child development

The Importance of Traditional Play in a Digital World

Play comes naturally to kids. They use it as a way to express their feelings and learn new things. But in the age of electronics we live in, video games and screens can take over a child’s free time. Screen-free, or traditional play, offers benefits kids just don't get from playing on an iPad or on the latest game console.

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5 Ways to Help Your Child Build Friendships

For many kids building friendships comes as naturally as breathing in air or waking up in the morning. For others, the process is filled with landmines of fear, anxiety and discouragement. Experts agree that friendship-building is a skill – it can be learned. And parents can help their kids develop the social skills that help make friendship building come more naturally.

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Purposeful Parenting

Parents serve as developmental guides for their children. Each child is unique and brings along a profile of strengths, weaknesses and biologically driven inclinations to this relationship. Parents scramble, often unsuccessfully, to find the best way to help or guide their children. They can end up blamed - but not trained - for their child's behavior. 

This free presentation will aid parents in decoding the messages behind a child's behavior, understanding how children really think and feel, and reducing the number of needless parent/child conflicts.

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BlockFest Play Date

This family-centered play date, sponsored by Parents as Teachers, is designed for parents and their children ages 6 months to 3rd grade. At the block party stations, you'll explore early math and science skills together with your child. At the nature stations, children will do hands-on activities that stimulate their curiosity and understanding of the world around them. Other actitivies include music and a playground.

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Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Sunday, August 3, 2025

See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.

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Sunflower Festival at Eckert Farms in Belleville
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Sunday, August 3, 2025

Immerse yourself in a vibrant sea of sunflowers at Eckerts Sunflower Festival. There will be a variety of activities for all ages, like mini photo sessions, face painting, local vendors, a coffee truck, and of course, wandering through the beautiful 2-acre sunflower fields.

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Baby Art Crawl
Saturday, August 2, 2025

Your baby can paint and scribble with other babies and create a big fun mess at the Baby Art Crawl. This free, one-hour event is sponsored by the St. Louis County Library.

 

 

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Popular Stories

Why Summer Camp is Great for . . . Parents

Being able to focus on yourself, your partner, and other people in your life who mean a lot to you is no small matter. As parents, we’re used to being responsible providers and caregivers. However, there’s so much more to a person: we’re also partners and friends. These are important parts of our identities that we need to cultivate. Sending your kids to summer camp may bring out your more playful side that you haven’t shown for a while.

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City Museum's Stuff the Bus Campaign Provides School Supplies for 160 St. Louis Schools

Visit City Museum August 4-17, bring school supplies to donate, and get discounted admission! That's the idea behind City Museum's Stuff the Bus campaign.

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7 Signs Your Kids Are Ready For Their First Sleepaway Camp

It’s time to decide whether to send your kids to sleepaway camp, but how do you know that's the right thing to do? How can you tell whether your kids are ready for their first extended stay away from home? Here are 7 important signs that experts say should inform your decision.

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Want Your Kids to Learn? Teach Them It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

It’s normal for parents to want to protect their children from failure. It’s also normal to want them to achieve, win, and do their best. But here’s the truth: We don’t learn anything new without making mistakes. I’ll say it again. Making mistakes is a crucial step in learning. If we’re fearful of making mistakes, learning comes to a screeching halt.

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10 Ways to Improve Your Child's Listening Skills

Focused listening is one of the most important skills your child will ever learn. Children with strong listening skills do better in school, sports, relationships and, eventually, in their careers. But many children lack this important skill and parents are rightly concerned. First, listening is much more than just hearing.

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