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Your education hub for simple tools and smart toys.
Written by experts. Designed for parents.

Challenging Behavior Toolkit
How to Handle Challenging Behavior

“The way we talk to children becomes their inner voice.” -Peggy O’Mara

Ages
3-4,
4-5
How to Handle an Emotional Meltdown 101

In the heat of an emotional meltdown, it’s hard to remember what to do. So we use *SKOR* for quick recall....

Ages
3-4,
2-3
Discipline: Part 1 – Why Discipline (Not Punishment)

Understand the difference between discipline and punishment to truly change a child’s behavior in the future. Let’s focus on creating...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Discipline: Part 2 – Discipline in Practice

Discover how discipline and punishment differ in practice.

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Discipline: Part 3 – Logical Consequences

Punishment is imposed, discipline is instilled. Consequences must make sense – they must be logical.

Ages
4-5,
5-6
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 2: What You Could Do

Tantrums are hard to manage – for everyone. Here’s our checklist for what to do….in the first 5 mins.

Ages
2-3,
3-4
Tantrums – Part 3: What You Could Say

The reality is we have no control over when our child calms down. Parenting and teaching is not quick and...

Ages
2-3,
3-4
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 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
Self-Regulation – Part 1: Optimize Your Child’s Learning

Including children in their own learning process about how to self-regulate is empowering and long-lasting. Here’s how it’s helpful to...

Ages
3-4,
4-5
Self-Regulation – Part 2: Body Engine Checker System

Here’s a practical tool and script to support your child’s self-regulation and emotional awareness – it provides a shared language to signal...

Ages
3-4,
4-5
Self-Regulation – Part 3: Recover from a Meltdown

Make a Cozy Corner or Helper Green Basket to help your child recover from an emotional meltdown – proven techniques...

Ages
3-4,
4-5
On Impulse Control: Part 1 – What Is It?

It may feel like a number of impulsive behaviors are seemingly normal for children. But what is ‘normal’? In this...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Critical Thinking
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
On Impulse Control: Part 2 – What You Could Do

Brain differences make it hard for a child to control their behavior. Understanding your child’s impulsive behaviors can help you...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Critical Thinking
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
*STOP!* An Easy Technique for Impulse Control

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

Ages
4-5,
5-6
A Simple Exercise to Help Re-Center Your Child

So easy. So visual. It works.

Ages
4-5,
5-6
How to Encourage Listening – A (Mental) Checklist

One of the most frequent questions we get from parents is, “How do I get my child to listen?” It’s...

Ages
3-4,
4-5
How to Encourage Listening – FAQs

Let’s keep it real. Encouraging your child to listen can sometimes be very hard (despite having a trusty checklist of...

Ages
3-4,
4-5
Language and Tone of Voice – Part 1: Why It Happens

At around age 4, you may see all sorts of dramatic language changes – talking back, harsh tones of voice,...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Language and Tone of Voice – Part 2: Stop, Think, Re-Do!

It’s normal to hear your child experimenting with dramatic language at around age 4 (e.g., talking back, harsh tones of...

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
3-4,
4-5
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
Critical Thinking
Language + Literacy
Fibbing vs. Lying – Why Kids Lie

Around the age of four and five, children begin to tell “tall tales”. They may also begin to tell fibs...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Language + Literacy
Creativity + Imagination
Emotional Intelligence Toolkit
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
The Super Power of *YET*

*YET* – 3 letters that may change your child’s life. Thanks Janelle Monae and Sesame Street for making it memorable!

Ages
4-5,
5-6
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
How to Ask Your Child About their Day

Our Top 10 favorite conversation starters can give you insight into what matters to your child, and deepen your connection...

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
What is Mindfulness and How is it Helpful?

Mindfulness…for kids? Yes, indeed! How can you help your child practice it naturally? Tune in….

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Take a Mindful Minute

Help your child to control their thoughts by making Mindful Minutes a routine. Your step-by-step guide.

