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Our Blog

Latest news and insights from Runningbrook

October 26, 2026

The Sensitive Period for Language: Why the Preschool Years Matter So Much

Why are the early years such a powerful time for language? What the research says, and simple everyday ways to support your child's growing voice.

October 22, 2026

Speech Milestones by Age: When to Call the Pediatrician (0–6 Years)

A warm, research-based guide to speech and language milestones from birth to 6, with play-based tips and clear signs to check with your pediatrician.

October 19, 2026

Separation Anxiety at Drop-Off: Why Crying for Two Weeks Is Normal (and Even Healthy)

Tears at preschool drop-off? Learn why separation anxiety is a normal part of development and how to help your child feel safe and confident.

October 15, 2026

Separation Anxiety at Preschool Drop-Off: Why Two Weeks of Crying Is Normal (and What Helps)

Tears at drop-off? Learn why separation anxiety is a healthy sign of attachment and how to support your child through the first weeks.

October 12, 2026

Screen Time by Age: What the AAP Actually Says in 2025-2026 (A Guide for Parents of Children 0-6)

Confused about screen time rules? Here's what the AAP recommends for ages 0-6, plus practical, guilt-free tips for real family life.

October 8, 2026

Routines That Build Security: Why Predictability Calms Toddlers

How predictable daily routines help toddlers feel safe and calm, plus practical, flexible ideas you can start using at home today.

October 5, 2026

Raising Grateful Kids: Simple Daily Practices That Stick

Discover easy, research-backed daily habits that help nurture genuine gratitude in children from 6 months to 6 years.

October 1, 2026

Questions to Ask on a Preschool Tour: A Parent's Essential Checklist

Touring preschools soon? Discover the key questions that reveal whether a program truly supports your child's early development.

September 28, 2026

When Do Toddlers Drop the Nap? A Real Timeline for Ages 1-5

A warm, research-based guide to understanding when and how children transition away from napping between ages 1 and 5.

September 24, 2026

Late Talker or Speech Delay? Red Flags Every Parent Should Know

Learn the difference between a late talker and a speech delay, key red flags by age, and simple ways to support your child's language.

September 21, 2026

Extreme Picky Eating and Tantrums: How to Serve the "Safe Food" Without Giving In

Practical, compassionate strategies for mealtimes with a picky eater—supporting your child while gently expanding their palate.

September 17, 2026

How Long Until My Child Is Fluent? Honest Timelines for Bilingual Preschoolers

Wondering when your child will become fluent in two languages? Discover realistic timelines and how to support your bilingual learner.

September 14, 2026

A Calm Bedtime Routine in 3-5 Steps That Actually Works for Preschoolers

Discover a simple, science-backed bedtime routine in 3-5 steps that brings peace to your evenings and helps your little one sleep soundly.

September 10, 2026

Bilingual but Not Talking Yet: Should I Worry About My Toddler's Speech?

Wondering if your bilingual toddler's quiet phase is normal? Learn what to expect, when to seek support, and how to nurture language at home.

September 7, 2026

Helping Your Child Feel Rooted: Belonging for Internationally-Raised Kids

Practical, research-based ways to nurture belonging and identity in globally-raised children, guided by a child-centered, play-based approach.

September 3, 2026

Building Vocabulary Through Daily Routines: Talk, Narrate, Repeat

Discover how everyday moments become powerful language lessons that grow your child's vocabulary naturally.

August 31, 2026

Code-Switching Is a Sign of Skill, Not Confusion: Why Your Child Switches Mid-Sentence

Discover why bilingual children mix languages mid-sentence and how this reflects growing brainpower, not confusion.

August 27, 2026

Teaching Kindness, Sharing, and Gratitude in the Preschool Years

Discover practical, research-backed ways to nurture kindness, sharing, and gratitude in young children during the preschool years.

August 24, 2026

Celebrating Cultural Heritage at Home: Traditions, Food, and Stories

Discover simple, meaningful ways to share your family's cultural heritage with your child through traditions, food, and storytelling.

August 20, 2026

Toddler Tantrums at Drop-Off: Breaking the Morning Meltdown Cycle

Practical, compassionate strategies to ease daycare drop-off tears and build your child's confidence every morning.

August 17, 2026

Baby's First Year Milestones: Rolling, Sitting, Crawling, and Walking

A warm guide to your baby's first-year movement milestones—rolling, sitting, crawling, walking—and how to support each step with confidence.

August 13, 2026

What to Do During a Meltdown: A Parent's Calm-Down Playbook

Practical, research-based strategies to help you stay calm and support your child through emotional meltdowns at any age.

August 10, 2026

Why Time Outdoors Boosts Your Child's Readiness, Focus, and Health

Discover how outdoor play supports early childhood development, sharpens focus, and builds healthy bodies and minds in young children.

August 6, 2026

Separation Anxiety at Drop-Off: Why Two Weeks of Tears Is Completely Normal

Drop-off tears breaking your heart? Learn why separation anxiety is a healthy sign of attachment and how to support your child.

