Parenting Support and Education from Early Childhood Experts

How to Teach Math Basics: Part 1 – Talk Numbers

Take every opportunity to count…anything, everything! It may feel common sense to us grown-ups, but fluency in talking about numbers...

Ages

2-3,

3-4

How to Teach Math Basics: Part 1 – Talk Numbers

Ages

2-3,

3-4

On Spelling – Part 1: What is ‘Spelling’ and When Should My Child Be Able to Spell?

A primer on why and how learning to spell is such a powerful and fundamental concept for early learners and...

Ages

5-6,

6-7

On Spelling – Part 1: What is ‘Spelling’ and When Should My Child Be Able to Spell?

Ages

5-6,

6-7

How to Talk to Your Child About Racism

A practical guide for navigating conversations with your child about racism, including helpful What You Could Say scripts on important...

Ages

5-6,

6-7

How to Talk to Your Child About Racism

Ages

5-6,

6-7

On Spelling – Part 4: What to Say When Your Child Asks for Help

A parenting script for when your child gets stuck on spelling and asks you a series of questions. Response ideas...

Ages

6-7,

7-8

On Spelling – Part 4: What to Say When Your Child Asks for Help

Ages

6-7,

7-8

Essential Math Terms, Concepts + Tools for Your Child

Understand how to help your child with math skill development and learn common math terms and strategies that teachers use....

Ages

6-7,

7-8

Essential Math Terms, Concepts + Tools for Your Child

Ages

6-7,

7-8

A Montessori Approach to Learning Language

Learn the Montessori approach to learning language and how to apply it every day.

Ages

2-3,

3-4

A Montessori Approach to Learning Language

Ages

2-3,

3-4

Common Handwriting Problem #2 – Weak Handwriting Strokes

Sometimes, a child may have an efficient grasp and sufficient hand strength, but their handwriting strokes still do not produce...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Common Handwriting Problem #2 – Weak Handwriting Strokes

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Discipline for Older Children: Part 1 – What’s Going On?

Learn why maturing children struggle with challenging behavior and how they developmentally need a different approach to discipline.

Ages

6-7,

7-8

Discipline for Older Children: Part 1 – What’s Going On?

Ages

6-7,

7-8

Choosing a Preschool – Part 1: What to Look for in a Classroom

Trying to figure out what to look for in a preschool and which questions to ask when visiting schools? Learn...

Ages

2-3,

3-4

Choosing a Preschool – Part 1: What to Look for in a Classroom

Ages

2-3,

3-4

Kindergarten Readiness: Part 2 – Pre-Academic Skills

ABCs, colors, numbers, sight words…parents have heard of the ‘push-down’ of academic skills – that Kindergarten has a lot of...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Kindergarten Readiness: Part 2 – Pre-Academic Skills

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Encourage Language Development

Easy things you can do every day to encourage your toddler to use more language. *Note – Suggestions in this article...

Ages

2-3,

3-4

How to Encourage Language Development

Ages

2-3,

3-4

How to Teach Your Child to Write

Many of us are eager for our children to learn to write. It takes practice but it also needs to...

Ages

3-4,

4-5

How to Teach Your Child to Write

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Fine Motor Skills, Handwriting and How to Hold a Pencil

Learning to write is a hallmark in a child’s education journey. It empowers them to express themselves and their talents....

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Fine Motor Skills, Handwriting and How to Hold a Pencil

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Teach Math Basics: Part 1 – Talk Numbers

Take every opportunity to count…anything, everything! It may feel common sense to us grown-ups, but fluency in talking about numbers...

Ages

2-3,

3-4

How to Teach Math Basics: Part 1 – Talk Numbers

Ages

2-3,

3-4

(Academically) Teach Reading in 6 Steps

If you’re looking for a didactic list, here’s a theoretical, academic sequence for teaching your child to read. Just remember...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

(Academically) Teach Reading in 6 Steps

Ages

4-5,

5-6

On Spelling – Part 1: What is ‘Spelling’ and When Should My Child Be Able to Spell?

A primer on why and how learning to spell is such a powerful and fundamental concept for early learners and...

Ages

5-6,

6-7

On Spelling – Part 1: What is ‘Spelling’ and When Should My Child Be Able to Spell?

