Latest Articles

  • Young child lies on her back with a thoughtful expression on her face.

    Promoting Problem Solving to Raise Independent Kids

    As much as we want to support our children in all areas, it is important that we are training them to eventually become independent, productive adults. One way we do this is to teach them how to solve problems for themselves.

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  • Young child sleeps peacefully next to stuffed bunny

    Creating the Perfect Bedtime Routine in 5 Easy Steps

    There’s no doubt that parents of children of all ages understand the importance of sleep. Aside from preserving parental sanity, a child’s sleep is critical for their development. According to the CDC and the Sleep Foundation, adequate sleep is crucial for preventing poor mental health, obesity, type 2 diabetes, a weakened immune system, and both attention and behavior problems. Yet somehow, about 30% of children in the U.S. don’t get enough sleep.

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  • Child practicing sight words while reading book

    What Should I Do if My Child is Having Trouble with Sight Words?

    Soon after your child learns the alphabet, he or she will begin learning their sight words. Sight words are commonly seen words that do not follow the typical rules of spelling, like does, can, and the. Because of this, they can be difficult for children to decode and are taught through memorization at school. Learning age appropriate sight words is vital for reading fluency. So what should you do if you notice your child isn’t catching on as quickly as they should be?

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  • Two children sit side by side reading a book and holding a Storypod. Print awareness is one of the indicators that your child is ready to read in Kindergarten.

    The Kindergarten Reading Readiness Checklist

    Kindergarten reading readiness refers to the stage in which a child shows signs that they are ready to begin reading. It is a crucial topic for parents and educators alike. Reading is an essential skill that forms the foundation for academic success, and it is important to ensure that children are prepared to learn to read when they begin kindergarten.

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  • A child reading along with the Storypod.

    Why Listening is an Essential Part of Learning How to Read

    While developmentally-conscious parents institute storytime as a vital part of their household ritual, primary classrooms fill their schedules with “rhyme time” and daily songs. Any parent or teacher can tell you how much children love to listen to stories, songs, and rhymes.

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  • Toddler sits on bed with book on his lap and a Storypod beside him

    Leaning on Illustrations to Strengthen Reading Comprehension Skills

    While, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” may be an old adage that holds true in some cases, it turns out that when it comes to actual children’s books, illustrations may play a bigger role in early literacy than we think. Everyone knows that illustration does wonders for capturing attention and engaging the minds of our little ones.

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  • Father and daughter clean dishes together as a part of their cleaning routine

    Do Children Thrive with Routines?

    Whether you consider yourself a free-spirit or a highly organized individual, there’s no doubt that there are some routines you’ve put in place to help things run smoothly and efficiently in your life. From health routines to cleaning routines, regular and consistent steps help to bring about good results. Just like adults, children require routines to help them get through their day, too. But more than that, children actually thrive with routines because routines help them to learn, build confidence, and give them the feeling of security vital to experiencing a stable childhood.

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  • Child and mother's hands play a game of Jenga indicating bonding

    Promoting Development with Family Game Night

    Aside from the obvious benefit of family bonding, a game night actually develops important skills in your children. From motor skills to lessons in self-regulation, the rewards of engaging in this weekly practice will compel you to pull out the board games right away!

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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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  • 6-Year-Old boy, accompanied by his sister, whips up some homemade dog treats to donate to an animal shelter. There are many charity projects children 6 and under can do to learn about giving.

    6 Charity Projects for Children 6 and Under That Will Teach Them About Giving

    Reflecting on one's privileges and those who may not be as fortunate is an important practice in gratitude that will serve your child well in life later on. It’s great to create charity-center traditions that will teach children important lessons about giving and compassion as it will lay down the foundation for a kind adult. The earlier your child can learn such values, the better, so read on to discover a few simple charity projects that allow you to involve the youngest members of the family!

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  • Young boy sits at table with a Storypod and a book. Reading is one of the five important educational routines to start in the New Year.

    5 Educational Routines You Can Execute at Home

    The education your child receives at home is some of the most formative he or she will receive, as it creates a foundation for future learning and reinforces any lessons that may have been given at school. Create some simple, but fruitful, learning routines that will serve to progress your child’s educational development. These educational routines do not need to be complex or rigorous to be effective. Simplicity and consistency is key to garnering long-term results!

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  • Little girl quietly reads a book on her lap. There are 4 predominant learning styles that children may gravitate toward. Parents should make an effort to find out and understand their child's learning style.

    What are the 4 Learning Styles in Children?

    As with many aspects of their development, children are unique in the ways that they take in and retain information. From having an affinity for memorizing new words to working well with their hands, parents should take the time to notice their child’s tendencies in how they absorb the world around them as it could give them a clue to their learning style. This information can be useful when helping your child to learn new things at home or when they start school.

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