Providing a Safe Space

With the increase in both parents working outside the home during the last two decades, infants and toddlers are spending more time together in infant/toddler programs and family child-care homes. From Biting to Hugging will give you effective strategies to help you take advantage of this peer time. Enhance the quality of peer experiences in infant/toddler group settings. Create responsive adult-child relationships and environments. Encourage positive social emotional development and learning. Teach… More »

Each chapter describes an issue that infants face every day, making this a perfect resource for all infant providers. There are scenarios that illustrate the challenges and suggest solutions to meet baby's needs while learning about the developmental stages. This hands-on resource is for infants 6 weeks to 18 months old and for your resource library.

A young child's brain is uniquely sensitive to the effects of stress and trauma, which can have detrimental, long-term developmental impact. "Helping Them Heal" provides answers, ideas, and specific classroom strategies to move trauma-affected children in positive directions. Educators will learn ways to help children build resilience, self-regulation, and self-competence using this sensitive, supportive, and practical guide. Paperback. 192 pages.

3 years & up. Each cushion is printed with facial expressions to encourage children to identify and express their emotions. Children can sit on different cushions throughout the day or week to define their emotions. These Social Emotional Cushions are made of durable wipe clean vinyl. Set of six cushions. Each cushion measures 16" diameter. One year warranty.

3 years & up. This cuddly pal will help children identify and feel comfortable with their emotions. Introducing facial vocabulary helps children understand how they feel moment to moment, day to day. Feelings Friend has an assortment of facial features in its front pouch and includes illustrated emotion cards, conversation starters, and a social-emotional development guide. Measures 12" high.

3 years & up. Children can move through a space at their own pace when provided with the right affordances. Create smoother transitions between areas in the classroom, in hallways, and in transitional spaces like entryways using The Carolina Connections Explorer Rail. Curved rails at two different heights support children who are sitting or standing, offering increased mobility and inclusive experiences. Unit features a plywood back panel and an easy-to-clean, heavy-duty plastic rail, making… More »

3 years and up. The intentional design of the Carolina Connections Collaborative Easel provides a one-of-a-kind art experience that accommodates all children. The unique curved design supports children's movement through the classroom at their own pace and encourages exploration while also creating a beautiful space inspired by the organic curves found in nature. A clear acrylic art surface encourages children to interact and create together while maintaining a comfortable distance that avoids overstimulation.… More »

3 years & up. Children can move through a space at their own pace when provided with the right affordances. Create smoother transitions between areas in the classroom, in hallways, and in transitional spaces like entryways using The Carolina Connections Explorer Rail. Curved rails at two different heights support children who are sitting or standing, offering increased mobility and inclusive experiences. The addition of a mirror helps children increase their spatial and self-awareness, intellectual… More »

18 months & up. Children can engage in a historic cultural journey while playing with the eight Around the World Dolls. These 5" figures represent four males and four females dressed in traditional clothing from seven various cultures distinctly represented in this set of dolls. These dolls are great for storytelling and will help children introduce diversity to pretend play by exploring a different culture. 8 pieces.

3 years & up. Help young children grasp the complex world of emotions with the Understanding Feelings Learning Kit. Understanding terms like "happy," "sad," "angry," and "scared" helps children articulate their experiences and communicate their needs to others. This kit teaches children about emotions in a variety of ways including cards, figures, and a book. The materials in this kit will empower caregivers to create solid social-emotional foundations… More »

4 years & up. Make any moment mindful from morning to night with five categories of cards, designed to fit into each part of the day. Whimsical full-color illustrations on both sides of the cards provide easy-to-follow steps for each practice. The cards and 8-page instructional booklet include tips for children of a wide range of abilities, making this deck an inclusive tool for nurturing inner peace and strength. Includes 50 double-sided cards and 8-page booklet. Cards measure 4.96" x 6.97".

3 years & up. Manimo® weighted plush animals provide children with a sensory stimulation and soothing effect. These plush companions were designed to help children remain attentive and focused during their daily activities. Alleviating excess energy while providing deep pressure sensations. The weighted animals are soft and pliable and can be placed either on the child's shoulders, waist, thighs or stomach to stimulate rest and/or concentration. Recommended usage time is 15-20-minutes, preferably… More »

Birth & up. Young children will enjoy looking at images of themselves, friends, and family in this soft and durable photo mat. Photos often contain a variety of colors and shapes, which can help infants develop their visual discrimination skills. Viewing photos helps infants build their memory skills as they begin to recognize familiar faces, objects, and settings. Photos that capture different facial expressions and emotions can help infants begin to understand and recognize various emotional… More »

3 years & up. Worry no more! These tactile stones have been designed to soothe, calm and help children focus. A range of textures, shapes, and natural colors stimulates many senses of users. Stones are made out of stone and are durable enough to weather the outdoors. The set includes 12 stones: two each of six designs measuring between 2"-3"each.

Birth & up. These plush ocean animals are ready to give lots of soft, snuggly hugs. Just spread their arms open wide, give the chest a little squeeze, and watch the arms instantly snap around to give you a hug. These ocean animals can hug around your wrist, backpack, and so much more. Surface washable. Size: 8". Animals may vary.

3 - 7 years. Each book helps young children learn about their different feelings and why they have them. Understanding their own emotions is the first step by showing examples of what it feels like, looks like, and how to deal with your feelings in all situations. Set of 6.

3 years & up. Set of 14 children's books that help promote resilience. Please note: book titles may change due to availability. We will only substitute book titles of the same value and purpose.

4 years & up. Help children understand their value and worth no matter who they are! Each book in this inclusive set shows children that who they are is perfect no matter the color of their skin, what they wear, or their religion. These inspiring stories will encourage children to see the best in other people and be empowered by the uniqueness in others and themselves. Hardcover. Set of 4.

12 months & up. This empowering book series celebrates toddlers and the world around them. Each story is a confidence-booster and encourages children to master various skills and celebrate the joy of learning new things. Set of 4 board books.

Birth & up. These zoo animals are ready to give lots of soft, snuggly hugs. Just spread their arms open wide, give the chest a little squeeze, and watch the arms instantly snap around to give you a hug. Animals can hug around your wrist, backpack, and so much more. Surface washable. Size: 8". Animals may vary.

12 months & up. This bilingual board book series explains early manners and emotions with simple words and images, illustrating ways to cope with frustration, anger or sadness.

3 years & up. Teach your children about the importance of compassion with this fun Friends & Neighbors: The Helping Game to Encourage Empathy and Cooperation. This matching game promotes working together and collaborative play. In playing the game and reading about the feelings and needs of the characters, children will begin to recognize feelings in others, the first step to building empathy. This game includes 4 game boards, tokens, a helping bag, a guide, and a story book. For 1-4 players.

3 years & up. The Mindfulness Matters book set shows children how they can use mindfulness to help them be calm, regulate emotions, and better their day through breathing techniques and exercise. They can blow away angry thoughts, maintain focus, breathe slowly like an elephant, or relax with a belly breath. Regular practice of mindful breathing can build resilience to life's challenges by fostering a greater sense of inner strength and resourcefulness and social emotional health. Mindful breathing… More »

A teacher interacts with the children all day long. It's how the warm and responsive relationships in which young children learn best are built. But interactions in which teachers intentionally promote learning can be few and far between. A "Powerful Interaction" may last only a few minutes, but in that time the teacher tunes out any distractions, tunes into the child, and then presents a learning experience tailored to that child at that moment. This book with guild you through three… More »