Children of preschool age, typically between 3 and 5 years old, are rapidly developing their language skills and emerging reading skills. You can help to encourage this development by engaging in some fun vocabulary games and activities. As a Kindergarten teacher for many years, I have developed a large collection of games that help to … Read more
It can seem like an impossible task, choosing a daycare to care for your precious little one. There are so many “what ifs” that flash through your mind. However, by being well-informed about your choices of daycare, you can ease that worry tremendously. Read on for the top 20 questions used by parents when choosing … Read more
In recent years, there has been an increased focus on toys that actually provide some educational benefit for children, exposing them to new ways of playing and learning. But, what makes a toy a STEM toy? There are a variety of features that contribute to a toy falling under this category. Here is a breakdown … Read more
Little kids feel big feelings. Parents and teachers of preschoolers know all too well that children at these young ages feel their emotions deeply. It’s normal and healthy. Unfortunately, sometimes the feelings outpace a child’s ability to communicate, self-regulate, and interact with others. This is why social-emotional development is so essential for preschool-aged children. Children … Read more
Visual memory is an important part of visual perception. It consists of keeping pictures, shapes, and images in your mind so that you can recall details at a moment’s notice. This skill is incredibly important to develop. Kids use their visual memory when they learn sight words, for number recognition, and in problem solving situations. … Read more
Making the decision to be a stay at home mom isn’t easy. Typically, the biggest hesitation to stay home is the financial consequences of only one parent working. If you’re wondering “Can I afford to be a stay at home mom?”, there are a few things you should know. Learn everything you need to know … Read more
Your child might be counting down the days to their birthday party, but you might be a bit anxious. After all, you’re the party planner responsible for keeping all of those kids entertained. Engaging themes and festive games can help your party go off without a hitch. Plan a memorable birthday party with these fun … Read more
Homemade playdough is a fantastic alternative to the store-bought stuff. Once you know how to make playdough you’ll never go back to buying. But, finding the right recipe can be a bit of a challenge. So, I’ve collected together a selection of different recipes. They have various ingredients, so no matter how last-minute your decision … Read more
Simon Says is a great game. It’s ideal for playing with any number of kids, and you don’t need anything to play. So it’s perfect for parties, family get-togethers, and kids’ groups. If it’s been a while since you played, you might be a little rusty on how it works as well as the finer … Read more
When we were kids, we didn’t learn to type until we were much older. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t take a typing class until I was at least in junior high. I even took a blow off beginner typing class in high school Ssh, don’t tell my parents. These days, kids have … Read more
Much like any other developmental milestone, visual perception is something that every child must learn. It’s an important skill, but it develops over time. There are things you can do to help your child develop this skill more effectively so that they’ll be better prepared for school and other life events. About Visual Perception Everyone … Read more
The Thanksgiving season is here, and this is a time for gratitude, family, beauty, and wonder. It is harvest time, and we give thanks for everything that we have in our lives. I have always loved this time of year, and throughout my years of teaching, I have always tried to find fun new ways … Read more
We are well into the fall season, and the shorter days and cooler temperatures are letting us know that winter is just around the corner. But, before this season gives way to snow and ice, let’s enjoy some of the beautiful colors and sights that fall offers! When I taught Kindergarten, I loved finding ways … Read more
If your kids are anything like mine, the countdown to their birthday begins months before their special day. Create a celebration that lives up to the hype by planning a birthday party filled with creative themes, engaging activities, and toddler-friendly games that will please the crowd. Check out these fun toddler birthday party ideas so … Read more
Hopscotch is a versatile game that’s super easy to play, so it’s no wonder it’s been around for so long. Have you been wondering how to play hopscotch or been wondering why you should teach your kids to play hopscotch? It can be played with just one person or with a whole group of friends, … Read more
Congratulations on your new arrival. So, you’re gearing up for what should be a fantastic maternity leave. Sure, you’ll be exhausted, but you’ll also be overjoyed, and fulfilled. The new baby will be a great addition to your family. However, there are some things to do on maternity leave. Some of them need to get … Read more
