How to Improve at Reading Comprehension: A Parent's Guide

The phrase "Kids today can't read" is a refrain often heard in recent education news.  Children are turning away from reading for pleasure, with only 14% of 13-year-olds reporting they read for fun...

Our Top 10 Favorite STEM Toys for 2 and 3 Year Olds

Play and learning go hand in hand. With STEM toys, your toddler can maximize their learning through hands-on fun. Which STEM toys are best for your 2 or 3-year-old child? Read on to learn our top p...

3 Phrases Montessori Teachers Use to Build a Growth Mindset

"I did it!" my student said with a satisfied grin after reading a word for the first time. Triumphs like this are an everyday occurrence for little ones. I could've responded with "Good job!" Inste...

Top Toddler Toothbrushes of 2025 for Healthy Teeth

Brushing teeth with little ones is important for oral health from the time their first tooth appears. Unfortunately, sometimes getting your little one to brush their teeth feels like wrestling a cr...

What Are Fine Motor Skills? 18 Montessori Activities to Try

"I'm gonna do it!" your 3-year-old says, insisting they can pour a cup of orange juice. Although the carton isn't very full, their hand wiggles and shakes as they pour. Some of the juice makes it i...

How Much Screen Time is Too Much?

"Ok, time for supper!" you call cheerfully and ask your child to turn off the tablet. Your sweet child turns into a monster, screaming, yelling, and crying that they want more screen time. You sigh...

The Answer to “I’m Bored!” (Sometimes, Nothing Is Best)

Feeling bored is almost foreign to parents. We're busy with work, chores, and looking after our kids, with barely a moment for ourselves. For children, being bored is an important rite of passage. ...

A Pediatric Physical Therapist on W-Sitting Position

In recent years, w-sitting has been getting a lot of attention from worried parents on social media. While some experts say that w-sitting may create problems for children, others say it's no cause...

Why Do Toddlers Bite and Hit? Experts Explain

My 18-month-old son was sitting on my lap when he shocked me by biting my chin. Over the next few months, he bit me occasionally, usually while playing. My youngest never went through a biting phas...

Why Kids Love Spinning in Circles

As a child, I remember spinning excessively until the room would spin. Now, as a mom, all I need to feel dizzy is watch my own three children spin around happily. Why do kids love spinning so much?...

What Is Free Range Parenting? (And Could it Cure Anxiety?)

"A child who thinks he can't do anything on his own eventually can't," wrote Lenore Skenazy in a polarizing 2008 New York Sun column. In the column, she wrote about letting her 9-year-old ride the ...

38 Screen Free Activities for Every Age and Stage

How do you say no to screen time when you're frazzled and trying to make it through the day? As tempting as it is to hand over your phone or turn on the TV, too much screen time isn't good. What ca...

Why It’s Important for Parents to Say “No”

Many parents today want to offer their children a different childhood than the one they had. Instead of "Because I said so!" and traditional, discipline-heavy parenting, parents want to build an em...

When Do Kids Develop Impulse Control?

Everyone has made an impulsive decision at some point in their life. Whether you spontaneously pull into the fast food drive-through on the way home or yell at your child in a sudden burst of anger...

Your Guide to Toddler Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a normal developmental milestone for babies and toddlers. I remember leaving my oldest crying at my mother-in-law's house, whom he loves, before heading off to work. Watching ...

What is the Best Size Table for Kids of Different Ages?

Choosing a toddler table and chair set that works for your 2-year-old and preschooler is a common dilemma. Siblings that are a few years apart are drastically different in size, yet often share the...

I Struggle to Play with My Child; Am I a Bad Parent?

"Mama, play with me!" your little one insists, grabbing your hand. Meanwhile, dishes are stacked in the sink, you need to make dinner, and you're not feeling very playful. Immediately, you feel gui...

How to Get Kids to Clean Up: Montessori Tips

The first time I walked into a Montessori classroom, I was amazed to see three and four-year-olds cleaning up independently. As a Montessori teacher, I quickly learned that young children are capab...

How to Teach Digital Media Literacy to Your Young Child

Saying "I saw it on YouTube, must be true," sarcastically is a joke my children recently learned from their uncle. While it sounds silly, learning not to trust everything they see online is an esse...

Your Guide to Montessori Toy Rotation and Quality Playtime

As a Montessori teacher, I saw the benefits of toy rotation firsthand. Now, at home with my three children, I use many of the same toy storage and organization ideas. While it hasn't completely eli...

A Montessori Teacher on How to Use a Helper Tower Safely

Young children love to help in the kitchen. A helper tower makes it easy to involve your child, offering a safe standing platform that prevents falls. As a Montessori teacher and mom of three, I've...

The 6 Best Toothpaste for Kids and Babies: Non-toxic Picks

Seeing your baby's first tooth is an exciting milestone that also means it's time to start good oral health habits. What do you need to know? With all the chemicals in our modern world, which tooth...

Which Diaper Changing Pad is Most Practical?

A quality diaper-changing pad is all that stands between you and hours of cleaning (ask me how I know!). Wondering which option is the most practical and functional? Whether you're looking for a ba...

Top 9 Baby Bibs to Help You Say Goodbye to Messy Meals

From drool to messy first meals, a bib is a parent's best friend. I can't count how many loads of laundry and outfits I've saved while raising my three children…all thanks to bibs. Which is the bes...

The Best Non Toxic Crib Mattresses Parents Can Trust

Choosing a non-toxic crib mattress provides a safe sleep space and peace of mind. Discover the best (and safest) crib mattresses for your baby that meet the highest safety standards, not just for s...

When Do Babies Get Their First Tooth?

Are you wondering when to expect your baby's first tooth? While baby teeth don't come in on a strict schedule, knowing the pattern and general timeline can help. This way, you can support your baby...

8 Best Baby Shampoo and Wash Options for Sensitive Skin

Protect your baby’s soft sensitive skin with the best baby shampoo and wash on the market. As a mom of three, I’ve used many kinds of baby shampoo and learned a few lessons. My daughter had extreme...

The Most Effective Baby Sound Machine for Sleep

No matter how quiet you try to be at bedtime, a variety of sounds may easily wake up your baby. For me, my cracking knees as I stood up were often the culprit with my youngest son. His eyes would f...