Little Mittens Daycare

Pressuring young children to write before their hands are developmentally ready places unnecessary emotional and physical stress on them.

At age 2, the hand is still mostly cartilage, with soft bones and delicate joints. Tasks like writing aren’t just hard—they’re uncomfortable.

At age 4, ossification has begun, but the small muscles and joints are still developing. Fine motor control is emerging, not mastered.

By 7, the hand is structurally ready for more intentional writing. Bones, joints, and muscle strength now support the dexterity we expect.

By 10, children have the refined motor control needed for complex and sustained writing.

These X-rays make something very clear: development cannot be rushed. When we push young children to write before their bodies are prepared, we see frustration, strained joints, and a hit to self-confidence. A toddler’s scribble holds just as much developmental value as a 6-year-old writing their name—they’re simply on different timelines. Earlier is not better. Research consistently shows that early academic pressure leads to lower long-term academic outcomes, not higher.

So why are toddlers and preschoolers being handed worksheets and expected to write? Why the rush?

This misalignment between expectation and biology is exactly what we’ll be breaking down inside our upcoming webinar, “Rethinking Early Learning: More Than Crafts & Worksheets,” to see what replaces those product-driven tasks and how to bring back the whole-body learning that builds the brain (Nov 26, 2025 12:00 PM EST).

FREE REPLAY FOR EVERYONE WHO SIGNS UP!

Join for FREE: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DfJ26HjERJSlS4BOhSgQ8w #/registration

Get CERTIFIED: https://www.weskoolhouse.com/store-webinars

We hope everyone had a happy and safe Halloween!! 🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

What if the goal was never to get them “ready” but to let them be? Bev Bos said this back in 1991, and we’re still carrying that message forward. She didn’t just talk about play. She showed us what it looks like to truly trust children and let them lead (and if you don’t know who Bev Bos is, go look her up cuz your ECE education isn’t complete without her). Her influence shaped how we do things here. We’re a child-led, play-based program because we believe childhood isn’t something to rush through. It’s something to honor. Learning happens in the mud, the mess, the joy, and the everyday moments that adults often overlook. We’re not prepping them for school. We’re protecting the kind of childhood they actually deserve. #ThePlayschool🏡 #APartnershipInDiscovery🏡 #Outdoorclassroom🍃 #BevBosWisdom #ProtectingChildhoodThroughPlay #ChildLedLearning #PlayBasedLearning #FamilyChildcare #EarlyChildhoodEducation

What an amazing program!

One of our favorite quick tips for improving relationships—whether with your children, partner, friends, or co-workers—is:

"Get curious, not furious."

This simple mindset shift encourages understanding over defensiveness and frustration. Instead of reacting with anger or assumptions, approach situations with curiosity and an open mind. This supports greater self-control and contributes to emotional intelligence.

Ask questions, seek perspective, and try to understand the why behind someone’s actions. This not only strengthens connections but also fosters healthier communication, empathy, and problem-solving in all relationships. 🥰

A gentle reminder from Slow Simple Seasonal…

World Nursery Rhyme Week is coming up between 11th-15th November, 2024.
So many benefits to sharing Nursery Rhymes with children, including Nursery Rhymes from around the world for those children who may not be fluent in English 😀