Teach. Play. Love. Parenting Advice for the Early Years

In this episode of Teach. Play. Love. Our Education experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss discuss How to deal with children's tantrums. They cover why tantrums are normal, tools to handle them, the brain science behind tantrums, alternative handling methods, and tips on staying calm during a tantrum.

In this episode of Teach, Play, Love, our hosts & early childhood education experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss, explore the topic of friendships in early childhood. They examine how friendships and play encourage social-emotional development, how to have a successful playdate, and what to do when aggressive behavior happens between children.

In today's episode of Teach, Play, Love, our hosts & education and development experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss, delve into how to set limits with your young children.

In this episode, our education experts Rachel and Claire discuss the benefits of giving chores to young children. Listen for tips on what chores are best for certain ages, and learn how giving your child responsibilities leads to not only a tidier home, but also builds your child's confidence and independence.

Join Rachel and Claire as they discuss how executive function skills develop and how to work on these skills with your children as they grow and learn. As children grow and learn, they continue to develop and refine their executive function skills, which are crucial for success in school and in life. In this episode of Teach. Play. Love., Rachel and Claire will share why these skills are so import...

Join Rachel and Claire as they sort the fact from the fiction, redefine what matters most, and equip parents with the confidence to provide the experiences their children need to thrive now and in the future. Get parenting advice from Rachel and Claire! You can leave them a voicemail by calling 617-673-8881 and your question may be answered in a future episode of Teach. Play. Love. You can also se...

Did you have a favorite book as a child? Perhaps you remember reading with a loved one or special teacher. In this episode of Teach. Play. Love., Rachel and Claire discuss why reading to your child is so important and how to make story time a memorable bonding and learning experience. Do you need help picking out books for your kids? Check out our Growing Readers program. Growing Readers helps to...

In this episode of Teach. Play. Love., explore the advantages of grandparent and extended family support, and learn how to overcome common challenges. Grandparents and other extended family members have the remarkable ability to bring joy to a child's life. When grandparents are actively involved in their grandchild's life, they can provide invaluable support to parents and also become a reliable...

Listen to this episode of Teach. Play. Love., to learn why play is one of the most important things a child can do each day and get advice on how to have fun playing with your kids. Play allows children to experiment with concepts and ideas to make sense of the world around them. Setting aside time each day to play with your child can foster their growth and development, as well as create lasting...

Whether you're preparing for a new baby, answering complicated questions, or encountering defiance from a toddler, it's important to give yourself grace. Guiding your children through these moments will not only help them build resilience and understanding, but will ensure they know you're there for them no matter how tricky life may get. Get parenting advice from Rachel and Claire! You can leave...

Hands-on, minds-on — that's how children learn best. When they can touch, wonder, explore, and discover, the opportunities are endless. In this episode, get expert advice from Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss on encouraging immersive and meaningful learning experiences. Plus, you'll find out how to build a foundation for happy, healthy development. Get parenting advice from Rachel and Claire! You...

Are you getting ready for a family trip? Join Rachel and Claire as they share their own travel adventures and provide a practical list of tips you can implement right away as you plan your next family getaway. While traveling with kids has challenging moments, it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences your family can have. Make sure to get your children involved in planning your trip an...

Sibling relationships can be complicated—camaraderie and closeness sometimes mixed with moments of intense competition and conflict. From understanding the root causes of sibling rivalry to promoting cooperation and empathy, Rachel & Claire will navigate the intricacies of sibling relationships and explore effective strategies to foster harmony among the children in your home. Get parenting advice...

Raising children on your own can feel overwhelming. In addition to caring for your children, it's also vital to take care of yourself. Learn how to turn to family, friends, and even strangers for support, how to use Prime Times to build connections with your children and find reassurance in your parenting. Join Rachel and Claire as they speak candidly about their own experiences with solo parentin...

Establishing a consistent routine can not only benefit your child, but also make your life as a parent or caregiver much easier. By providing predictability and structure, routines can help everyone in the family feel more confident and prepared for each day. Be sure to give children enough time to get used to new routines and once they do, you'll see your child's independence and happiness grow!...

Whether you're coming inside after fun at the playground, going from playtime to bath and bed, or even just leaving the house to go to school, transitions can cause an array of complicated feelings for our children. Learn strategies to help them through these tough moments and make the day a bit easier for everyone! Transitions can be challenging moments for children and can lead to a range of com...

One of the key ways we can help our children grow in life is to let them fail. While it can be difficult as a parent to see your children struggle, we know we won't always be by their side to help when things get tough. Developing a child's resilience can help them prepare to tackle future challenges. We want them to have the confidence to handle anything life throws their way. Join Rachel and Cla...

While creative art activities may seem like something that is "just for fun," they are actually key elements to child development. Remember to let your child take charge of the artistic process! Your job is to provide the rich environment and materials. Then allow your child to take the creative lead. In this episode, Rachel and Claire discuss the importance of art, how engaging with art helps chi...

While separation anxiety can be tough for both parents and children, it's reassuring to know it happens because we love each other so very much. Establishing daily routines and rituals – paired with patience and grace -- will help your child trust the process. And YOU can find comfort in knowing that your child is in good hands, even on the most difficult days.

At what age should a child understand the concept of sharing, and how do we give them tools to develop this important life skill? Join our early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss as they share developmentally appropriate expectations around taking turns and sharing, how to practice and model sharing with your child, and when it's actually okay not to share.

Curiosity is an important skill that enhances cognitive and social-emotional development, gives your child confidence, and contributes to their love of learning. If your child is asking you a question, instead of answering, try responding with, "what do you think?" or "let's find out." Minimizing direction and instruction will help your child build that curious mindset. Learn from our early childh...

Small developmental milestones, such as stranger awareness and imaginative play, give children the chance to think, process, wonder, and act on their curiosity. These minor, often overlooked, milestones can signify growth in cognitive, social, emotional,language, and motor skills. Learn from our early childhood experts, Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss, about just how important these milestones ar...

Some love math, many hate it, but we all need it. And no matter how you feel about it, it's critical to your child's development. Take another listen to this episode as Rachel Robertson and Ruth Fidino discuss appropriate math activities for your child. Go beyond counting, teach the bigger concept of numbers and what they stand for, and find out how to set up simple everyday learning experiences!

With the approach of summer comes camps, family vacations, and outdoor fun. But you may be wondering, when will you have time to prepare your child for the new school year? Luckily, outdoor fun encourages learning for your child. Play contributes to the imagination and encourages healthy risk-taking. When we're outside moving our bodies, we're doing a lot of beneficial things for our brains. Hear...

Does it seem like your child's favorite word is "no" these days? Why are they suddenly opposed to everything? Find out what's really going on and how to get through this frustrating phase from our own early childhood experts, Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss. Learn why saying "no" is a positive milestone and hear how to nurture your child's emotions, offer other ways to express frustration, presen...