mother’s Day immensely, I found myself reflecting on what made it so nice.  I could not help but appreciate that it was a day of relaxation.  My ‘children are adults, and I know that being a mom to an adult vs. a small child is completely different.  My adults understand the value…

Toys are a large part of childhood. They play an important part in the learning and development of children of all ages.Yet hundreds of kids end up in the emergency room every year due to toy related injuries. Children 3 years old and younger are especially at risk from choking because they tend to put…

Consistency is the cornerstone of learning.  Children learn through exploration and outcome.  If they push a button it sounds ‘ding!’.  And, no matter how many times they push that button the outcome is the same.  Button = ding.  During these uncertain ‘Covid’ times children are having a difficult time – let’s face it – we…

You are feeling like, well frankly, an idiot. You are thinking, “why am I arguing with a child?” You are feeling that he/she should have a hefty amount of respect for you and know that you are ‘the boss of him/her’ – right? We have all been there. We say things like “if you are…

Would you believe ‘they’ say that a child’s character is established by age 12? That is CRAZY!!!  Right??  We didn’t even have time to teach them about character – they are too young to understand.  I agree… and I am not sure what happens at 12…  I do know, however, that they learn so much…

by Danielle Gallop We all know that communication is a combination of what you say and how you say it.  Did you know that a good part of communication is your body language too?  As adults we are moving and doing all day every day!  There is always something that needs to be done.  We…

Danielle Gallop, Education Consultant Inspiring a toddler or 3/4/5-year-old to behave can be a challenge. There are ways to encourage desired behaviors – the tricks are building trust and being prepared. Building Trust Be genuine and talk to children as if they are capable.  They are smarter than you think…  Model good behavior.  When you…

Don’t worry. Your child will not wear a diaper to college! I tell all the parents at our preschools that patience is the key to success – at potty training, introducing new foods or sleep routines. You have all heard the saying “you can lead a horse to water – but you can’t make him…

As summer approaches its end and we begin looking forward to a whole new school year, anxiety is a natural emotion.  Some of the children are excited about the “newness” of it all.  Some will not be phased a bit by the idea of change.  And some will be anxious about his new cubby, her…

Many of us work all day, implementing new ideas, learning new concepts, working closely with different personalities, solving problems, and much, much more!  All of these day to day tasks are our part of our job.  We know this walking in.  In school, even early learning facilities, the children are required to do all of…

‘Tis the season!  This time of the year, especially with the weather changes here in the Northeast, we see more runny noses than not.  While we wipe and wipe and blow and wipe some more, we cannot seem to keep ahead of it.  If you have a child (of any age) you are likely seeing…

There are two times a year that people typically “start fresh”…  New Year’s and SPRING!  New Years is a good time to set resolutions, if you are anything like me, you abandoned these good intentions a few months ago.   Spring it a time for new beginnings and “Spring cleaning”. But why do we wait…

Each year each person vows to change…. “New Year’s Resolutions”.  Everyone has wonderfully inspired intentions of “making this the best year yet!”  I encourage that!!!  Especially when it comes to being a better parent.  We all want to be that perfect parent! (of course).  I suggest small and attainable steps for being better – at…

Have you ever felt so tired at the end of the day that you almost can’t fall asleep?  The tired I am thinking about is not the ‘wow, I got so much accomplished today’ kind of tired.  The tired I am talking about is the ‘I forgot to send in lunch for my son, the…

Have you ever really watched your toddler or preschooler maneuver the playground, the stairs, the world?  The smallest things to us… the curb, a slide… are much bigger from a child’s point of view.  I am often amazed at how easily children accept these obstacles.  The other day I was watching a 1 year old…

  Winters in New England… need I say more?  I am sure that other parts of the country have worse winters.  Ours here are probably not that bad, unless you have something to do and the roads are messy or you have a child stuck indoors. I can’t do much about the roads.  I can,…

If you are anything like me, you wait all year until summer!  You forget that summer brings with it a lot more that beautiful sunshine.  Summer time is filled with moving up ceremonies, graduation, communions, confirmations, family barbeques, packing and unpacking for beach trips, trips to the park, etc.  We look forward to reading a…

I just wanted to let you all know of a wonderful program offered at the Steeping Stones Museum in Norwalk, CT. Meet characters from your favorite stories. The fun doesn’t end at 5:00 pm. Storybook Pajama Parties promote literacy and positive family interaction in a fun environment that celebrates learning. Come in your PJs and…

When I was in High School I took a Child Development Class.  I learned one of the most useful, most memorable lessons in this class.  The teacher had half of the class make a craft while standing at tables.  The other half of us had to get down on our knees and maneuver the classroom.  It…

My children are now teenagers and I am happy that many years ago I learned an important lesson from them.  We were late for a party or something.  The day is clear in my mind. “Find your shoes”, “Where is your sister?”, “Where are your shoes?”, “We don’t have time for that right now”, “We…

Recently I watched a TV report about children’s birthday parties.  I was floored at the extravagant, elaborate parties the report featured. Don’t get me wrong, I love parties and LOVE creating an experience. My problem with the “over the top” parties is not only the cost involved, but the fact that the parties are often…

  HAPPY NEW YEAR!  If you are like me, you look forward to “a new year, a new you”.  This year, let’s all work toward being an even more awesome parent.  I have read “The Power of a Positive Mom” (I recommend this book) and have taken “Positive Discipline, along with a dozen practical courses…

I have always seen myself as a laid back person.  However, my friends tell me I am crazy.  They never understood why I felt the need to have my children make ornaments for our tree and why, when they were small, I brought snow inside for them to play.  Honestly, these things did not make…

The most valuable gift we can give to our children is self-confidence.  Self-confidence allows children and adult to try new things, try harder, be a good friend, conquer fears and more.  But how do we instill this confidence in our children?  We love them. Loving our children does not mean enabling them.  It does not…

As a parent, we encounter battles every day.  Some worth fighting, others not so much. If you are arguing with your child over food you should know that most doctors would tell you to stop.  Stop forcing your child to eat 1 more bite… stop using food as a bribe… stop making more than one…

The most important thing for better sleep for your toddler / preschooler is ROUTINE. Bed time should be a good experience for the whole family.  It could be the highlight of the day.  A snuggly time for love and kisses.  So how do we make this happen?  It is not as hard as you think, and you…