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Families ‘R Us

A Family Resource Center is a community-based hub that provides support, education, and resources to help families strengthen their relationships and promote healthy child development. These centers often offer services such as parenting classes, playgroups, referrals to local services, and Developmental Screenings in a welcoming, inclusive environment.
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Early Care and Learning Council
Service

Child Care Coordinating Council of the North Country
Service

Healthy Families
Material

County Chest/Breastfeeding Resource Guides

Includes trusted websites and groups, clinic settings, and home visiting resources.

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The Basics

Count, Group, and Compare

Every child’s brain is wired for math. Talk about numbers, shapes, patterns, and comparisons as you go about your routines together. Watch your child learn to love math.

Move to the beat. Tap your baby’s tummy or clap their hands together to the rhythm of a song. Or rock them as you sing a lullaby.
Count. For example, count and wiggle each of their toes. Or count as you gently bounce them in your lap.
Compare objects. Help your baby explore things that are the same and different. Let them shake containers that make different sounds. Or give them different types of fabrics to touch (like smooth and scratchy). Talk about the differences.
Fill up and dump out. For example, use a container to scoop and dump water in the bathtub. Use words like “in,” “out,” “full,” and “empty.”

Compare sizes and amounts. Your toddler may be interested in which things are “big” or “little.” You can also talk to them about whether they want “more” or “less.”
Look for shapes. Point out shapes and describe them to your child. “Look, that window is a square with four sides.” See if they can find and name shapes around them.
Match and sort. Make a game of matching and sorting objects into groups. Arrange them by color, shape, or size. For example, find as many green things as you can, then sort them from smallest to largest.
Clap in a pattern. Have your toddler repeat the pattern and dance with you.

Do tummy time. Babies should sleep on their backs, but during the day while they are awake, make sure your baby gets some “tummy time.”
Move arms and legs. When you are dressing your baby or changing their diaper, hold and gently move their arms or legs. Talk or sing about what you’re doing.
Give objects to handle. Provide objects of different colors, shapes, and textures. Use safe, everyday objects. You don’t need fancy toys to keep your baby’s attention!
Play peek-a-boo. Hide your face with your hands and then open them up to show a big smile. You can also hide objects under a towel or blanket.

Go on a walk. Stop when your child shows interest in something and talk about it. If it is something that is safe to touch, let them touch it to find out how it feels.
Play obstacle course. Make a simple obstacle course using blankets, pillows, or boxes. See if your child can go “over,” “under,” “around,” and “through” them.
Make art. Your toddler will enjoy scribbling with a crayon or chalk. They can also experiment with folding or tearing paper.
Let them problem-solve. If your toddler is concentrating on something, stand back and see what they can figure out by themselves. If they get stuck, give just enough help so they keep going and don’t give up.

Explore Through Movement and Play

Babies are like scientists who love making discoveries. Watch to see what interests your child, then encourage their curiosity and help them learn when they play and explore.

Maximize Love, Manage Stress

Babies and toddlers thrive when their world feels loving, safe, and predictable. Respond with smiles, words, and touch to help them see, hear, and feel your love. You will help them develop a sense of security and self-control.

Remember to take care of yourself.

When life gets stressful, it’s important to take care of yourself so you can be there for your child. Try sharing tasks with friends or family members, taking walks, doing a hobby you enjoy, or practicing deep breathing. Try different strategies and see what works best for you. Be sure to ask for help when you need it, and talk to your doctor if you often feel sad or stressed. All parents and caregivers need help.

Comfort them. Comfort your baby when they get fussy or cry. They might be tired, hungry, or uncomfortable. Try rocking them or singing a lullaby. It will take time to learn what works best.
Respond to them. Answer your baby in a loving voice when they make a sound or movement.
Play together. Hold your baby close, smile, and make silly sounds or faces. Play games like “peek-a-boo.” Take a break if they seem overwhelmed or try to look away.
Have consistent times and ways of doing daily activities like feeding, bathing, reading, and bedtime. Routines help babies and young children feel safe and know what to expect. They also help adults manage stress.

Snuggle up. Hug and cuddle with your toddler so they feel safe and loved.
Involve them. Invite your toddler to help with everyday tasks, like handing you clothes for the laundry.
Talk about feelings. Help your child describe how they feel. Let them know that all feelings are OK, and that you are there for them when they are happy or upset.
Offer choices. Offer choices like what to wear or eat, but give a limited number of options. For example, “It’s time for a snack. Do you want an apple or grapes?”

Read regularly and with expression. Your baby won’t understand for a while, but that’s fine. They will hear your voice, see the pictures, and develop good feelings about books.
Keep it simple. Board books with hard covers and thick pages are made especially for babies. Choose books that are short and have simple, bright pictures.
Snuggle up. Hold your baby in your lap so they feel cozy and can see the pictures.
Describe the pictures. It’s not important to read all—or any—of the words. Point to the pictures and describe the colors, shapes, and what the characters are doing.

Have a routine. Try to read together every day. Before bed is a great time to read, but choose a time of day that works best for your family.
Change your voice. Try different voices for different characters.
Help them follow along. Point to the words and pictures. Talk about the colors, shapes, and what the characters are doing.
Ask questions. “What do you think will happen next?” or “Why is the girl happy?” Respond to your child’s comments and questions. Show your interest in their ideas.

Read and Discuss Stories

Reading turns kids into confident thinkers. Make books a regular part of your relationship from the very beginning. With infants, point at the pictures and speak with excitement. With toddlers, just make it fun.

Talk, Sing, and Point

Babies learn language from the moment they are born. Respond to their sounds, and later, their words. Connect with eye contact and a loving tone of voice, while pointing to help them know what you are talking about.

Talk a lot. Talk to your baby from the time they are born during activities like changing, feeding, bathing, and errands. Describe what you are doing.
Use a playful voice. Smile and look into your baby’s eyes. Exaggerate the sounds of words.
Go back and forth. When your baby makes a sound, show excitement on your face and in your voice. Respond with words. See how long you can keep the “conversation” going back and forth between the two of you.
Point to objects. Point to objects and name them—especially the things that seem to interest your baby.

Describe life. Talk about the everyday things you see and do together. Most things are new and interesting to a toddler!
Use your hands. Point to the objects you talk about. Encourage your child to point to objects that you name.
Expand on what your child says. For example, if they point to a dog and say, “Doggie,” you can reply, “Yes, that is a doggie. It’s brown and soft.”
Sing. Sing songs and recite nursery rhymes from your childhood, from books, or make up new ones. Your toddler may especially enjoy the ones with rhyming sounds or hand motions. Try singing the same song whenever it’s time for a special activity like bath time.
Use any language. Speak in whatever language you are most comfortable. All languages help children’s development. It’s great if your child grows up speaking more than one language!