Ages

5-6,

6-7

How to Encourage Your Child’s Math Thinking

Tips from an elementary school teacher for parents when teaching math. Key things to remember when supporting your child’s mathematical...

Ages

5-6,

6-7

How to Encourage Your Child’s Math Thinking

Ages

5-6,

6-7

How to Read Aloud and Increase Your Child’s Comprehension

Learn specific tips from a teacher on how to read aloud to your child, listen to your child read aloud...

Ages

6-7,

7-8

How to Read Aloud and Increase Your Child’s Comprehension

Ages

6-7,

7-8

Essential Math Terms, Concepts + Tools for Your Child

Understand how to help your child with math skill development and learn common math terms and strategies that teachers use....

Ages

6-7,

7-8

Essential Math Terms, Concepts + Tools for Your Child

Ages

6-7,

7-8

Essential Concepts to Know When Your Child is Learning to Read

A simple primer for parents that outlines the mechanics of what it means to learn to read when you’re a...

Ages

5-6,

6-7

Essential Concepts to Know When Your Child is Learning to Read

Ages

5-6,

6-7

Bring Peace to Your Mornings – Make a Routine Chart

Power struggles and harried mornings for both parent and child are normal, and yet not a fun way to start...

Ages

2-3,

3-4

Bring Peace to Your Mornings – Make a Routine Chart

Ages

2-3,

3-4

How to Build Your Child’s Independence

Foundational skills for teaching your child to be more independent and to be in charge of themself and their learning....

Ages

6-7,

7-8

How to Build Your Child’s Independence

Ages

6-7,

7-8

Transitions: Part 1 – Why Transitions Are So Hard

#1 daily challenge with children: How to get from A to Z without fighting, yelling or throwing a tantrum? Learn why...

Ages

2-3,

3-4

Transitions: Part 1 – Why Transitions Are So Hard

Ages

2-3,

3-4

Transitions: Part 2 – How to Get Through Peacefully

Knowing why transitions are difficult is half the puzzle. The other half is how to get through them. Teachers go...

Ages

2-3,

3-4

Transitions: Part 2 – How to Get Through Peacefully

Ages

2-3,

3-4

Executive Functioning: Part 1 – Why It Matters

‘Executive functioning’ is a phrase often cited when talking about child development. But what does it really mean and how...

Ages

5-6,

6-7

Executive Functioning: Part 1 – Why It Matters

Ages

5-6,

6-7

Executive Functioning: Part 2 – How to Strengthen It

Nuts + bolts; let’s get tactical. Now that we’ve baselined the three primary processes of executive functioning, let’s look at...

Ages

5-6,

6-7

Executive Functioning: Part 2 – How to Strengthen It

Ages

5-6,

6-7

How to Get Your Child to Practice

Learn at what age you should expect that your child can practice skills without prompting and strategies for encouraging your...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Get Your Child to Practice

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Reinforce Positive Behavior – Make a Marble Jar

Acknowledge and promote positive behavior….*Plinkit* with a Marble Jar! You’ll be amazed at the twinkle in your child’s eye each...

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Reinforce Positive Behavior – Make a Marble Jar

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Helpful Ways to Praise Your Child

A simple tip sheet for how to praise your child. Something more than “Good job” or just commenting on process and...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Helpful Ways to Praise Your Child

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Common Manners by Age

We teachers have the good fortune of learning and playing with a wide range of children in class and are...

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Common Manners by Age

Ages

3-4,

4-5

How to Teach 3 Key Social Skills

While some children inherently understand how to socially interact with others and are comfortable with basic social skills, others need more...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Teach 3 Key Social Skills

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Ask Your Child About Their Day

Go beyond “How was your day?” Our Top 10 favorite conversation starters can give you insight into what matters to...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Ask Your Child About Their Day

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Teach Your Child to Move Through Boredom

The benefits of letting your child be bored and five ways to teach your child how to move through boredom....

Ages

6-7,

7-8

How to Teach Your Child to Move Through Boredom

Ages

6-7,

7-8

How to Build Your Child’s Independence

Foundational skills for teaching your child to be more independent and to be in charge of themself and their learning....