In the days of social media, it’s all too common to take a picture or post a cute meme announcing your pregnancy, but family deserves better. There are plenty of fun ways to announce pregnancy to family in person. Put a little thought into it, customize the announcement, and make sure the family gathers around … Read more
As your child begins to eat solid foods around 4-6 months, having healthy snacks on the go will be a life saver for you. They’ll soon want to begin feeding themselves, which means these snacks need to be fresh and accessible. You definitely want to encourage their enthusiasm with finger foods that are easy to … Read more
Hand-eye coordination is important for everyone to learn. It’s the ability to do things with your hands while guiding them with your eyes. Hand-eye coordination games for kids are great ways to develop this skill. Your child’s hands and eyes work together to get things done all the time, even when you don’t realize it. … Read more
There’s always a new phase and trend when it comes to parenting, but the current trend of parents gluing pennies to the bottoms of their kids’ shoes seems a little nonsensical. In reality, it’s pretty brilliant. In an attempt to keep her kids entertained during all the extra time at home, one mom found some … Read more
Playdough. Such a simple toy, and yet, it’s a time-tested kid-favorite. Even with all the technology available at their fingertips, children love to spend hours playing with the moldable, foldable, colorful dough. As much as kids love the stuff, parents tend to be a little weary. It’s hard to clean up, gets stuck in the … Read more
The first days after having a baby are a blur for everyone. Between recovering from labor and delivery, meeting the numerous needs of a new baby, and adjusting to the changing family dynamics, it can feel like this stage lasts forever. Many parents find themselves wondering when things might calm down. Often, people will tell … Read more
Your child’s first birthday is worthy of a celebration––for parents and baby alike. Your little one went from a tiny newborn to a curious crawling (or perhaps even walking!) toddler, full of personality. Mom and Dad managed to survive all of those sleepless nights, too. Make your baby’s first birthday party especially memorable by planning … Read more
Teaching your child to read can be a trying time. It’s exciting to watch them learn a new skill, but when they struggle and get frustrated, it can be tough to get them back on track. That’s why pre-reading skills are so important to giving your child a head start. With pre-reading skills, they’ll already … Read more
As your child outgrows toddlerhood and enters into the next phase, you may begin to wonder exactly what do kids learn in preschool? After all, you’re going to have to decide whether to enroll your child in a preschool facility to prepare them for kindergarten or figure out how to prepare them at home. It … Read more
Reintroducing breastfeeding after bottle feeding can be challenging. Your success is going to depend, in large part, on how determined you are to succeed. Whatever the reason is that you stopped, I want you to know that it is possible to restart. This guide is filled with lots of different tactics you can try because … Read more
Traditions are important. If they weren’t, they wouldn’t survive from generation to generation. A family’s traditions help children develop a deeper understanding of who they are and what is important to their family. Traditions make connections and create a sense of security in their repetition. When you think of family traditions, typically people focus on … Read more
There are so many benefits of reading to children that they’re almost too hard to count. Where do I even begin? It instills in them a love of learning, it helps them get a jump start on reading themselves, and it gives you a time to bond. Here are some of my favorite things about … Read more
I was at Chick-Fil-A with my three small children. My husband was in the Air Force and working the swing shift, leaving me to fly solo in the evenings with our newborn and not quite two-year-old twins. It had been a long day, and I gathered up all my energy reserves to leave the house … Read more
Art is such a fun way for everyone to explore with color and emotion. For little ones, there are no rules. Give them the supplies and let them interpret the fun however they want! Art activities for preschoolers should be exciting and engaging, but with minimal clean up. Am I right, parents? Unfortunately, at this … Read more
Have you noticed that when your child is teething, they will chew on literally everything? It can be cute, infuriating, and scary all at the same time. It’s adorable when they reach that chubby little hand for the teething toy and start gnawing away. However, it’s really aggravating when they soak your blouse before you … Read more
It’s exciting when your little one starts crawling, but if you have stairs in your home, you’re likely filled with a brand new sense of dread. How do you keep your little one from climbing up the stairs, or worse yet, taking a tumble down? When it comes to how to baby proof stairs, there … Read more
Fire isn’t exactly the safest play thing, even for adults. So, when it comes to having an open hearth in your home, you may want to think twice about letting your child near it. If you’re looking at ways to babyproof a fireplace, you have some options. There are several different ways to go about … Read more