Ages
4-5,
5-6
A Simple Exercise to Help Re-Center Your Child

So easy. So visual. It works.

Ages
4-5,
5-6
*STOP!* An Easy Technique for Impulse Control

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

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
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
*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
4-5,
5-6
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
3-4,
4-5
Exclusion and Inclusion – Part 2: Do Something About It

Social exclusion is a main theme in a child’s development and there are many reasons for why it happens. Empower your...

Ages
3-4,
4-5
How to Support Self-Image and Self-Confidence

When your child starts demonstrating behaviors that show they are trying to “fit in” or wants to “belong to a...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Reinforce (vs. Reward) Positive Behavior

Imagine a magical world where children are internally motivated to be kind and generous. It’s doable!

Ages
3-4,
4-5
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
Community Engagement – FAQs: How to Talk About It

Answers to our most popular questions on a heavy subject. From ‘How to explain…’ to ‘How do I teach’ –...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Community Engagement – What You Could Do

Tricky topic that’s filled with layers of good intentions and ambitious learnings. It takes effort from both you and your...

Ages
3-4,
4-5
How to Talk About Race

Race is a tricky topic to write and talk about – for both young children and grown-ups. But we’re tackling...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
How to Talk About Other Children’s Challenges

Questions and comments from children about other children’s challenges are normal; they illustrate the broad spectrum of learning, ability and...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
How to Talk to Your Child About Death

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

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
3-4,
4-5
Life Readiness Toolkit
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 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
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
Language + Literacy
Critical Thinking
Raise Responsible Children – Introduce Chores

Most of us have great intentions when it comes to involving our kids in chores, and goodness know we could...

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
4-5,
5-6
Sensible Structure for Slower Days

What do you do with your kids when they’ve got a big chunk of time and you’re looking for fun...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Language + Literacy
Critical Thinking
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,
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
3-4,
4-5
How to Get Your Child to “Practice”

Research-approved. Reframe how you think about “practice”.

Ages
4-5,
3-4
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
Critical Thinking
Reinforce (vs. Reward) Positive Behavior

Imagine a magical world where children are internally motivated to be kind and generous. It’s doable!

Ages
3-4,
4-5
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
How to Ask Your Child About their Day

Our Top 10 favorite conversation starters can give you insight into what matters to your child, and deepen your connection...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
What is Mindfulness and How is it Helpful?

Mindfulness…for kids? Yes, indeed! How can you help your child practice it naturally? Tune in….

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Take a Mindful Minute

Help your child to control their thoughts by making Mindful Minutes a routine. Your step-by-step guide.

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
Community Engagement – FAQs: How to Talk About It

Answers to our most popular questions on a heavy subject. From ‘How to explain…’ to ‘How do I teach’ –...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Community Engagement – What You Could Do

Tricky topic that’s filled with layers of good intentions and ambitious learnings. It takes effort from both you and your...

Ages
3-4,
4-5
How to Teach Your Child About Personal Safety

As your child matures, there will come a time when you’ll need to have a conversation about personal safety. Many...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
How to Talk About Race

Race is a tricky topic to write and talk about – for both young children and grown-ups. But we’re tackling...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
How to Talk About Other Children’s Challenges

Questions and comments from children about other children’s challenges are normal; they illustrate the broad spectrum of learning, ability and...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
How to Talk to Your Child About Death

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

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
3-4,
4-5
Pre-Academics Toolkit
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
3-4,
2-3
Choosing a Preschool – Part 2: Questions to Ask a Preschool

Are you in the midst of visiting preschools and trying to decipher what to look for in a classroom and...

