Summer is a super fun season to have a birthday. Sunshine, blue skies and lush greenery entice families to head outside and experience the restorative influence of nature. In addition to gorgeous weather, many families also fill their schedules with vacations, family visits and extra time off from work. 

If your baby has a birthday this summer, there’s no shortage of fun ways you can celebrate. Although they might not remember the party, you will – and it’s an amazing opportunity to invite friends and family over to celebrate with you. You can enjoy the memories and pictures for years to come. Here are five exciting birthday surprises to throw for your summer baby.  [Read more…]

Why is a love of reading so important?

We all want to raise readers. Reading helps build vocabulary, develops empathy, and is a form of entertainment and stress relief.

Reading is a skill that is essential for both academic and life success. Developing reading proficiency takes lots of practice. Stated another way, the more kids read, the better they will be at reading.

If kids don’t care much about books, they aren’t going to spend much time reading. This can lead to a lower reading proficiency or struggles with reading, which often makes kids like reading even less.  [Read more…]