School Readiness Tip: Keep the Conversation Going
November 14, 2023
The best interactions with children happen during conversations that naturally continue when you follow the child’s lead. To follow the child’s lead, make a comment or ask a question related to what they have communicated. Then pause to give them a chance to respond. Keep this going back and forth! Here are some fun ways to keep conversations going and build language with young children.
Make Words Stand Out with the Four S’s!
October 19, 2023
Helping your child learn new words doesn’t require special toys or flash cards. By using the Hanen Four S’s strategy during everyday conversations, you can build your child’s understanding of new words and pave the way for your child to use them when they’re ready.
Building Perspective-taking Skills with They All Saw a Cat
October 19, 2023
When you encourage perspective-taking during book reading, you not only deepen your child’s understanding of the story, but also build the skills that help them understand why the people in their own lives act or respond the way they do. Use the tips in this Book Nook to spark conversations about how we all see and experience the world differently.
School Readiness Tip: Follow the Child’s Lead in Conversations
October 16, 2023
Follow the child’s lead means letting children start the conversation and then responding with interest to what they have said or communicated. When you wait (without speaking) to give children an opportunity to start a conversation, they may communicate with sounds, gestures or words. Child-led conversations motivate children to communicate, support their language development, and are associated with later academic success. Here are some fun things to try throughout the day.
Making Predictions with Let’s Go for a Drive
September 22, 2023
A great way to deepen your child’s understanding of story is to encourage them to predict actions and events in the book. Take your child on an adventure with Gerald and Piggy while encouraging your child to guess what might happen next.
School Readiness Tip: Find Times to Talk Throughout the Day
September 15, 2023
The best way to build a child’s language is to have conversations whenever you’re together. Children who have more conversations with adults develop better language skills and are more successful at school. Here are some fun ideas for you to try.
Book Reading Checklist for Parents
September 04, 2023
Did you know that the way you share books with your child can make a big difference in how well they learn early literacy skills? Use this book reading checklist to take a closer look at how you’ve been sharing books with your child and what other things you might do to maximize your child's learning.
Book Reading Checklist for Educators
September 01, 2023
Did you know that the way you share books with young children can make a big difference in how well they learn early literacy skills? Use this book reading checklist to take a closer look at how you’ve been sharing books with children and what other things you might do to maximize their learning.
What Stands in the Way of Successful Peer Play?
August 24, 2023
We asked professionals who work in early childhood settings what common challenges they face when encouraging children to interact. Here are the top concerns they expressed, along with some thoughts from our Director of Early Childhood Education, Helen Livshits.