Archive for Parent Information
Parents Never Stop Learning: Free Parenting Webinar
Kids ask so many questions, don’t they? They’re trying to figure the world out and why things work the way they do. It’s tough to always know the answer to these questions and some of the questions are pretty tough! What do you say when your child asks, “How come I can’t do that but [...]
Dora the Explorer and Kindergarten Readiness Fun
Great Start is about educating and helping to assure that each child in Michigan receives a Great Start to enter kindergarten prepared. The recent Michigan kindergarten teacher survey, unfortunately did not show us that this is happening for all of our youngest Michigan citizens. All children deserve to be prepared for their first school experience [...]
Summer Safety
When thinking summertime fun with children it means stocking up on sunscreen, buying bathing suites, making sure the sand toys are packed and you’re ready to roll! Splashing good times accompany the summer months but summertime safety is equally important as fun! From avoiding heat stroke, to thinking about play ground safety, sun safety and [...]
How to Deal with Biting
Has your child ever bitten another child? Have you picked your child up from childcare or attend a playgroup and your child has been bitten? What about if you are a child care provider and you have a child that is biting? Children often feel frustrated and cannot communicate how they are feeling so they [...]
Help Your Children Learn
Parents, grandparents and caregivers love children and want them to grow up feeling loved, being educated and of course happy. You can help a child learn and be happier using these five simple guidelines: 1. Understand and respond to your baby’s needs. When they cry pick them up, you cannot spoil an infant. Your baby [...]
Thrifty and Fun Father’s Day Ideas
Father’s Day doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune or even going to the store and buying anything. There are lots of fun things you can do to celebrate father’s day and gifts you can make from home with your child or as a child care provider. Here is a round-up of links to inspire [...]
Dad’s It’s Your Pregnancy Too
This year alone, there are 4.2 million expectant fathers–and they’re much more involved in pregnancy and childbirth than ever before, according to Beverly Hills OB/GYN Dr. Michele Hakakha and pediatrician Dr. Ari Brown. In fact, many fathers-to-be are so intertwined with their developing baby that they experience symptoms such as weight gain, nausea, insomnia, and [...]
Make Your Own Bubbles
Bubbles! Bubbles! Bubbles! Children love bubbles but the store bought bubbles can be expensive so try making your own. Your children will love helping you and for more science fun check out this bubbly science website. Here is how you can make your own bubbles: 1/2 cup of dish detergent. 5 cups of soft water [...]
Celebrate Earth Day: Get Outside!
April 22, 2010 marks the 40th Celebration of Earth Day and our Great Start Collaborative believes combating obesity and getting children outdoors to appreciate fresh air, healthy living and activity and our wonderful environment is important. The No Child Left Inside® coalition and the Earth Day Network have teamed up and are working hard to [...]
Parents as Advocates
As a parent, I feel it is my responsibility to advocate for my children. My toddler cannot tell a legislator about how they need preschool, the child down the street needs basic needs because mom or dad lost their job and how we need more direct services or parent support and education programs, for example. [...]