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 and...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
Critical Thinking
Executive Functioning: Part 2 – How to Strengthen It

Nuts + bolts; let’s get tactical. Now that we’ve baselined the 3 primary processes of executive functioning, let’s look at...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
Critical Thinking
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: Part 1 – Social + Emotional Skills

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

Ages
4-5,
5-6
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
Language + Literacy
Critical Thinking
Kindergarten Readiness: Part 3 – Parent Readiness

Kindergarten is a meaningful adjustment – for parents too. We’ve got simple tips for parents for a not-so-simple transition –...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Kindergarten Readiness: Bonus FAQs

It’s hard to know what you don’t know as your child embarks on their learning journey and enters Kindergarten. Sure,...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
How to Teach Letter Identification

Some children are naturally drawn to learning letters, while others may not begin to learn letter identification until they’re a...

Ages
2-3,
3-4
Critical Thinking
Language + Literacy
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
Language + Literacy
Critical Thinking
How to Teach Math Basics: Part 2 – Counting

Learning to count may seem simple, but it’s critical to learning well. Let’s learn to do it playfully! The concept...

Ages
2-3,
3-4
Language + Literacy
Critical Thinking
Practice Writing and Fine Motor Skills with a Salt / Sand Tray

Whether a young child practices prewriting skills or an older child works on sight words, salt / sand trays are...

Ages
2-3,
3-4
Language + Literacy
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
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
Language + Literacy
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
On Writing Backwards

Is writing letters backwards OK, or is it an early warning sign of a learning difference? Let’s tackle this very...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
Language + Literacy
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
Critical Thinking
Language + Literacy
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
Critical Thinking
Language + Literacy
FAQ: How Do I Know if My Child Needs Speech Therapy?

We’re often asked, “How do I know if my child needs speech therapy?” First, listen to your instincts.  If you...

Ages
2-3,
3-4
How to Teach Reading – Part 1: Develop Oral Language

Learning to read is incredibly empowering for a child, but it’s also very complex. There is no quick-fix or shortcut....

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Creativity + Imagination
Language + Literacy
How to Teach Reading – Part 2: Read *With* Your Child

Book selection is key in helping your child learn to read. Parents of emergent and early readers are often tempted...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Creativity + Imagination
Language + Literacy
How to Teach Reading – Part 3: Use a Cueing System

“Does it make sense? Does it look right? Does it sound right?” is a helpful cueing system to help your...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Creativity + Imagination
Language + Literacy
How to Ask Meaningful Questions During Story Time

Increase critical thinking and curiosity when you read aloud. Take story time to a new level.

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Language + Literacy
Critical Thinking
(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
Creativity + Imagination
Language + Literacy
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
Creativity + Imagination
Language + Literacy
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
Language + Literacy
Critical Thinking
What’s Developmentally “Normal”?

How do you know if your child is experiencing a developmental “bump”? How do you know if it is time...

Ages
3-4,
4-5
Language + Literacy
Critical Thinking
What’s a Good Resource for Developmental Milestones?

“What is a good resource to understand milestones for my child? At what age should they learn colors? Learn numbers?...

Ages
3-4,
4-5
Language + Literacy
Critical Thinking
Sensory Processing Development 101

“Sensory processing development” is vital to understanding how children learn. It’s deeply studied among early childhood experts, but not widely...

Ages
2-3,
3-4
Language + Literacy
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
Self-Regulation – Part 1: Optimize Your Child’s Learning

Including children in their own learning process about how to self-regulate is empowering and long-lasting. Here’s how it’s helpful to...

Ages
3-4,
4-5
How to Solve Problems
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
4-5,
5-6
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
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
4-5,
5-6
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
3-4,
4-5
Exclusion and Inclusion – Part 2: Do Something About It

Social exclusion is a main theme in a child’s development and there are many reasons for why it happens. Empower your...

Ages
3-4,
4-5
How to Support Self-Image and Self-Confidence

When your child starts demonstrating behaviors that show they are trying to “fit in” or wants to “belong to a...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
A Simple Exercise to Help Re-Center Your Child

So easy. So visual. It works.

Ages
4-5,
5-6
*STOP!* An Easy Technique for Impulse Control

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

Ages
4-5,
5-6
How to Create Family Agreements

Try having ‘Family Agreements’ instead of having ‘rules’. Family Agreements can be powerful yet simple tools for encouraging baseline behavioral...

