The Children's Courtyard Blog

Family Fun Tips for Summer Summer: the season kids look forward to, but parents dread. There can be such a thing as too much free time. So for every parent who is stumped when confronted with the cry of “I’m bored,” here are some suggestions. When the weather is appropriate to go outside Have a […]

How To Keep Your Child Excited About Learning Great news: you play a critical role in your child’s emerging literacy starting in infant through school-age years! You do this by: Reading with your child Creating opportunities for verbal interactions by playing patty cake together or encouraging a deep conversation about why a character in a […]

Expert Advice on Parenting and Child Development Here’s some great news for parents — especially moms. We’re bringing back a new and improved version of Learning Together, a blog where experts share advice for moms on early childhood education, parenting and the best ways to balance work and family life. You can subscribe to the […]

Make a pattern with silverware (e.g., one fork, two spoons, one fork, etc.). Challenge your child to continue the pattern. You can try as many patterns as you want!

Count how many steps it takes to get from one end of the house to the other. How many giant steps? Baby steps? If you’re feeling really active, try hopping!

Try one of these fun activities for school age children, perfect for the whole family! Let’s Make Soap What is Needed: 1-1/2 cup opaque soap base (available at health or craft stores) Knife 2 to 4 drops essential oil in preferred scent–orange is very refreshing (optional) 4 to 6 drops food coloring (optional) Mold – […]

Try these fun activities, great for preschool or Pre-K aged children! Who Doesn’t Like a Cookie? Anyone can get their game on to release a few sillies. AND who doesn’t like a cookie? So put this game and cookies together, and what do you get? Do this activity and you will find out. What is […]

These activities are great to do with a two year old! Grooming Our Pets   What is Needed: Stuffed animals Combs, brushes, and ribbons & clips (optional) Doing the Activity: Get down on the floor with your two year old and bring out the stuffed animals, and brushes and combs. Tell your child that their […]

Enjoy these great activities with your child perfect for infants and toddlers! Little Drummers What is Needed: Find some fun songs that you can beat a drum to. Really any songs other than lullabies would work. Gather wooden spoons, pots of various sizes and their lids Doing the Activity: Get down on the floor with […]

Do you remember what it’s like to be young? To be silly and carefree, when your only job is to learn and have fun? Back then, it was all about the journey and never the destination. Living in the moment was your only choice, and you couldn’t help but be present for every astonishing and […]

How to Find Time for Your Family Solutions for Creating a Work-Life Balance Would you like to have work-life balance? If you’re feeling overworked and finding it more challenging than ever to juggle the demands of your job and the rest of your life, you’re not alone. Well, we have a solution for you. Here […]

Keep the learning going at home with these fun and education activity suggestions! Write numbers 1 – 5 on paper bags. Have your child add items into the bags to equal the number on the outside. Count as you go! Look through coupons and have your child sort them into piles based on amount saved. […]