Waypoint’s Circle of Parents online support group provides a friendly, supportive environment led by local parents and other caregivers. It’s a place where anyone in a parenting role can openly discuss the successes and challenges of raising children. It’s a place where they can find and share support. They believe that people can learn from the…
Premiering in March of 2021, the New Hampshire Children’s Trust is in it’s second season of their parenting podcast; New Hampshire Family NOW! New Hampshire Family NOW is a frank conversation about the ups and downs of parenting hosted by NHCT Director of Advancement Nathan Fink and Senior Programs Director Joelyn Drennan. Sometimes funny and…
From the moment your first child is born, you become a teacher; your child’s first and most influential coach. They will watch how you treat others, how you speak to and care for others, how you spend your time, your money, your resources, and most importantly – they are learning about themselves and their role…
Social-Emotional learning, often referred to as SEL, is the process of learning, and then being able to apply, the skills to manage emotions, be self-aware and show empathy for others. SEL is an important skill for children to develop as it helps them maintain positive relationships, builds their emotional intelligence, and decision-making skills. We are…
“So much of the work of parenthood is unseen. So much of it is the mental load, the emotional load, the logistical load. Things that nobody notices unless they’re not done. One of my friends calls this “Magic House” where it appears like these things just happen by magic–when in reality, somebody is keeping track…
We’ve known for years that making art has many benefits for a child’s development and well being. Creating art strengthens fine motor skills, problem solving and decision making skills, and allows for opportunities for self-expression, as well as helping kids process the world around them and the big emotions they often feel. But creating art…
“A gigantic body of research shows that the relationships in a kid’s life are like the roots of a tree, when kids have strong roots they can grow, they can thrive, they can withstand the storms life throws at them.” -Kent Pekel In this touching and informative article from KQED, Relationships Are Important. How Do…
There is nothing quite like curling up on the couch or snuggling in bed and sharing a story with your child. Shared book reading is one of the most important developmental activities families can engage in, sparking back-and-forth interactions with children and promoting early literacy skills. Studies have shown that print books encourage positive interactions…
Don’t forget that your littlest family members love to “help” with the holiday baking and meal preparation, too. Whether it’s singing Pat-A-Cake or a Christmas carol with you…or simply stirring…they can be helpers in the kitchen and have fun with you, too. Here are some additional tips for enjoying cooking with your little ones and…
For your young children remember that the magic of the season and the connections with family and friends are what they’ll remember most. It could be the memories of their first snow, the lights on the Christmas tree, carolling with neighbors, nibbling candy canes, or my daughter still talks about the snow fort she built…