Communication is the sharing of information between two or more people. It takes both verbal and non-verbal forms. As one of the major developmental tasks in early childhood, learning to communicate is vital for children in order to interact with the people in their life and to have their social, emotional, and physical needs met. […]
The ability to self-regulate is an important skill for children to develop. It helps children as they learn to follow rules and understand limits. Recent research has found that kindergarten teachers rank the ability to self-regulate as the most important characteristic necessary for school readiness. There is also evidence that self-regulation levels have a stronger […]
It’s that time of year when many families pack up the car and hit the road for a summer vacation. Long hours spent in that confined space can be pretty tiring, but with a little preparation, a solid plan, and some good packing, you can not only survive the road, but love the experience. Pack […]
I’m so over trying to get my three kids to eat kale. How about we agree that some foods—no matter how many times we offer them—aren’t going to get any love. And, no, I’m not going to hide the leafy, veiny greens in a shake, popsicle or brownie. I’m just going to move on. Yes, […]
By Kerry Rivera Three kids 10 and under. Two working parents. One crazy, golden retriever. Every day we choose to accept the challenge to get out the door, on time and without screaming at one another. Yes, we are not battling sleep-deprived teenagers … yet. But I have to say our track record is good. My […]
Everyone knows playdates are fun. But did you know they actually boost your child’s brain power, too? In my next three articles, I’ll explain why. I’ll also give you tips on how to host a successful playdate, how your child can be a gracious playdate guest, and explain how even babies can benefit from playdates. […]
Back-to-school is around the corner, but don’t be daunted by the transition from summer fun to school schedule. Children take their cues from their parents, so it’s key for US to get into the back-to-school mind-set first. Here are my pain-free prep tips for parents – our stressless adjustment will filter down to the kids, […]
Have a real one-on-one conversation with any preschooler, and you’re in for a treat — kids are soaring with ideas. As a mom, an educator, and an entrepreneur, I wondered: When do kids lose their imagination? And what can we do to foster creative thinking skills at home? 1. Ask Your Child to Describe His […]
I listen to the hushed murmurs of my youngest daughter, Jemma. Her small hands move her toy people as they “talk” to each other. The long hallway is a busy cardboard city. Currently, her attention is on the children in the school area. They’re busy rehearsing a play and festively attired in costumes of tape, […]
In our final post in the series, our experts – Dr. Susan Canizares and Dr. Heather Wittenberg – reveal how to make kindergarten a great experience by preparing in these simple (and fun) ways. Dr. Heather: Starting kindergarten is exciting, but it can also be daunting for parents. Even with my fourth child, I worry […]
In this second of our three-part series, our experts – Dr. Susan Canizares and Dr. Heather Wittenberg —give tips for making a smooth transition from preschool to Kindergarten. Dr. Heather: Back in the “bad old days,” we didn’t have much understanding of early childhood development. Young children were seen as too little to learn very […]
When should YOUR child start Kindergarten? Our experts are here to help you decide! Dr. Susan Canizares, our Chief Academic Officer, not only has a Ph.D. in Language and Literacy Development, she’s a nationally recognized authority on early childhood education. Dr. Heather Wittenberg is a mom of four and a child psychologist who blogs at […]