Latest Articles

  • 3-year-old boy laughs with glee as he plays with the water coming out of a garden hose. Letting your child take risks is one factor of raising independent children.

    5 Tips for Fostering Independence in Your Toddler

    Toddlers are at a stage in their development where they are eager to explore and learn about the world around them. As parents or caregivers, it is important to foster their independence so that they can develop important life skills and become more self-sufficient.

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  • 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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  • A toddler and a young child hold hands while walking through a field. Turn taking a crucial social skill that you will want to begin instilling in your child as early as possible.

    Instill Turn Taking with a Few Simple Practices

    At two-years-old, your child will naturally be very self-centered. Their ability to comprehend the needs of others is just starting to develop, so things like taking turns and sharing can be difficult at the start. And this is to be expected! They're inundated by new information and feelings each day and so they're still learning to navigate the big world as a little person. Add the feelings and needs of others to the mix? Well… it's going to take some time and practice.

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  • Three children engage in sensory play by exploring sand and toys in a sensory bin.

    The Importance of Providing Your Child with Rich Sensory Experiences

    In the early stages of life, the five senses are the most important tools that our little ones have to gather information about the world around them. As your child feels textures, absorbs shapes, and takes in new sounds, they are engaging in discovery, exercising their memories, and making connections.

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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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  • 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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  • 2-Year-Old girl plays on the floor with wooden toys. Toys that aren't too overstimulating are best to gift to young children, as they promote creativity and cognitive development.

    3 Types of Toys You'll Want to Avoid Gifting to Young Children

    There’s no doubt that watching little faces light up as they open their gifts is one of the greatest joys for adults during birthdays and holidays. While you want to give them something fun and exciting, keep a few things in mind while shopping for the child in your life to ensure that you’re picking toys that are beneficial, safe, and easily accessible.

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  • Happy little girl chases bubble outside

    Why Showing Gratitude at Home is Important for Raising Happy Children

    Science has shown that consistent practices in gratitude can reduce stress and increase overall happiness. Because children are so apt to imitate their parents, showing gratitude at home will instill habits in your kids that will affect their happiness throughout their lifetime. How does this simple habit make such an impact? Read on to find out!

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  • Storypod Stages Diagram

    Listen, Learn, and Grow with Storypod

    Here at Storypod, we are parents, educators, and caretakers who are constantly looking for new ways to support our children's early childhood literacy development while keeping them engaged and interested.

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  • Excited baby boy holds present in front of Christmas tree.

    Managing Excitement: Helping Your Young Child Regulate Big Holiday Feelings

    Children are naturally enthusiastic, so it’s no surprise that excitement runs high when the holidays come around. While your little one’s excitement may be one of the best parts of the season, 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 holiday feelings start to get a bit out of control.

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  • Mother and child cuddle in bed while reading "The Adventures of Craftie Fox" with a Storypod nearby.

    Why Does My Child Like Reading the Same Books Over and Over?

    As adults, we crave variety. Anything that breaks up the monotony of life is a welcomed thing. So it may be a bit perplexing when your child asks to read the same book night after night or listens to the same songs on repeat. You may wonder if it gets boring or even if your child is getting enough exposure to new learning experiences.

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