Square, circle, triangle. Learning the basic shapes may just seem like a normal part of a child’s development, but shape recognition is connected to other learning in ways that might surprise you. Shape recognition means children have memorized the names and the different appearances of various shapes. That alone means that they are using their Read More
Ways to Teach Letter Knowledge
There are tons of letter activities out there, but we really like these: The Days with Grey blog has a “recipe” for three activities using the same ingredients = rocks, white chalk marker, black marker, and leftover cardboard. Sandpaper letters are a great way for your child to have a sensory letter experience. Tracing the Read More
Books about Letter Knowledge
The Olphabet: “O” No! An Alphabet Revolt by Jess M Brallier (Toddler, Preschool) Letter O is tired of always being in the middle of the alphabet. Maybe she should be at the start of the line for once! But even though being first has its obvious perks, O begins to realize that much would also be Read More
Tips to Teach Letter Knowledge
Teaching your child to recognize their name is a great way to introduce the letters of the alphabet. As you spell their name out loud or write it down, tell your child the name of each letter. Here are some fun tips to keep your child’s name front and center: Write their name with magnetic Read More
Letter Knowledge
What’s your favorite letter of the alphabet? Most people usually answer with the first letter of their name. As a kid, you probably called it “your letter”. When you’re a child starting to notice the letters around you, the first letter in your name is the easiest to recognize because it has the most personal Read More
Ways to Build Self Awareness
These activities will go a long way to teach your child self-awareness. Body Awareness Babies discover different body parts and become very interested in their feet and hands. Playing with Peers These activities lend themselves to children playing cooperatively together. Printable People Play Dough Mats (Source: Picklebums.com) These people play dough mats comes in two Read More
Books about Celebrating Self
Sometimes, All I Need Is Me by Juliana Perdomo (Toddler, Preschool) When children have a warm, safe place with loving caregivers, they can take that love and warmth with them wherever they go to keep them feeling confident and supported. They can love themselves, too and become whatever they need. Get it at the Library Read More
Tips to Build Self-Esteem
How can you help you reinforce your child’s self-esteem? Teach them to value differences? Here are some suggestions: When children ask questions about the things that make someone different from them, answer them. Young children may ask about why someone’s skin color is different, how someone dresses, what they eat – talk about it so your Read More
Self & Respect
Happy Black History Month! With this special time to celebrate Black history and culture, this is the perfect chance to talk with your child about identity and pride. Children develop a sense of self in different ways over time. Everything they learn about themselves hopefully adds to their self-esteem and sense of belonging. This Zero Read More
Partners Make the Work Go Round
This year is all about partnership. Partnering with parents to care for their child. Partnering with our community to do more for children. Partnering with programs to connect families to resources. Partnering with agencies to build better programs and policies. Partnering with people to ensure Alaska children are ready to succeed. A lot of people Read More