Latest Articles

  • 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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  • 1-year-old girl wears a happy but quizzical expression in front of a red background.

    Do Nursery Rhymes Benefit My Child?

    From Baa Baa Black Sheep to I'm a Little Teapot, nursery rhymes have been used for ages as a way for adults to engage their children. It turns out, these simple poems and songs actually pack quite a punch in helping your child develop and learn! Read on to discover the benefits of practicing rhymes with your little one.

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  • 1-Year-Old girl lifts a foot up to crawl out of a sand box. A 1-year-old's motor skills are rapidly developing and can be strengthened with simple activities.

    5 Simple Activities to Help Your 1-Year-Old Strengthen Motor Skills

    At 1-years-old, you'll notice your little one's motor skills ramping up quite a bit and soon you'll have a toddler on the move! Motor skills refer to the ability to control one's movements and perform physical tasks, such as crawling, walking, and playing with toys. Strong motor skills are essential for a child's overall development, as they lay the foundation for more advanced physical abilities and coordination later in life.

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  • Two children sit side by side reading a book and holding a Storypod. Print awareness is one of the indicators that your child is ready to read in Kindergarten.

    The Kindergarten Reading Readiness Checklist

    Kindergarten reading readiness refers to the stage in which a child shows signs that they are ready to begin reading. It is a crucial topic for parents and educators alike. Reading is an essential skill that forms the foundation for academic success, and it is important to ensure that children are prepared to learn to read when they begin kindergarten.

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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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  • Child sits on a deck drawing with sidewalk chalk. Using fun materials is a great way to incentivize your child to practice writing.

    7 Fun Ways to Practice Writing Without Paper & Pen

    Expressing ideas, making meaning, strengthening fine motor skills, and practicing phonological awareness —- the reasons to practice writing are numerous and compelling. And while workbooks and good, old-fashioned paper and pencil have their place, finding fun ways to practice writing with young children is a great way to grow a love and aptitude for this very important skill. Read on for a few creative ideas to make writing practice entertaining!

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  • An array of colorful toys are arranged carefully on a white background. Keeping toys organized through toy rotation is an easy way to combat overwhelm and avoid overstimulating your child.

    The Magic of Toy Rotation - An Easy Practice to Combat Toy Overwhelm

    Birthdays, holidays, doting grandparents, and everything in between — it's likely your child has a wealth of toys at their disposal given to them with the hopes of enrichment and engagement. And while playing with toys is certainly a great way for a young child to learn, too many toys can lead to overwhelm, overstimulation and, believe it or not, boredom. Fortunately, there's a simple solution!

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  • 6-Year-Old boy, accompanied by his sister, whips up some homemade dog treats to donate to an animal shelter. There are many charity projects children 6 and under can do to learn about giving.

    6 Charity Projects for Children 6 and Under That Will Teach Them About Giving

    Reflecting on one's privileges and those who may not be as fortunate is an important practice in gratitude that will serve your child well in life later on. It’s great to create charity-center traditions that will teach children important lessons about giving and compassion as it will lay down the foundation for a kind adult. The earlier your child can learn such values, the better, so read on to discover a few simple charity projects that allow you to involve the youngest members of the family!

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  • Smiling 4-year-old boy raises his hands in excitement. There are many ways to manage over-excitement when big events are on the horizon.

    Managing Excitement: Helping Your 4-Year-Old Regulate Big Feelings

    Children are naturally enthusiastic, so it’s no surprise that excitement runs high when big events like birthdays or holidays come around. While your little one’s excitement can be lovely to witness, 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 feelings start to get a bit out of control.

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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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  • Young boy sits at table with a Storypod and a book. Reading is one of the five important educational routines to start in the New Year.

    5 Educational Routines You Can Execute at Home

    The education your child receives at home is some of the most formative he or she will receive, as it creates a foundation for future learning and reinforces any lessons that may have been given at school. Create some simple, but fruitful, learning routines that will serve to progress your child’s educational development. These educational routines do not need to be complex or rigorous to be effective. Simplicity and consistency is key to garnering long-term results!

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  • Little boy lies on the floor with a red, paper heart in his hands. Teaching your child to perform simple acts of kindness is a great way to show love in February.

    6 Simple Acts of Kindness Your Toddler Can Do to Show Love

    Performing acts of kindness with your young child will be a meaningful way to teach them real lessons about love, kindness, and compassion. There's no need to do grand, over-the-top displays to make a big impact, however. A few simple acts that your toddler can participate in will be enough to lay down the foundation of thoughtfulness that will last a lifetime.

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