Posted in Be a PhD, Headlines, Infant, Parenting, Preschooler, Toddler

How to Get a Child “Ready” for Preschool

Recently I did some work with Parents magazine about the importance of preschool and what a quality preschool looks like. The first topic I was asked to address is something that I am asked often: How do you “prepare” a child for preschool? My answer is always to remember three things: Talk to them, Read to them and Let them PLAY. Continue reading “How to Get a Child “Ready” for Preschool”

Posted in Be a PhD, Headlines, Infant, Infant/Toddler Series, Quick Tips

Some Tips for Understanding and Responding to Newborns and Young Infants

On May 24th our family happily welcomed Baby M. The past 3 weeks have been wonderful as we watch him get acclimated to the world, our family and especially his big sister Miss H. Every day I am reminded of both how amazing infants are and how important it is to meet their needs . When we meet infants needs and understand them, they learn to trust the world. This trust is the building block for the rest of their learning and development. Continue reading “Some Tips for Understanding and Responding to Newborns and Young Infants”

Posted in Be a PhD, Headlines, Infant, Letter and Word Recognition, Literacy, Preschooler, Quick Tips, Toddler

First Explorations with Letters

Before children are even using writing utensils to attempt to write letters, they are making them with whatever they can find. Here are a few basic items to have in your classroom that children can use to explore the shapes, sizes and structures of letters for the first time: Continue reading “First Explorations with Letters”

Posted in Be a PhD, Headlines, Infant, Parenting, Preschooler, Reggio Emilia, Toddler

Make-Your-Own Light Table (and add some Reggio Emilia to your life)

Before becoming a college professor and developing my Early Childhood Education program, I was privileged enough to teach infants, toddlers and preschoolers at a Reggio Emilia-inspired laboratory school at Virginia Tech. While a teacher at the school, I worked deeply with the Reggio philosophy and was able to see what can happen when teachers listen to children and follow their lead in their learning. Continue reading “Make-Your-Own Light Table (and add some Reggio Emilia to your life)”

Posted in Infant, Quick Tips

Easy Infant Tip

Have a infant? All you need is a floor and a blanket. Lay them down and let them explore the most interesting “toys” they have – their body parts and their environment! You can do this from day one – each day your baby will lay down longer and longer…