Reading with young children is one of the best ways to boost language development, build imagination, and create cozy, meaningful family traditions — especially around seasonal themes and holidays.

Here are book recommendations for early preschool age children tied to January, February, and March celebrations and seasons.

January Books — New Year, Winter, & Inclusion

January is a time of fresh starts and snowy fun and perfect for cozy reading.

1. “Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution” by Pat Miller: A tender story about setting goals and being true to yourself.
2. “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats: A classic celebration of winter exploration and childlike wonder.

The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that shared reading builds vocabulary and bonding.

February Books — Love, Families, and Kindness

February brings Valentine’s Day and a focus on caring, friendship, and connection.

1. “Llama Llama I Love You” by Anna Dewdney: A rhythmic, joyful story about affection and family bonds.
2. “Love, Splat” by Rob Scotton: A funny, sweet story about friendship and feelings.

These books help children explore:  Emotions, Empathy, Friendship language.  Reading together supports emotional intelligence and attachment.

March Books — Spring, St. Patrick’s Day, and New Growth

As winter turns to spring, themes of growth, luck, and nature emerge.

1. “Little Pea” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal: A playful story about patience, family, and celebrating uniqueness.

2. “Planting a Rainbow” by Lois Ehlert: A vibrant, sensory book about colors, nature, and the joy of growing gardens.

Spring reading supports curiosity about nature and introduces key science concepts in preschool years.

How to Read With Your Preschooler

Shared reading isn’t just about finishing a book. It’s about:

• Talking about pictures
• Asking open-ended questions (“What do you think will happen next?”)
• Relating stories to real life

The National Institute for Literacy notes that interactive reading builds emergent literacy skills.

Seasonal Reading Rituals You Can Try

Family reading traditions make books memorable:

• Winter Storytime Wednesdays
• Valentine’s Day “I Love You” book exchange
• Spring garden reading picnic

These moments strengthen language skills and deepen attachment.

Encourage a Love of Books

These early reading experiences set the stage for lifelong literacy and joy. By connecting seasonal books with meaningful activities, children build vocabulary, imagination, and confidence.

Share your favorite holiday books with us and visit Centerville Childcare to see how we support early literacy every day!

We often think of academics when we think of “prepared for school,” but research shows that social and emotional development comes first. Children learn best when they feel safe, connected, and confident.  At Centerville Childcare, we nurture social and emotional growth because it lays the foundation for everything that comes next like academically, socially, and personally.

What Are Social and Emotional Skills?

Social-emotional skills help children:

• Recognize and name emotions
• Regulate behavior
• Communicate with others
• Build friendships

According to Zero to Three, early emotional development influences learning, behavior, and success later in life.  These skills are critical before children ever sit down for formal academics.

How Childcare Supports Emotional Growth

High-quality childcare provides:

• Consistent routines
• Responsive relationships
• Guided peer interactions
• Opportunities to practice turn-taking and sharing

The CDC notes that safe, nurturing environments help children build resilience and confidence in navigating emotions.  At Centerville Childcare, teachers model empathy, help children label feelings, and guide social problem-solving daily.

• Learning in Everyday Moments: Social-emotional development isn’t a lesson.  it’s embedded in everyday moments:
• Conflict and Resolution: When two children want the same toy, teachers guide them in using words, taking turns, and expressing needs.
• Transitions: Routines like cleanup time build cooperation and responsibility.
• Group Activities: Projects and cooperative play build negotiation, patience, and collaboration.

These real interactions prepare children for school and relationships.

Partnering With Families

Children thrive when caregivers and families work together.  The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes that family-provider communication enhances social and emotional development.  We share daily insights, strategies, and milestones with families — creating consistency between home and childcare.

Practical Tips for Home

Parents can nurture social-emotional skills by:

• Encouraging labeling of feelings
• Giving choices (“Do you want red or blue paint?”)
• Reading books about emotions
• Modeling calm communication

These practices help children navigate their world with confidence.  Schedule a tour and see how we support social-emotional growth daily!

As we step into 2026, all of us at Centerville Childcare want to extend our warmest wishes to your family. The start of a new year is always a moment of reflection and hope. This year, we are especially grateful for the trust, partnership, and community we’ve built with you. Because of the wonderful families who walk through our doors each day, Centerville Childcare continues to thrive as a place where little learners feel safe, celebrated, and inspired.

