Parent Resources - Little Sunshine's Playhouse

June 19, 2026

Play Based Learning is the Secret to Kindergarten Readiness

Picture a four-year-old sitting at a kitchen table in the spring before kindergarten, working through a worksheet. Her parent sits beside her, pointing to letters, counting out numbers, running through flashcards. There is love in this scene. There is also anxiety. The quiet, persistent worry that kindergarten is coming and the window to prepare is […]

June 10, 2026

The Difference a Hands-On Dad Makes: What Early Childhood Research Shows

We want to share what research actually says, and why the role of a father in a family during these early years matters more than most people realize. The science on the importance of dads in early childhood has grown significantly over the past two decades, and the findings are consistently clear: when fathers are […]

March 18, 2026

Principles of Reggio Emilia: Children Are Natural Communicators

By Stephanie Rino, Director of Curriculum and Learning From the moment they enter the world, children are communicating. Even before strong verbal language develops, children are constantly expressing ideas, feelings, and discoveries. Communication is one of the most natural parts of early childhood. In a Reggio Emilia preschool, this understanding forms an essential foundation of […]

March 4, 2026

Gentle Parenting Is Getting a Bad Rap. Here’s What It Really Means.

If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the debates. “Gentle parenting doesn’t work.” “It creates entitled children.” “It’s just permissive parenting with a new name.” Gentle parenting has been showing up in headlines and comment sections everywhere, and not always in a positive light. For many families, the conversation has […]

February 23, 2026

Principles of Reggio Emilia: How Learning Thrives Through Collaboration

By Stephanie Rino, Director of Curriculum and Learning Hello, I’m Stephanie Rino, Director of Curriculum and Learning at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse. As a longtime Reggio Emilia–inspired educator, I’ve spent much of my career observing how children make meaning together, through shared questions, collective problem-solving, and moments of genuine connection. Collaboration has always been one of […]

February 18, 2026

Reggio vs Montessori: Understanding Two Popular Preschool Approaches

Choosing a preschool can feel overwhelming. There are tours to schedule, questions to ask, and—perhaps most confusing of all—educational philosophies to compare. Two names parents often encounter are Reggio Emilia and Montessori. While both approaches are respected, research-informed, and centered on children, they differ in meaningful ways. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering Reggio vs […]

January 29, 2026

Principles of Reggio Emilia: Children Are Active Participants in Their Learning

By Stephanie Rino, Director of Curriculum and Learning Walk into a thoughtfully designed Reggio Emilia preschool, and one thing becomes immediately clear: children are not sitting quietly waiting to be told what to do next. They are moving, wondering, questioning, building, negotiating, experimenting, and—yes—sometimes making a mess. This is not accidental. It is foundational. As […]

January 12, 2026

Let’s Talk Screen Time for Kids (Alternatives, Pros, Cons, and Everything Else)

Screens have slowly become a part of modern childhood. From television shows and tablets to phones used for video calls and learning apps, digital media is woven into daily life. For parents, the challenge often isn’t whether screens exist. It’s how to manage screen time for kids in a way that supports healthy development without […]

December 16, 2025

Winter Activities for Kids: Keeping Children Learning, Moving, and Thriving All Season Long

Winter brings a beautiful shift in the seasons. It’s full of shorter days, colder temperatures, and a slower pace for many families. While winter often means cozy mornings and holiday traditions, it can also create challenges for keeping young children active, engaged, and learning. That is why thoughtful winter activities for kids play such an […]