Your Child’s Journey

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  • 1-year-old child sits with toys and board books scattered about him. Children as young as 1 can begin developing print awareness by being exposed to books during playtime.

    What is Print Awareness and How Can I Strengthen It in My 1-Year-Old Child?

    Does your 1-year-old like to play with books as if they’re toys? Great news! Your little one is beginning their important journey on the road to “print awareness”! Print awareness refers to an understanding of how books word and that printed words and images hold meaning.

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  • Mother sits on bed with her children on either side of her, reading a book. A Storypod sits in her daughter's lap. Bedtime stories are a great way to increase a child's literacy skills, such as phonological awareness.

    How to Strengthen Your Child’s Phonological Awareness With Bedtime Stories

    Phonological Awareness - What is that? And what does it have to do with literacy skills? Does your child always ask for “just one more” bedtime story? That’s great news! Listening to stories can strengthen your child’s phonological awareness (one of the five elements of early childhood literacy) even before they reach school-age. Phonological awareness is a complicated sounding word, but it simply means: the ability to hear, recognize, and play with the sounds in spoken language.

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  • 4-year-old boy on a bike at the playground crosses his arms and wears a displeased expression on his face. Identifying emotions is an important skill for a young child to have.

    Why Identifying Emotions is so Important for Young Children to Learn

    Small children aren’t immune to big emotions. Events that can seem trivial to adults can give way to strong feelings, like disappointment at a broken toy or anger when a friend doesn’t want to share. While there are many techniques for training a child to manage their feelings, identifying emotions is actually the first step in self-regulation. It allows the child to recognize when they feel a certain way and why. This self-awareness and emotional regulation can help children manage their behavior and make better decisions.

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  • Six-year-old girl flashes a big smile while playing with her curly hair. A child's 6th year is marked by an increase in independence and rapid development of mental skills.

    Exciting 6! Here’s What to Anticipate in the Upcoming Year

    Congratulations! Your child has entered “middle childhood” and there’s much to look forward to as they continue to grow, develop, and become more independent. Their time at school is sure to foster more substantial friendships and expand their understanding of the “bigger world” around them. It’s an exciting time, so read on to discover more about what to expect this year!

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  • 3 year old boy in yellow hat holds up 3 fingers in front of his birthday cake. There are many milestones to look forward to in your child's 3rd year.

    Hello 3! Welcome to the Magic Years

    Welcome to the magic years! Between the ages of 3 and 4, your child will be consumed by their vivid imaginations and sense of discovery. You’ll enjoy watching your child bloom into a more independent individual while they become more socially aware and empathetic.  3-year-olds are at a stage of development where they are becoming more self-sufficient and developing their language and cognitive skills. It’s an exciting time and parents have much to look forward to in the coming year!

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  • One-year-old child sits in front of a simple mural while holding a bright, red, birthday balloon. A parent can look forward to many strides in their child's development at one-year-old.

    The Big 1! Here’s What to Look Forward To

    From toothless smiles to sweet, baby babbles, there’s no doubt your little one has brought you endless joy in the past 12 months. Fortunately, the fun’s just getting started as there’s still plenty of exciting milestones to look forward to in the upcoming year!

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  • Excited baby boy holds present in front of Christmas tree.

    Managing Excitement: Helping Your Young Child Regulate Big Holiday Feelings

    Children are naturally enthusiastic, so it’s no surprise that excitement runs high when the holidays come around. While your little one’s excitement may be one of the best parts of the season, there are times when these feelings can become too intense and lead to agitation, hyperactivity, and even disappointment. Look out for the signs of overexcitement and try out a few strategies when your child’s big holiday feelings start to get a bit out of control.

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  • Mother and child cuddle in bed while reading "The Adventures of Craftie Fox" with a Storypod nearby.

    Why Does My Child Like Reading the Same Books Over and Over?

    As adults, we crave variety. Anything that breaks up the monotony of life is a welcomed thing. So it may be a bit perplexing when your child asks to read the same book night after night or listens to the same songs on repeat. You may wonder if it gets boring or even if your child is getting enough exposure to new learning experiences.

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  • Young girl smiling with a blue shirt and necklace

    6 Simple Games to Strengthen Reading Skills at Home

    Whether your child has just started discovering their letter sounds at home or is learning to read and write at school, you can support their reading development by playing simple games that require little to no prep.

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  • Preschool girl sits in yoga pose outside, eyes closed. Teaching children how to be mindful is important for their social emotional development.

    Cultivating Mindfulness in Your Preschooler

    Mindfulness is the ability to be present and fully engaged in the current moment, without judgment. And, in our modern world of stimulation and distractions, it’s as important as ever to cultivate in our young children. Preschoolers who engage in mindfulness activities are better able to manage their emotions and behavior, as well as sustain their focus for longer periods of time.

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  • 4 year old girl with a fur-trimmed hood closes eyes and laughs. There are many milestones to look forward to with your four-year-old, including an increase in social emotional skills.

    You Have a 4-Year-Old! Here's What to Expect

    Four is an exciting age, filled with milestones like lengthening back and forth conversations and the emergence of rhyming abilities. As the other half of the “magic years,” your 4-year-old child will continue to bloom in the areas of imagination, discovery, and wonder. There’s plenty to look forward to, so read on to find out what to expect from your little one this year!

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  • Baby lays on back wearing eyeglasses. He is developing important cognitive skills in his first year of life.

    What Cognitive Skills Is My Child Developing in the 1st Year?

    Cognitive skills refer to the way one thinks, communicates, and solves problems. During the first year of life, children undergo incredible cognitive development as they begin to explore and make sense of the world around them. Below are some key cognitive skills that children develop from 0-12 months of age.

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