August 3, 2026

Tour, Walk-Through & Playdate: How to Prepare Your Child Before School Starts

Practical, warm strategies to help your child feel confident and excited before their first day at preschool.

July 30, 2026

Teaching Kindness, Sharing, and Gratitude in the Preschool Years

Discover practical, research-backed ways to nurture kindness, sharing, and gratitude in your child during the early years.

July 27, 2026

Screen Time by Age: What the AAP Actually Says in 2025-2026

A warm, research-based guide to screen time for children 0-6, plus practical strategies rooted in play-based learning.

July 23, 2026

Speaking Spanish at Home Won't Slow English Down: The Heritage-Language Truth

Worried that home language holds English back? Research and Runningbrook's bilingual experience say the opposite is true.

July 20, 2026

Why Won't My Toddler Eat? When Picky Eating Is About Texture, Not Defiance

Discover why texture, not stubbornness, may be behind your toddler's picky eating and gentle strategies to help.

July 16, 2026

Speaking Spanish at Home Won't Slow English Down: The Heritage-Language Truth

Worried that your home language will hold back your child's English? Research and our bilingual experience say the opposite.

July 13, 2026

The First Day of Preschool: Easing Separation Anxiety for Everyone

Practical, research-based strategies to ease separation anxiety on the first day of preschool for both children and parents.

July 9, 2026

Giving Your Older Child a Role: How Involvement Eases Sibling Jealousy

Discover how giving your older child meaningful roles can transform sibling jealousy into connection and confidence.

July 6, 2026

Raising Grateful Kids: Simple Daily Practices That Stick

Discover practical, research-backed ways to nurture genuine gratitude in your child through small, everyday moments that truly last.

July 2, 2026

More Than "Say Thank You": Why Modeling Gratitude Beats Forced Manners

Discover why modeling gratitude helps young children develop genuine thankfulness, far more effectively than forced "please" and "thank you."

June 29, 2026

Before, During, After: A Simple Framework for Handling a Tantrum

A calm, practical three-part framework to help you navigate your child's tantrums with confidence and warmth.

June 25, 2026

Simple Family Rituals That Build Belonging and Stability in Young Children

Discover how small, everyday family rituals create security and belonging for children aged 0-6, with practical tips you can start today.

June 22, 2026

Helping Your Child Manage Big Feelings: Building Self-Regulation Step by Step

Practical, warm strategies to help your young child learn to manage big emotions and build self-regulation, one supportive step at a time.

June 18, 2026

Nature as a Classroom: Sensory-Rich Outdoor Play for Toddlers

Discover how outdoor play nurtures your toddler's development through sensory exploration, and how nature becomes a powerful classroom.

June 17, 2026

Your Calm Is Their Calm: Co-Regulation When Big Feelings Take Over

Learn how your emotional presence helps young children navigate big feelings through co-regulation strategies for everyday moments.

June 8, 2026

The Power of Dad: Why Fathers Matter in Early Childhood Development

Discover how fathers uniquely shape their children's growth and learn practical ways to strengthen the father-child bond from infancy to age 6.

June 4, 2026

Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten: A Guide to Building Confidence and Readiness Through Play

Discover how to prepare your child for kindergarten with practical strategies that build confidence, independence, and a love for learning.

May 28, 2026

Building Foundations for Early Literacy: A Child-Centered Approach to Reading Readiness

Discover how play-based learning and everyday interactions build the foundation for your child's literacy journey from infancy to age 6.

May 25, 2026

Building Beautiful Bonds: Encouraging Sibling Relationships in Early Childhood

Discover practical strategies to nurture loving sibling relationships and help your young children build lifelong bonds through play and connection.

May 21, 2026

Social-Emotional Development in 1-2 Year Olds: Understanding Your Toddler's Growing Heart

Discover how toddlers develop emotional skills, what behaviors to expect, and practical strategies to support your child's social-emotional growth.

May 14, 2026

Managing Aggressive Behavior in Toddlers: A Compassionate Guide for Parents

Discover gentle, effective strategies to help your toddler navigate big emotions and aggressive behaviors with patience and understanding.

May 11, 2026

Nurturing Cultural Identity in Multicultural Children: A Guide for Parents

Discover how to support your child's cultural identity development in a multicultural environment through play-based learning and connection.

May 7, 2026

From Cries to Conversations: Supporting Your Child's Communication Development

Discover how to nurture your child's language journey from first sounds to full sentences with practical strategies for every stage.

May 4, 2026

Supporting Bilingual Development at Home: Practical Strategies for Raising Confident Multilingual Children

Discover practical strategies to nurture your child's bilingual development at home while building confidence and cultural identity.

April 30, 2026

Building Community Involvement in Early Education: Why It Matters and How to Get Started

Discover how community involvement enriches early childhood education and learn practical ways to connect with your child's preschool.

April 23, 2026

Understanding and Responding to Tantrums: A Compassionate Guide for Parents of Young Children

Learn effective, child-centered strategies for understanding tantrums and responding with compassion to support your child's emotional development.