Little Sunshine House

04/03/2026

There’s no easy way to heal the pain that is inflicted across the world right now. But I do know this: At the root of every war, social injustice and assault on the environment is a lack of empathy and compassion. For other humans, for non-human living beings and for the planet we all call home🌎

These traits don’t grow from a vacuum. They need to be practiced and repeated over time, and Mother Nature knows how to do just that. She nurtures children’s ability to feel empathy and kindness, if only we let her. I see it all the time, when children plant a seed and watch it grow, pick up a piece of trash from the ground or get excited about rescuing an earthworm that has been stranded on the pavement🌱

There is even research showing that time outdoors can nudge children to help others, improve pro-social behaviors and foster social-emotional skills.

I’m not saying that taking children outside will bring about world peace tomorrow, or that romping around in the woods is a substitute for community, care and good role models. Just that raising our children to care for others often starts with getting out the door🌿
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03/28/2026

03/05/2026

Play is never “just” play.💙

01/31/2026

At Little Sunshine House, we believe that cultivating a community rooted in diversity and non-violence creates a stronger future for everyone. Reflecting on recent developments, such as today’s national shutdown and upcoming events this weekend, we reaffirm our dedication to building communities that respect diversity, human dignity, and peaceful engagement. We will continue striving to ensure every member of our community is valued, and we encourage you to join us in nurturing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all.

12/08/2025

It happened to me! If you get an email from Nina Betonte with a secure file please do not open. Sorry for any confusion- unfortunately I can’t see who messages were sent to. I have changed my password.

12/04/2025

In the Reggio Emilia approach, art is one of the “hundred languages of children” — a powerful way for kids to express ideas, emotions, and understanding. When children explore different art mediums, they build creativity, fine-motor skills, problem-solving, language, and emotional expression. Art isn’t just an activity…it’s a way of thinking, communicating, and making meaning.

11/21/2025

Emotional Intelligence
How we support social/emotional development in our toddler & preschool classrooms?

Developing Self-Awareness:
- Showing children how to recognize their emotional reactions
- Validating their emotions in a safe way
- Asking questions like:
— “What are you feeling?”
— “What happens in your body when you feel that way?”
- Emotions/Feelings Photo Cards of themselves
— help support recognizing emotions in their own faces
- Emotion Books (The Color Monster, Amaya’s Anger, etc.)

Self-Regulation: Managing Emotions
- Developing self-control techniques such as breathing exercises.
- Helping children think before reacting to difficult situations.
— taking deep breaths and pausing
- Breathing techniques (Ex: “Hot Soup”, “Snake Breaths)
- Feelings Space (Calm Corner)
— invitation to visit

Developing Empathy:
- Role-playing to understand how others feel
— creating stories and characters to reenact real-life conflicts
- Discussing how others might feel in different situations
- Discussing how their actions might affect others feelings to develop empathy
- Emotions/Feelings Photo Cards of peers
— helps support recognizing emotions in others

Social Skills:
- Practicing role-playing together, listening and communicating politely.
- Showing and modeling children how to support others and resolve conflicts.
- Allowing them to take the lead in problem solving and conflict resolution

11/10/2025

When we look at child development and child-led explorations using a developmental lens...it allows us to see the “mess” and look deeper at the importance of every investigation, exploration, and open-ended use of the materials in their environment.

How has your lens changed?

11/08/2025

11/05/2025

Children need space to:
✨Problem Solve
✨Pause and think
✨Test ideas and make mistakes
✨Recover and try again
That’s where resilience and confidence are born. Also understanding their limits.