Looking ahead to 2026, we are excited to open enrollment for new families and welcome returning families to another year of discovery. Your children are the heartbeat of our center, and their laughter, creativity, and curiosity are what make our classrooms come alive. We also know that many of our new families find us through you. Your kind words, recommendations, and shared experiences online make a difference for our daycare. Thank you for helping Centerville Childcare community grow stronger every year.

Celebrating a Year of Learning, Love, and Milestones

This past year overflowed with memorable moments. From the photos shared on our Facebook page to the learning spotlights featured on our blog, our students were busy exploring, experimenting, playing, and building meaningful connections. Some of the highlights included:

• Seasonal activities like fall nature walks, pumpkin investigations, holiday art, and spring garden explorations
• STEM-rich invitations to play, from simple science experiments to building challenges
• Literacy moments rooted in read-alouds, rhyming fun, and early writing exploration
• Sensory-friendly activities that helped children regulate, engage, and express themselves
• Social-emotional learning, a major focus this year, supported through friendship-building, conflict resolution practice, and daily routines
• Family events, where parents joined the fun and strengthened the partnership that makes our center so special

Every activity shared in our posts from fingerpaint masterpieces to teamwork-based STEM challenges that reflect the heart of Centerville Childcare: children learn best when they feel loved, supported, and encouraged to explore.

A Center That Grows With Your Child

One of the most common pieces of feedback we hear from families is how much their children grow in independence, confidence, and readiness for future learning. Parents often share stories like:

• “My child comes home excited to tell me what they learned today!”
• “I’m amazed at how much their confidence has grown.”
• “Centerville feels like an extended family.”

These words mean so much to us. They reflect our commitment to offering high-quality childcare and early childhood education rooted in warmth, structure, and purposeful play.  Whether your child is building early math skills with manipulatives, exploring literacy through stories and songs, or developing fine motor strength through art and hands-on work, our teaching team thoughtfully designs every moment to support the whole child.

Why Enrollment for 2026 Matters Now

As our Facebook community knows, we often fill spots quickly and sometimes months in advance. Families appreciate our small-group attention, nurturing approach, and focus on developmental milestones, and it’s no surprise our enrollment inquiries rise long before the new year begins.

If your family is hoping to join us or return for another exciting year then now is the time to secure your space for 2026.

Why enroll early?

• Guaranteed placement in your preferred classroom
• Consistent care and routine for your child
• Smooth transitions supported by our dedicated team
• The peace of mind that comes from knowing your child is learning and thriving

We encourage both current and prospective families to reach out, take a tour, or speak with our director about availability.

Your Recommendations Help Our Center Grow

Word-of-mouth continues to be the most meaningful way new families discover Centerville Childcare. When you tell a friend, neighbor, or coworker about your experience, it makes a difference.

If you’ve loved being part of our community, here are a few ways to help others find us:

• Share your story on Facebook or Google reviews
• Recommend us to expecting parents or families new to the area
• Invite friends to tour the center with you
• Share our blog posts to help families learn more about early childhood education

Every comment, review, or shared post has helped another family feel confident choosing us and we are deeply thankful.

Looking Ahead: Big Things Coming in 2026

The new year brings fresh themes, new curriculum enrichments, seasonal celebrations, and more opportunities for your children to shine. We are excited to expand on:

• Hands-on STEM projects
• Nature-based learning
• Early literacy routines
• Creative arts exploration
• Family engagement events
• Social-emotional skill building

We are committed to keeping our families informed and inspired with continued blog posts, social posts, and newsletters that support you at home and strengthen the connection between school and family.

Thank You for a Wonderful Year

From every teacher, classroom aide, and staff member at Centerville Childcare: Thank you for making this year one filled with joy, memories, and meaningful growth. Your partnership is what makes our center extraordinary.

We are honored to care for your children, support your family, and be part of your daily life.
We can’t wait to grow, learn, and celebrate with you in 2026.

Happy New Year and here’s to a bright, beautiful year ahead at Centerville Childcare!

A new year brings a feeling of renewal! We look forward to fresh routines, new hopes, and the chance to build healthy habits as a family. Even though infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are too young for traditional goal-setting, they can still participate in simple, developmentally appropriate resolutions. When these resolutions focus on connection, curiosity, and small daily habits, they create a foundation of confidence and resilience that lasts long beyond January.

At Centerville Child Development Center, we believe that resolutions are not about perfection. They are about trying new things, practicing small skills, and celebrating progress along the way.

