Baby
It's time to discover the world!
An amazing and delightful stage in development, babies make enormous social, cognitive and physical leaps.
This stage is an important bonding time when parents can help build the foundation for healthy self-esteem and a sense of confidence. Babies are often busy exploring the world around them, so try to provide a range of experiences to expose little ones to a greater variety of stimuli. Get a peek into your child's unique characteristics, abilities and inclinations by simply observing.
- Recommendations
- Get resources that will engage their senses and help them grow.
Learn more about this stage of development.
Toddler
“I do it” sound familiar?
You'll see enormous social, cognitive and physical changes unfold in your baby. Babies explore the world through their senses, and they reward your attention with deliberate sounds and gestures that demonstrate their budding understanding of language.
Highlights of this stage include language development and building a sense of independence. Parents often witness a language explosion with their toddler understanding and using an increasing number of words and phrases. At the same time, toddlers are learning how to play alone and alongside their peers, so there are plenty of opportunities for them to learn about regulating emotions and delaying gratification.
- Recommendations
- Get resources that will engage their senses and help them grow.
Learn more about this stage of development.
Preschool
A time of creativity and curiosity!
The preschool years, whether at home or in a formal preschool setting, are often marked by surges in creativity and self-expression. You'll probably notice a substantial uptick in artwork and sing-alongs that your child wants to share with you. Enjoy the opportunities to share in these experiences with your little one.
Preschoolers are curious. They love to ask questions and to share what they know. Preschoolers also experience a tremendous surge in independence and creative expression. Drawing, dress-up and dramatic play all provide fantastic opportunities for little ones to explore their sense of self.
- Recommendations
- Get resources that will engage their senses and help them grow.
Learn more about this stage of development.
Pre-K
A stage of exciting growth.
Pre-K kids are learning 4-6 new words per day, and they are working on social and cognitive skills and behaviors they’ll need for school.
Getting your child ready for kindergarten is about more than just practicing letters and numbers. School is a brave step toward a new environment away from home. As your child's first teacher, you can help build readiness skills such as cooperating with others, taking turns, comparing quantities and identifying text around the house and in the world.
- Recommendations
- Get resources that will engage their senses and help them grow.
Learn more about this stage of development.
Kindergarten
A time for learning new rules.
Kindergarten represents major routine changes and increased independence. This is a time for applying foundational skills to tackle new challenges such as reading, writing and formal mathematics.
During this key stage, children are building essential reading and mathematics skills that contribute to future academic success. They are introduced to school routines, as well as how to take turns, follow directions and work with their peers. At the same time, their soaring curiosity must be fed by experiences that stimulate their interest in the world around them.
- Recommendations
- Get resources that will engage their senses and help them grow.
Learn more about this stage of development.
1st Grade & Beyond
A challenging year…
In 1st grade, children build a sense of confidence as they take on new roles and responsibilities.
First graders may feel like they've reached the "big time" with the transition from kindergarten into the broader school setting. They begin to interact with peers in more mature ways and learn to monitor their emotions, while also learning to manipulate numbers, crack the code to read words with greater independence and explore the world around them through scientific investigation.
- Recommendations
- Get resources that will engage their senses and help them grow.
Learn more about this stage of development.