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
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
How to Play
How to Share – Part 1: Why Share?!

Simply saying “Share!” holds little meaning for children. Young children are egocentric and concrete thinkers. Their experience of the world...

Ages
2-3,
3-4
How to Share – Part 2: Some Sturdy Rules

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

Ages
3-4,
2-3
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
3-4,
4-5
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,
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
Critical Thinking
Language + Literacy
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
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’s what...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
Creativity + Imagination
How to Ask Your Child About their Day

Our Top 10 favorite conversation starters can give you insight into what matters to your child, and deepen your connection...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
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
3-4,
4-5
Exclusion and Inclusion – Part 2: Do Something About It

Social exclusion is a main theme in a child’s development and there are many reasons for why it happens. Empower your...

Ages
3-4,
4-5
How to Support Self-Image and Self-Confidence

When your child starts demonstrating behaviors that show they are trying to “fit in” or wants to “belong to a...

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
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
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
4-5,
5-6
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
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
4-5,
5-6
Sibling Play Toolkit
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
10 Activities to Encourage Sibling Bonding

Siblings fight – it happens. But sometimes, stepping outside of the normal realm of toys and games can help kids...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
How to Handle Sibling Fights (When You Have Time)

Siblings fight. They fight over people, things, physical spaces and so much more. They use their words and their bodies...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Language + Literacy
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
3 Things to Say to Immediately Stop a (Sibling) Fight

Get unflustered in the heat of the moment – 3 phrases you can use to stop a fight. Kids are...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Language + Literacy
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
*STOP!* An Easy Technique for Impulse Control

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

Ages
4-5,
5-6
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
4-5,
5-6
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
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
4-5,
5-6
How to Create Family Agreements

Try having ‘Family Agreements’ instead of having ‘rules’. Family Agreements can be powerful yet simple tools for encouraging baseline behavioral...

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
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
Whining – Make It Stop!

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

Ages
3-4,
4-5
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
Critical Thinking
Language + Literacy
Fibbing vs. Lying – Why Kids Lie

Around the age of four and five, children begin to tell “tall tales”. They may also begin to tell fibs...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Language + Literacy
Creativity + Imagination
Learn + Do
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
Discipline: Part 1 – Why Discipline (Not Punishment)

Understand the difference between discipline and punishment to truly change a child’s behavior in the future. Let’s focus on creating...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Kindergarten Readiness: Part 1 – Social + Emotional Skills

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

Ages
4-5,
5-6
How to Teach Math Basics: Part 2 – Counting

Learning to count may seem simple, but it’s critical to learning well. Let’s learn to do it playfully! The concept...

Ages
2-3,
3-4
Language + Literacy
Critical Thinking
Practice Writing and Fine Motor Skills with a Salt / Sand Tray

Whether a young child practices prewriting skills or an older child works on sight words, salt / sand trays are...

Ages
2-3,
3-4
Language + Literacy
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
Executive Functioning: Part 2 – How to Strengthen It

Nuts + bolts; let’s get tactical. Now that we’ve baselined the 3 primary processes of executive functioning, let’s look at...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
Critical Thinking
How to Share – Part 2: Some Sturdy Rules

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

Ages
3-4,
2-3
How to Encourage Listening – A (Mental) Checklist

One of the most frequent questions we get from parents is, “How do I get my child to listen?” It’s...

Ages
3-4,
4-5
How to Handle Sibling Fights (When You Have Time)

Siblings fight. They fight over people, things, physical spaces and so much more. They use their words and their bodies...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Language + Literacy
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
How to Handle an Emotional Meltdown 101

In the heat of an emotional meltdown, it’s hard to remember what to do. So we use *SKOR* for quick recall....