Fall is officially here; the weather is getting cooler, the leaves are changing colour, and we are starting to see pumpkins and scarecrows adorning the front steps of neighbourhood homes. With the changing of the season comes a yearning for cozy meals and family celebrations, along with outdoor excursions to take in all the beauty … Read more
I remember when I was pregnant with my first child. One of the questions I asked everyone I knew with kids was, “How many baby clothes do I need?”. It’s a hard one to figure out because you want enough to keep them clothed, but babies grow so fast, and you don’t want to be … Read more
For some people, divorce is a welcome freedom from a toxic relationship. For others, it’s a sad turn of events from the happiness that once was there. And for your kids, it’s likely even harder. As a stay at home mom with little or no income, you may now be faced with figuring out how … Read more
Your breast pump can feel like both your best friend and your worst enemy. It gives you the freedom to build up a stash of breastmilk, keep your baby fed when you’re not there, and can help your partner be a part of the feeding process. Whether you have pumped for weeks, months, or years, … Read more
Angelic newborn pictures and sweet sleeping toddlers often give the impression that most children sleep peacefully for their naps and at night. However, as most parents find out, that’s not always the way it works. While babies of all ages need a lot of sleep to support physical and mental growth and development, many little … Read more
When your toddler goes through separation anxiety, it can break your heart. You know you’re not leaving, but there’s no convincing them of that. It’s hard to watch those tears roll down their cheeks when they know you’re leaving. It can also be frustrating, because it leads to clinging, fussing, and a new found desire … Read more
Being a parent is no walk in the park, but when you’re a stay at home mom, you may feel like you never get a break. It’s important to carve out time in your day to recharge and keep up with your own mental health. Not only can the right stay at home mom schedule … Read more
So, you were up all night with your little one and they still woke up early? That’s rough, Mama. I’ve been there. There really isn’t anything that makes your day harder than a baby who isn’t sleeping, because that means you’re not sleeping either. Dealing with a cranky baby on very little sleep will have … Read more
Baby jet lag can be overwhelming for both you and your baby. However, with this tutorial, you’ll be able to better understand why it happens, the symptoms associated, and how to manage it. My husband and I travel a lot with our kids, so we’re no stranger to time changes, fluctuating schedules, and the jet … Read more
As the weather changes, hopefully you’re finding yourself outside enjoying the weather more and more. The air is crisp and delightful, the colors are vibrant and exciting, and your need for just a light jacket can feel extremely refreshing. That means it’s time to come up with some exciting new outdoor activities for toddlers to … Read more
Being a stepmom is hard. If you’re wondering how to be a good stepmom and avoid being some sort of Disney villain in your step child’s mind, you’re starting from a good place. Know that you have a long road ahead of you, and it is going to be full of twists and turns. Most … Read more
If you have a baby at home, you likely have a collection of baby toys strewn about the house. From soft lovies to plastic teething toys, these items have the potential to be germ magnets. To keep your baby safe from dirt and germs, you want to make sure their toys are regularly cleaned and … Read more
As a new parent, you watch your child’s every move. The baby days are filled with anticipation. Each moment might be your baby’s “first” something: smile, laugh, roll, or step. However, sometimes, anticipation turns into anxiety. When your baby does something you weren’t expecting or can’t explain, worry creeps into your mind. Why is she … Read more
If your toddlers are anything like mine, then they eat everything in sight. That is, of course, until mealtimes when they’re suddenly not hungry anymore. That’s why I try to make sure that the snacks they have are healthy, varied, and nutritionally balanced. When I looked for a list of ideas for healthy snacks for … Read more
Sleeping should be easy. After all, you’re so tired at night that you’re asleep before your head hits the pillow. Rocking used to work so well, Your baby was out after five minutes. At 3 months old, it takes much longer than five minutes of rocking to get them to sleep, if it even works … Read more
Most new parents wonder at one point or another how to get babies to nap longer. After all, nap time is sacred. It’s the time you use to catch up on…whatever. Nap while the baby naps. That’s what they all say. But often, you find yourself tidying up, doing dishes, or reveling in a much … Read more
No one can function on too little sleep. Not even an adult. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise to you that your child needs the right amount of sleep to grow, develop, and thrive in a healthy way. Sleep training is an important part of helping them learn how to get the sleep they … Read more
