As Mental Health Awareness Month draws to a close here are some thoughts on how to support younger children’s mental wellness. It can be easy to think of mental health issues being the purview of teenagers and over-worked adults, but these challenges can face a person of any age. Children may feel intense stress or anxiety about what is going on in the world, their school, or at home. But they do not have the tools and vocabulary of teenagers or adults to articulate what they’re feeling. Starting the conversation on mental health early can help set up your child […]
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Hip Hip Hooray for Career Day!
What do you want to be when you grow up? It’s a question we’ve all heard, and even as adults, it’s a question many of us still think about. Who do we want to be, what impact are we hoping to make with our lives, what career will bring us purpose, and what legacy will we leave behind. Take Your Child To Work Day was originally founded by the Ms. Foundation as Take Your Daughters to Work Day in 1993 to inspire young women to think about their futures. However, as of 2003, in order to reflect the fact that […]
Going Beyond Baby Sign Language
We all know the phase that toddlers reach when they are desperately seeking to communicate. They want to say something, but don’t yet have the words to do so. It can be frustrating for everyone involved. I remember one interaction with a student; she spoke her toddler gibberish so confidently I was nearly convinced she must be speaking another language! The desire to communicate is there long before children possess the language to do so. Many parents already know the benefits of basic Sign Language for very young children, but often let signing go once a child begins to speak. […]
4 Ways to Study Black History With Children of All Ages
Photo Designed by Freepick February is Black History Month. It’s a month dedicated to celebrating the contributions and accomplishments of African-Americans throughout history. Officially recognized in 1976, Black History Month continues to be an important time of year that allows us to remember and celebrate American history and Black culture. As we progress into more modern times, some people may wonder why we still observe Black History Month. In a country that has continuously strived for racial equality and inclusivity, it may seem unnecessary, but history is always relevant and important to teach. As Maya Angelou, an American poet, and […]
Helping Your Child Find Their Hobbies
January is National Hobby Month! While many adults have found or adopted new home-based hobbies over the past two years, children’s activities have gone through several cycles of shut downs making fostering children’s hobbies a challenge. While hobbies may seem like something reserved for adults on the weekends, they have great benefits for children! Hobbies can help foster children’s skills like: creativity, problem solving skills, critical thinking, bonding with friends, self-discipline, self-esteem, and more. While some children will hone in on a particular interest very early, more might need some help finding a hobby they truly enjoy. Here are some […]
Embracing Eco-Friendly Holiday Traditions
The season of giving has arrived! With Black Friday just past and online retailers extending Cyber Monday to go for a week or more, many folks are doing tons of holiday shopping right now. ‘Tis the season! But with shipping delays expected, this is also a great year to start looking at alternative ways to celebrate. Here are just a few tips on how to shop more sustainably for your kids and get them involved in eco-friendly giving. 1. Buy Used In the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle mantra, we often place too much emphasis on recycling. Recycling can be tricky since […]
A Quick Guide to Navigating Child Fears This Spooky Season
As we head into the spookiest season of the year, it’s time to break out the candy corn, the pumpkin spice, your autumn cardigan, and all of the holiday festivities. For the most part, October is all fun and games… until someone gets spooked. And as much as we love this time of year, it can be challenging for those with sensitive and/or easily startled, young children. Kids, especially toddlers and preschoolers, have a hard time distinguishing between what’s real and what’s not making the costumes and overall spooky allure of Halloween potentially terrifying for younger children. When so much […]
We Can All Be Kind to Humankind
With America’s mental health crisis affecting younger and younger ages, it’s imperative that we focus on supporting and taking care of each other throughout these tough times. One of the best ways for dealing with big and hard feelings is to focus on KINDNESS. […]
Enjoying the Summer Scorchers
“We’re in for another scorcher!” has become an all too frequent refrain this summer. With global temperatures on the rise and heat waves cascading across North America, the risks of heat exposure are also increasing severely. Is it even possible to enjoy those precious few months of summer? How can your children stay safe in extreme temperatures? Is there anything you can do about it? Right now, 2020 takes the cake for the hottest year ever recorded, but phew! 2021 seems to be doing its best to give 2020 a run for its money! Despite the blazing sun and scorching […]
Top 5 Kid-friendly Activities for Summer 2021
It’s summer time! Here are 5 activities guaranteed to help you make the most of this summer, no matter what age your kids are.
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