I came across this article in the New York Times about how parenting ideas are currently shifting. Having started Especially for Children in 1976, we have been working with families for over three decades and have watched many of the trends discussed in this...
In the “Especially for Parents” section of our May newsletters I wrote an article about what I have termed “the life cycle of a parent.” In it I discussed the fact that there seems to be an endless pattern of relating to your children...
We recently added a link to the resources page on our website for The Acme Sharing Company, a blog about family activities with meaning. It is a wonderful place to find ideas that help children become aware of the needs of others while having a...
Each day our directors and I receive an enewsletter called ExchangeEveryDay. In it child development and teacher training topics are highlighted. I found this issue discussing the value of play to be particularly interesting. Although we have talked often about the importance...
Do you ever have trouble saying "no" to your child? Several of our staff and parents have attended seminars led by David Walsh, PhD. His book No, published in 2007, has given many of us pause as we realize the importance and power of the...
Mathematics can and should be part of children’s everyday experiences and activities. In your child’s classroom many skills and concepts will be taught that your child will need to become a successful mathematical thinker. There are five main components of mathematics that preschool...
There are many resources for finding unique holiday gifts, but I thought you might enjoy browsing through this site that features Minnesota-made items. http://www.mn2020.org/index.asp?Type=B_DIR&SEC={A9AF0B41-CB21-4B22-8771-C70D379BDF7D}Minnesota Monthly’s December issue also features Minnesota–made holiday gifts. And don’t forget to check out your local art...
There is a new resource that has been created as one of Governor Pawlenty’s early childhood initiatives. It is a website www.parentsknow.state.mn.us and has extremely helpful information about child development, health and parenting. This site is hosted by...
The New York Times recently published a series of articles on children's health. Topics range from nutrition to brain development and self-control. It is always fascinating to learn about the latest discoveries in child development, and I encourage you to check them out. There are...
Even though summer is winding down, there are plenty of community events for families coming up in and around the Twin Cities! Here are a few events that the STAR guy recommends!Sunday, September 6th - Kailia and Grace's Hope & Hearts RunSunday, Sept. 14th -...
As we all know, the internet has become the main tool that many of us use to consume information. I thought it would be interesting for parents to share internet sites or blogs related to child development or parent tips that they find useful. ...
Have you ever thought of the many wonderful things that are happening for your children during their outdoor play experiences? For a young child outdoor play may be one of the most critical periods for developmental growth in his/her day. ...
I hope you are as excited as I am about our new Star Wellness initiative. Below are links to a few resources you may find interesting. Just this week an encouraging study was published showing that obesity rates in children in the U.S. have leveled...
In the May newsletter I wrote an article called “Preparing Children for a Challenging World.” Among the suggestions listed to help children develop coping skills was:Teach how to tolerate discomfort. Help your child develop frustration tolerance skills and the ability to cope with...
The research is in. Play does far more than occupy a child’s time. Imaginative play provides the opportunity for a child to learn the skills of self-regulation. And self-regulation, which is a cognitive skill that is part of the broader domain called...