April is National Move More Month, a monthly observance created by the American Heart Association to remind us all of the importance of being active. Over time, Americans have developed a more sedentary lifestyle, which has lead to a higher risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, memory problems, and an overall shorter lifespan. Move More Month is a great reminder that physical activity is essential for living a long and happy life. As the weather continues to get warmer, now is the perfect time to reevaluate activity schedules in order to ensure that we’re all hitting our fitness […]
Supporting Children’s Friendships
As spring rapidly rolls in, so do opportunities for outdoor play that have been unavailable in colder climates. With outdoor playdates and summer vacations approaching, it’s a perfect time to consider how you can help support your child’s friendships during school breaks. Friendships are essential to children’s development at all ages, but can also be very hard! Your child might naturally be a social butterfly, winning over every other kid in their class. Or your child might be more introverted and not have as easy of a time socializing. Wherever on the spectrum your child naturally falls, there are things […]
Getting Your Little Ones Ready to Write
February always makes me think of Valentine’s day. Valentine’s Day is often associated with lots of hearts and chocolates, but when I think of the holiday I recall spending hours writing up my Valentines to deliver to my classmates’ special, heart-shaped boxes. At younger ages, this was an arduous task with lots of erasing and struggling to spell names correctly. However, as the years progressed it became more enjoyable and is one of my treasured memories. Every year this holiday tradition continues, and kids of all ages like to participate in sending out their Valentines. But what age is appropriate […]
Enjoying the end of Winter!
With January drawing to a close and the holidays seemingly a distant memory, the long slog of the end of winter is setting in. While the days are starting to get longer again, you never really start to feel it until mid-March. For those of us in colder climates the long hours indoors can wear on both our kids and ourselves. But winter does offer some unique opportunities for fun in the cold weather. Here are some ideas about how keep things fun and interesting in the last long stretch of winter Enjoy some winter sports Whether your family’s preference […]
Tips For Having Fun in the Cold
Wednesday, December 21, 2022, marked the first day of winter in the northern hemisphere and it is undeniably cold and getting colder. On the one hand, winter is a great time for bundling up with cozy blankets and a hot drink, but it can also be challenging for those of us who would prefer to live in a tropical paradise. Even more challenging, can be finding ways to keep kids engaged and occupied, without too much screen time, when it gets too chilly to venture outdoors. It’s a proven fact that outdoor time is important for kids. But, what happens […]
Tips for keeping the holidays fun!
While the stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas is filled with unique activities and joy, this can come with lots of meltdowns and frustrated little ones. While you always know your child best, here are some tips to help keep everyone calm during the busy holiday season to enjoy as much as possible and hopefully have a few fewer meltdowns. Keep the routine Children thrive off of routine! If you need to stay connected with your child’s day care provider, ChildWatch is a great resource to keep you informed about daycare/school routines so you can maintain that consistency at home. Try […]
Preparing for Snow Days and Sick Days
When dealing with children there can be many unexpected curve balls. Infanthood can bring acid reflux, teething, sleep regressions, and growth spurts. While toddler years are often accompanied by potty training accidents and the evolution of picky eaters; the years to come as our children age, only continue to bring unexpected developments. Some of these events can be exciting ( first steps, graduating pre-k, etc.), but there is always the potential for disappointment as well, such as inclement weather or that nasty flu/stomach bug that just happens to be making its rounds in your community. The truth of the matter […]
Make The Most of Fall With The Family
With the passing of the equinox, it is officially this writer’s favorite season: Fall! Autumnal excitement is hardly unique nowadays seeing IG feeds filled with pictures of pumpkin patches, lattes, apples, fallen leaves, and the like. But despite the elements that might feel overdone, Fall presents some unique opportunities for learning and family bonding. Here are some suggestions of a few ways to make the most of the best and shortest season. Baking I know, this one probably doesn’t feel new or revolutionary, and if you’re not a particularly good baker it might feel like a mockery. But, no, you […]
5 Ways to Help Kids Be Good Friends
“ The only way to have a friend is to be one.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson August 7th was Friendship Day, an international holiday for celebrating friendship and recognizing the importance of global bonding. In addition, August, for many families, marks the beginning of back-to-school season. As excited as parents and kids are for school, there tends to be some concern about how children will adjust to their new classroom. In short, will they get along with the other kids and be able to make friends? Although we send kids to school for academic learning, their social learning is a huge […]
Getting Ready for Back To School
Did you know that we are coming up on August – Romance Awareness Month!!!!! JK! It is that, but that’s not our concern, nor is National Goat Cheese Month. I’m here for Get Ready for Kindergarten Month. Fortunately, this nationally recognized… celebration (?) is self-explanatory. For all the new young ones starting school for the first time, this is the time to get ready! While schools start at different times depending on where you live, most families are thinking about back to school starting in the month of August. Even if your child is beyond kindergarten, hopefully these few tips […]