Literacy and math have a lot more in common than you think! Here are ways you can nurture the foundations of math. § Count everything together all day long § Name shapes (i.e. STOP signs are octagons because they have eight sides) § Create patterns together § Play with building blocks and puzzles; with preschoolers, also play board/card games Read More
Let’s Talk About Math!
Ever thought: “I’m not a math person”? No matter your confidence level, you can still teach your child early math skills. Young children are able to learn more complicated things than you realize. Numbers are only one part of the equation. Children don’t need calculus, but they do need to learn about counting, patterning, comparing, Read More
Activities to Help Prevent Child Abuse
These activities aim to teach body awareness, social emotional skills, communication, and helping others. This is part of our series on National Child Abuse Prevention Month, as we explore the steps parents can take to help build protective factors that prevent child abuse. Babies Body Awareness | Birth-6 months Babies discover different body parts and become Read More
Books that Prevent Child Abuse
These book recommendations are part of our series surrounding National Child Abuse Prevention Month. By teaching children about consent, body awareness, and safety we can better protect them from abuse. C is for Consent by Eleanor Morrison (Toddler, Preschool) This book follows expert recommendations about letting kids make their own decisions regarding physical affection. The book Read More
Springtime Playtime
It looks like we can finally stop asking this question: “Is it Spring yet?” With spring-like temperatures across the state (low 50s in Anchorage, low 20s in Utqiaqvik, and 50s in Juneau), it’s time to think about getting kids outside for warmer weather activities. Did you know the new “Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans” says Read More
Activities for Bonding with Books
Reading together is a great way to spend quality time and bond with your child! Here are some ways to be more present during and after you read together: Change your reading environment: if you’re reading a wintery book, read it outside in the snow; read books by flashlight/firelight; read books on an indoor or Read More
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
According to the Child Welfare League of America, Alaska consistently has one of top 5 rates of child abuse in the United States. For every 1,000 children in Alaska, 42.2 were victims of abuse – that’s approximately 8,000 children. Often we feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem and are unsure about what we Read More
Books to Bond Over
The Hidden Rainbow by Christie Matheson (Preschool) All the colors of the rainbow are hidden in the garden, but can the little bee find them with your help? Fans of Tap the Magic Tree will really enjoy this interactive book that is perfect for spring, bringing a garden to life. ▸ Get it at the Read More
Ways to Bond Over Books
Being a parent is hard, but a strong bond with your child can make the hard parenting days a little easier. Be present with your child. Spending time together is a way to show your love. Remember you are your young child’s favorite person. Make time to play together every day, even if it’s 10 Read More
Books, Bonding, and Behavior
Everyone can agree that reading with children is beneficial to their cognitive and language development. Often less recognized is the importance it plays on parenting and child behavior. In the last year, various studies have shown that parents who read with their children are less likely to engage in harsh parenting and their children are Read More