One thing I often see caregivers struggle with is how to discipline their baby, toddler, or preschooler. They're so little; how do you decide when to start disciplining them? And once they get to be a "Terrible Two" or a "Threenager," how do you correct, and maybe even prevent for next time, behavior that is challenging?

I went to a training in the summer of 2017 about the Positive Discipline parenting approach. The training had some

Do you see posts everywhere about sensory play for babies and toddlers? Are you wondering what sensory play is, or why so many people are doing it? Do you just HATE a mess, and so you have avoided sensory play?

Even though it can be messy, sensory play (things like water, play dough, sand, bins of dry rice or pasta, or combinations thereof) is a great way for children to learn many important skills. It really has

What is Dialogic Reading?

Some of you may have heard or read about dialogic reading in materials from First Connections or elsewhere, and hopefully many of you in playgroups will recognize this style of reading aloud from our circle time.

Dialogic Reading is a technique that has been shown to improve children’s language skills and readiness for reading independently. It is a technique that we use in our playgroup circle times and encourage families to

Tips on taking your young child to the library:

1. DO IT!! You may think your toddler is too wild for the library and will only make a mess and annoy the librarians and other patrons; but the children’s section of your library should be set up for children. Most libraries’ children’s sections have toys, puzzles, and coloring for children. It’s a great place to go on a rainy, too hot, or too cold day

Often, when adults see a child do something that hurts someone else, intentionally or unintentionally, they immediately admonish the child, "Say you're sorry!"

Well, that's not always (or even most of the time) the best solution. If he did it on purpose, your preschooler may very well not be sorry that he took that toy he wanted from someone else, that he pushed someone out of his way while he was running on

Social and Emotional Skills for Preschoolers

Two and three-year-olds are learning to…

• Have a sense of themselves as individuals
• Develop strong relationships with familiar adults other than their primary caregiver(s)
• Name emotions
• Identify emotions in themselves and others
• Use words to express their feelings, needs and desires
• Begin to regulate their emotions, using new coping strategies for when they are upset, with adult support
• Use self help skills: dressing and undressing independently

To make homemade play dough:

Mix:

2 cups flour

1 cup salt

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

2 Tablespoons cream of tartar

Add:

2 cups of very HOT water (almost boiling)

Food coloring

Mix until you get a good consistency. There may be some flour left in the bowl. If it is too runny, add some flour. If it is too dry, add a little water.

After it cools, your kids can play with it.

Store in an

It is often harder to get children to clean up at home than it is in a group setting such as playgroup or school.  The routines at home are more variable, and whatever they are leaving play time to do is usually not as exciting as circle or the playground.

So cleaning up at home can be more challenging than in a group setting.  But you

Materials for a sensory tub:

(other than the standard sand or water)

• Cornstarch and water
• Cooked spaghetti noodles
• Shaving cream
• Cotton balls
• Oats
• Rice
• Beans
• Paper to rip and/or shredded paper
• Soapy water
• Ice cubes
• Snow
• Ribbons
• Jell-O
• Uncooked pasta
• Dry cereal
• Tin foil
• Grass, leaves, flowers

Tools to add:

• Sponges—car, doll, or toy wash
• Turkey baster, medicine dropper
• Colander, sieve
• Buckets, shovels
• Measuring cups
• Funnel
• Hammer (for dry cereal or pasta)
• Empty bottles or

You hear parents and other adults telling kids all the time, "Share your toys!" But do kids always have to share? And when can they do it without help from an adult and/or throwing a tantrum? 

Well, it all depends. It depends on the  situation, on the toy or activity your child is being asked to share, and on your child's developmental stage. And you also get