Preschoolers

Pumpkin Apple Craft for Toddlers

Get your toddler into the pumpkin season with this easy apple craft! Supplies: Paper or canvas Apple. sliced in half Orange paint Paintbrush Googly eyes ...

Pseudo safety in the water

I taught swimming lessons for almost 20 years and always emphasized that very young children do not have the judgment or cognitive memory to respond reliably in a potential drowning situation.

Project Cactus: Celebrate Young Learners!

In our classroom, we read many, many stories. Recently, I read The Three Little Javelinas, by Susan Lowell, which takes place in the desert....

Early Childhood Day at the Capitol goes virtual

On Tuesday, March 9, early childhood educators, parents, community partners, and other early childhood champions will gather virtually for the annual Early Childhood Day...

Get information on speech and language development by text

Parents and caregivers who have concerns about their child’s speech and language development have free access to a resource from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s...

The secret to selecting great toys

What is the best toy for a young child? Go ahead, guess. I’ll wait. Here are some hints: It doesn’t have batteries or any...

Creating safety for children through gender-inclusive language

As a transgender teacher, I socially transitioned while teaching in the classroom. Socially transitioning is a process that a transgender person may choose to...

Prepping from home: How to get your child kindergarten ready

Preparing for kindergarten? Me too! This year, I will begin my 12th year of teaching young children and will be heading back to the...

Family Friday: Maintaining connection in the midst of a pandemic

Even though the world is unpredictable right now, children need to experience predictability within their family environment. There are many fun and playful opportunities to maintain the connection.

Artsy Thursday: Celebrate the joy and learning children experience when they engage in creativity

Editor’s note: April 13-17 is Week of the Young Child, an annual celebration hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and AzAEYC celebrating early...

Work Together Wednesday: It takes teamwork to build a baby’s brain

Consistent, responsive, stable relationships with caring adults are the foundation for strong neural connections. Research shows these interactions support a child’s language and literacy development. Consider it an active, back-and-forth experience, like playing tennis.

Tasty Tuesday: A cooking (and eating) story

Can kids learn from cooking shows? You bet they can. They can learn recipes, they can learn the value of family, they can learn they have hidden talents, they can learn to take risks, and so much more.

Music Monday: Use “shelter at home” time to make music memories!

As young children learn new songs, listen to music, and explore rhythmic patterns, broad neural pathways in the brain are engaged. Powerful memories of people, places and feelings are stored and linked to experiences and emotions through music.

Parents: Here’s the ONLY advice you really need to follow, in “certain” OR “uncertain” times

As a teacher I saw a lot — and I mean a lot — of different types of families and various ways of raising children. You must be thinking I have all the answers to building functional, healthy children. I do. But the answers may surprise you.

Local pediatrician urges social distancing, shares how to talk to kids about coronavirus

This is a stressful time, but Dr. Agarwal says if we practice handwashing, social distancing and self-isolation when sick, we'll get through it.

6 tips for choosing a quality early learning environment

I have dedicated 13 years of my career to building the brains of children and supporting their families here in the Valley. For many...

PARTY ARTICLES

Money Lessons from Birthday Parties

Teaching Kids the Value of Gifts & Gratitude Between the cake, balloons, and wrapping paper tornado, birthday parties are often all about fun, but they also provide the perfect opportunity to teach kids early lessons...

Time to Paw-ty

Celebrating your favorite furry friend Call me crazy, but when my husband and I adopted our first dog together, we threw her a birthday party complete with cake, streamers, guests, appetizers, games, and more. Was...

Unique Ways to Host a Joint Birthday Party

My brother and I have birthdays that are just one day apart—his on March 3rd, mine on March 4th, and our oldest brother just a few weeks later on March 21st. Fast forward 31 years...

Out-of-the-box Birthday Party Ideas in Phoenix & Tucson

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Birthday Traditions & Clever Theme Ideas

Childhood birthdays are unlike any others. I have fond memories of waking up on my birthday morning anticipating all the fun that was in store. With three kids who had birthdays all in the same...

Out-of-the Box Birthday Party Ideas

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Party Etiquette

Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one, you may be wondering—do people really RSVP anymore? What about goodie bags, are those still a thing? Do I need to stay with my child at...

How to Throw a Birthday Party that Won’t Break the Bank

I remember the days when birthday parties consisted of colorful balloons, streamers, a simple cake, and the classics like musical chairs and tag with a few friends. Times have changed and suddenly it feels necessary...

How to do a drive-by birthday party

As we get deeper into quarantine, people have gotten creative with birthday celebrations. One result: the drive-by birthday party.

Home pool party? Hire a lifeguard!

Drowning happens silently and quickly. That’s why children are at risk even when — and sometimes especially when — adults are nearby. Even a "designated pool watcher" can avert his or her eyes for a...

Hiking birthday party

For a child who loves adventure and outdoors, turn a hike into a birthday party.
Tour de Liam, Biking birthday party theme, bike race, outdoor activites, arizona parties

Bike race birthday party

When there are lots of neighborhood friends who love to ride their bikes together, host a birthday party that feels like an official bike race.

Island birthday party

Pool parties are popular in Arizona. Make a stylish upgrade at your next birthday party by incorporating décor and details that will transport guests from the desert to a tropical island paradise.

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