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    amarshallbooks

    20+ yrs training early educators. A stroke changed my path, not my passion! Now a children’s book author. Click below to buy ⬇️ 📚

    If you feel like you're repeating yourself every d If you feel like you're repeating yourself every day, you're not alone.

Young children learn through repetition. Their brains are still building the connections needed to remember directions, control impulses, and turn new skills into habits. Hearing something many times is a normal part of the learning process.

💛 Learning takes repetition because young brains are still developing.

Keep this in mind the next time it happens.

Explore my books for more social-emotional learning resources. Follow for evidence-based child development insights.
    ✨ Unpopular opinion… Preschool needs more play. ✨ Unpopular opinion…

Preschool needs more play.

…and fewer worksheets.

Before anyone panics 😉…

I’m not saying worksheets can never be used.

I’m saying they shouldn’t be the foundation of a high-quality preschool classroom.

Children build important life skills through meaningful experiences.

They learn to communicate while negotiating whose turn comes next.

They develop self-regulation while working through frustration.

They build creativity by experimenting with open-ended materials.

They strengthen problem-solving by figuring things out together.

A worksheet may show whether a child circled the correct answer.

But it doesn’t show me:

💛 How they communicated.

💛 How they persevered.

💛 How they collaborated.

💛 How they solved a problem.

As an early childhood educator, those are the skills I’m most interested in building.

Because those are the skills children will use for the rest of their lives.

Do you agree? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
    If you've ever thought, **"We just talked about th If you've ever thought, **"We just talked about this yesterday!"**—you're not alone.

Young children learn through repetition. Every reminder, practice opportunity, and mistake helps strengthen the brain pathways needed for self-control, memory, and decision-making. Repeating a behavior doesn't always mean your child wasn't listening—it often means they're still learning.

Instead of asking, *"Why do I have to keep saying this?"* try asking, *"How can I give my child another chance to practice?"* Learning happens through repetition, not perfection.

💛 Repetition is learning in action. Development happens one experience at a time.

Save this guide for the next time your child repeats the same mistake.

Explore my books for more social-emotional learning resources. Follow for evidence-based child development insights.
    Tantrums can feel overwhelming, but they're often Tantrums can feel overwhelming, but they're often a sign that a child is overwhelmed too.

Young children are still learning how to manage big emotions, communicate their needs, and cope with disappointment. A tantrum doesn't mean they've failed—it means they're still developing the skills to respond differently.

💛 Big emotions often signal a skill that's still developing.

Save this for the next hard day.

Explore my books for more social-emotional learning resources. Follow for evidence-based child development insights.
    A tantrum isn't your child giving you a hard time— A tantrum isn't your child giving you a hard time—it's your child having a hard time.

When children are overwhelmed, tired, frustrated, or disappointed, they often communicate through their behavior because the skills to manage those emotions are still developing. Your calm presence helps them feel safe while their brain regains control.

During a tantrum, focus on connection before correction. Once your child is calm, that's the time to talk about feelings, practice coping strategies, and teach what to do differently next time.

💛 Every meltdown is a teaching opportunity. Connection comes before correction.

Save this guide for the next time big feelings take over.

Explore my books for more social-emotional learning resources. Follow for evidence-based child development insights.
    Confidence doesn't come from getting everything ri Confidence doesn't come from getting everything right—it grows from trying, struggling, and trying again.

When children are given opportunities to solve problems, make mistakes, and keep going with support, they begin to believe, "I can do hard things." That's how lasting confidence is built.

💛 Confidence grows by doing hard things.

Remember this the next time your child struggles.

Explore my books for more social-emotional learning resources. Follow for evidence-based child development insights.
    Many parents think confidence comes from hearing, Many parents think confidence comes from hearing, “Good job!” But real confidence grows from something much more powerful—experience.

Children build confidence when they’re given opportunities to try, struggle, make mistakes, and discover what they’re capable of. Instead of stepping in too quickly, offer encouragement, let them problem-solve, and celebrate their effort as much as their success.

