How many times have you heard that parenting is the hardest job you will ever do? Parenting is challenging, even when your own parents did an outstanding job raising you. If you were raised in a dysfunctional environment, it's difficult to overcome those barriers and practice healthier parenting techniques.

After-school activities are an excellent way for kids to explore their interests and make friends. However, not all children like sports or clubs. Fortunately, the world is a big place, and you're sure to find a hobby your kids love with these outside-the-box suggestions from Endless Discoveries Child Development Center. After-school activities are an excellent way for kids to explore their interests and make friends. However, not all children like sports or clubs. Fortunately, the world is a big place, and you're sure to find a hobby your kids love with these outside-the-box suggestions from Endless Discoveries Child Development Center.

Making friends is an important part of a child's social and emotional development. Friendships help kids build self-esteem and confidence, may provide a protective barrier against bullying, and teach important life skills such as cooperation.

Every child has the right to decide who they feel comfortable hugging and when. It's important to give your child permission to politely say no if they don't want to hug or kiss someone. Help them find words to be able to express politely that they don't want to hug someone, such as "No thank you," "High five!," or "Fist bump instead?"

Give toddlers some crayons, and they start scribbling randomly. The more they scribble, the more they are able to control the crayon and its movements across the paper. As they learn to control their scribbling, they start creating shapes, which eventually become the shapes necessary to write the letters of the alphabet.

Every child is unique regardless of abilities or disabilities. Children born with Down syndrome may not reach milestones on the same schedule as other children, but that shouldn't diminish their accomplishments.

Whether you choose public school, private school or homeschooling, there are ways that parents can make learning fun for their children by presenting subject matter naturally based on the child's interests.

Peanut allergy is one of the most common causes of severe allergy attacks. For some people with peanut allergy, even tiny amounts of peanuts can cause a serious reaction that can even be life-threatening. For the safety of all children enrolled at Endless Discoveries, we strictly prohibit any food made with nut products.

Your 2-year-old is definitely a challenge, and your 4-year-old knows how to try your patience, but they're nothing compared to your 8-year-old with unlimited attitude.

Every parent feels the dread of leaving a crying toddler with a caregiver, but there are effective ways to prepare your child for time away from mom and dad. Until he learns that he can rely on people other than family and feel completely safe when you leave, your child will likely protest even brief separations.

What exactly are gross motor skills? Gross motor skills are the abilities to move the large muscles in the body, such as the arms, legs and torso. Since every child develops at a different rate, our teachers make use of outdoor play to help children develop strength and agility, whether they are crawling, walking or running.

Children look forward to Circle Time at Endless Discoveries Saginaw and Endless Discoveries Glen Rose, and we hope parents hear how much they enjoy it. This is a time for important social interactions and developing positive relationships through fun and engaging activities. It's also an opportunity for the teacher to address issues such as excessive talking because Circle Time structured activities keep kids occupied.

The staff at Endless Discoveries Child Development Center in Glen Rose and Saginaw are experts in the world of toys because we can observe children of all ages selecting their favorite toys on a daily basis. You might be surprised at the most sought-after toys in the classrooms.

If your child misbehaves, stay calm and give him clear instruction to stop misbehaving. “Stop throwing. Play with the toy on the floor.”

Is it possible to have a career and be actively involved with your family? Many moms have proven this is not only possible but also rewarding. Here are a few tips to make the “juggling act” a little easier.

What does the term “Free-Range Parenting” mean to you? It isn’t about being permissive or uninvolved. It’s about allowing kids to have the freedom to experience the natural consequences of their behavior. It’s also about ensuring kids have the skills they need to become responsible adults.

If we surround ourselves with people who are just like us, we have a tendency to have less empathy for others who are different. Empathy can be developed, and as parents, we have a responsibility to our children to guide them toward understanding how others feel and being compassionate. The core of empathy is curiosity, so when your child is curious about someone who is different, help him see the value in that person.

Self-care is a tool often used for adults to reset and prioritize their mental health, but it’s important for young people to have that same opportunity. As a parent, you can look for ways to make self-care activities part of your daily routine in order to model those behaviors to the children. Self-care is a tool often used for adults to reset and prioritize their mental health, but it’s important for young people to have that same opportunity. As a parent, you can look for ways to make self-care activities part of your daily routine in order to model those behaviors to the children. From learning how to take care of the mind and body to practicing gratitude, there are multiple ways for both parents and kids to adopt self-care activities. Here are a few tips from Endless Discoveries Child Development Center on getting started.

This summer has been a scorcher in Texas, and dehydration is a serious health concern for all ages. The best drink choice for children over the age of 6 months is water. The health benefits of drinking enough water are innumerable, and kids should be encouraged to choose water instead of juice or soft drinks.

Pre-teen years can be challenging for parents as children are striving for more independence. One thing that is really important is a nutritious diet, and it is especially critical for a tween's overall physical and mental health. Pre-teens often have fluctuations in appetite, so try to provide a variety of healthy foods, and let them make choices on their own. Limit the snacks in the pantry, and encourage your tween to drink water instead of soft drinks.

Our goal as parents should be to guide our children toward self-sufficiency and independence. Life lessons can start when they are very young with age-appropriate chores. Allowing a toddler to help match socks gives them a sense of accomplishment. Waiting until the child is a teenager to teach basic life skills often is not effective, and the child ends up feeling overwhelmed by daily responsibilities.

Children who are determined to do things their way are often labeled “bad kids.” However, their tenacity will serve them well in life, and it’s your job as a parent to channel their energy into something positive. Children who are determined to do things their way are often labeled “bad kids.” However, their tenacity will serve them well in life, and it’s your job as a parent to channel their energy into something positive.

April is National Autism Awareness Month, and whether you have an autistic child in your family or you know a family with an autistic child, basic parenting techniques are effective with all children.

During the month of March, schools across the nation celebrate National Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM). Help us celebrate Music in Our School Month by bringing an instrument from home on Friday, March 25! During the month of March, schools across the nation celebrate National Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM). MIOSM's purpose is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children. A study at the University of Southern California’s Brain and Creativity Institute found that listening to music in childhood can actually accelerate brain development, particularly in the areas of language acquisition and reading skills. Incorporating music into play and early childhood routines helps them learn sounds and the meanings of words. Studies also indicate that learning to play an instrument may actually improve mathematical learning and even increase test scores for older kids. But other than the positive brain benefits of music. singing, dancing, and reading nursery…