10 Tips for Winter Playtime

By Becky | January 4, 2022
Snow-covered trees under a bright blue sky set the scene for "10 Winter Tips for Playtime" gleaming across the image, along with "FaithFirstParent.com" written gracefully in the corner.

Outdoor play is really good for kids. It’s good for everybody to enjoy the great outdoors. Get little ones bundled up to play outside during the winter months. The snow adventures are well worth the effort! Here are a few tips to get geared up for a day in the snow. Schedule a family meeting to…

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Literacy Skills for Preschoolers

By Becky | October 8, 2020
A young child with braided hair reads "Hop on Pop" by Dr. Seuss at a table, fostering essential literacy skills. The text on the image reads "Literacy Skills for Preschoolers" and "FaithFirstParent.com." Sunlight illuminates the scene.

Pre-reading learning activities are an essential part of a preschooler’s education. Reading, writing, and communicating are valuable tools which can be taught at an early age. Parents can encourage pre-reading, writing, and communication skills during daily activities. You can easily enhance your child’s proficiency by incorporating simple activities and conversations at home. Pre-Reading Activities When…

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Connection Builds Executive Function

By Becky | May 6, 2020
Two children sit on a blue rug, playing with colorful alphabet blocks as an adult's hand helps arrange them. This connection builds executive function in their young minds. The children are dressed in casual, light-colored clothing.

Connection builds executive function in young children. Self-regulation, problem solving, and attentiveness are all executive function skills we want our kids to master. Research has determined children excel with secure attachments. Unconditional love and the knowledge the parent will be supportive in all circumstances enables a child to be confident and better handle challenges in…

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Indoor Fun for Cold Winter Days

By Becky | February 12, 2020
Amidst the chilly embrace of winter, a red bowl brimming with vibrant chalk pieces brightens the wooden surface. Nearby, three colorful chalks—blue, white, and red—lie on the table, inviting fun for cold winter days.

Indoor Fun for Cold Winter Days “What do we DO with our little ones when it’s too cold to play outside?” I’ve had requests for help  recently from moms and dads, thus Tips for Frigid Day Fun. Wintertime is no longer a novelty in February, especially when then the air temperature and windchill dip below zero.…

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A Plan for Mom

By Becky | September 5, 2019
A white cup of cappuccino with heart-shaped latte art rests on a rustic wooden table, echoing the warmth of a mom's love, beside two closed notebooks—one white, one brown. A black pen lies alongside them, ready to jot down cherished memories.

The backpacks are packed, the forms are submitted, the kiddos are off and running. After weeks of preparing for the beginning of the school year for your children, take time to plan your fall. Pour yourself a cup of coffee, catch your breath, and contemplate these areas of enrichment. Just for you! Proactive Plan for…

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The Art of Making Friends

By Becky | August 6, 2019
Two young friends wearing helmets ride scooters on a tree-lined path in the park. The child on the left sports a blue jacket and gray shorts, while the child on the right wears a pink jacket and jeans. They glide closely side by side, enjoying their playful adventure together.

Friends are a blessing and a JOY! As parents, we want our kiddos to make friends and keep friends. The art of friendship begins at home with mom and dad modeling relational skills and guiding sibling friendships. When children head out into the world of school, sports, church, and other activities, Mom and Dad can…

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Engaging Young Readers

By Becky | June 4, 2019
A wooden box brimming with an assortment of colorful, sharpened colored pencils stands proudly on a table. Vertically arranged, these tools of literacy display shades of pink, yellow, blue, and more against a blurred backdrop.

Summer, a time for more unstructured play and activities. Enrich your child’s summer with learning activities to spark the imagination and expand the mind. Literacy, writing and reading to interpret and communicate meaning, is an essential part of your child’s education. Make the most of everyday opportunities to encourage literacy in your child. Reading When reading…

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Top 10 Tips to Summer Learning

By Becky | May 8, 2019
A joyful child in a white t-shirt runs through a spray of water in a sunlit park, learning the art of play. The droplets create a golden, shimmering effect in the background, capturing a moment of playful happiness.

Use these ten tips to keep your kids engaged and learning during the summer months. Write all ten words on a chalkboard or whiteboard. Try to intentionally incorporate as many of the top ten as possible each week. READ Read as much as you can as often as you can to your children. WRITE Print letters,…

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Play is Practice for Life Skills: Preschool

By Becky | December 11, 2018
Two children, embodying the idea that play is practice for life skills even in preschool years, are bundled in winter clothing and building a snowman. The child on the left sports a blue hat and red gloves, while the one on the right dons a white beanie. Stick arms and a carrot-like nose adorn their frosty creation as snow blankets the ground.

According to Fred Rogers, minister, television personality, and author, “Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.” When children play, they are practicing and learning about new skills and concepts. Playtime puts these life skills into practice. Preschool play-based programs are incredibly beneficial for young children, integrating playtime to incorporate intentional and…

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Executive Function is Enhanced Through Play

By Becky | September 28, 2017
A mother and child share a tender moment, touching foreheads and smiling warmly at each other. The background is softly blurred with greenery, emphasizing their close bond and the nurturing of emotional intelligence and executive function skills.

Executive function is a buzz phrase in education. In the most basic terms, executive function allows a child to organize, plan, and get things accomplished. These school readiness skills are as important as academics. Self-regulation, problem solving, and attentiveness are all executive function skills. Play-based activities in preschool and at home, allow children to practice.…

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