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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 from Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss, who are here to assure you that you don’t have to choose between summer adventure and learning support.

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, present options to get through sticky situations, celebrate the wins, and more.

Biting, hitting, kicking, “I hate you!” Why does physically aggressive behavior happen in the early years? Where does it come from, and what can you do to deal with it proactively and manage it in the moment? Our early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss explain the many different underlying reasons why your young child might get physical, how to react when it happens, and how to help them work through their emotions.

“Where do babies come from?” Your child’s inevitable questions are coming — but when? What if they come up in inopportune moments or places? How should you answer? On this episode, early childhood experts (and moms!) Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss share guidance and personal tips. Tune in to learn how to prepare for body conversations, make everyone feel more comfortable, promote a healthy view of the body, and offer simple answers — even when you’re caught off-guard.

Your child’s brain is hardwired to categorize things — so they’re going to notice and ask about differences. The question is: how should you respond? Join early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Melanie Brooks to find out how to explore race with your child in a sensitive, positive manner. Plus, learn how to use play, books, images, and experiences to integrate important conversations on diversity, inclusion, and equity into your child’s everyday life.

Your child has the desire to build new skills and learn new tasks from day one — but motivation is something they need to learn. And you can impact the inner workings of their brain to help them do so. In this episode, early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss cover strategies for inspiring motivation and the foundational steps that will set your child on the right track for becoming a happy, successful, and motivated person.

“What happened to my world?” “Am I going to be okay — will everyone be okay?” When stress and trauma disrupt your child’s life, what can you say and do to help them feel safe and secure? Early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss say the four pillars of security — people, places, routines, and rituals — can guide your child through difficult times. On this episode, learn how to bring these pillars to life and find out how you can use them to offer reassurance and reduce the effects of toxic stress.

We’re all born hard-wired for empathy — but we have to work at it. How can you help your child build this lifelong skill? In this episode, early education experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss offer a run-down on what empathy is and why it’s important. Plus, hear how to set appropriate expectations for your child’s age group and learn proactive, simple ways to encourage empathy in everyday life.

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.

Healthy eating is an important part of your child’s development. Nutrition impacts energy and brain function, so building healthy habits early on is key. But high cost and low availability of some foods, busy schedules, and picky eaters can throw a wrench in your healthy plans. Take another listen to this episode as Rachel Robertson and Ruth Fidino discuss how to make make healthy eating fun, easy, and accessible.

Wondering how to help your child feel ready as they head back to the classroom? After remote or hybrid learning, the school-year transition might feel like a whole new ball game. But the good news is: your child needs the same strategies they’ve always needed to prepare for back to school. Tune in to hear early childhood experts, Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss, discuss what you can do to ease the summer-to-fall transition, including practicing the change in routine, boosting your child’s confidence, connecting with your child’s teacher, and more.

Are you concerned that the mask-era hindered your child’s language development? Listen to this episode to get advice from Rachel and Claire on how to keep helping your child improve their language skills.

Outdoor play offers so many developmental benefits – including healthy risk-taking. But bold, physical risks might make you feel uneasy. How can you encourage your child to bravely step outside their comfort zone, without letting on that you’re worried? On this podcast episode, early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss cover how to help your child try new things, build skills, and discover what their body can do – all while encouraging a love of the outdoors.

As things start to open up, opportunities for socialization do, too. Is your child craving social interaction, or are they nervous about what comes next? How can you support them as they ease back into social situations, and venture out into the world again? On this episode, early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss discuss how play, in particular, can have a major impact. Find out how to help your child rediscover the joy of being around others — and don’t worry, they’ll rapidly make up for lost time.

How has the pandemic affected children’s learning? Are they behind? What can we do about learning loss? For over a year, child care and school have felt anything but normal — and if you’re a parent concerned about learning loss, you’re not alone. But according to early education experts (and parents!) Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss, we need to think about it differently. On this episode, hear about some of the gains children have made throughout the pandemic, and find out how to approach educational opportunities this summer.

Inspiring strong voices, boosting self-confidence, encouraging risks, and celebrating differences — it’s all part of raising a girl. Who does your daughter want to be when she grows up? How can you help her get there? On this episode, Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss — early childhood experts and proud girl moms — talk about everything from setting up your home to tackle gender stereotypes, to helping girls fulfill their full potential, and more. Join us!

Children are hard-wired to want to help others. Collectively, we’re raising the next generation of leaders — and we can empower them to make a difference. On this episode, we’re exploring social justice. Our child development experts share strategies to help you teach your child about diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encourage them to be curious, share feelings, and take action.

2020 brought unimaginable instability, and 2021 didn’t begin with the fresh start we hoped for. No one knows what’s happening next, and everyone’s stressed — including kids. How can you tell if pandemic stress is affecting your child, and how can you offer the support they need? Early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss describe different types of stress and their telltale signs, and how to help your child cultivate coping skills.

“Am I doing this right?”    “How will my child turn out?”    Overwhelming, isn’t it?   Join Rachel Robertson and Ruth Fidino — early education experts and parenting veterans — who say that parenting doesn’t have to be perfect to be successful. There are so many ways to be a good parent, and you’ll find what works for you. Tune in to hear what worked for them as they reflect on their many years of parenthood.

Your child’s brain is hardwired to categorize things — so they’re going to notice and ask about differences. The question is: how should you respond? Join early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Melanie Brooks to find out how to explore race with your child in a sensitive, positive manner. Plus, learn how to use play, books, images, and experiences to integrate important conversations on diversity, inclusion, and equity into your child’s everyday life.