Everyone can agree high-quality preschool experiences are extremely beneficial for young children. Children attending these programs have greater academic gains and the socialization leads to stronger social and emotional skills (check out our October 12th blog post: The Value of Socialization). But, did you know these benefits actually stretch throughout the child’s lifetime? In October,… Read More
Our theme this week is Children’s Literature and as our Ducks dive into all kinds of books, we thought we’d share some tips with parents. There are some simple strategies you can use to bring your story time from so-so to SUPER! The New York Times recently published an article entitled, “How to Tell a… Read More
It has been a strange and stressful few months for everyone but as families begin sending their children back to childcare and schools begin to reopen, we thought we’d shine a light on the value of school, even for our youngest learners. Back in July, The Center for Disease Control (CDC) made the case for… Read More
Don’t underestimate the value of outdoor learning! Today, we’ll focus on the SCIENCE of outdoor learning. We all know fresh air, sunshine, and exercise are benefits of playing outside. But, did you know outdoor learning can impact all areas of development? According to the North American Association for Environmental Education, “Previous research has demonstrated positive… Read More
Some people shudder at the word “discipline” but it is not (or doesn’t have to be) a negative thing! According to an article published by the Extension Alliance for Better Child Care, “Discipline is a positive method of teaching a child self-control, confidence, and responsibility.” It is about teaching a child what behavior is okay and… Read More
Play is the work of a child. It’s how the deepest, most meaningful learning happens. So, it’s not playtime versus learning time. Playtime IS learning time. We wanted to take a more detailed look at block play. Why Block Play? Blocks are a classic toy that almost everyone, of any age, has played with at some… Read More
With shorter days and droppings temperatures, falling into a winter “rut” can happen quickly. For families with young children, being stuck indoors can make for antsy kids and stressed out parents. We’ve compiled a list of 10 easy, family-friendly things to do to beat those winter blues. Let out your artistic side: Roll a large… Read More
Many parents, of young children especially, would agree mornings can be hectic. Getting everyone fed, bathed, dressed, packed up and out of the house can set quite a chaotic scene. As always, we’re here to help! We’ve collected some tips from various resources to make your mornings run as smoothly as possible. Start the night… Read More
Thanksgiving is upon us once again! It’s easy to get caught up in the planning and preparation of the turkey and stuffing and we often forget to embrace the true spirit of the holiday… giving thanks. Everyone knows gratitude is important. It’s meaningful, and sometimes vital, to express gratitude for what (and who) you have… Read More
Children won’t say “I had a hard day, can we talk?” They say “will you come play with me?” You may have seen this quote on social media recently. We, at Ducklings, found this very powerful! Young children may ask for help, support or someone to talk to in very different ways than adults. It’s… Read More
With the current 24/7 news cycle, it can difficult to shield your children from hearing about violent acts and tragic events. Many parents wonder, “how do I talk to my young child about something so serious?” We have collected various resources to help. The first thing for parents and caregivers to understand is that safety… Read More
No one can deny we want young children to develop confidence, dream big and understand that everyone is smart and strong in their own, individual way. The Boston Globe recently shared findings of a study published the in journal Science. The study looked at 400 children between the ages of 5 and 7 and found “girls… Read More
Ducklings’ teachers go home at the end of the day with more than glitter in their hair, paint under their finger nails, and a smile, (sometimes a tired one) on their face. They take with them hours of observation, developmental planning, and curriculum implementation. Our teachers have degrees in Education, are working on their degrees… Read More