Preschoolers

Parenting hack: One local mom’s potty-training triumph

This is the article I wish I had read before I underwent the herculean journey that is potty training. There are at least 1,427...

Kindergarten redshirting: Should you hold back your preschooler?

Arizona parents with pre-K children right now are prepping them for kindergarten. For some, the process is pretty straightforward: “My child turned 5 by...

StoryTime program helps expand children’s inner universe

Yoko Ono once said, "You may think I’m small, but I have a universe inside my mind.” It’s true for every one of us. Each...

Kindergarten Bootcamp teaches school readiness

Of all the childhood milestones, the first day of school seems to be the most emotionally fraught for parents and kids. The earlier firsts---smile,...

How much is binge drinking?

Despite recent declines, two out of every three students (66 percent) have consumed more than just a few sips of alcohol by the end...

Halloween candy-corn craft

Here’s a super-simple Halloween activity that’s perfect for toddlers---and won't cause cavities: a candy-corn craft made with construction paper. It's also great practice for...

Top 3 books for preschoolers and other mini-hipsters

Did you just get an invite to a toddler birthday party from your hipster friends? Do you have the sneaking suspicion that their soon-to-be 3-year-old...

What is The Kindergarten Project?

“All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten.” This credo was penned by American author Robert Fulghum 25 years ago to pay homage...

Reading to babies is beneficial

It’s never too soon to begin reading to children. Just the act of holding them and reading out loud helps the youngest babies develop neural...

Summit on importance of early childhood education

The First Things First Early Childhood Summit at the Phoenix Convention Center on Monday and Tuesday attracted about 1,200 professionals and community members involved...

Kindergarten teachers welcome parental involvement

Work obligations. Grocery shopping. Laundry. Is your busy schedule making it hard for you to connect with your child’s classroom? Today’s family time is...

Teachers use drama to promote literacy

Sally Gonzales-Hughes is one of several teachers at a UMOM New Day Centers homeless shelter for families in Phoenix. Her classroom bustles with activity and evidence...

A smorgasbord for a healthy brain

For those of you who couldn’t make it to the talk by JoAnn Deak, PhD Monday night at All Saints’ Episcopal Day School, here...

Big art fun for little ones

When I saw a character on CBS' "The Good Wife" strap four speakers to her baby bump, it reminded me that plenty of parents want their...

A conversation with early childhood advocate Rhian Evans Allvin

Saying goodbye to friends, family, colleagues—a cross-country move when you’ve lived most of your life in Arizona can be bittersweet. But for longtime early...

Arcadia Montessori debuts new splash pad

It was an auspicious sign that on the first day Arcadia Montessori opened its new splash pad to students, it rained. Not that it...

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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