Lifestyle

The holidays sneak up fast, and so do those familiar questions from grandparents and relatives: “What do the kids want this year?”

Instead of scrambling for last-minute ideas or ending up with piles of plastic toys that don’t last, take a few minutes to create a thoughtful wish list that supports small, family-owned shops and encourages meaningful play.
Here’s how to make it simple, intentional, and fun for you and the grandparents in this quick guide for families of young children (and the grandparents who love to spoil them!)

Whether you’re approaching the end of a pregnancy or reevaluating your current setup well into your parenting journey, choosing the right child care for your family can be one of the most stressful decisions you’ll make. With questions around child care cost, availability, and quality—plus the big debate of daycare vs. nanny—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But take heart: we’re here to help you build a research framework that puts you back in control. Our goal is to help you feel informed, confident, and ready to make the best choice for your unique family.

Whether you’re shopping for a birthday, baby shower, or simply adding to your child’s home library, these “New Classic” picture books are sure to become fast favorites—beautifully illustrated, lovingly written, and just as delightful for grown-ups as they are for little readers.

As a former early literacy program director and mom of four, I’ve personally curated this list of board books and picture books that stand the test of repeat reads. These are the stories my own kids return to again and again—and the ones we’ve built cherished reading memories around. Treasured time reading together is the foundation of reading readiness!
Dive in and let us know: Did we include your favorite? Or is there an adored title we absolutely need to add?

When do you think children begin to acquire language? 12 months? 18 months? 3 years old?

Are you shocked to learn that language acquisition actually begins right at birth and even before? Babies’ first cries are their earliest verbal communication with their caregivers, and they have been listening and reacting to sound for many months before being inside the womb. Those early cries will faster than your tired eyes can blink turn into babbles and words. And before you know it, you have an entirely conversing little one who can tell stories well beyond bedtime. The best preschooler stories come about 15 minutes after bedtime in our experience as parents of four little ones.

But back to our topic at hand, if you have landed here likely you know have curiosity about alphabet blocks, educational toys, and generally giving that little cuddle bug the very best start at learning and growing. Creating an environment where your little one is organically surrounded by words and letters is a wonderful. It creates an opportunity to maximize their natural exposure to early literacy foundations. And in turn will jumpstart a long and impactful journey of learning. A home library of books is a great place to start. A few of our very favorites can be found here, alphabet blocks are a complementary and rather powerful tool for learning and development as well.