A common mistake when it comes to reading sleepy cues is confusing sleepy cues with overtired signs. Every child cues a little differently, but let’s break down the difference between common sleepy cues and overtired signs.

It can be frustrating to enforce boundaries around sleep or hear our children be upset during sleep training. As children will follow our lead on how they feel about sleep, it is important to guide them with our own positive attitude and grounded approach.

Upon visiting, touring and observing, parents or guardians can ask themselves….Can you imagine yourself bringing your child here every day and can you then imagine your child here? If you have answered yes to these questions, then you can look into all the details of enrollment and see if it is a good fit for your family.

A common misunderstanding about children’s bedtime is that it should be at the same time every evening -- for example, always 7pm. Yes, when day sleep is adequate, bedtime will often fall around the same time each day. However, when naps are mistimed, absent, or short, a flexible bedtime becomes a useful tool.

Do you struggle to get your child into bed and to stay in bed at bedtime? Here are some tips to make bedtime a little easier.

Every family just starting out feels the need to find  a new way of being together.  The ‘babymoon’ period, when a family is joining each other as a physical unit for the first time,  is characterized by an  urge to slow down and pull in close. 

However, there is hope and the first step of managing any challenge is to identify it. We must face and name our dragons. So, what is anxiety- really?

We all come to this life with inherent capacities and, given the right environment- sun, water, shade, space- we have the capacity to grow into a mighty oak. The way we parent provides the environment for a child’s life.

The world is so large for a young baby. Sheepskins create a small delineated part of the world that is cozy and warm. Repeatedly placing the baby on a sheepskin can become familiar and comfortable to them.

Regarding the infant’s motor development, each stage is important in and of itself, and that includes back-lying! The benefits to back-lying are many

Once the decision to attend childcare has been made and you have chosen a center, you can begin thinking about the best ways to help your child, your family, and yourself through this transition.

The sequence of self-initiated motor development is generally the same for most babies. However, each baby will progress in their own way and at their own pace. The phases of development overlap, i.e., a walking baby will also crawl, and a sitting baby will also play on their back. In each position, the baby learns to move into and out of the position, maintain it for longer and longer periods of time, and reach and play with toys there.

Listen as Susan Weber and Nancy Macalaster share the history of the parent support work they began over 20 years ago at Sophia’s Hearth Family Center in Keene, NH. Listen as they share about the inspiration and motivation behind reviving and revitalizing this work into an online community for all those who share their lives with young children, aged pre-birth to three.

Sleep Specialist, Margit Foster talks about the importance of sleep, not just for the infant and young child, but for the parent as well. Margit is passionate about supporting children to healthier sleep habits, and families to happier, simpler and more deeply connected home lives.

In this episode, Lauren Hakala shares with us what she refers to as the 5 Golden Keys to Finding Quality Childcare.. Lauren is a long time educator for the young child who has had the opportunity to do this work in many different settings and brings her many years of Childcare experience.

You’ve chosen the right child care setting for your child and your family… now what? Lauren Hakala returns to share with the listener tips and tools for supporting children and parents alike as they make the transition to being in childcare.

Pediatric physical therapist and core faculty member of the teacher education program at Sophia’s Hearth, Jane Swain share the benefits of free motor exploration for the growing child. Self-Directed movement not only helps the child better get to know their body, it also helps their developing brains.

During this episode Michelle speaks about the importance of respectful Caregiving. How we speak to, touch, and interact with the child can do so much to help form a healthy, bonded relationship between the child and the caregiver. Respectful caregiving is meant to encourage the child’s participation and to empower the child to eventually take an active role in their self and boldly care.

Young children struggle as they learn to navigate this complicated world. Listen as Katherine Scharff, experienced Waldorf Early Childhood Educator and director for the teacher training program at Sophia’s Hearth, discuss how we can facilitate the healthy social development of the young child.

Hear where Joyful Beginnings is headed from Executive Director, Karen Lamoureux and Program Director, Laura Beatty.

Working as a partner in parenting, the Joyful Beginnings online community offers encouragement and support through the challenges, while also helping parents and caregivers gain confidence in their abilities, bond deeply with their children, and find the moments of joy.