If you have a 12-month-old, you’re probably already all too familiar with sleep regression. Unfortunately, you’ve been through this before. If you haven’t, you’re one of the lucky few. Consider this your survival guide to the next 1 to 2 weeks of sleepless nights. You may feel like you have a newborn again, but the … Read more
When it comes time to childproof your home, you suddenly realize just how many ways there are for your little one to get hurt. For example, It can be hard to know what to do with all the cords in your home. We’ve put together this guide to help you think of all your options. … Read more
You thought the day was light years away, but all of sudden, your child can reach the light switches and you’re scrambling to child proof them before bedtime so they’re not having a tiny toddler rave at midnight. Yup, we’ve all been there. Child proofing light switches is relatively simple and it won’t take you … Read more
Sleep regression is a tough pill to swallow for all parents. The second your baby is born, you look forward to the days when your child will let you sleep. It can be disheartening when your child regresses and begins waking up again at night. But there’s hope. It doesn’t last forever. Here’s some information … Read more
By nine years old, your child is at the perfect age to be able to do more complex chores around the house. They have increased cognitive awareness to follow instructions and complete more-detailed tasks, their fine and gross motor skills are further developed, and they often enjoy the challenge of doing more difficult tasks around … Read more
First of all, Congratulations! Nothing inspires quite the same mix of joy, anticipation, and gnawing worry as expecting a baby. A baby shower is a wonderful opportunity to focus on the fun and celebrate your growing family. But, planning a baby shower can be a challenge. It all starts with the seemingly simple question of … Read more
Are you, and your child, ready for overnight potty training? If you’re feeling unsure about how to start and what to do, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Whether you’re just starting or are having trouble, here are some of my top tips for getting to that overnight potty training milestone. #1 Let Them Master The … Read more
Every child is different, but one thing is for sure. At some point, your child will transition from taking multiple naps a day to taking just one. When to transition to one nap will depend a lot on how your child is growing and developing. It will be at their own pace, whenever they’re ready. … Read more
People listen to podcasts for entertainment, enrichment, education, or to escape from their daily routines. As a parent, it can provide a source of support and a feeling of unity. No matter why or how you enjoy listening to podcasts, there’s a podcast out there you either didn’t know about or won’t want to miss. … Read more
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare: your child being kidnapped. While child abduction might seem more like the storyline of a dramatic movie than real life, it is, sadly, something that occurs throughout the United States. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports that in recent times, over 400,000 children have been reported missing … Read more
Education is a constantly evolving game. As the world is racing, educators cannot afford to live in the now, but instead must look forward to the future their students will face. Our world is advancing at lightyear speeds when it comes to science, math, and technology. Look around you and consider where we were technologically … Read more
It is essential to give your children opportunities to enrich their understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Even young kids will benefit from the creative, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that are hallmarks of STEM activities. Celebrate the new season by incorporating some spring STEM activities into your family time. #1 Flower Dissection While … Read more
The transition from formula to cow’s milk can be a daunting one. After all, you’ve spent the first several months of your baby’s life in a round-the-clock bottle or breast routine. Whether you are eager for your baby to take the next step into toddlerhood and transition to drinking cow’s milk, or if you’d like … Read more
Chores provide so much benefit to the family household; not only are you getting some much-needed help around the house, but your children are also learning the importance of pitching in and helping out. Everyone wants to feel needed in life, and that they are making a contribution, even children. By having your child do … Read more
Do you feel that you are forever nagging and repeating yourself when it comes to getting jobs done around the house? This was how I was feeling a while back, so I used the “teacher side” of my brain to come up with a solution. My solution? Implementing a chore system at home, which helped … Read more
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Whenever we are planning to travel in the car for long periods of time, I always get a little anxious wondering what I will do to help my toddler pass the time. While kids enjoy looking out the window to a certain extent, let’s be honest, … Read more
