For many families, preparing a child for preschool or kindergarten can feel overwhelming. Parents often wonder if their child should already know letters, numbers, or how to write their name. While early academic exposure can be helpful, research and experience consistently show that true school readiness goes far beyond academics. Emotional security, social confidence, and the ability to adapt to a structured environment are often the strongest predictors of success in school.
Today, educators and child development experts agree that children learn best when they feel safe, confident, and connected. When these foundations are in place, academic learning follows naturally.
What School Readiness Really Is
School readiness is not a checklist of academic milestones. Instead, it reflects a child’s ability to participate in a learning environment with confidence and curiosity. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, social readiness and emotional regulation are essential components of academic success. Children who can manage emotions, communicate needs, and interact positively with peers are better prepared to engage in learning.
School readiness includes skills such as:
Following simple directions
Communicating needs and feelings
Taking turns and sharing with others
Trying new challenges, even when they feel unsure
These abilities help children adapt to classroom routines, build relationships with teachers and peers, and approach learning with enthusiasm rather than anxiety. When children feel capable and supported, they are more likely to enjoy school and persist through challenges.
How Daycare Supports School Readiness
A high-quality daycare or childcare program plays a powerful role in preparing children for preschool and school success. In a supportive group setting, children practice skills every day that are difficult to replicate in isolation.
At Big Hearts Little Hands, school readiness is built intentionally through experiences that support the whole child—not just early academics. Children are guided through daily routines and interactions that strengthen confidence, independence, and social understanding.
Key elements of readiness-building in daycare include:
Predictable routines: Consistent schedules help children know what to expect, which builds emotional security and reduces stress. When children feel safe and confident in their environment, they are more open to learning.
Language-rich interactions: Teachers model conversation, introduce new vocabulary, and encourage children to express their thoughts and feelings. These interactions strengthen communication skills that are essential for classroom success.
Guided play: Play is a powerful learning tool. Through guided play, children practice problem-solving, cooperation, and self-regulation while exploring academic concepts in a developmentally appropriate way.
Small-group activities: Working in small groups helps children learn to listen, take turns, and collaborate with peers. These experiences mirror the structure of preschool and kindergarten classrooms.
Through these everyday moments, children don’t just prepare for school. They develop a genuine love of learning.
Tips for Families to Support Readiness at Home
Families play an equally important role in preparing children for school success. The good news is that school readiness does not require formal lessons or worksheets at home. Simple, consistent habits can make a meaningful difference.
Parents can support readiness by:
Reading together daily, which builds language skills, attention span, and a love for books
Encouraging responsibility, such as cleaning up toys or helping with simple household tasks
Practicing social skills, including taking turns during games and using polite language
Talking about feelings, helping children name emotions and learn healthy ways to express them
These everyday interactions help children build confidence, independence, and emotional awareness—all critical components of school readiness.
Why This Holistic Approach Works
Children who feel socially and emotionally confident are better equipped to succeed academically. When a child knows how to manage emotions, communicate needs, and interact positively with others, they are more likely to focus, participate, and persist in learning tasks.
This holistic approach to school readiness supports not only early success in preschool and kindergarten, but also long-term outcomes such as resilience, problem-solving, and positive relationships. Children who enjoy learning early on are more likely to remain motivated and engaged as they grow.
At Big Hearts Little Hands, readiness is about nurturing the whole child—heart, mind, and relationships—so each child enters school feeling capable and excited for what’s ahead.
Contact us to learn how we support school readiness and help children build a strong foundation for lifelong success.
Parents often focus first on academics like letters, numbers, colors but the foundation for all learning actually begins with social and emotional development. At Big Hearts Little Hands, we know that when children feel secure, connected, and confident, their capacity for learning soars.
Social-Emotional Skills Are Foundational
According to Zero to Three, emotional development plays a critical role in a young child’s overall growth. A child’s ability to understand and manage emotions directly impacts how they learn, how they build relationships with others, and how they behave in everyday situations. When children feel emotionally supported and secure, they are better able to focus, explore, and engage meaningfully in their learning environment.
Social-emotional skills serve as the foundation for lifelong success. These skills include self-regulation and impulse control, empathy and caring for others, friendship and cooperation, and confidence and resilience. When children develop strong social-emotional skills early on, they are more prepared to navigate classroom expectations, form healthy peer relationships, and approach challenges with confidence supporting both academic achievement and positive social development.