Ages

6-7,

7-8

How to Build Your Child’s Independence

Ages

6-7,

7-8

An Awesome Approach to Allowance

Our Awesome Allowance System gives children practice in setting financial goals, making hard choices, and developing a sense for the...

Ages

5-6,

6-7

An Awesome Approach to Allowance

Ages

5-6,

6-7

Raise Responsible Children – Introduce Chores

We may have grand intentions when it comes to involving our kids in chores. But how do you know which...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Raise Responsible Children – Introduce Chores

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Easy/No-Prep, Self-Directed Activities Your Child Can Do at Home

Ready-made cards with easy / no-prep, self-directed activities to entertain your toddler, preschooler and early learner. Excellent for when you...

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Easy/No-Prep, Self-Directed Activities Your Child Can Do at Home

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Activities + Games You Can Do at Home to Support Your Child’s Learning

Your go-to list of curated learning projects, activities and games that you can do at home to support your child’s...

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Activities + Games You Can Do at Home to Support Your Child’s Learning

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Why Children Should Play Outside

Taking time to connect with nature has a long-lasting impact on our health, learning and emotional well-being. Here is what...

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Why Children Should Play Outside

Ages

3-4,

4-5

How to Teach Gratitude

“Gratitude is not just a feeling outside your control that arrives willy-nilly. It’s more like a radio channel: you can...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Teach Gratitude

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Handle Sibling Fights

Sibling fighting and rivalry is normal and, in most cases, healthy. Learn how to resolve sibling conflict in 5 simple...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Handle Sibling Fights

Ages

4-5,

5-6

3 Things to Say to Immediately Stop a (Sibling) Fight

Get flustered in the heat of the moment when your children fight? Use these three key phrases to stop sibling...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

3 Things to Say to Immediately Stop a (Sibling) Fight

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Sibling Love – Make It Happen with a Sibling Love Jar

We can’t end sibling fighting nor force our children to get along, but we can help them recall happy moments...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Sibling Love – Make It Happen with a Sibling Love Jar

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Teach Your Child to Independently Calm Down

A go-to list of calming strategies that your child can independently use to get back on track when they feel...

Ages

5-6,

6-7

How to Teach Your Child to Independently Calm Down

Ages

5-6,

6-7

Tattling vs. Telling

Tattling is very common but it can be shaped by our responses to their tattling. Teach your child this simple rhyme to work...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Tattling vs. Telling

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Fibbing vs. Lying – Why Preschoolers Lie

Around the ages of four and five, children begin to tell ‘tall tales’. They may also begin to tell fibs...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Fibbing vs. Lying – Why Preschoolers Lie

Ages

4-5,

5-6

*THINK* – Be Powerful with Your Words

Teach your child to *THINK* before they speak – to consider the impact of their words (vs. their intent). A helpful...

Ages

5-6,

6-7

*THINK* – Be Powerful with Your Words

Ages

5-6,

6-7

“I” Messages – A Helpful Technique for Conflict Resolution

Empower your child with a valuable life skill – teach them how to express their emotions and desires during conflict.

Ages

5-6,

6-7

“I” Messages – A Helpful Technique for Conflict Resolution

Ages

5-6,

6-7

Wheel of Choices – Resolve Social Conflict Independently

Help your child learn how to resolve a social conflict on their own with this framework – Wheel of Choices.

Ages

5-6,

6-7

Wheel of Choices – Resolve Social Conflict Independently

Ages

5-6,

6-7

*STOP!* An Easy Technique for Impulse Control

Empower your child to manage their emotions and regain control in heated situations with *STOP!*

Ages

5-6,

6-7

*STOP!* An Easy Technique for Impulse Control

Ages

5-6,

6-7

How to Share – Part 2: Some Helpful Rules

Conflict is natural for preschoolers who are just learning about peers and group settings – it is expected, healthy and...

Ages

2-3,

3-4

How to Share – Part 2: Some Helpful Rules

Ages

2-3,

3-4

10 Activities to Encourage Sibling Bonding

Siblings fight – it is normal and expected, and you can handle it. But sometimes, stepping outside of the normal...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

10 Activities to Encourage Sibling Bonding

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Navigate a Healthy Parent/Child Separation

Learn the strategies, tools and what to say to manage a healthy separation process between you and your child, especially...

