Preschoolers and their parents lead busy lives. There are pretend cakes to bake; dolls and stuffies with “boo boos” that need mending; and grocery shopping to do for the play kitchen. As fun as these games are for kids, there are very real tasks that all parents need to get done during the day—and it’s […]
Hands-on Fun: Fall STEAM Activities
As parents, many of us strive to provide our children with well-rounded experiences that, hopefully, aid them in their learning and understanding of the world. Following the STEAM model of education is a practical way of giving your preschooler (and older children) opportunities to learn a variety of skills across multiple platforms of education. These […]
In The Moment: Being a More Present Parent
Our children are connected and attached to us! Sometimes that attachment is overwhelming and it seems like they just want our attention all the time. Whether it’s an infant’s cry, your older son endlessly talking about Minecraft, or your toddler needing extra snuggles at the end of a long day, it’s built into their DNA—and […]
The Lazy—and Learning—Days of Summer
August has always been my favorite part of summer—first as child and then as a teacher. For many of us, the school-year calendar dictates our schedules and time available to relax and play in the summer sun. My family moved to Eugene 21 years ago from a small town on coastal Maine. Our first summer […]
The Importance of Toddler Routines
The Importance of Toddler Routines School’s out and summer is here! Many parents want to soak up as much of the summer sun as possible and fill their days with trips to the swimming pool, impromptu stops at the playground, or a late picnic dinner in the park. All these activities are enjoyable ways for […]
Children Are Important – Ways To Show Them
Children Are Important – Ways To Show Them As parents, we can all agree that our children are important. But when the day is filled with school drop-off and pick-up, trips to the store, soccer practice, play dates, cleaning, mealtime, and loads more, it can sometimes feel like a challenge to be mindful in our […]
Helping Hands: Teach Your Preschooler to Help Clean Up
Helping Hands: Teach Your Preschooler to Help Clean Up This scene is all too familiar: You’ve spent the morning cleaning while you’re child is at preschool. But the minute they come home, all your hard work is dismantled within a matter of minutes. This blog post will challenge you to look at an alternative perspective. […]
Step 2 of Positive Parenting: Have a Positive Learning Environment
When your child comes to you for help or to talk, they’re ready to learn. Give them positive attention, even if only for a minute or so.
Risky Business: The Benefits of Letting Children Take Risks
The phrase “Helicopter Parent” gets thrown around a lot these days. It’s used to describe parents who overprotect their children from risk or failure, whether it’s physical or emotional. Most of us are not as extreme as “Helicopter Parents,” but we want to protect our children. Allowing our children to take risks can be challenging […]
Home Sweet Home: Rules for Having Visitors
While it can be hard for kids to share their parents’ attention or let others into their personal space, hosting visitors provides opportunities for young children to practice their social skills.