There is something so uplifting about flowers – their color, the soft fragrance, they’re like a pick-me-up from the garden! Growing up, my mom always had fresh flowers in vases throughout the house, and to this day I love seeing fresh flowers! In my classroom, I always have plants and flowers throughout the room, and … Read more
As a new parent, one of the first heart-swelling, tear-inducing moments is when your baby smiles. I don’t wish to disappoint you, but babies often smile without meaning to in early infanthood. What you might like to know is when do babies smile for the first time on purpose? What Do My Baby’s Early Smiles … Read more
As a former Kindergarten teacher, I always had a range of crafts, activities, and experiments that would allow my little students to explore and create with color. Learning to identify colors helps children to develop the cognitive link between visual clues and words, serving as both a fun activity and a beginning introduction to the … Read more
It is so exciting when your baby is ready to expand their food choices and really get into eating “big people” food. When our son was a baby, I loved introducing him to new meals and seeing how he liked them. To this day, he still loves trying new dishes, and I love that he … Read more
Little ladies love to be involved in creating things that are both useful and pretty to look at. These fun activities for girls offer great ways to bring enjoyment back into your day! You may even already have some of the materials at home and can start right away! #1 Sidewalk Foam Paint Your girls … Read more
What’s the most panicky parenting moment you’ve had? For me, my scariest mom experience was glancing at the baby monitor screen once my toddler had gone down for a nap, only to find myself staring at an empty crib! It happens to us all at some stage. Our kiddies suddenly become tiny, fearless explorers, and … Read more
A gassy baby is one of the most disconcerting things a new parent can deal with. Even if it’s your second or third time around, no parent wants to know that their baby is in pain or discomfort. Did you know it’s quite normal for babies to pass gas up to 20 times a day? … Read more
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Stretch marks tend to get mixed reviews from women; some view them as a complete eye sore that they want to get rid of, while others view them as a badge of honor that indicates their passage into the world of motherhood. You may be just … Read more
First tooth, first steps, first haircut. Your baby’s early years are filled with memorable milestones that you’ll want to document in the baby book for reflection for years to come. While some of these milestones occur around the same age for every baby, others, like baby’s first haircut, do not. Some kids are born with … Read more
Any parent will agree with me that nap time is a critical time of the day, but it’s not so great when your little human is doing everything but napping. Getting a toddler to nap can be a nightmare. I remember falling asleep while trying to get my firstborn to nap, back when he was … Read more
When we had our first baby, I remember getting his crib ready and wondering when can a baby sleep with a blanket and a pillow. Despite the doctors telling me at every appointment to let him sleep without pillows or blankets, I couldn’t help thinking about how much more comfortable he would be with a … Read more
You’re finally out of the infant, waking up 5 times a night phase and getting some decent sleep. There really is nothing better than getting a full night’s rest and being able to snooze until 7am or so. Except now your toddler seems to think that 4am is a perfectly logical time to wake up, … Read more
A day at the beach can be so relaxing and rejuvenating. Until you throw a baby in the mix. Then it can be exhausting and stressful, especially if you get halfway there and realize you forgot something your baby needs. This beach essentials for baby list will help get you started on making sure you … Read more
The Terrible Twos approach quickly. One moment you’re teaching your baby how to fall asleep by themselves, and the next, they’re blowing out those two candles on their birthday cake. The Terrible Twos have a reputation, and I can tell you there’ll definitely be moments when you totally understand why. But they also get a … Read more
Few parenting moments are as shocking as the moment you spot your little angel lifting their arm and whacking another human. It’s bad enough when this happens in your home, to you, your spouse, or their sibling. It’s mortifying when it occurs on the playground or in front of other parents. While it may be … Read more
Getting your baby on a schedule is one of the most difficult things to do. It’s hard on everybody because you’re already exhausted. However, pushing for a somewhat regular schedule could mean that everyone gets better sleep a majority of the time. If you do that early on, you’ll find that by 3 months, you’ve … Read more
Developing the five senses will help your toddler learn all kinds of different things. It’s a classic toddler learning tool, and there are many ways in which you can help these senses grow. These 5 senses activities for toddlers will get you started and may spark some creativity. Touch There aren’t too many activities that … Read more
