Hailey Southard

Chomp! Helping Toddlers Move Beyond Biting

Addressing Biting within the Home, Daycare or Childcare Setting It happens fast: a joyous moment or frustrating situation quickly turns to horror with the shock of a sudden bite. Within the world of early childhood education, biting is a typical stage seen by parents and educators alike. Addressing this behavior in the moment is easier […]

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Rhymes and Reasons: How Poetry Sparks Early Reading Success

The Beneficial Nature of Poetry on Learning to Read Poems are a playful way to help grow strong reading skills. Musical lines found in nursery rhymes, chants, and short books can pack a surprising literary punch! Let’s take a look at some of the research behind the benefits of poetry on early reading preparedness as

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Traveling with Preschoolers: Tips and Tricks For a Smooth Trip

Tips for Vacationing with Preschoolers Working on plans for a family trip? Do you have a preschooler at home? Your daydreams of warm sandy beaches or crisp mountain air might be interrupted by the thought of tantrums at 30,000 feet or overtired meltdowns during a day of hiking. No worries as we have you covered!

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Bed-Time for Baby: The Transition From Crib to Bed

The Big Move It’s hard to look at the tiny newborn in the crib and envision that they will one day have arms and legs hanging out the sides as they actively outgrown their sleeping arrangements. As with all things, the day does come where your little one is ready for the transition: big-kid bed

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Intentionality and Screentime for Preschoolers

Even from an early age, screens are entrancing. The different lights, storylines, colors, and sounds are all captivating—and easily accessible from a big screen tv to a tiny handheld device that can go anywhere with you. With screens now literally at our fingertips at most points of the day, it is important to take a

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Chilling Through the Summer

Keeping Cool in the Summer Heat` When the summer sun is blazing and the temps rise, parents and caregivers need a battle plan to manage their preschoolers playful, plentiful energy. Summer play doesn’t have to be a break from learning and developing, either!  Below are some kid-approved ways to beat the heat while also nurturing

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Helping Children Find Calm

How Can I Help My Child Calm Down? Calming down, and doing so well, is not an innate human ability but rather a skill that needs practicing and honing. For preschool-aged children, they are merely at the beginning of a lifelong journey to sharpen such a skill. Whether they are having a meltdown over the

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Growing Children and Gardens

There’s something truly special about watching a child witness nature firsthand. From digging their small fingers into the dirt, planting a tiny seed, and watching that little seed sprout and come to life—getting to share the wonder of nature with them is nothing short of magical. It goes way beyond pretty flowers and home-grown vegetables,

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Serious Snackers: Nutritious Snacks and Lunches for Preschoolers

Keeping a Preschooler in food can be daunting, to say the least. From the first bite of solids to the ever-present need for snacks, feeding the small humans can wind up feeling like a full-time job. Nutrition is huge for children, too, as it is fueling their growth—and they’re growing a lot! Nemours Kids Health

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Dreaded Drop-offs: Working Through Preschool Separation Anxiety

Leaving a crying a child in the care of another is a truly heart-wrenching experience for any parent or caregiver. While it is easy to feel like yours is the only child who has a hard time at drop off, but you truly are not alone. To boot, separation anxiety is a natural part of

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