Child Development

The holiday season in Alberta is nothing short of magical, with sparkling lights, festive markets, and snowy adventures. For daycare centers, it’s the perfect time to plan outings that bring joy and wonder to the children in your care. From the dazzling Zoo Lights in Calgary to family-friendly skating rinks and holiday train rides, here’s […]

When selecting a daycare, the childcare curriculum plays a critical role in shaping your child’s early experiences. A childcare centre’s curriculum can easily set the stage for lifelong learning and development. To ensure you’re choosing the best environment for your child, here are five key questions to ask about a childcare center’s curriculum. 1. What […]

As educators, caregivers, and parents, creating an environment where preschoolers feel confident to express themselves and explore their creativity is essential. One of the best ways to foster this development is by asking open-ended questions for preschoolers. Unlike yes-or-no questions, open-ended questions for preschoolers encourage them to elaborate, reflect, and think independently. This in turn […]

Play is often seen as a fun and carefree activity for preschoolers, but it is much more than just a way to pass the time. In early childhood education, play is a critical component of development and serves as a powerful tool for learning. Play-based learning is an educational approach that uses play as the […]

In a childcare setting, keeping a toddler’s attention can be a challenge. With their natural curiosity and high energy levels, toddlers often find it difficult to focus on one activity for an extended period. However, developing a child’s attention span is crucial for their future learning and overall development. At ChildFriendly, we believe that learning […]

In a childcare setting, making babies feel loved and secure is essential for their emotional and developmental growth. Although babies may not fully understand words, they perceive love and affection through actions, touch, and attention. By incorporating nurturing practices, childcare providers can help foster strong emotional bonds with infants. Here are 10 proven ways to […]

Transitions can be challenging for preschoolers as they shift from one activity to another, but with the right approach, these moments can become smooth, enjoyable, and even educational. Transition activities help maintain a positive flow throughout the day, keeping children engaged and minimizing disruptions. Here are seven fun and creative transition activities for preschoolers. 1. […]

Sensory play is essential to your baby’s development, engaging their senses—touch, sight, sound, taste, and smell—to help them explore and understand the world around them. These activities are not only enjoyable but also play a crucial role in promoting cognitive, physical, social, and emotional growth. Here are 12 key benefits of sensory play for a […]

In a lively nursery environment, where young children begin their first social interactions, understanding emotions becomes a crucial part of their development. Nursery teachers play an essential role in guiding children through their feelings, helping to build emotional intelligence that will serve them well throughout their lives. Here are effective strategies nursery teachers can use […]

As parents, one of our most important responsibilities is to equip our children with the skills they need to navigate life successfully. Among these skills, self-regulation is particularly crucial. Self-regulation enables children to manage their emotions, behaviours, and thoughts in a socially appropriate way, helping them achieve their goals and adapt to changing situations. It […]

The benefits of risky play for kids are immense. Recent times have seen children move away from free, unstructured play, to more supervised, structured activities. While these planned activities are great, they also can come at the expense of necessary risky play. This type of free play is critical for a child’s healthy development: for […]