Explaining Resolutions to Young Children

Because young children learn through repetition, modeling, and play, resolutions should be introduced in simple language they can visualize. You might say, “A resolution is something we want to practice this year,” or, “It’s like choosing a new superpower to get better at.” Preschoolers understand the concept best through examples and routines, while toddlers grasp it through pictures and short phrases.  Children do not need large or long-term goals. What they do understand is consistency, encouragement, and being included in family activities. Explaining resolutions in a positive, playful way helps them feel excited about being part of something new and meaningful.

Developmentally Friendly Resolutions

One meaningful resolution for families with young children is establishing a daily reading ritual. Setting aside even ten minutes a day to read together strengthens vocabulary, increases attention span, and deepens emotional bonds. You might create a cozy reading corner or keep a basket of rotating books where little hands can easily reach them. Children quickly begin to look forward to this special part of the day.

Another wonderful resolution is planning a monthly nature adventure. This could be a simple walk around the neighborhood, a visit to a new playground, or a small hike on a local trail. Outdoor exploration encourages curiosity, physical development, and imaginative play. Letting your preschooler help choose the monthly destination can make the experience even more exciting.

Families with young children may also enjoy creating a “helper of the day” routine. Little ones love to feel capable and included.  By assigning small tasks like putting books back on the shelf, helping set the table, or watering a plant your child can build independence and responsibility. These tiny moments of contribution boost confidence and help children feel like valued members of the household.

A kindness-focused resolution is another simple and meaningful option. Families can choose one small act of kindness each week, such as drawing a picture for a neighbor, helping a sibling clean up, or practicing saying “thank you” to teachers and caregivers. Even toddlers can participate by practicing gentle hands or learning simple phrases like “please” and “thank you.” Over time, children begin to associate kindness with joy and connection.

Movement resolutions are also excellent for young children. A short family dance party, a few minutes of stretching, or silly balance challenges can become a playful part of the daily routine. These bursts of movement support emotional regulation, brain development, and physical health while giving families a chance to laugh and connect.

Making Resolutions Successful

For children, the success of a resolution depends on repetition, encouragement, and a sense of fun rather than strict rules. Visuals such as simple charts, stickers, or pictures help young children see their progress in a concrete way. Keeping goals small ensures that children can participate without feeling overwhelmed.

Children are natural imitators, so modeling the resolution is essential. When parents read, move, practice kindness, or help around the house, children enthusiastically join in. Most importantly, turning resolutions into games, songs, or shared routines keeps the experience joyful. Small celebrations like high-fives, hugs, or warm praise can go a long way toward reinforcing positive habits.

Centerville Child Development Center’s New Year’s Resolution

This year, Centerville Child Development Center’s preschool class is setting a resolution that reflects our focus on emotional and social growth: we will practice kindness by using gentle hands, kind words, and helping our friends each day. Teachers will support this goal by reading books about friendship and feelings, talking about kindness during circle time, and celebrating children whenever they demonstrate caring behavior. A “kindness jar” in the classroom will fill up with pom-poms each time a child is spotted helping others, offering a visual reminder of how kindness grows when we practice it together.

Families who want to extend this resolution at home can start their own kindness jar or end the day by asking, “What was one kind thing you did today?” These small moments help children connect their feelings and actions in meaningful ways.

A Year Filled With Growth and Connection

New Year’s resolutions for young children don’t need to be complicated. By choosing simple, playful habits rooted in love, families can create traditions that support emotional growth, strengthen family bonds, and nurture developing minds. At Centerville Child Development Center, we look forward to a year filled with learning, laughter, and kindness and we’re excited to partner with your family as your child grows throughout the new year.

If your child is an angel for their daycare teacher yet collapses into tears or defiance the minute they see you, you’re not alone. In fact, this pattern is so common in childcare and early childhood education that specialists often jokingly call it the after-school meltdown. At Centerville Child Development Center and quality childcare centers everywhere, caregivers consistently observe children who follow routines, transition smoothly, and practice excellent self-control and only to “let it all out” as soon as they reunite with their parents.

This isn’t a sign of bad behavior. It’s a sign of healthy development.

Why Children Save Their Big Feelings for You

The simplest explanation is also the most beautiful: children feel safest with their parents.  When kids spend the day at daycare following routines, sharing toys, waiting their turn, using gentle words they are practicing skills that take tremendous emotional effort. Just like adults who “hold it together” at work, children hold in their feelings around teachers and peers.

