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Summer Activities to Keep The Kids Occupied

Summer is fast approaching and with it comes your kids complaining of being bored and having nothing to do. Meanwhile, your to do list is just as long or longer than ever. So, here are a few free/low cost activities and ideas to (hopefully) keep the kids occupied for a little bit.     Go […]

Potty Training Kids with Special Needs

Initiating toilet training can be especially difficult for parents of children with special needs, but when those children understand what they need to do, parents are often overcome with a sense of joy as it means that their child’s development is progressing. Potty training neurotypical children can be difficult enough, but potty training a child […]

Screen-Free and No-Cost activities for Kids

Most parents want and try to offer their children more than what they received from their own parents. While children love to receive new toys, the novelty of those toys tend to wear off fairly quickly. Children tend to spend more time with items or playing games that promote their imagination and help expel excess […]

So, Your Child Learned How to Lie

Children typically learn how to lie around two years old; it’s at this point that they have learned that you can’t watch them every second of the day, which they will take full advantage of. As children get older they learn how to mask their facial expressions and tone of voice in order to better […]

What To Do When Your Toddler is Toddlering

I don’t think that there is a single parent out there that has not felt a profound love for their toddler while also feeling like wanting to rip their hair out, out of frustration. Even the sweetest of the sweetest toddlers often know how to press our buttons as they explore and test the boundaries […]

Benefits of Creating Books with Your Child: Creating Memories and Enhancing Skills

When you create books with your child, you are not just crafting stories; you’re weaving a tapestry of personal narratives that enrich your child’s life. Creating books with your child not only fills their home library with cherished tales but also nurtures their language, social-emotional and self-expression skills.   The Benefits of Creating Books with […]

Concerned About Meeting Developmental Milestones?

If you think that your child is not meeting their developmental milestones or if you’re concerned that there may be an issue regarding your child’s development make an appointment with your pediatrician to discuss your concerns.   Ask your pediatrician for a developmental screener, or if you want to come prepared, you can download the […]

Prenatal Support With The Sparkler App

While you may know that Sparkler offers free developmental screens for children 0-5 years old and over 2000 off screen play activities for children, but did you know that Sparkler also offers expecting families prenatal support and tips?   From the first Trimester expectant parents can engage in an abundance of prenatal activities and learn […]

Building Your Family Bond

Spending quality time together is a valuable gift that strengthens family bonds and fosters belonging and security. Research shows that strong family connections lead to higher well-being in children, better behavior, enhanced academic performance, and improved parent-child communication. Healthy relationships are key indicators of a child’s happiness, and intentional effort is often needed to nurture […]

IEP vs 504 Plan

IEP’s and 504 plans both support students with disabilities, however how they do this differs.   What is an IEP?   An IEP is a formal document that outlines the unique needs of a student with one or more of the 13 disability categories identified by the IDEA (Individuals With Disabilities Act).  The development of […]