Parenting Support and Education from Early Childhood Experts

Tantrums – Part 1: What’s Going On?

Children experience emotions just like adults, but they need support and guidance to: 1) Understand their emotions; and 2) Make...

Ages

2-3,

3-4

Tantrums – Part 1: What’s Going On?

Ages

2-3,

3-4

What to Do and Not Do When Your Child Lies

A simple sequence for what to do (and not to do) when your child lies, and strategies to lay the...

Ages

6-7,

7-8

What to Do and Not Do When Your Child Lies

Ages

6-7,

7-8

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

Anger Management 101: Part 4 – Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about handling a child’s angry behaviors. From, “How do I know what is normal?” to “My...

Ages

6-7,

7-8

Anger Management 101: Part 4 – Frequently Asked Questions

Ages

6-7,

7-8

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Research-approved. Reframe how you think about ‘practice’.

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

How to Handle Sibling Fights (When You Have Time)

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 (When You Have Time)

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. A helpful mnemonic to remind your child that words are powerful.

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

4-5,

5-6

How to Teach Your Child to Identify Their Feelings and Emotions

Ages

4-5,

5-6

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

How to Handle Disrespectful Language and Tone of Voice

Concrete steps to help identify why your maturing child may be using disrespectful language or tone of voice and how...

Ages

6-7,

7-8

How to Handle Disrespectful Language and Tone of Voice

Ages

6-7,

7-8

How to Talk About Other Children’s Challenges

Helpful phrases and scripts to respond to your child when they ask about other children’s challenges or about a child...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

How to Talk About Other Children’s Challenges

Ages

4-5,

5-6

What to Do if Your Child Doesn’t Want to Learn to Read

Your child may not want to learnt to read – *yet*. It’s completely normal and natural. Reading is hard. Reading...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

What to Do if Your Child Doesn’t Want to Learn to Read

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 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

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

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

Different Ways of Learning

“It’s not about how smart you are, it’s about how you are smart.” -Howard Gardner

Ages

2-3,

3-4

Different Ways of Learning

Ages

2-3,

3-4

Go-To Parenting Scripts – How to Respond to Your Child

Learn how to respond to your child’s challenging behavior or big emotions with empathy. Use our go-to parenting scripts for...

Ages

5-6,

6-7

Go-To Parenting Scripts – How to Respond to Your Child

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

Sensible Structure for Slower Days

Your go-to schedule and plan for balancing play, learning and structure for large amounts of time with your child (i.e.,...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Sensible Structure for Slower Days

Ages

4-5,

5-6

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

Memory Touch Game

A clever take on the conventional memory game. Players use their sense of touch and fine motor skills to manipulate...

Ages

2-3,

3-4

Memory Touch Game

Ages

2-3,

3-4

Mini Golf Set

The most creative mini golf set we discovered. The variety of obstacles are stellar for practicing gross motor skills and...

Ages

2-3,

3-4

Mini Golf Set

Ages

2-3,

3-4

Magnetic Dollhouse

A dollhouse you design yourself. Winner of just about every toy award. Why not build the neighborhood too?

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Magnetic Dollhouse

Ages

3-4,

4-5

Honest History Magazine

Explore the past and discover stories of people who changed the world in an engaging, youthful way. Inspire your young...

Ages

Honest History Magazine

Ages

Archery Set

Fun-yet-safe. A positive way of exploring power play themes.

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Archery Set

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Make a Mini Piñata

Learn about the history and traditions surrounding piñatas (did you know they date back 700 years?), then make your own...

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Make a Mini Piñata

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Comic Book Kit

Pow! Inspire oral language development and storytelling, both key to literacy development. A great self-directed activity with multiple learning outcomes....

Ages

4-5,

5-6

Comic Book Kit

Ages

4-5,

5-6