young children

I’m Sorry!

How many times in your life have you said “I’m sorry” to another person?  It’s natural that when the children in our lives do something that hurts, upset, or bothers another person, we encourage them to say “I’m sorry,” as well.  But what does “I’m sorry” really mean and does it teach children anything?  In Read More

Plan to Play: Tell A Story

Recently,  I wrote an article for a website about preparing young children with special needs for mainstream kindergarten.  Needless to say, this had me thinking about the skills I would hope all children entering kindergarten would have.  Before entering kindergarten, most 4-5 year olds should have the ability to speak in sentences, understand the sequence of story, Read More

5 Do-It-Yourself Warm Weather Science Activities Kids Will Love

Sometimes the park can keep children busy for hours, and other days it’s just doesn’t cut it.  Be prepared!  These activities are sure to keep your children engaged and may even teach them a little about science along the way! 1-Use Water– Go to the dollar store and keep spray bottles, paint rollers and paint brushes in Read More

My Favorite Things: Kids Play Tent

In the season of beaches, parks, picnics and outdoor activities, having a safe spot for your children to play is essential.  The Sun Smarties Play Anywhere Play Tent is one of my favorites.  First and foremost, the tent has UPF 30+ which is so important when playing outside.  The tent is incredibly easy to open Read More

My Favorite Things: Finger Crayons for Toddlers

When introducing crayons to toddlers, finger crayons are my first choice.  These crayons are perfectly sized for small hands and can fit in a child’s palm or on their finger.  From a developmental standpoint, finger crayons are great for working on finger isolation, whole hand grip and general fine motor skills.  They can also be stacked Read More

Princesses: Perfectly Pleasant or Potentially Perilous?

Recently, many articles have surfaced on the web concerning the visuals and message the Disney princesses and their stories present. (I’ve included links to a few below.)  Peggy Orenstein has written 4 books and numerous articles about women and girls coming of age.  Her most recent, Cinderella At My Daughter, considers what “girlie-girl” culture may Read More

Tips and Recording from Babybites Separation Teleclass

On June 1st, I joined Heather Ouida of Babybites and Kiddybites to discuss “Separation at Camp and Beyond.”    Take a look at the tips from our conversation and listen to the recording: http://www.babybites.com/06/02/tips-for-separation/

NYC Imagination Library

Whenever I hear about a terrific opportunity for young children, I like to pass along the information.  There’s a wonderful new program in NYC that encourages a love of learning and books.  The NYC Imagination Library is an initiative of the NYC Dept. of Education. The goal is to promote the development of emergent literacy Read More

Why Does He Have That?

Recently, more and more early childhood programs have opened their doors to children with a variety of needs.  These integrated and inclusive communities are wonderful places for all children to learn and are fantastic in a multitude of other ways.  The law says that children with special needs must be educated in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).  Read More