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Infant Classroom Monroe
You Need a Timeout!
May 13, 2021
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… Read More 
Choosing Safe Toys for Your Little One
Sep 11, 2020
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… Read More 
The Importance of Safety and Consistency for Children
Aug 25, 2020
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… Read More
So, you are having a power struggle with your toddler?
Oct 30, 2019
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… Read More 
Monkey See, Monkey Do…
Jul 23, 2019
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… Read More 
Talking with Your Child
Jul 1, 2019
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… Read More 
How to Encourage Desired Behaviors Inside and Outside of the Classroom
Jun 7, 2019
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… Read More 
Potty Training Success
May 15, 2019
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… Read More
A New School Year
Aug 16, 2018
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… Read More 
Why is play so important?
Mar 27, 2018
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… Read More 
Sniffles and Boogies…
Jan 18, 2018
‘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… Read More 
Spring and New Beginnings!
May 1, 2017
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… Read More 
Happy 2017!!!!
Jan 2, 2017
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… Read More 
We ALL have Bad Days….
Nov 8, 2016
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… Read More 
Why Should Kids Climb?
Oct 26, 2016
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… Read More 
Winter Can Be Long
Feb 1, 2016
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,… Read More 
Summer Time is COMING! Yay
Jun 1, 2015
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… Read More 
Literacy Opportunities at Stepping Stones
Apr 10, 2015
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… Read More 
Seeing Eye-to-Eye with Early Learners
Apr 7, 2015
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… Read More 
Maybe a Hug Can Help
Mar 17, 2015
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… Read More 
Birthday Parties and More
Feb 11, 2015
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… Read More 
Your New Year’s Resolution
Jan 21, 2015
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… Read More 
Surviving the Holidays with Children
Dec 16, 2014
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… Read More 
Making Your Child Self-Confident
Nov 26, 2014
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… Read More 
Helping Children Try New Foods
Oct 2, 2014
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… Read More 
Want Better Sleep For Your Toddler?
Sep 10, 2014
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… Read More
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