Category: Child Development
This category features content focused on developmental stages, learning milestones, and age-appropriate strategies to support children’s growth from infancy through early childhood.
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Mathematics in the Early Years: Supporting Infant to Preschool Development
When I worked as an infant teacher, parent–teacher conferences were mandatory. More than once, a parent would laugh and ask, “What do you need to report to us—whether our child poops or if they’re learning baby algebra?” I always smiled and had a lighthearted retort ready, but when it came time for sit-downs, I explained Read more
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Infant Feeding: A Parent’s Guide for the First Year
Feeding your baby in the first year goes beyond nutrition. It lays the foundation for growth, immunity, independence, and early social-emotional development. For many parents, this stage brings worry: Starting solids, can babies have water, honey, or sugar, and allergy concerns. This guide combines expert recommendations with practical advice so you can feel confident as Read more
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Reading Development at Every Stage: Simple Ways Parents Can Help
Introduction In Blog 1, we introduced the Science of Reading — showing how the brain learns to connect spoken sounds with written symbols through phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. In Blog 2, we explored why reading is so important — not only for school readiness but also for shaping the brain, building empathy, Read more
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Why Reading Is Important — From Birth and Beyond
Introduction When most people think about reading, they picture a child in grade school sounding out words or curling up with a bedtime story. But the truth is, reading readiness starts long before your child ever opens a book. From the moment they are born, children are building the foundation for one of the most Read more
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The Science of Reading: What Every Parent Should Know
Introduction Did you know the human brain wasn’t designed to read? Unlike speaking, which comes naturally, reading is a skill our brains must build by connecting sounds, symbols, and meaning. That’s why some children seem to “catch on” quickly while others struggle—reading is complex work for the brain. The good news? Decades of research, known Read more
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The 10 Developmental Domains Every Parent Should Know (and How to Support Them)
Every child embarks on a unique journey of growth and development. As parents and new caregivers, we often find ourselves wondering, “Is this normal?” “What should I be watching for?” or “How can I help my child thrive?” To address these concerns, we can turn to the science of child development. This field provides us Read more
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Theories in the Classroom: What to Look For in Daycare
We explored the brilliant minds behind early childhood education in my article here: Famous Early Childhood Education Theorists To Know. We then examined how these theories manifest in various programs and what to consider when evaluating a quality daycare in How to Choose the Right Daycare: Curriculum, Accreditation, and Philosophy. Now it’s time to bring Read more
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Famous Early Childhood Education Theorists To Know
When we hear the word “daycare,” what comes to mind? For many, it may evoke images of young children, noisy playrooms, or even babysitting. However, concepts such as education, learning, developmental theory, and early childhood education theorists are often not included on the list. Hopefully, this perception is starting to change, especially after reading my Read more
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Fueling Growth: The 6 Essential Nutrients for Healthy Child Development
As early childhood educators, we juggle a lot—emotions, behaviors, routines, milestones. But one thing I never anticipated having to manage so much? Nutrition. Boy, was I wrong. Coming from a family of athletes, doctors, nurses—and even a dietitian—I grew up immersed in conversations about health and nutrition. At one point, I even pursued a degree Read more
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The Truth About Rewards: How They Impact Child Motivation
When I first thought about writing this post, I simply wanted to highlight a few flaws in how rewards affect child motivation. I had no idea I was stepping into one of the most debated—and emotionally charged—topics in parenting and education. During my time in child care, I saw every approach imaginable. Some teachers used Read more