Ages

2-3,

3-4

How to Navigate a Healthy Parent/Child Separation

Ages

2-3,

3-4

Answers to Common Questions on Parent/Child Separation

The parent/caregiver-child separation process is often an emotional experience, and every child and family experiences it differently. Discover answers to...

Ages

2-3,

3-4

Answers to Common Questions on Parent/Child Separation

Ages

2-3,

3-4

What Anxiety Looks Like and How to Support Your Child

Learn how to help your child handle the expected feelings related to anxiety, and how to identify when anxiety moves...

Ages

6-7,

7-8

What Anxiety Looks Like and How to Support Your Child

Ages

6-7,

7-8

How to Teach Your Child Coping Skills for Their Anxious Behavior

When your child begins having anxious thoughts, empower them with practical self-help strategies and coping skills so that they can...

Ages

6-7,

7-8

How to Teach Your Child Coping Skills for Their Anxious Behavior

Ages

6-7,

7-8

How to Teach Your Child to Identify Their Feelings and Emotions

Learn why it is important for your child to be able to identify their emotions, and help them build their...

Ages

3-4,

4-5

How to Teach Your Child to Identify Their Feelings and Emotions

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Anger Management 101: Part 3 – What You Could Do and Say

Key strategies and tools to use before, during and after your child’s angry outbursts – all in a simple printable...

Ages

6-7,

7-8

Anger Management 101: Part 3 – What You Could Do and Say

Ages

6-7,

7-8

Self-Regulation – Part 1: Optimize Your Child’s Learning

Including your child in their own learning process about how to self-regulate is empowering and long-lasting. Here’s how everyday tools...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Self-Regulation – Part 1: Optimize Your Child’s Learning

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Kindergarten Readiness 101

“Is my child ready for Kindergarten? What does that even mean?” Here’s my high-level perspective as a parent + teacher...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Kindergarten Readiness 101

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Kindergarten Readiness: Part 1 – Social + Emotional Skills

“I think I have a sense for Kindergarten readiness, now how can I support my child to get there?” Keep...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Kindergarten Readiness: Part 1 – Social + Emotional Skills

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Teach Empathy

“Empathy is when you’re able to understand and care about how someone else is feeling.” -Mark Ruffalo, Sesame Street

Ages

3-4,

4-5

How to Teach Empathy

Ages

3-4,

4-5

10 Characteristics of a ‘Good’ Friend

Teach your child a strong Friend Skill Set that can help them establish healthy, happy friendships and that will support...

Ages

6-7,

7-8

10 Characteristics of a ‘Good’ Friend

Ages

6-7,

7-8

How to Teach Your Child to Be a ‘Good’ Friend

Strategies, tools and scripts for teaching your child how to practice being a ‘good’ friend.

Ages

6-7,

7-8

How to Teach Your Child to Be a ‘Good’ Friend

Ages

6-7,

7-8

“I” Messages – A Helpful Technique for Conflict Resolution

Empower your child with a valuable life skill – teach them how to express their emotions and desires during conflict.

Ages

5-6,

6-7

“I” Messages – A Helpful Technique for Conflict Resolution

Ages

5-6,

6-7

Raise an Upstander – Part 2: Guiding Principles

Core concepts your child should know when being an upstander and how to practice them at home among daily routines.

Ages

6-7,

7-8

Raise an Upstander – Part 2: Guiding Principles

Ages

6-7,

7-8

Grow Your Brain – Apply a *Growth Mindset*

Let’s double-down on how to translate *growth mindset* into something tangible with your child. We’re focusing on how to teach...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Grow Your Brain – Apply a *Growth Mindset*

Ages

4-5,

5-6

The Super Power of *Yet*

*Yet* – Three letters that may change your child’s outlook on life, even among the youngest learners. Learn how the...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

The Super Power of *Yet*

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Reinforce Positive Behavior – Make a Marble Jar

Acknowledge and promote positive behavior….*Plinkit* with a Marble Jar! You’ll be amazed at the twinkle in your child’s eye each...

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Reinforce Positive Behavior – Make a Marble Jar

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Reward Empathy – Be a Real Superhero!

A classroom favorite for cultivating empathy, kindness, community membership and awareness of others. What’s a real superhero? Someone who helps...

