Jane Kitson/Pocket Productions

Truth!

Childhood shouldn't need a login.

Nice!

Researchers looked at a connection between how infants process musical rhythm and language. We break it down. Tap the link in the first comment to learn more. ⬇️

Interested news!

Sweden is going back to books and pencils in schools. Here's why that matters.
After going all-in on tablets and screens in classrooms, Sweden noticed something troubling: reading comprehension dropped. Attention spans shortened. Basic skills suffered.
So they changed course.
Now the Swedish government is funding physical textbooks again. Teachers are bringing back handwritten notes and actual encyclopedias. Tablets aren't banned—but they're no longer the star of the show.
The research backs it up: kids understand and retain information better when they read it on paper.
It's not anti-technology. It's pro-balance.
Maybe there's a lesson here for the rest of us. 📚
Source: The Think Academy

Be sure to include clapping!

Little hands clapping to a favorite song or tapping along during playtime can do more than just make happy memories. Science shows that when children move in rhythm, their brains get better at understanding speech. This can gently help them start reading with less struggle and more joy.

Try adding some simple rhythm games and musical moments to your daily routine. You might notice more giggles and fun, but you’re also giving your child’s early reading skills a small boost. The journey to learning is full of music and movement, and every beat counts. Let’s celebrate each clap and tap as a step toward confident reading!"

Truth!

💡 Kindergarten readiness isn’t just about academics—it’s also about emotional readiness and self-regulation.

We believe in this so much that we wrote a blog post with a free printable detailing the foundational skills kids need BEFORE academics. You can find that here:

https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/the-kindergarten-readiness-skills-your-child-really-needs/

🧠 Skills like managing big feelings, following routines, and calming down when upset are just as important for success in school as academics. Helping kids build these skills early sets the stage for confident, happy learners! 🌟

Image via Planning Playtime - Learning Through Play

Yes! We clap a lot.

Did you know the simple act of clapping or tapping to a rhythm is more than just play for a child? Science shows that young children who move in time with a beat often develop stronger reading and language skills than those who don’t. Rhythm is not only about music—it is the heart of how the brain learns to follow language, break words into smaller sounds, and understand speech patterns.

Brain studies reveal that children with strong rhythm abilities can hear speech sounds more clearly and remember them better. They are able to spot the difference between similar words or sounds and can piece together how words are built. This timing skill makes learning to read smoother, as children learn to follow the natural pace of spoken language and develop the confidence to decode new words with ease.

Supporting your child’s early reading journey can be as joyful as playing music or rhythm games together. Even a few weeks of clapping along to songs or tapping to beats can make reading, spelling, and understanding words easier. Behind every giggle and movement, you are helping shape your child’s brain to connect sounds and words for life. Rhythm helps children listen closely, spot language patterns, and build a foundation that supports reading for years to come."

Interesting … take a read:

A psychologist spent decades observing children who were never scolded or disciplined in any way. Over thirty years, he tracked development, behavior, and social outcomes to understand the long-term effects of permissive parenting.

What he found was surprising. While these children often appeared happy in early years, the lack of boundaries affected emotional regulation, impulse control, and their understanding of social rules as they grew older.

Without consistent guidance, children struggled to manage frustration, respect limits, and navigate conflicts. The absence of clear expectations created challenges in forming healthy relationships and responding appropriately to consequences.

The study highlights that discipline is not about punishment—it is about teaching, boundaries, and structure. Children need guidance to learn self-control, responsibility, and social awareness while still being nurtured and loved.

Parents can balance warmth and limits. Gentle correction, clear rules, and consistent expectations help children develop confidence, resilience, and emotional intelligence. Understanding the long-term effects of neglecting boundaries empowers caregivers to provide structure that supports healthy development and prepares children for real-world challenges.

Interesting information!

Teachers can spot gentle-parented kids instantly. The arguing, negotiating, and “we’re equals” attitude shows up fast in special ed and general ed. Classrooms aren’t built for 1-child debates. Kids need boundaries, not negotiations. Gentle + permissive parenting create the same chaos at school. #gentleparenting #specialed #teachersofinstagram #classroombehavior #missbrandi

This is an awesome story.

What happens when a principal gives up the office and rolls through classrooms instead? Meet Principal Lamb, who starts each day asking teachers one simple question, How are you today and what do you need? Hear how visibility, quick check ins, and fewer meetings reshaped trust and teaching in his school.

🎧 ️Listen here: https://rainbowskycreations.com/podcast/113-replay-principal-lamb-the-story-behind-the-famous-principal-and-his-trolley/?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

Have you booked your shows with Mother Goose? I am about 80% full for the upcoming school year. Let me know if you would like to get on my calendar for early literacy fun! [email protected].