When they finally get back to the person they feel most securely attached to, the emotional backpack comes off.  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), secure attachment creates the foundation for emotional expression and regulation. Children use their parents as a “safe base” to release stored stress.
In other words:  Acting out at home is actually a sign that your child feels deeply connected to you.

The Developmental Side: Self-Regulation Takes Practice

Young children, especially toddlers and preschoolers are still developing the parts of the brain responsible for:

• managing impulses
• delaying gratification
• expressing big emotions
• transitioning between tasks

These skills fall under self-regulation, which develops gradually from birth into the mid-20s.  High-quality early childhood environments like Centerville Child Development Center and many childcare centers help build these skills by offering predictable routines, consistent expectations, and small-group learning. Research from Zero to Three highlights that toddlers and preschoolers learn self-control through modeling and supportive relationships—not punishment.
Because children work so hard to practice these skills all day, their “emotional fuel tank” is often empty when they get home. The meltdown is simply the overflow.

When Is This Behavior Normal—and When Is It Not?

Most of the time, differences in behavior between home and daycare are 100% normal.

Healthy and typical signs include:

• Your child follows rules and routines well at daycare.
• Your child is affectionate, clingy, or emotional at pick-up.
• Your child has more tantrums, whining, or testing behaviors at home.
• Your child experiences a short adjustment period after big transitions (new baby, new class, schedule changes).

When to talk to a pediatrician or daycare director:

• Sudden aggressive behaviors lasting more than 2 weeks.
• Intense separation anxiety that worsens over time.
• Significant sleep regression or refusal to eat.
• Reports of ongoing dysregulation or frustration in the classroom.

These signs do not necessarily indicate something serious—but they are worth discussing with your childcare team.

How to Reduce the “Home Meltdown” Cycle

While you can’t completely eliminate the emotional release children feel at home, you can help ease the transition and teach coping tools.

1. Create a Soft Landing After Pickup: Kids need time to decompress just like adults. Consider:

• • • keeping the car ride quiet
    • offering a simple snack or water
    • giving them five minutes of quiet play before asking questions

Even a brief “reset” can prevent overwhelm.

2. Keep Evenings Predictable: Children thrive on routine, especially after a long day of stimulation. A simple, consistent structure—snack, playtime, dinner, bath, stories—lowers stress and provides emotional security.

3. Give Your Child “Connection First”: Before diving into chores or homework, spend 5–10 minutes offering warm attention: a hug, reading a short book, or sitting on the floor together.  Connection often leads to cooperation.

4. Use Gentle, Consistent Boundaries: Kids test limits most with the people they trust most—but they also feel safer when boundaries stay consistent.

Instead of reacting emotionally, try calm, predictable phrases:

• “You’re upset. I’m here to help.”
• “Let’s try again together.”
• “It’s okay to feel mad. It’s not okay to hit.”

A helpful resource on boundary-based parenting comes from Child Mind Institute:  https://childmind.org/article/how-setting-limits-can-help-your-child-learn-self-control/

5. Collaborate With Your Daycare Teacher: Aligning home-and-school approaches gives children a smooth, consistent experience.  Teachers at Centerville Child Development Center or your childcare center can share:

• strategies they use successfully
• words or cues your child responds to
• transition tools (songs, visuals, routines)

Can This Behavior Eventually Stop? Yes—but Gradually

As children grow, their capacity for emotional regulation improves. Most kids naturally outgrow the “after-school meltdown” phase as they:

• gain language skills
• learn problem-solving
• handle transitions more easily
• build emotional maturity

You can help speed this along by modeling calm regulation, giving your child safe ways to express feelings, and maintaining consistent routines.

A Final Encouragement for Working Parents

If your child “saves their hardest behavior for you,” it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.  It means you are home.  You are safe.  You are their soft place to land after a day of learning, growing, socializing, and striving toward independence.  With supportive routines, a little emotional awareness, and partnership with your childcare provider or Centerville Child Development Center, this challenging season not only gets better but it becomes a doorway to deeper connection.

The holiday season brings magic, warmth, and memory-making moments but it can also bring disrupted routines, big emotions, extra sugar, late nights, and unpredictable weather. For young children, these changes can make November and December feel overwhelming. At Centerville Child Development Center, we understand how much parents juggle this time of year, and we want to help you and your child not just survive, but truly thrive during the holiday season.

Here’s how to make the next two months easier on your family and smoother for your childcare team, too.