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Reward Empathy – Be a Real Superhero!

Ages

3-4,

4-5

How to Talk to Your Child About Someone Who is Sick

There are times when it becomes necessary to speak to children about people in their lives who are very sick....

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Talk to Your Child About Someone Who is Sick

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Talk to Your Child About Death

Speaking with a child about death is an important, impactful, and often dreaded, teachable moment. Whether prompted by an actual...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Talk to Your Child About Death

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Teach Empathy

“Empathy is when you’re able to understand and care about how someone else is feeling.” -Mark Ruffalo, Sesame Street

Ages

3-4,

4-5

How to Teach Empathy

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Social Exclusion and Inclusion – Part 1: Why It Happens

Watching a child turn to you crying for the first time because “A friend said ‘I can’t play’”, is a...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Social Exclusion and Inclusion – Part 1: Why It Happens

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Sibling Love – Make It Happen with a Sibling Love Jar

We can’t end sibling fighting nor force our children to get along, but we can help them recall happy moments...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Sibling Love – Make It Happen with a Sibling Love Jar

Ages

4-5,

5-6

10 Activities to Encourage Sibling Bonding

Siblings fight – it is normal and expected, and you can handle it. But sometimes, stepping outside of the normal...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

10 Activities to Encourage Sibling Bonding

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Handle Sibling Fights

Sibling fighting and rivalry is normal and, in most cases, healthy. Learn how to resolve sibling conflict in 5 simple...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Handle Sibling Fights

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Gun Play – Understand the Myths and Realities

As parents and teachers of young children, we encounter ‘power play’ in a variety of ways – some children like...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Gun Play – Understand the Myths and Realities

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Whining – Make It Stop!

One of the most frequent complaints we get from parents is around whining. We get it – even as teachers....

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Whining – Make It Stop!

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Teach General Math Concepts

Many parents are eager to teach their children basic number concepts at a young age. For a 2-year old, exposure...

Ages

2-3,

3-4

How to Teach General Math Concepts

Ages

2-3,

3-4

Wooden Cash Register

Pretend, play and learn – math! A playful way to sharpen number and arithmetic skills.

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Wooden Cash Register

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Three Little Piggies Game

Early intro to core executive functions – logic, problem-solving and planning. Great for small hands and for developing spatial visualization....

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Three Little Piggies Game

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game

Strategy + socialization + fine motor skills. Great for developing pre-writing and pre-math skills.

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Gears! Gears! Gears! Space Explorers

Design, build, imagine. Just how we like it. For the nature-enthusiast or the dramatist. Endless options.

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Gears! Gears! Gears! Space Explorers

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Domino Connectagons

Clever new take on a traditional game. Fun fact: 3D spatial skills are foundational for engineering and design. Just as...

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Domino Connectagons

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Marbleocity Mini Skate Park

Real tinkering. Real fun. Or this or this? Choice is hard! Teaches core concepts in engineering, design and physics.

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Marbleocity Mini Skate Park

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Trebuchet

Experiment with high-flying fun or with simple machines. Another problem-solving goodie for basic physics.

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Trebuchet

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Goobi Juniors Construction Set

An essential for any STEAM curriculum. But these have an undeniable coolness factor. P.S. – STEAM = Science, technology, engineering, arts,...

Ages

2-3,

3-4

Goobi Juniors Construction Set

Ages

2-3,

3-4

ZOOB RacerZ Car Designer

Build your own supersonic vehicle – or monster! Design a toy that actually moves. Unlike any kit we’ve seen – includes...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

ZOOB RacerZ Car Designer

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Circuit Clay Kit

Electrifying! Winner of multiple toy awards. Take it up a notch with light, sound + motion.

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Circuit Clay Kit

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Gizmos and Gadgets Kit

The ultimate app-enabled invention toolbox. Designed by MIT graduate and TED Senior Fellow Ayah Bdeir; featured at the MOMA and...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Gizmos and Gadgets Kit

Ages

4-5,

5-6

PLAYMOBIL Hospital

All in one – empathy, creativity, language and fine motor skills. Then bring things to life with a (faux) trip...

Ages

3-4,

4-5

PLAYMOBIL Hospital

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Parenting made simpler.

An easier way to discover what you need to learn and do.

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