How Childcare Supports Social Growth
In high-quality childcare, teachers model:
Turn-taking
Listening
Positive conflict resolution
Emotional language (“I see you’re upset”)
The CDC notes that positive early environments help children develop resilience and healthy emotional responses. At Big Hearts Little Hands, social interactions are woven into daily routines thoughtful play, small-group learning, circle time, and community activities help children develop strong emotional foundations.
What Social-Emotional Learning Looks Like in Everyday Moments
Here are examples of social-emotional learning in action:
Conflict Resolution: Two children want the same toy. With guidance, they learn to take turns, express preferences, and problem-solve.
Expressing Emotions: Children are encouraged to name feelings—“sad,” “happy,” “frustrated”—instead of acting them out.
Empathy: When one child falls, others are invited to offer comfort or help. These aren’t “activities” — they’re real moments of growth.
Partnering With Families: Children thrive when learning extends across home and childcare. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) highlights that family–provider communication supports positive outcomes. We partner with families through daily updates, parent newsletters, and teacher conversations. Together, we support each child’s emotional journey.
At Home and in the Classroom
You can nurture emotional skills at home too:
Play cooperative games
Talk about feelings during storytime
Encourage sharing during snacks
When children feel understood and supported, they take healthy risks, try new experiences, and learn with confidence.
Schedule a tour and see how we support social and emotional growth every day.
As we reach the end of another wonderful year at Big Hearts, Little Hands, our hearts are full of gratitude and pride for everything your children have achieved. This year has been overflowing with learning, exploration, friendships, and growth. We want to thank you for trusting us with your little ones each day. Your partnership allows us to nurture happy, curious, confident learners and we are so honored to walk this journey with your family.
Celebrating a Year of Growth, Play, and Discovery
From sensory-rich activities and hands-on science to cozy literacy moments and outdoor adventures, this year has been packed with meaningful early childhood experiences. We celebrated holidays, cultural moments, and everyday joys.
Our classrooms have been buzzing as children explored:
Seasonal learning themes
Nature-based activities
STEM invitations to play
Emergent literacy and language skills
Social-emotional learning that builds confidence and kindness
Our Blog: A Resource for Families All Year Long
This year, our blog has grown into a hub for parents who want to better understand early childhood education and support learning at home. We hope our articles have helped guide and encourage your family this year.
Ways to encourage picky eaters with gentle exposure and positive experiences
How traditions support children’s development
The Power of Childcare: Thank You for Sharing Your Story
As a parent in our center, your voice matters. When you speak to friends, family, or other parents about your experience at Big Hearts, Little Hands, you help spread awareness about:
The benefits of quality childcare
The importance of early childhood education
How nurturing environments support the whole child
Your encouragement might be the reason another family feels confident enough to take that next step toward early learning. Thank you for being advocates for our center and for the value of early education.
Looking Ahead With Hope and Excitement
As we prepare for a new year, we are already busy dreaming up fresh learning themes, new enrichment experiences, and more ways to support your child’s development. We can’t wait to continue partnering with you to help your little ones blossom in confidence, creativity, and curiosity.
Thank you for a wonderful year.
Thank you for sharing your children with us.
Thank you for supporting our teachers, our classrooms, and our mission.
From all of us at Big Hearts, Little Hands, we wish your family a joyful holiday season and a bright, beautiful new year.
We are so grateful for you today and always.
The holidays with a two-year-old are full of wonder from sparkly lights, new toys, special treats, and lots of excitement. But for many toddlers, this season also comes with big feelings. Holiday gatherings, travel, loud noises, new faces, and big changes in routine can quickly become overwhelming. If your little one has ever cried at a family dinner, melted down at a holiday party, or clung to you at Grandma’s house, you’re not alone. At Big Hearts, Little Hands, we see every day how sensitive toddlers can be to sensory overload, and we’re here to help you navigate it with confidence.
Why the Holidays Feel “Big” for a Two-Year-Old
Toddlers experience the world through their senses. During the holidays, there is more of everything: louder rooms, brighter lights, lots of decorations, unfamiliar smells, new clothes, and busier schedules. All of this can make a two-year-old feel stressed or unsure. According to Zero to Three, toddlers depend on predictable routines to help them feel safe and calm, especially during busy seasons. When those routines shift, their emotions often show it. This isn’t misbehavior instead remember it’s a normal part of toddler development.
