Kid Routine & Play

A simple morning feelings check-in can help children start the day feeling seen and understood. Some mornings feel easy. A child walks in smiling, says hello, puts their things away, and starts playing. Other mornings look very different. A child may arrive feeling nervous, tired, sad, excited, shy, angry, or simply unsure of how they feel. Sometimes children know they have a big feeling but do not have the words to explain it. That is why a simple  morning feelings check-in  can become such a helpful part of the day. Instead of starting with lots of questions, you can begin with one simple question: “How do you feel today?” A visual feelings chart gives children an easy way to answer.

Parenting is one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but it also comes with moments that can feel overwhelming. Every child experiences frustration, disappointment, sadness, excitement, and anger. These emotions are a natural part of growing up. What children need is not for those feelings to disappear, but for caring adults to teach them how to understand and manage them. Visual supports can help children recognize emotions, make calm choices,  and practice  healthy coping skills during everyday routines. Many parents have experienced a child crying over a broken cookie, refusing to get dressed, or becoming upset when it's time to leave the playground. To adults, these situations may seem small. To a child, however, they can feel incredibly important. Young children are still learning how to process emotions, communicate their needs, and cope with disappointment. When children don't yet have the skills to express themselves with words, their emotions often come out thr...

  How I Teach Toddlers Real Problem Solving During Circle Time Every day in a classroom, something happens. A tower gets knocked down. A child wants the same toy. Someone says no. A friend feels left out. To us, these are small moments. To toddlers, they feel huge. Over the years, I realized something important. If we only react during the conflict, we are already late. Children need to practice problem solving when they are calm. That is why circle time and story time are the perfect place to teach it. Why Teach Problem Solving During Circle Time Circle time is predictable. Children are regulated. They feel safe sitting together. This is when their brains are ready to learn. If we wait until emotions are high, their thinking brain shuts down. But when we practice before the problem, they build real skills. I use an Interactive Problem Solving Social Story during circle time to guide this learning. How I Use It Step by Step Step 1 Read and Pause I read the story slowly. When a p...