There’s nothing quite like holding your quiet, sleeping baby and just marveling at the beautiful little thing you created. But when you’re up for the third time in one night because your child has woken and can’t get back to sleep without you, you can start feeling like you may never—ever—part with your sleeping infant! … Read more
Teething is one of those experiences I think babies and parents alike wish didn’t have to happen. It’s not fun knowing that your little one is in pain, especially if it’s causing them to lose sleep. If you’re wondering how to soothe a teething baby at night, I’ll be going through some tips and tricks … Read more
Moms get all the attention when they’re expecting—and while I can’t argue with that, dads should be shown some love too. After all, they’re a big part of the whole process. With that in mind—what is a diaper party and how to throw one should be something every parent-to-be knows about! So… What Is a … Read more
Language and literacy is the foundation for all further learning. If you can speak articulately and read with proficiency, you are capable of learning anything. Encouraging language and literacy for toddlers is one of the most important things you can do early on. Here are some fun ideas to help your child learn how to … Read more
Kids all grow at different speeds, so if your toddler already knows how to count, that’s great! However, you can always help them develop the skill and build a foundation for more complex math later with fun counting activities for toddlers. #1 Counting Fingers and Toes and Learning Body Parts It sounds relatively basic, but … Read more
Halloween is a fun holiday for kids. Many of the traditions we have were passed down from centuries ago. Some Halloween traditions have even died out since they were at their peak. There are probably plenty of things about Halloween that you didn’t know. If you’re interested in learning some fun Halloween facts to get … Read more
Moms, you’ll know this feeling—you’re exhausted, baby is exhausted, but they don’t want to go down in their crib. After an hour of crying (maybe by both of you), you fall asleep together in your bed. Although this is fine for a while and works for some parents—it only leads to less sleep for both … Read more
Swaddling is a very natural thing to do and has been practiced for many years (hundreds, perhaps even thousands!). The warm, hug-like swaddle is highly effective for calming and comforting little ones. But there comes a time when the wrap will no longer serve a purpose. If it’s that time for you and your baby, … Read more
We’ve all had those moments. We’ve prepared the milk for our little bundle of joy, and before they even have a mouthful, they’re out for the count. This used to stress me out! I would worry about whether my breast milk would stay fresh until my baby woke up. I spent many hours researching so … Read more
Before I became a parent, I had the good fortune of having a few close friends who braved the parenting journey before me, so that I could learn from them, their successes, and their mistakes. If there is one thing that stuck in my mind during that time was that kids are masters at playing … Read more
As parents, we tend to worry about many different aspects of our children’s well-being. We worry about whether they’re eating healthy foods, getting enough exercise and fresh air, hanging out with the right friends, handling life’s emotional roller coasters in a positive way, and whether they’re getting enough sleep. Sleep is a big concern for … Read more
You’ve heard it all before. Every kid is different. Yours will be different from your friend’s, and yours will even be different than each other. Many times, there’s no rhyme or reason to the answers to your questions, because there’s more than one right answer. So the question at hand is when do kids stop … Read more
Safety and longevity is key when storing your breast milk. You chose to breastfeed because you want to give your baby the best, but that also means you need to store it diligently to ensure it doesn’t go bad. Of the many reasons you may choose to pump your milk and save it for later, … Read more
If you’ve ever watched a sitcom from the 80s, you wouldn’t be faulted for thinking that the only thing dads back then did was drink beer and crack wise after a hard day’s work. The concept of fatherhood, however, has changed dramatically since then, and new dads these days are far more involved in the … Read more
We’ve all heard the expression that being a new mother is a full-time job, but what exactly does this job entail? Dads and soon-to-be-moms have always wondered to themselves—what do new mothers do all day? We take a thorough look into the secret lives of moms around the world as they try to deal with … Read more
No man will understand the joys of motherhood. It’s one of nature’s most powerful processes and is known to be a truly life-changing experience. Giving birth to a child forever bonds a mother to her offspring, and this phenomenon is seen repeatedly across the natural kingdom. Motherhood, however, comes with its fair share of trials … Read more
If you are raising a boy, or several, in your home, then you are aware of their need to be constantly moving and involved in all types of play. Here is a list of fun activities for boys that is sure to keep them not only occupied but well entertained! #1 Hallway Laser Maze Quick! … Read more