How to Support Your Toddler at Holiday Events
Create a Break Spot: Before going to a party or gathering, choose a quiet place where your toddler can take a break if things get overwhelming. It might be a bedroom, a quiet hallway, or even the car. Let your toddler know this is a safe place to rest when things feel “too big.”
Bring a Toddler “Calm Kit”: Pack a small bag with calming items your toddler loves, such as a favorite stuffed animal, a soft blanket, snacks, books or even noise-reducing headphones for loud places. These items help bring comfort in unfamiliar spaces.
Expect (and Plan for) Movement: Two-year-olds need to move. If the holiday event is long or crowded, take a short walk outside, find a place to jump or wiggle, or let your child climb a few stairs with supervision. Movement helps toddlers reset their nervous systems and improves mood.
Protect Their Comfort: Some holiday clothing can be itchy or stiff. If your toddler hates what they’re wearing, bring a soft outfit to change into. Comfort matters more than matching the family photo.
Making Home Calmer During the Busy Season
Keep Routines Steady: Holiday schedules can be unpredictable, but try to keep naps, bedtime, and mealtimes consistent when possible. Familiar rhythms help toddlers feel secure.
Create a Cozy Toddler Corner: At home, set up a soft, quiet space with pillows, blankets, books, and a few comfort items. When your toddler feels overwhelmed, this becomes a safe place to calm down.
Choose Sensory-Friendly Holiday Fun: Your toddler doesn’t need big events to enjoy the holidays. Simple activities are perfect, such as: Watching twinkling lights in a dim room, Playing with holiday-themed playdough, Doing a simple sticker craft, Stirring cookie dough or Singing songs together
When Overload Happens: Even with preparation, your two-year-old may still get overstimulated. This is normal. When it happens offer a quiet space, use a calm voice, hold them and simply give them time to reset. The American Academy of Pediatrics reminds caregivers that toddlers need co-regulation. They calm best with a soothing, patient adult beside them. Your presence is the most powerful tool you have.
You’re Not Alone! Big Hearts, Little Hands Is Here for You
Holiday overstimulation doesn’t mean your toddler is “acting out” or that you’re doing anything wrong. It simply means they have big senses and big feelings and they need your help making sense of it all. At Big Hearts, Little Hands, our teachers support toddlers’ sensory needs every day through calm routines, hands-on play, and comforting environments. We understand the ups and downs of this season, and we’re always here to partner with you.
As you celebrate, remember: slowing down, staying flexible, and noticing your toddler’s cues can make the holidays magical and manageable. And when you need advice or encouragement, the Big Hearts, Little Hands team is right beside you helping your little one grow, explore, and thrive.
Choosing holiday gifts for young children can feel overwhelming especially when every store aisle sparkles with flashing lights, loud sounds, and trendy characters. But the best toys for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are actually the simplest ones. Research consistently shows that open-ended, hands-on play supports brain development far more than toys that “do the playing” for the child.
This guide will help you choose meaningful, developmentally supportive gifts that children will love and that you can feel confident giving. Many of these categories are already used daily at Big Hearts, Little Hands , so your child may recognize and enjoy similar play at home.
Toys That Encourage Active Play
(Gross Motor Development)
Young children learn by moving. Toys that invite climbing, jumping, pushing, pulling, and balancing help strengthen muscles, coordination, and confidence. At Big Hearts, Little Hands , toddlers love using push toys, soft climbers, and balls during indoor and outdoor play. If your child gravitates toward these in class, they will love similar items at home. Examples include:
Soft climbing blocks
Ride-on toys
Push carts or doll strollers
Balance beams
Balls of all sizes
Why these toys matter: Active play builds neural pathways, supports early motor planning, and boosts problem-solving skills. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes that physical play is essential to healthy development because it promotes brain growth and executive function.
Open-Ended Building Toys
(STEM + Creativity)
Blocks, magnetic tiles, wooden planks, stacking cups, and LEGO® Duplo-type bricks allow children to create without limits. At Big Hearts, Little Hands , building centers are used daily. Preschoolers often collaborate on towers, houses, and imaginative worlds. If your child talks about “building with friends,” consider adding more construction options at home. These toys support:
Spatial reasoning
Math skills (sorting, patterns, symmetry)
Early engineering and problem-solving
Creativity and imagination
Why these toys matter: According to the Harvard Center on the Developing Child, open-ended building play is one of the strongest ways to strengthen executive functioning like skills children need for focus, impulse control, and flexible thinking.
