Maryrose Nelson, a board-certified music therapist with Voices Together, spoke to WFMY about the importance of singing to young children. For example, babies understand emotion and sound before they understand the meaning of words, so music can be a great way to bond with your young child. She also talked about using songs to help create routines, such as singing the same song while getting your baby dressed every morning. Watch the full interview here.

Pam Bacot with Reach Out and Read Carolinas spoke to WFMY News 2 about how to Read and Discuss Stories with infants. Her tips include:

• Find interactive books to read. Tactile books with flaps, mirrors, textures, and sounds help keep babies engaged.
• Do a “picture walk” and simply talk about the pictures you see and or make up any story you want.
• Incorporate reading into your child’s bedtime routine. Reading before bed gives your baby a chance to calm down and connect with you.

See the full segment here.

Ariel Everett with Greensboro Day School spoke to WFMY on Sunday, Aug. 22, about simple ways parents and caregivers can Count, Group and Compare with their children throughout the day. Watch the segment here.

In a blog post for Triad Moms on Main, Ariel Everett with Greensboro Day School wrote about ways to Count, Group and Compare with young children to help build early math skills. Included in her tips are:

• At the grocery store, count the produce as you place it into bags. For example, you can say, “we need four red and three green apples.” Count each color individually as you place them into the bag. Then, after you get home, you can discuss how many there are in total.
• Include your child in on cooking and baking. You can give them tasks where they help scoop a certain amount of ingredients into the bowl. Make sure you count aloud with them!
• Explore what happens when you add or take away items from a group. For example, at snack time ask your child: “You have three crackers. How many will you have if you eat one?”

For more tips, read the blog post here.

Shelli Scott, a certified parks and recreation professional, talked with WFMY News 2 about how being active stimulates growth of the mind and the body. She also offered tips on ways parents and young children can stay active and have fun outside this summer. Watch the segment here.

Establishing a daily routine with your child is critical to their brain development. Mia Gray with Greensboro Day School joined WFMY to give insight as to why building on routines with your child is an important part of Maximizing Love, Managing Stress. The full clip can be seen here.

Greensboro Day School preschool teacher Ariel Everett joined WFMY to speak about the importance of facilitating early math skills in young children. By Counting, Grouping and Comparing, parents and caregivers can foster a love of math in even the youngest of children. The full segment can be seen here.

In a blog post for Triad Moms on Main, Shelli Scott wrote about ways parents can take advantage of the nice spring and summer weather to get outside and Explore Through Movement and Play with their infants and toddlers. Included in her tips are:

• Create nature art: Everyday objects found outside can be turned into a unique piece of art. Grab some paper and glue and have your child make different patterns or even a self-portrait by gluing common items, like leaves and sticks to the paper. You’ll have a one-of-a-kind keepsake too!
• Stargaze or cloud watch: Let your child’s imagination run with a simple activity of stargazing or watching clouds. You’ll be surprised what they come up with! If your child sees an animal in the clouds, ask some open ended questions to get a conversation flowing: What do you think it ate for lunch today? Where do you think it came from? What is it doing now?

Read the full blog post and all of her suggestions here.

Marcus Blackwell, assistant coordinator of the Childcare Education Program at UNCG, joined WFMY to discuss the effects of stress on young children during the pandemic. He also provided methods on how parents and caregivers can Maximize Love, Manage Stress for their children during these unprecedented times. The segment can be seen in full here.

Charrise Hart, CEO of Ready For School, Ready For Life, spoke with WFMY about the critical developmental milestones in early childhood. Ensuring your child reaches important milestones is a key factor in kindergarten and later success. The full segment can be seen here.

Early childhood specialist Danita Washington with UNCG’s program Bringing Out the Best spoke with WFMY about the importance of promoting early communication skills in young children through Talking, Singing and Pointing. The full segment can be seen here.

Heather Adams, the director of engagement and literacy initiatives for Ready for School, Ready for Life, wrote a blog post for Triad Moms on Main on ways parents can use The Basics to help reduce both their child’s stress and their own. Her tips include:

• Have a routine. Settle into a consistent schedule for daily activities like feeding, naps, bathing, reading and bedtime.
• Go easy on yourself. Life can feel overwhelming and we all make mistakes. Focus on the big picture and be gentle with yourself when things don’t go as planned.

Read the full blog post and see all of Heather’s tips here.

Dr. Kelly Graves with the Kellin Foundation spoke to WFMY about how to identify signs of stress in babies and toddlers. She also talked about ways parents can help children Maximize Love, Manage Stress. The segment can be seen here.

Shelli Scott, the youth program specialist with the City of Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department, talked to the Good Morning Show about the importance of play in the growth and development of young children. She also provides suggestions on easy ways parents can play and interact with babies to help stimulate their minds and bodies. The segment can be seen here.

Pam Bacot with Reach Out and Read Carolinas spoke to WFMY about the importance of reading to young children and offered tips on making story time more fun for children and their parents. She also offers advice on how to pick out the perfect books for children. The segment can be seen here.

Angie Roberson, project director for UNC Greensboro’s EQuIPD, was interviewed by WFMY. She spoke about how parents can use The Basic “Count, Group and Compare” to introduce children to early math skills. The segment can be seen here.

Dr. Christine Murray, director of the UNC Greensboro Center for Youth, Family and Community Partnerships,spoke with WFMY about why parents may be feeling stressed during the COVID-19 pandemic and some of the warning signs of burnout. She also talked about how parents can use The Basic “Maximize Love, Manage Stress” to help them cope. The segment can be seen here.

Heather Adams, the director of engagement & literacy initiatives with Ready for School, Ready for Life, was interviewed by WFMY’s The Good Morning Show. She spoke about how parents and caregivers can use The Basic Read and Discuss Stories with their children to help develop early language skills and a love of learning. The segment can be seen here.

Gillian Goodman, the lower school director for Greensboro Day School spoke to WFMY about how parents and caregivers can Talk, Sing and Point with their children to help with early language development. The segment can be seen here.

Monica Moore, the preschool director for the Hayes-Taylor YMCA, was interviewed by WFMY about ways parents of young children can use The Basics while at home this summer to keep their children entertained and engaged. The segment can be seen here.