Hey there, Tennessee families! Do you ever find yourself wondering if all those blocks, puzzles, and dress-up clothes are really doing anything for your child besides cluttering your living room? Well, guess what? They’re doing a whole lot more than you might think! Let’s dive into the magic of play and how it’s not just…
» Read MoreCategory Archives: Parent Resources
Top family costumes for Halloween and beyond
Halloween offers a perfect opportunity for parents and caregivers to engage with children in imaginative play. That’s why we’ve thoughtfully compiled a list of costumes for your family to try this Halloween (or any time of year, for that matter)! These picks include something for everyone and can be adapted based on the size and makeup of your family.
» Read MoreSummer Learning At Home with PBS
As students step into summer and cap off the end of a disrupted school year, mitigating the proverbial “summer slide” is all the more important. To make sure that the educational gains made over the year are sustained and strengthened over the summer, the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) has begun the second phase of…
» Read MoreTN Teachers Face the Challenge of COVID-19: Q&A with Jill Ramsey, Putnam County Schools
Teachers across the state have been transitioning to remote learning models as a result of school closures caused by COVID-19. To support students and families during this period, school districts across the state ramped up “distance learning” by expanding web-based education, mobilizing technology resources for needy students and creating a new relationship between teachers and…
» Read MoreHow the U.S. Stimulus Bill Could Help Your Family
The US government just created a $2 trillion stimulus package to help American families during the coronavirus pandemic. It includes direct payments to families, paid family leave, and expanded unemployment benefits, among other things. Stand for Children and Forbes are among organizations providing a good summary of benefits. Below is some info we pulled directly…
» Read MoreTop Baby Gifts
Boost your baby’s brain power through play! Your baby is amazing! Did you know that 80% of her brain growth will happen by about age 3? And you and your family hold the key! Your caring interaction with your infant – such as cuddling, playing, singing, counting, smiling – is the best tool for…
» Read MorePreK Leaders Share Tips to Defeat COVID ‘Cool Down’
Parents and caregivers are usually a child’s most important teacher, but school closures associated with the COVID-19 spread adds even more meaning to the phrase “parents as teachers.” Parents and teachers are all too familiar with the term “summer slide” – when children forget or lose what they learned in the school year, while on…
» Read MorePreventing The Summer Slide
Summertime provides children a welcome break from the classroom. Summer vacations means fun – playtime with friends, family gatherings, adventure and lazy days. But when children spend two or more months away from the regular exercise of learning they are at risk of the “summer slide.” Kids not exposed to ongoing summer learning, such as…
» Read MoreThe Art of Appreciating Special Teachers
High quality teachers impact lives. We see it everywhere from the most advanced academic studies all the way down to the look on a child’s face when that child begins to learn. May 6-10 is Teacher Appreciation Week and something we always need to remember is that teachers should feel valued for all of the…
» Read MoreSpring a Great Time to Get Kids Moving
Spring is a welcome season here in Tennessee with the budding of new flowers and the emergence of warm weather. The season is typically filled with delight for young children as they participate in egg hunts, picnics, and outdoor play, as well as relishing baskets of goodies with plenty of chocolate! The season is also…
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