Training parents about all things preschool and kids aged 18 months–5 years
I pay a lot of attention to baby names. I can’t help it—I’m a Jennifer from the ’70s. It’s like my mom took ten minutes between fondue parties and waiting in line for gas to decide, “I think I’ll name her the next name I hear shouted across this K-Mart.” In all honesty, my mom named me…
Naming your baby is a big decision – after all, she’ll be stuck with whatever you choose for the rest of her life! Emma, Madison, Jaden, Noah, Maria, and Jacob are names that have been trending for the past 10 years and will probably continue to hang around a little longer. Most recently, there has been…
If there’s one thing kids cut into, it’s your previous DINK (Double Income No Kids) fun budget. No one denies that children and their requisite gear are expensive. Taking advantage of generous donations of gently used kid goods is one way to curb the cash flow, but buyer (or accepter) beware–not all hand-me-downs are created…
You all know the type I’m talking about. If you weren’t one yourself, you can probably still name the kindergarten class clown or the mean kid in second grade who spent more time in the principal’s office than homeroom. But what happens when you’re the parent of said rabble-rouser? (For the record, this is one…
I was the director of my preschool for over 17 years. I don’t claim to know it all, but there are a few things you learn from experience. I could walk into a classroom and within 2 minutes spot the hot spots and the red flags. So what is a red flag? It’s a behavior…
Some people I know have a lot of trouble with spatial tasks. I’m not saying it’s me but… it totally is me. Help your preschooler develop good spatial skills by giving him puzzles. Not, like, videogame puzzles – just real, hold-in-your-hand and lose-half-the-pieces puzzles. Not only do they help with spatial learning, fine motor skills,…
My four-year-old has been asking more and more for playdates lately. She’s a social little butterfly who loves nothing more than playing with (bossing around) friends. But even playdates for toddlers are great for socializing, both for the kids and the parents, and can help prepare your child for sharing with, caring about, and learning…
I have a confession: I have way too many containers. You know that entire section in Target devoted to storage units? And all those adorable canvas totes that come in every nursery color scheme imaginable? And every baby shower gift you ever got that came shrink-wrapped in a culturally accepted gender-specific designer basket? I have them…
You’ve seen the look — zombified little faces lit up by the blue glow the an iPad, television, or other screen. And heaven forbid you ever ask them to turn it off. Experts recommend no more than two hours per day of screen time for kids—even less for preschoolers—and having unstructured down-time to explore is…
Facebook was full of hilarious toddler hijinks this week! We’ve collected some of favorites for your mid-day giggle: She is NOT a princess! Daddy says she doesn’t have a boyfriend. (Sorry, Daddy, I think she does!). This fierce 3-year-old earns his white belt.