Pretend Play Materials
(Social–Emotional + Language Development)
Dramatic play allows children to practice life skills, experiment with emotions, and strengthen language. At Big Hearts, Little Hands , dramatic play centers rotate monthly from kitchens, vet clinics, grocery stores, and more so your child may already be familiar with many of these themes. Great pretend play categories include:
Play food and kitchen tools
Doctor kits
Dress-up clothes
Dolls and doll accessories
Tool sets
Puppet theaters or simple hand puppets
Why these toys matter: Zero to Three reports that pretend play fosters emotional regulation, perspective-taking, and advanced language skills by encouraging children to use storytelling and negotiation.
Toys That Support
(Fine Motor Skills)
Fine motor development prepares children for handwriting, buttoning clothes, feeding themselves, and eventually school readiness. At Big Hearts, Little Hands , children frequently use puzzles, beads, tweezers, and playdough. If your child enjoys these tabletop activities, similar toys at home will reinforce the same skills. Useful categories include:
Lacing toys
Playdough tools
Peg boards
Large beads for stringing
Shape sorters
Simple puzzles
Why these toys matter: Fine motor manipulation strengthens the small muscles in the hands, wrists, and fingers. Research from Zero to Three highlights that early fine motor tasks also support early math and cognitive development.
Books and Storytelling Materials
(Literacy + Brain Development)
Books are one of the most valuable gifts you can give any child. At Big Hearts, Little Hands , children enjoy circle-time stories, puppets, and songs. Reinforcing these routines at home builds positive literacy habits. But consider pairing them with:
Mini plush animals
Story sequencing cards
Felt board sets
Simple audiobooks or read-aloud recordings
Why these toys matter: Reading to young children strengthens vocabulary, comprehension, emotional literacy, and early brain architecture. The AAP states that shared reading is one of the strongest predictors of later reading success.
Sensory Play Materials
(Exploration + Brain Wiring)
Sensory play is natural, calming, and essential especially for toddlers and preschoolers. At Big Hearts, Little Hands , sensory play appears in every classroom: water tables, rice bins, finger painting, instruments, and tactile materials. Sensory-supportive gifts may include:
Kinetic sand
Water play materials
Playdough or clay
Sensory bins
Textured balls
Musical instruments
Why these toys matter: The American Occupational Therapy Association notes that sensory play helps children process and regulate the world around them, supporting attention, behavior, and emotional development.
Simple, Real-World Tools
(Montessori-Inspired Practical Life)
Children love meaningful, real tasks. At Big Hearts, Little Hands , children regularly help with snack prep, table wiping, and organizing. They LOVE being helpers so similar items at home often turn chores into fun. You might gift:
Child-sized brooms or cleaning sets
Gardening tools
Kitchen helpers and step stools
Pouring, scooping, or sorting sets
Buckets, spray bottles, or dustpans
Why these toys matter: Montessori education emphasizes “Practical Life” tasks that build concentration, responsibility, and independence. Research shows that purposeful, hands-on activities strengthen executive functioning and early confidence.
Gifts That Encourage Calm
(Emotional Regulation)
Children learn emotional skills through experience. Big Hearts, Little Hands uses calm corners and quiet spaces in each classroom with many children find comfort in soft seating, books, and sensory bottles. Helpful calming-focused items include:
Cozy reading tents
Weighted stuffed animals
Glitter calm-down jars
Soft blankets or sensory pillows
Simple mindfulness or feelings books
Why these toys matter: According to the Harvard Center on the Developing Child, developing emotional regulation in early childhood affects lifelong mental health and resilience.
Choosing Toys That Play With Your Child, Not For Them
The best toys for children ages 0–5 aren’t the flashiest or the newest. They are the ones that:
Encourage imagination
Invite exploration
Build motor skills
Expand language
Support independence
Strengthen curiosity
As you shop this December, remember: the goal isn’t to fill the playroom instead it’s to fill childhood with rich, meaningful play that supports lifelong learning. If you’d like help choosing a toy based on your child’s interests at Big Hearts, Little Hands , your child’s teacher would be happy to share what they love most during the school day.
