Although it’s hard to imagine thinking about the next school year when this academic year is barely half over, that’s exactly what families with children entering kindergarten next year are doing as the kindergarten registration process is kicking off in school districts throughout the region.

But getting children ready for kindergarten isn’t something that just begins at registration or even in preschool—it really begins at birth!

By the time a child is three years old, the areas that are foundational for later school success and learning are set. So when thinking about kindergarten readiness it’s important to look at the whole child because there’s much more involved than the child knowing letters, numbers and colors. While those things are important, so too are social-emotional, language, cognitive, literacy and physical development.

Read More about Kindergarten Readiness: It Starts at Birth »

“Healthy eating is a way of life, so it’s important to establish routines that are simple, realistically, and ultimately livable.” – Horace

Families today have busy schedules. The “busyness” of our lives can sometimes sway us to make not so healthy food choices. It is easy to stop for fast food as families run from one event after another. But too much of one thing isn’t beneficial to any of us, especially when it comes to food.

Children need healthy foods and a diverse diet to best meet their growth and development needs. Eating healthy isn’t something children readily choose—oftentimes the things they like best are not the healthiest! So they need to be taught healthy eating habits. Read More about New Year’s Resolution: Healthier Eating »