MSU Extension Nurturing Homes Initiative

08/21/2026

Did you know toddlers can begin developing body awareness as early as 15–18 months? 🐛

Try Wiggle Worm! Sit on the floor facing your toddler and recite the rhyme while wiggling the named body part:

"Wiggle your toes, one, two, three,
Wiggle your toes just like me.
Now tell the wiggles to go away,
And sit very still for the rest of the day."

When you say "go away," shake your index finger. Then repeat the rhyme using different body parts: fingers, elbows, nose, ears, and tongue!

This simple game encourages children to notice and identify different parts of their bodies while practicing imitation, listening, and following along. 💛

08/20/2026

Did you know children can begin developing important language skills as early as 12–15 months? 🗣️💛

Try a game of Happy Feet! All you need are two similar-sized balls and a little space to play.

Take turns showing your toddler different things they can do with a ball—roll it, hold it above your head, put it under your arm, or hide it behind your back. Sing about each action to the tune of “Here We Go ’Round the Mulberry Bush,” then let your toddler copy you!

Simple games like this give young children opportunities to hear new words, follow directions, imitate actions, and build language skills while having fun.

08/17/2026

🧱 Try this simple building block activity!

Sit on the floor with your toddler and start building a tower together. As you add each block, count aloud:

"I am putting one block on the floor."
"I am putting two blocks on the floor."
"I am putting three blocks on the floor."

Then knock the tower down and encourage your toddler to build it again. Offer help when needed, and celebrate their efforts!

As children stack and balance blocks, they're practicing hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, problem-solving, and early math concepts like counting and quantity.

A few blocks can create a whole lot of learning! 🧱💛

08/11/2026

08/10/2026

Did you know that putting together a simple toy like Mr. Potato Head can support several areas of child development?

As children decide where pieces belong, manipulate small parts, and create their own characters, they're practicing fine motor skills, problem-solving, creativity, and spatial awareness!

08/07/2026

Neural Nugget: Between 0–3 years old, a child’s brain forms over 1 million neural connections per second. This time in life is the most pivotal, and also the most vulnerable for brain development. Early experiences shape cognitive development in early childhood.

We’ve made the science of baby brain development accessible for all. The Baby Brain Map is your interactive guide to early brain science. Start exploring now and help lay the foundation for healthy growth: https://bit.ly/4w3j4jg

08/03/2026

Children learn through everyday experiences.

Simple changes like organizing materials within reach, creating cozy reading spaces, or offering open-ended play opportunities can inspire curiosity and support healthy development.

NHI coaches help family child care providers create environments where learning happens naturally through play and exploration.

Learn more about NHI: https://extension.msstate.edu/family/children-and-parenting/nurturing-homes-initiative

08/02/2026

07/31/2026

Did you know the Nurturing Homes Initiative provides health and safety technical assistance to family child care providers across Mississippi?

Our coaches work alongside providers to help create safe, healthy learning environments for children. From sharing best practices to providing resources like fire extinguishers, we're committed to supporting programs where children can learn, play, and thrive safely.

Learn more about how NHI supports family child care providers: https://extension.msstate.edu/family/children-and-parenting/nurturing-homes-initiative

07/30/2026

Neural Nugget: Babies who are talked to frequently know about 300 more words by age 2 than babies who hear fewer words, giving them a stronger foundation for language and learning.

One of the best ways to support healthy brain development is through serve-and-return interactions: the back-and-forth of talking, playing, making faces, and responding to your baby's sounds and cues. These everyday moments help build the brain, one interaction at a time.

Curious about what's happening inside your baby's brain? Explore our Baby Brain Map, an interactive guide that makes the science of early brain development easy to understand and put into practice: https://bit.ly/4w3j4jg