1. Protect the Power of Routine (Even When Holidays Get Busy): Children rely on predictability to feel safe and regulated. But during the holiday season, routines get tossed around like wrapping paper—late-night events, visitors, shopping trips, traveling, and classroom parties all disrupt the normal rhythm.  Predictability at home helps your child stay grounded at daycare, even when seasonal chaos increases.

What you can do:

• • • Keep wake-up and bedtime as consistent as possible.
    • Offer predictable meals and snacks even on busy days.
    • Maintain familiar morning routines before daycare.
    • Prep your child ahead of any changes (“Tonight we’ll be out late, but tomorrow we will get back to our normal schedule.”).

2. Dress Children for the Weather Even If It Feels Inconvenient: In November and December, weather changes quickly warm one day, icy cold the next. At Centerville Child Development Center, we go outside whenever it is safely possible, because outdoor play supports physical health, immunity, and emotional well-being.  When children come prepared for changing weather, they can enjoy outdoor learning and caregivers can focus on helping them play not trying to find missing mittens.

How parents can help:

• • • Send coats, hats, waterproof gloves, and warm socks.
    • Label every single item (things get lost faster during the holiday rush!).
    • Provide backup clothing that matches the season (long sleeves, warm pants).
    • Check sizes weekly—children grow quickly this time of year!

3. Keep Sugar in Check (Especially on School Nights): Cookies, candy, parties, hot chocolate, marshmallows holiday sugar is everywhere. While treats are part of the joy of the season, extra sugar can cause mood swings, sleep disruptions, and overstimulation, making days at daycare more difficult.  Instead of going sugar-free which isn’t realistic aim for balance.  A steady diet means steadier emotions both at home and in childcare.

Helpful tips:

• • • Pair sugar with protein (cheese, nuts, yogurt, meat).
    • Choose one planned treat per day rather than constant grazing.
    • Avoid sugary snacks before bedtime.
    • Send healthy, stable snacks to daycare to help regulate energy levels.

4. Communicate With Your Daycare—We’re Your Partner in This Season: Behavior changes are common during the holidays.  Tell your childcare provider about changes happening at home like late nights, new siblings, relatives visiting, special events, or anything that might be affecting your child’s behavior.

You may notice:

• • • bigger emotions
    • refusal to get dressed
    • trouble separating at drop-off
    • more tears
    • clinginess
    • arguing
    • difficulty with sharing or patience

At Centerville Child Development Center, we don’t judge these changes instead we expect them. Communication helps us support your child with extra patience, structure, and consistency.  Even a quick message like:  “Grandma is visiting, and bedtime was late last night. You might see some extra tiredness today,”  helps tremendously.

5. Build in Quiet Time to Offset Holiday Noise: Holiday activities often mean noise, crowds, lights, music, and excitement are all things young children love, but also things that easily overwhelm their nervous systems.  Children need calm moments to reset.  Children who get daily decompression time regulate better at daycare and home.

Try:

• • • a quiet car ride
    • a simple story
    • listening to calm music
    • dimming lights in the evening
    • having a no-screens hour before bedtime

6. Expect Emotional Ups and Downs and Respond With Gray, Not Black-and-White Thinking: That’s a lot for a developing brain.  When big feelings show up, respond with compassion and consistency.

During the holidays, young children feel:

• • • excitement
    • overstimulation
    • fatigue
    • anticipation
    • confusion
    • joy
    • disappointment

Try:

• • • “You’re tired from all the fun we’ve been having. I’m here to help.”
    • “This season is busy. Let’s take a deep breath together.”
    • “I see you’re overwhelmed. Let’s make a cozy spot.”

The more calm you remain, the more regulated your child becomes making daycare transitions much easier.

7. Support Your Childcare Team for We Love Your Children, and the Holidays Are Busy for Us Too: Daycare teachers work incredibly hard during November and December. Between special crafts, holiday events, unpredictable weather, and children’s emotional ups and downs, this season stretches everyone.  A strong partnership between parents and caregivers makes the season brighter for everyone.

Little things make a big difference:

• • • arriving on time
    • sending needed supplies
    • communicating schedule changes
    • keeping sick children home
    • expressing appreciation (even a quick note means the world!)

A Final Encouragement

The holidays can be magical but they can also be messy, unpredictable, and emotional, especially for young children. By protecting routines, preparing for weather, moderating sugar, building quiet moments, and partnering closely with your childcare team, you’ll help your child and your daycare have a smoother, happier November and December.

At Centerville Child Development Center, we’re honored to support your family during this special season. Together, we can make the holidays joyful, meaningful, and manageable for your child.