Gina Ogden

when our preschoolers say "I can't"

When Our Preschoolers Say “I Can’t”

By / 6 minutes of reading

We’ve all heard it. And we’ve all said it too. “I can’t” is a feeling that is familiar to all of us. So it can be heartbreaking to hear this frustrated expression from our little ones. It might come out when your preschooler is trying to zip a jacket, build a tower, or play with a group of kids. Sometimes it doesn’t just sound frustrated, but actually defeated, like they’ve already decided it’s not worth trying. And yet, when preschoolers say, “I can’t,” they’re rarely giving us a final answer. More often, they’re telling us something important. They’re telling us …

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prepare our preschoolers

Let’s Prepare Our Preschoolers for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

By / 4 minutes of reading

While the themes behind Martin Luther King Jr. Day are serious and thought-provoking, they are still worth introducing to our preschoolers. Of course, we want to do this in an age-appropriate way without overwhelming our kids. So let’s talk about ways to prepare our preschoolers for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We can think about the big ideas of kindness, fairness, and helping others. And we can use everyday moments to honor this day in ways that our preschoolers can understand and relate to. For our young children, learning about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. isn’t about memorizing history facts …

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manage winter crankiness

Let’s Manage Winter Crankiness with Our Little Ones

By / 5 minutes of reading

Winter can be magical, with its snowflakes, cozy sweaters, and extra time together as a family. But after the holidays, these cold, cloudy days can also bring some boredom for both our kids and us parents. And boredom means wiggly bodies for our kids, and maybe some winter crankiness for all of us. So if our kids seem extra irritable or restless this time of year (or even us parents), it’s really quite understandable. And since a lot of us are likely to encounter this, let’s think about some gentle, playful ways to manage winter crankiness with our little ones. …

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A Realistic Christmas Week Schedule

A Realistic Christmas Week Schedule for Our Kids

By / 4 minutes of reading

The week before Christmas is full of excitement! But for toddlers and preschoolers, and even for us parents, that excitement can feel overwhelming. Busy days and changes in routine can lead to big emotions and extra communication challenges. So as we head into this last week before Christmas, let’s look at a few ways to keep a realistic Christmas week schedule. In a time where we know things will be busy and things must get done, it helps to have a plan that won’t make us crazy. This is a time where sign language can be especially helpful. When children …

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giving, gratitude, and generosity

Giving, Gratitude, and Generosity with Preschoolers

By / 5 minutes of reading

The holiday season is filled with excitement, presents, and lots of sugar! In the middle of so much fun, it’s easy for little ones to get a little self-focused. But this time of year is also the perfect opportunity to help preschoolers start to understand some deeper values like giving, gratitude, and generosity. Preschoolers are naturally curious and eager to feel connected, so it’s pretty easy to help them with giving, gratitude, and generosity. So let’s try to build up these values to become part of everyday life, not just something we talk about in December. Preschoolers Learn by Doing …

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holiday signs you can share

Holiday Signs You Can Share This Season

By / 4 minutes of reading

The holiday season is here! And this season tends to be full of gatherings, activities, and all kinds of celebrations. While we’re celebrating, and maybe running our kids here and there this month, why not learn a few new festive ASL signs to go with our season? Whether you’re a parent, teacher, interpreter, or just someone who loves ASL, learning holiday signs is a fun and considerate way to connect with others. So here are a few of the most popular holiday signs you can share this season!  Learning and using holiday signs isn’t just educational. It’s actually pretty fun …

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add some thanksgiving signs

Add Some Thanksgiving Signs This Week

By / 3 minutes of reading

We’re heading into Thanksgiving week, and it’s likely that we’re all planning, cooking, traveling, or preparing to visit with family. No matter what your plans are, there is probably a busy week ahead of you. But since it’s an iconic time of the year, maybe we could squeeze in some time to learn a few new signs with our little ones. It’s a fun activity to add to our celebrations, and at the same time, it’s educational and fun! Plus, how cute will Grandma think it is when your little one signs turkey? Your kids will love showing off what …

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Hosting Thanksgiving With Preschoolers

Hosting Thanksgiving With Preschoolers

By / 6 minutes of reading

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time, setting off the holiday season with family, food, and those iconic holiday moments. But if you have a preschooler at home, it can also feel like a really long, taxing day. For our kids, there can be a lot of change, whether we’re hosting or visiting someone else’s home. There could be new faces, later meals, and different rhythms than what they are used to. Even with these challenges, we can enjoy the day with our preschoolers with a little planning and a lot of grace. So let’s look at some ways to plan a …

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savor slow moments

Savor Slow Moments Before the Holiday Rush

By / 4 minutes of reading

Well, it’s November. The calendar is filling up, and we know the holiday season is right around the corner. Our to-do lists are growing longer, and we know there is going to be a lot to do. But before we get caught up in all of the preparations, let’s enjoy the last couple of weeks before the real rush sets in. The first part of November can be a quieter time, and it’s a perfect time for us to slow down a little. Let’s look at some ways to savor slow moments before the holiday rush sets in. The Gift …

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help our kids handle halloween fears

How to Help Our Kids Handle Halloween Fears

By / 5 minutes of reading

Halloween can be so fun and kind of magical for adults and older kids, but sometimes it can be a little too scary for little ones. While many of us can enjoy the spookiness, it’s often too much for preschoolers. There are strange decorations, loud and creepy sounds, and people in scary costumes. For a toddler or preschooler, these things seem very real. If your child suddenly seems afraid of trick-or-treating, masks, or even their favorite character, it’s a totally natural response to all the creepiness. So let’s help our little ones enjoy the fun of Halloween without the fear …

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