Play is accepted as a universal theory of development, meaning that across time (within the era of early childhood developmental social science) and space (across the globe), children learn primarily through play. There are five distinct types of play that each play a different role in cognitive and social growth. Physical Play: Physical skills and… Read more

At Crème, we see teamwork as a component in all areas of learning…  …but when is it reasonable to expect children to work as a team member? How is teamwork fostered? How can we tell if children are really grasping that concept?  Teamwork is a social construct that involves cognitive development before it can really… Read more

Sometimes we forget how hard it can be to be very young; how the demands of adults to “behave”, “share,” and “cooperate” can be overwhelming when these fundamental skills of a civilized society do not yet make much sense to a young mind. Why do I always have to act a certain way? I’m having… Read more

Every parent hopes to raise a child that is socially intelligent and apt to help others in need, but how does that happen, and how can parents and teachers promote prosocial behavior in their children at home and school? What are the right expectations? Caregivers lay the foundation for children’s emotional repertoire, beginning with touch,… Read more

From sporting events to iPads, children are bombarded with stimuli from their environment. In this digital age, children’s downtime is filled with television or other digital devices that offer entertainment that can stunt imagination and cognitive growth. As a mom, I want my children happy and active, of course, but as an educator and development… Read more

What is really happening during this time, and its impact on children’s development? Back to school is among us, and to parents it can mean different things. For parents of older children, it means back to routines that help shape their daily lives, provide the social interactions that they need to be well rounded people,… Read more

Education and teaching tools are always evolving, so it is up to school leaders to decipher what is simply a trend, and what is true innovation. Over the past several years S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) programs have boomed, reaching every level of the education field, from preschool to college. Even more recently, S.T.E.A.M. programs… Read more

We all want our children and students to be confident. But what does confident mean, and how do we purposefully instill it in children? Confidence is an attribute of emotional intelligence that means a person can trust in someone, or feel certain about something because it is tried and true. As one might imagine, this… Read more