A Good Valentine’s Day Read with Your Little One

A Good Valentine’s Day Read with Your Little One

One of my favorite months of the year is February. This is a very special month as you can make your little ones feel extra special. As a parent of a 4-year-old, I always want to make sure she feels loved. This month I like to do extra things for her that I know she will enjoy and that will assure her of my endless love for her. One of the activities we love to do every night before bed is read a book. Our nightly routine usually entails of reading a book of her choice. After we are done reading her book, I choose a book to read to her. One of my favorite books I love to read to her is Wherever You Are: my love will find you by Nancy Tillman.

Read More

Dental Play and Its Benefits to Children When Visiting the Dentist

Dental Play and Its Benefits to Children When Visiting the Dentist

For children, a dental visit may represent a stressful event just as much as it does to many adults. Fear and anxiety regarding dental care and treatment is common in many adults. This is so prevalent that many parents are afraid to discuss dental visits with their children, thus setting them up to develop fears of their own (McDonald, 2008). Traumatic dental experiences in childhood may cause lifelong neurological changes in pain sensitivity (Stanhope, 2005). While pediatric dentists are well-trained to work with children, they may be less likely to have much training on managing the stress and anxiety of the children they serve. This is where a certified child life specialist (CCLS)  comes in.


Read More

Slime as an STEAM, Educational, and Therapeutic Activity

Slime as an STEAM, Educational, and Therapeutic Activity

Slime is everywhere! Children of different ages are using it to relax, to be distracted, and to be creative. It is an activity that can be done with toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. Slime offers many different benefits to children.

When we first hear the word slime, we think of that sticky stuff that manages to get all over the place, especially clothes and it doesn’t seem to come off. But, slime can also be an educational and therapeutic activity that can be incorporated into the ECE classroom, and it can serve many purposes…

Read More

What is a Nature-based Preschool? | ¿Qué es un preescolar basado en la naturaleza?

What is a Nature-based Preschool? | ¿Qué es un preescolar basado en la naturaleza?

Nature-based preschools are proliferating across the country (Dennis, Wells, & Bishop, 2014). Preschools that adhere to a naturalistic approach to early childhood education offer rich experiences that help children make a connection with the natural world through an outdoor classroom…

Read More