Thanksgiving is a beautiful holiday that should be full of gratitude, family, warmth, and… negotiations that rival international peace treaties. Because if you have a toddler who is both a picky eater AND navigating food allergies, you already know: this is not a meal; it’s an adventure. And by adventure, I mean a carefully choreographed attempt to ensure your child doesn’t end up eating only a roll and three grapes while relatives stare in wide-eyed confusion.
But good news: you can survive Thanksgiving with your sanity (mostly) intact, your toddler fed and safe, and your family slightly more educated about your child’s needs. Here’s how.
ONE: Accept That Your Toddler’s Plate Will Never Look Like the Magazine Photo
Turkey carved to perfection, glazed carrots arranged like artwork, stuffing piled high… none of this is for your toddler. Your toddler’s plate will look like Thanksgiving was catered by a beige food truck.
Maybe your child will eat half a dinner roll… after dismantling it into crumbs. Maybe they’ll accept two bites of mashed potatoes, but only if you don’t let the potatoes touch the green beans because that is a culinary crime punishable by meltdown.
And that’s okay.
Toddlers are famously picky; add allergies, and your options shrink even more. Lowering your expectations early will free you to enjoy the day instead of evaluating your toddler’s plate like it’s a Michelin star event.
TWO: Bring Food You Know Is Safe… and Bring Extra
Plan to pack a “safe food toolkit”—favorite snacks, a familiar meal, and maybe a backup meal for the backup meal. Think of it as holiday insurance. Not because you don’t trust your relatives’ cooking (though let’s be honest, some of them still think butter “doesn’t count” as dairy), but because cross-contamination happens easily during big gatherings.
If you want to lighten the mood, call it your toddler’s “VIP Thanksgiving Sampler.” It sounds fabulous, and it has the added benefit of keeping your child alive, which is… you know… ideal.
Bringing your own food also reduces social pressure. You don’t have to hover over Aunt Linda while she waves the serving spoon dangerously close to the mashed potatoes that were supposed to be dairy-free but now smell mysteriously buttery.
THREE: Educate Family Members in the Kindest Way Possible (But Also With Firm Boundaries)
Food allergies still confuse people, and picky eating often gets misinterpreted as misbehavior. Cue the well-meaning relative insisting, “One bite won’t hurt!” when in fact one bite would hurt and maybe require an ER visit.
Before Thanksgiving, send a friendly text explaining:
what your child can and cannot eat
how cross-contamination works
that you’ll bring your own safe foods
You can even throw in humor: “We promise we’re not being overprotective. We’re just trying to avoid turning Thanksgiving into a very dramatic episode of a medical drama.” Setting expectations in advance avoids awkward moments at the dinner table and helps everyone feel like a team.
FOUR: Give Your Toddler a Job at the Table
Toddlers love to feel involved, even if they won’t touch half the food on the table. Give them a “special Thanksgiving job”—passing out napkins, putting a leaf
sticker on each plate, or helping stir something safe.
Feeling included reduces anxiety and increases cooperation. Plus, it distracts them from loudly announcing, “I DON’T LIKE THAT!” at full volume in front of the relative who brought the dish.
FIVE: Prepare for Questions (and Sometimes Unwanted Advice)
Everyone becomes an expert on toddler nutrition during the holidays. Brace yourself.
You may hear:
“If you just made them take one bite every day…”
“At their age, mine ate EVERYTHING.”
“Food allergies weren’t a thing when we were kids.”
Respond with a smile, a nod, or, if you’re feeling spicy, “We’re following our doctor’s guidance, but I’ll let them know you’re available for a consult.” Remember— you’re not responsible for convincing everyone. You are responsible for keeping your child safe.
SIX: Celebrate Small Wins (No Matter How Small)
Did your toddler eat something besides crackers? Victory.
Did everyone make it through dinner without an allergic reaction? Major triumph.
Did you get to eat at least part of your meal while it was still warm? Go treat yourself! You’ve won Thanksgiving.
You’ve Got This
Thanksgiving with a picky eater toddler and food allergies can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to steal your joy. With preparation, humor, and realistic expectations, you can create a safe and fun holiday for your child—and maybe even sit down long enough to savor the mashed potatoes (the ones without the mystery butter).
Remember: surviving Thanksgiving is an accomplishment. Thriving? That’s bonus gravy.