Ages
3-4,
2-3
On Writing Backwards

Is writing letters backwards OK, or is it an early warning sign of a learning difference? Let’s tackle this very...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
Language + Literacy
10 Activities to Encourage Sibling Bonding

Siblings fight – it happens. But sometimes, stepping outside of the normal realm of toys and games can help kids...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
How to Teach Your Child About Personal Safety

As your child matures, there will come a time when you’ll need to have a conversation about personal safety. Many...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
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
Whining – Make It Stop!

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

Ages
3-4,
4-5
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
A Simple Exercise to Help Re-Center Your Child

So easy. So visual. It works.

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
What’s a Good Resource for Developmental Milestones?

“What is a good resource to understand milestones for my child? At what age should they learn colors? Learn numbers?...

Ages
3-4,
4-5
Language + Literacy
Critical Thinking
How to Ask Meaningful Questions During Story Time

Increase critical thinking and curiosity when you read aloud. Take story time to a new level.

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Language + Literacy
Critical Thinking
Shop + Play
Letters to Me, When I Grow Up

Your child will thank you one day. Just you watch. A time capsule for your child to share their stories,...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
YOXO Robot

Mind-bending robot construction kits. Award-winner in design, engineering and creativity. Plus these (based on da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man).

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Critical Thinking
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
Fairy House Building Kit

Create your own magical land. Comes with everything you need – real branches, twine, shells, moss and glue gun. Imagine...

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
Creativity + Imagination
Feelings Friend

Make learning facial vocabulary fun. Great for self-awareness, self-control and self-expression. Another classroom favorite for all mixed feelings.

Ages
2-3,
3-4
Sign Language Blocks

A truly universal gift. Bilingualism of any language (whether signed or spoken) enhances cognitive processes – like higher executive function,...

Ages
2-3,
3-4
Critical Thinking
Language + Literacy
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,
2-3
Activity Tree for Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Bring the beloved Chicka Chicka Boom Boom to life. An active way of learning the alphabet. And these magnetic letters – so sweet.

Ages
2-3,
3-4
Creativity + Imagination
Language + Literacy
Space Center Playscape

Soar to and explore new frontiers! And, for something on a smaller scale.

Ages
3-4,
4-5
Language + Literacy
Creativity + Imagination
Box Tool Kit

Ideal for on-the-go; bonus points for easy clean-up. Hocus pocus – this and this also open up to creative, portable...

Ages
2-3,
3-4
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
Creativity + Imagination
Safari Bowling Set

A fun way to develop hand-eye coordination and cognitive life skills.

Ages
2-3,
3-4
NinjaLine

Physical and mental dexterity required. Teach your child’s brain and body to work together.

Ages
5-6,
4-5
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
Critical Thinking
Wow Factor
My Family Builders Dolls

Just like your child, just like your family; create your one-of-a-kind character.

Ages
2-3,
3-4
Singing Machine

Open mic session – belt out that inner voice! A more playful version of an articulation station. For the songwriter...

Ages
2-3,
3-4
Hot Cocoa Set

Spark conversation and make sense of the world. Practice social skills over a cup of hot cocoa. Sure to warm...

Ages
3-4,
4-5
Alpha-Bots

Letters transform into robots. Mind blown. Watch just how cool they are. And don’t forget about learning numbers.

Ages
3-4,
4-5
Fine Motor + Gross Motor
Language + Literacy
Pictolingua

(Beautiful) bingo with a twist. Bonus fun – it’s multilingual! And for those times you can’t stop having fun with...

Ages
3-4,
4-5
Critical Thinking
Language + Literacy
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
Creativity + Imagination
Critical Thinking
Cubetto Coding Toy

Learn real-world coding fundamentals away from a screen (or try this interactive book). Or, go back to basics with logic, sequencing...

Ages
3-4,
4-5
Creativity + Imagination
Critical Thinking
Circuit Clay Kit

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

Ages
4-5,
5-6
Creativity + Imagination
Critical Thinking
Galaxy Rocket Adventure Cape Costume Kit

A rocket on your back? Let your imagination run wild…literally!

Ages
3-4,
2-3
Language + Literacy
Creativity + Imagination

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