Latest Articles

  • 2-year-old boy looks through books at the library. Although your toddler isn't able to read on their own yet, there are several pre-literacy skills you can start building on now.

    What Pre-Literacy Skills Can I Start Practicing with My 2-Year-Old?

    Pre-literacy skills are the abilities that children need to develop before they learn to read and write. Although they'll be learning all about reading in school, having plenty of exposure to books and words will create a base from which they can build on when they start kindergarten. By practicing these skills with your 2-year-old, you can lay a strong foundation for their future literacy success.

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  • Three child's stuffed animals lie side by side, neatly tucked in with a blanket. Creating a serene, organized environment for your toddler is helpful for fostering independence.

    Create a Serene & Organized Environment That Will Foster Independence

    Creating a serene and organized environment for your child is one of the most effective ways to foster independence in them. When a child has a clean, structured, and orderly environment, they are more likely to develop good habits, become more responsible, and feel more in control of their surroundings.

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  • Two-year-old girl talks excitedly with her older siblings while playing with the Storypod Tali Tucan Craftie. Communicating verbally with family is one of the best ways to encourage language development in your 2-year-old.

    How to Encourage Language Development in Your 2 Year Old

    It's an exciting time for your child and their language development! At 2-years-old, your child will have a vocabulary of around 50 words and will be able to string together sentences of a couple of words. Furthermore, they'll be able to understand much of what is being said around then and can follow simple, two-part commands. Their language abilities are developing rapidly and now is an important time to take steps that will encourage healthy growth in this area.

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  • A toddler and a young child hold hands while walking through a field. Turn taking a crucial social skill that you will want to begin instilling in your child as early as possible.

    Instill Turn Taking with a Few Simple Practices

    At two-years-old, your child will naturally be very self-centered. Their ability to comprehend the needs of others is just starting to develop, so things like taking turns and sharing can be difficult at the start. And this is to be expected! They're inundated by new information and feelings each day and so they're still learning to navigate the big world as a little person. Add the feelings and needs of others to the mix? Well… it's going to take some time and practice.

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  • Children's wooden blocks with numbers on them lay scattered on a surface. Toddlers may begin counting and getting familiar with numbers as early as the age of 2.

    Tips & Tricks for Teaching Your Toddler to Count

    As early as the age of 2, your child may start recognizing numbers and attempting to count (even if they're saying the numbers out of order). It's a wonderful time to start engaging with numbers and other math skills that they will solidify in the future. With some simple and fun activities and a few tips, parents can teach their toddlers to count and foster a love of numbers that will last a lifetime.

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  • How to Read Interactively with Your Toddler

    How to Read Interactively with Your Toddler

    Reading to your toddler is not only an enjoyable activity, but it is also an excellent way to help them develop language and literacy skills. Interactive reading is a way of engaging your child during the reading process by asking questions, pointing out pictures, and encouraging them to participate in the story. Moreover, it's a surefire way to foster a love of reading in your child. When they see reading time as something to look forward to because they get to have a bit of fun, quality time with Mommy or Daddy, they'll forever associate books with positive feelings.

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  • A woman reads the Spike audiobook with her young son while her daughter holds a Storypod.

    Guided Reading Activities Perfect for Your Toddler

    Guided reading is an approach to story time that promotes engagement and comprehension. It encourages thinking while listening and helps kids make stories more meaningful by making connections. While your child will be doing plenty of this when they start school,Ā  it’s great to set a foundation for comprehension early with some simple methods.

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  • Toddler holds up blocks to see if they match. Matching and sorting are two important cognitive skills for young children to learn.

    Matching & Sorting - Why Strengthen These Cognitive Skills?

    Matching and sorting are two important cognitive skills that are essential for children's learning that develops at around 19-24 months. These skills help children understand and organize information, solve problems, and make decisions.

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  • Two-year-old boy in red shirt flexes his muscles with a smile. Your child will reach a multitude of new milestones in his or her 2nd year of life.

    The Terrific Twos! A Year of Excitement Awaits

    Despite their reputation for being headstrong and determined, there’s no reason to dread the 2-year-old stage as this is a period of tremendous intellectual and social emotional change. From an increase in vocabulary to the emergence of empathy, there’s plenty to look forward to with your terrific 2-year-old this year!

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  • 2-Year-Old girl plays on the floor with wooden toys. Toys that aren't too overstimulating are best to gift to young children, as they promote creativity and cognitive development.

    3 Types of Toys You'll Want to Avoid Gifting to Young Children

    There’s no doubt that watching little faces light up as they open their gifts is one of the greatest joys for adults during birthdays and holidays. While you want to give them something fun and exciting, keep a few things in mind while shopping for the child in your life to ensure that you’re picking toys that are beneficial, safe, and easily accessible.

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  • Three children engage in sensory play by exploring sand and toys in a sensory bin.

    The Importance of Providing Your Child with Rich Sensory Experiences

    In the early stages of life, the five senses are the most important tools that our little ones have to gather information about the world around them. As your child feels textures, absorbs shapes, and takes in new sounds, they are engaging in discovery, exercising their memories, and making connections.

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  • Young child sleeps peacefully next to stuffed bunny

    Creating the Perfect Bedtime Routine in 5 Easy Steps

    There’s no doubt that parents of children of all ages understand the importance of sleep. Aside from preserving parental sanity, a child’s sleep is critical for their development. According to the CDC and the Sleep Foundation, adequate sleep is crucial for preventing poor mental health, obesity, type 2 diabetes, a weakened immune system, and both attention and behavior problems. Yet somehow, about 30% of children in the U.S. don’t get enough sleep.

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