Jul 21, 2020

In the world of children, “play” is considered part of the “workday.” When children play, they are learning new skills, asserting themselves as individuals, and practicing relationships with others and the world-at-large. As part of the development aspects of play, a good toy can help a child learn and grow. However, one quick trip to a toy department and a parent or caregiver can quickly be overwhelmed with the variety of toy choices and have difficulty deciding what defines a “good” toy. Even though most toys come with age classifications and development definitions, not all toys are beneficial for a child.

Mar 31, 2020

As any new parent or caregiver knows, there is nothing more special than bringing home a new baby. But as safe and secure as a new home may seem, there are many safety dangers hiding in nearly every room of the house. From electrical outlets to cabinets full of cleaning chemicals, here are some things to safeguard against when prepping your home for a little one.

Feb 11, 2020

For many kids, one of the most enjoyable things to do during the warmer months is a summer camp program. ABC explores the many different varieties of summer camps available for your child and provides tips to start making arrangements.

Jul 23, 2019

Whether searching for a large child care provider, a faith-based center, or a smaller in-home program, the one common trait you should always seek in all options is the center's quality. Unfortunately, it can be hard to recognize quality — especially if you're searching for child care for the first time. To help families with this sometimes-difficult search, ABC Quality provides a quality checklist of what to look for in a child care program to make sure a potential option offers a safe, stimulating environment and one that will allow your child to thrive.

Apr 2, 2019

From fruit juices to so-called nutritious snacks, many food products that proclaim to be healthy are anything but nutritious. Even food products that promise to be fat free or gluten free may contain ingredients that are anything but good for us. To help families know what foods are good for their kids, check out this list of nine food items to avoid on your next trip to the grocery store.

Mar 19, 2019

As parents and caregivers, we all know the importance of spending quality time with our children. When a child receives direct attention, they have a better chance of gaining enhanced listening, learning skills and feeling appreciated and loved. When it comes to a child care setting, children also benefit from having direct interaction with a teacher or a staff member. Although it's impossible to provide one-on-one attention to every child, the ratio of teacher-to-student must remain low.