The Teacher of the Month award is designed to recognize an employee that exemplifies our core values, which are compassion, humility, integrity, loyalty, and discipline. This month we are pleased to announce that our 2024 June National Teacher of the Month is Ms. Emily of Little Sunshine’s Playhouse and Preschool of Creve Coeur, MO. In talking about how Ms. Emily exemplifies LSP’s core values, Assistant Director, Ms. Carol said, “Ms. Emily is an incredible employee! She has a heart of gold, she is so kind, and a team player. Ms. Emily is always willing to help in any classroom. She has a posit ..read more

We’ve all seen the families with “stair-stepping children,” where there seems to be a uniform 2-year age gap between each one. And sure, there are definite pros to having children spaced closely and evenly. But what about families with big gaps — 5 or more years — between their kids? What kinds of things do they get to look forward to as parents, and what hurdles will they have to cross that parents of children who are closer in age will not? This article goes into detail about the pros and cons of a sibling age gap.  The Advantages Having children who aren’t close in age — whether by cho ..read more

In today’s fast-paced world, many parents struggle with the concept of their children being bored. There’s so much to do … how could they feel bored?!? However, boredom is essential for fostering creativity, self-reflection, and problem-solving skills. Allowing kids to experience unstructured downtime can lead to remarkable developmental benefits. This article explores the benefits of being bored for children and how it helps them grow into resilient, imaginative, and independent individuals. Why Boredom Is a Good Thing Boredom isn’t the sin we often make it out to be. In fact, a lot of good c ..read more

The Teacher of the Month award is designed to recognize an employee that exemplifies our core values, which are compassion, humility, integrity, loyalty, and discipline. This month we are pleased to announce that our 2024 May National Teacher of the Month is Ms. Macaiah of Little Sunshine’s Playhouse and Preschool of Alpharetta, GA. In talking about how Ms. Macaiah exemplifies LSP’s core values, Program Director, Ms. Liz said, “Macaiah is not only our BIGGEST cheerleader, she is loved by all she comes in contact with! Parents absolutely love her, and the children adore her. Macaiah is always w ..read more

Welcome to Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, where we offer insights and resources to help parents support their children’s growth. In this article, we explore the intriguing question: why do kids tattle? Understanding the motivations behind this behavior can assist in nurturing children’s emotional and social development. Understanding Tattling Tattling is a behavior many children exhibit, often confusing and frustrating adults. However, it’s a normal part of childhood development. Recognizing and addressing the reasons behind tattling can help children develop essential social skills. Tattling is ..read more

In today’s world, “consent” is a word that’s often used exclusively in the realm of people who are teenagers and adults. Because of its heavy use in the context of romantic relationships, parents probably don’t think of it as something that needs to be discussed with children. However, a foundational part of consent is the belief that a person is in charge of their own body and can tell others when they can and can’t touch or control them. That concept is something that children need to know as soon as they are old enough to understand.  This article is here to help parents start that con ..read more

Traditionally, dads are the playful, breadwinning parent — fun when they’re around, but they don’t act as the “main” parent. Nowadays, dads spend much more time with their children compared to previous generations and take a much larger role in taking care of the kids. But does any of that matter? Does his involvement amount to much? This article will share all the reasons why that answer is an emphatic yes! Bonding with Dad Matters! Parental love — from dad and mom both — can literally change the course of a child’s life. “Imagine if the hugs, lullabies and smiles from parents could inoculate ..read more

As a Reggio Emilia school, we ensure reading selections are age-appropriate, and we encourage families to ask their children questions before, during and after the book to help them connect what they heard or read. Fun tip: Ask your children to play or act out the plot. This brings the books to life and makes reading even more fun.  Our Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum, Creatively Shine, consists of fun, engaging monthly themes like “Music and Movement” and “Heart Healthy Lifestyle.”   The theme for June is “Magic in Motion: Explorin ..read more

Part of Little Sunshine’s Reggio Emilia Philosophy is the belief that children are collaborators in their own learning. One of the best ways to include your children in an active, educational way is by getting creative with them. For all the moms and spouses out there looking to build a special moment for your whole family this Father’s Day, roll up your sleeves, break out the crafting supplies, and get ready for some fun as you get creative with these 11 handmade gifts.  Put It on Paper As preschoolers learn to master their handwriting and coloring, use Father’s Day as an excuse for them ..read more

Moms are our number one heroes. When asked, children rank their mother as their heroes above anyone else. And while some might dismiss this as the “easy” answer,” research shows that moms quite literally are the most important people in the life of a child from birth to adulthood. So what makes moms so special? Read more to find out! Mom Bonds Are Powerful! There’s a reason why kids look to mom for so many things in life — the mother-child bond is powerful.  via GIPHY A mother’s love can literally change the course of a child’s life. “Imagine if the hugs, lullabies and smiles from parent ..read more