Minot Infant Development Program MIDP Early Intervention

08/21/2026

Sometimes, letting a toddler "help" means dinner takes longer. The towels might end up folded into tiny squares... or not folded at all. The grocery trip might include lots of stops to carry a bag that weighs almost nothing.

It can be tempting to jump in and do it yourself. But when children help with everyday routines, they're doing so much more than completing a task. They're watching, trying, practicing, building confidence, and learning that they belong and that what they do matters.

So it's okay if things take a little longer. It's okay if the task isn't perfect. It's okay to let your child try.

Those extra few minutes aren't "wasted." They're filled with learning.

👇 What's one everyday task your little one loves to help with?

08/21/2026

Are you/were you a parent of a kiddo in early intervention? Do you want to make a difference? Check out this opportunity for North Dakota parents.

Early Intervention Parent Leadership Institute- Join us for a two-day event Sept 10 and 11 in Bismarck, ND to expand your knowledge about Part C/Early Intervention and related systems. Targeted Audience: Experienced Parents, ICC Members, representing families, Parents and caregivers who have or have had a child in Early Intervention and want to lead. Deadline is Sept 1. Contact Sarah Carlson at [email protected]

08/20/2026

We almost skipped adding the messy activities to the Summer Bucket List Challenge boards. Why? Because we know messy activities can feel like a lot.

The cleanup. The wet clothes. The paint on tiny fingers... and somehow the walls. 😅

But then we remembered that some of the best childhood memories come from saying "yes" to the mess.

Whether it's painting, splashing, digging, or exploring with shaving cream, those messy moments are often filled with curiosity, creativity, laughter, and connection.

We're curious! Which Summer Bucket List Challenge activity made the biggest mess at your house?

08/19/2026

Your child spends so much time watching and learning from you. Today, try something different.

💛 Watch what they're doing.
💛 Copy their actions.
💛 Pause.
💛 Wait to see what happens next.

Maybe they'll smile. Maybe they'll laugh. Maybe they'll change what they're doing and wait for you to follow. This simple back-and-forth is more than just fun. It's a chance to connect, communicate, and enjoy a moment together.

You don't need a special toy or a planned activity. Sometimes, the best play starts by just joining your child's play.

✨ Give it a try today and let us know how it goes!

08/17/2026

Have you ever answered the phone, only to turn around and see your toddler also having a conversation on their toy phone? ☎️💛 Or maybe they "read" a book just like you do, stir an empty bowl while you're making dinner, try to put on their own shoes because you're putting on yours, or tuck their favorite stuffed animal into bed after you say goodnight.

These little moments are more than adorable. They're one of the ways children learn! By watching the people they love and copying everyday actions, they're building play skills, communication, problem-solving, and independence through experiences that already happen every day.

Finish the sentence: My toddler copies me when...

We can't wait to read your answers (and we're guessing they're going to make us smile)! 💛

08/13/2026

If you could recommend just ONE activity from this year's Summer Bucket List, which one would it be? Tell us in the comments! You might inspire another family to try something new before summer ends. ☀️

08/13/2026

It's easy to notice the big milestones. The first steps. The first words. The first birthday.

But so much learning happens long before those big moments arrive. Maybe your child copied your wave today. Maybe they pretended to cook beside you. Maybe they "read" a story to their favorite stuffed animal. Maybe they proudly tried to put on their own shoes.

Those moments matter.

They're building confidence, communication, problem-solving, and independence one small experience at a time.

So celebrate the little victories. Because those tiny wins are the building blocks for the big ones.

08/11/2026

One minute you're trying to fold laundry... The next, your toddler is proudly handing you the same towel for the fifth time.

Helpful? Maybe not. 😅

Important? Absolutely.

Young children love to copy the people they care about. When they "help" with everyday tasks, they're practicing skills they'll use for years to come. They're:
✨ learning routines
✨ building confidence
✨ developing problem-solving skills
✨ discovering that they're an important part of the family

They don't need to do it perfectly. They just need the chance to try.

So if making dinner takes a little longer because your tiny helper is "stirring" an empty bowl beside you... Know that they're learning with you.

What's your child's favorite way to "help" around the house?

08/08/2026

A toddler playing in their play kitchen might not look like much. But when we watch closely, we see something amazing happening.

👀 We see communication growing.

👀 We see problem-solving.

👀 We see confidence.

👀 We see a child making sense of the world by copying the people they love.

That's one of the things we love most about early intervention. We get to celebrate the little moments that often go unnoticed, because those little moments are building the foundation for so many future skills.

The next time your child serves you a pretend bowl of soup or asks you to taste their imaginary cookies... Say yes. Join their play.

You might be helping them learn more than you realize.

💛 What's your child's favorite pretend game right now?

08/06/2026

We'll go first... JOYFUL. 💛 Now it's your turn! How would you describe your summer so far using just one word? We can't wait to read your answers!