The next time your child struggles, resist the urge to do it for them. Stay close, offer encouragement, and let them experience the satisfaction of figuring it out.

💛 Support effort, not just success.

Save this guide for the next time your child faces a challenge.

Explore my books for more social-emotional learning resources. Follow for evidence-based child development insights.
    We all want our kids to fall in love with reading. We all want our kids to fall in love with reading.
On August 5th, over 200 children’s ebooks will be available completely free— and yes, Daisy the Dancer’s Big Rehearsal will be one of them.
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, homeschool family, or librarian, this is a great chance to discover new stories and add some fresh titles to your reading list.
Instead of telling your child what to read…
Let them explore.
Let them choose the story that catches their imagination.
Save this post so you don’t miss it!
    Making friends doesn’t come naturally—it takes pra Making friends doesn’t come naturally—it takes practice.

Young children are still learning how to share, take turns, solve conflicts, read social cues, and understand another person’s perspective. These skills develop over time through play, guidance, and repeated experiences with others.

💛 Friendship is a skill children learn over time.

Save this before your next playdate. 

Explore my books for more social-emotional learning resources. Follow for evidence-based child development insights.
    ❓Is your child finding the transition back to scho ❓Is your child finding the transition back to school difficult?

Starting school, preschool, or even returning to a familiar routine after the holidays can feel overwhelming for young children. Change often brings uncertainty, and uncertainty can show up as worry, clinginess, frustration, or big emotions.

One of the simplest ways to support children through these transitions is by creating predictable routines. Visual routine cards help children understand what comes next, giving them a sense of security, encouraging independence, and reducing the stress that can come with change.

As an early childhood educator, I love resources that don’t just make life easier for parents—they also support important social-emotional skills like emotional regulation, confidence, and resilience.

I’ve been loving these beautiful routine cards from Creative Sprout because they make everyday routines clear, engaging, and easy for children to follow.  #visual #socialemotionallearning #parentingtips #learning #parenting
    Friendships don’t just happen—they’re built one in Friendships don’t just happen—they’re built one interaction at a time.

Sharing, taking turns, solving disagreements, and understanding another person’s feelings are all skills that develop gradually throughout early childhood. Every playdate, trip to the park, and classroom experience gives children another opportunity to practice.

Instead of expecting children to know how to be a good friend, we can guide, model, and encourage the skills that help friendships grow.

💛 Friendship is taught, not expected.

Save this guide before your next playdate.

Explore my books for more social-emotional learning resources. Follow for evidence-based child development insights.
    When children don’t have the words to express thei When children don’t have the words to express their feelings, they often express them through their behavior.

Building emotional vocabulary helps children recognize, name, and communicate what they’re experiencing. The more feeling words they learn, the more tools they have to ask for help instead of reacting.

💛 Words help children express what behavior cannot.

Try one new feeling word this week.

Explore my books for more social-emotional learning resources. Follow for evidence-based child development insights. #love #socialemotionallearning #parentingtips #parenting #words
    Children aren’t born knowing words like *frustrate Children aren’t born knowing words like *frustrated, disappointed,* or *overwhelmed*—they learn them from the adults around them.

The more feeling words a child knows, the more ways they have to express themselves instead of acting on their emotions. Every conversation about feelings helps build communication, emotional awareness, and self-regulation.

Talking about emotions doesn’t encourage big feelings—it gives children the tools to understand and manage them.

💛 Words help children make sense of emotions.

Save this guide and try introducing one new feeling word this week.

Explore my books for more social-emotional learning resources. Follow for evidence-based child development insights.
    If transitions often lead to tears or frustration, If transitions often lead to tears or frustration, you're not alone.

Young children become deeply engaged in what they're doing. Shifting from one activity to another requires flexible thinking and self-control—skills that are still developing. That's why leaving the playground or turning off a favorite show can feel so difficult.

A little extra time, clear warnings, and predictable routines can make transitions easier.

💛 Children need time to shift between activities.

Save this for your next transition.

