Articles

How Does Too Much Screen Time Affect Children? Toddlers learn best when they interact with other children and adults. Some screen time can be educational, but simple play is the most powerful learning experience for children. Too much screen time has negative impacts on children’s health and well-being. Time with screens means time away from […]

Get Active: Play Together Play is important for learning, healthy development and relationships. Dial Down Stress Some stress is ok, but too much is harmful. It can impact brain development, learning, mental health and physical health. Stress can also hurt relationships by leading us to say and do things we regret. Managing household stress can […]

Why Lower Family Stress? When we manage stress, we can do a better job as a parent or caregiver. We can avoid reacting out of anger, fear, and other stressful feelings. We can also help children grow in healthy ways by keeping them from too much stress. Dial Down Stress Some stress is ok, but […]

Tips for Feeding Preschoolers Start with small portions and allow them to have more if still hungry. Ask the child to pick out a vegetable they would like to try. Model eating a variety of foods and enjoying mealtime. Limit foods with little nutritional value such as soda, potato chips, or pre-packaged prepared snacks. Use […]

Breakfast: Why Does it Matter? Preschoolers have an especially high level of energy and are growing and changing at a fast pace. Starting healthy eating habits, such as eating breakfast, is important to maintain their growth and activity levels. Eating breakfast regularly… Tips for a Smart Start Be ready; plan and prepare breakfast the night […]

Transitions Transitions are the changes, moves, or passages from one activity to another, or from one place to another. Transitional objects such as a security blanket, teddy bear or favorite toy can provide a child comfort during times of uncertainty. Creating a Routine for Transitions Develop a ritual when it is time to transition. An […]

Why Tell Stories? Children who hear storytelling are better storytellers themselves. This sparks curiosity, improves language skills, and has a positive impact on school success. Storytelling is fun for everyone no matter what age (and no batteries required!). Anytime… Anywhere Children who hear storytelling are better storytellers themselves. This sparks curiosity, improves language skills, and […]

How to Pay for College Most families can’t save the full amount needed for their child’s education. Paying for college usually includes: Saving some money ahead of time. Paying some expenses out of current income. Both parent and child taking out student loans. Scholarships, gifts, or grants. Tips for Saving for Education Begin to save […]

Why Read to Children? Reading out loud is the most important thing you can do to prepare children to read. Building pre-literacy skills in young children helps them achieve greater success in school. Throughout the day, read what you see around you: signs, labels, recipes, or words from a text message. Tips to Raise a […]

Math is Everywhere! There are everyday ways to talk about basic math concepts with your preschooler. The key is to have fun while doing it. Preschoolers Can Understand These Basic Math Concepts: Numbers: counting, quantity, and order.“Let’s see how many carrots are on our plates. I have 1, 2, 3…Let’s count yours. You have 1, […]

Why is Science Important? 5 Reasons Science helps children to think critically, which helps children be successful at home and school. Through trial and error, children’s patience and determination grow, which teaches them to keep trying. Children form language, literacy, and social skills by listening to others, working together, and talking about what is happening. […]

What Does Children’s Art Tell Us? The goal of an allowance is to help children become comfortable with making basic money decisions, such as comparing smaller versus larger amounts and how one decision can affect many other decisions. Tips for a Good Start at Art Give children many ways to paint – finger, brush, a […]