Dr. Deb Zupito The first few weeks of preschool can be emotional, and not just for the children. There are tears, hesitant little feet, children wrapped around a parent's leg, and parents standing at the door wondering whether they should offer one more hug, one more kiss, or one more minute. Sometimes there is that heartbreaking little face looking back at you as if to say, You are seriously leaving me here? As parents, every instinct in us wants to make that discomfort go a

By: Dr. Deb Zupito There is something about the end of summer that signals change. Backpacks appear in stores, older siblings head back to school, classrooms begin new themes and routines, and suddenly everyone seems to be talking about what comes next. For many preschoolers, their actual days may not change very much. They may have attended preschool throughout the summer. They may still wake up at the same time, walk through the same doors, and see many of the same familiar

Dr. Deb Zupito Most parents never get to see what a preschool classroom looks like once the day is fully underway. If you could peek inside an hour after the morning begins, you would likely see children proudly creating colorful masterpieces, someone carefully building an impressive block tower, a teacher comforting a child who needed a little extra reassurance, while another patiently helps tiny hands learn to zip a jacket. Music drifts through the room. Children chatter wi

Why the Simplest Summer Moments May Be Shaping Your Child's Brain the Most Dr. Deb Zupito There is something magical about a popsicle on a hot summer afternoon. It begins perfectly frozen, bright, colorful, and full of possibility. Children race outside with excitement, taking big bites before the first drop lands on their hands. Then, almost without warning, it begins to melt. No matter how carefully you try to slow it down, summer sunshine always wins. Childhood melts away

Dr. Deb Zupito The cubbies are cleaned out and ready for summer. The walls are bare, waiting for the masterpieces that will soon take their place. New routines are settling in, sunscreen is being applied, outdoor water play is returning, and anticipation is building. As educators, we know these small changes signal something special. Summer has arrived, bringing with it endless opportunities for exploration, discovery, friendship, and fun. While the school year may have ended

Dr. Deb Zupito As another preschool year comes to a close, our hearts are full. There is something incredibly special about being a preschool educator. We are given a front row seat to some of the most important years of a child's life. We watch children arrive with wide eyes and nervous smiles, and over the course of a year, we witness remarkable growth. We see confidence emerge, friendships form, language blossom, and independence take root. We celebrate first successes, co