Explore my books for more social-emotional learning resources. Follow for evidence-based child development insights.
    If your child melts down every time it's time to l If your child melts down every time it's time to leave the park, clean up toys, or get ready for bed, you're not alone. Transitions can be one of the hardest parts of a young child's day.

Moving from one activity to another requires children to stop what they're doing, shift their attention, and adjust to what's coming next. Their brains are still developing these skills, which is why transitions often bring big emotions.

One of the best ways to support your child is to prepare them ahead of time. Give simple reminders before it's time to switch activities, keep routines predictable, and offer encouragement as they practice. With time and consistency, transitions become easier.

💛 Smooth transitions are taught, not expected. Small changes make a big difference.

Save this guide for the next time your child struggles with a transition.

Explore my books for more social-emotional learning resources. Follow for evidence-based child development insights.
    🍎 Calling all Preschool & Pre-K Teachers! The beg 🍎 Calling all Preschool & Pre-K Teachers!

The beginning of the school year is the perfect time to fill your classroom library with books that do more than entertain—they help children build important social-emotional skills.

My stories were written to support conversations about friendship, self-regulation, problem-solving, and the everyday challenges young children experience as they learn and grow.

Whether you’re creating a cozy reading corner, planning morning meetings, or looking for books that naturally support your SEL curriculum, I’d love to share them with you.

✨ As a thank you to teachers, I’m offering 25% off your classroom order.

Comment “BOOKS” below, and I’ll send you the link with your teacher discount! 📚
    Play may look simple, but it's some of the most im Play may look simple, but it's some of the most important work children do.

Through play, children learn to solve problems, practice communication, manage emotions, take turns, and build relationships. These everyday moments are helping develop the social-emotional skills they'll use for a lifetime.

So the next time your child says, "Come play with me," remember—they're doing much more than having fun.

💛 Play builds social-emotional skills every day.

Save this before your next playtime.

Explore my books for more social-emotional learning resources. Follow for evidence-based child development insights.
    When adults see play, they often see fun. When chi When adults see play, they often see fun. When child development professionals see play, they see learning.

Through play, children build the skills they'll use for the rest of their lives. They learn to solve problems, communicate with others, manage emotions, practice empathy, and develop self-control—all while exploring the world around them.

The next time your child asks, "Will you play with me?" remember that you're supporting far more than their imagination. You're supporting their development.

💛 Play isn't a break from learning. It's how learning happens.

Save this guide and make time for play today.

Explore my books for more social-emotional learning resources. Follow for evidence-based child development insights.
    COMMENT “SKILLS” and I’ll send you my FREE guide: COMMENT “SKILLS” and I’ll send you my FREE guide: The 5 Social-Emotional Skills Every Parent Should Know.

Most parents were never taught the five social-emotional skills that shape their child’s behavior.

Instead, we’re often left wondering…

“Why won’t they listen?”

“Why do they have such big meltdowns?”

“Why is sharing so hard?”

The truth is, children aren’t born knowing how to manage emotions, solve problems, build friendships, or make thoughtful decisions.

They’re building those skills every single day.

When you understand the five core social-emotional skills, you begin to see behavior differently. Instead of asking, “How do I stop this behavior?” you start asking, “What skill is my child still building?”

That simple shift can change the way you respond—and the way your child learns.

Inside this FREE guide, you’ll discover:
💛 The five core social-emotional skills every child develops.
💛 What the skill is and what it looks like. 
💛 Simple ways to support your child as they build them.

Save this post so you can come back to it when you need it.

💛 COMMENT “SKILLS” below, and I’ll send you the free guide!
    Hearing "NO!" over and over can be exhausting—but Hearing "NO!" over and over can be exhausting—but it's often a sign of something positive.

As toddlers grow, they begin to realize they have their own thoughts, preferences, and choices. Saying "no" is one way they practice independence and learn they can have some control over their world.

That doesn't mean every "no" should become a battle. Calm limits and simple choices help children build independence while learning to cooperate.

💛 Independence is growing, not defiance.

Remember this during the next power struggle.

Explore my books for more social-emotional learning resources. Follow for evidence-based child development insights.
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